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AKRON, Ohio, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Toledo Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility, has hired seven graduates of Power Systems Institute (PSI), the company's award-winning, two-year educational program that helps prepare the next generation of line and substation workers for FirstEnergy's 10 electric utility companies.
The new employees include six lineworkers and one new substation electrician who are recent graduates from the PSI training partnership with Owens Community College in Perrysburg. Each has earned an associates degree in Electric Utility Technology.
"Our Power Systems Institute develops top-quality, well-educated men and women for the electric utility industry," said Edward Shuttleworth, president of Ohio Operations. "We look forward to these graduates joining our workforce to help continue providing safe and reliable electric service for our customers."
The new Toledo Edison line employees listed by work location, with their hometowns, are:
- Holland Line Shop – Zakary Mathias, Maumee; Travis Milligan, Fostoria; Trevor Okuley, Defiance
- Lakewood Line Shop – Ryan Hrabik, Oregon; Justin King, Toledo; Zach Little, Swanton
The new Toledo Edison substation employee listed by work location and hometown, is:
- Lakewood Line Shop – Noah Grudzinski, Perrysburg
PSI students split time between classes at Owens Community College in Perrysburg and Toledo Edison training facilities. Since the program's inception, FirstEnergy has hired more than 2,400 line and substation personnel who completed PSI programs in Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
For information about the PSI program, call 1-800-829-6801, or visit www.firstenergycorp.com/psi.
Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.
Editor's Note: Photos of FirstEnergy's Power Systems Institute training program are available for download on Flickr.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/toledo-edison-adds-new-line-substation-workers-power-systems-institute-training-programs/
| 2022-07-25T14:18:51Z
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Little Falls, N.J., May 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bantec, Inc. (OTCPINK: BANT) ("Bantec" or the "Company"), Bantec, Inc., a product and services company, announces that its subsidiary Drone USA received purchase orders to supply drone parts to repeat customers.
Michael Bannon, Bantec's Chairman and CEO stated: "We see police and fire departments starting to embrace and add drone technology to their crime fighting arsenals. Three years ago, I presented the idea of adding drone technology to a group of police chiefs. Most were not interested. This reluctant sentiment is beginning to dissipate. Drones add efficiency and make dangerous situations safer. Typically, we see departments with one or two technically savvy individuals having some drone knowledge and experience. Their higher ups are allowing these individuals to setup and run drone programs. Many have reached out to us for guidance. As the police and fire drone market grows, we believe creating a drone franchise makes good business sense and will increase revenue in 2022 and beyond.
About Drone USA
Drone USA offers full-service drone consulting, from helping you purchase the right UAVs and accessories, to getting you trained, practiced, and licensed. Whether you're a private security team, police force, or government department, our huge selection of drone technology and training programs will ensure that your team flies smarter, safer, and with the precision of seasoned drone pilots.
Drone USA: www.droneusainc.com
About Bantec
Bantec, Inc, a product and services company, through its subsidiaries and divisions sells to facility managers, engineers, maintenance managers, purchasing managers and contract officers who work for hospitals, universities, manufacturers, commercial businesses, local and state governments, and the US government. Our difference that matters consists of establishing lifelong customer and supplier friendships, responding immediately to our customers' needs, and providing products and services through a highly technically trained, motivated, and incentivized workforce.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include projections of matters that affect revenue, operating expenses, or net earnings; projections of growth; and assumptions relating to the foregoing. Such forward-looking statements are generally qualified by terms such as: "plans, "anticipates," "expects," "believes" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or qualified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. These factors are discussed in greater detail in our Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
Michael Bannon
Chairman & CEO
mike@bantecinc.com
View original content:
SOURCE Bantec, Inc.
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/03/bantecs-drone-usa-receives-purchase-orders-drone-parts-repeat-customers/
| 2022-05-03T14:51:38Z
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Six years after losing the race for vice president, the son of Philippines' dictator Ferdinand Marcos is taking on his old rival Leni Robredo -- and this time they're both aiming for the presidency.
A win for Ferdinand Marcos Jr on May 9 would return the Marcos dynasty to the Malacañang Palace, more than three decades after the family plundered the country's coffers before fleeing a mass uprising against their corrupt and brutal rule.
That a Marcos could once again take power is almost unthinkable to people still scarred by torture and the death of their relatives, but polls suggest Marcos Jr will win -- and by a considerable margin.
Known as "Bongbong" in the Philippines, Marcos Jr is running on a platform of "unity" and has promised more jobs, lower prices, and more investment in agriculture and infrastructure. His running mate for vice president is Sara Duterte Carpio, the daughter of tough-talking outgoing leader Rodrigo Duterte, and their supporters see them as continuing his policies, including his controversial "war on drugs."
Robredo, who is running as an independent supported by an army of citizen campaigners dressed in pink, has promised transparency in government, to improve the education system and ensure free access to doctors.
While a grassroots movement has recently galvanized around her, analysts say Marcos Jr's push for the presidency is the culmination of a decades-old rebranding campaign to revive the Marcos family's name and image.
Marcos Jr has tied his campaign to his father's legacy, with his slogan "rise again" tapping into people's nostalgia for his father's time as a so-called golden era for the country. In a recent interview with CNN affiliate CNN Philippines, Marcos Jr praised his father, calling him a "political genius" and his mother -- the family matriarch and four-time Congresswoman -- a "supreme politician."
Supporters of the Marcos family say the period was a time of progress and prosperity, characterized by the building of major infrastructure projects like hospitals, roads and bridges. Critics say that was an illusion and those projects were driven by widespread corruption, foreign loans and ballooning debt.
The Marcos legacy still haunts the survivors of martial law atrocities. They ask how the country could be so quick to forgive the Marcos years and fear what will happen if a Marcos is once again allowed to rule.
CNN has reached out to Marcos Jr and his campaign for comment on the allegations into the family's "ill-gotten wealth," court cases and on the martial law-era atrocities but has not received a response.
The Marcos legacy
The only son of the authoritarian leader, Marcos Jr entered politics early, becoming vice governor of northern Ilocos Norte province in 1980 at the age of 23.
At the time, the Philippines had been living under martial law for almost a decade, a period of time when rights groups say tens of thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured or killed for perceived or real criticism of the government.
Hundreds of their names are inscribed in gold lettering on a Wall of Remembrance in the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Monument of Heroes) in Quezon city, near the capital Manila. As Bonifacio Ilagan walks alongside the monument, he pauses at his younger sister's name.
Rizalina P. Ilagan was abducted by a special intelligence unit of the military in the mid-1970s, her brother said. "She went missing together with nine other activists. And we never got to see her again."
Bonifacio Ilagan was 23 when he said he was detained and tortured in prison for protesting against the Marcos regime.
"The worst part of the torture was when they ordered me to pull down my trousers and my underwear and tried to insert a stick through my penis," said Ilagan, now 70, who is co-convenor of the group Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law.
"They never cared about human rights. They impressed upon us they had the power of life and death over us because it was martial law. Because they were backed by no less than President Marcos."
Marcos Jr was 29 when his family were chased into exile in Hawaii following a People Power Revolution that toppled his father's regime in 1986. Marcos Sr died in exile three years later, but his family returned in 1991 and became wealthy, influential politicians, with successive family members representing their dynastic stronghold of Ilocos Norte.
The Marcos family lived a lavish lifestyle while in power, spending money on expensive artworks and overseas properties, even as debt spiraled and millions suffered in poverty. Former first lady Imelda Marcos was famously known for her excess spending, which included an extensive designer shoe collection. She fled the country with a stash of jewels, including a rare 25-carat pink diamond and Cartier diamond tiara, which was seized by US customs and later valued at $21 million.
Almost 40 years after their fall, the Philippines government is still trying to claw back billions of dollars in stolen funds.
The Philippines' Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) tasked with recovering the family and their associates' ill-gotten wealth estimates about $10 billion was stolen from the Filipino people -- it has so far recovered about $3 billion and dozens of cases remain active.
The family has repeatedly denied using state funds for their personal use -- a claim challenged by multiple court cases.
"When I was young, we were battling against the misgovernance of Ferdinand Marcos Sr," said Ilagan, now a filmmaker and playwright. "Now I am nearing the departure era, as they say, I find myself fighting against Ferdinand Marcos Jr."
The rebrand
Marcos Jr's rise to presidential favorite follows a social media campaign to revise history, analysts say.
Fatima Gaw, co-covenor of the Philippine Media Monitoring Laboratory, says YouTube is a "breeding ground" for videos that she says deny, distort or even justify the atrocities under Marcos Sr.
"They've been using a lot of influencers or content creators on YouTube, to peddle this fabricated narrative about the Marcos era being the golden age of the Philippines, that there was peace and order during the time," said Gaw, who is also assistant professor of communication research at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.
TikTok is also being used to appeal to younger or first-time voters -- those too young to remember the martial law period. "It's an arsenal of tools in denialism, distortionism and cherrypicking," Gaw said.
Marcos Jr has denied using disinformation and told CNN Philippines that his social media presence is organic.
The Marcos rebrand has also been made possible by the failure of the Philippines government and institutions to protect the history in the public's consciousness, Gaw said.
In 2016, President Duterte announced the reinterment of Marcos Sr in the National Heroes' Cemetery in Manila, a move approved by the Supreme Court. The surprise decision triggered protests by opponents who had launched a court challenge to have the burial stopped.
Gaw said the disinformation campaign has "primed the public now, in 2022, to feel for Marcos Jr, that he's actually the victim of a big cover up by the media."
Other analysts say Marcos Jr simply appeals to Filipinos tired of the political bickering and promises of progress and economic reform from successive administrations that many feel have failed to benefit ordinary people.
Personalities and dynasties dominate Philippines politics, with power concentrated in the hands of a few elite, influential families. Marcos Jr may be part of one of the country's most notorious dynasties, but unlike Robredo, he has managed to reposition himself as separate from the liberal elites that have long ruled the Philippines' political landscape.
"The return of the Marcos name is expected mainly because after 1986 revolution gave so much expectation to the Philippine people -- to the point of substantial changes in the way politics is practiced and governance is provided to the people," said Philippines-based political analyst Edmund Tayao.
"But after the revolution, there was a return of the same elites in politics. Expected far reaching institutional reforms did not happen."
The popularity of Marcos Jr
Marcos Jr's popularity appears to span ages, professions and social demographics.
Speaking from his home in Manila, Glenn Mark Blasquez, 37, said he is voting for Marcos Jr on May 9 because he promises the return of ambitious infrastructure development for the internet, roads, agriculture and shipping.
"We need that momentum," he said. "We need someone who is also a leader to continue that kind of progress."
Asked about Marcos Sr's legacy including rights violations and graft allegations, Blasquez said he thinks Filipinos "should move forward rather than moving backward."
"I think the only thing Marcos Jr wants is to continue the legacy of his father to be a good leader, to be a unified country," he said.
Gerald Cruz, a 33-year-old shopkeeper from Rizal province in Luzon, said he's voting for Marcos Jr because he's promised to continue President Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' infrastructure initiative and cut the cost of electricity.
"Our electrical bill has more than doubled. If electricity costs keep increasing, everything will be affected," he said. "He wants to unite the Philippines. That's what I like about him."
Sociologist Jayeel Cornelio said Marcos Jr's message of unity is appealing to voters.
"You don't get that from the other candidates, that desire for national greatness. And obviously, it has to do with the economy," said Cornelio, associate professor and director of development studies at the Ateneo de Manila university.
But not all voters feel that way.
Alyza Natiag, 26, from Antipolo, east of Metro Manila, goes house to house volunteering for the Robredo campaign, distributing pamphlets and speaking to residents.
One of many young supporters, Natiag said Robredo stands for transparency and good governance, and believes she will help the poor, tackle corruption, improve education and restore the trust of the people in government.
Natiag said she's "very worried" what a Marcos presidency would mean for the country.
"This is not just our fight, but for the Philippines," she said. "This is the time for the Philippines to really decide -- who becomes president will have a heart for all Filipinos and not just themselves."
What would a Marcos presidency mean?
The Marcos regime may have ended in the 1980s, but campaigners say the Marcoses were never held accountable for the scale of their misdeeds and fear Marcos Jr could erode efforts to settle past injustices.
As President, Marcos Jr would be head of the institutions created to investigate allegations against his family's former regime.
"What's going to happen to the Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG)? What's going to happen to that if the President himself comes from exactly that same family? Institutionally, again, what's going happen to the Commission on Human Rights?" asked sociologist Cornelio.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Marcos Jr said if he becomes President he would "strengthen" the PCGG and "lead by example" on graft and corruption. He said he would expand the agency so its target is not just his family, but other individuals.
"Instead of directing themselves against the Marcoses only, if I have a relative who is corrupt, then that person's name will come out, not only us, everyone," he said.
Some inroads have been made by prosecutors but matters remain unsettled.
Marcos Jr's mother, Imelda, now 92, was found guilty of corruption in 2018 for illegally funneling state cash into private Swiss foundations she set up while serving as Manila governor during her husband's regime. A Supreme Court appeal remains pending and Imelda never went to prison.
And there remains an unsettled estate tax of the Marcos family that is estimated to now be worth $3.9 billion, CNN Philippines reports -- Marcos Jr and his mother are court-approved executors of the late dictator's estate.
Marcos Jr has repeatedly dismissed the unsettled tax issue and has said he is not involved in ongoing cases into his family's wealth.
Political analyst Tayao said the country's constitution and systems of checks and balances are robust enough to prevent another Marcos Sr-style dictatorship.
But survivors of martial law still dealing with the trauma of the past say a Marcos Jr presidency will mean the end of justice for victims; the whitewashing of history complete.
"In the final analysis, it's democracy in the Philippines that the Marcoses trampled upon. It's the perversion of values, the culture of impunity," said martial law survivor Ilagan.
"It's not a battle between two families, it's a battle -- as we say in the literary world -- between good and evil."
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://www.albanyherald.com/news/son-of-dictator-poised-for-the-presidency-as-the-philippines-goes-to-the-polls/article_684591db-368d-5c8b-8ddf-7059a3d94c62.html
| 2022-05-06T23:40:54Z
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WATCH: Duke football player shocks team with singing voice
Published: Aug. 9, 2022 at 11:13 AM EDT|Updated: 35 minutes ago
DURHAM, N.C. (CNN) – A Duke University football player serenaded his teammates with a voice some may not expect out of a 6 feet 7 inches tall, 329-pound offensive lineman.
His teammates quietly watched and filmed Chance Lytle as he sang at training camp.
When he was done, everyone cheered and jumped up and down as if they won a game or scored a touchdown.
Lytle transferred from the University of Colorado where he graduated with a dual degree in Music and Voice Performance and Psychology.
The video on TikTok already has more than 50,000 likes.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/09/watch-duke-football-player-shocks-team-with-singing-voice/
| 2022-08-09T15:49:39Z
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KU research finds veterans could favor more restrictve gun control legislation
LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) - Research from the University of Kansas has found that veterans often are more favorable to restrictive gun control than other Americans.
The University of Kansas says the opinion remains divided about how guns should factor into American society - especially those designed for military warfare. But, what do actual soldiers think about the subject?
KU said the answers are explored in a new article, “How Do Veterans View Gun Policies? Evidence from the Guns in American Life Survey,” appearing in Social Science Quarterly.
“Many observers might expect veterans to be less supportive of gun control than other Americans since they are relatively conservative in terms of political identity,” said Margaret Kelley, professor of American studies at the University of Kansas.
“On average, vets — primarily those who have experienced combat — tend to be more receptive to some forms of gun control, such as restrictions on civilian access to military-style semiautomatic rifles and so-called ‘high-capacity’ magazines. They are also open to an extended waiting period of up to 14 days for the purchase of new handguns,” she said.
The University said the article uses data gathered from Kelley’s Guns in American Life Survey of 2018. It said the Qualitrics-run survey featured input from more than 3,000 respondents and explored various considerations which shape experiences and attitudes around firearms.
“The survey had lots of questions about gun experiences and lifestyles, social attitudes and firearm policy preferences, and it took about 30 minutes to complete online,” said Kelley.
Kelley also noted the assessment was unique in the respect to the number of female gun owners involved in the conversation.
KU said the article discusses how guns are fundamentally “demystified” for those in the military - which could account for the perception of firearms as more of a tool than as an object of empowerment.
“Demystified means, among other things, setting aside the politics of guns and allowing someone to focus on gaining practical knowledge and becoming a competent user,” she said.
“Soldiers learn at least the basics about firearms when they enlist, even if their service does not require regular use or combat. Veterans leave service with vastly different experiences, but this minimum training is ensured. While it is recommended by firearms instructors that gun owners practice and seek out training on an ongoing basis, civilians are not required by law to do so,” Kelley continued.
Kelley said she found several factors which account for why veterans were more likely to embrace rifle or magazine bans and extended waiting periods.
“While they support these limits, combat veterans also tend to be more supportive of expanded gun-carrying rights for civilians, including what is called ‘constitutional carry’ — or permit-less — that we have in Kansas and a growing number of other states,” she said.
While the reasons for the paradox are unclear, Kelley suggested that significant numbers of veterans could see public safety benefits to restrictions to widespread civilian access to powerful, highly destructive weapons - at least without proper vetting.
“At the same time, it is likely that they have learned, witnessed and practiced the safe and responsible carrying of firearms,” she said. “They have also put their lives on the line to defend America and our Constitution, including the Second Amendment. They may be reluctant to surrender those rights upon returning to civilian life.”
Now in her seventh year at the University, KU said Kelley is not a military veteran - but her father was.
“My dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany for two years, followed by six years in the reserves. As kids, we used to sleep in his Army-issued pup tent in the backyard until it finally fell apart. It wasn’t until after he died that I learned he earned sharpshooter qualification in the Army,” she said.
Kelley tapped her Guns in American Life Survey research for a larger book project which focuses on the average woman gun owner in middle America.
So why do Americans love guns so much?
“I think we have to ask, ‘Why do some Americans love guns so much?’” Kelley said. “Some Americans love guns, and some hate them. Some connect them to individual freedom, and others are more interested in the sport of guns. Others believe we should get rid of all guns. Concerns about self-defense can be universal, meaning that anyone can have that need, and increasing numbers of people are acquiring guns for that reason. There are just so many narratives. From some of my research, I would say that for most owners, guns are just one part of life, not a core identity, and not something they love but something they value.”
KU noted that the article was co-written with Christopher Ellison and Pablo Gonzalez of the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as David Leal of the University of Texas.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/08/ku-research-finds-veterans-could-favor-more-restrictve-gun-control-legislation/
| 2022-06-08T22:07:25Z
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This New Yorker is using TikTok to document the best public bathrooms in the city
By Zoe Sottile, CNN
A cheeky New Yorker is going viral for the helpful information she shares on TikTok about public bathrooms in the city.
Teddy Siegel, 22, started the “Got2GoNYC” account in 2021 after nearly peeing herself in Times Square.
“I was on the verge of peeing my pants, and I had been turned away from multiple locations that either said their bathroom was for employees only, or they didn’t have a bathroom,” the Long Island native and aspiring opera singer told CNN. Finally, she encountered a McDonald’s where she was able to use the bathroom, but only after buying a product.
To avoid another close call, Siegel started making short videos on TikTok to document free and clean bathrooms she could use when needed. “This is something I really wanted for myself,” she said.
Since then, her account has amassed nearly 100,000 followers, with many people sending in their own information about which bathrooms are accessible to the public and even sharing door lock codes.
As of April 2022, her videos have garnered nearly a million likes.
While the TikTok account may sound quirky, Siegel says it has allowed her and followers to learn more about accessibility issues in New York City. Commentators often share stories about the hardships they endure looking for safe, clean, and free bathrooms.
One follower shared a story about using Got2GoNYC to find accessible bathrooms while homeless, and another detailed the struggle of trying to find a bathroom at night as a Black delivery worker, Siegel said.
“I’ve learned the most through my followers,” she said. “It really underscores that this is such a public health and equity crisis.”
To help, Siegel has partnered with ClearPath, a nonprofit organization providing resources to homeless youth in NYC, to create a spreadsheet of accessible bathrooms people can use.
She also uses TikTok’s built-in functions to make her videos as accessible as possible to New Yorkers in a pinch. For instance, she made dedicated playlists to highlight bathrooms offering free menstrual products, include changing tables, and are gender-neutral. She also created a Google Map where users can add publicly available bathrooms on their own and edit the information
The popularity of her account is “a very big wake-up call to NYC that they’re miserably failing in providing sanitary and accessible bathrooms to their people,” said Siegel.
“This has always been an unspoken truth in NYC, that there are no bathrooms,” she said. “All of the bathrooms are literally locked away, but it’s illegal to use the bathroom in public, so what are people supposed to do?”
Still, the response to Got2GoNYC hasn’t been all positive. Siegel said multiple videos have been taken down by TikTok, and she is currently temporarily blocked for violating community guidelines, but wasn’t sure which ones.
TikTok did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
As for Siegel’s favorite bathroom in the city? She says it’s in Bryant Park.
“It makes you feel like you’re royalty,” she said. “It has classical music, art, and fresh flowers,” as well as free menstrual products and “really nice” attendants.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/09/this-new-yorker-is-using-tiktok-to-document-the-best-public-bathrooms-in-the-city/
| 2022-04-09T19:32:02Z
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BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Scott Piercy shot a 7-under 64 on Friday at TPC Twin Cities to take a three-stroke lead in the 3M Open.
Piercy had a 13-under 129 total. The four-time PGA Tour winner opened with a 65 on Thursday in windy conditions.
Emiliano Grillo was second after a 65. Callum Tarren had a 63 to reach 8 under and Tony Finau (68) was 7 under with Robert Streb (67), Tom Hoge (68), Sungjae Im (70) and Doug Ghim (68).
Starting his afternoon round on the back nine, Piercy birdied the first four holes. He added birdies on No. 2, 6 and 7 coming home to extend his lead and made a 10-footer for par on the par-3 eighth.
“It’s been a little bit since I’ve played like I feel like I should play,” said Piercy, who had missed four of his last six cuts. “To kind of prove it to myself again, I know it’s in there, it’s just like, okay, how do we get it out of me.
“There’s a lot of business to take care of this weekend, but to come out the first two days and do what I did gives me a lot of confidence going into the weekend.”
The 43-year-old Piercy, at 138th place in the FedEx Cup standings with only the top 125 making the playoffs and keeping full PGA Tour status, needs a strong finish over the final three weeks of the PGA Tour season.
“I’ve been out here a long time, I know what I need to do,” he said. “Just wishing I’d have done it earlier in the season.”
Grillo eagled the par-5 6th.
“Obviously that one on 6, it’s a big plus to steal two and it’s a hole that’s kind of hard to get in two, so solid day,” Grillo said.
Tarren was a stroke off the 3M Open tournament record.
“I hit every green today, so I had so many chances,” Tarren said. “I actually missed probably four or five inside 10 feet, so it could have been ridiculous.”
Unaware he was close to the scoring record, the Englishman birdied 15 and 17 and narrowly missed a 46-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th.
Cameron Champ, the 2021 winner, birdied four of his last five holes for a 68 to make the cut on the number at 1 over.
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https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/scott-piercy-shoots-64-takes-3-shot-lead-in-3m-open/
| 2022-07-23T21:23:21Z
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Investment to fund expansion and new product development
CORAL GABLES, Fla., June 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Logistics payments and data infrastructure platform PayCargo has announced a new investment of up to $130M from funds managed by Blackstone Growth (BXG). BXG's investment will support the company's continued expansion both domestically and internationally, development of new products, as well as potential growth opportunities through M&A.
"PayCargo is a category leader, operating at the intersection of several of our highest-conviction investment themes – including the continued proliferation of electronic payments, the digitization of the supply chain, and the modernization of business-to-business payments," said Vini Letteri, Senior Managing Director and Head of Financial Services for Blackstone Growth. "We believe that these attractive tailwinds, combined with the strength of PayCargo's offering, positions the company well for its next phase of growth."
Blackstone, through its private equity, infrastructure, and real estate businesses, has invested significantly in the broader logistics, supply chain, and e-commerce space, including acquiring a leading port operator in North America and over 1.1B sq ft of warehouse assets globally.
"Our partnership with Blackstone plays an important role in furthering our commitment to transforming the movement of goods and fostering increased efficiencies through PayCargo's payment platform. Like Blackstone, we share the same mission and vision – serving the needs of our customers by building the largest independent freight payments network. Blackstone's experience in the logistics, supply chain, and e-commerce space will be invaluable for PayCargo as we continue to expand globally," said Eduardo Del Riego, PayCargo CEO.
PayCargo's cloud-based payments network enables payers to quickly and securely pay air and ocean carriers, maritime ports, ground handlers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers, among others. PayCargo integrates with over 50 leading Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) entities across various transport modes: Ocean, Air, Rail, and Trucking. Today, PayCargo's network of more than 40K businesses is the leading independent payment platform focused on expediting the movement of cargo in North America and is rapidly expanding in Europe and other geographies.
Profitable since an early stage, PayCargo continues to invest in software updates, development, and enterprise-grade security to support this hyper-growth. PayCargo's innovative new tools include real-time customer reporting and invoicing, as well as new workflow tools to streamline partial payments and reconciliation, advanced payments, and automated refunds in any currency.
About PayCargo
PayCargo is the most trusted logistics payment platform for faster release of cargo. With over 5,000 active vendors in the PayCargo Network, you can instantly make payments for same-day or overnight release of cargo to major Air, Land, and Ocean carriers such as MSC, Ocean Network Express, ZIM, Maersk, Evergreen, Yang Ming and hundreds of other terminals and CFS stations.
For a more secure, efficient way to reduce costs associated with payment processing and to eliminate the traditional resource-intensive system of requesting, printing, mailing, and delivering checks, wire transfers or cash, join other leading freight shipping companies and sign up with PayCargo today. PayCargo makes it as easy as Ship, Click, and Pay.
For more information visit paycargo.com
About Blackstone
Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $915 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.
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SOURCE PayCargo
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/15/paycargo-raises-130m-series-c-round-with-blackstone-growth/
| 2022-06-15T13:15:51Z
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NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Resulticks, a global leader in real-time customer engagement solutions, has been named in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs -- marking the sixth consecutive year in which Resulticks has been recognized in this report.
"Despite the recent turbulence and disruptions in the global marketplace, Resulticks has stood at the cutting edge of scalable, intuitive customer engagement technology. We believe, our uninterrupted six-year presence in this Magic Quadrant report attests to the robust foundational vision and the continuous advancements of our solution," said Mani Gopalaratnam, CEO and CTO of Resulticks.
In the MMH Magic Quadrant report, Gartner defines a multichannel marketing hub as "a technology that orchestrates a company's communications and offers to customer segments across multiple channels." The 2022 report, according to Gartner "highlights digital marketing leaders' increasing reliance on multichannel marketing hubs for business growth."
"I'm encouraged and gratified by the recognition of Resulticks, a singularly unifying digital transformation engine," noted Gopalaratnam. "From strengthening our partnerships with leading tech players, including Qualcomm and Google Cloud, to adding new dimensions to our already diverse and robust array of features, such as the recent CX 5.0 update, we're focused on empowering organizations worldwide with a solution that can match the scale, speed, and unpredictability of the rapidly digitized market. Resulticks is more determined than ever to help business leaders bid farewell to the frictions, confusions, and unfulfilled promises that haunt legacy systems and move rapidly toward true digital transformation."
*Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Marketing Hubs", July 18, 2022. This report was titled "Magic Quadrant for Multichannel Campaign Management" in 2017.
Gartner Disclaimer
GARTNER and MAGIC QUADRANT are registered trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
About Resulticks
Resulticks is a real-time, big-data-driven marketing cloud/hybrid solution built from the ground up by experts in marketing, technology, and business strategy to deliver top-line growth. Outcomes-focused and enabled by the world's first customer data blockchain, Resulticks equips brands to make a transformational leap to true omnichannel engagement. With its AI-powered, customer-centric approach and attribution at the segment-of-one level, Resulticks is changing how brands worldwide reach, acquire, and retain satisfied customers. Resulticks North America is headquartered in New York City. https://www.resulticks.com/
Media Contact
Sneha Subramanian
ssneha@resulticks.com
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/resulticks-named-2022-gartner-magic-quadrant-multichannel-marketing-hubs-sixth-year-row/
| 2022-08-01T14:07:03Z
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SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) today released its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report detailing the company's goals, strategic approach and commitment to building a sustainable future.
Cloud computing, 5G connectivity, smart automobiles and the borderless enterprise are the megatrends of today's connected world — and each of them benefits from the use of Marvell technology. With the industry's most complete advanced data infrastructure portfolio, Marvell recognizes the responsibility to intentionally integrate ESG attributes into its designs, supply chain, and programs to make Marvell a trusted supplier to customers and a great place to work for employees.
"As active members of our communities, it is important that Marvell addresses environmental and social topics with a clear set of objectives and priorities," said Matt Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marvell. "Our ESG report details Marvell's commitment to continuing to make a responsible and sustainable impact across our supply chain, partner and customer ecosystem, and diverse employee community."
The report can be found at www.marvell.com/company/esg.html.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and the related ESG report contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbor created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other safe harbors under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "objectives," "goals," "strategy," "continues," "endeavors," "strives," "may," "could" and "will," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to goals, commitments, programs, timelines, business plans, targets, initiatives and objectives relating to our ESG endeavors; future energy and water usage and emissions and waste reductions; projections regarding our future financial performance; our anticipated growth opportunities and trends in our businesses; our rapid growth; the effects of business, economic, political, legal and regulatory impacts or conflicts upon our global operations; general economic conditions such as economic slowdowns, recessions, inflation, and stagflation; changes in demand for semiconductors and the related changes in demand and supply for our products; manufacturing delays, product availability and supply chain disruptions or component shortages; recruiting or retaining our personnel; our future liquidity, capital needs and capital expenditures; our development of technologies and research and development investments; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations; our future market position and expected competitive changes in the marketplace for our products; our expected tax rate; the effect of changes in or the application of new or revised tax or export laws; expected cost savings; the effect of new accounting pronouncements; integrating or realizing the benefits or synergies expected of acquired businesses and technologies; and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us from time to time with the SEC. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, including to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report, except to the extent required by law.
About Marvell
To deliver the data infrastructure technology that connects the world, we're building solutions on the most powerful foundation: our partnerships with our customers. Trusted by the world's leading technology companies for over 25 years, we move, store, process and secure the world's data with semiconductor solutions designed for our customers' current needs and future ambitions. Through a process of deep collaboration and transparency, we're ultimately changing the way tomorrow's enterprise, cloud, automotive, and carrier architectures transform—for the better.
Marvell and the M logo are trademarks of Marvell or its affiliates. Please visit www.marvell.com for a complete list of Marvell trademarks. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
For further information, contact:
Kim Markle
pr@marvell.com
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/22/marvell-releases-inaugural-environmental-social-governance-report/
| 2022-08-22T13:24:29Z
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DALLAS (KDAF) — Thursday, April 21 marks 186 years since the Victory at San Jacinto.
That battle, won by Texas, was one of the decisive victories which helped Texas win its independence from Mexico. Be sure to check out the full story of the Battle of San Jacinto from the Texas State Historical Association here.
Texas Attorney General’s Office says, “Today, we remember the spirit and sacrifice of those who fought heroically for #Texas Independence. #SanJacintoDay“
Senator Ted Cruz says, “Today marks the anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto, where General Sam Houston won a decisive victory securing Texas’ independence and freedom from Mexico! May God continue to bless Texas! #HappySanJacintoDay“
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https://cw33.com/news/texas/april-21-marks-victory-at-san-jacinto-key-battle-in-texas-independence-from-mexico/
| 2022-04-21T19:41:50Z
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UCLA’s Thompson-Robinson has plenty he wants to accomplish
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dorian Thompson-Robinson is back for one more season at UCLA, even though many encouraged him to declare for the NFL draft. The fifth-year quarterback would have been a midround pick in this year’s class. But Thompson-Robinson cited getting his degree along with trying to wrap up some unfinished business this upcoming season. Thompson-Robinson also wanted to play another year for coach Chip Kelly, even though Kelly was one of the people suggesting he go to the pros.
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https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/29/uclas-thompson-robinson-has-plenty-he-wants-to-accomplish/
| 2022-04-30T01:50:50Z
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NORCROSS, Ga., June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Seventy percent of employee partners at PruittHealth say PruittHealth is a Great Place to Work, according to their survey responses administered by Activated Insights. The certification process involved surveying nearly 12,000 employee partners from more than 90 post-acute skilled nursing and assisted living centers, as well as hospice and home health offices. The survey asks for employees' perceptions of their organization, including pride in the organization's community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and whether they feel their work has special meaning, to name a few.
"I am excited to share our organization has received the nationally acclaimed Great Place to Work distinction. We were only able to achieve this certification because of our employee partners' positive feedback and dedication to PruittHealth and our mission," said Neil Pruitt, Jr., Chairman & CEO of PruittHealth. Pruitt continued, "Being named to this prestigious list proves our employee partners take pride in their work to deliver high-quality care."
The organization's survey results showed:
- 86% of respondents believe their work has special meaning and it's not "just a job" to them
- 85% of those surveyed said they are given a lot of responsibility
- 83% of employee partners feel they make a difference in their work
- 82% feel a sense of pride when they look at what they've accomplished at PruittHealth
For more information, visit pruitthealth.com/employment or email hireme@pruitthealth.com.
A family-owned organization for more than 50 years, PruittHealth provides a seamless network of post-acute care services and resources, offering skilled nursing care, home health care, end-of-life hospice care, therapy services, as well as pharmacy and infusion services across the Southeast. Our 13,000 employed partners serve approximately 24,000 patients daily in more than 180 locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. For more information about our commitment to caring, visit pruitthealth.com.
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/13/pruitthealth-certified-great-place-work/
| 2022-06-13T20:21:46Z
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LGBTQ+ youth are at an increased risk of suicide: Here’s how you can help
(Gray News) – Every 45 seconds, a young member of the LGBTQ+ community attempts suicide.
That’s according to The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or another nontraditional orientation (LGBTQ+).
The importance of mental health has become especially prevalent in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many focus on maintaining their own mental health, some members of the community may have a more difficult time than others due to a lack of resources and support.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to The Trevor Project, and those who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a significantly higher risk.
Kollyn Conrad is the founder and executive director of Publicly Private, a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide online support and resources to people who identify as LGBTQ+. He said there are a number of factors that can contribute to an increased risk of suicide for many in the community.
Some factors include bullying in schools, cyberbullying, a lack of affirmation of personal identities, and environments that may push back against their self-expression. Many in the community may also find themselves without much in the way of real-life support where they live.
“Feeling different growing up is hard, but then you place the orientation aspect of your identity into it and … it’s not really discussed that there are different ways people can identify sexually,” Conrad said. “So that often leaves one feeling isolated.”
According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide, with more than 1.8 million between the ages of 13 and 24 considering suicide every year in the U.S.
Conrad said the problem could worsen with a growing community as more and more people identify with nontraditional genders and orientations.
“So where are we gonna be at next year?” Conrad said. “We can stand up and try to help and support the community now, or we’re gonna have a huge problem on our hands in the coming years.”
As a gay man who grew up in the Bible belt of the American South, Conrad said he’s no stranger to the feelings of isolation that comes with having a different identity.
“You see that religion is a big aspect of people’s lives,” Conrad said. “So you start to kind of put the factors that it’s not being discussed to a lot of people’s viewpoints around, you are very much against anybody identifying a certain way. It leaves you in this space of feeling isolated and that you have to suppress yourself.”
Conrad isn’t without possible solutions to the growing issue. He said anyone who wants to help support the LGBTQ+ community could start by finding nonprofits that align with their values and advocate for additional studies and surveys to be conducted on the growing community.
He said schools could also contribute by implementing gay-straight alliances to create safer spaces for those who identify with the LGBTQ+ community, along with tackling in-school and online bullying.
For more immediate support, The Trevor Project can provide direct emotional support via a confidential texting service as well as a suicide hotline that specifically caters to the LGBTQ+ community.
“Those two are basically perfect for anyone that is really in a crisis moment and needs to reach someone fast,” Conrad said.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, the Suicide Prevention Hotline is available by calling 988. Additional support can be found by chatting with an online counselor.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kxii.com/2022/09/08/lgbtq-youth-are-an-increased-risk-suicide-heres-how-you-can-help/
| 2022-09-08T00:46:45Z
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Son arrested after shooting, killing father at rest stop, authorities say
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - An Illinois man is accused of killing his father in a deadly shooting while the two were at a highway rest stop.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports law enforcement agencies were called to a rest stop on Interstate 24 near mile marker 160 on Friday night regarding a fatal shooting.
WVLT reports authorities found the body of 55-year-old Michael Monroe Woods Jr. in the bathroom at the rest stop.
Investigators said they found the man’s son Micah E. McElmurry, 30, responsible for his death and charged McElmurry with criminal homicide.
The 30-year-old was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail. Officials said the McElmurry is currently being held without bond.
Copyright 2022 WVLT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kxii.com/2022/05/28/son-arrested-after-shooting-killing-father-rest-stop-authorities-say/
| 2022-05-28T20:56:45Z
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GENEVA (AP) — China’s discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups in the western region of Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity, the U.N. human rights office said in a long-awaited report Wednesday, which cited “serious” rights violations and patterns of torture in recent years.
The report seeks “urgent attention” from the U.N. and the world community to rights violations in Beijing’s campaign to root out terrorism.
U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, facing pressure on both sides, brushed aside multiple Chinese calls for her office to withhold the report, which follows her own, much-criticized trip to Xinjiang in May. Beijing contends the report is part of a Western campaign to smear China’s reputation.
The report has fanned a tug-of-war for diplomatic influence with the West over the rights of the region’s native Uyghurs and other ethnic groups.
The report, which Western diplomats and U.N. officials said had been all but ready for months, was published with just minutes to go in Bachelet’s four-year term. It was unexpected to break significant new ground beyond sweeping findings from researchers, advocacy groups and journalists who have documented concerns about human rights in Xinjiang for several years.
But the 48-page report comes with the imprimatur of the United Nations and its member countries — notably including rising superpower China itself. The report largely corroborates earlier reporting by advocacy groups and others and injects U.N heft behind the outrage that victims and their families have expressed about China’s policies in Xinjiang.
“Beijing’s repeated denial of the human rights crisis in Xinjiang rings ever-more hollow with this further recognition of the evidence of ongoing crimes against humanity and other human rights violation in the region,” Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary-general, said in a statement.
The run-up to the report’s release fueled a debate over China’s influence at the world body and epitomized the on-and-off diplomatic chill between Beijing and the West over human rights, among other sore spots.
China shot back, saying the U.N. rights office ignored human rights “achievements” made together by “people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.”
“Based on the disinformation and lies fabricated by anti-China forces and out of presumption of guilt, the so-called ‘assessment’ distorts China’s laws, wantonly smears and slanders China, and interferes in China’s internal affairs,” read a letter from China’s diplomatic mission in Geneva issued in response to the U.N. report.
China released a 122-page report titled “Fight Against Terrorism and Extremism in Xinjiang: Truth and Facts” that defended its record and was distributed by the U.N. with its assessment.
The U.N. report says “serious human rights violations” have been committed in Xinjiang under China’s policies to fight terrorism and extremism, which singled out Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim communities, between 2017 and 2019.
The report cites “patterns of torture” inside what Beijing called vocational training centers, which were part of its reputed plan to boost economic development in region, and it points to “credible” allegations of torture or ill-treatment, including cases of sexual violence.
Above all, perhaps, the report warns that the “arbitrary and discriminatory detention” of such groups in Xinjiang, through moves that stripped them of “fundamental rights … may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.”
The report called on China to release all individuals arbitrarily detained and to clarify the whereabouts of individuals who have disappeared and whose families are seeking information about them.
The report was drawn in part from interviews with former detainees and others familiar with conditions at eight detention centers. Its authors suggest China was not always forthcoming with information, saying requests for some specific sets of information “did not receive formal response.”
The rights office said it could not confirm estimates of how many people were detained in the internment camps in Xinjiang, but added it was “reasonable to conclude that a pattern of large-scale arbitrary detention occurred” at least between 2017 and 2019.
According to investigations by researchers and journalists, the Chinese government’s mass detention campaign in Xinjiang swept an estimated million or more Uyghurs and other ethnic groups into a network of prisons and camps over the past five years.
Beijing has closed many of the camps, but hundreds of thousands continue to languish in prison on vague, secret charges.
The report said that reports of sharp increases in arrests and lengthy prison sentences in the region strongly suggested a shift toward formal incarceration as the principal means for large-scale imprisonment and deprivation of liberty — instead of the use of the “vocational training centers” once touted by Beijing.
“This is of particular concern given the vague and capacious definitions of terrorism, ‘extremism’ and public security related offenses under domestic criminal law,” the report said, saying it could lead to lengthy sentences, “including for minor offenses or for engaging in conduct protected by international human rights law.”
Some countries, including the United States, have accused Beijing of committing genocide in Xinjiang. The U.N. report made no mention of genocide.
In Tokyo, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno welcomed the publication of the report and said, “We will continue asking China to explain with transparency as well as requesting them to make a clear positive move.”
Bachelet said in recent months that she received pressure from both sides to publish — or not publish — the report and resisted it all, treading a fine line while noting her experience with political squeeze during her two terms as president of Chile.
In June, Bachelet said she would not seek a new term as rights chief and promised the report would be released by her departure date on Aug. 31. That led to a swell in back-channel campaigns — including letters from civil society, civilians and governments on both sides of the issue. She hinted last week her office might miss her deadline, saying it was “trying” to release it before her exit.
Bachelet had set her sights on Xinjiang on taking office in September 2018, but Western diplomats voiced concern in private that over her term, she did not challenge China enough when other rights monitors had cited abuses against Uyghurs and others in Xinjiang.
In a statement from her office early Thursday, Bachelet said she had wanted to take “the greatest care” to deal with responses and input received from the Chinese government last week. Such reports are typically shared with the concerned country before final publication, but generally to check facts — not to allow vetting or influence of the final report.
“I said that I would publish it before my mandate ended and I have,” she said after the report was published.
Critics had said a failure to publish the report would have been a glaring black mark on her tenure, and the pressure from some countries made her job harder.
“To be perfectly honest, the politicization of these serious human rights issues by some states did not help,” said Bachelet, who early on staked out a desire to cooperate with governments.
“I appeal to the international community not to instrumentalize real, serious human rights issues for political ends, but rather to work to support efforts to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights,” she added.
Her trip to the region in May was widely criticized by human rights groups, the U.S. administration and other governments as a public relations exercise for China.
Hours before the publication, the spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, said the U.N. chief had “no involvement” in how the report was drafted or handled, citing his commitment to Bachelet’s independence.
Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, said Bachelet’s “damning findings explain why the Chinese government fought tooth and nail to prevent the publication of her Xinjiang report, which lays bare China’s sweeping rights abuses.”
Richardson urged the 47-member Human Rights Council, whose next session is in September, to investigate the allegations and hold those responsible to account.
___
Lederer reported from the United Nations. Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report.
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https://cw33.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-deadline-looming-china-vies-to-block-un-report-on-xinjiang/
| 2022-09-01T03:47:01Z
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Company continues ongoing operations while strengthening its balance to achieve long-term strategic goals
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. and LOS ANGELES and SAN FRANCISCO , June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TRX®, the global leader in functional training products and world-class training content, today announced that it has initiated a process to identify a new strategic partner to support the Company in executing its future growth strategy.
To facilitate the sale, TRX has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana Division. The Company will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business, fulfilling its commitments to employees, customers, and vendors and other partners.
Since its founding in 2004, TRX has become a globally respected brand and has evolved into a digitally enabled, vertically, omni-channel fitness lifestyle brand powered by a vast community of consumers and fitness trainers. The Company's patented, flagship product, the Suspension Trainer ™, offers a unique functional training solution to the fitness world with millions of users and growing.
TRX has led the functional training market and defined its own category – Suspension Training® - through a combination of a high-quality hero product and education and training solutions that enable people to move better. To meet demand for virtual and hybrid training solutions, the Company in 2021 launched a purpose-built digital subscription-based platform—the TRX Training Club®--combining programming and training through live and -on-demand video classes to deliver a holistic and unique fitness experience. Moreover, over the past year, the Company has invested in, streamlined, and enhanced its eCommerce platform and added experienced management with the depth and skills to lead the Company in its efforts to execute across consumer, commercial and digital channels.
While the Company achieved a record-breaking year in 2020 because of the rapid growth experienced with the COVID-19 home fitness boom, today's action addresses the headwinds facing the business such as increased competition and macroeconomic challenges being faced by many other companies. This process will allow TRX to substantially reduce its debt and more rapidly adjust to post-pandemic consumer demands.
The Company intends to move through this process as quickly and efficiently as possible, emerging with a new partner, a healthy balance sheet, and strong operations for the benefit of all TRX employees, customers, vendors, and other partners.
The sale transaction will be executed through an open, court-supervised process designed to maximize value for all stakeholders. TRX expects that the deadline to submit qualified binding bids will be established at a later date pursuant to bidding and sale procedures to be approved by the Court. Interested parties should contact Jim Feltman of Kroll at James.Feltman@kroll.com.
Court filings as well as other information related to the restructuring are available at https://www.cacb.uscourts.gov or can be obtained by Company counsel by contacting Ron Bender of Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik L.L.P. at RB@LNBYG.COM.
The Company is being advised by the law firm of Levene, Neale, Bender, Yoo & Golubchik L.L.P. and Kroll Securities as Chief Restructuring Officer and Financial Advisor.
Founded in 2004, TRX® was built on the revolutionary idea that fitness can be achieved with one radically simple design—Suspension Training®, the iconic black and yellow straps found in gyms across the globe that power your training with bodyweight-based movements and exercises. Today, TRX is the leader in functional training solutions for both consumers and professionals, offering a complete line of highly effective, versatile and portable fitness equipment for unparalleled full body workouts that can be performed at home, at the gym, or on the road. With the recent launch of TRX Training Club®, the company is now omnichannel and offers digital content, ranging from daily live classes to on-demand workouts, all led by world-class trainers. A top-tier professional education destination, TRX has certified over 250,000 trainers and is trusted by pro athletes, pro trainers, and physical therapists, with a loyal community of millions of fitness enthusiasts across the world. With offices in California, the U.K. and Japan, as well as sales in more than 30 countries, TRX has truly become a worldwide fitness phenomenon. For more details, go to www.trxtraining.com
Media Contacts:
Paladin for TRX
Jennifer E. Mercer
jmercer@paladinmgmt.com
or
Liz Gonzalez
lgonzalez@paladinmgmt.com
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/08/trx-implements-value-maximizing-sales-process-with-comprehensive-financial-restructuring/
| 2022-06-08T16:14:39Z
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DALLAS, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Trive Capital Real Estate is excited to announce its acquisition of Madison on the Lake, a 392-unit multifamily property located in Southeast Houston. This acquisition was completed in partnership with Sentinel Peak Capital Partners ("Sentinel Peak"), an established multifamily operator with ownership experience in the property's immediate submarket.
Located minutes from Hobby Airport, Madison on the Lake offers lakefront access and several acres of green space in an urban setting with easy access to the area's employment hubs. The property's highly desirable community amenities include two large swimming pools, one of which overlooks the lake, an updated fitness center and clubhouse.
"The acquisition of Madison on the Lake is an exciting opportunity that is well-positioned for long-term value creation through unit and common area improvements. The community offers residents a unique living experience at an attainable price point and should perform well through economic cycles. We are thrilled to partner with Sentinel Peak on such a compelling project," said Troy Daniel, Founding Partner of Trive Capital Real Estate.
"Trive's real estate team is focused on opportunities characterized by off-the-run sourcing, value-add potential, and strong investment fundamentals. Madison on the Lake checks all of these boxes and is a great fit for our strategy," added Conner Searcy, Managing Partner of Trive Capital.
Trive Capital Real Estate focuses on investing in stabilized acquisition, value-add repositioning, and ground-up development opportunities through both joint venture relationships and on a direct basis. Trive's philosophy is centered around creating value at the asset level through a hands-on, collaborative approach.
Trive Capital is a Dallas, Texas based private equity firm with more than $4 billion of regulatory assets under management. Trive focuses on investing equity and debt in what it sees as strategically viable middle-market companies with the potential for transformational upside through operational improvement. We seek to maximize returns through a hands-on partnership that calls for identifying and implementing value creation ideas.
The Trive team is comprised of seasoned investment professionals who have been involved in over 100 middle-market transactions representing in excess of $6 billion in revenue across Trive's targeted industry sectors and situations.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/trive-capital-real-estate-completes-acquisition-madison-lake/
| 2022-06-23T17:45:11Z
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Jeff Newberry, a professor of English and ABAC’s poet-in-residence, opens the Jess Usher Lecture Series on Sept. 27 when he speaks on “The Right Kind of Tradition: Seamus Heaney, Irish Identity, and the Southern Problem.”
TIFTON — Five fabulous presentations with storytelling venues ranging from Ireland to Scotland to King Arthur’s England will highlight this year’s Jess Usher Lecture Series at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Jeff Newberry, a professor of English and ABAC’s poet-in-residence, opens the series at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 when he speaks on “The Right Kind of Tradition: Seamus Heaney, Irish Identity, and the Southern Problem.”
Each event is open to the public at no charge with no ticket required. All events in the series will be held in Howard Auditorium on the ABAC campus. Formerly known as the ABAC Lecture Series, this special collection of presenters has been renamed in memory of Jess Usher, a former ABAC faculty member and lecturer in the series, who passed away in 2021.
Newberry’s presentation focuses on Heaney, a Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet, who was raised in Northern Ireland, site of the famous “troubles” of the 1970s and '80s.
“Heaney’s move to the Republic of Ireland represents his movement to a sense of Irish heritage that’s anchored in both locale and local culture,” Newberry said. “Heaney’s writing about Ireland demonstrates a kind of tradition that isn’t exclusionary.
“This tradition provides an effective model for the contemporary American Southeast, a place of changing demographics that complicate the notion of heritage.”
Sponsored by the Tom M. Cordell Lecture Series, Jim McSweeny will speak on “Our National Experience, The National and Federal Archives” on Oct. 11. David Nelson’s topic on Nov. 17 is “Microbes and Xenophobes: Scotland’s Moral Panic Over Italian Ice Cream, 1880-1920.” Nelson is a professor of history at ABAC.
Abdur Rahman Muhammad, also sponsored by the Cordell Lecture Series, addresses “Journey for Justice in the Malcolm X Assassination Case” on Jan. 24.
Thomas Grant, a professor of journalism at ABAC, and Kaci West, a senior lecturer at ABAC, wind up the series on March 13 with “Literature and the Landscape,” a tantalizing look at how they followed the trail of The Knights of the Round Table in England and Wales.
Nearly 3,000 people died on the day of a series of coordinated attacks against the United States by terrorists who hijacked four passenger jets that crashed into the World Trade Center buildings in New York, the Pentagon and a field in rural Pennsylvania. Click for more.
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https://www.albanyherald.com/news/jeff-newberry-opens-jess-usher-lecture-series-at-abraham-baldwin-agricultural-college/article_7f465628-31e6-11ed-aecb-1f5a12f8a42b.html
| 2022-09-11T17:53:24Z
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday that Boston violated the free speech rights of a conservative activist when it refused his request to fly a Christian flag on a flagpole outside City Hall.
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that the city discriminated against the activist, Harold Shurtleff, because of his “religious viewpoint,” even though it had routinely approved applications for the use of one of the three flagpoles outside City Hall that fly the U.S., Massachusetts and Boston flags.
Occasionally, the city takes down its own pennant and temporarily hoists another flag.
Shurtleff and his Camp Constitution wanted to fly a white banner with a red cross on a blue background in the upper left corner, called the Christian flag, to mark Constitution Day, Sept. 17, in 2017.
The city had approved 284 consecutive applications to fly flags, usually those of other nations, before it rejected Shurtleff’s because it was a Christian flag. The city said he could fly a different banner, but Shurtleff refused, and lower courts upheld the city’s decision.
But the high court said the lower courts and the city were wrong. The case hinged on whether the flag-flying is an act of the government, in which case Boston can do whatever it wants, or private parties like Shurtleff, Breyer wrote.
“Finally, we look at the extent to which Boston actively controlled these flag raisings and shaped the messages the flags sent. The answer, it seems, is not at all. And that is the most salient feature of this case,” Breyer wrote in an opinion that also riffed on the brutalist architectural style of Boston’s City Hall and the Siena, Italy-inspired 7-acre plaza on which it sits.
Breyer wrote that “the city’s lack of meaningful involvement in the selection of flags or the crafting of their messages leads us to classify the flag raisings as private, not government, speech—though nothing prevents Boston from changing its policies going forward.”
The city has said that in the event of a loss at the Supreme Court it probably will change its policy to take more control of what flags can fly.
Shurtleff is a former organizer with the John Birch Society and has used his Camp Constitution website to question the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the outcome of the 2020 election that put President Joe Biden in office, the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and even who was behind the Sept. 11 attacks.
None of that was at issue at the high court.
The case is Shurtleff v. Boston, 20-1800.
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https://cw33.com/news/politics/ap-politics/supreme-court-rules-against-boston-in-christian-flag-case/
| 2022-05-03T11:10:52Z
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Stolen bulldozer used in attempted murder case, investigators say
NEWBERRY, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – A man in South Carolina is accused of aiming a stolen bulldozer at a house as an act of revenge, according to investigators.
Deputies with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office found a bulldozer on top of a shed with the tracks still moving on the morning of June 9.
They were able to get on top of the vehicle and take it out of gear before turning it off, WIS reported.
Deputies said the bulldozer was stolen from a nearby construction site.
The sheriff’s office said the vehicle was aimed towards the house, causing damage to the side porch, carport and a block shed at the rear of the property.
Investigators determined this was an act of revenge for allegations made in a previous case.
“This was a very dangerous and costly act of vengeance that could have cost the life of the person inside the house or someone traveling on Jollystreet Road in the early morning darkness,” Sheriff Lee Foster said.
Robert Robarge was arrested Friday and charged with attempted murder, malicious injury to property and grand larceny.
Copyright 2022 WIS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/20/stolen-bulldozer-used-attempted-murder-case-investigators-say/
| 2022-06-20T17:13:47Z
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WELLESLEY, Mass., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S. has announced a unique partnership with AbleTo, a virtual behavioral health therapy and coaching program, to offer mental health support services to Sun Life disability and critical illness members receiving benefits due to a cancer diagnosis. In a focused evaluation of disability claims for members with cancer, Sun Life's Clinical Claims Innovation Lab saw significant need for mental health intervention to address conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression. AbleTo's program, which focuses on holistic, personalized mental health care, is designed to help people cope with difficult medical diagnoses.
"Access to mental and behavioral health services has become a priority for so many across the country, particularly with regard to remote or virtual settings," said Sheila Sokolski, assistant vice president of Life, Absence and Disability products at Sun Life U.S. "By partnering with AbleTo, we can bring our members convenient, confidential access to mental health services from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. This program can help our members more effectively manage their cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, as well as maintain mental wellness throughout their medical journey."
When Sun Life members enroll in the eight-week AbleTo program, they get:
- One-on-one weekly sessions with a licensed AbleTo therapist via phone or video call
- Additional weekly sessions with an experienced AbleTo behavioral coach
- Therapists with extensive experience counseling people facing serious health diagnoses
- Digital tools and activities to use between sessions and after the program ends
"When we see members diagnosed with cancer, we know they are facing challenges in addition to receiving treatment, such as worrying about their families, their ability to return to work or paying additional medical expenses," said Sheila Weiss, RN, assistant vice president, Group Claims and Clinical Services, Sun Life U.S., and head of Sun Life's Clinical Claims Innovation Lab. "It is crucial for those dealing with a condition like cancer to receive behavioral health support, or these issues could impede their ability to cope during treatment and recover afterwards."
Sun Life's Clinical Claims Innovation Lab conducts focused analyses of disability claims for specific conditions, identifying trends and opportunities for intervention – such as communicating with physicians to better understand the member's medical situation, or connecting members to vocational rehabilitation consultants – which can improve the recovery path for the member. The Lab's studies also further educate Sun Life's claims professionals on medical treatment advances that can impact a member's recovery.
"Medical outcomes can be improved when people can manage their mental wellness at the same time as physical recovery," said Stephen Bewley, chief executive officer of AbleTo. "Through the program, individuals learn to manage anxiety and stress levels, relax, and feel more in control. They can modify negative thoughts and improve their mood, building healthy, actionable, lifelong skills to support their mental health. We've seen graduates of AbleTo's program report improvement in symptoms, with a 98 percent patient satisfaction1 score. We're thankful that Sun Life members will get access to our tailored mental health support needed during a difficult time."
Using the DASS-21 tool, which assesses and measures stress, anxiety and depression, AbleTo tracked participants' symptoms from baseline to program completion, and discovered an average 62 percent reduction in depression, and 56 percent reduction in anxiety.1
AbleTo will be available to eligible Sun Life members receiving short-term disability benefit payments and/or approved for critical illness benefits due to a cancer diagnosis. The program is an extension of their Sun Life benefit. For more information about the Sun Life clinical model, visit www.sunlife.com/disability.
This is the latest development in Sun Life's expanded approach to mental health and wellness, which includes support for primary diagnoses, guidance for employers as they develop mental wellness programs for the workplace, and broadened philanthropic support, particularly for underprivileged communities.
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2022, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.35 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
In the United States, Sun Life is one of the largest group benefits providers, serving more than 55,000 employers in small, medium and large workplaces across the country. Sun Life's broad portfolio of insurance products and services in the U.S. includes disability, absence management, life, dental, vision, voluntary and medical stop-loss. Sun Life and its affiliates in asset management businesses in the U.S. employ approximately 8,000 people. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com/us.
About AbleTo
A pioneer in telehealth, AbleTo has revolutionized the way people access quality mental healthcare. Delivering over 2 million patient sessions, AbleTo provides structured, high-quality and high-impact mental healthcare to people, when and where they need help most. The company's dynamic suite of solutions leverage data and analytics to align each person's unique needs with a highly personalized program that offers the right blend of human and digital support. A nationwide network of more than 2,300 trusted providers, skilled in clinically rigorous treatment, delivers this tailored care through a remote platform backed by over a decade of experience. AbleTo's outcomes-focused approach is proven to improve both behavioral and physical health and lower overall medical costs. For more information, visit AbleTo at www.ableto.com and follow AbleTo on LinkedIn and Twitter.
1. AbleTo Book of Business DASS-21 Outcomes, 2021
Connect with Sun Life U.S.
https://www.facebook.com/SLFUnitedStates
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial
https://twitter.com/SunLifeUS
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/11/sun-life-partners-with-ableto-bring-virtual-mental-health-support-members-with-cancer/
| 2022-07-11T13:58:04Z
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Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams part of bid to buy Chelsea
By ROB HARRIS
AP Global Soccer Writer
LONDON (AP) — The crowded field to buy Chelsea now features 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams and seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton. A long-standing fan of Arsenal, Hamilton has seized the opportunity to invest in its London rival as three bidders try to buy the Premier League club from sanctioned Russian owner Roman Abramovich. Williams and Hamilton are part of a consortium that features proposed investment from Josh Harris and David Blitzer, the owners of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers who would have to sell their stakes in Premier League club Crystal Palace to buy Chelsea.
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https://localnews8.com/sports/ap-national-sports/2022/04/21/lewis-hamilton-serena-williams-part-of-bid-to-buy-chelsea-2/
| 2022-04-21T18:28:53Z
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Civix adds ACDMS services to its Identity Management platform
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Civix announced that it has entered into a transaction agreement with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to offer its Aviation Channeling and Data Management System (ACDMS), formerly known as Designated Aviation Channeling (DAC) services, to facilitate the communication of biographic and biometric data securely from aviation badging entities to TSA. Civix, an industry leader in airport software, is among a select few approved TSA enrollment providers.
"We're thrilled to be an ACDMS provider and look forward to expanding our security services to airports and aviation entities around the country," said Tim Walsh, president of Civix Airports. "Combining ACDMS services with our Aviation Secure Credentials (ASC) identity management system provides airports and aircraft operators with one entity to handle all of their badging needs."
Civix will provide badging entities with a secure collection of biographic and fingerprint data and perform quality control to expedite background vetting by the federal government. Civix will retrieve the enrollment processing results from TSA and then provide them to the badging entities directly or through its ASC platform.
Walsh announced the approved agreement with TSA ahead of the AAAE Airport Credentialing & Access Control Conference, where the Civix team will showcase the latest iteration of its identity management solutions.
Built on decades of experience and a deep understanding of airport processes, Civix's credentialing solutions are part of the larger Civix Airport Platform – a comprehensive offering that manages airport operations, finance, and administration. Modular technology automates data sharing and seamlessly connects airport activities, improving oversight, revenue, and compliance. Civix experts have worked in every facet of airport management, and it is a trusted partner to the FAA, state aeronautics departments, and over 100 airports worldwide.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/civix-enters-transaction-agreement-with-tsa-aviation-channeling-data-management-system-acdms/
| 2022-08-04T20:14:13Z
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Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee evokes legacy of Tongan monarch
LONDON (AP) — Tonga’s chief diplomat in the United Kingdom will be thinking about two monarchs this weekend as Britain and the Commonwealth celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
There is Elizabeth, of course, who will celebrate 70 years on the throne with four days of parades and pageantry.
But High Commissioner Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tu’ivakano will also remember her great- grandmother Queen Salote Tupou III, who endeared herself to Britons as she rode through the streets of London in an open carriage during Elizabeth’s coronation parade in 1953.
Despite pouring rain, Queen Salote refused to close the top as a sign of respect for the new monarch, drawing cheers from the revelers lining the streets.
“Every single Tongan knows about that experience,’’ Tu’ivakano told The Associated Press. “I even have some individuals walking up to me (in London) and asking me, ‘Are you Tongan?’ These are ladies who were there 70 years ago. … They still remember what happened.’’
Tonga is an example of how Britain’s relationship with the world has changed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The archipelago of 170 islands in the South Pacific was a British protectorate at the time of the coronation. It became fully independent in 1970 and joined the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 54 countries that grew out of the British Empire and is headed by Elizabeth.
Britain worked closely with Australia and New Zealand, two other Commonwealth nations, to provide aid to Tonga after a volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated the islands earlier this year.
Queen Salote was just 18 when she came to the throne in 1918. She is credited with laying the groundwork for independence, though she died in 1965 before seeing it become reality.
Her actions at the coronation helped cement the links between the two countries, the diplomat said.
“There were crowds and crowds of people who witnessed this auspicious occasion and this sign of traditional Tongan respect which was passed down among generations,” she said. “I think this has, in a sense, not only reflected the relationship between the United Kingdom and Tonga but also among the people of the United Kingdom that were there and also the people of Tonga.”
One of those who witnessed the event was David Hodge, a young soldier who marched in the parade. Fresh from a posting in what was then known as Malaya, Hodge’s unit of the Somerset Light Infantry was positioned right behind the Tongan monarch’s carriage.
“The crowd loved her sitting in an open carriage taking absolutely no notice of the weather and with a wonderful smile on her face the whole time,’’ Hodge wrote on the 40th anniversary of the coronation in 1993. “Her happiness summed up the whole day for a great many people that day.’’
Hodge died in 2013. But his daughter Susan Duddridge will dance in Sunday’s jubilee pageant, providing a direct link between the coronation parade and this weekend’s celebrations.
She will be thinking of her dad as she joins 10,000 performers for the procession that ends outside Buckingham Palace.
“My dad was very proud when he was chosen to march at the coronation, so to have the opportunity to walk in his footsteps is amazing,” she said. “And I am equally as proud to be part of this amazing day.’’
The build up to the jubilee has also been a time of reflection for Tonga’s high commissioner, who has small etching of Queen Elizabeth II on her desk and an immense black and white photograph of her great-grandmother on her office wall.
Tu’ivakano sees similarities between the two queens from opposite sides of the world. Both were crowned at a young age and took their places in a male dominated world. Yet both became iconic in their own right and hold respect that transcends generations.
As she takes Queen Salote’s picture off the wall to pose for a photograph, Tu’ivakano gently touches the edge of the frame, handling it with great care. It is almost as if the queen’s spirit is not far.
The great-grandmother she never met still serves as a guiding light. When asked what she would say to Queen Salote if she had the chance, she responds quietly.
“I would tell her that she has left a great legacy, not only for our family, but for Tonga and the Pacific region and also the world,’’ she said. “We have all tried to follow suit. I would tell her that.”
___
Follow AP’s coverage of Queen Elizabeth II at https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/03/queen-elizabeth-iis-jubilee-evokes-legacy-tongan-monarch/
| 2022-06-03T08:01:43Z
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MIAMI, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand Institute is proud to announce having worked with Myovant Sciences in developing the brand name ORGOVYX® (relugolix), for an oral medication used to treat adult patients with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
ORGOVYX® was developed by Myovant Sciences and is the first and only oral androgen deprivation therapy available in Europe for the treatment of advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for ORGOVYX® in all member states of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway. ORGOVYX® received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of adult patients with advanced prostate cancer in December 2020.
"The entire Brand Institute and Drug Safety Institute team congratulates Myovant Sciences on the EC approval for ORGOVYX," said Brand Institute's Chairman and C.E.O., James L. Dettore.
Brand Institute is the global leader in pharmaceutical and healthcare-related name development, with a portfolio of over 3,800 marketed healthcare brand names, 1,200 USAN/INN nonproprietary names for 1,100 clients. The company partners on over 75% of pharmaceutical brand and nonproprietary name approvals globally every year with healthcare manufacturers. Drug Safety Institute is composed of former naming regulatory officials from global government health agencies, including Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), Health Canada (HC), American Medical Association (AMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). These regulatory experts co-authored the name review guidelines while with their respective agencies, with many responsible for ultimately approving (or rejecting) brand name applications. Now working for a private company, these professionals provide Brand Institute's clients with industry-leading guidance pertaining to drug name safety (i.e., preventing medication errors), packaging, and labeling.
Contact:
James Dettore
Chairman & C.E.O.
jdettore@brandinstitute.com
www.brandinstitute.com
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/brand-institute-partners-brand-name-development-european-commission-approved-treatment-advanced-hormone-sensitive-prostate-cancer/
| 2022-06-17T13:20:50Z
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The Supreme Court said Monday that a Washington state school district violated the First Amendment rights of a high school football coach when he lost his job after praying at the 50-yard line after games.
The opinion was 6-3 along conservative-liberal ideological lines.
“The Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance, not censorship and suppression, for religious and nonreligious views alike,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion.
The court said coach Joe Kennedy’s prayers amounted to private speech, protected by the First Amendment, and could not be restricted by the school district.
The decision lowers the bar between church and state in an opinion that will allow more religious expression in public spaces. The court clarified that a government entity does not necessarily violate the Establishment Clause by permitting religious expression in public.
“We are aware of no historically sound understanding of the Establishment Clause that begins to ‘(make) it necessary for government to be hostile to religion’ in this way,” Gorsuch wrote.
The Establishment Clause of the Constitution says Congress can “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Kennedy praised the court’s ruling in a statement on Monday, saying, “All I’ve ever wanted was to be back on the field with my guys.”
“I thank God for answering our prayers and sustaining my family through this long battle,” he said.
The decision continues a trend of a right-leaning court that has sided repeatedly in recent years with religious conservatives. Last week, the court said that Maine could not exclude religious schools from tuition assistance programs in a 6-3 decision divided along ideological lines.
“Today’s ruling is the court’s second major expansion of constitutional protections for religion in six days,” said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at the University of Texas School of Law.
“Last week, the court made it harder for states to decline to fund religious education. Today, the court is making it harder for secular schools to keep religion out of extracurricular activities, like high school football. In the name of defending religious exercise, the court’s conservative majority has neutered the First Amendment’s other reference to religion — its prohibition of state sanctioning of it.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the three liberal dissenters, said the court “weakens” the Establishment Clause’s “backstop” protecting religious freedom.
“It elevates one individual’s interest in personal religious exercise, in the exact time and place of that individual’s choosing, over society’s interest in protecting the separation between church and state, eroding the protections for religious liberty for all,” Sotomayor wrote.
‘Audible prayers’ on the field
Kennedy began his prayer ritual soon after he was hired in 2008, but the school district grew concerned when Kennedy’s short, quiet prayers grew in 2015 as players began joining him on the field all while the crowd was still in the stands.
The school district said it never restricted him from offering silent, private prayers, and offered him an alternate place to pray off the football field after games. Kennedy refused the accommodations and was ultimately placed on paid administrative leave and suspended from the program. After the season, he was given a poor performance evaluation.
He did not seek a new contract, but instead filed suit, arguing that the school district had violated his rights under the First Amendment. Kennedy lost his case at the district court level and before the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that his prayer amounted to governmental speech that is not protected by the First Amendment.
Before oral arguments in April, Kennedy told CNN in an interview that “every American should be able to have faith in public and not to be worried about being fired over it.” Kennedy, who is Christian, said his prayers were meant to fulfill a covenant he had made to praise God after every game, “win or lose.”
Lawyers for the school district had argued to the court that Kennedy’s prayer practice was not private or personal prayer, but rather a ritual undertaken in full view of students that the school district was justified in restricting.
“No one doubts that public school employees can have quiet prayers by themselves at work even if students can see,” Richard B. Katskee, a lawyer for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, told the justices.
But, Katskee said, that is not what Kennedy had engaged in. Instead, Katskee argued, Kennedy “insisted on audible prayers at the 50-yard line with students ... (and) announced in the press that those prayers are how he helps these kids be better people.”
Katskee argued that even if the court viewed Kennedy’s speech as private, the school district had adequate justification to restrict it because officials are permitted to “prevent disruption of and maintain control over school events.” Katskee gave the example that a Satanist group had come forward to demand the same access to the football field.
Notre Dame Law School Professor Richard W. Garnett, who wrote a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Kennedy, said on Monday that the high court’s ruling will “provide much needed clarity and consistency” to an area of the law that has been “notoriously confused and inconsistent.”
“The Establishment Clause is concerned with the entanglement of governmental and religious authority,” he said, adding: “It does not require the censorship of private religious expression.”
Justices differ on whether players were coerced
In his majority opinion, Gorsuch differentiated the case from past cases, pushing back on the notion that the opinion would lead to more school prayer.
He said the prayers at issue “were not publicly broadcast or recited to a captive audience. Students were not required or expected to participate.”
Gorsuch added that students “were not required or expected to participate,” rejecting concerns of some of the parents that students could feel “coerced.”
And he limited the discussion to three prayers instead of a broader pattern of the coach’s conduct.
“Respect for religious expressions is indispensable to life in a free and diverse Republic — whether those expressions take place in a sanctuary or on a field, and whether they manifest through the spoken word or a bowed head,” Gorsuch wrote.
Sotomayor’s dissent, which included photographs of the prayers in question, suggested that she thought the majority was not describing accurately the factual circumstances of the case.
“As the majority tells it, Kennedy, a coach for the District’s football program, ‘lost his job’ for ‘(praying) quietly while his students were otherwise occupied,’” she wrote. “The record before us, however, tells a different story.”
Her dissent also pointedly noted that the school district tried to accommodate the coach by offering him a place to pray, off the field. “Again, the District emphasized that it was happy to accommodate Kennedy’s desire to pray on the job in a way that did not interfere with his duties or risk perceptions of endorsement,” she said.
She said that it was “unprecedented” for the court to hold that Kennedy’s conduct, “taken as a whole, did not raise cognizable” concerns of coercion.
Sotomayor stressed that students could have felt coerced to join in the prayer and pointed to the fact that the court in the past has “recognized that students face immense social pressure.”
She said that they look up to their teachers and coaches as role models and “seek their approval” and that players might try to gain a coach’s approval to secure a stronger letter of recommendation for college recruiting or more playing time on the field. “The record before the Court bears this out,” she wrote.
Already, such concerns have been raised by the National Education Association, the nation’s leading labor union for teachers, which said on Monday that the majority opinion would open the door to coercive prayer in schools.
“The Constitution should protect public school students from being coerced into religious activity,” NEA president Becky Pringle said in a statement. “The court’s decision here does the opposite: it ignores the real-life pressure and coercion that students will feel when school officials stage public religious observances in class or at school events.”
This story has been updated with additional details Monday.
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https://www.albanyherald.com/news/supreme-court-further-erodes-separation-between-church-and-state-in-case-of-praying-football-coach/article_e5d87301-749f-527e-95bf-d4a8135ed087.html
| 2022-06-27T20:30:10Z
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First details on how Hyundai Motor Group is integrating extensive mobility capabilities to develop commercial urban and regional air vehicles and surrounding market
WASHINGTON and FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Supernal (the Company) today revealed its initial eVTOL vehicle cabin concept at Farnborough International Airshow, providing the first look at how Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is integrating automotive capabilities to develop the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.
Supernal partnered with the Group's design studios to create the cabin concept as the Company works to certify its eVTOL vehicle for commercial use in the United States starting in 2028 – and in the E.U. and U.K. shortly after. Beyond the vehicle, Supernal is collaborating with external partners and the Group's more than 50 affiliates – which span automobiles, automotive parts, construction, robotics and autonomous driving – to responsibly co-create the expansive AAM value chain.
"In order for Advanced Air Mobility to become a wide-spread mode of transportation, every detail – from the passenger experience to regulations and infrastructure – needs to be addressed from the start and work in lockstep with one another," said Jaiwon Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. "Leveraging Hyundai Motor Group's mobility capabilities, Supernal is investing time and resources upfront to ensure the industry can scale to the masses in the coming decades and reach its exciting potential."
Supernal's five-seat cabin concept provides clues to how the Company is harnessing automotive design processes and materials – while meeting commercial aviation's highest safety standards – to optimize the AAM passenger experience and price-point. The design embodies biomimicry philosophy – a butterfly in this case – and the Company's pillars of safety above all, human-centered design and environmental responsibility.
"Supernal is partnering with Hyundai Motor Group's top automotive designers to develop our eVTOL vehicle for manufacturability and wide-spread public acceptance," Shin added. "We are taking the time to create a safe, light-weight commercial eVTOL that provides our future passengers with the security and comfort they find in their own cars."
The team of engineers and designers utilized the automotive industry's reductive design approach to create the light-weight interior cabin, which is made of forged carbon fiber. Ergonomically contoured seats offer a cocoon-like environment for passengers. Deployable seat consoles mimic automobile center consoles and provide a charging station and stowage compartment for personal items. Grab handles built into the cabin doors and seatbacks assist with ingress and egress. A combination of lighting – including overhead lights inspired by automobile sunroofs – adjusts with the various stages of flight to emulate a "light therapy" effect. The cabin layout draws on automotive space innovation with a minimized bulkhead, which allows for generous headroom and package functionalities.
With sustainability as a priority, the cabin concept incorporates materials such as advanced recyclable carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic, durable plant-based leather, recycled plastic fabric and responsibly sourced woods. The seat frame also utilizes excess raw material from the airframe manufacturing process.
"The Supernal eVTOL vehicle draws on the competence of the Hyundai Motor Group and the skillset of experienced automotive designers, which allowed us to develop a new air mobility concept that is not only safe and rational but also highly emotional," said Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group.
The Group is leveraging its expansive mobility and mobility-enabling capabilities to develop a family of electric air vehicles, as well as the surrounding value chain.
Complementing U.S.-based Supernal's battery-powered eVTOL vehicle designed for intra-city passenger journeys starting in 2028, the Group's Korea-based division (the Division) focused on Regional Air Mobility is developing a hydrogen-powered mid-sized vehicle for regional – city-to-city – cargo and passenger journeys. The Division plans to launch service of its hydrogen vehicle in the 2030s.
Supernal and the Division are partnering with the Group's manufacturing innovation teams across the globe to create a robust high-rate, high-quality AAM manufacturing process that will produce electric air vehicles at scale – at an increasingly affordable price-point – over the coming decades.
"Hyundai Motor Group is working to leverage synergies between automotive's high-rate manufacturing capabilities and aerospace's high certification standards to build the foundation for everyday use of passenger and cargo air vehicles," Shin said.
Supernal's eVTOL vehicle cabin concept is on display at the Farnborough International Airshow (Exhibit Hall 1, Booth 1307). Click here to follow the Company's on-site activities. Click here to access the Company's media kit.
Supernal (Su·per·nal) is a U.S.-based mobility service provider on a mission to redefine how people move, connect, and live. We are developing an Advanced Air Mobility eVTOL vehicle and working to responsibly co-create the supporting ecosystem and integrate it into existing transit options. As part of Hyundai Motor Group, we are both a new business and an established company, with plans to harness our automotive manufacturing heritage to make Advanced Air Mobility accessible to the masses. Visit www.supernal.aero for more information and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group's mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all. More information about Hyundai Motor Group, please see: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com.
Supernal Contacts:
Jennifer Darland
jennifer.darland@supernal.aero
Andre Carter
acarter@supernal.aero
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/18/hyundai-motor-groups-supernal-unveils-evtol-vehicle-cabin-concept-2022-farnborough-international-airshow/
| 2022-07-18T11:48:00Z
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NEW YORK, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsObserver issues critical PriceWatch Alerts for BABA, DVN, LEN, XOM, and PGR.
Click a link below then choose between in-depth options trade idea report or a stock score report.
Options Report – Ideal trade ideas on up to seven different options trading strategies. The report shows all vital aspects of each option trade idea for each stock.
Stock Report - Measures a stock's suitability for investment with a proprietary scoring system combining short and long-term technical factors with Wall Street's opinion including a 12-month price forecast.
- BABA: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=BABA&prnumber=062120227
- DVN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=DVN&prnumber=062120227
- LEN: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=LEN&prnumber=062120227
- XOM: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=XOM&prnumber=062120227
- PGR: https://www.investorsobserver.com/lp/pr-options-lp-2/?symbol=PGR&prnumber=062120227
(Note: You may have to copy this link into your browser then press the [ENTER] key.)
InvestorsObserver provides patented technology to some of the biggest names on Wall Street and creates world-class investing tools for the self-directed investor on Main Street. We have a wide range of tools to help investors make smarter decisions when investing in stocks or options.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/thinking-about-trading-options-or-stock-alibaba-devon-energy-lennar-corp-exxon-mobil-or-progressive/
| 2022-06-21T16:29:17Z
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NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF continues its investigation into Canoo Inc. (NasdaqGS: GOEV, GOEVW) f/k/a Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV.
On or about December 21, 2020, Canoo Holdings became a public entity via merger with Hennessy Capital, with the surviving entity named "Canoo." On March 29, 2021, post-market, the Company announced its 4Q2020 and full year financial results, disclosing significant changes to its business model, previously touted by the Company to investors, deemphasizing its engineering services business and no longer focusing on its subscription-based business.
Thereafter, the Company and certain of its executives were sued in a securities class action lawsuit, charging them with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws, which remains ongoing.
KSF's investigation is focusing on whether Canoo's officers and/or directors breached their fiduciary duties to Canoo's shareholders or otherwise violated state or federal laws.
If you have information that would assist KSF in its investigation, or have been a long-term holder of Canoo shares and would like to discuss your legal rights, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-goev/ to learn more.
KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients – including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors – in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.
To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner
lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200
New Orleans, LA 70163
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/03/canoo-investigation-continued-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-amp-foti-llc-continues-investigate-officers-directors-canoo-inc-goev-goevw/
| 2022-09-03T03:48:27Z
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PLEASANTON, Calif., June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cowbell Cyber the leading provider of cyber insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is proud to announce that Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry's leading electronic information security magazine has named Cowbell the "Best Product in Cyber Insurance" in it's 10th Annual Global InfoSec Awards. Cyber Defense Magazine named Cowbell a winner on the opening day of the RSA Conference in San Francisco.
"Cowbell Cyber is dedicated to not only providing cyber insurance to businesses of all sizes but arming them with the tools needed to prevent cyber attacks in the first place," said Isabelle Dumont, SVP of Marketing and Technology Partners at Cowbell Cyber. "This recognition from Cyber Defense Magazine is proof that we are achieving our goal of providing the best cyber insurance product on the market for all businesses."
Cowbell's solution is built on the foundation of AI-based, continuous risk assessment. The process informs underwriting for cyber and every finding is shared with the customers so they benefit from insights provided to mitigate any security weakness. The result is policies aligned with the evolving cyber risk exposures of the customers due to ever-evolving threats and expanded digital footprints.
"Cowbell Cyber embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine.
The judging panel consists of CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, and other certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables.
To see a full list of this year's Global Global InfoSec Awards visit: http://www.cyberdefenseawards.com/
Please join us virtually at the #RSAC RSA Conference 2022, https://www.rsaconference.com/usa today, as we share our red carpet experience and proudly display our trophy online at https://cowbell.insure/ and on our social media channels.
Cowbell Cyber offers standalone, individualized, and easy-to-understand cyber insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In its unique AI-based approach to risk selection and pricing, Cowbell's continuous underwriting platform, powered by Cowbell Factors, compresses the insurance process from submission to issue to less than 5 minutes. Cowbell Insurance Agency is currently licensed in 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Cowbell Reinsurance Company is a licensed insurance captive in the State of Vermont. For more information, please visit www.cowbell.insure.
This is Cyber Defense Magazine's tenth year of honoring InfoSec innovators from around the Globe. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage, or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com
Media Contact
John Kreuzer
Lumina Communications for Cowbell Cyber
Cowbell@LuminaPR.com
408-963-6418
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/cowbell-cyber-wins-global-infosecs-best-product-cyber-insurance-award-rsa-conference-2022/
| 2022-06-06T17:25:55Z
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Woman with 3 kids in car charged in road-rage shooting that injured teen, police say
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (WGCL/Gray News) – A woman is in custody following a road-rage incident in Georgia that left a teenage victim injured, police said.
According to the Douglasville Police Department, a 17-year-old was shot in the face Sunday afternoon while inside a vehicle on Interstate 20, about 23 miles west of Atlanta.
Other people inside the victim’s vehicle told police that a woman had been following them since a road-rage incident began. On the interstate, the suspect pulled up alongside the victim’s vehicle and fired at least one shot, police said.
The suspected shooter then took off in another direction, but a passenger in the victim’s vehicle was able to capture a photo of the suspect. Police posted the photo on social media, and multiple people called in to identify the woman.
Later that night, Brittney Griffith turned herself into police. Police said Griffith’s three children, ages 4 to 6, were in the car with her when she shot at the victim’s vehicle.
Griffith has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, three counts of cruelty to children and one count of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony. She was denied bond during her initial court hearing on Monday.
Police said the teenage victim is being treated at a hospital and is expected to recover.
Copyright 2022 WGCL via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/02/woman-with-3-kids-car-charged-road-rage-shooting-that-injured-teen-police-say/
| 2022-05-02T18:04:46Z
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(WXIN) — The latest TikTok food trend has combined two words you generally don’t see together: “healthy” and “Coke.”
In a video posted this week, TikToker Amanda Jones introduced viewers to what she called a healthy alternative to classic Coca-Cola, or a “healthy Coke,” as she called it in an on-screen caption.
“My Pilates instructor makes this drink, almost like, every day, I think she told me,” she says at the beginning.
Viewers then watch as Jones puts a splash of balsamic vinegar into a glass filled with ice, and then fills the rest with LaCroix sparkling water. According to Jones, it does not matter what brand or flavor of sparkling water you choose. (She used guava LaCroix.)
“I am not joking you — it tastes just like a Coke. And you’re gonna think I’m insane,” she says.
“So good,” she adds, after taking a sip.
Despite her claims, plenty of viewers didn’t seem to be buying it.
“This needs to affect your credit score somehow,” one person commented. Another account responded, “This is why I don’t take advice that begins with ‘my Pilates instructor.'”
In the video, the drink looks like a cola and appears to fizz like a cola, but does it actually taste like Coke?
Reactions were mixed among those that actually tried it.
One writer for The Guardian called the drink “disgusting” when he tried it with plain sparkling water. It was a little better with lime-flavored sparkling water, he said, but not much. “Tasted like a lovely glass of Coke had been left out in the sun for weeks and started to ferment,” he wrote.
Another writer for The Cut described the beverage as “weirdly pleasant” and felt that people who enjoy drinks with apple cider vinegar would probably like it.
Jones has since responded to the reactions to her initial video in a follow-up, where she appeared to express slight remorse after seeing the comments.
“I’m debating on saying I was just kidding, because this is just — this is too much,” she said.
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https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/healthy-coke-recipe-baffles-internet-after-tiktok-video-goes-viral/
| 2022-06-12T13:27:44Z
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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced the appointment of Michael V. Drake, M.D., to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Dr. Drake will also serve as a member of the Board's Corporate Responsibility and Compliance Committee and its Governance and Nominating Committee. Following the appointment of Dr. Drake, the Board will be composed of 13 directors, 12 of whom are independent.
Dr. Drake is president of the University of California, a system of 10 campuses, five medical centers and three nationally affiliated labs that serves more than 280,000 students and employs 230,000 faculty and staff.
"Michael is an accomplished physician and leader who heads one of the largest, most diverse and well-respected academic institutions in the world," said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer of Amgen. "He will add tremendous value to Amgen given his extensive medical, scientific and leadership experience as we continue to drive innovation to address serious illness."
Dr. Drake previously served as president of The Ohio State University (OSU) from 2014 to 2020, a period during which the university saw all-time highs in applications, graduation rates, industry-sponsored research and academic preparation and diversity of in-coming classes. Prior to OSU, he served for nine years as chancellor of the University of California, Irvine and was UC Irvine's systemwide vice president for health affairs from 2000 to 2005.
Dr. Drake received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical doctorate from the University of California, San Francisco.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2021, Amgen was named one of the 25 World's Best Workplaces™ by Fortune and Great Place to Work™ and one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world by Barron's.
For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Jessica Akopyan, 805-440-5721 (media)
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/amgen-appoints-michael-v-drake-board-directors/
| 2022-08-03T20:48:45Z
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Where has all the Sriracha gone?
Published: Jun. 9, 2022 at 3:02 PM EDT|Updated: 59 minutes ago
(CNN) - One of the world’s largest producers in the Asian hot sauce market is anticipating a major shortage of Sriracha.
Huy Fong Foods says severe weather conditions affected the quality of its chili peppers and their current inventory does not meet the demand.
The company announced it is not accepting new orders for its signature Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce placed before September.
Orders already made before Labor Day will have to wait until the fall to be fulfilled.
This pause in orders not only applies to Huy Fong’s Sriracha sauce, but also to its Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek products.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/09/where-has-all-sriracha-gone/
| 2022-06-09T20:12:01Z
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PEWAUKEE, Wis., Sept. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SunVest Solar LLC recently flipped the switch on three Illinois community solar projects the company acquired from another developer. The acquisitions were the first of many planned nationwide for the Wisconsin-based developer as it progresses toward its goal of helping businesses, municipalities, residents and utilities transition to clean electricity.
"Community solar is a key component for states, like Illinois, with plans to transition to renewable energy," said Tim Polz, Chief Development Officer of SunVest Solar LLC. "We are actively initiating and acquiring community solar sites in 14 states, with more to come."
Two of the Illinois community solar sites, located in the communities of Glenwood and Mazon, are in Commonwealth Edison territory. The third site, located in downstate Elba, is in Ameren territory. The Glenwood site is believed to be the first community solar project to energize in Cook County. All three sites are 2MWac.
Projects like these are made possible from state incentives and programs, including Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), signed into law by Governor Pritzker one year ago today on Sept. 15, 2021. SunVest, which builds, owns, and operates large scale community solar sites, is prepared to expand along with the Illinois market.
"SunVest is making distributed solar more accessible to residents and businesses while creating jobs and training a diverse workforce," Polz said. "We establish long-term relationships with landowners and industry partners and plan to acquire, own and operate community solar projects."
SunVest has acquired nearly 90MWac of projects in Illinois in conjunction with another developer, a partnership that has to-date resulted in nearly 74MWac of total solar projects energized or achieved key notice-to-proceed milestones. The company's dynamic development and construction team, combined with strong financial partners put SunVest in a position to acquire additional assets in the near future.
SunVest Solar is one of the nation's largest distributed solar developers. We develop community solar projects in key markets nationwide, distributed solar for commercial/industrial customers, as well as solar assets for utilities, co-ops, municipalities and others. To learn more, visit www.sunvest.com.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/09/15/sunvest-solar-acquires-energizes-three-community-solar-projects-illinois-first-many-nationwide/
| 2022-09-15T16:33:30Z
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- Aug. 11 is "811 Day" – a day dedicated to the importance of calling 811 at least three business days before digging begins
- Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy reported damage to underground natural gas and electric lines nearly 5,000 times this year
- Calling 811 helps prevent injuries, outages, costly repairs – keeping everyone safer
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aug. 11 is officially "811 Day," and as residents continue summer yard projects, Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy want to remind everyone to call 811 before digging to prevent potential personal injury and avoid electric and natural gas outages.
"Keeping our customers safe and protecting our underground utility infrastructure are top priorities," said Sasha Weintraub, Piedmont Natural Gas senior vice president and president. "Even simple digging jobs can cause serious injuries and disrupt vital utility services to communities, so it is important to call 811 to prevent unnecessary and potentially dangerous situations and outages in our communities."
The national "811 Call Before You Dig" system was created so anyone who plans to dig can make a free call to have underground utility lines clearly marked. Contractors, homeowners, business owners and anyone preparing for a digging project should call 811 at least three business days before digging begins. The local utilities will then send a crew to mark underground lines in the area (electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and others) with stakes, flags or paint.
From January to June 2022, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported damage to 4,967 natural gas and electric lines in their service territories (North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana).
More specifically, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported 1,766 cuts to underground natural gas facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. And Duke Energy reported around 3,201 damages to its underground electric network in all its service territories. In 2021, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported nearly 9,800 cuts to natural gas and electric lines.
"Our best defense is awareness and ongoing education to call 811 before you dig," added Weintraub. "We are committed to sharing this message with our customers and communities to avoid these accidents."
For a video that shows how to use 811, click here. For additional information about 811, visit Call 811 Before You Dig. To get in touch with the 811 center in your state, dial 811 or visit Call811.com.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont is routinely recognized by J.D. Power for excellent customer satisfaction, and has been named by Cogent Reports as one of the most trusted utility brands in the U.S. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: Twitter, Facebook.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Zach Vavricka
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas; Duke Energy
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/piedmont-natural-gas-duke-energy-remind-residents-that-safe-digging-starts-with-811/
| 2022-08-11T13:49:22Z
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BEIJING, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL) ("TAL" or the "Company"), a smart learning solutions provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended May 31, 2022.
Highlights for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023
- Net revenues was US$224.0 million, compared to net revenues of US$1,384.9 million in the same period of the prior year.
- Loss from operations was US$28.3 million, compared to loss from operations of US$126.9 million in the same period of the prior year.
- Non-GAAP loss from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$1.8 million, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of US$59.4 million in the same period of the prior year.
- Net loss attributable to TAL was US$43.8 million, compared to net loss attributable to TAL of US$102.1 million in the same period of the prior year.
- Non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$17.4 million, compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL of US$34.6 million in the same period of the prior year.
- Basic and diluted net loss per American Depositary Share ("ADS") were both US$0.07. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.03. Three ADSs represent one Class A common share.
- Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled US$2,892.1 million as of May 31, 2022, compared to US$2,708.7 million as of February 28, 2022.
"Our performance this quarter demonstrates the combined efforts of our experienced management team, innovative employees, and our extensive business partners. In the process of our transformation, we are focused on developing new initiatives that match the mega trends in our industry and the broader ecosystem." said Alex Peng, TAL's President & Chief Financial Officer.
"We believe TAL's trusted brand, operational excellence and pedagogical know-how will position the company for the transformation we are going through." Mr. Peng concluded.
Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023
Net Revenues
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, TAL reported net revenues of US$224.0 million, representing an 83.8% decrease from US$1,384.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Operating Costs and Expenses
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, operating costs and expenses were US$260.0 million, representing an 82.8% decrease from US$1,515.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were US$233.6 million, representing an 83.9% decrease from US$1,447.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Cost of revenues decrease by 85.6% to US$88.6 million from US$613.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP cost of revenues, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, decreased by 85.9% to US$86.2 million, from US$612.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 86.1% to US$60.0 million from US$431.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, decreased by 87.2% to US$52.0 million, from US$407.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
General and administrative expenses decreased by 66.3% to US$111.5 million from US$331.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, decreased by 66.9% to US$95.4 million, from US$288.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Total share-based compensation expenses allocated to the related operating costs and expenses decreased by 60.7% to US$26.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 from US$67.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.
Impairment loss on intangible assets and goodwill was nil for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to US$139.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased by 82.4% to US$135.5 million from US$771.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Loss from Operations
Loss from operations was US$28.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to loss from operations of US$126.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP loss from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$1.8 million, compared to Non-GAAP loss from operations of US$59.4 million in the same period of the prior year.
Other Income / (Expense)
Other expense was US$26.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to other income of US$38.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Impairment Loss on Long-term Investments
Impairment loss on long-term investments was nil for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to US$23.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Income Tax expense
Income tax expense was US$2.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to US$31.2 million of income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Net Loss Attributable to TAL Education Group
Net loss attributable to TAL was US$43.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, compared to net loss attributable to TAL of US$102.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$17.4 million, compared to Non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL of US$34.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per ADS
Basic and diluted net loss per ADS were both US$0.07 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.03, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments
As of May 31, 2022, the Company had US$1,736.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and US$1,156.1 million of short-term investments, compared to US$1,638.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and US$1,070.5 million of short-term investments as of February 28, 2022.
Deferred Revenue
As of May 31, 2022, the Company's deferred revenue balance was US$227.4 million, compared to US$187.7 million as of February 28, 2022.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss its financial results for the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2023 ended May 31, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 29, 2022 (8:00 p.m. Beijing time on July 29, 2022).
Please note that you will need to pre-register for conference call participation at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2f124a2b4d054342a99323e38a074715.
Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers and unique Direct Event Passcode. This information will allow you to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.
A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of TAL's website at https://ir.100tal.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, TAL Education Group's strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's ability to continue to provide competitive learning services and products; the Company's ability to continue to recruit, train and retain talents; the Company's ability to improve the content of current course offerings and develop new courses; the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company's ability to maintain and continue to improve its teaching results; and the Company's ability to compete effectively against its competitors. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's reports filed with, or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and TAL Education Group undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
About TAL Education Group
TAL Education Group is a smart learning solutions provider in China. The acronym "TAL" stands for "Tomorrow Advancing Life", which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive learning services to students from all ages through diversified class formats. Our learning services mainly cover enrichment learnings programs and some academic subjects in and out of China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TAL".
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In evaluating its business, TAL considers and uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental metrics to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, non-GAAP cost of revenues, non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL, non-GAAP basic and non-GAAP diluted net loss per ADS. To present each of these non-GAAP measures, the Company excludes share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release.
TAL believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding share-based expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. TAL believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to TAL's historical performance and liquidity. TAL computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and from period to period. TAL believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation charges that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in the Company's business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.
For further information, please contact:
Jackson Ding
Investor Relations
TAL Education Group
Tel: +86 10 5292 6669-8809
Email: ir@tal.com
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/tal-education-group-announces-unaudited-financial-results-first-fiscal-quarter-ended-may-31-2022/
| 2022-07-29T08:51:45Z
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SANDVIKEN, Sweden, June 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik has acquired the Finland-based company Akkurate, a frontrunner in holistic battery management, providing remote battery diagnostic- and prognostic platforms. The company will be reported in Load and Haul, a division within the business area Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
"I am very pleased that we continue to execute on our shift to growth strategy. Strengthening our position within electrification is one of the key priorities within Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions. Sandvik's electric equipment improve productivity and efficiency and contribute to a cleaner working environment, reducing emissions, noise and heat", says Stefan Widing, President and CEO of Sandvik.
With the acquisition of Akkurate, Sandvik will strengthen its leading position in electrification competence and know-how in battery analytics. It accelerates Sandvik's expansion into battery-electric vehicles by enhancing the current offering, and strengthens Sandvik's position as the strongest in-house developer of BEV technology in the industry.
"The acquisition of Akkurate is aligned with our ambition to enhance and power our customers' safety, productivity and sustainability by supplying our leading battery-electric underground solutions. Whether it's about battery auto-swap technology, increasing voltage, extended battery life or equipment capability and reliability, we aim to lead the industry into the electrification era. We look forward to welcoming Akkurate to the Group," says Mats Eriksson, President of the division Load and Haul within Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions.
Akkurate, founded in 2016 by members of Nokia/Microsoft's battery R&D team, consists of a team of 12 professionals with in-depth knowledge of Li-ion technology. Akkurate's head office and battery laboratory is situated in Kaarina (Finland), close to Sandvik's Turku facility. The transaction was signed and closed on June 17, 2022.
Stockholm, June 20, 2022
Sandvik AB
For further information, contact Louise Tjeder, VP Investor relations, phone: +46 (0) 70782 6374 or Johannes Hellström, Press and Media Relations Manager, phone: +46 (0) 70721 1008.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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SOURCE Sandvik
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/20/sandvik-acquires-finland-based-akkurate-solutions-provider-holistic-battery-management/
| 2022-06-20T19:14:08Z
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ALBANY — The rapid ascension of Verda Covin, from assistant solicitor of Athens-Clarke County to Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, seems somehow skewed at first glance, like someone skipping a few grades in school to reach a pinnacle reserved for more seasoned students.
Supreme Court justices, after all, are usually much older with a greater number of notches in their judicial belts. Oh, and they’re mostly white men.
But talk with Covin for just a few minutes, and it’s not difficult at all to understand her rapid rise. She is engaging, fascinating, confident, intelligent, passionate ... all while maintaining the air of a “good hang,” someone you feel comfortable just chatting with, about pretty much anything. And no one, it seems, is invulnerable to her considerable charm, including a couple of governors.
Perhaps it’s her assertion — and you know she’s telling the truth — that she really wasn’t “looking” to move up to Superior Court judge, to the state Court of Appeals and, yes, even to her seat on the state Supreme Court that sprinkles Covin with more than her share of Fairy Godmother dust that keeps putting her “where God wants me,” even if it is at one of the highest seats of power in the state judiciary.
“I was 14 years in in my career in the U.S. Attorney’s office, and I was a litigator through and through,” Covin said during a visit to Albany with Court of Appeals judge, and former Dougherty County District Attorney, Ken Hodges during law week this week. “When an opening came up in Macon Superior Court (in 2014), people — including my boss, Michael Moore — told me I should consider applying. I was a single mom with two kids, and I loved what I was doing.”
Covin eventually relented, though, put her name in the hat, and said she was surprised when she made the short list for the position.
“People asked me ‘How did it go?’ after the interview process, and I said, ‘I don’t know what will happen, but I knocked it out of the park,’” Covin said.
Gov. Nathan Deal obviously agreed, and he called the candidate personally to tell her she got the job.
“That was surreal, but Gov. Deal and I developed a great friendship,” Covin said. “When we saw each other, we didn’t shake hands, we hugged.”
Six years later, another governor — Brian Kemp — appointed Covin to the state Court of Appeals, and 15 months into that tenure, then-Chief Justice Harold Melton announced plans to retire. Covin interviewed again, made the short list and eight months ago was appointed to the state high court, again by Kemp.
“Chief Justice Melton was the only African-American on the Supreme Court when he announced his plans to retire,” Covin said. “I knew we needed diversity on the court, and with others encouraging me to apply for the position, I kind of wanted to see if some of the older judges were interested. I’m one of those people who believes in the value of climbing the ladder.
“I didn’t want to risk not applying and losing that opportunity for diversity, though. So I applied, made the short list, and was appointed by Gov. Kemp.”
Covin said she has a hard time explaining to people sometimes that even on the highest court in the state, she’s not in a position to change the laws of the state.
“A lot of people don’t understand, we have three branches of government,” she said. “In the court system, we don’t make the laws and we don’t revise laws. We interpret the law.
“I am very proud that Gov. Deal brought about judicial reform that allowed the courts some leeway in sentencing, rather than the rigid code that had been in place. It allowed us to be creative and find alternative sentences that took into account each individual that came before us.”
Covin said she’s proud when people find out her position on the Supreme Court and comment on how “down to earth” she is.
“People have said, ‘You’re here with us little people,’ and I tell them I am a little person,” she said. “A lot of times when I meet someone, I don’t tell them what I do. I tell them I work for the state. It’s not that I’m not proud, but I don’t want them to be intimidated by the position.”
While Covin is known in the state for her rapid ascension up the judicial ladder, before she even came onto the state scene she became well-known for a video — one she didn’t know was being recorded — in which she talked to young offenders in a Macon courtroom.
By the time she’d finished explaining to them what awaited if they continued on their path, most of the 17 young offenders and Covin herself were in tears. The video was released and became something of an international sensation.
“One of the clerks told me afterward, ‘Judge, you’ve gone viral,’” Covin said. “I didn’t even know what that meant. When she told me that the video had become something of a sensation, I started thinking back, trying to remember if I said anything that would cost me my job.
“Pretty soon, we couldn’t set our court docket because we were getting calls from all over. I got calls from Italy, Saudi Arabia, other places asking me to come and talk to their youth offenders. I was upset when I first learned that the video had been released because no one told me they were recording the session. But it ended up touching a lot of people’s lives.”
From her time as a litigator all the way up to her taking a set on the Supreme Court, Verda Covin has been touching people’s lives in a profound way. And she’d have it no other way.
“Some of my friends tell me I take on too much, but I feel that’s why I was born,” she said. “When I die, I want to have left it all on the table.”
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https://www.albanyherald.com/features/supreme-court-justice-verda-covin-leaving-it-all-on-the-table/article_12aa457c-ce3d-11ec-b2ba-6388fbd0d908.html
| 2022-05-07T22:40:55Z
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HONG KONG and LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, global lifestyle brand CASETiFY announced an exciting new collection with Japanese anime series, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. The highly designed collaboration brings together fans worldwide encouraging them to harness the power to transform and protect their phone. Fans of the series are invited to sign up now at casetify.com/co-lab/sailor-moon for priority access to the collection ahead of launch day on Jun 30.
Inspired by the popular anime series, the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon x CASETiFY collection is every fan's dream filled with iconic characters, symbols, and elements that tie directly back to the series, reminding fans to phone a friend and celebrate their love for one another "to the moon and back." Cases in the collection feature elements from the show including each character's signature catchphrase—such as Sailor Moon's "In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"—as well as special Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask Stickermania Cases offered on CASETiFY's best-selling Impact Case series. Exclusive to this collaboration, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon x CASETiFY will introduce an all new limited edition reflective Pink Mirror Case, available for early purchase on the CASETiFY Co-Lab app.
"This collection is a joyful celebration of strength and friendship, bringing together the CASETiFY Community and Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon fans all around the world," said CASETiFY CEO and co-founder, Wes Ng. "We hope fans carry these accessories as a reminder to be themselves and find their power within."
Fans can also pay tribute to Luna, with a specially designed Luna-shaped 3D AirPods Case and a limited edition Sailor Moon Beaded wristlet, featuring unique Luna, star, and moon-shaped charms. Designs in the tech accessory lineup extend to AirPods, Apple Watch bands, water bottles, and a special Nintendo Switch Carrying Case,retailing for $25 - $75 USD.
Fans looking to test their knowledge ahead of the launch can take part in the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Trivia game, found exclusively on casetify.com/co-lab/sailor-moon. Those who choose to participate will be automatically entered to receive priority access to shop the collection on launch day. Products ship worldwide to more than 100+ countries, with accessories available for purchase online, in the new CASETiFY Co-Lab app (available to download now in the App Store), and at participating CASETiFY Studio locations. To receive updates on CASETiFY Co-Lab launches, visit CASETiFY.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter.
About CASETiFY
CASETiFY is the global lifestyle brand and home to the first and largest platform for customized tech accessories. Created with the highest-quality materials and most cutting-edge designs, CASETiFY's products turn your personal electronics into stylishly slim, drop-proof accessories. Known for tapping top artists and creatives for its Co-Lab program, CASETiFY gives brands and individuals the opportunity to share their unique visions with the world. For more information on CASETiFY, its stores, partners and products, please visit www.CASETiFY.com.
About "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon"
Naoko Takeuchi's original girls' manga began its serialization in the monthly magazine "Nakayosi" (published by Kodansha) in 1991. The original work has been translated into 17 languages, and the animated series has been developed in more than 40 countries, creating a social phenomenon in Japan and abroad. In 2012, a new project was launched to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the work. The original manga was renewed, made available in e-book format, and expanded into an all-color version. On top of this, a new anime series, a musical, and an official fanclub were released. In 2022, the 30th-anniversary project will finally begin. Further developments have been announced and are expected to generate a great deal of excitement.
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| 2022-06-16T08:05:55Z
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XI'AN, China, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP ("EUBG" or the "Company") (OTCBB: EUBG), a digital marketing consulting company, announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Mr. Guolin Tao, CEO of Entrepreneur Universe Bright Group commented, "Due to the government measures taken to contain COVID-19, the offline activities of the Company's PRC subsidiary were restricted from late January to May 2020, resulting in cancellations or postponements of the marketing efforts of our customers. Specifically, as a result of government mandated closures of non-essential business in China, many of the Company's customers' business were suspended while others permanently closed their businesses. From December 22, 2021 to January 24, 2022, Xi'an city, the PRC, went into lockdown following a coronavirus outbreak that officials attributed to the delta variant. From April 16, 2022 to April 19, 2022, the city was under temporary controls of social activities after reporting more than 40 infections in half month. This affected both the Company's digital marketing consulting services and our KOL Training Related Services."
Second Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results
- Revenue decreased by 3.7% to $840,868
- Gross profit increased by 8.0% to $727,536
- Net income increased by 117.8% to $265,850
Revenue and cost of revenue: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we generated revenue of $840,868 compared to $873,084 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $32,216 or 3.7% as compared with the prior period. For the three months ended June 30, 2022, our revenue from consultancy services and sourcing and marketing services were $680,606 and $160,262, respectively; while revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was wholly generated from our consultancy services. Cost of revenue was $113,332 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $199,451 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease of cost of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due to our senior management no longer directly involved in performing the services but focused on management work. Therefore, less direct senior management costs were incurred in the consultancy services and souring and marketing service.
Selling expenses: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $8,319 selling expenses compared to $85,760 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $77,441 or 90.3% as compared with the prior period. The decrease of selling expenses was mainly due to the tightening of entertainment policies during the period and the staff costs incurred in selling activities were dropped by $42,974 or 90.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2022.
General and administrative expenses: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $331,385 general and administrative expenses compared to $351,935 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $20,550 or 5.8% as compared with the prior period. The slight decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due to less audit fees and professional fees charged by the professional parties. Our general and administrative expenses consisted mainly of audit fees, professional fees, payroll expenses and consultancy fees.
Total other income, net: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we generated net other income of $58,099 compared to $32,392 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $25,707 or 79.4% as compared with the prior period. Our other income mainly consisted of bank interest income, exchange rate differences and certain sundry incomes.
Income tax expense: During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred income tax expense of $180,081 compared to $146,289 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $33,792 or 23.1% as compared with the prior period. The income tax expenses were charged in China.
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, our income tax expenses comprised of current tax and deferred tax expenses of $131,409 and $48,672, respectively, compared to $122,745 and $23,544 for the three months ended June 30, 2021.
Net income: As a result of the above, we generated a net income of $265,850 and $122,041 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, representing an increase of $ 143,809 or 117.8% as compared with the prior period.
Cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $7.64 million and $7.65 million of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, respectively were held at financial institutions located in the PRC and Hong Kong that management believes to be of high credit quality.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 Unaudited Financial Results
- Revenue decreased by 28.2% to $2,049,872
- Gross profit decreased by 33.4% to $1,624,061
- Net income decreased by 39.7% to $657,023
Revenue and cost of revenue: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we generated revenue of $2,049,872 compared to $2,856,944 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $807,072 or 28.2% as compared with the prior period. The decrease was mainly due to our consultancy services income, generated from clients who engaged in online courses business, dropped by $1,950,347 as compared with last period. This was because the end customers became more patient and cautious in choosing online courses. We continued to seek for different business opportunities to stabilize our income streams. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we generated $272,962 from our new digital training related services and $576,582 from our consultancy services to a customer who engaged in live streaming business. However, these new income streams only compensated a part of the revenue reduction in current period. As of the date of this filing, the digital training related services with Jade Bird remain suspended. Therefore, we expected the new revenue will not be available to compensate the revenue reduction until further notice. Cost of revenue was $425,811 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $418,772 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the cost of revenue mainly represented the staff costs for our consulting services and the agency fees for our digital training related services.
Selling expenses: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $24,914 selling expenses compared to $170,014 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $145,100 or 85.3% as compared with the prior period. The decrease of selling expenses was mainly due to the tightening of entertainment policies during the period and the staff costs incurred in selling activities were dropped by $70,200 or 80.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
General and administrative expenses: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred $642,673 general and administrative expenses compared to $579,301 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $63,372 or 10.9% as compared with the prior period. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due certain senior management no longer directly involved in performing the services but focused on management work. Therefore, more senior management costs were incurred during the period. Our general and administrative expenses consisted mainly of audit fees, professional fees, payroll expenses and consultancy fees.
Total other income, net: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we generated net other income of $159,921 compared to $70,094 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $89,827 or 128.2% as compared with the prior period. Our other income mainly consisted of bank interest income, exchange rate differences and certain sundry incomes.
Income tax expense: During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we incurred income tax expense of $459,372 compared to $670,274 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $210,902 or 31.5% as compared with the prior period. The income tax expenses were charged in China.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, our income tax expenses comprised of current tax and deferred tax expenses of $335,479 and $123,893, respectively, compared to $521,510 and $148,764 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease of the current tax and deferred tax was mainly aligned with the reduction of revenue and gross profit during the period.
Net income: As a result of the above, we generated a net income of $657,023 and $1,088,677 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
About ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP
ENTREPRENEUR UNIVERSE BRIGHT GROUP is a digital marketing consultation company with its main operation in China, providing marketing consulting services to Chinese start-up companies. The company provides consulting services, sourcing and marketing services in China through its PRC subsidiary with support from its HK subsidiary. Its PRC subsidiary provides services aimed at connecting businesses with e-commerce platforms. The integrated service platform focuses on strategic marketing and consulting. The company's mission is to help start-up companies and small-size companies and guide these companies' founders in utilizing the company's digital marketing consulting plan to reach their business goals. For more information about the Company, please visit: http://www.eubggroup.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Specifically, the Company's statements regarding trading on the OTCBB market and closing the initial public offering are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; financial condition and results of operations; product and service demand and acceptance; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in technology; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
For more information, please contact:
The Company:
Jianyong Li
Email: lijianyong@eubggroup.com
Phone: +86-(029) 86100263
Investor Relations:
Janice Wang
EverGreen Consulting Inc.
Email: IR@changqingconsulting.com
Phone: +1-908-510-2351 (from U.S.)
+86 13811768559 (from China)
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| 2022-08-15T18:55:52Z
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ARK Investment Management LLC ("ARK" or "ARK Invest"), an investment adviser focused solely on thematic investing in disruptive innovation, was notified in July 2022, that Transparency Global will stop calculating The Transparency Index™ (TRANSPCY) effective July 31, 2022. While ARK investigated alternative Index providers, it did not find a suitable solution and decided to close the Fund effective July 26, 2022, or as soon as practical thereafter.
The Fund will stop accepting creation units of the fund effective the close of business Thursday July 21, 2022 and the Fund will cease trading on the Cboe BZX Exchange (CBOE) as of the close of regular trading on the CBOE on Tuesday July 26th (the "Closing Date").
Prior to the Closing Date, shareholders may redeem their investment in the Fund at any time by requesting the redemption through their financial intermediary. All redemption orders will be transacted in-kind through an Authorized Participant and customary brokerage charges may apply. However, on the Closing Date shareholders may only be able to sell their shares to certain broker-dealers and there is no assurance that there will be a market for a Fund's shares during this period. Between the Closing Date and July 29, 2022 (the "Payable Date"), the Fund will be in the process of closing and liquidating its portfolio. This process will result in a Fund increasing its cash holdings and, consequently not tracking its underlying index, which is inconsistent with the Fund's investment objective and strategy. On or about the Payable Date, the Fund will distribute any remaining cash pro rata to all shareholders who have not previously redeemed or sold their shares.
The above distributions may be considered taxable events. In early 2023, you will receive tax correspondence from your financial intermediary outlining any taxable capital gains and dividends, if applicable.
The Fund will cease operations after all redemptions are processed.
The Fund became effective on Wednesday, December 8th, 2021. From inception, the Fund sought to provide investment results that closely correspond, before fees and expenses, to the Transparency Index™ (TRANSPCY), which was designed to track the stock price movements of the 100 most transparent companies in the world based on a proprietary scoring methodology developed by Transparency Global (Index Provider).
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, ARK Investment Management LLC is a federally registered investment adviser and privately held investment firm with approximately $24 billion assets under management as of June 30, 2022. Specializing in thematic investing in disruptive innovation, the firm is rooted in over 40 years of experience in identifying and investing in innovations that should change the way the world works. Through its open research process, ARK identifies companies that it believes are leading and benefiting from cross-sector innovations such as robotics, energy storage, DNA sequencing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. ARK's investment strategies include: Autonomous Technology and Robotics, Next Generation Internet, Genomic Revolution, Fintech Innovation, 3D Printing, Israel Innovative Technology, Space Exploration, and the overall ARK Disruptive Innovation Strategy.
For additional information regarding ARK's funds, please visit http://www.ark-funds.com.
For more information regarding ARK's research and advisor services, please visit http://www.ark-invest.com.
Distributor: Foreside Fund Services, LLC
Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus and summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting www.ark-funds.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
The principal risks of investing in ARK's Index ETFs include equity, market, concentration and non- diversification risks, as well as fluctuations in market value and net asset value ("NAV"). The principal risks of investing in CTRU: Equity Securities Risk. The value of the equity securities the Fund holds may fall due to general market and economic conditions. Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. Index Tracking Risk. The returns of the ETF may not match the returns of the underlying index that the ETF is designed to track. Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. Companies in this sector may be adversely impacted by changes in domestic/international economies, exchange/interest rates, social trends and consumer preferences. Industrials Sector Risk. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events, economic conditions, environmental damages, product liability claims and exchange rates. Information Technology Sector Risk. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Detailed information regarding the specific risks of CTRU ETF can be found in the prospectus. Additional risks of investing in CTRU include equity, market, management and non-diversification risks, as well as fluctuations in market value and NAV. An investment in an ETF is subject to risks and you can lose money on your investment in an ETF. There can be no assurance that the ETF will achieve its investment objective. The ETF's portfolio is more volatile than broad market averages. Shares of CTRU are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the ETF. ETF shares may only be redeemed directly with the ETF at NAV by Authorized Participants, in very large creation units. There can be no guarantee that an active trading market for ETF shares will develop or be maintained, or that their listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange may require the payment of brokerage commissions and frequent trading may incur brokerage costs that detract significantly from investment returns.
Index Descriptions: The Transparency Index™ is composed of equity securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") traded on U.S. public securities exchanges that are considered the 100 most transparent companies in the world based on a proprietary scoring methodology provided by Transparency, LLC. Transparency, LLC has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain the Index rules and methodology, calculate the Index and disseminate information about the Index including the performance shown herein. Solactive does not manage actual assets. The Index is unmanaged, which means that the companies included in the Index are selected according to a proprietary algorithm of Transparency Invest that serves as the basis of the Index methodology. The Index is equal weighted, which means that the 100 companies included in the Index each represents approximately 1% of the Index – with variations due to market performance. Solactive rebalances the Index back to a 1% weight for each index constituent at the end of every quarter using the Index methodology explained herein.
Contact: Shaina Lamb, 517-652-1296, shaina@dlpr.com
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/19/ark-investment-management-llc-announces-it-will-close-ark-transparency-etf-fund-ticker-ctru/
| 2022-07-19T21:16:00Z
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(NewsNation) — From hotel staff to firefighters, there’s something surprising many workers at the College of the Ozarks in southwest Missouri have in common: they’re students.
While many undergrads are forced to work their way through college to pay for their degree, at the College of the Ozarks it’s by design. Each one of the 1,500 students at the Christian, four-year “work college” is assigned a job to offset the cost of education.
Students work 15 hours a week during the school year and are able to graduate debt-free. It’s a bargain for them, as well as for the school, which can reduce costs by using students to fill many of the jobs on campus.
“So we stay true to our mission since our founding in 1906. We still look after and provide an education to those who are worthy but without sufficient means,” College of the Ozarks Dean of Work Bryan Cizek said.
According to Cizek, 90 percent of each class attending the school must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The school’s innovative approach is relevant at a time when as many as 43 million Americans hold some form of federal student debt.
While there are ongoing discussions in Washington about forgiving some of that debt, there has been less of a focus on the underlying cost of a college education, which has gradually increased for decades.
Financial concerns top the list of reasons students drop out of college and students from poorer families are particularly vulnerable to dropping out.
Work colleges, which require students to work in return for paying either no or relatively low tuition, are one way to address this problem. There are currently nine universities in the U.S. that meet the federal requirements needed to be designated as work colleges.
Berea College President Lyle Roelofs said they stopped charging tuition back in 1892 after the then-president noticed students would study for a year or two before running out of funds and returning home to start saving again.
“He, first of all, said that every student attending Berea College would also work at the college so they’d have income from that, but he also said they will not pay tuition, I will fundraise with wealthy folks in other parts of the country in order to support this cause,” Roelofs said.
Both the College of the Ozarks and Berea College rely on a stream of non-tuition funding to pull off the work college model. This includes a mixture of private donations, Pell Grants and sustaining funding from hefty endowments.
Berea’s $1.6 billion endowment covers around three-quarters of the college’s operating expenses for its approximately 1,600 students. College of the Ozarks has an endowment just shy of half a billion dollars; its endowment-per-student ratio is one of the highest in the country.
Relying on this type of funding does limit the number of students that can be enrolled each year and can make the schools particularly vulnerable to changes in the economy.
“If we had an extended period, let’s say 10 years in no real gains in the financial markets, that would start to really hurt because our costs will go up if we continue to educate the same number of students,” Roelofs said.
Officials say work college programs not only make college affordable for students from low-income families — the mean family income for a Berea student is under $30,000 — but also teach them marketable skills and get them invested in the campus community.
“[The] work program is holistic, it does a good job preparing students for their vocation outside of school,” said Sawyer Nichols, a senior who currently works in the College of the Ozarks public relations office.
Nichols said an internship he got through the school helped him secure a job with a digital marketing firm after graduation, serving as one example of how work colleges can set graduates on a path towards breaking the cycle of poverty.
US News & World Report recently named College of the Ozarks as the number one school for social mobility among regional colleges in the Midwest, a ranking composed by evaluating the graduation rates of Pell Grant-awarded students. Berea College nabbed sixth place for social mobility in the magazine’s ranking of national liberal arts colleges. Both schools boast graduation rates that are above the midpoint for four-year schools.
Meanwhile, federal government statistics show that the average annual cost – which includes living expenses – are just $7,195 at College of the Ozarks and $5,222 at Berea College, well under the $19,534 midpoint for four-year schools.
Students at College of the Ozarks work to offset what they’d otherwise pay in tuition; Berea College also pays its students for their labor, which allows them to put money towards room and board.
When asked how the work college model could be replicated more broadly, Cizek emphasized that it will take time.
“It’s not an easy thing, it can’t happen overnight. We built this over 100 years… It takes a lot of money to do what we do and it also takes having a culture that thrives on hard work,” he said.
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https://cw33.com/news/at-these-us-colleges-everyone-works-and-theres-no-tuition/
| 2022-05-09T17:46:07Z
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Second region now open for enrolment for rare, rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative disease
MELBOURNE, Australia and SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alterity Therapeutics (ASX: ATH, NASDAQ: ATHE) ("Alterity" or "the Company"), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing disease modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the Company's Phase 2 clinical trial of ATH434 for the treatment of patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is now open for enrolment in the United Kingdom.
"Our Phase 2 clinical trial continues to progress as planned with the launch of the study in the UK for patients with MSA," said David Stamler, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, Alterity. "In a short period of time we have now commenced enrolment in our second region, and we look forward to broadening our reach over the next several months. Because MSA is a rare disease, we are committed to providing access to the trial to eligible patients globally."
About ATH434 Phase 2 Clinical Trial
The Phase 2 clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of ATH434 in patients with early-stage MSA. The study will explore the effect of ATH434 treatment on neuroimaging and protein biomarkers, such as excess brain iron and aggregating α-synuclein, which are important contributors to MSA pathology. Clinical endpoints will permit comprehensive assessment of ATH434 efficacy along with characterization of safety and pharmacokinetics. The use of wearable sensors will allow evaluation of motor parameters that are important in patients with MSA. The study is expected to enroll approximately 60 adult patients to receive one of two dose levels of ATH434 or placebo. Patients will receive treatment for 12 months which will provide an opportunity to detect changes in efficacy endpoints to optimize design of a definitive Phase 3 study. Additional information on the Phase 2 trial can be found by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05109091.
About ATH434
Alterity's lead candidate, ATH434, is the first of a new generation of small molecules designed to inhibit the aggregation of pathological proteins implicated in neurodegeneration. ATH434 has been shown preclinically to reduce α-synuclein pathology and preserve nerve cells by restoring normal iron balance in the brain. In this way, it has excellent potential to treat Parkinson's disease as well as various forms of atypical Parkinsonism such as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). ATH434 successfully completed Phase 1 studies demonstrating the agent is well tolerated, orally bioavailable, and achieved brain levels comparable to efficacious levels in animal models of MSA. ATH434 has been granted Orphan designation for the treatment of MSA by the U.S. FDA and the European Commission.
About Multiple System Atrophy
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a rare, neurodegenerative disease characterized by failure of the autonomic nervous system and impaired movement. The symptoms reflect the progressive loss of function and death of different types of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a rapidly progressive disease and causes profound disability. MSA is a Parkinsonian disorder characterized by a variable combination of slowed movement and/or rigidity, autonomic instability that affects involuntary functions such as blood pressure maintenance and bladder control, and impaired balance and/or coordination that predisposes to falls. A pathological hallmark of MSA is the accumulation of the protein α-synuclein within glia, the support cells of the central nervous system, and neuron loss in multiple brain regions. MSA affects approximately 15,000 individuals in the U.S., and while some of the symptoms of MSA can be treated with medications, currently there are no drugs that are able to slow disease progression and there is no cure.1
1National Institute of Health: Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Multiple System Atrophy Fact Sheet
About Alterity Therapeutics Limited
Alterity Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating an alternate future for people living with neurodegenerative diseases. The Company's lead asset, ATH434, has the potential to treat various Parkinsonian disorders. Alterity also has a broad drug discovery platform generating patentable chemical compounds to intercede in disease processes. The Company is based in Melbourne, Australia, and San Francisco, California, USA. For further information please visit the Company's web site at www.alteritytherapeutics.com.
Authorisation & Additional information
This announcement was authorized by David Stamler, CEO of Alterity Therapeutics Limited.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/25/alterity-therapeutics-launches-ath434-phase-2-clinical-trial-treatment-patients-with-multiple-system-atrophy-europe/
| 2022-08-25T12:55:01Z
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White House still figuring out how to implement newly announced steps to ease infant formula shortage
By Maegan Vazquez and Sam Fossum, CNN
A day after the White House announced its latest steps to attempt to alleviate a national shortage of infant formula, senior administration officials could not provide important details about how their new efforts will be implemented, saying they’re in ongoing discussions with manufacturers about how to proceed.
President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he would be invoking the Defense Production Act, which allows the government more control over industrial production during emergencies, to direct suppliers of formula ingredients to prioritize delivery to the manufacturers of formula. And he established Operation Fly Formula, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture to utilize the Defense Department’s commercial planes to import formula from abroad.
Officials have cautioned that invoking the DPA isn’t a “magic wand” and won’t increase supply instantly. And officials had also debated internally about whether invoking it would move the needle significantly on production before eventually deciding to move forward.
On Thursday, a senior administration official said the administration remains in ongoing conversations with companies about the specific ways the DPA and the operation to import formula from abroad with federal resources will be used.
“We are still having active and ongoing conversations with the companies, so I have nothing more specific to report at this time about the specific instances in which we’re going to be using the (DPA) authority. What the authority does is empower the secretary of Health and Human Services to make these individual decisions on a case-by-case basis,” one official told reporters.
Asked about whether there is currently a tightness in the supply for ingredients to make formula, the official added that those conversations are ongoing. Pressed about this later in the call, this official noted that the DPA authority isn’t only about addressing potential ingredients shortages, but also about speeding up the supply chain.
“So that gives us the authority to work closer with the infant manufacturers and pull stuff through the supply chain faster,” they said.
An official on the call also told CNN that the federal government is still looking to identify a manufacturer that has available formula to import into the US through Operation Fly Formula, with one official saying that the administration remains in active “discussions with manufacturers about where there might be cargo around the world that would be suitable.”
“If we’re going to use DoD contracted commercial aircraft, we need to have a pickup place, a drop-off place, and the amount (of formula) and other specifics. So, it requires some negotiations, again, with the manufacturer of the formula,” another official said.
The Biden administration, they added, is working with the Defense Department to identify contracted commercial air. These aircraft are generally expected to “land at airfields that are close to the factory or a manufacturing facility.”
The moves came as the administration is feeling more pressure from Congress to deal with the shortage.
The House of Representatives passed a pair of bills on Wednesday aimed at addressing the nationwide baby formula shortage, but their fate is uncertain in the Senate. And a group of Democratic senators are calling on Biden to immediately appoint someone to oversee the baby formula shortage, urging him to hire someone who can implement a national strategy to deal with the supply chain issues. Some Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday also expressed concern over the baby formula shortage calling on the administration and Washington to do more.
Wednesday’s announcement follows other steps the administration has taken over the last two weeks to address concerns about a months-long formula shortage, which has parents in different parts of the country scouring stores to feed their children.
The FDA has reached an agreement with Abbott Nutrition to reopen a major plant in Michigan that has been shuttered for months because of contamination issues. The agreement lays out steps the manufacturer must take to restart production at its plant. Once Abbott has completed the to-do list to the FDA’s satisfaction, the company says it would take two weeks to resume production of baby formula at the facility.
A White House official also told CNN earlier Wednesday that the administration is working directly with infant formula manufacturer Reckitt and retailers, including Target, to provide logistical support as it works to help alleviate the shortage.
Reckitt, which manufactures Enfamil brand formula, has been working to boost its domestic production — efforts that have been aided by the White House since Biden spoke with the leaders of Reckitt and Gerber, and retailers Target and Walmart, last week. Officials have been in “close communication” with the four major US manufacturers of infant formula — Reckitt, Abbott, Nestle/Gerber and Perrigo — as well as major retailers this week following the conversations with Biden.
The administration also established a website last week, HHS.gov/formula, to provide resources to families in need. But when a CNN reporter tested out some of those options, the exercise resulted in apologetic customer service representatives, one hold time that lasted well over an hour and serious challenges in finding baby formula through some of the main suggestions listed on the new HHS website.
Last week, the administration also announced limited efforts to import more formula from overseas, urge states to allow government nutritional assistance recipients more flexibility in the varieties of infant formula they can buy and crack down on price gouging by manufacturers.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Daniella Diaz and Manu Raju contributed to this report.
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https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2022/05/19/white-house-still-figuring-out-how-to-implement-newly-announced-steps-to-ease-infant-formula-shortage/
| 2022-05-19T20:32:15Z
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The Federal Reserve’s rapid interest rate hikes are taking a serious toll on the housing market. Home prices and sales have fallen throughout the year as buyers recoil from rising mortgage interest rates — one of the first sectors of the economy affected by Fed rate hikes.
As the Fed boosts its baseline interest rate range, borrowing costs for consumers and businesses rise along the way. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 5.3 percent at the end of last week, according to Freddie Mac, up from 3.1 percent at the start of the year.
While mortgage rates have fallen slightly since peaking in the wake of the Fed’s June rate hike, the sharp increase in interest rates has already taken a hammer to what had been a historically hot housing market.
“The recent decline in affordability has been driven largely by higher mortgage rates. This stands in contrast with last year, when higher home prices were the main driver,” wrote Goldman Sachs economist Vinay Viswanathan in a Friday research note.
Housing prices and sales rose at double-digit rates in 2020 as a result of near-zero Fed interest rates, trillions of dollars in fiscal stimulus and months of pandemic-related lockdowns that drove a surge of homebuying.
Sales slowed slightly in 2021 under the weight of higher prices, but a severe shortage of homes and the Fed’s refusal to raise interest rates helped keep prices high and borrowing costs low for buyers who could keep up with the market.
The Fed is now moving the market in the opposite direction by making it more expensive to buy homes already inflated by years of rapid price increases.
“Housing is an interest rate sensitive sector. As mortgage rates rose over the past couple of months, we saw buyers pull back in response to the higher housing costs,” wrote Ali Wolf, chief economist for housing data firm Zonda, in a Friday email.
“Many pundits emphasize home price levels, but ultimately, people buy homes based on the monthly payment. Rising home prices combined with higher mortgage rates are driving up the monthly mortgage payment, which is impacting housing affordability,” she wrote.
Wolf said 11 percent of U.S. homebuilders slashed their prices in June from May, according to Zonda data, to help keep up sales. Home sale cancellations also jumped to 14.9 percent in June, according to brokerage firm Redfin, the highest rate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slowing the housing market is a tough break for potential sellers, who had hoped to cash in on the steep climb in prices over the past two years. Housing prices are also not included in the inflation rate, so a decline in sale prices will not have a direct impact on the federal government’s price growth data.
Even so, the drop-off can play a key role in the Fed’s fight against inflation.
As home sales decline, so will the spending on the listing and transaction costs, moving services, furniture, repairs, renovations that come along with buying or selling a house.
Lower home prices may also ease pressure on inflation through what economists call “wealth effects.”
Americans with ample income may not be affected by rising interest rates on credit cards, which increase in lockstep with the Fed’s baseline interest rate. But the Fed’s rate hikes will also reduce their wealth — and perhaps spending — by shrinking the value of their homes, stocks and other financial assets.
American homeowners expect the price of their houses to fall by a median of 5.8 percent over the next year, according to the Federal Reserve of New York’s latest Survey of Consumer Expectations, a figure that’s down from 4.4 percent in May. The monthly drop was the second largest in the history of the survey, and the expected price decline is the worst since February 2021.
Rising concerns about a recession have also prompted some potential buyers to wait until economic storm clouds pass, Wolf said, while others have been priced out by rising mortgage rates.
“The higher cost of homeownership is pricing some potential buyers out of the market but is also changing the math in the rent-versus-own discussion,” she explained. “Many prospective buyers are choosing to sit on the sidelines to wait and see how both the economy and housing market progress before making the decision to purchase.”
A steady decline in home prices could help bring down inflation while also making houses more affordable. The U.S. suffered from an affordable housing shortage long before COVID-19 struck, and the pandemic only exacerbated the lack of homes within reach of many first-time buyers.
Fewer buyers means less competition for homes on the market, which could make homes slightly more affordable as the market corrects. But a longer-term lack of construction may leave homebuyers with little relief when the market turns around again.
“The U.S. housing market is undersupplied long-term when looking at population figures, but the market can bounce from undersupplied to oversupplied cyclically. If demand slows enough, builders may find themselves with more homes than buyers that are willing to buy them,” Wolf said. “Builders won’t want to bring more homes to the market if they aren’t sure they will sell them.”
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https://cw33.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/why-the-fed-is-taking-a-hammer-to-the-housing-market/
| 2022-07-13T10:51:46Z
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WASHINGTON, July 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club, the world's leading professional organization for journalists, has chosen Kyla McGhee of Raleigh, North Carolina, as the winner of its 2022 Julie Schoo Scholarship for Diversity in Journalism. The award for graduating high school seniors totals as much as $20,000 over four years.
McGhee, a graduate of Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, impressed the judges with her well-roundedness as a journalist and her work portfolio. She's written for her high school newspaper, The Mycenaean, and Beyond Women's Sports, a site dedicated to coverage of women's sports.
"Sports on any level can bridge individuals and communities and I hope my contributions as a sports journalist will do just that," McGhee wrote in her application. "As a student-athlete, I have witnessed first-hand how women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are reflected in biased and unfair sports coverage. Many of their stories and topics are even omitted from the media all together. As a sports journalist, I want to provide a voice for these individuals."
McGhee, who plans to study broadcast and digital journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, regularly participated in the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association Summer Institute and served as the editor for its 2019 news broadcast. During the NCSMI Journalism Camp, she oversaw making edits, filming, as well produced news segments. Her storytelling extends beyond journalism.
"From a very young age I knew that Kyla was very passionate about journalism, and her dedication has been unmatched. Over the years I've seen her grow as a writer, interviewer, and creator," wrote Kala Nwachukwu, CEO The Kick Back Sneaker Expo, in her recommendation letter. "She is the type of person that anyone would love to work with because she adds value by bringing innovative ideas through her versatile skill set."
The National Press Club's scholarship judges said McGhee communicated her vision of diversity well in her personal essay and demonstrated her passion and commitment to becoming a journalist. The judges also felt that she would bring diversity and a much-needed perspective to the field of sports journalism.
"Diversity and inclusion in journalism does not only include a more diverse pool of journalists and the stories they cover. There must also be a commitment by news organizations to employ those same diverse groups in decision making positions to influence real change in the industry," McGhee wrote in her essay. "Not only do I plan to advocate for these hiring changes, but I plan to one day be among the new generation of producers, managers and directors."
"We are delighted to recognize Kyla's commitment to improving diversity in sports coverage and in newsrooms," said Jen Judson, National Press Club president. "Her experience on the other side as a student athlete will shape how she approaches her work and influences the work of others."
This year's runner-up is Eshal Warsai of Cypress, Texas.
The Julie Schoo Scholarship for Diversity in Journalism provides the recipient $5,000 a year over four years. Named in memory of the late Julie Cooper Schoo, who was executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding high school students who are considering a career in journalism and will help create more inclusive, diverse newsrooms.
Scholarship winners and runners-up are awarded one-year complimentary membership to the National Press Club.
CONTACT: Julie Moos, National Press Club Journalism Institute; jmoos@press.org
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| 2022-07-15T21:10:37Z
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Police investigating after Ardmore shooting sends one woman to hospital
Published: Jun. 21, 2022 at 3:37 PM CDT|Updated: 27 minutes ago
ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII) - A woman was hospitalized after a shooting Monday evening in Ardmore.
According to police, the shooting occurred at the intersection of 12th Street and Rockford Road.
The 911 call came in around 9:20 p.m. as a disturbance.
Police said at some point shots were fired, and several vehicles were involved.
A woman inside one of the cars was struck and taken to a local hospital, Ardmore police chief Kevin Norris said.
Norris said later she was flown to a different hospital.
Police said they had already questioned suspects by Tuesday morning.
Copyright 2022 KXII. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kxii.com/2022/06/21/police-investigating-after-ardmore-shooting-sends-one-woman-hospital/
| 2022-06-21T21:06:35Z
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VANCOUVER, BC, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MiniTool has just released the new version of MiniTool Power Data Recovery V11, which brings users brand-new data filtering options.
According to the official changelog, MiniTool Power Data Recovery V11 has the following changes:
#1. Rebuilt the data structure of Type
Type is a very useful feature that can be found on most data recovery software. MiniTool had witnessed many changes in the other aspects of MiniTool Power Data recovery, such as the huge changes in the main interface and user approaches to devices/logical drives. This is the first time that MiniTool optimized Type in the scanning result page. MiniTool explained, "We noticed that more and more users got accustomed to searching for files under Type, it is time for us to make some changes. The new processing logic of the software can bring users a refreshing experience."
#2. Optimized the Filter function for better filtering result
Similarly, if users can still recall the file type, file name, file size, and more info about the lost files, using the Filter option on the scanning result page will save them much time. In MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11, there is a little change in the scanning result interface. The new Filter option combines All Files, Lost Files, and Advanced Filter which used to be unattached in the toolbar. Brainstorm the lost file information before using Filter and get the best data recovery results.
In addition, using MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11, users are now able to filter files both under Path and Type. MiniTool also indicated that they will concentrate on the optimization of the Find feature in the next plans, aiming to offer users the easiest approach to locate their desired files.
#3. More Optimization and bug fixes
Several slight updates make MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11 more user-friendly. Such as, when selecting a location to scan, that area will be highlighted to draw attention; Also, the new version fixed the bug that Type does not show any file when scanning from specified paths; Files saved from the Type path are now named the same as users say in Type (used to be a little difficult to distinguish unless users open the recovered folder).
More information about MiniTool Power Data Recovery 11 can be found at https://www.minitool.com/data-recovery-software/.
About MiniTool
MiniTool is a software development company based in Canada. In the first 10 years, MiniTool had been focused on data care software like MiniTool Partition Wizard, MiniTool Power Data Recovery, and MiniTool ShadowMaker. These years MiniTool gradually stepped into the creative industries and released MiniTool MovieMaker and MiniTool Video Converter successively.
Official site:
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/minitool-released-power-data-recovery-v11-bringing-enhanced-filtering-options/
| 2022-05-18T14:11:43Z
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Family’s photos found after flood destroyed home
Published: Jun. 20, 2022 at 8:45 AM EDT|Updated: 55 minutes ago
RED LODGE, Mont. (CNN) - A family that lost nearly everything in the floodwaters that overran Red Lodge, Montana, got some good news.
Milt and Kathy Bastian were forced to evacuate as high waters flooded their home. Neighbors saw their furniture floating down the street.
A local park was transformed into a makeshift “lost and found,” where granddaughter Courtney Halvorson found their dresser intact.
Amazingly, their family photographs inside survived undamaged, including a great-grandparent’s wedding picture.
Halvorson says finding those irreplaceable photos brought happy tears to her grandparents after a very tough week.
Copyright 2022 [station] via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/20/familys-photos-found-after-flood-destroyed-home/
| 2022-06-20T13:40:59Z
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First Reliance Bancshares Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results
Published: Jul. 29, 2022 at 8:30 AM EDT|Updated: 27 minutes ago
FLORENCE, S.C., July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (OTC:FSRL), the holding company for First Reliance Bank (collectively, "First Reliance" or the "Company"), today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2022.
Second Quarter 2022 Highlights
Net income for the second quarter of 2022 was $1.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2021.
Net interest income for the quarter was $7.3 million, which represents an increase of $1.1 million, or 18.0%, compared to the same period as last year.
Net interest margin expanded during the quarter to 3.39% at June 30, 2022 compared to 3.12% for the first quarter of 2022.
Total loans increased $45.9 million, or 30.8% annualized, to $638.0 million at June 30, 2022 from $592.1 million at March 31, 2022.
Total investment securities available for sale increased $20.0 million, or 55% annualized, to $164.4 million at June 30, 2022 from $144.4 million at March 31, 2022.
During June, the bank closed our Taylor's branch in Greenville, SC. Full cost savings will be realized by the end of the third quarter.
Asset quality improved on a linked quarter basis, with a decrease of 0.05% in nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets to 0.06% at June 30, 2022.
The Company had net recoveries of $178 thousand, or annualized 0.12% of average loans during the quarter compared to net recoveries of $81 thousand, or annualized 0.06% of average loans, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
Cost of funds for the second quarter of 2022 decreased to 0.21% from 0.22% on a linked quarter basis and from 0.40% for the same period in 2021.
Rick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer, remarked: "We are pleased with the increase in the profitability of our core banking business highlighted by a 27 bps increase in net interest margin for the second quarter. Our bankers were able to find high quality loan opportunities during the quarter as we continue to focus on disciplined growth. We're proud of our strong asset quality metrics and will remain vigilant as we prepare our balance sheet for a softening in the national macro-economic environment."
Mr. Saunders continued, "For the last several quarters, our mortgage revenue has faced headwinds from rising interest rates and low housing supply, however we look forward to our mortgage business stabilizing in the second half of 2022."
Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $1.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.17 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $1.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted common share, compared to $3.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $2.1 million, a decrease of $1.8 million from $3.9 million for the same period in 2021. Noninterest income is largely driven by the Company's mortgage banking division, which produced net revenue of $0.9 million on $73.6 million of mortgage sale volume during the three months ended June 30, 2022. Mortgage banking income decreased due to lower margins, a reduction in the value of the pipeline, and an increase in the amount of mortgages that were retained in our LHFI portfolio from our higher margin retail channel, instead of being sold into the secondary market. For the three months ended June 30, 2021 there was a $0.3 million gain on sale of loans from the sale of the Bank's PPP loan portfolio contributing to the decrease in noninterest income when compared to the same period in 2021.
Noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $7.9 million, a decrease of $0.4 million from $8.3 million for the same period in 2021. This decrease was driven mainly by a $0.5 million severance expense recorded in the second quarter of 2021. Data processing, technology, and communications for the quarter was down $0.1 million over the same period in 2021.
Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $7.3 million compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in interest-earning assets as well as a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities, which decreased from 0.40% to 0.31%. Improvements in costs of interest-bearing liabilities were offset by decreases in asset yield. Yield on interest-earning assets decreased to 3.60% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from 3.69% for the same period in 2021.
Net interest income was $13.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, an increase of $2.1 million over the same period in 2021. Increases in average loans and investments contributed to majority of the increase in interest income somewhat offset by a reduction in yield on interest earning assets.
Our asset quality remained strong through June 30, 2022, with nonperforming assets dropping to $0.6 million, which represents 0.06% of total assets. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans receivable decreased slightly to 1.17% at June 30, 2022, compared to 1.22% at March 31, 2022. The Company had net recoveries of $178 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to net recoveries of $47 thousand for the same period in 2021.
ABOUT FIRST RELIANCE
Founded in 1999, First Reliance Bancshares, Inc. (OTC: FSRL.OB), is based in Florence, South Carolina and has assets of approximately $947 million. The company employs more than 175 professionals and has locations throughout South Carolina and central North Carolina. First Reliance has redefined community banking with a commitment to making customers' lives better, its founding principle. Customers of the company have given it a 93% customer satisfaction rating well above the bank industry average of 81%. First Reliance is also one of two companies throughout South Carolina to receive the Best Places to Work in South Carolina award all 16 years since the program began. We believe that this recognition confirms that our associates are engaged and committed to our brand and the communities we serve. In addition to offering a full range of personalized community banking products and services for individuals, small businesses and corporations, First Reliance offers two unique community-customers programs, which include: Hometown Heroes, a package of benefits for those serving our communities and Check N Save, an outreach program for the unbanked or under-banked. The company also offers a full suite of digital banking services, Treasury Services, a Customer Service Guaranty, a Mortgage Service Guaranty, and First Reliance Wealth Strategies.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, and other statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," and "projects," as well as similar expressions. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the Company or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: (1) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly and have an effect on pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues; (2) the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations may be different than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in the credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on the Company's loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses; (3) the rate of delinquencies and amounts of charge-offs, the level of allowance for loan loss, the rates of loan growth, or adverse changes in asset quality in our loan portfolio, which may result in increased credit risk-related losses and expenses; (4) the risk that the preliminary financial information reported herein and our current preliminary analysis will be different when our review is finalized; (5) changes in the U.S. legal and regulatory framework including, but not limited to, the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations adopted thereunder; (6) adverse conditions in the stock market, the public debt market and other capital markets (including changes in interest rate conditions) could have a negative impact on the Company, including the value of its MSR asset; (7) the business related to acquisitions may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected; (8) the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from acquisitions may not be fully realized within expected timeframes; and (9) disruption from acquisitions may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with clients, associates or suppliers. Moreover, a trade war or other governmental action related to tariffs or international trade agreements or policies, as well as Covid-19 or other potential epidemics or pandemics, have the potential to negatively impact ours and/or our customers' costs, demand for our customers' products, and/or the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof and, thus, adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Robert Haile SEVP & Chief Financial Officer (843) 656-5000 rhaile@firstreliance.com
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/07/29/first-reliance-bancshares-reports-second-quarter-2022-results/
| 2022-07-29T12:57:02Z
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Pass urgent COVID funding or more will die, White House says
WASHINGTON (AP) — For much of the past two years, America has been first in line for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Now, as drugmakers develop the next generation of therapies, the White House is warning that if Congress doesn’t act urgently the U.S. will have to take a number.
Already the congressional stalemate over virus funding has forced the federal government to curtail free treatment for the uninsured and to ration monoclonal antibody supplies. And Biden administration officials are expressing increasing alarm that the U.S. is also losing out on critical opportunities to secure booster doses and new antiviral pills that could help the country maintain its reemerging sense of normalcy, even in the face of potential new variants and case spikes.
Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong have all placed orders for treatments and vaccine doses that the U.S. can’t yet commit to, according to the White House.
Months ago, the White House began warning that the country had spent through the money in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. It requested an additional $22.5 billion for what it called “urgent” needs in both the U.S. and abroad.
The Senate last month closed in on smaller $10 billion package focused on domestic needs. But even that deal fell apart as lawmakers objected to an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it would end Trump-era border restrictions related to the pandemic.
The White House this week is mounting a push for doctors to get less stingy about prescribing the antiviral pill Paxlovid, which was initially rationed for those at the highest risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 but is now more widely available. A 20 million-dose order placed last year by the government helped boost manufacturing capacity.
Paxlovid, when administered within five days of symptoms appearing, has been proven to bring about a 90% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths among patients most likely to get severe disease. Some 314 Americans are now dying each day from the coronavirus, down from more than 2,600 during the height of the omicron wave earlier this year.
The U.S. used similar advance-purchase agreements to boost the domestic supply and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, through what was known in the Trump administration as “Operation Warp Speed.”
Now, with a new generation of treatments on the horizon, the U.S. is falling behind.
Japan has already placed an initial order for drugmaker Shionogi’s upcoming COVID-19 antiviral pill, which studies have shown to be at least as effective as Pfizer’s treatment and has fewer drug-to-drug interactions and is easier to administer.
Because of the funding delays, officials say, the U.S. has yet to place an advance order, which would help the company scale manufacturing to widely produce the pill.
“We know companies are working on additional, promising life-saving treatments that could protect the American people, and without additional funding from Congress, we risk losing out on accessing these treatments, as well as tests and vaccines, while other countries get in front of us in line,” said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz. “Congress must act urgently upon return from recess to provide the funding needed to secure new treatments for the American people and to avoid this dangerous outcome.”
Complicating matters further are the long lead times to manufacture the antiviral and antibody treatments. Paxlovid takes about six months to produce, and monoclonal antibody treatments used to treat COVID-19 and prevent serious disease in the immunocompromised take similarly long, meaning the U.S. is running out of time to replenish its stockpile before the end of the year.
Last month the White House began cutting back shipments of monoclonal antibody treatments to states to make supplies last longer.
Administration officials declined to discuss specific treatments they are stymied from ordering because of contracting requirements.
The funding debate is also holding up U.S. purchases of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, including an upcoming new generation of vaccines that may better protect against the omicron variant.
Moderna and Pfizer both are testing what scientists call “bivalent” shots — a mix of each company’s original vaccine and an omicron-targeted version — with Moderna announcing last week it hopes to have its version ready this fall.
The Biden administration has said that while the U.S. has enough vaccine doses for children under 5, once they are approved by regulators, and for fourth shots for high-risk people over 50, it doesn’t have the money to order the new generation of doses.
Earlier this month, former White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong had already secured future booster doses.
Republicans have shown no signs of backing down from their insistence that before supplying the 10 GOP votes needed for the COVID-19 funding package to pass the Senate, the chamber must vote on their effort to extend the Trump-era Title 42 order. That COVID-linked order, which requires authorities to immediately expel nearly all migrants at the border, is set to be lifted on May 23.
An election-year vote to extend that order would be perilous for Democrats, and many hope no such vote occurs. Many say privately they hope Biden will keep the immigration curbs in place or that a court will postpone the rules’ termination, but Republicans could well force a vote anyway.
“Congress would have to take action in order for the day not to be May 23,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said early this month that he expected legislation this spring that would wrap together funds for COVID-19 and Ukraine. Aid for Ukraine has wide bipartisan support and could help propel such a package through Congress, but Republican opposition has already forced legislators to strip out pandemic response funding once.
There are at least six Democrats, and potentially 10 or more, who would be expected to back the Republican amendment to extend the immigration order, enough to secure its passage.
Such a vote would be dangerous for Democrats from swing districts, who must appeal to pro-immigration core Democratic voters without alienating moderates leery of the increase in migrants that lifting the curbs is expected to prompt.
Republicans haven’t said what language they would embrace, but they could turn to a bipartisan bill by Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.
It would delay any suspension of the immigration limits until at least 60 days after the U.S. surgeon general declares the pandemic emergency to be over. The administration would also have to propose a plan for handling the anticipated increase in migrants crossing the border. Democrats expressing support for keeping the immigration restrictions in place have cited a lack of planning by the administration as their chief concern although the Biden administration has insisted it is preparing for an increase in border crossings.
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AP writer Alan Fram contributed to this report.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/04/25/pass-urgent-covid-funding-or-more-will-die-white-house-says/
| 2022-04-27T18:57:04Z
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CAMERON — Services for Benjamin “Franklin” Stewart Jr. 86, of Cameron are pending with Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron.
Mr. Stewart died Thursday, April 7, at a Temple hospital.
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| 2022-04-11T05:54:55Z
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Iowa college’s efforts to attract more bees ‘working’ after students’ discovery
(Gray News) – Students at a private college in Iowa caused a buzz after identifying seven new bee species to the state, suggesting that the college’s efforts to attract more pollinators are working.
Emmelyn Cullen and Gwen Coleman, both students at Luther College in Decorah, spent their summer surveying bee diversity as part of a study meant to provide insight on how the college can “encourage more of these native pollinators on campus.”
In a release, the college said seven of the 55 species of bee found living on the college campus have never been recorded in Iowa.
The seven species of bees are recorded in other parts of the country.
Kirk Larsen, a biology professor and faculty advisor for the project, said it’s important to preserve and protect the diverse bee population.
“They are really important to us as pollinators for our crops and our food. One-third of all the food that we eat involves a pollinator of some sort and most of those are bees,” he said in the release.
Luther College is an affiliate with the Bee Campus USA program. The goal of the program is to help ensure a better future for pollinators, as well as their habitats and the planet as a whole.
Cullen and Coleman record which plants attract which bee species as part of their research, the college said. The results are used to help make recommendations to the grounds crew of what to plant so the bees are attracted to the campus and able to thrive.
The discovery of the bee species new to Iowa suggests that Luther College’s planting of more native flowers to attract pollinators is working, according to the college.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kxii.com/2022/08/17/iowa-colleges-efforts-attract-more-bees-working-after-students-discovery/
| 2022-08-18T01:07:28Z
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Police: 9-week-old puppy valued at nearly $5,000 stolen from Petland store
Published: Jun. 18, 2022 at 12:29 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
CLEVELAND (WOIO/Gray News) - Police in Ohio are investigating a case involving a stolen puppy.
The Parma Police Department reports a 9-week-old female Yorkshire terrier was stolen from a Petland store on Friday.
WOIO reports a man spent time with the puppy in a meet-and-greet room before running out of the store with the dog tucked under his arm.
According to police and a store manager, the puppy is valued at about $4,899.
Authorities urged anyone with further information on this incident to contact Parma Police Department detectives at 440-885-1234.
Copyright 2022 WOIO via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/06/18/police-9-week-old-puppy-valued-nearly-5000-stolen-petland-store/
| 2022-06-18T17:33:07Z
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Reduction in transaction valuation and a proposed offering of up to one million bonus shares to non-redeeming public shareholders to reduce their cost basis
Convertible note of $16 million from a global institutional investor and a $50 million committed equity financing facility from an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald L.P.
BOCA RATON, Fla., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SpringBig, Inc. ("springbig" or the "Company"), a leading provider of SaaS-based marketing solutions, mobile app experiences, and omnichannel loyalty programs to the cannabis industry, and Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: TCAC) ("TCAC") today announced amendments to their merger agreement and securing of additional committed capital to ensure the business combination has adequate funding to execute its growth plan.
Amendments to Business Combination
springbig and TCAC recognize that market conditions have changed since the proposed merger agreement was initially announced on November 9, 2021, and have agreed to amend the terms to reflect current conditions and thereby encourage public shareholders to support the transaction and retain their shares.
The amended and restated merger agreement reduces the total enterprise value of the Company to $275 million, representing an 8% reduction in valuation from the initial agreement. In addition, a bonus pool of up to 1 million shares of TCAC common stock will be allocated pro-rata to non-redeeming public stockholders up to a maximum of one bonus share for each share held, effectively reducing their cost base. For additional details, please reference the Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19, 2022.
Convertible Notes
springbig and TCAC are also announcing an agreement for the issuance of senior secured convertible notes with a 24-month maturity (the "Notes"), up to $16 million principal amount of which have been subscribed to by a global institutional investor. An initial tranche of $11 million will close in connection with the closing of the merger agreement. The second tranche of $5 million, subject to certain conditions in the agreement, will close 60 days after the resale registration statement is declared effective by the SEC. For additional details please reference the Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2022.
Equity Financing Facility
In addition, TCAC entered into a committed equity financing facility (the "CEF Facility") with an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald L.P. ("Cantor"). Under the terms of the CEF Facility, Cantor has committed to purchase, after the closing of the proposed merger with the Company, up to an aggregate of $50 million of TCAC's common shares from time to time at TCAC's request. For additional details please reference the Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2022.
Management Commentary
Paul Sykes, Chief Financial Officer of springbig, said: "These latest developments represent further significant steps towards completing our business combination with TCAC. The amendments to the terms of the merger have enhanced the value of this transaction to our public shareholders. By reducing valuation and combining this with the innovative structure of offering up to one million bonus shares to be issued pro-rata to non-redeeming public shareholders, we believe we have created an attractive proposition that adequately reflects current market dynamics. Additionally, the commitments we have received from the global institutional investor with respect to the senior secured convertible note, the CEF Facility with Cantor, and the previously announced $13 million common equity PIPE will ensure that springbig starts life as a public company with access to adequate capital to continue to scale our existing business and pursue our expansion strategies as opportunities emerge."
Jeffrey Harris, CEO of springbig, added: "We are delighted to have the support of Cantor and an institutional investor. The growth opportunity ahead of springbig is significant as we look to strengthen our core loyalty and marketing communication capabilities, execute our expansion strategies, and deploy the additional capital we receive from our transition into a public company."
Advisors
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is serving as exclusive placement agent for the PIPE financing. DLA Piper LLP (US) is acting as placement agent counsel.
The business combination is expected to close in mid-2022, subject to the approval of TCAC's shareholders and other customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the business combination, the combined company will operate under the springbig name and is expected to remain listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, under the new symbol "SBIG." A link to the latest amended S-4 filing can be found through the SEC's website.
About springbig
springbig is a market-leading software platform providing customer loyalty and marketing automation solutions to cannabis retailers and brands in the U.S. and Canada. springbig's platform connects consumers with retailers and brands, primarily through SMS marketing, as well as emails, customer feedback system, and loyalty programs, to support retailers' and brands' customer engagement and retention. springbig offers marketing automation solutions that provide for consistency of customer communication, thereby driving customer retention and retail foot traffic. Additionally, springbig's reporting and analytics offerings deliver valuable insights that clients utilize to better understand their customer base, purchasing habits and trends. On November 9, 2021, springbig announced that it entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: TCAC) ("TCAC"). The business combination is expected to close in mid-2022, subject to the approval of TCAC's shareholders, the filed Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") being declared effective by the SEC, and other customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the business combination, the combined company will operate under the springbig name and is expected to remain listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, under the new symbol "SBIG." For more information, visit https://springbig.com/.
About Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corporation
Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchaser, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, pursuing targets that are focused on businesses in the cannabis industry that are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations within the jurisdictions in which they are located or operate. For more information, visit https://tuataraspac.com/.
Additional Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It
The proposed business combination will be submitted to stockholders of TCAC for their consideration. In connection with the proposed business combination, TCAC has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, which will include preliminary and definitive proxy statements to be distributed to TCAC's stockholders in connection with TCAC's solicitation for proxies for the vote by TCAC's stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to springbig's stockholders in connection with the completion of the proposed business combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, TCAC will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed business combination. Before making any voting decision, TCAC's stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, once available, the preliminary proxy statement / prospectus and any amendments thereto and, once available, the definitive proxy statement / prospectus, along with all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination and the TCAC's solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to be held to approve, among other things, the proposed business combination, because these documents will contain important information about TCAC, springbig (including, without limitation, further financial information and results) and the proposed business combination. Stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the preliminary or definitive proxy statement, once available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed business combination and other documents filed with the SEC by TCAC, without charge, at the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Tuatara Capital Acquisition Corporation, 655 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New York 10017.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to (i) trends in the cannabis industry and springbig market size, including with respect to the potential total addressable market in the industry; (ii) springbig's growth prospects; (iii) springbig's projected financial and operational performance, including relative to its competitors; (iv) new product and service offerings springbig may introduce in the future; (v) the potential transaction, including the implied enterprise value, the expected post-closing ownership structure and the likelihood and ability of the parties to successfully consummate the potential transaction; (vi) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of TCAC's securities; (vii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed business combination, including the approval of the proposed business combination by TCAC's stockholders; (viii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed business combination on TCAC's or springbig's business relationships, performance, and business generally; (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against TCAC or springbig related to the definitive agreement or the proposed business combination; (x) the ability to maintain the listing of TCAC's securities on the NASDAQ; (xi) the price of TCAC's securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industry in which springbig plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting springbig's business and changes in the combined capital structure; (xii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities; and (xiii) other statements regarding springbig's and TCAC's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "outlook," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would," and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject, are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of TCAC's registration statements on Form S-1 and Form S-4, any proxy statement/prospectus relating to the transaction, other documents filed by TCAC from time to time with SEC, and any risk factors made available to you in connection with TCAC, springbig and the transaction. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of springbig and TCAC), and other assumptions, that may cause the actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Participants in the Solicitation
TCAC, springbig and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from TCAC's stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of TCAC's stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination will be set forth in TCAC's proxy statement / prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. You can find more information about TCAC's directors and executive officers in TCAC's final prospectus dated February 11, 2021, and filed with the SEC on February 16, 2021. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the proxy statement / prospectus when they become available. Stockholders, potential investors, and other interested persons should read the proxy statement / prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release relates to a proposed business combination between TCAC and springbig and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
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| 2022-05-02T11:50:35Z
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- Using Geno's cutting-edge biotechnology, the venture aims to commercialize and scale plant-based alternatives to feedstocks like palm oil or fossil fuels, to make key ingredients used in everyday cleaning and personal care products.
- Unilever's investment, which is the first to support the venture, also marks the company's largest collaboration in biotechnology alternatives to palm oil to date.
- The venture is poised to offer a highly effective and sustainable alternative that can be offered to the combined $625b1 home and personal care markets.
SAN DIEGO and LONDON, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Genomatica (Geno), a leader in biotech and sustainability and Unilever have launched a venture to scale and commercialize alternatives to palm oil and fossil fuel-derived cleansing ingredients. These are integral to the formulations of thousands of everyday cleaning and personal care products. With growing demand for sustainably-sourced palm oil, this venture aims to deliver additional responsibly sourced palm oil alternatives to the market.
With $120m jointly invested in the newly-formed initiative, and with other strategic investors expected to join, the venture will develop an alternative, plant-based ingredient using biotechnology. The innovation is particularly relevant to cleaning and personal care products that require ingredients to lather and lift dirt. But at present, there are few viable alternatives to palm and fossil sources that can be produced at scale in order to make those ingredients. As such, the venture offers the opportunity to tap into the combined $625b home and personal care markets. For Unilever, one of the world's biggest soap and detergent manufacturers, this is the largest investment in biotechnology alternatives to palm oil to date.
Companies like Unilever, whose products are used globally by 3.4b people each day, are increasingly partnering with biotechnology innovators like Geno to explore, develop, and manufacture new versions of traditionally-sourced ingredients. While palm oil will remain an important feedstock to Unilever, these alternative ingredients can play a growing role in diversifying supply chains to drive optionality, sustainability, cost efficiencies and transparency.
Geno will deploy its proven biotechnology platform and is already starting to scale the process for its advanced technology to produce the ingredients. Initial estimates have shown that companies could reduce the carbon footprint of palm-derived ingredients by up to 50% with this technology-driven, plant based alternative.
Unilever's Chief R&D Officer Richard Slater, said:
"Biotechnology has the potential to revolutionise the sourcing of our cleansing ingredients and ensure Unilever is a future-fit business – for consumers, shareholders and the planet we all share. This new venture will sit at the intersection of science and sustainability, meaning we can continue to grow our business without relying only on palm oil or fossil fuel derivatives, while also making our supply chains more resilient from having access to ingredient alternatives.
"We will be marrying science and nature to make sure there is no tradeoff for our consumers between the efficacy and sustainability of their products. We are building this innovative new venture to have the scale to drive real impact and change in our industry, helping to reinvent the chemistry of home and personal care products for the 21st Century."
Christophe Schilling, Geno CEO said:
"Geno's collaboration with Unilever builds upon its strong track record of partnering with market leaders who are committed to accelerating the commercialization of sustainable materials in their industries – from clothing to now cleaning ingredients. We've developed our technology in response to our planet's urgent climate crisis and we've proven that biotechnology can replace traditional production methods to produce ingredients with bio-based sources that deliver both high-performance and sustainability, at scale.
"Our technology enables pathways for alternative sourcing of materials whose supply chains often have limited social and environmental transparency, by offering more resilient supply chains that are transparent, traceable and responsibly-sourced as demanded by consumers. Beyond creating new transparent and responsibly sourced-supply chains and alternatively-sourced materials, our Geno technology also represents the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 million tons in upcoming years."
About Genomatica (Geno)
Geno is harnessing biology to remake everyday products and materials built by and for the planet. In response to the urgent climate crisis, Geno is developing and scaling sustainable materials derived from plant- or waste-based feedstocks instead of fossil fuels. Geno's technology, built over the last 20 years, now drives materials and ingredients in applications ranging from cosmetics, carpets, to home cleaners, apparel and more.
Geno uses the power of biotechnology to convert plant-based raw materials into chemical building blocks that are key components of widely used materials. Geno has developed a strong track record of partnering with market leaders including:
- lululemon athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) in a multi-year collaboration with Geno to bring renewably-sourced, bio-based materials into lululemon's products. This represents lululemon's first-ever equity investment in a sustainable materials company and Geno's largest partnership within the retail industry.
- Novamont commercializing bio-based BDO at scale.
- Covestro AG (OTCMKTS: COVTY) to successfully produce significant volumes of a plant-based version HMDA, used in more sustainable coatings.
- Asahi Kasei (OTCMKTS: AHKSY) to commercialize plant-based nylon 6,6 made from Geno's bio-based HMD.
- Cargill-Helm (Qore) has licensed Geno's BDO process technology and is using Cargill's global feedstock supply and fermentation manufacturing expertise to initially produce and distribute an BDO at scale.
To learn more, visit genomatica.com
About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 148,000 employees and generated sales of €52.4 billion in 2021. Over half of our footprint is in developing and emerging markets. We have around 400 brands found in homes all over the world – including iconic global brands like Dove, Lifebuoy, Knorr, Magnum, OMO and Surf; and other brands such as Love Beauty & Planet, Hourglass, Seventh Generation and The Vegetarian Butcher.
Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose-led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. It goes back to the days of our founder William Lever, who launched the world's first purposeful brand, Sunlight Soap, more than 100 years ago, and it's at the heart of how we run our company today.
The Unilever Compass, our sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while:
- improving the health of the planet;
- improving people's health, confidence and wellbeing; and
- contributing to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.
While there is still more to do, in the past year we're proud to have achieved sector leadership in S&P's Dow Jones Sustainability Index, 'Triple A' status in CDP's Climate, Water and Forest benchmarks and to be named as the top ranked company in the GlobeScan/SustainAbility Sustainability Leaders survey, for the eleventh consecutive year.
For more information about Unilever and our brands, please visit www.unilever.com
1 Source:Euromonitor
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| 2022-06-16T06:27:55Z
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Workforce Development Non-Profit Introduces New Online Learning Platform
HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Today WorkFaith announced WorkFaith Now, a new online learning platform for job seekers and employees. WorkFaith Now offers self-paced job readiness and career development courses at no cost to both individuals looking for work and staffing agencies who want to upskill their clients.
"WorkFaith Now is a transformative digital platform that gives 24/7 access to faith-based training and coaching opportunities. No longer is time or transportation a barrier for those who need immediate access to critical job resources," says Nick Hardy, Chief Program Officer at WorkFaith.
"When you access WorkFaith Now, you can expect to receive essential job training skills that have helped thousands of individuals obtain employment over the years. WorkFaith is an industry leader in workforce development, and has a vetted process that caters to individuals looking for long-term employment."
Features of WorkFaith Now include:
- 24/7 access from a smart device
- Engaging on-demand content
- No cost to the user
WorkFaith Now will be available starting August 1. For more information on WorkFaith Now, visit workfaithnow.org.
About WorkFaith: WorkFaith is a 501 c(3) organization that provides faith-based training and coaching for anyone who desires long-term employment. WorkFaith has helped thousands of people find work and achieve long-term success for over 16 years. For more information on WorkFaith, please visit workfaith.org.
Daniel Park
WorkFaith
713-984-9611
dpark@workfaith.org
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/01/workfaith-launches-workfaith-now/
| 2022-08-01T14:55:38Z
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A Rochester, New York, police investigator has been suspended with pay after he was seen on surveillance video pushing a Black EMT and handcuffing her at a hospital early last week, according to Carlos Alvarado, a spokesperson for the police department.
Police announced the suspension earlier this week, updating a statement Rochester Police Chief David Smith made last week that called the July 11 incident "deeply concerning" and said he has "high expectations for all members of the Rochester Police Department."
"As a result of this interaction at Strong Hospital, I have directed our Professional Standards Section to initiate an internal investigation," Smith said.
In surveillance video obtained by Rochester television station WHEC, the police investigator can be seen moving towards EMT Lekia Smith inside the hospital, and then pushing her against a wall next to a gurney carrying a patient. The investigator then is seen turning the EMT around and putting her in handcuffs before leading her outside.
Attorney Elliott Shields told CNN that his client is an EMT with Monroe Ambulance. When she and her partner pulled up to the hospital, the investigator's police car was parked very close to the ambulance. When Smith opened her door, she "made contact with the police vehicle," Shields said.
The investigator "immediately comes over to her and yells at her, demands her ID," Shields said. His client told the investigator that she would give him her ID as soon as they transport the patient inside the hospital for treatment, he added.
Shields also said that as the patient was taken inside the hospital, the investigator followed his client and harassed her verbally. He said this is where the surveillance video began, in which the investigator "seizes her, throws her against the wall, puts her in handcuffs."
Shields said after the video ends his client was detained in the back of the investigator's vehicle for around 30 minutes until her supervisor arrived. She was later released and no charges have been filed.
The Rochester Police Locust Club, a police union representing members of the Rochester Police Department, called the decision to suspend the police investigator "perplexing" and stated that the investigator and the EMT "reached a mutually acceptable resolution that day when both the investigator and the EMT were able to jointly discuss the reasons for their actions, and both accepted each other's explanations."
"Supervisors from both RPD and Monroe were on scene and mutually agreed that both parties understood why each other took the actions they did," the union said in a statement.
CNN reached out to the Rochester Police Locust Club for comment on Shields' statements regarding what led up to and what happened after the handcuffing of Smith but has not yet received a response.
Donald Thompson, another attorney representing Smith, called the police union's assertion that a "mutually acceptable resolution" was reached the day of the incident "unequivocally false and intended to mislead the public."
"The boldness of that lie is jaw-dropping. She was handcuffed while attempting to care for her patient, forcefully led to a police car and placed, still handcuffed in the locked back seat area of the car," Thompson said. "They never came to any agreement about any of this."
John Caufield, Monroe Ambulance's Chief Operating Officer confirmed to CNN that a supervisor responded to the scene after Smith's partner notified them of the situation but disputes the police union's characterization that their discussion with a Rochester Police supervisor was one of "mutual understanding."
"Monroe's Assistant Chief spoke with a Rochester Police Department Lieutenant at the scene, but to describe their discussion as one of 'mutual understanding' is misrepresenting the nature of the conversation. We had, and continue to have, significant concerns about the treatment of our employee by a member of the Rochester Police Department and we brought those concerns to the attention of Police Chief's office. We are awaiting the findings of an internal investigation by RPD," Caufield said.
Chris Dewey, Chief Information Officer of Monroe Ambulance, called Smith's detainment "inappropriate," but said he believes the "altercation is not representative of the values of the Rochester Police Department and certainly not that of leadership thereof."
"We (Monroe leadership) have concluded that our patient care provider conducted herself in a manner representing the values or our organization - quality, compassion, and integrity," Dewey said in a statement.
Shields also said he believes the police investigator acted in a racist manner towards his client.
"My client is a Black woman, about 4'10", approximately 100 pounds," Shields said. "She's terrified, she has never been put in a situation like this before. She's doing her job, she's saving lives...if my client was White, this would've never happened."
"Officers are trained to have to make fast decisions in stressful situations, life or death. There was no emergency, there was no life or death, other than my client's patient to receive the medical treatment that she was in the hospital for. What set him off was a Black woman telling him you have to wait," Shields said.
Both Shields and Thompson said they are demanding that the police investigator be terminated immediately. The incident occurred only four days after Mayor Malik Evans named David Smith as the city's new police commissioner on July 7.
CNN has reached out to city officials and the mayor's office for comment.
The-CNN-Wire
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https://www.albanyherald.com/news/rochester-police-investigator-suspended-after-handcuffing-black-emt-at-hospital-department-says/article_5100740d-54a0-54ec-8cc7-92ae47346a20.html
| 2022-07-22T01:59:48Z
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STOCKHOLM, Sept. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ) (NASDAQ Capital Market: WAVE) ("Eco Wave Power" or the "Company") announced that it will report its financial results for the first six months of 2022 after the Nasdaq market close on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
Conference Call And Webcast Information
A conference call to discuss the financial results will be held the following morning Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Inna Braverman, CEO, will host the call.
- The dial-in numbers for the conference call are 888-506-0062 (toll-free) or 973-528-0011. If requested, please provide participant access code: 234153
- The event will be webcast live, available at: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2922/46561
A replay will be available by telephone approximately two hours after the call's completion until Wednesday, October 12, 2022. You may access the replay by dialing 877-481-4010 from the U.S. or 919-882-2331 for international callers and using the Replay ID 46561. The archived webcast will also be available on the Company's investor relations section of its website.
Individual Meeting Information
In an effort to increase relations with institutional investors, management has dedicated time to hosting individual meetings with portfolio managers and analysts on September 29th, 2022. If you are interested in scheduling a meeting with management, please contact wave@fnkir.com.
About Eco Wave Power Global AB (publ)
Eco Wave Power is a leading onshore wave energy technology company that developed a patented, smart and cost-efficient technology for turning ocean and sea waves into green electricity. Eco Wave Power's mission is to assist in the fight against climate change by enabling commercial power production from the ocean and sea waves.
The Company is currently finalizing the construction of its grid connected project in Israel, with co-investment from the Israeli Energy Ministry, which recognized the Eco Wave Power technology as "Pioneering Technology" and will soon commence the installation of its newest pilot in AltaSea's premises in the Port of Los Angeles. The Company also holds concession agreements for commercial installations in Europe and has a total projects pipeline of 327.7MW.
Eco Wave Power received funding from the European Union Regional Development Fund, Innovate UK and the European Commission's Horizon 2020 framework program. The Company has also received the "Global Climate Action Award" from the United Nations.
Eco Wave Power's American Depositary Shares (WAVE) are traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. More info: www.ecowavepower.com.
Information on, or accessible through, the websites mentioned above does not form part of this press release.
For more information, please contact:
Inna Braverman, CEO
Inna@ecowavepower.com
+97235094017
For additional investor/media inquiries, please contact:
Investor Contact:
Matt Chesler, CFA
FNK IR
+1.646.809.2183
wave@fnkir.com
Media Inquiries:
Jacob Scott, Vectis Strategies
+1.412.445.7719
jscott@vectisstrategies.com
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
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SOURCE EWPG Holding AB (publ)
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/09/14/eco-wave-power-report-first-half-2022-results-tuesday-september-27-2022/
| 2022-09-14T14:57:37Z
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—AlzoSure® Predict Uses a Simple Blood Draw to Identify with High Accuracy Whether or Not Individuals Will Progress to Alzheimer's Disease Up to Six Years Before Diagnosis—
—Prognostic Performance for Progression to Alzheimer's Significantly Better than PET Amyloid Imaging—
—AlzoSure Predict Is an FDA-Designated Breakthrough Device and CE-IVD Marked in the E.U.—
MILAN, May 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diadem SpA today announced publication of the results of a clinical validation study of its AlzoSure® Predict prognostic blood test for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The article, A Conformational Variant of p53 (U-p53AZ) as Blood-Based Biomarker for the Prediction of the Onset of Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease, appears in the online edition of the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer' Disease. The authors conclude that AlzoSure® Predict accurately identifies whether or not individuals with no or only minor cognitive impairments will progress to Alzheimer's disease up to six years before they are diagnosed using conventional criteria.
AlzoSure Predict precisely measures the presence in patient plasma of an unfolded conformational variant of the p53 protein (U-p53AZ), which multiple studies have shown to be associated with AD. The retrospective longitudinal prognostic study evaluated plasma samples from 482 individuals aged 60 or older participating in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) cohort over the course of six years. Diagnostic classifications were independently validated using well-established neuropsychological-based criteria and measurements of amyloid load determined via amyloid β-positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET) imaging and supporting clinical information were included when possible.
The diagnostic and prognostic performance of AlzoSure Predict was assessed in both time-independent and time-dependent (36, 72 and 90 months following initial sampling) analyses. The prognostic performance of Aβ-PET and analyses with several different risk factors (gender, Aβ-PET and APOE ε4 allele status) were also assessed.
Study results confirm that the levels of U-p53AZ in patient samples measured by AlzoSure Predict were a major independent predictor of the onset of Alzheimer's disease. AlzoSure Predict successfully differentiated individuals with and without Alzheimer's disease and it accurately determined the risk of progressing to a confirmed AD diagnosis over time, identifying those people who would progress to future symptomatic AD up to six years before diagnosis using standard criteria. AlzoSure Predict achieved area under the curve (AUC) >98%, significantly higher than the AUC's achieved using the "gold standard" of Aβ-PET imaging (between 84% and 93%, with P= <0.0001 and <0.001, respectively).
The study authors conclude that these findings support the use of AlzoSure Predict as a blood-based biomarker test to predict whether or not individuals will progress to neuropsychologically-defined Alzheimer's disease up to six years prior to the AD diagnosis. They note that the assay could be useful in enabling participant stratification for interventional studies assessing new AD therapies, while also calling for additional studies to confirm and extend these results.
Study author Colin L Masters MD, professor of dementia research at the University of Melbourne and Head of the Neuropathology and Neurodegeneration Laboratory at Australia's Florey Institute of Neuroscience, commented, "There is growing interest among physicians and the public for access to tools enabling early identification of individuals likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, both to enable those at-risk to seek early interventions, as well as to facilitate the development of effective disease modifying therapies. These encouraging data suggest that AlzoSure Predict has the potential to play a valuable role in identifying patients who will progress to Alzheimer's disease years before they develop full-blown clinical dementia. The fact that it is a simple, potentially cost-effective, and accurate blood test suggests that AlzoSure Predict could play an important role, along with other innovations in AD diagnosis and treatment, in enabling more effective management of this devastating disease."
Paul Kinnon, Chief Executive Officer of Diadem, stated, "There is growing recognition that biomarker tests can play a critically important role in improving the management of Alzheimer's disease. This new peer-reviewed publication confirms that AlzoSure Predict uniquely has the ability to accurately identify individuals with no symptoms or only mild cognitive symptoms who will progress to full-blown AD up to six years prior to diagnosis. Importantly, the test requires only a simple blood draw and widely available laboratory instruments, making it suitable for broad-based public health screening applications. The potential of AlzoSure Predict was recently recognized by an FDA Breakthrough Device designation and granting of CE-IVD marking, allowing us to begin marketing the test in the E.U. We aim to complete additional validation studies in the coming months and are targeting launches in collaboration with strategic partners beginning later this year."
AlzoSure Predict is a non-invasive biomarker blood test that can identify with high accuracy whether individuals over the age of 50 with signs of cognitive impairment will or will not progress to Alzheimer's disease up to six years before diagnosis. Its utility is supported by clinical data from a large longitudinal study that was the basis for AlzoSure Predict's recent CE-IVD marking, which allows the test to be marketed in the E.U., as well as for a Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. The company's technology uses an analytical method that includes a patented antibody developed by Diadem and designed to bind to U-p53AZ and its target sequences. U-p53AZ is a conformational variant of the p53 protein that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD in multiple studies.
About Alzheimer's Disease
There are about 50 million people suffering from dementia worldwide. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form and accounts for 60-70% of cases. At present there are no disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer's, and therapies to treat symptoms are limited. There are about 10 million new cases per year, and the incidence is rising rapidly as the population ages. The current total cost of care is enormous--estimated at $1 trillion in the U.S. annually and expected to double by 2030. Currently, diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is slow, inconclusive, invasive and expensive. Development of effective therapies for Alzheimer's has been hindered by the lack of accurate and cost-effective prognostic and diagnostic methods.
About Diadem
Diadem was founded as a spin-out of the University of Brescia (Italy). The company is developing the first blood-based prognostic test for the early detection of dementia, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease. The lack of accurate, accessible and affordable diagnostic tools is a major contributor to the absence of effective treatments for this devastating condition. As a result, patients are not diagnosed until late in the illness, when effective treatment is no longer possible. Diadem's rapid, accurate and cost-effective blood-based prognostic test makes it possible for the first time to identify patients early in the disease process, when effective interventions and better outcomes are far more feasible. The utility of the approach has been demonstrated in longitudinal clinical studies that were the basis for awarding CE-IVD marking in the E.U. and a Breakthrough Device designation in the U.S. Additional retrospective and prospective clinical trials are ongoing to further validate clinical claims and support widespread adoption and use. Diadem is preparing for commercialisation of AlzoSure® Predict in collaboration with global strategic partners. The company is also developing AlzoSure® Confirm, a blood-based diagnostic test for AD that has shown promising results in early studies. For more information, visit diademdx.com/.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/16/diadem-announces-publication-clinical-study-confirming-its-alzosure-predict-blood-test-can-accurately-predict-progression-alzheimers-disease-six-years-before-diagnosis/
| 2022-05-16T06:29:38Z
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BETHESDA, Md., June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today the fourth installment of its "What Drives You" campaign. Launched on November 12, 2019, the campaign features some of Walker & Dunlop's inspiring clients through spotlights that highlight the passion, perseverance, and inner drive that fuels each of them in their pursuit of greatness.
This latest installment of the campaign features Mark Hafner, founder and CEO of the $1 billion commercial real estate firm HASTA Capital. HASTA Capital focuses on investing, developing, and managing residential multifamily assets that are "purpose built," or designed to be inclusive communities of all renters.
Founded in 2017, HASTA now has developments and properties in four countries. Hafner attributes the company's rapid growth to an attention to detail, a willingness to try new things, and a commitment to continuously improving the customer experience. For example, Hafner and his family try to spend a week living at each property to see what's missing that residents might need and appreciate, like a bench at a dog park.
Hafner also cites the company's partnership with Walker & Dunlop, which financed HASTA's very first deal and nearly 100% of its deals since then and has been with HASTA every step of the way.
"I want people to love where they live, and Walker & Dunlop is always coming up with great ideas on how they can help, thinking proactively and outside of the box for ways we can do things better, both for the short-term and the long-term," commented Hafner. "They're an extension of the HASTA team and a true partner."
"Mark built a $1 billion, 15-property portfolio in just five years," said Willy Walker, Chairman & CEO of Walker & Dunlop. "It's been a story of extreme growth differentiated by a standout customer experience, and it's a story of extreme vision and opportunity. We're looking forward to seeing what Mark and his team at HASTA do next."
The campaign features content across print, online, mobile, and earned channels. To stay up to date and learn what inspires some of the country's leading commercial real estate companies, visit the What Drives You campaign webpage: WalkerDunlop.com/WhatDrivesYou.
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest providers of capital to the commercial real estate industry, enabling real estate owners and operators to bring their visions of communities — where Americans live, work, shop and play — to life. The power of our people, premier brand, and industry-leading technology makes us more insightful and valuable to our clients, providing an unmatched experience every step of the way. With more than 1,400 employees across every major U.S. market, Walker & Dunlop has consistently been named one of Fortune's Great Places to Work® and is committed to making the commercial real estate industry more inclusive and diverse while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic change in our communities.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/22/walker-amp-dunlop-features-hasta-capital-ceo-mark-hafner-latest-installment-its-what-drives-you-campaign/
| 2022-06-22T23:24:20Z
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TUCSON, Ariz. , June 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- However the U.S. Supreme Court rules in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, current trends may result in more abortion complications, writes Ingrid Skop, M.D., in the summer issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons.
Chemical abortions, which now constitute 54 percent of all abortions, will likely increase further if Roe v. Wade is overturned and states pass laws making surgical abortion less accessible. Additionally, the FDA has lifted the in-person requirement for dispensing abortion pills, making unsupervised ("self-managed") abortion available through telemedicine and on-line ordering.
Chemical abortion is more likely than surgical abortion to be complicated by hemorrhage or retention of fetal parts, Dr. Skop notes. In addition, mifepristone, the drug that blocks progesterone and thus causes fetal death, may itself increase infection and mental health issues.
Lack of in-person supervision may cause a number of avoidable problems. Dr. Skop lists: failure due to underestimation of gestational age; failure to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy; failure to give Rh D immunoglobulin to Rh-negative mothers; failure to recognize coercion; and poor quality of mail-order drugs.
Abortion complications are greatly under-reported in the U.S., Dr. Skop states. A study from Finland documented four times as many complications after chemical (20 percent) as surgical abortions (5.6 percent).
Failure to recognize complications in self-managed abortions is especially dangerous, as women are told to expect pain and bleeding as signs that "the pills are working."
In striving to increase access to abortion, "safety" is apparently not a high priority in the industry, Dr. Skop suggests.
The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
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SOURCE Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/06/abortions-may-become-riskier-according-journal-american-physicians-surgeons/
| 2022-06-06T19:38:14Z
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BEIJING, April 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RLX Technology Inc. ("RLX Technology" or the "Company") (NYSE: RLX), a leading branded e-vapor company in China, today announced that Ms. Ying (Kate) Wang has resigned as a member and the chairperson of the compensation committee (the "Compensation Committee") and the nominating and corporate governance committee (the "Nominating Committee ") of the Company's board of directors to help the Company comply with the relevant New York Stock Exchange's listing requirements on board committees' independence. Going forward, the Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee will be composed entirely of independent directors, namely Ms. Zhenjing Zhu and Mr. Youmin Xi. Concurrent with Ms. Ying (Kate) Wang's resignation from the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee, Mr. Youmin Xi was appointed as the chairperson of the Nominating Committee and the chairperson of the Compensation Committee.
About RLX Technology Inc.
RLX Technology Inc. (NYSE: RLX) is a leading branded e-vapor company in China. The Company leverages its strong in-house technology and product development capabilities and in-depth insights into adult smokers' needs to develop superior e-vapor products. RLX Technology Inc. sells its products through an integrated offline distribution and "branded store plus" retail model tailored to China's e-vapor market.
For more information, please visit: http://ir.relxtech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" and similar statements. Among other things, business outlook contains forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; trends and competition in China's e-vapor market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; PRC governmental policies, laws and regulations relating to the Company's industry, and general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is current as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For more information, please contact:
In China:
RLX Technology Inc.
Head of Investor Relations
Sam Tsang
Email: ir@relxtech.com
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
Email: RLX@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
Email: RLX@tpg-ir.com
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/09/rlx-technology-announces-changes-board-committee-composition/
| 2022-04-09T14:56:11Z
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BEIJING, Aug. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 5th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation (the "Forum") opened on August 25 in Beijing, China, combining online and offline events and sessions. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Senegal President Macky Sall, who is the African Co-Chair of FOCAC, sent congratulatory letters to the Forum.
Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, read the letters from the presidents and gave a keynote speech.
Huang noted that the letters fully reflected the great importance of China-Africa cooperation from the leaders, as well as their high expectations for further deepening media cooperation and a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Africa.
Since the Forum was founded 10 years ago, it provided an important platform for Chinese and African media to facilitate dialogue and cooperation and played a significant role in deepening China-Africa friendship and strengthened the bonds among people.
The media on both sides have been upholding the spirit of friendly cooperation and working continuously to safeguard fairness and justice, telling stories about China-Africa cooperation in the new era and shouldering responsibilities to advance global development, promote common values of mankind and actively create an international public opinion atmosphere of cohesive development and cooperation.
Chinese and African media will also promote innovation convergence and deepen cooperation in areas of digital technology and digital economy to strengthen exchanges, share opportunities and improve digital governance capabilities.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Xu Lin, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), China. Gregoire Ndjaka, CEO of the African Union of Broadcasting, Chen Jining, Mayor of Beijing, and Chushi Kasanda, Minister of Information and Media, Zambia, gave opening remarks.
The two-day event also featured an exhibition of "A Decade of Achievements: China-Africa Media Cooperation (2012-2022)."
Themed "New Vision, New Development, and New Cooperation," the Forum held sessions on media development policy, content cooperation and innovation as well as new technology application, and digital convergence.
The Forum published a joint declaration that reviewed the decade of achievements of China-Africa media cooperation. In mapping the prospects and plans for future media development, it proposed five initiatives, including deepening cooperation and communication, supporting global development, telling stories of China-Africa friendship, promoting digital media development, and strengthening youth exchanges.
In addition, the Forum featured events such as the first broadcast exhibition of African programs in China and a short video collection on the topic of "my story of China-Africa friendship." It also published 12 cooperative achievements in terms of program co-broadcasting, documentary creation, program innovation, and new media cooperation.
The forum was co-hosted by the National Radio and Television Administration of China, the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and the African Union of Broadcasting. More than 240 Chinese and foreign delegates from more than 40 countries and regions attended the forum.
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| 2022-08-29T05:56:34Z
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MEDELLÍN, Colombia , April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bancolombia S.A. (NYSE: CIB) announces that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – SEC.
The annual report can be downloaded from the SEC website www.sec.gov and in the following days will also be made available on Bancolombia's website in the Investor Relations section.
If you need a hard copy of our Form 20-F, please contact IR@bancolombia.com.co.
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| 2022-04-28T02:41:31Z
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SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL), a global leader in connectors and sensors, announced that its board of directors has authorized an increase in its share repurchase program by an additional $1.5 billion. Any repurchases by the company will be made in accordance with applicable securities laws in the open market or in private transactions. The repurchase program is subject to business and market conditions, and may be commenced, suspended or discontinued at any time or from time to time without prior notice.
ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY
TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, enable advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home. With more than 85,000 employees, including over 8,000 engineers, working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat and Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results, performance, financial condition or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, financial condition or achievements. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have no intention and are under no obligation to update or alter (and expressly disclaim any such intention or obligation to do so) our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements in this release include statements addressing our future financial condition and operating results, and the impact on our operations resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"). Examples of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the extent, severity and duration of COVID-19 negatively affecting our business operations; business, economic, competitive and regulatory risks, such as conditions affecting demand for products in the automotive and other industries we serve; competition and pricing pressure; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices; natural disasters and political, economic and military instability in countries in which we operate, including continuing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine or escalating tensions in surrounding countries; developments in the credit markets; future goodwill impairment; compliance with current and future environmental and other laws and regulations; and the possible effects on us of changes in tax laws, tax treaties and other legislation, including the effects of Swiss tax reform. In addition, the extent to which COVID-19 will impact our business and our financial results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Such developments may include the geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the virus, the duration of the outbreak, the impact on our suppliers' and customers' supply chains, the actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the outbreak in jurisdictions in which we operate, and the possible impact on the global economy and local economies in which we operate. More detailed information about these and other factors is set forth in TE Connectivity Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Sept. 24, 2021 as well as in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports filed by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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| 2022-06-17T12:25:33Z
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TDSC Launches This Fall – Join Our Waitlist
TORONTO, Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- a revolutionary PFP NFT called Throwing Dude Space Camp (TDSC) is launching in the Fall. 10,000 NFTs will be available. TDSC features next level art, astonishing rarity, and a ground-breaking road map. Click here to join the waitlist.
Gyro Plasmic (pseudonym), Founder of TDSC says; "we took the approach that we want every one of our 10,000 Dude members to be happy, so we created totally original art for over 650 traits. We created over 180 traits for clothing alone, body art and tattoos will show through some of our unique clothing which we call holo. We used our original art from our 57 planets as design material for our cut off bike jackets which we also designed. I could go on and on."
We achieve greater rarity through the processes of constraining and information is randomly included with our Dudes. With over 70 throwing objects, rarity is deeper versus the other PFP NFT projects. Join our waitlist.
TDSC is about living the creative inspired life and pursuing the joy of throwing and the joy of exploring. No matter your skill, or where you come from in our universe, TDSC galactically celebrates the comradery of Space Camp and throwing.
We cover a wide variety of other throwing sports. Since our Dudes are from across our Universe, some of their capabilities go way beyond just throwing mere earthly objects and include galactic and even mythical throwing. Click for TDSC waitlist.
We are in it for the long haul and as TDCS gets resourced through revenue, we plan to introduce many benefits to the Throwing Dude Space Camp membership, which may potentially include: our 57 planets art reveal, exclusive member merchandise, space camping festival under our aurora borealis, release of space camp song anthem and more. TDSC will push the boundaries of what is possible for a PFP NFT and will have a lot of fun doing it.
Click here to join the Throwing Dude's waitlist.
Throwing Dude Space Camp (TDSC) is owned and operated by QaQaQ Inc.
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| 2022-08-18T19:30:00Z
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COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) today reported its second quarter results.
Total revenues were $5.4 billion in the second quarter of 2022, compared with $5.6 billion in the second quarter of 2021. Net earnings were $1.4 billion, or $2.16 per diluted share, compared with $1.1 billion, or $1.62 per diluted share a year ago.
Net earnings in the second quarter of 2022 included net investment gains of $564 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared with net investment gains of $89 million, or $0.13 per diluted share a year ago. The net investment gains were driven by net gains from certain derivatives and foreign currency activities of $618 million and net gains from sales and redemptions of $115 million, both driven by foreign exchange. These gains were partially offset by an increase in the allowance associated with the company's estimate of current expected credit losses (CECL) and impairments of $34 million. These net investment gains included a decrease of $135 million in the fair value of equity securities.
Adjusted earnings* in the second quarter were $939 million, compared with $1.1 billion in the second quarter of 2021, reflecting a decrease of 13.1%. Adjusted earnings per diluted share* decreased 8.2% to $1.46 in the quarter. It included variable investment income from alternative investments, which was $0.06 per share above return expectations. Adjusted earnings per diluted share excluded adjusted net investment gains* of $0.88 per share. The weaker yen/dollar exchange rate impacted adjusted earnings per share by $0.09.
The average yen/dollar exchange rate in the second quarter of 2022 was 129.39, or 15.4% weaker than the average rate of 109.48 in the second quarter of 2021. For the first six months, the average exchange rate was 122.79, or 12.2% weaker than the rate of 107.79 a year ago.
Total investments and cash at the end of June 2022 were $121.4 billion, compared with $146.7 billion at June 30, 2021. In the second quarter, Aflac Incorporated deployed $650 million in capital to repurchase 11.2 million of its common shares. At the end of June 2022, the company had 36.6 million remaining shares authorized for repurchase.
Shareholders' equity was $26.4 billion, or $41.59 per share, at June 30, 2022, compared with $33.7 billion, or $50.20 per share, at June 30, 2021. Shareholders' equity at the end of the second quarter included a net unrealized gain on investment securities and derivatives of $2.9 billion, compared with a net unrealized gain of $10.0 billion at June 30, 2021. Shareholders' equity at the end of the second quarter also included an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $3.3 billion, compared with an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $1.7 billion at June 30, 2021. The annualized return on average shareholders' equity in the second quarter was 19.9%.
For the first six months of 2022, total revenues were down 6.7% to $10.7 billion, compared with $11.4 billion in the first half of 2021. Net earnings were $2.4 billion, or $3.73 per diluted share, compared with $2.4 billion, or $3.49 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2021. Adjusted earnings for the first half of 2022 were $1.9 billion, or $2.88 per diluted share, compared with $2.1 billion, or $3.11 per diluted share, in 2021. Excluding the negative impact of $0.15 per share from the weaker yen/dollar exchange rate, adjusted earnings per diluted share decreased 2.9% to $3.02 for the first six months of 2022.
Shareholders' equity excluding AOCI (or adjusted book value*) was $26.9 billion, or $42.45 per share at June 30, 2022, compared with $25.7 billion, or $38.27 per share, at June 30, 2021. The annualized adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact* in the second quarter was 14.9%.
In yen terms, Aflac Japan's net earned premiums were ¥313.2 billion for the quarter, or 4.2% lower than a year ago, mainly due to limited pay products reaching paid-up status and constrained sales from the impact of pandemic conditions. Adjusted net investment income increased 8.4% to ¥94.0 billion, mainly due to higher floating rate income as well as the impact of a weaker yen on the dollar-denominated investment income. Total adjusted revenues in yen declined 1.6% to ¥408.3 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings in yen for the quarter increased 1.6% on a reported basis to ¥111.7 billion, due to higher reserve releases and adjusted net investment income. Pretax adjusted earnings decreased 7.0% on a currency-neutral basis. The pretax adjusted profit margin for the Japan segment increased to 27.4%, compared with 26.5% a year ago.
For the first six months, net earned premiums in yen were ¥629.6 billion, or 4.3% lower than a year ago. Adjusted net investment income increased 7.3% to ¥173.0 billion. Total adjusted revenues in yen were down 2.0% to ¥804.9 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were ¥211.9 billion, or 4.0% higher than a year ago.
In dollar terms, net earned premiums decreased 19.0% to $2.4 billion in the second quarter. Adjusted net investment income decreased 8.7% to $723 million. Total adjusted revenues declined by 16.8% to $3.2 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings declined 14.3% to $860 million.
For the first six months, net earned premiums in dollars were $5.1 billion, or 15.8% lower than a year ago. Adjusted net investment income decreased 6.3% to $1.4 billion. Total adjusted revenues were down 14.0% to $6.6 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were $1.7 billion, or 8.9% lower than a year ago.
For the quarter, total new annualized premium sales (sales) decreased 6.4% to ¥12.7 billion, or $98 million, reflecting the January 2021 launch of a new medical product and continued weakness in sales recovery, in part constrained by pandemic conditions. For the first six months, total new sales decreased 10.7% to ¥24.7 billion, or $201 million.
Aflac U.S. net earned premiums declined 1.0% to $1.4 billion in the second quarter, impacted by lower year-to-date persistency. Adjusted net investment income increased 2.1% to $193 million. Total adjusted revenues were up 0.1% to $1.6 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were $349 million, 15.5% lower than a year ago, which was driven by higher incurred benefits and elevated expenses reflecting, in part, platform and growth investments. The pretax adjusted profit margin for the U.S. segment was 21.4%, compared with 25.4% a year ago.
For the first six months, net earned premiums declined 0.8% to $2.8 billion. Adjusted net investment income increased 3.0% to $377 million. Total adjusted revenues were up 0.4% to $3.3 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were $674 million, or 21.5% lower than a year ago.
Aflac U.S. sales increased 15.6% in the quarter to $305 million, reflecting continued investment in growth initiatives as well as productivity gains. For the first half of the year, total new sales increased 17.2% to $604 million.
For the quarter, total adjusted revenues decreased 16.0% to $42 million. Pretax adjusted earnings were a loss of $75 million, compared with a loss of $76 million a year ago. These results reflect higher adjusted net investment income from higher interest rates offset by lower amortized hedge income and the impact of federal tax credit investments as tax benefits are recognized in a corresponding lower income tax expense. These results also reflect the impact of foreign currency on total net earned premiums and the corresponding benefits.
For the first six months, total adjusted revenues decreased 12.8% to $116 million. Pretax adjusted earnings were a loss of $120 million, compared with a loss of $102 million a year ago.
The board of directors declared the third quarter dividend of $0.40 per share, payable on September 1, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 24, 2022.
Commenting on the company's results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "The company generated solid earnings for the first six months, supported in part by the continuation of low benefit ratios associated with pandemic conditions and better-than-expected returns from alternative investments, despite the weakening yen. We continue to remain cautiously optimistic as our efforts focus on growth and efficiency initiatives amid this evolving pandemic backdrop.
"Looking at our operations in Japan, persistency remained strong in the second quarter, but sales were constrained as we continued to operate in evolving pandemic conditions. This impacted our ability to meet face-to-face with customers, which continues to be key to a recovery in sales. Within this context, we continue to expect stronger sales in the second half of the year assuming that those conditions subside, productivity continues to improve at Japan Post, and we execute on our product introduction and refreshment plans.
"In the U.S., I am pleased with the continued momentum in our core voluntary business and contribution from newly acquired growth platforms of dental, vision, and group benefits. We continue to work toward reinforcing our position and generating stronger sales for the year, while we keep an eye on potential headwinds.
"As always, we are committed to prudent liquidity and capital management. We continue to generate strong investment results while remaining in a defensive position as we monitor evolving economic conditions. In addition, we have taken proactive steps in recent years to defend cash flow and deployable capital against a weakening yen. We treasure our 39-year track record of dividend growth and remain committed to extending it, supported by the strength of our capital and cash flows. At the same time, we remain in the market repurchasing shares with a tactical approach, focused on integrating the growth investments we have made in our platform. By doing so, we look to emerge from this period in a continued position of strength and leadership."
*See Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures section for an explanation of foreign exchange and its impact on the financial statements and definitions of the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures used in this earnings release, as well as a reconciliation of such non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures.
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) is a Fortune 500 company helping provide protection to more than 50 million people through its subsidiaries in Japan and the U.S., paying cash fast when policyholders get sick or injured. For more than six decades, insurance policies of Aflac Incorporated's subsidiaries have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the U.S., Aflac is the number one provider of supplemental health insurance products1. Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance in Japan, where it insures 1 in 4 households. In 2021, Aflac Incorporated was proud to be included as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 16th consecutive year. Also in 2021, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index and became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, Aflac Incorporated was included on Fortune's list of World's Most Admired Companies for the 21st time and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the third consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to ESG and social responsibility at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability."
A copy of Aflac's Financial Analysts Briefing (FAB) supplement for the quarter can be found on the "Investors" page at aflac.com.
Aflac Incorporated will webcast its quarterly conference call via the "Investors" page of aflac.com at 8:00 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
Note: Tables within this document may not foot due to rounding.
This document includes references to the Company's financial performance measures which are not calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) (non-U.S. GAAP). The financial measures exclude items that the Company believes may obscure the underlying fundamentals and trends in insurance operations because they tend to be driven by general economic conditions and events or related to infrequent activities not directly associated with insurance operations.
Due to the size of Aflac Japan, where the functional currency is the Japanese yen, fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on reported results. In periods when the yen weakens, translating yen into dollars results in fewer dollars being reported. When the yen strengthens, translating yen into dollars results in more dollars being reported. Consequently, yen weakening has the effect of suppressing current period results in relation to the comparable prior period, while yen strengthening has the effect of magnifying current period results in relation to the comparable prior period. A significant portion of the Company's business is conducted in yen and never converted into dollars but translated into dollars for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes, which results in foreign currency impact to earnings, cash flows and book value on a U.S. GAAP basis. Management evaluates the Company's financial performance both including and excluding the impact of foreign currency translation to monitor, respectively, cumulative currency impacts and the currency-neutral operating performance over time. The average yen/dollar exchange rate is based on the published MUFG Bank, Ltd. telegraphic transfer middle rate (TTM).
The company defines the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release as follows:
- Adjusted earnings are adjusted revenues less benefits and adjusted expenses. Adjusted earnings per share (basic or diluted) are the adjusted earnings for the period divided by the weighted average outstanding shares (basic or diluted) for the period presented. The adjustments to both revenues and expenses account for certain items that cannot be predicted or that are outside management's control. Adjusted revenues are U.S. GAAP total revenues excluding adjusted net investment gains and losses. Adjusted expenses are U.S. GAAP total acquisition and operating expenses including the impact of interest cash flows from derivatives associated with notes payable but excluding any nonrecurring or other items not associated with the normal course of the Company's insurance operations and that do not reflect the Company's underlying business performance. Management uses adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share to evaluate the financial performance of the Company's insurance operations on a consolidated basis and believes that a presentation of these financial measures is vitally important to an understanding of the underlying profitability drivers and trends of the Company's insurance business. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share (basic or diluted) are net earnings and net earnings per share, respectively.
- Adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact are computed using the average foreign currency exchange rate for the comparable prior-year period, which eliminates fluctuations driven solely by foreign currency exchange rate changes. Adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding current period foreign currency impact is adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact divided by the weighted average outstanding diluted shares for the period presented. The Company considers adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact and adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding current period foreign currency impact important because a significant portion of the Company's business is conducted in Japan and foreign exchange rates are outside management's control; therefore, the Company believes it is important to understand the impact of translating foreign currency (primarily Japanese yen) into U.S. dollars. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted earnings excluding current period foreign currency impact and adjusted earnings per diluted share excluding current period foreign currency impact are net earnings and net earnings per share, respectively.
- Adjusted return on equity is adjusted earnings divided by average shareholders' equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Management uses adjusted return on equity to evaluate the financial performance of the Company's insurance operations on a consolidated basis and believes that a presentation of this financial measure is vitally important to an understanding of the underlying profitability drivers and trends of the Company's insurance business. The Company considers adjusted return on equity important as it excludes components of AOCI, which fluctuate due to market movements that are outside management's control. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for adjusted return on equity is return on average equity (ROE) as determined using net earnings and average total shareholders' equity.
- Adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact is adjusted earnings excluding the current period foreign currency impact divided by average shareholders' equity, excluding AOCI. The Company considers adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact important as it excludes changes in foreign currency and components of AOCI, which fluctuate due to market movements that are outside management's control. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact is ROE as determined using net earnings and average total shareholders' equity.
- Amortized hedge costs/income represent costs/income incurred or recognized as a result of using foreign currency derivatives to hedge certain foreign exchange risks in the Company's Japan segment or in Corporate and other. These amortized hedge costs/ income are estimated at the inception of the derivatives based on the specific terms of each contract and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the hedge. The Company believes that amortized hedge costs/income measure the periodic currency risk management costs/income related to hedging certain foreign currency exchange risks and are an important component of net investment income. There is no comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for amortized hedge costs/ income.
- Adjusted book value is the U.S. GAAP book value (representing total shareholders' equity), less AOCI as recorded on the U.S. GAAP balance sheet. Adjusted book value per common share is adjusted book value at the period end divided by the ending outstanding common shares for the period presented. The Company considers adjusted book value and adjusted book value per common share important as they exclude AOCI, which fluctuates due to market movements that are outside management's control. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted book value and adjusted book value per common share are total book value and total book value per common share, respectively.
- Adjusted book value including unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses is adjusted book value plus unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses. Adjusted book value including unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses per common share is adjusted book value plus unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses at the period end divided by the ending outstanding common shares for the period presented. The Company considers adjusted book value including unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses, and its related per share financial measure, important as they exclude certain components of AOCI, which fluctuate due to market movements that are outside management's control; however, it includes the impact of foreign currency as a result of the significance of Aflac's Japan operation. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for adjusted book value including unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses and adjusted book value including unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses per common share are total book value and total book value per common share, respectively.
- Adjusted net investment income is net investment income adjusted for i) amortized hedge cost/income related to foreign currency exposure management strategies and certain derivative activity, and ii) net interest cash flows from foreign currency and interest rate derivatives associated with certain investment strategies, which are reclassified from net investment gains and losses to net investment income. The Company considers adjusted net investment income important because it provides a more comprehensive understanding of the costs and income associated with the Company's investments and related hedging strategies. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for adjusted net investment income is net investment income.
- Adjusted net investment gains and losses are net investment gains and losses adjusted for i) amortized hedge cost/income related to foreign currency exposure management strategies and certain derivative activity, ii) net interest cash flows from foreign currency and interest rate derivatives associated with certain investment strategies, which are both reclassified to net investment income, and iii) the impact of interest cash flows from derivatives associated with notes payable, which is reclassified to interest expense as a component of total adjusted expenses. The Company considers adjusted net investment gains and losses important as it represents the remainder amount that is considered outside management's control, while excluding the components that are within management's control and are accordingly reclassified to net investment income and interest expense. The most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure for adjusted net investment gains and losses is net investment gains and losses.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. The company desires to take advantage of these provisions. This document contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected herein, and in any other statements made by company officials in communications with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," "will," "assumes," "potential," "target," "outlook" or similar words as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
The company cautions readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements:
- difficult conditions in global capital markets and the economy, including those caused by COVID-19
- defaults and credit downgrades of investments
- global fluctuations in interest rates and exposure to significant interest rate risk
- concentration of business in Japan
- limited availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments
- foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate
- differing judgments applied to investment valuations
- significant valuation judgments in determination of expected credit losses recorded on the Company's investments
- decreases in the Company's financial strength or debt ratings
- decline in creditworthiness of other financial institutions
- concentration of the Company's investments in any particular single-issuer or sector
- the effects of COVID-19 and its variants (both known and emerging), and any resulting economic effects and government interventions, on the Company's business and financial results
- the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates, brokers, employees, and distribution partners
- deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions
- ability to continue to develop and implement improvements in information technology systems
- interruption in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems
- subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to the Parent Company
- inherent limitations to risk management policies and procedures
- operational risks of third party vendors
- tax rates applicable to the Company may change
- failure to comply with restrictions on policyholder privacy and information security
- extensive regulation and changes in law or regulation by governmental authorities
- competitive environment and ability to anticipate and respond to market trends
- catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, as a result of climate change, epidemics, pandemics (such as COVID-19), tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, war or other military action, terrorism or other acts of violence, and damage incidental to such events
- ability to protect the Aflac brand and the Company's reputation
- ability to effectively manage key executive succession
- changes in accounting standards
- level and outcome of litigation
- allegations or determinations of worker misclassification in the United States
Analyst and investor contact - David A. Young, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
Media contact - Ines Gutzmer, 762.207.7601 or igutzmer@aflac.com
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| 2022-08-01T20:33:35Z
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RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that, effective July 1, 2022, it has partnered with Massachusetts-based Lighthouse Insurance Agency, further building on the company's presence throughout New England.
Based in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Lighthouse specializes in property and casualty offerings, in particular personal and commercial transportation with a focus on livery and taxis. Agency Principal Brian Boucher and his staff of insurance professionals will join Hilb Group's New England regional operations and Hilb Group's transportation practice.
"Our team is excited to join the Hilb Group," said Brian Boucher. "This partnership allows us to maintain the strength of our local connections and established expertise, while enhancing the value, resources and products we can provide to our clients, now and for the future."
"We are pleased to welcome Lighthouse Insurance Agency to the Hilb Group," Hilb Group CEO Ricky Spiro said. "Their experience in the transportation industry complements and strengthens our existing practice, and their reputation for building trusted customer relationships aligns closely with our corporate values. I look forward to our next steps together."
About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 135 acquisitions with over 100 offices in 22 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.
Media Contact:
Peter Lobred
804.548.4629
plobred@hilbgroup.com
M&A Contact:
Ryan Havermann
804.414.6508
rhavermann@hilbgroup.com
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SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/09/hilb-group-acquires-massachusetts-based-lighthouse-insurance-agency-expands-transportation-specialty-new-england/
| 2022-08-09T14:33:11Z
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NEW YORK, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Mullen Automotive, Inc. f/k/a Net Element, Inc..
Shareholders who purchased shares of MULN during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
CONTACT US HERE:
https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/mullen-automotive-inc-f-k-a-net-element-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=27352&from=4
CLASS PERIOD: June 15, 2020 to April 6, 2022
ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Mullen overstates its ability and timeline regarding production; (2) Mullen overstates its deals with business partners, including Qiantu; (3) Mullen overstates its battery technology and capabilities; (4) Mullen overstates its ability to sell its branded products; (5) Net Element did not conduct proper due diligence into Mullen Technologies; (6) the Dragonfly K50, a luxury sports car, was not (solely) delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (7) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.
DEADLINE: July 5, 2022 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/mullen-automotive-inc-f-k-a-net-element-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=27352&from=4
NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of MULN during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is July 5, 2022. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case.
WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
The Gross Law Firm
15 West 38th Street, 12th floor
New York, NY, 10018
Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com
Phone: (646) 453-8903
View original content:
SOURCE The Gross Law Firm
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/18/shareholder-alert-gross-law-firm-notifies-shareholders-mullen-automotive-inc-fka-net-element-inc-class-action-lawsuit-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-5-2022-nasdaq-muln/
| 2022-05-18T10:41:40Z
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NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Weber Inc. (NYSE: WEBR) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Weber Class A common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company's August 2021 initial public offering.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 27, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in WEBR:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/weber-inc-loss-submission-form?id=31045&from=4
Weber Inc. NEWS - WEBR NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Weber Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Weber was reasonably likely to implement price increases; (2) as a result, consumer demand for Weber's products was reasonably likely to decrease; (3) due to the resulting inventory buildup, Weber was reasonably likely to run promotions to "enhance retail sell through"; (4) the foregoing would adversely impact Weber's financial results; 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 Weber you have until September 27, 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 Weber 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 WEBR lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/weber-inc-loss-submission-form?id=31045&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
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
View original content:
SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/webr-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-27-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-weber-inc-shareholders/
| 2022-08-23T10:34:42Z
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The new Studio boosts team synergy and success with data-backed tools and methodology
SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
Globant (NYSE: GLOB), a digitally native company focused on reinventing businesses through innovative technology solutions, today launched its new Digital Performance Studio.
The new Studio's mission is to help its clients move faster, become more resilient, and attract top talent by providing the tools needed to maximize performance. The Studio's proprietary Insights platform provides companies with the situational awareness they need to improve decision-making leveraging Globant's 20 years of business and technology experience. Backed by data, the platform helps leaders better understand digital teams' performance levels, capabilities, and happiness, and focus their people and resources to build skill sets and deliver lasting improvement.
"Having the right technologies is not enough in today's rapidly changing, hyper-competitive world. Organizations must combine cutting-edge technology with innovative strategies, and most struggle to obtain the data needed to successfully drive their decision-making process," said Nicolas Avila, Chief Technology Officer for North America at Globant. "We have helped some of the most prestigious brands execute their digital transformation, and as a result, we have collected a unique understanding of what transformation entails. Our Digital Performance Studio helps leaders make informed decisions about how they can best improve their technology teams' processes and output, and ultimately deliver on a business that needs to move faster every day."
"The Digital Performance Studio will allow us to work with more organizations on an individual level, customizing our approach to each company and team culture," said Esteban Sancho, Vice President of Technology at Globant. "To successfully reinvent themselves and stay competitive, organizations must start at the team level, organically creating a great place to work where top talent will thrive."
Globant's Chief Architect, Michael Feathers, added: "We have decades of experience assembling teams to execute digital transformations successfully. With our new Digital Performance Studio, Globant will guide organizations through the actions that will help them improve their teams' throughput and culture, enabling fast innovation and turning technology into a differentiating asset."
Digital Performance is the latest addition to Globant's Digital Studios (including Metaverse, Data & AI and Blockchain, among others), which focus on developing business models and leveraging Globant's technical expertise to help organizations hone their technology capabilities and accelerate their digital transformation journeys.
To learn more about Globant's new Digital Performance Studio, please click here.
About Globant
We are a digitally native company that helps organizations reinvent themselves and unleash their potential. We are the place where innovation, design, and engineering meet scale.
- We have more than 23,500 employees and we are present in 18 countries working for companies like Google, Electronic Arts and Santander, among others.
- We were named a Worldwide Leader in CX Improvement Services by the IDC MarketScape report.
- We were also featured as a business case study at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
- We are members of The Green Software Foundation (GSF) and the Cybersecurity Tech Accord.
Contact: pr@globant.com
Sign up to get first dibs on press news and updates.
For more information, visit www.globant.com.
View original content:
SOURCE Globant
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/04/13/globant-launches-digital-performance-studio-deliver-lasting-improvement-organizations-undergoing-digital-transformation/
| 2022-04-13T20:04:50Z
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AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and with infrastructure funding packages further addressed in both the U.S. House and Senate in 2022, counties, cities, and towns will see an unprecedented amount of federal funding reach their local communities in the coming years. Smart Cities Connect, the preeminent convener of municipal decision-makers in North America announced Wednesday that its fall Conference and Expo, held in Washington, D.C., from September 26-29, will focus heavily on discussing how the use of those funds can create a more resilient, more equitable future for residents.
"Besides the objective to modernize America's roads and bridges, the passage of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act also addresses the access gap and the adoption gap underlying the digital divide," said Don Jacobson, IT Business Partner for Innovation – Las Vegas, NV. "Expanding broadband, subsidizing broadband subscriptions, and providing training will combine to ensure all Americans have the technology and the skills to leverage that technology to actively participate in our digital economy."
From high-speed internet to public transit, from the power grid to bridges and roads, funding will touch virtually every aspect of American infrastructure. Moving those advancements forward are city decision-makers and local leadership, 300 of which will gather at Smart Cities Connect Conference, along with innovators, corporations, federal agencies, and more. With access to funding – the dominant challenge preceding passage of the Infrastructure Law – now taking a backseat, cities can and are exploring how infrastructure investments have the potential to be more than pothole fillers.
"The hundreds of participating cities represent the nation's largest gathering of key leaders implementing billions in infrastructure funds to build the backbone of daily life in America. Our cities can do so much more than we dreamed with the innovation now available to us. It can transform our communities with meaningful data points, build equity and trust, and empower cities to use resources for the betterment of all residents," said Matthew Laudon, Vice President – TechConnect Division, ATI. "We're proud uniters of the largest gathering of municipal decision makers in the nation each year, and we remain committed to a city-first agenda that dives into the issues that matter most to them. In 2022, infrastructure takes center stage."
For more information or to attend the event this fall, visit: https://fall.smartcitiesconnect.org/index.html.
Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo offers the most comprehensive conference, exposition and accelerator of smart city innovation in North America. It delivers premium networking and educational opportunities with a keen focus on city leaders and their priorities. Working closely with the technology community, Smart Cities Connect brings together the largest collection of intelligent systems providers for energy, infrastructure, networks, data management, urban mobility, resident engagement and governance solutions. Smart Cities Connect is powered by TechConnect, a division of Advanced Technology International. www.smartcitiesconnect.com
With 25+ years of experience connecting emerging technologies with unique funding and partnership opportunities, TechConnect boasts the most robust research and innovation network in the world. It employs a broad scope of tools to deliver top technologies, including open innovation programs, conferences, and open-access publications. Each year, TechConnect prospects, vets, and connects thousands of emerging technologies with corporate, investment, municipal, and national defense clients. TechConnect is a division of Advanced Technology International. techconnect.org
ATI, a public-service nonprofit based in Summerville, S.C., builds and manages collaborations that conduct research and development of new technologies to solve our nation's most pressing challenges. Fueled by a community of experts from industry, academia, and government, ATI accelerates impact by using the power of collaboration to help the federal government quickly acquire novel technologies. ATI is a subsidiary of Analytic Services, Inc. (ANSER), a public-service research institute organized as a nonprofit corporation, which is dedicated to informing decisions that shape the nation's future. ATI.org
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SOURCE ATI (Advanced Technology International)
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/08/24/smart-cities-connect-unites-nations-largest-gathering-cities-around-nations-largest-federal-infrastructure-spending/
| 2022-08-24T21:52:10Z
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Events impact people movement and demand, so businesses and community leaders need to keep track of their impact. New research reveals that just over half of major US cities will experience unusually high event impact in September.
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The September 2022 Event Index reveals that more than half of America's 60+ most populous cities will experience significantly higher event impact - meaning the commercial demand driven by these events will increase September as five sporting games, major festivals and the return to school drives massive opportunities for businesses.
The PredictHQ Event Index uses a unique algorithm per city to identify the impact of upcoming events, comparing it to five years of previous event data. It generates a score out of 20 per week per city, with anything over 15 being notably higher event activity, and below 8 being significantly lower than average. September 2022 is set to be an unusual month, with 32 of the 63 tracked cities set for at least one week of 15+, with 14 of these cities enjoying multiple weeks of above average event activity.
"September is going to be a really huge opportunity for demand planners and forecasters who are real-world aware of the events which will be driving their demand," PredictHQ CEO Campbell Brown said. "Kids are going back to school, there are five major sports leagues active across the country as well as major festivals and expos. These events overlap and combine in unexpected ways to impact stores, transport, parking and accommodation nearby massively. Those who are prepared won't be caught short-staffed or out of stock, providing better service for their customers and greater profits."
PredictHQ, the demand intelligence company, today released its September 2022 PredictHQ Event Index report. Companies such as Uber, Accor Hotels and Domino's Pizza use PredictHQ's intelligent event data to forecast demand more accurately. With more than 8,000 events with 2,500+ attendees taking place in the United States this September, businesses can tap into the people movement and billions of dollars in demand that these events drive. This is especially true for the cities experiencing unusually high or low periods, all of which are detailed in this new report.
The cities with the highest Event Index scores and therefore the most impacted by events are:
- Atlanta on 16.5 the week of Sept 11
- Austin on 16.6 the week of Sept 18 and 15.3 the week of Sept 25
- Boston on 16.7 the week of Sept 18
- Colorado Springs with 16.6 the week of Sept for, 17.8 the week of Sept 11 and 16.6 the week of Sept 25
- Denver on 17 the week of Sept 11
- Las Vegas with 15.1 the week of Sept 11, 17.2 the week of Sept 18 and 16.6 the week of Sept 16.6
- Memphis on 16.8 the week of Sept 11 and 16.4 the week of Sept 18
- Minneapolis on 16.7 the week of Sept 11
- Salt Lake City on 17.5 the week of Sept 11 and 15.5 the week of Sept 18
- San Diego on 18 the week of Sept 11
- Read the full list of peak weeks for the 32 cities in the report
These scores are generated by a unique model applied to each of the 63 most populous US cities and is calculated for each city's baseline event activity based on five years of historical, verified event data and millions of events per location. For example, a score of an 18 in New York City will entail millions of people moving about the city, whereas a score of 18 in Wichita, Kansas will involve just over 100,000 people.
This gives companies operating in those areas a simple summary to help them plan for any anticipated demand surges or drops. Of the cities in the September report, San Diego will be the USA's most event-impacted city scoring an unusually high 18 for the week starting September 11. While more than half of the cities will experience significant demand surges for businesses near these events, September will also see eight cities experience notably event lows (impacting demand) in the first week of September including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Fort Worth, Houston and Nashville. All of the above is detailed in the report.
PredictHQ tracks 19 categories of events globally, including attendance-based events such as concerts and sports; non-attendance-based events such as school holidays and college dates, as well as unscheduled events such as severe weather incidents. This breadth of event coverage is critical for the Event Index, as the peak weeks are caused by many overlapping large and small events.
While the Event Index provides an accurate look ahead at people movement, it is designed to be a simple and accessible summary of the demand intelligence PredictHQ offers – particularly for large companies operating worldwide. Industry leaders in on-demand, accommodation, QSR and transport use PredictHQ's verified and enriched event data to inform staffing decisions, pricing and inventory strategies, and many other core business functions.
For more information on PredictHQ please visit www.predicthq.com.
PredictHQ, the demand intelligence company, empowers global organizations to anticipate changes in demand for their products and services through intelligent event data. PredictHQ aggregates events from 350+ sources and verifies, enriches, and ranks them by predicted impact so companies can proactively discover catalysts that will impact demand.
Media Contact:
media@predicthq.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE PredictHQ
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/31/more-than-half-usas-major-cities-will-experience-demand-anomalies-driven-by-unusually-high-event-activity-this-september/
| 2022-08-31T10:39:32Z
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CHICAGO, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NextName, a brand-new platform offering fans the opportunity to purchase the "name, image, likeness" (NIL) of their favorite team and individual players through the sale of their digital collectibles has announced a roster of strategic advisors to help drive the success of this new company. NextName's new strategic advisors include:
Peter Hassen, former VP Marketing, Chicago Blackhawks
Rachel Parrish, Director of Brand Marketing and Communications, Chicago Red Stars
Ryan Baker, Former Flying Illini men's basketball team manager
Deon Thomas, Associate Director of Development, University of Illinois, and University of Illinois men's basketball all-time leading scorer
Stephen Bardo, Sports Analyst, FOX Sports, and 1989 Big Ten defensive player of the year as a member of the 'Flyin' Illini' basketball team
Matt Alverson, IA Collaborative
Andrew Stroth, Handler-Thayer, LLP, Sports Attorney
These advisors will be in attendance at the open-to-the-public NextName launch event on 8/17, 6-9 pm, at Recess, 838 W. Kinzie, Chicago. Entry tokens can be accessed here: https://nextname.io/nextname-launch-event/
"We are a fast-growing platform and are thrilled to have these industry experts join us to help us direct and manage our growth," explains Steve Thayer, co-founder, NextName, and University of Illinois graduate. "We have big plans to take this opportunity to college athletes nationwide and it helps to have our advisors' support in key areas."
As part of its phase one launch, NextName has created professionally designed NFTs for University of Illinois athletes and their teams. This opportunity allows fans to support the team as a whole and individual players. Universities partnering with NextName will also receive a share of the proceeds through a direct licensing agreement with the school. Following its initial University of Illinois launch of digital collectibles, NextName plans to expand its offering to include digital collectibles from other schools and universities nationwide.
NextName was founded by Steve Thayer, a 1988 University of Illinois LAS Economics graduate and 2018 Chicago Illini of the Year, and his son, Ryan Thayer, a 2021 University of Illinois graduate of The Gies College of Business. The duo sought to find a way to support collegiate athletes nationwide, both legally and fairly.
For more information, visit www.nextname.io. Follow NextName on Twitter: @nextname_io; Facebook: @nextname_io; Instagram: @nextname_io; and LinkedIn: nextname.
Contact: Ann Pitcher
ann@pitchercom.com
630.234.4150
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE NextName
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/strategic-advisors-join-nextname-help-drive-this-nil-start-ups-success/
| 2022-08-15T19:51:18Z
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Man charged with hiding corpse nearly 40 years after killing, authorities say
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WLUK) - A Wisconsin man has been charged with hiding a corpse in a murder case in which the victim’s remains weren’t found for nearly four decades.
This week, investigators said 82-year-old John C. Andrews was officially charged with hiding a corpse.
Andrews was convicted of murdering Starkie Swenson nearly 30 years ago, but initially, his body was not located.
Calumet County District Attorney Nathan Haberman said Swenson’s remains were found in September 2021. At that time, forensic anthropologist Dr. Jordan Karsten concluded the body was placed there either at the time of death or shortly after – dating back to 1983.
“My understanding of the law is that the statute of limitations on this class of felony is six years, so from 1983 to 2022 is far more than that. So, there’s a very real, in my opinion, statute of limitations problem,” defense attorney Jonas Bendereck said.
However, the District Attorney’s office made it clear the charge wasn’t for moving a corpse.
“There’s not an allegation that’s in the criminal complaint about him moving the body. That’s simply not something that we have evidence about, nor that we are charging him with. The charges in the case are hiding a corpse, and part of the definition of hiding is keeping the location of the corpse unknown,” Haberman said.
The charge stems from an interaction Andrews allegedly had with investigators in June 2021.
According to the criminal complaint, he was asked to help locate Swenson and refused, stating that he’d never seen or spoken to Swenson.
Swenson’s remains were finally discovered last year, which is why the hiding of a corpse is said to have happened in that timeframe.
“Law enforcement continued to investigate what happened and continued to investigate where the remains of Starkie Swenson were and, in doing so, they asked Mr. Andrews for some assistance, because he was the only one who would know, according to them,” Haberman said.
Authorities said the statute of limitations issue remains in question as arguments continue.
Copyright 2022 WLUK via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.
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https://www.kxii.com/2022/04/23/man-charged-with-hiding-corpse-nearly-40-years-after-killing-authorities-say/
| 2022-04-23T23:46:50Z
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Man arrested over a year after officers allegedly find drugs in his home
MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - A Manhattan man has been arrested more than a year after Riley Co. officers allegedly found illegal drugs in his home.
The Riley County Police Department daily arrest report indicates that on Tuesday, May 31, officers arrested Eladio Fuentes Alvarez Jr., 43, of Manhattan, for failure to appear and a slew of other alleged drug crimes.
Alvarez was booked into the Riley County Jail for the following:
- Failure to appear
- Distribution or possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a school
- Distribution or possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school
- Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant
- Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, plant, or cultivate a controlled substance
- Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon
RCPD Officer Aaron Wintermote told 13 NEWS that all charges Alvarez faces, except for the failure to appear, stem from a warrant connected to an April 2021 incident in which officers found drugs and paraphernalia inside his home.
Wintermote noted that the failure to appear was issued after Alvarez did not show up to court for charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of interference with law enforcement officers.
Wintermote also indicated that all of those charges stem from a Feb. 6, 2021 traffic stop where Alvarez ran from a vehicle in which drugs and paraphernalia were found. He was found and arrested for that incident on Feb. 19. He said the interference with law enforcement charges were added after interaction with the officers who arrested him.
In May 2021, RCPD took to Facebook to ask the public’s help to find Alvarez for failure to appear for the Feb. 6 incident, as well as the charges listed from the April incident.
Records indicate Alvarez was given a bond of $56,000. However, he bonded out shortly after and is no longer confined to jail.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wibw.com/2022/06/01/man-arrested-over-year-after-officers-allegedly-find-drugs-his-home/
| 2022-06-01T17:19:12Z
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MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Josef Newgarden saw the checkered flag out his windshield as the hard-charging rookie sprinted closer and closer into his rearview mirror.
David Malukas was coming fast for the leaders, seemingly out of nowhere, late Saturday night after a long rain delay and a strung-out race.
The 20-year-old was flying and darted outside and around Scott McLaughlin for second. Then he set his sights over the final lap on Newgarden, the two-time IndyCar champion so far unable to take control of the championship race.
Newgarden thought, “Wow, that kid is hungry.’”
Alas, Malukas ran out of time on the 1.25-mile oval outside St. Louis. He picked off McLaughlin, and if there had been one more lap, Malukas might have won his first IndyCar victory.
He’s still learning oval racing, even though his results show he’s a quick study. His 16th-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 was his lowest of the five ovals on the schedule; his second-place finish Saturday night was the best of his maiden IndyCar season and his first career podium.
And yet he’s left to wonder if a rookie mistake cost him a chance at running down Newgarden for the win at Gateway.
On fresh tires for the final run of the night, Malukas waited until two laps to go to experiment with the upper groove at Gateway. His car like a rocket ship in the top lane, he sailed past McLaughlin on the outside. Although he ran out of time to catch Newgarden, Malukas was closing in quickly when Newgarden took his series-best fifth win of the season.
What took him so long to try the outside lane?
“It was a bit unfortunate I did it so late. But I guess rookie season, rookie stuff,” Malukas said. “I’m going to put it in the back of my brain and remember it for next time.”
It wasn’t his only mistake of the night: Malukas was scolded by McLaughlin for mispronouncing his last name. It’s Muh-GLOCK’-luhn, McLaughlin said, and there’s no soft h.
Either way, second-place was just as good as the win on Saturday night for Malukas. He even got to celebrate with champagne when Newgarden graciously let the underage Malukas spray the real stuff instead of the grape juice he’d been given.
“Why didn’t they give me the real stuff? That’s not fun,” Malukas said. “Maybe I can just tell them I’ll close my mouth, I don’t know.”
Just three months ago he was smarting from losing Indianapolis 500 top rookie honors to Jimmie Johnson, who finished the race below Malukas but was rewarded for both an eye-popping speed show in qualifying and his ambassadorship for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Malukas supporters were outraged and, after posting his own 200-plus mph marks in practice, as well as actually finishing highest among the Indy 500 rookies, Malukas himself wondered how he lost out on top rookie to 46-year-old Johnson.
Once the drama faded from social media, Malukas went back to big runs for tiny Dale Coyne Racing.
He finished eighth in the second race of the Iowa doubleheader last month and is ranked 16th in the standings, ahead of Indianapolis 500 winners Helio Castroneves and Takuma Sato, his teammate, and also the rest of the rookie class.
Newgarden heaped praise on Malukas after the race and said Malukas, a Lithuanian-American from the Chicago area, could probably get a little more aggressive. Newgarden is three points behind Team Penske teammate Will Power with two races remaining, yet he didn’t worry about the potential risks of racing a rookie with Saturday night’s win on the line.
“When you see rookies, I think you definitely are a bit more cautious or reserved, or at least you’re second-guessing what you think you should be doing,” Newgarden said. “I would give Malukas a lot of respect. He’s probably been one of the cleanest rookies I’ve ever seen. He’s been almost too respectful.”
Malukas acknowledged both getting out of the way of Penske cars during practice and also getting a little starry-eyed when he found himself racing Newgarden and McLaughlin.
His engineer radioed that Malukas was about to get sight of the race leaders and then he caught a glimpse of them sailing through Turns 1 and 2. It took a moment for him to realize that “Oh, my God, they’re Penskes. I’m going behind Penskes right now. This is crazy.’”
Malukas rooted for Team Penske as a kid and says he’s stayed out of their way when he made it to IndyCar this season: “Every time through practice, every time they passed me, I always let them by. Man,” he said.
And so he had to collect himself as he chased the duo.
“I was trying so hard to not get nervous. I mean, I was nervous, but I was trying so hard not to get overexcited and do something stupid,” Malukas said. “It’s definitely intimidating when there’s two Penskes in front of you.”
___
More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/malukas-dazzles-racing-through-field-and-against-penskes/
| 2022-08-21T21:29:16Z
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NEW YORK, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: December 30, 2019 to April 22, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 12, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in AXSM:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/axsome-therapeutics-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28801&from=4
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Axsome's chemistry, manufacturing, and control ("CMC") practices were deficient with respect to AXS-07, the Company's medicine for the acute treatment of migraine, and its manufacturing process; (ii) as a result, Axsome was unlikely to submit the AXS-07 New Drug Application ("NDA") on its initially represented timeline; (iii) the foregoing CMC issues remained unresolved at the time that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") reviewed the AXS-07 NDA; (iv) accordingly, the FDA was unlikely to approve the AXS-07 NDA; (v) as a result of all the foregoing, Axsome had overstated AXS-07's regulatory and commercial prospects; and (vi) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Axsome you have until July 12, 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 Axsome 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 AXSM lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/axsome-therapeutics-inc-loss-submission-form?id=28801&from=4.
ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM
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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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/axsm-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-july-12-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-axsome-therapeutics-inc-shareholders/
| 2022-06-21T10:11:32Z
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FORT MYERS, Fla., July 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AngeLink, with headquarters in Florida, is the world's first crowdfunding platform powered by women and built for all. The company recently launched a fundraising campaign to support a Ukrainian refugee mother and her three daughters who now live in Fort Myers.
Single parent Victoria Tonkonoh and her three daughters were forced to flee their home in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, when a bomb struck their apartment building. The Tonkonoh family fled for their lives, leaving everything behind, and arrived in Florida with just a few suitcases of belongings. Ukraine Take Shelter, an online program that assists Ukrainian refugees in finding safe housing, helped the family find temporary living arrangements in Fort Myers.
AngeLink Community Foundation, the company's 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is raising $10,000 to support the family to obtain necessities such as food, clothing, and a more permanent living situation.
The Tonkonoh family and thousands more like them desperately need support in finding their way toward a new life in the United States. In response to the tragic events in Ukraine, AngeLink is leading the effort to help families who are forced to flee their homeland.
To donate to the Tonkonoh family, visit https://angelink.info/SupportUkrainianMom or start a campaign of your own to help other Ukrainian families in need.
AngeLink, founded by CEO Gerry Poirier, was created with the mission to become the world's most lovable, free crowdfunding platform powered by women to connect, engage, and share their stories.
"No fundraising platform existed for women to inspire others and build our own community, so I developed one," Poirier explained. "Our success is based on a profound truth, the golden rule of humanity—that we all rise by lifting others."
AngeLink is a free and safe fundraising platform. Standard credit card processing fees apply. Donors may choose to give a voluntary tip during the donation process. AngeLink relies on tips to support people across a larger global community.
AngeLink is the world's first crowdfunding platform powered by women, dedicated to creating a radically new ecosystem of financial inclusion. The free fundraising platform enables users to raise money for themselves, people they love and causes they believe in. Fundraise, donate and learn more by visiting https://angelink.com/.
Contact: Heather Cutchin, heather@markthomasmedia.com 919-426-2318
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/07/12/new-crowdfunding-platform-based-florida-launches-campaign-ukrainian-family/
| 2022-07-12T18:08:31Z
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BOSTON, Aug. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GID, a vertically-integrated real estate company with corporate offices in Atlanta and Boston, has announced the acquisition of 265 Foster Street, a 58k square-foot industrial warehouse located at the intersection of I-495 and Route 2 in Littleton, MA.
The property includes over seven acres of excess land, of which a portion currently functions as outdoor storage space and will fulfill the robust tenant demand for over 50k sq. ft. space within the Boston market while uniquely offering secured outdoor storage. The building also features six dock high doors and three drive-ins with clear heights between 19 and 24 feet.
With this addition to its Boston-area portfolio, GID will continue to maintain the asset to institutional standards with the help of CBRE, who has been selected as the property manager and leasing broker.
To learn more about GID Industrial, visit www.gid.com/invest/industrial
GID is a privately held, vertically-integrated real estate company that owns and operates a portfolio of multifamily and industrial assets, as well as develops mixed-use projects. With corporate offices in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco, GID is an experienced real estate private equity investor and manager supported by an integrated operating platform and has 60+ years of experience across multiple asset classes. GID's existing and under-development properties are valued at over $26.7 billion as of March 31, 2022.
The current portfolio includes over 46,000 residential units, more than 20 million square feet of industrial space, and one million square feet of retail and office space. More information is available at www.gid.com.
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/08/26/gid-announces-acquisition-58000-square-foot-warehouse-boston-suburb/
| 2022-08-26T14:51:43Z
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Julianna Peña at this holds the title of UFC Female Bantamweight Champion and she has made history by becoming the first woman to win The Ultimate Fighter tournament.
Peña talked about how she is headed back to “The Ultimate Fighter” but this time to be one of the coaches on it’s 30th Season.
The 30th Season of “The Ultimate Fighter” premieres next Tuesday, May 3rd on ESPN plus and through the Disney bundle.
This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on April 25, 2021.
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https://cw33.com/news/julianna-pena-joins-30th-season-of-the-ultimate-fighter/
| 2022-04-25T23:09:30Z
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Orange Cyberdefense will work with NightDragon portfolio companies to infuse technology into high-value security services to help customers stay ahead of threats
SAN FRANCISCO and PARIS, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NightDragon, an investment and advisory firm focused on the cybersecurity, safety, security and privacy industry, today announced a new strategic partnership with Orange Cyberdefense, a global leader in cybersecurity services, to bring innovative technologies and services to European organizations. The collaboration will enable NightDragon's portfolio companies in the European market and empower Orange customers with innovative technologies and services to stay ahead of cyber threats.
Orange Cyberdefense, the cybersecurity business unit of the Orange Group, has a global footprint with a European anchorage. As a key player in the European cybersecurity ecosystem, Orange Cyberdefense supports regional start-up ecosystems while seeking best-of-breed innovation globally. Through this partnership, NightDragon companies will work with Orange Cyberdefense's more than 2,500 multi-disciplined experts across 160 countries. They will also leverage the organization's deep expertise in threat research and intelligence through its trusted partnership with over 8,500 customers.
According to IDC, overall spending on IT security in Europe alone is projected to reach $46.4 billion in 2024, up from an estimated $35.6 billion in 2021. Factors like the increased push towards digitization and remotely securing key assets continue to drive this strong regional growth, the research firm said. Orange Cyberdefense has expertise in many of these relevant growth areas such as cloud and application security, managed detection and response, zero trust and cyber crisis management.
"The opportunity is immense for NightDragon companies to deliver leading innovation to European enterprises and public sector organizations to help them better defend against growing cyberthreats. We could not imagine a better partner in this mission than Orange Cyberdefense, a proven global leader that will help hyper scale NightDragon companies to both support organizations meet today's risk landscape and drive thought leadership in the essential European market," said Dave DeWalt, Founder and Managing Director, NightDragon.
Under this partnership, Orange Cyberdefense will receive early access to innovative NightDragon companies to evaluate their fit to expand Orange Cyberdefense offerings and services around cybersecurity technology areas. Where direct relationships are formed, the NightDragon companies will benefit from preferred terms with Orange Cyberdefense, including elevated marketing support, business development, and technical support to assist with the joint sales efforts. Orange Cyberdefense and NightDragon will also collaborate to regularly review assets in their respective portfolios for potential capital co-investment opportunities.
"To build a safer digital society in a continuously dynamic threat landscape, collective intelligence and innovation are critical. We are proud to partner with start-ups, established vendors, customers and academia to continuously offer an innovative portfolio of intelligence-led security services. Orange Cyberdefense, together with NightDragon companies are at the forefront of cybersecurity. Our collaboration allows us to jointly identify, support and scale emerging, late-stage growth businesses that can help solve our customers' biggest cyber security challenges," said Hugues Foulon, CEO Orange Cyberdefense
This partnership expands NightDragon's capabilities under its ND Go-to-Market business unit, a dedicated set of playbooks, programs and partnerships to help accelerate its portfolio's go-to-market capabilities. Orange Cyberdefense's leading cybersecurity services capabilities will complement existing go-to-market partnerships.
NightDragon is an investment and advisory firm focused on growth and late-stage investments within the cybersecurity, safety, security and privacy industries. Its platform and vast industry network provide unparalleled threat insights, deal flow, market leverage and operating expertise to drive portfolio company growth and increase shareholder value. Founded by Dave DeWalt, the NightDragon team has more than 25 years of operational and market expertise leading technology companies such as Documentum, EMC, Siebel Systems (Oracle), McAfee, Mandiant, Avast and FireEye. Read more about NightDragon at www.nightdragon.com.
Orange Cyberdefense is the expert cybersecurity business unit of the Orange Group. As a leading security services provider, we strive to build a safer digital society.
We are a threat research and intelligence-driven security provider offering unparalleled access to current and emerging threats.
Orange Cyberdefense retains a 25+ year track record in information security, 250+ researchers and analysts 17 SOCs, 13 CyberSOCs and 8 CERTs distributed across the world and sales and services support in 160 countries. We are proud to say we can offer global protection with local expertise and support our customers throughout the entire threat lifecycle.
Read more about Orange Cyberdefense at www.orangecyberdefense.com
Twitter: @OrangeCyberDef
Media Contact:
Sarah Kuranda
sarah@nightdragon.com
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/23/nightdragon-orange-cyberdefense-partner-bring-emerging-cybersecurity-innovation-european-organizations/
| 2022-06-23T08:17:53Z
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Mr. Parsons served as the Chief Financial Officer of Trillium Therapeutics, which was recently acquired by Pfizer Inc.
SAN DIEGO and CALGARY, AB, June 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytics Biotech® Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), today announced the voting results from its Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shareholders held on Thursday, June 16, 2022. A total of 40.43% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Corporation were represented either in person or by proxy at the meeting. Additionally, James T. Parsons was elected to the Oncolytics Biotech Board of Directors. Leonard (Leon) Kruimer did not stand for re-election as a director at the AGM.
Mr. Parsons commented, "Oncolytics' clinical data highlight a compelling opportunity ahead, and it is an honor to join the Board at this exciting time. Pelareorep is a unique immunotherapeutic agent with the potential to be a backbone therapy that combines with a variety of oncology drugs to address unmet needs in multiple indications. The company has established collaborations with several of the largest actors in the biopharma world, leaving it well-positioned to efficiently pursue its clinical objectives. I am excited to begin working with the company."
Dr. Matt Coffey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., commented, "Mr. Parsons executive experience, vision, and impressive record of success make him an ideal addition to our Board. I look forward to benefitting from his guidance and expertise as we work to advance pelareorep's development and drive our corporate growth. I would also like to thank Mr. Kruimer for his service and for helping us get to where we are today."
On a vote by ballot, the six nominees proposed by the Corporation were elected as Directors of Oncolytics to serve until the Corporation's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed, with shares represented at the meeting voting in favor of individual nominees as follows:
In addition to the election of all nominees listed as directors in the management information circular, dated April 29, 2022, Oncolytics shareholders approved all other resolutions placed before the meeting. These included fixing the number of directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year at six and appointing auditors for the Corporation for the ensuing year.
For more details on the matters covered at the annual meeting, please refer to the Corporation's management information circular available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Final voting results on all matters voted on at the annual meeting will also be filed on SEDAR.
James T. Parsons Biography
Mr. Parsons is a life sciences industry veteran with over two decades of executive experience. He served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Trillium Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: TRIL) (NASDAQ: TRIL) from August 2011 through its acquisition by Pfizer in November 2021 for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.2 billion. Prior to his time at Trillium, Mr. Parsons provided financial consulting services as the President of Empar Management. He also previously served as Vice President, Finance, at DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc, CFO of ProMIS Neurosciences (formerly Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd.), and CFO and Vice President, Finance and Administration, at Aptose Biosciences Inc. (formerly Lorus Therapeutics). Mr. Parsons has been a Director and the Chair of the Audit Committees of Sernova Corp. (TSX: SVA) and DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: DMAC) since 2012 and 2015, respectively.
About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Oncolytics is a biotechnology company developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent. This compound induces anti-cancer immune responses and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype -- turning "cold" tumors "hot" -- through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers.
Pelareorep has demonstrated synergies with immune checkpoint inhibitors and may also be synergistic with other approved oncology treatments. Oncolytics is currently conducting and planning clinical trials evaluating pelareorep in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies in solid and hematological malignancies as it advances towards a registration study in metastatic breast cancer. For further information, please visit: www.oncolyticsbiotech.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws (such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements regarding Oncolytics' belief as to the potential and benefits of pelareorep as a cancer therapeutic; Oncolytics' expectations and plans to advance towards a registration study in metastatic breast cancer; and other statements related to anticipated developments in Oncolytics' business and technologies. In any forward-looking statement in which Oncolytics expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectations or beliefs are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation or belief will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause Oncolytics' actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of pelareorep as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, Oncolytics' ability to successfully commercialize pelareorep, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. In particular, we may be impacted by business interruptions resulting from COVID-19 coronavirus, including operating, manufacturing supply chain, clinical trial and project development delays and disruptions, labour shortages, travel and shipping disruption, and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). It is unknown whether and how Oncolytics may be affected if the COVID-19 pandemic persists for an extended period of time. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Investors should consult Oncolytics' quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1762876/Oncolytics_Biotech_New_Logo.jpg
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/oncolytics-biotech-announces-voting-results-annual-general-meeting-shareholders-appoints-james-t-parsons-its-board-directors/
| 2022-06-17T11:48:38Z
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A rising Democratic star told his origin story. But did he allow a narrative to take hold that didn’t match the facts?
By Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN
Wes Moore, a leading Democratic candidate for governor of Maryland, first became famous for his 2010 bestselling memoir, “The Other Wes Moore,” an inspirational story of two boys with the same name and ties to the rough streets of Baltimore.
While the author became a Rhodes scholar, an Army captain and a White House fellow, the other Wes Moore was convicted of killing a police officer in 2000 and is serving a life sentence in prison.
The book is required reading in many schools in Maryland and across the country, and it fixed Moore in the minds of many as a proud son of Baltimore. It also helped launch his successful career in media and philanthropy. Moore has since written more books, hosted his own TV show on the Oprah Winfrey Network and spent four years as CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, New York City’s largest anti-poverty non-profit.
Now Moore is seen as a potential up-and-comer in Democratic politics. He’s one of the leading primary candidates in a state where the party’s nominee would be heavily favored to win the governor’s race — and, potentially, to rise as a national political figure.
But as he’s entered politics, Moore’s story has come in for a closer examination.
While his book lays out the basic details of his life factually, a less accurate version of his Baltimore roots has taken on a life of its own, fueled by more than a decade of assertions by other people in TV interviews that he is a Baltimore native, born and raised in the city.
At times, Moore has fed that impression himself. For example, he has repeatedly said that he originally wanted to call his first book “Baltimore Sons.” Other times, he made ambiguous statements about his childhood connections to Baltimore or, in high-profile settings, sat by quietly as others repeated erroneous details.
Now Moore’s story has become the subject of conversation in the race. His campaign last week sent a letter to the Maryland state prosecutor and the state board of elections, alleging that “false and disparaging information” had been spread about Moore in “an orchestrated attempt” to disparage him. The letter goes on to allege that “a rival campaign may be responsible for this smear campaign.”
The same week, the campaign launched a website, FactsMD.com about Moore’s childhood and connections to Baltimore.
In checking out those facts, CNN reviewed dozens of Moore’s public appearances and writings of the past 12 years, as well as other records. What that effort reveals is a complicated story of race, identity and the responsibility of public figures to control their own narrative.
According to Moore’s website, he wasn’t born in Baltimore but in Washington, DC. As the book lays out, he spent his early childhood in the suburb of Takoma Park, Maryland, some 30 miles from Baltimore. After his father’s sudden death when Moore was 3 years old, he then moved with his family to the Bronx, which at the time was beset by crime, drugs and poverty — much as Baltimore was in the 1980s and 1990s.
Late in the summer before he turned 16, Moore’s mother moved to the middle-class enclave of Pasadena, in Maryland’s Anne Arundel County. But by then Moore was away at military school in Pennsylvania. Moore’s campaign says that when he would visit his mother as a kid, he would often go roller-skating and get his hair cut in Baltimore.
It wasn’t until he was a 20-year-old undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University that Moore first lived in Baltimore. Even then, as a student at Johns Hopkins, the world he inhabited while attending a prestigious private university was nothing like the notorious inner-city housing developments of Baltimore where the 2010 book says the other Wes Moore grew up.
Though Moore’s book never explicitly asserts he was born in Baltimore, it does allude prominently to his strong association with the city. The book opens with the line, “This is the story of two boys living in Baltimore with similar histories and an identical name.” Later in the same introduction, Moore writes, “We’d grown up at the same time, on the same streets, with the same name.”
More than one interviewer referred to Moore as born in Baltimore, including Winfrey. A spokesperson for Winfrey told CNN the producers of their 2016 interview had relied on information in the published memoir in crafting her introduction.
Now that the campaign is underway, those closest to Moore describe a genuine connection to Baltimore, where he has lived for about the last decade.
“I’ve never seen anyone connect to a place more than Wes did when he fell in love with Baltimore,” his mother, Joy Moore, said in a statement provided to CNN by the Moore campaign. “My job was in Baltimore City, and I couldn’t keep him out of the city when he was home from military school as a teenager.”
“Baltimore is where Wes came of age,” she said, “and he has built and fostered a community in Baltimore for over 25 years since he was 15 years old.”
In response to questions from CNN, the Moore campaign declined to make the candidate available for an interview and directed CNN instead to answers provided on the FactsMD.com website.
“This attempt to put Wes Moore’s childhood trauma under a microscope neatly aligns with blatant dog whistles and other mischaracterizations of Wes’ childhood that have been circulating for months and that are now the subject of a criminal investigation by the State Prosecutor’s Office,” a Moore campaign spokesperson said in a written statement to CNN.
Contacted by CNN, the state prosecutor declined to comment.
Asked about the Moore campaign’s complaint letter, Maryland Board of Elections director of candidacy Jared DeMarinis said, “We review every complaint, and this is no different from any other complaint we receive in the course of an election.”
The story morphs over time
The question of where Moore grew up has been complicated by more than a decade of public promotion and hype that has surrounded his up-from-the-streets story.
Within weeks of the 2010 publication of Moore’s first book, he was on The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and on a high-profile media book tour that took him through, among others, “The View,” “PBS NewsHour,” “Morning Joe” and “The Colbert Report.”
Moore didn’t object when others asserted that he and the other Wes Moore were from the same part of Baltimore. In a May 2010 PBS interview, Moore walked under umbrellas in the rain with Judy Woodruff, telling her, “These were areas that we knew. These were blocks that we knew.”
They passed the intersection of Kennedy Avenue and The Alameda, which is about 25 miles from Moore’s mother’s house in Pasadena, and 1.8 miles from the Hopkins campus.
Woodruff introduced him as “Baltimore native Wes Moore,” speaking from the studio to introduce the piece before cutting to footage of them walking down the street together in Baltimore.
Asked about the segment, Woodruff told CNN she’d found the copy of “The Other Wes Moore” that she’d read ahead of the interview and had cited lines like that first sentence, “This is the story of two boys from Baltimore with similar histories and an identical name,” and a headline that is included from The Baltimore Sun, “Local Graduate Named Rhodes Scholar.” (Though not identified as such in the book, the article had run on the front page of the paper’s Anne Arundel County section in December 2000.)
Many of Moore’s interviews featured the same anecdote of how he had first learned about the other Wes Moore: It was his junior year of college and he was studying abroad in South Africa when his mother called with surprising news. “‘There are wanted posters all over your neighborhood for Wes Moore, for the murder of a police officer,'” he said she had told him.
“You were haunted by the fact that a guy with your name, grew up in the same neighborhood, a couple of blocks away, a lot of similarities, but you end up working in the White House, and he ends up in jail,” MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough responded, as Moore listened contentedly, making no correction.
A month and a half later, on his old Comedy Central show, Stephen Colbert stopped Moore at one point in his storytelling.
“This is your neighborhood back home?” Colbert asked.
“Yeah. This is the same neighborhood,” Moore said.
“Where was this neighborhood?” Colbert asked.
“It was in Baltimore,” Moore said.
The Moore campaign declined to answer CNN’s questions about television appearances.
Moore’s origin story drives his rise to celebrity
The runaway success of “The Other Wes Moore” launched Moore into an elite circuit of influence and paid appearances. He was a regular panelist on “Morning Joe” and HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.” He was invited to give commencement speeches and was popular on the paid speaker circuit off a bio that introduced him as “raised in Baltimore.”
During the Obama administration, Moore was invited to the White House several times, and he received an Obama presidential appointment to a community service board.
By 2016, Moore was walking arm in arm with Winfrey in a video for her “Super Soul Sunday” series, talking about his second book, “The Work.” Winfrey introduces the segment with a series of voice-overs.
“Born in Baltimore in 1978,” she starts.
“He discovered there was another young man, also named Wes Moore, who grew up just blocks away from his own childhood home,” she says a few seconds later.
The next year Moore got a high-profile job in philanthropy. In April 2017, he was named CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation, a non-profit that raises hundreds of millions from New York’s investment bankers and hedge funders.
Robin Hood sees itself as essentially New York’s community foundation, with all of its programming locally based. People familiar with the search process told CNN that Moore’s roots in the Bronx had helped land him the job. Indeed, the Robin Hood news release announcing his hiring notes that “he spent much of his childhood in the Bronx.” There’s no mention of being from Baltimore at all.
Soon, in the official bios Moore was sending around as CEO for appearances from Princeton’s department of African American studies to the BlackRock investment firm, that shifted again: “Wes grew up in Baltimore and the Bronx,” it reads.
The brand becomes a campaign
When news started spreading in the winter of 2021 that Moore was considering a run for governor, a February 2021 Baltimore Sun headline read, “Baltimore-born author and educator Wes Moore considering running for Maryland governor.”
Moore left the Robin Hood Foundation last spring and announced his campaign for governor a few weeks later.
As he prepared to launch a political career, there are signs that efforts were made to correct the record. Last June, three days before he entered the race, Moore’s personal website was edited, with changes removing a reference to “back home in Baltimore.” That same day, a Wikipedia user changed Moore’s listed birthplace from Baltimore to Takoma Park, citing the change back to his personal website.
In his campaign launch video, a young actor plays Moore as a boy, at an age when he was living in the Bronx. Though the street featured in the shoot is not identified, the scene immediately cuts to the Baltimore skyline.
In the months since announcing his candidacy, Moore has gained traction despite competing in a crowded primary field.
On April 2, Moore overwhelmingly won the backing of the state teachers’ union, a major endorsement in the race. In his speech to members, he talked about how many classes he’d been to with students who had read his book and connected with his story. The Baltimore public school system placed an order for 4,600 copies of “The Other Wes Moore” in 2020 alone.
Among the defenses the Moore campaign includes on its FactsMD website is that Moore asked his publisher, Random House, for a correction ahead of the book’s publication and again as he was preparing his campaign. “Some versions of the book synopsis of THE OTHER WES MOORE inaccurately identified Wes Moore as born in Baltimore. Flagged by the author at the time, a correction to the copy was missed upon its initial publication,” a statement attributed to Random House on the website states. “When notified again of the error early last year, Random House corrected all subsequent print runs of the book.”
The publisher confirmed that statement but did not answer follow-up questions from CNN about it.
In his second book, “The Work,” published in 2015, Moore also referred to spending nights in Baltimore as a child. “As a kid in Baltimore and the Bronx during the homicidal height of the so-called crack era, I would lie in bed on some nights and listen to the pop of low-caliber guns somewhere beyond my window,” he wrote.
The Moore campaign declined to discuss specific questions about this memory or to make Moore available to talk about it.
Just a few months before launching his campaign, in a video chat with members of his old college back at Oxford in January 2021, Moore sat quietly as two different professors introduced him by mentioning his Baltimore roots, one by saying, “born in Baltimore, well-known by anyone who’s seen ‘The Wire.’ “
Baltimore as a backdrop
For some in Baltimore, it’s OK for suburban residents to claim the city as home.
Carl Stokes, a former Baltimore city council member, said he had met Moore two decades ago after a college professor introduced them. They met for lunch at the Hopkins Club on campus, Stokes said, and Moore talked about his connections to the wider area back then.
“It’s close enough that I don’t think it’s that unusual to say they’re from the next big place,” said Stokes, who is now supporting state comptroller Peter Franchot in the governor’s race.
“If you dig deeper, they’ll say, ‘Actually, I was out from the suburbs,’ ” he said.
But other residents see it differently.
Hassan Giordano, a Baltimore native and Democratic political media consultant who is not backing a candidate in the governor’s race, said he’s known Moore for a decade and that he’s impressed with Moore’s other qualifications. But he called the account of Baltimore roots “really disingenuous.”
Asked by CNN if he’d consider the time Moore cites during his teen summers as “coming of age” in Baltimore, Giordano said, “Hell, no.”
“That’s not growing up in Baltimore, that’s visiting Baltimore. That’s being here for the summer,” Giordano told CNN.
“I think that most people from Baltimore would tell you that it gets under their skin to hear someone say that they’re from Baltimore, even if they’re from Baltimore County or the Baltimore area,” Giordano said.
Munir Bahar, a longtime community activist in Baltimore who told CNN he doesn’t have a favored candidate in the governor’s race, said that when he had first met Moore after the 2015 riots following the death of Freddie Gray, he had thought the candidate was from the city.
When told by CNN that Moore’s campaign describes him as being raised in Baltimore based on his summers visiting from Pasadena, Bahar said, “That’s definitely not being raised in Baltimore. That’s not the Baltimore experience,” adding, “As a young Black boy growing up in Baltimore, you can’t use that as a platform unless it’s really authentic, especially in the ’90s and 2000s. Everybody wants to use Baltimore as a backdrop.”
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https://localnews8.com/news/2022/04/13/a-rising-democratic-star-told-his-origin-story-but-did-he-allow-a-narrative-to-take-hold-that-didnt-match-the-facts/
| 2022-04-14T02:19:47Z
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HERNDON, Va., May 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Tree, a global leader in information technology (IT) training and skills development for the commercial and government sectors, today announced an expanded course collaboration with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) to deliver a comprehensive range of official AWS training courses and certification paths to organizations across North America.
According to recent studies, 97% of organizations employing AWS certified staff believe they will put their company in a better competitive position over the next three to five years.
As an AWS Authorized Training Partner (ATP), Learning Tree now offers over 15 training and certification related courses designed to meet the demands of today's business leaders and IT professionals. Learning Tree uses an award-winning learning platform and a team of experienced subject matter experts with real world expertise to deliver IT training solutions that have helped more than 3 million professionals globally.
In conjunction with the expanded course announcement, Learning Tree has released a series of AWS Discovery Days, offering two free virtual events as part of the initiative to introduce AWS, its concepts, and core services. Both events are relevant to organizations looking for a foundational level introduction to AWS.
Discovery Days
AWS for Practitioners – June 6, 2022
AWS for Leadership – June 23, 2022
AWS Training and Certification is developed and maintained by AWS experts, ensuring the content reflects current best practices. AWS Classroom Training gives learners the opportunity to engage live and get questions answered by an expert instructor. Many courses also include hands-on labs, which allow learners to practice real-world scenarios in a sandbox environment. Training also helps prepare learners for AWS certification exams, validating technical skills and expertise with an industry-recognized credential.
"I've definitely learned significantly more than what I expected in terms of the syllabus and my personal learning objectives," said Lawrence Adair, Technical Business Analyst at Synchronoss Technologies Inc. "The formal expertise of the instructors, combined with incredible real-life knowledge, provided me with a comprehensive learning experience."
"As a learning partner with more than 45 years of experience, Learning Tree has helped shape the IT skills training space, and our work with AWS further demonstrates a long-standing commitment to developing cloud talent for today and tomorrow," said David Brown, CEO of Learning Tree. "The course expansion and tailored certification paths will better position us to equip IT professionals with the skills they need to ensure successful cloud migration and implementation."
"Organizations need individuals with cloud skills to help transform their business, and there is a growing demand for IT professionals with AWS Cloud skills," said Maureen Lonergan, Vice President, Training and Certification at AWS. "AWS Training and Certification, along with our AWS Training Partners like Learning Tree, aims to equip the builders of today and tomorrow with the knowledge they need to leverage the power of the AWS Cloud. AWS Training, designed by the experts at AWS, teaches in demand cloud skills and best practices, and helps learners prepare for AWS Certification exams so they can advance their careers and transform their organizations."
About Learning Tree International
Learning Tree International is a trusted global learning partner who provides mission-critical IT training and certifications, as well as the leadership and technical skills development necessary to effectively implement IT initiatives, process improvements and transformative enterprise solutions. The Learning Tree approach to education reflects how learning is done today with measurable impact. We have helped more than 65,000 organizations, serving 3 million business professionals worldwide through our dedicated efforts of developing tomorrow's talent. Our vision is supported by a team of subject-matter experts and real-world practitioners who help bring our extensive library of proprietary and partner content to life.
To learn more, call 1-888-THE-TREE (843-8733) or visit www.LearningTree.com
Contact:
Brandon Finlen
Head of Product & Marketing
Learning Tree International
Brandon_Finlen@LearningTree.com
+1 703.789.3222
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/05/17/learning-tree-announces-official-aws-training-solutions-with-tailored-certification-paths-discovery-release-dates-support-cloud-based-skills-training-it-professionals/
| 2022-05-17T17:40:18Z
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Nation's Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Launches National Public Education Effort in Phoenix
PHOENIX, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Janet Murguía, president and CEO UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza)—the nation's largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization—today joined with Arizona leaders to launch a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of contributions made by Latinos to Arizona's communities, economy, and culture. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos now make up the largest demographic group in Phoenix, placing Arizona at the leading edge of a national trend.
"Latinos are taxpayers, job creators, and major contributors to the economic and social well-being of Arizona and this country. This campaign will open more people's eyes to the real story about what the Hispanic community means to our nation and our future. We hope to inspire people from all backgrounds to join us in recognizing our community's contributions and also work with us to address challenges that can hold Latinos and Arizona back," said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS.
Launching ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), the Arizona launch of UnidosUS's Count On Us campaign begins a national effort to raise awareness of both contributions by the Latino community and challenges facing Latinos in education, health care, housing, and other areas.
The campaign cites contributions and challenges like these:
- Latino-owned businesses employ nearly 1 million Arizonans, according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration. But many Latinos face barriers affecting their financial security, such as lack of affordable housing in their neighborhoods.
- More than 70% of essential workers nationally in health care, emergency services, and other fields are Latino, but many still do not have access to health insurance, according to data from UnidosUS.
- Latino immigrants pay $2.4 billion in Arizona state taxes annually, according to data from the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. But many schools do not address the needs of Latino students, such as multilingual learning options.
"The Latino community is a pillar of this state's economy. Latino businesses create over 1 million jobs in Arizona, and Latino immigrants pay $2.4 billion in state taxes annually. Updating policies, programs, and practices to expand access to real opportunity for Latinos will benefit everyone in Arizona," said Liz Salazar, Arizona Senior Policy Strategist for UnidosUS.
Several Arizona leaders spoke in support of the effort and their organizations' commitment to educate the public about Latinos' contributions.
"The Count On Us campaign is a rallying cry to strengthen our economy by working together," said Monica Villalobos, the president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "The hard work and creativity of Latinos help to create jobs and business opportunities for everyone. This campaign brings well-deserved attention to Latinos' contributions to our economy and quality of life."
"The Latino arts and culture community in Phoenix is vibrant and growing," said Kathy Cano-Murillo, owner of the Crafty Chica brand and one of the local Arizona residents featured in the campaign. "Latino designers and creators, musicians and muralists contribute to the vitality of the Phoenix community in so many ways. We are very passionate. We are brave. We start businesses. We share the things that we make. We embrace our heritage. Together, we make our communities strong and beautiful, and we keep our economy running."
Other Arizona residents featured in the campaign include:
- Ardell Deliz, Captain, Phoenix Fire Department
- Lupita Ley Hightower, Superintendent, Tolleson Elementary School District
- Rob Ortega, Owner, B&E Appraisal Service
- Stephanie Vazquez, Owner & President, Fair Trade Cafe
UnidosUS works with 11 Affiliate community-based organizations in Arizona to expand access to quality jobs, education, health care, housing, and other essentials:
Amistades, Inc.
Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Campesinos Sin Fronteras
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
Comité De Bien Estar, Inc.
Friendly House, Inc.
Hispanic Women's Corporation
Mexicayotl Academy
Mountain Park Health Center
Promise Arizona
Valle del Sol
For more information about the campaign, visit www.CountOnUsAZ.org.
UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our country stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
CONTACT: Beth Melena, news@unidosus.org
Melissa Kaszuba, melissa@uriascommunications.com
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| 2022-08-16T21:42:35Z
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WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV: MPH) (OTC: MCUJF), a company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for patients and prescribers in the United States market, will present the Q2 Financial Results on a Conference Call on August 25, 2022 at 8:30 am Eastern Time. The Q2 Financials will be filed after closing the day before.
Webcast: This conference call will be webcast live over the internet and can be accessed from the Medicure investor relations page at the following link: www.medicure.com/investors
You may request international country-specific access information by e-mailing the Company in advance. Management will accept and answer questions related to the financial results and operations during the question-and-answer period at the end of the conference call. A recording of the call will be available following the event at the Company's website.
Medicure is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for the U.S. cardiovascular market. The present focus of the Company is the marketing and distribution of AGGRASTAT® (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection and ZYPITAMAG® (pitavastatin) tablets in the United States, where they are sold through the Company's U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc. Medicure also operates Marley Drug, Inc. ("Marley Drug"), a pharmacy located in North Carolina that offers an Extended Supply drug program serving all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Marley Drug® is committed to improving the health status of its patients and the communities they serve while reducing overall health care costs for employers and other health care consumers. For more information visit www.marleydrug.com. To learn more about The Extended Supply Generic Drug Program call 800.286.6781 or email info@marleydrug.com. For more information on Medicure please visit www.medicure.com. For additional information about AGGRASTAT®, please visit www.aggrastathdb.com or refer to the full Prescribing Information. For additional information about ZYPITAMAG®, please visit www.zypitamag.com or refer to the full Prescribing Information.
To be added to Medicure's e-mail list, please visit:
http://medicure.mediaroom.com/alerts
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward Looking Information: Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimates", "continues", "anticipates", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. federal securities laws (such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements, include estimates, analysis and opinions of management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors which the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, the Company's future product revenues, expected results, including future revenue from P5P, the likelihood of receiving a priority review voucher from the United State Food and Drug Administration, expected future growth in revenues, stage of development, additional capital requirements, risks associated with the completion and timing of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market the Company's products, the ability to protect its intellectual property, dependence upon collaborative partners, changes in government regulation or regulatory approval processes, and rapid technological change in the industry. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; the impact of changes in Canadian-US dollar and other foreign exchange rates on the Company's revenues, costs and results; the timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's research and development projects; the availability of financing for the Company's commercial operations and/or research and development projects, or the availability of financing on reasonable terms; results of current and future clinical trials; the uncertainties associated with the acceptance and demand for new products and market competition. The foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of factors, other than as may be required by applicable legislation. Additional discussion regarding the risks and uncertainties relating to the Company and its business can be found in the Company's other filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities or the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the "Risk Factors" section of its Form 20F for the year ended December 31, 2021.
AGGRASTAT® (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection, ZYPITAMAG® (pitavastatin) tablets, and Marley Drug® are registered trademarks of Medicure International Inc.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/17/medicure-present-financial-results-august-25-2022-call-830-am-et-quarter-ended-june-30-2022/
| 2022-08-17T21:20:10Z
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Annual Publication Details Progress on Environmental, Social, Governance Goals
HONOLULU, July 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX), a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, has published its 2021 Sustainability Report that describes the company's progress toward achieving its environmental, social and governance goals.
"In a year of extraordinary disruption and upheaval in our industry, Matson devoted more attention and resources than ever to serving the needs of our customers, employees and communities," said Matt Cox, chairman and chief executive officer. "I am proud of the work we are doing and pleased to share our progress in this year's Sustainability Report."
Matson's annual Sustainability Report focuses on three areas that the company devotes significant resources and attention to strengthening continuously: serving the needs of its customers, employees and communities; environmental stewardship and operating its business ethically and safely. The report provides detail on the company's strategic approach and how it measures progress and celebrates key achievements.
Highlights of the 2021 report include:
Community:
- Provided highly differentiated, reliable services throughout historic period of supply chain disruption
- Invested $4.2 million in community funding and in-kind support– a 19% increase over 2020
- Provided funding and services to more than 560 community organizations, focusing on food banks, social equity programs and environmental conservation
Diversity:
- Promoted more than 20 women and 40 employees from racially diverse backgrounds into management positions
- Committed nearly $250,000 to fund scholarships, internships and professional networking opportunities for women and diverse college students within maritime and transportation industries
Environment:
- Set goals to achieve net zero Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) fleet emissions by 2050 and a 40% reduction by 2030
- Reduced sulfur oxides (SOx) emissions by 25%
- Published TCFD Report and incorporated climate risk into enterprise risk management program
- Announced LNG installation program for some vessels
"Our 2021 Sustainability Report demonstrates Matson's ongoing commitment to transparency and communication," said Rachel Lee, vice president, sustainability and governance. "As we continue to build on our ESG efforts, we will also continue to develop the way we measure and share updates on our progress, which is essential to maintaining trust with our stakeholders. We welcome feedback on the Report."
More information on Matson's sustainability activities, including downloadable copies of its 2021 Sustainability Report and TCFD Report, is available at: https://www.matson.com/sustainability.html .
Founded in 1882, Matson (NYSE: MATX) is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates premium, expedited services from China to Long Beach, California, provides service to Okinawa, Japan, and various islands in the South Pacific, and operates an international export service from Dutch Harbor to Asia. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout North America. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska. Additional information about the Company is available at www.matson.com
Keoni Wagner
Matson
510-628-4534
kwagner@matson.com
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/07/25/matson-publishes-2021-sustainability-report/
| 2022-07-25T20:46:43Z
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ROSH HA'AYIN, Israel, Aug. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --
QUARTERLY ADJUSTED EBITDA2 TOTALED NIS 276 MILLION
NET DEBT2 TOTALED NIS 706 MILLION
QUARTERLY CELLULAR SUBSCRIBER GROWTH TOTALED 32 THOUSAND
PARTNER'S FIBER-OPTIC SUBSCRIBER BASE TOTALS 258 THOUSAND
AS OF TODAY
THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN BUILDINGS CONNECTED TO PARTNER'S FIBER-OPTIC INFRASTRUCTURE TOTALS 866 THOUSAND AS OF TODAY
Second quarter 2022 highlights (compared with second quarter 2021)
- Total Revenues: NIS 859 million (US$ 245 million), an increase of 2%
- Service Revenues: NIS 706 million (US$ 202 million), an increase of 9%
- Equipment Revenues: NIS 153 million (US$ 44 million), a decrease of 20%
- Total Operating Expenses (OPEX)2: NIS 469 million (US$ 134 million), a decrease of 3%
- Adjusted EBITDA: NIS 276 million (US$ 79 million), an increase of 30%
- Profit for the Period: NIS 47 million (US$ 13 million), an increase of NIS 38 million
- Adjusted Free Cash Flow (before interest)2: NIS 57 million (US$ 16 million), an increase of NIS 49 million
- Cellular ARPU: NIS 49 (US$ 14), an increase of 2%
- Cellular Subscriber Base: approximately 3.1 million subscribers at quarter-end, an increase of 4%
- Fiber-Optic Subscriber Base: 250 thousand subscribers at quarter-end, an increase of 77 thousand since Q2 2021, and an increase of 17 thousand in the quarter
- Homes Connected (HC) to Partner's Fiber-Optic Infrastructure: 837 thousand at quarter-end, an increase of 266 thousand since Q2 2021, and an increase of 67 thousand in the quarter
- Infrastructure-Based Internet Subscriber Base: 395 thousand subscribers at quarter-end, an increase of 41 thousand since Q2 2021, and an increase of 8 thousand in the quarter
- TV Subscriber Base: 224 thousand subscribers at quarter-end, an increase of 1 thousand subscribers since Q2 2021, and a decrease of 1 thousand in the quarter
Partner Communications Company Ltd. ("Partner" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: PTNR) (TASE: PTNR), a leading Israeli communications provider, announced today its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Commenting on the results for the second quarter 2022, Mr. Avi Gabbay, CEO of Partner, noted:
"We are pleased with the good results which reflect stability and growth. We will continue to invest in infrastructure and fiber and 5G services in order to bring more value to our customers."
Mr. Tamir Amar, Partner's Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer, commented on the results:
"In the second quarter of 2022 we report the highest revenues in the past six years, due to growth in both the cellular and fixed-line segments. Together with a decrease in the level of OPEX, we have succeeded in bringing about an increase in profit and profitability compared to the corresponding quarter last year.
Adjusted EBITDA presented for the second quarter of 2022 was the highest in the past seven years and totaled NIS 276 million, an increase of 30% compared to NIS 213 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
Partner continues with the expedited 5G infrastructure deployment and expects to achieve over 40% population coverage by the end of the year. The cellular subscriber base increased in the quarter by 32 thousand subscribers, of which 25 thousand were Post-Paid subscribers. Excluding the churn of Ministry of Education subscribers who joined for limited periods, the cellular churn rate in the second quarter of 2022 totaled just 6.6%. For the first time in five quarters, Partner recorded an increase in Cellular ARPU. In the second quarter, ARPU totaled NIS 49 compared to NIS 48 in previous quarters. The increase reflected, among other things, an increase in roaming service revenues that was partially offset by the continued price erosion and by a decrease in interconnect revenues.
As we have stated before, Partner considers fiber-optic deployment to be a significant growth engine in its activity. The number of Homes Connected within buildings connected to our fiber-optic infrastructure reached 837 thousand at the end of second quarter of 2022, an increase of 67 thousand in the quarter. As of today, the number of Homes Connected within buildings connected to our fiber-optic infrastructure totals 866 thousand. The fiber-optic subscriber base totaled 250 thousand at the end of the quarter, reflecting a 30% penetration rate from potential customers in connected buildings, unchanged from the rate at the end of the previous quarter and the corresponding quarter last year. The increase in the fiber-optic subscriber base in the quarter was negatively impacted by the relatively low number of working days and totaled 17 thousand. As of today, the fiber-optic subscriber base totals 258 thousand.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow (before interest and including lease payments) for the quarter totaled NIS 57 million. CAPEX payments in the second quarter of 2022 totaled NIS 174 million. For the first half of 2022, the increase of CAPEX payments compared to first half of 2021 totaled NIS 56 million, reflecting the acceleration of the fiber-optic deployment plan, with the goal of reaching approximately one million households by the end of the year.
Net debt was NIS 706 million at the end of the quarter, compared with NIS 670 million at the end of the corresponding quarter last year, an increase of NIS 36 million. The Company's net debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio stood at 0.7 at the end of the quarter, compared to a ratio of 0.8 in the corresponding quarter last year."
Q2 2022 compared with Q2 2021
Key Performance Indicators
Partner Consolidated Results
Financial Review
In Q2 2022, total revenues were NIS 859 million (US$ 245 million), an increase of 2% from NIS 840 million in Q2 2021.
Service revenues in Q2 2022 totaled NIS 706 million (US$ 202 million), an increase of 9% from NIS 649 million in Q2 2021.
Service revenues for the cellular segment in Q2 2022 totaled NIS 457 million (US$ 131 million), an increase of 9% from NIS 420 million in Q2 2021. The increase was mainly the result of higher roaming service revenues, reflecting the return of international air travel almost to pre-COVID 19 levels, and the growth of the cellular subscriber base. These increases were partially offset by the continued price erosion, although to a lesser degree than in the past, and a decrease in interconnect revenues.
Service revenues for the fixed-line segment in Q2 2022 totaled NIS 279 million (US$ 80 million), an increase of 6% from NIS 262 million in Q2 2021. The increase mainly reflected higher revenues from the growth in internet and TV services, which were partially offset by a decline in revenues from international calling services.
Equipment revenues in Q2 2022 totaled NIS 153 million (US$ 44 million), a decrease of 20% from NIS 191 million in Q2 2021, mainly reflecting a lower average price per sale mainly due to a change in the sales mix in the cellular segment, and a decrease in sales in the fixed-line segment, largely reflecting the Company's decision in the final quarter of 2021 to move towards a leasing model of internet routers to private customers instead of a sales model.
Gross profit from equipment sales in Q2 2022 was NIS 28 million (US$ 8 million), compared with NIS 39 million in Q2 2021, a decrease of 28%, mainly reflecting the negative impact of foreign exchange rate movements, as well as the change in the sales mix in the cellular segment and the decrease in fixed-line segment sales.
Total operating expenses ('OPEX') totaled NIS 469 million (US$ 134 million), in Q2 2022, a decrease of 3% or NIS 16 million from Q2 2021, mainly reflecting a decrease in credit loss expenses, a one-time decrease in cellular network operating expenses and a decrease in fixed-line segment wholesale expenses. The decreases were partially offset by increases in roaming expenses and payroll and related expenses. Including depreciation and amortization expenses and other expenses (mainly amortization of employee share-based compensation), OPEX in Q2 2022 decreased by 1% compared with Q2 2021.
Operating profit for Q2 2022 was NIS 85 million (US$ 24 million), an increase of 183% compared with NIS 30 million in Q2 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 2022 totaled NIS 276 million (US$ 79 million), an increase of 30% from NIS 213 million in Q2 2021. As a percentage of total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 2022 was 32% compared with 25% in Q2 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment was NIS 187 million (US$ 53 million) in Q2 2022, an increase of 35% from NIS 139 million in Q2 2021, largely reflecting the increase in service revenues as well as the decrease in credit losses expenses, and the one-time decrease in network operating expenses, which were partially offset by the decrease in gross profit from equipment sales and the increase in payroll and related expenses. As a percentage of total cellular segment revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the cellular segment was 32% in Q2 2022 compared with 24% in Q2 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was NIS 89 million (US$ 25 million) in Q2 2022, an increase of 20% from NIS 74 million in Q2 2021, mainly reflecting the increase in fixed-line segment service revenues and the decrease in wholesale expenses, which were partially offset by the decrease in gross profit from fixed-line segment equipment sales as well as the increase in payroll and related expenses. As a percentage of total fixed-line segment revenues, Adjusted EBITDA for the fixed-line segment was 30% in Q2 2022, compared with 25% in Q2 2021.
Finance costs, net in Q2 2022 were NIS 21 million (US$ 6 million), an increase of 31% compared with NIS 16 million in Q2 2021. The increase mainly reflected the negative impact of foreign exchange rate movements.
Income tax expenses in Q2 2022 were NIS 17 million (US$ 5 million), an increase of NIS 12 million compared with NIS 5 million in Q2 2021, mainly due to the increase in operating profit.
Profit in Q2 2022 was NIS 47 million (US$ 13 million), an increase of NIS 38 million compared with profit of NIS 9 million in Q2 2021.
Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during Q2 2022, basic earnings per share or ADS, was NIS 0.26 (US$ 0.07) compared with basic earnings per share or ADS of NIS 0.05 in Q2 2021.
Cellular Segment Operational Review
At the end of Q2 2022, the Company's cellular subscriber base (including mobile data, 012 Mobile subscribers and M2M subscriptions) was approximately 3.10 million, including approximately 2.73 million Post-Paid subscribers or 88% of the base, and 362 thousand Pre-Paid subscribers, or 12% of the subscriber base.
During the second quarter of 2022, the cellular subscriber base increased, net, by 32 thousand subscribers. The Post-Paid subscriber base increased, net, by 25 thousand subscribers and the Pre-Paid subscriber base increased, net, by 7 thousand subscribers. The subscriber base of data packages and voice packages for the Ministry of Education (MOE) increased by 5 thousand and totaled 80 thousand at the end of Q2 2022. The MOE subscribers base is expected to decrease to 12 thousand during the third quarter of 2022, following the expiration of most of the time-limited packages.
Total cellular market share (based on the number of subscribers) at the end of Q2 2022 was estimated to be approximately 28%, unchanged from the end of Q1 2022 and compared to 27% at the end of Q2 2021.
The quarterly churn rate for cellular subscribers in Q2 2022 was 6.7%, compared with 7.2% in Q2 2021 and 7.0% in Q1 2022. Excluding data and voice packages for the Ministry of Education, the churn rate in Q2 2022 was 6.6% compared with 7.4% in Q2 2021 and 6.7% in Q1 2022.
The monthly Average Revenue per User ("ARPU") for cellular subscribers in Q2 2022 was NIS 49 (US$ 14), an increase of 2% from NIS 48 in Q2 2021. This increase mainly reflected the increase in roaming services revenues, which was offset by the continued price erosion, although to a lesser degree than in the past, and by a decrease in interconnect revenues.
Fixed-Line Segment Operational Review
At the end of Q2 2022:
- The Company's fiber-optic subscriber base was 250 thousand subscribers, an increase, net, of 17 thousand subscribers during the second quarter of 2022.
- The Company's infrastructure-based internet subscriber base was 395 thousand subscribers, an increase, net, of 8 thousand subscribers during the second quarter of 2022.
- Households in buildings connected to our fiber-optic infrastructure (HC) totaled 837 thousand, an increase of 67 thousand during the second quarter of 2022.
- The Company's TV subscriber base totaled 224 thousand subscribers, a decrease of 1 thousand subscribers during the second quarter of 2022.
Funding and Investing Review
In Q2 2022, Adjusted Free Cash Flow (including lease payments) totaled NIS 57 million (US$ 16 million), an increase of NIS 49 million compared with NIS 8 million in Q2 2021.
Cash generated from operating activities totaled NIS 263 million (US$ 75 million) in Q2 2022, an increase of 47% from NIS 179 million in Q2 2021.
Lease payments (principal and interest), recorded in cash flows from financing activities under IFRS 16, totaled NIS 34 million (US$ 10 million) in Q2 2022, an increase of 6% from NIS 32 million in Q2 2021.
Cash capital expenditures (CAPEX payments), as represented by cash flows used for the acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets, were NIS 174 million (US$ 50 million) in Q2 2022, an increase of 25% from NIS 139 million in Q2 2021.
The level of net debt at the end of Q2 2022 amounted to NIS 706 million (US$ 202 million), compared with NIS 670 million at the end of Q2 2021, an increase of NIS 36 million.
Regulatory Developments
Further to the Company's immediate report dated September 14, 2021 with respect to a hearing process regarding the potential reduction of the interconnect tariff, on June 23, 2022 the Ministry of Communications published its decision regarding a change in the interconnection tariff regime. According to this decision there will be a gradual reduction of the interconnection tariffs over a period of three years (ending on the 15th of June 2025). After this period, each operator will bear its own call completion costs and there will no longer be payment transfers for interconnection with respect to call minutes (both on MRT networks and on fixed-line networks). The Ministry has also decided that the maximum tariff for completion of incoming international calls will be cancelled (effective on the 28th of July 2022), which is expected to increase the company's revenues from incoming international calls. The overall outcome of this decision is not expected to have a material effect on our business and results of operations.
Conference Call Details
Partner will host a conference call to discuss its financial results on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 10.00 a.m. Eastern Time / 5.00 p.m. Israel Time.
Please dial the following numbers (at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time) in order to participate:
International: +972.3.918.0687
North America toll-free: +1.888.407.2553
A live webcast of the call will also be available on Partner's Investors Relations website at:
http://www.partner.co.il/en/Investors-Relations/lobby
If you are unavailable to join live, the replay of the call will be available from August 11, 2022 until August 25, 2022, at the following numbers:
International: +972.3.925.5921
North America toll-free: +1.888.254.7270
In addition, the archived webcast of the call will be available on Partner's Investor Relations website at the above address for approximately three months.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "estimate", "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "project", "goal", "target" and similar expressions often identify forward-looking statements but are not the only way we identify these statements. In particular, this press release communicates our belief regarding (i) the Company's continued investment in infrastructure and fiber and 5G services; (ii) the expedited deployment of the Company's fiber-optic infrastructure by the end of 2022 and (iii) the fiber-optic deployment as a significant growth engine for the Company. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding our future performance are forward-looking statements.
We have based these forward-looking statements on our current knowledge and our present beliefs and expectations regarding possible future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including in particular (i) the remaining impact on our business of the Covid-19 health crisis, (ii) unexpected technical or commercial issues which may arise as we continue to deploy and expand the use of our fiber optic infrastructure; and (iii) unexpected technical or financial constraints which undermine the pursuit of such strategy. In light of the current unreliability of predictions as to the ultimate severity and duration of the Covid-19 health crisis, as well as the specific regulatory and business risks facing our business, future results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. For further information regarding risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Partner, trends in the Israeli telecommunications industry in general, the impact of possible regulatory and legal developments, and other risks we face, see "Item 3. Key Information - 3D. Risk Factors", "Item 4. Information on the Company", "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects", "Item 8. Financial Information - 8A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information - 8A.1 Legal and Administrative Proceedings" and "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F filed with the SEC, as well as its immediate reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The quarterly financial results presented in this press release are unaudited financial results.
The results were prepared in accordance with IFRS, other than the non-GAAP financial measures presented in the section "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures".
The financial information is presented in NIS millions (unless otherwise stated) and the figures presented are rounded accordingly. The convenience translations of the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) figures into US Dollars were made at the rate of exchange prevailing at June 30, 2022: US $1.00 equals NIS 3.500. The translations were made purely for the convenience of the reader.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following non-GAAP measures are used in this report. These measures are not financial measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. Further, the measures may not be indicative of the Company's historic operating results nor are meant to be predictive of potential future results.
About Partner Communications
Partner Communications Company Ltd. is a leading Israeli provider of telecommunications services (cellular, fixed-line telephony, internet services and TV services). Partner's ADSs are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market™ and its shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NASDAQ and TASE: PTNR).
For more information about Partner, see: http://www.partner.co.il/en/Investors-Relations/lobby
Contacts:
At June 30, 2022 and 2021, trade and other payables include NIS 170 million ($49 million) and NIS 170 million, respectively, in respect of acquisition of intangible assets and property and equipment; payments in respect thereof are presented in cash flows from investing activities.
These balances are recognized in the cash flow statements upon payment.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:
Key Financial and Operating Indicators (unaudited) *
Disclosure for notes holders as of June 30, 2022
Information regarding the notes series issued by the Company, in million NIS
(1) In April 2019, the Company issued in a private placement 2 series of untradeable option warrants that were exercisable for the Company's Series G debentures. The exercise period of the first series is between July 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020 and of the second series is between July 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. The Series G debentures that were allotted upon the exercise of an option warrant were identical in all their rights to the Company's Series G debentures immediately upon their allotment, and are entitled to any payment of interest or other benefit, the effective date of which is due after the allotment date. The debentures that were allotted as a result of the exercise of option warrants were registered on the TASE. The total amount received by the Company on the allotment date of the option warrants is NIS 37 million. For additional details see the Company's press release dated April 17, 2019. Following exercise of option warrants from the first series, the Company issued Series G Notes in a total principal amount of NIS 225 million. Following exercise of option warrants from the second series, the Company issued Series G Notes in a total principal amount of NIS 101 million. The issuance in May 2021 was the final exercise of option warrants from the second series.
(2) Regarding Series F Notes, Series G Notes, Series H Notes and borrowing P, borrowing Q and borrowing R the Company is required to comply with a financial covenant that the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA shall not exceed 5. Compliance will be examined and reported on a quarterly basis. For the purpose of the covenant, Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as the sum total for the last 12 month period, excluding adjustable one-time items. As of June 30, 2022, the ratio of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA was 0.7. Additional stipulations mainly include: Shareholders' equity shall not decrease below NIS 400 million and no dividends will be declared if shareholders' equity will be below NIS 650 million regarding Series F notes, borrowing P and borrowing Q. Shareholders' equity shall not decrease below NIS 600 million and no dividends will be declared if shareholders' equity will be below NIS 750 million regarding Series G notes and borrowing R. Shareholders' equity shall not decrease below NIS 700 million and no dividends will be declared if shareholders' equity will be below NIS 850 million regarding Series H notes. The Company shall not create floating liens subject to certain terms. The Company has the right for early redemption under certain conditions. With respect to notes payable series F, series G and series H: the Company shall pay additional annual interest of 0.5% in the case of a two- notch downgrade in the Notes rating and an additional annual interest of 0.25% for each further single-notch downgrade, up to a maximum additional interest of 1%; the Company shall pay additional annual interest of 0.25% during a period in which there is a breach of the financial covenant; debt rating will not decrease below BBB- for a certain period. In any case, the total maximum additional interest for Series F, Series G and Series H, shall not exceed 1.25%, 1% or 1.25%, respectively. For more information see the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021.
In the reporting period, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and obligations and no cause for early repayment occurred.
* On these dates additional Notes of the series were issued. The information in the table refers to the full series. ** Representing an amount of less than NIS 1 million.
Disclosure for Notes holders as of June 30, 2022 (cont.)
Notes Rating Details*
(1) In August 2022, S&P Maalot reaffirmed the Company's rating of "ilA+/Stable".
(2) For details regarding the rating of the notes see the S&P Maalot reports dated August 7, 2022.
* A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to suspension, revision or withdrawal at any time, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating
Summary of Financial Undertakings (according to repayment dates) as of June 30, 2022
a. Notes issued to the public by the Company and held by the public, excluding such notes held by the Company's parent company, by a controlling shareholder, by companies controlled by them, or by companies controlled by the Company, based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
b. Private notes and other non-bank credit, excluding such notes held by the Company's parent company, by a controlling shareholder, by companies controlled by them, or by companies controlled by the Company, based on the Company's "Solo" financial data – None.
c. Credit from banks in Israel based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
Summary of Financial Undertakings (according to repayment dates) as of June 30, 2022 (cont.)
d. Credit from banks abroad based on the Company's "Solo" financial data – None.
e. Total of sections a - d above, total credit from banks, non-bank credit and notes based on the Company's "Solo" financial data (in thousand NIS).
f. Off-balance sheet credit exposure based on the Company's "Solo" financial data– As of June 30, 2022, the Company provided financial guarantees in a total amount of NIS 85 million.
g. Off-balance sheet credit exposure of all the Company's consolidated companies, excluding companies that are reporting corporations and excluding the Company's data presented in section f above - None.
h. Total balances of the credit from banks, non-bank credit and notes of all the consolidated companies, excluding companies that are reporting corporations and excluding Company's data presented in sections a - d above - None.
i. Total balances of credit granted to the Company by the parent company or a controlling shareholder and balances of notes offered by the Company held by the parent company or the controlling shareholder - None.
j. Total balances of credit granted to the Company by companies held by the parent company or the controlling shareholder, which are not controlled by the Company, and balances of notes offered by the Company held by companies held by the parent company or the controlling shareholder, which are not controlled by the Company – None.
k. Total balances of credit granted to the Company by consolidated companies and balances of notes offered by the Company held by the consolidated companies - None
- The quarterly financial results are unaudited.
- For the definition of this and other Non-GAAP financial measures, see "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this press release.
View original content:
SOURCE Partner Communications Company Ltd.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/11/partner-communications-reports-second-quarter-2022-results1/
| 2022-08-11T06:39:32Z
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SD high school student told to cut hair or find a new school
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KSFY) - A 14-year-old boy in South Dakota will transfer high schools at the end of the semester after he was given the ultimatum to cut his hair or find a new school.
Braxton Schafer, 14, is a freshman at O’Gorman High School, a Catholic school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was told he needed to cut his hair to comply with the school dress code or find a new school.
His parents say the timing of the decision was unfair, KSFY reports.
“He’s had one haircut his entire life, so cutting his hair would be significant,” said Braxton’s father, Derrick Schafer.
The O’Gorman dress code’s hair policy states that boys must keep hair length “above the eyes and not touching the collar.”
“People enroll in our Catholic schools, then they know what we stand for, and they know what we are representing and the structure and environment that we will create for their family,” said Kyle Groos, president of Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.
At an open house on Aug. 24th, the high school’s assistant principal spoke with Braxton’s parents about the teen’s hair. Since then, they’ve met with other administrators.
“We were open to a lot of different compromises. The only one was just not cutting his hair,” Derrick Schafer said.
During his time at O’Gorman Junior High School, Braxton said he hadn’t received any complaints about his hair from staff. That changed after he transitioned to high school.
“There’s some communication that was broken down that was not corrected and needs to be corrected. That’s what probably has us in the situation that we’re talking about right now,” Groos said.
Braxton is an active member of the school band and played his first football game Thursday. His mom, Toni Schafer, spoke with the South Dakota High School Activity Association the next day.
“Since he’s practiced and had a game, he would not be able to transfer into another school and continue with the activity,” she said.
“He just wants to go to school. He just wants to play football. He wants to be in marching band. He wants to hang out with the kids,” Derrick Schafer said.
After extensive conversations, the school decided to let Braxton finish out the semester without cutting his hair, but after that, he will transfer to a different school.
“We’re sitting here talking about haircuts when I’m sending him there for an education, and we’re getting booted because we have long hair,” Toni Schafer said.
Copyright 2022 KSFY via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/08/31/sd-high-school-student-told-cut-hair-or-find-new-school/
| 2022-08-31T05:07:27Z
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- Johnson Controls` heat pump commissioned at Berlin-Buch Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant will support Vattenfall in decarbonization journey
- Installation will cut an estimated 620 tonnes of CO2 annually from district energy production
- Johnson Controls industrial refrigeration green technology will support Germany's 'Energiewende' and bolster energy security
CORK, Ireland, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announces it has commissioned a new heat pump installation that will support European energy company Vattenfall in its goal to eliminate carbon emissions from its heating and power generation facilities by 2050. Heat pumps are seen as a crucial technology in the European Union's plans for a sustainable, low-carbon economy as set out in its Green Deal; and with energy prices at an all-time high, their ability to deliver heating and cooling without the need for more natural gas is now absolutely critical. Moreover, heat pumps are a core technology enabling Europe to meet its essential REPowerEU plan, including the aim of installing 50 million units across the bloc by 2030.
Johnson Controls Industrial Refrigeration business deployed its proven Sabroe heat pump technology with a 700 kW heating capacity at Vattenfall Europe Wärme AG's Berlin-Buch, combined heat and power (CHP), plant in Berlin, Germany. The CHP plant currently uses a heat recovery boiler to capture waste heat from an existing gas turbine to generate heat for the local district heating network. The addition of the heat pump will boost the plant's district heating capacity without burning any additional fossil fuel, thus contributing to energy security and avoiding the production of about 620 tonnes/year of carbon dioxide emissions.
In Berlin, Vattenfall operates the largest urban heating network in Western Europe with around 1.3 million connected residential units. A total of 2,000 kilometres of pipelines supplies the connected properties with 80 to 135°C hot water which provides heating and hot water to connected residences. The Buch island network in the north of Berlin supplies a total of around 10,000 apartments and 500 individual facilities such as schools or clinics with climate-friendly heat.
"This project puts the power of heat pumps to work to meet energy needs while cutting waste, emissions and costs. Importantly heat pumps deliver required heating without the need for additional gas supplies," said Dave Dorney, vice president & general manager industrial refrigeration at Johnson Controls. "We are proud to be part of the energy transition here in Germany and this project gives us the opportunity to put our large heat pumps to work and provide energy, environmental and security solutions."
Germany is in the midst of an energy transition, named Energiewende, that will see an increase in renewables and the reduction of fossil fuels as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The government has said coal fired power generation will be phased out by 2038. Vattenfall's own CO2 roadmap will see it completely phase out coal in its heat portfolio by 2030 in support of national targets.
"The new heat pump installation at Berlin-Buch is part of our goal to enable fossil-free living in one generation, while still delivering on our customers' expectations for the supply of affordable electricity and heat in the city of Berlin. We are proud to be part of the pioneering effort to roll-out heat pumps across Germany's energy sector," says Andreas Heuer, Asset-Manager dezentrale Anlagen, Vattenfall.
Following commissioning, the plant is now meeting its performance guarantees.
Johnson Controls is cutting edge when it comes to the technology needed to decarbonize buildings. The company is helping meet the growing demand for energy efficient technologies and has innovative building management solutions such as VAV HVAC systems, together with its most advanced energy efficient heat pumps. Johnson Controls portfolio of services and solutions, powered by OpenBlue, can also drive significant improvement in energy efficiency and corresponding carbon emissions
"Cutting carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels in heating/cooling, whether for district heating, industrial processes, or in buildings, has to be a top priority if we want to achieve a net-zero economy in the fight against climate change," said Katie McGinty, vice president & chief sustainability and external relations officer at Johnson Controls. "Heat pumps are vital since they cut natural gas needs and bolster energy security even as they enable us to take on the almost 40% of global CO2 emissions that come from buildings. Natural gas is the primary source of energy for building heating, so we are eagerly ramping up our production of heat pumps and other solutions to meet the challenge of improved building efficiency and a net zero and secure energy future".
Both Vattenfall and Johnson Controls are founding members of the First Movers Coalition. The coalition was launched at COP26 in Glasgow by the U.S. State Department and the World Economic Forum. Members of the coalition are committed to increasing the share of emerging technologies critical to the net-zero transition. As a leader in the buildings space for more than 135 years, Johnson Controls has been a pioneer in sustainability. Among the earliest industrial companies to report emissions and pledge emission reductions, the company has made tremendous progress – reducing carbon emissions and energy intensity by more than 70 percent since 2002. The company was recently named again to the World's Most Ethical Companies® Honoree List and one of Corporate Knights' global 100 most Sustainable Companies — number one in its industry sector.
To read more about Johnson Controls commitment to sustainability, please visit:
https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporate-sustainability/environment
About Johnson Controls:
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.
With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering, OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.
INVESTOR CONTACTS:
Ryan Edelman
Direct: +1.609.720.4545
Email: ryan.edelman@jci.com
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michael Isaac
Direct: +41 79 694 14 62
Email: michael.isaac@jci.com
Karen Tognarelli
Direct: +1.571.214.7744
Email: karen.tognarelli@jci.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc
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https://www.wibw.com/prnewswire/2022/04/21/johnson-controls-delivers-decarbonization-vattenfall-berlin-power-plant/
| 2022-04-21T07:51:34Z
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars essentially ruled out taking a left tackle with the top pick in the NFL draft by agreeing to terms with veteran Cam Robinson on a three-year extension Wednesday.
Robinson’s new deal totals just shy of $54 million, roughly $18 million a year, according to a person familiar with negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side made details public.
Robinson signed his franchise tender two weeks ago, guaranteeing him $16.7 million next season. But he ended up getting more from the extension. The move also means Jacksonville has little need to draft North Carolina State’s Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu, Alabama’s Evan Neal or Mississippi State’s Charles Cross at No. 1.
Jacksonville is expected to choose between a pair of pass rushers, either Georgia’s Travon Walker or Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson. Walker is the betting favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Robinson, a former Alabama standout, has started 61 games over five seasons since Jacksonville drafted him with the 34th overall pick in 2017. But he’s been far from one of the league’s best blind-side protectors.
Using the franchise tag on him for a second straight year was a surprise move considering the Jaguars drafted Stanford left tackle Walker Little with the 45th overall pick last year in hopes of pairing him with quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the foreseeable future. Little started the final two games of the 2021 season and played well, leading some to believe general manager Trent Baalke would move on from Robinson.
But with Robinson back for a sixth season, Little will compete with Jawaan Taylor at right tackle. Nonetheless, the Jags are planning to address the offensive line in the draft.
Longtime center Brandon Linder retired after eight injury-filled seasons, and Jacksonville let starting guards Andrew Walker and A.J. Cann leave in free agency.
The Jags signed five-time Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff to a three-year, $49.5 million contract that included $30 million guaranteed. They also brought back versatile backup guard/tackle Will Richardson and longtime backup center Tyler Shatley.
But holes remain. The team is expected to use at least two of its 12 draft picks to bolster a line that allowed Lawrence to get sacked 32 times in 2021. It just won’t be the first one.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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https://cw33.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-source-jags-lt-robinson-agree-to-3-year-54m-extension/
| 2022-04-27T19:04:32Z
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Superior Protection Professionals is looking to help keep people safe even when their guards can't be around.
TOMS RIVER, N.J., June 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week Superior Protection Professionals, a security guard agency headquartered in Toms River, NJ, donated 20 bullet-proof backpacks to the Toms River School District. "Our company was formed with the sole purpose of protecting people," company owner and retired Toms River police officer Kelly Conklin said. "Being our guards only cover NJ we wanted to help keep people safe all over the country so these bullet-proof backpacks are the perfect way to do it.".
With the recent school tragedy in Texas, these backpacks, which can stop bullets from 95% of the guns used in gun violence in the country each year, have become hot selling items. Some companies have experienced up to an 800% increase in sales when these incidents happen. "Although our backpacks are widely used by students in schools, adults are also purchasing them as their everyday backpack. They carry them to work to have with them as a shield in the event of a shooting. Mass transit travelers use them on subways, buses, and airplanes for added protection. They mitigate the risk of getting seriously injured or dying in a shooting and increase your chances of survival. My entire family has them and no one even knows they are protective backpacks. We also sell the inserts you can put into your favorite backpack and turn it into a bulletproof one."
Michael Kenny, spokesman for the Toms River Regional Schools said, "Superior Protection Professionals owner, local resident, and retired Toms River police officer- along with his son, Kelly Conklin Jr., vice president, have made an impactful gesture that will benefit our students, providing them specialty backpacks which will serve them well on their educational journey. We sincerely thank the Conklins and SPP for turning their commitment to our community into action, and for providing tangible resources to our students."
Conklin goes on to say, "This isn't an easy topic to discuss by any means. It's an unfortunate fact that there are evil people with guns in this world looking to cause harm to good people. I love the fact that we can sell these all over the country and make a difference. People can protect themselves, and their loved ones, and we play a part in that. That's the foundation of our company, keeping people safe,and now we can do it even when our guards aren't around."
He also mentioned that there is funding and grants for schools to buy these and can help out with that if you contact him.
SPP contact information:
Cell 908-783-1939, email kpconklin209@gmail.com
Website- https://sppsecurityinvestigations.com/
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Superior Protection Professionals
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https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/06/30/bullet-proof-backpacks-donated-school-district-by-security-guard-agency/
| 2022-06-30T18:46:49Z
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IX AT 50: Kathy Allen winningest coach in Baker history
June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed Title IX into law, prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. Title IX has largely been considered the springboard for high school and collegiate women’s sports to get where they are today — but the fight for equality is far from over. Every Thursday night at 10:00 p.m. leading up to the 50th anniversary of the law’s passing, 13 Sports will honor the women who changed the game for girls’ and women’s sports in Kansas.
“IX at 50: The Trailblazers of Women’s Sports in Kansas”
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. (WIBW) - Kathy Allen says her life would look much different had Title IX not passed June 23, 1972.
“I am at, like, the perfect Title IX age, because it passed when I was in high school, and I have literally benefited from it my entire career,” Allen said. “Then being able to help other girls benefit from it, and now that it’s the 50th anniversary of Title IX, develop an understanding of how important that legislation was. Because before, we couldn’t play. We didn’t play.”
Lansing High School offered volleyball for the first time her sophomore year.
“We practiced way early in the morning with terrible equipment, no padding on the standards,” she said. “Our parents made our uniforms. They were homemade uniforms. We had the sports, but it was still boy sports that ruled the roost. But at least they offered them. I got to play.”
Fast forward two decades later: Kathy was working in her family’s insurance business.
“My daughter had just turned 10 or 11,” she said. “My sister-in-law and I decided that we would coach a little club team. So we put nine or 10 girls together and we called them Topeka Juniors. "
The next year, 150 girls showed up to tryouts. Allen led the club for more than a decade and won two national titles.
She then took a graduate assistant job at Emporia State, coached varsity volleyball at St. Marys High School, and served as interim coach at Washburn before accepting the head coaching job at Baker University.
In 18 seasons, she’d become the winningest coach ever at Baker.
Allen left her post in 2016 ranked 14th in the NAIA career wins list and 25th all-time in NAIA career winning percentage.
That’s not what she looks back on as her most important contribution to the sport.
“One of the most important things to me is that I was able to provide an opportunity for hundreds of girls and women through club programs, through college programs — and that they look back on those opportunities, and they might not remember what the win loss record was. They might not remember the exact details of any game or what their stats were, but what they remembered was they got to play. They got to be a part of something that was bigger than them that helped shape their futures,” she said.
Copyright 2022 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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https://www.wibw.com/2022/05/06/ix-50-kathy-allen-winningest-coach-baker-history/
| 2022-05-06T04:45:15Z
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NASA’s Artemis I mega moon rocket test stopped for second time
By Katie Hunt and Ashley Strickland, CNN
The second attempt at the final, crucial prelaunch test for NASA’s Artemis I mission to the moon was scrubbed on Monday.
The wet dress rehearsal, as NASA calls it, simulates every stage of launch without the rocket actually leaving the launchpad.
This includes powering on the 322-foot-tall (98-meter-tall) Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, loading supercold propellant into the rocket’s tanks, going through a full countdown simulating launch, resetting the countdown clock and draining the rocket tanks.
The test was originally scheduled to be completed on Sunday but was put on hold before the propellant was loaded. That was due to problems with two fans used to provide pressure to the mobile launcher — the movable tower which the rocket sits upon before it lifts off.
NASA said Monday it was able overnight to resolve the malfunction of the fans, which are needed to pressurize enclosed areas inside the launcher and keep out hazardous gases.
However, the rehearsal was stopped for the second time Monday due to a vent valve issue, NASA announced via Twitter.
“Due the vent valve issue, the launch director has called off the test for the day. The team is preparing to offload LOX and will begin discussing how quickly the vehicle can be turned around for the next attempt. A lot of great learning and progress today.”
Sunday’s delay came after the rocket weathered four lightening strikes during a powerful thunderstorm at Kennedy Space Center on Saturday. However, the fan issue that forced Sunday’s delay was not thought to be connected to the storm, NASA said.
The results of the wet dress rehearsal will determine when the uncrewed Artemis I will launch on a mission that goes beyond the moon and returns to Earth. The uncrewed mission is expected to launch in June or July.
This mission will kick off NASA’s Artemis program, which is expected to return humans to the moon and land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface by 2025.
During the flight, the uncrewed Orion spacecraft will launch atop the SLS rocket to reach the moon and travel thousands of miles beyond it — farther than any spacecraft intended to carry humans has ever traveled. This mission is expected to last for a few weeks and will end with Orion splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
Artemis I will be the final proving ground for Orion before the spacecraft carries astronauts to the moon, 1,000 times farther from Earth than where the International Space Station is located.
After the uncrewed Artemis I flight, Artemis II will be a crewed flyby of the moon, and Artemis III will return astronauts to the lunar surface. The time line for the subsequent mission launches depends on the results of the Artemis I mission.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
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https://localnews8.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2022/04/04/nasas-artemis-i-mega-moon-rocket-test-stopped-for-second-time/
| 2022-04-04T22:51:34Z
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- VOXZOGO™ $34 Million Contribution Drives Total Revenues of $534 Million in the Quarter; Total Revenues Grew 13% Year-Over-Year, Excluding Kuvan
- BioMarin Expects that ROCTAVIAN™ (valoctocogene roxaparvovec) for the Treatment of Severe Hemophilia A Will Be Approved in Europe in the Third Quarter; Re-Submission of Biologics License Application (BLA) in the U.S. Planned for September 2022
Financial Highlights (in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data, unaudited)
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) (BioMarin or the Company) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
"Continued strong growth of VOXZOGO and solid contributions from our other franchises drove record revenues exceeding $1 billion in the first half of the year, leading us to increase our full-year 2022 top and bottom-line guidance," said Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. "We also achieved many other significant milestones in the second quarter, including the CHMP's positive opinion for conditional marketing authorization of Roctavian, the first gene therapy to be recommended for approval in Europe for hemophilia A. Assuming a positive decision from the European Commission, BioMarin's commercial organization is ready to launch Roctavian in Europe in the third quarter. Based on the updated multi-year hemostatic efficacy observed to date following treatment with a single intravenous administration of Roctavian, we are on-track to resubmit the BLA in the U.S. to the FDA this September."
Mr. Bienaimé added, "In addition to continued robust demand for Voxzogo throughout the United States and Europe, underscored by today's significant increase in full-year 2022 guidance for Voxzogo net product revenues to between $130 million and $160 million, we were thrilled to receive commercial approval in both Japan and Australia in the quarter. As we said previously, in 2022 we expect to return to double-digit revenue growth and profitability, and we are tracking to plan as demonstrated by record revenues in both the first and second quarters of this year."
Financial Highlights:
- Total Revenues for the second quarter of 2022 were $533.8 million, an increase of 6% compared to the same period in 2021 despite continued erosion of the U.S. Kuvan market. The increase in Total Revenues was primarily attributed to the following:
- GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Income increased by $14.8 million and $11.6 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily related to higher revenues partially offset by higher sales and marketing expenses to support the commercial launch of Voxzogo and pre-commercialization activities for Roctavian.
New Product Launches and Anticipated Approvals (Voxzogo and Roctavian)
- The global launch of Voxzogo is actively underway, with market access and reimbursement progressing as anticipated. As of June 30, 2022, there were an estimated 446 children being treated with commercial Voxzogo globally, as compared to an estimated 284 children as of March 31, 2022. Of the estimated 446 children being treated with Voxzogo as of the end of the second quarter, 282 were from countries outside the U.S. and 164 were from the U.S. As of June 30, 2022, there were 20 active markets contributing to Voxzogo sales.
- During the quarter, marketing authorization for Voxzogo was approved in both Japan and Australia, with commercial sales anticipated in these markets to begin in the third quarter of 2022. Japan accounts for approximately half of the 1,500 patient opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region.
- During the quarter, the Company provided a top-line update on the Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Voxzogo study in infants and young children up to five years of age with achondroplasia at the 2022 Endocrine Society Annual Meeting (ENDO). BioMarin intends to initiate discussions on the favorable results from the study with regulatory health authorities to discuss next steps regarding efforts to expand access to Voxzogo treatment for this younger age group.
- In the quarter, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending conditional marketing authorization for Roctavian, for adults with severe hemophilia A. The Company expects a final approval decision, which is typically consistent with the CHMP recommendation, from the European Commission in the third quarter of 2022.
- BioMarin is targeting a BLA resubmission for Roctavian by the end of September 2022. Typically, BLA resubmissions are followed by a 6-month review procedure. However, the Company anticipates three additional months of review may be necessary based on the number of data read-outs that will emerge during the procedure.
- In July, at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2022 Congress, the Company reported that durable hemostatic efficacy was maintained over six years in the ongoing Phase 1/2 study with Roctavian in the 6e13vg/kg dose cohort, representing the longest duration of clinical observation with any gene therapy treatment for adults with severe hemophilia A.
Mid-stage Product Life Cycle Expansion Opportunities (Voxzogo and Roctavian)
- Also at the ENDO meeting, the investigator-initiated study with Voxzogo in children with selected genetic causes of short stature, preliminary 6-month results from 12 subjects demonstrated a positive response in all subgroups with interindividual variability. The 52-week study is ongoing, and is expected to complete in 2023.
- In the quarter, the Company's interventional Phase 2 study with Voxzogo for the treatment of infants under the age of two who are at risk for foramen magnum compression completed enrollment. The study is investigating the safety of Voxzogo in infants at risk of requiring surgery to alleviate compression at the foramen magnum, the opening in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes. The study will also measure a secondary endpoint to evaluate the effect of Voxzogo on growth of the foramen magnum volume through MRI scans.
- Product expansion opportunities with Roctavian are supported by a number of clinical studies currently underway. The Phase 3b study to evaluate Roctavian with prophylactic corticosteroids has completed enrollment and is expected to read-out in early 2023. Two additional studies, one investigating Roctavian treatment in those with active or prior inhibitors, as well as one study investigating Roctavian in people with pre-existing antibodies against AAV5, are actively recruiting at sites around the world.
Earlier-stage Development Portfolio (BMN 255, BMN 331, BMN 351, BMN 349, BMN 293 (DiNA-001))
- BMN 255 for primary hyperoxaluria type 1, a subset of chronic renal disease: The Company was recently given permission by the FDA to move forward with the multiple ascending dose portion of the First-in-Human study with BMN 255. BioMarin believes the availability of a potent, orally bioavailable, small molecule like BMN 255 may be able to significantly reduce disease and treatment burden in certain people with chronic renal disease.
- BMN 331 gene therapy product candidate for Hereditary Angioedema (HAE): The Company announced that it has dosed patients in the Phase 1/2 HAERMONY study to evaluate BMN 331, an investigational AAV5-mediated gene therapy for people living with HAE.
- BMN 351 for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): Investigational New Drug application (IND)-enabling studies continue with BMN 351, an antisense oligonucleotide therapy for individuals with exon 51-skip-amenable DMD. BMN 351 was developed using familiar chemistry and superior biology, by targeting a novel, upstream, splice enhancer site demonstrating improved binding affinity and tolerability in preclinical models. Preclinical data suggest that restored expression of near-full-length dystrophin protein at levels of up to 40% will convert phenotypes from rapid loss to durable preservation of strength and ambulation. BioMarin expects to file an IND for BMN 351 in the winter.
- BMN 349 for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that BMN 349 is an orally bioavailable, small molecule that is titratable with rapid onset and high potency and efficacy. Preclinical results have strong implications for potential improvement of current management, particularly for severe liver disease requiring rapid action. BioMarin's goal is to file an IND for BMN 349 in the second half of 2023.
- BMN 293 (formerly DiNA-001) for MYBPC3 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Preclinical studies are underway with BMN 293 following a collaboration announced in 2020 with DiNAQOR, a gene therapy platform company, to develop novel gene therapies to treat rare genetic cardiomyopathies. Mutations in MYBPC3 are the most common cause of inherited HCM. Early investigations suggest that gene therapy-mediated gene transfer can lead to widespread expression of the gene product, cardiac myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C), in cardiac tissue, which can normalize relaxation kinetics and potentially ameliorate the disease phenotype in individuals suffering from cardiomyopathy. BioMarin's goal is to file an IND for BMN 293 in 2023.
2022 Full-Year Financial Guidance (in millions, except %)
BioMarin will host a conference call and webcast to discuss second quarter and year to date 2022 financial results today, Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET. This event can be accessed through this link or on the investor section of the BioMarin website at www.biomarin.com.
About BioMarin
BioMarin is a global biotechnology company that develops and commercializes innovative therapies for people with serious and life-threatening rare diseases and medical conditions. The Company selects product candidates for diseases and conditions that represent a significant unmet medical need, have well-understood biology and provide an opportunity to be first-to-market or offer a significant benefit over existing products. The Company's portfolio consists of seven commercial products and multiple clinical and preclinical product candidates for the treatment of various diseases. For additional information, please visit www.biomarin.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and the associated conference call and webcast contain forward-looking statements about the business prospects of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BioMarin), including, without limitation, statements about: the expectations of Total Revenues, Net Product Revenues, Research and Development Expense, Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Cost of Sales, GAAP Net Loss, Non-GAAP Income, and other specified income statement guidance for the full-year 2022; cash flows from operating activities; the timing of orders for commercial products; the timing of BioMarin's clinical development and commercial prospects, including announcements of data from clinical studies and trials; the clinical development and commercialization of BioMarin's product candidates and commercial products, including (i) BioMarin's plans to re-submit a BLA for Roctavian to the FDA by the end of September 2022, (ii) BioMarin's anticipated IND submission for BMN 351 in winter, (iii) BioMarin's anticipated IND submission for BMN 349 in the second half of 2023, (iv) BioMarin's collaboration with DiNAQOR to create gene therapies including BioMarin's goal to file an IND for BMN 293 (formerly DiNA-001) in 2023, and (v) BioMarin's plans to initiate discussions with regulatory health authorities to discuss next steps regarding efforts to expand access to Voxzogo for infants and young children up to five years of age with achondroplasia; the potential approval and commercialization of BioMarin's product candidates, including Roctavian for the treatment of severe hemophilia A, and the timing of such approval decisions, including (i) the anticipated start of commercial sales of Voxzogo in Japan and Australia, (ii) the expectation of a final approval decision for Roctavian from the European Commission in the third quarter of 2022, (iii) the anticipated commercial launch of Roctavian in Europe in the third quarter of 2022 if the product candidate is approved and (iv) the duration of the FDA's review procedure of our BLA resubmission for valoctocogene roxaparvovec; and the expected benefits and availability of BioMarin's product candidates; and potential growth opportunities and trends, including that BioMarin expects (i) double-digit growth in revenues and profitability in 2022, and (ii) increasing access to Voxzogo as the product launch continues in future quarters.
These forward-looking statements are predictions and involve risks and uncertainties such that actual results may differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: BioMarin's success in the commercialization of its commercial products, including BioMarin's projected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its global revenue sources, including due to demand interruptions such as missed patient infusions and delayed treatment starts for new patients; results and timing of current and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials, as well as the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on (i) BioMarin's ability to continue such preclinical studies and clinical trials and (ii) the timing of such preclinical studies and clinical trials, and the release of data from those trials; BioMarin's ability to successfully manufacture its commercial products and product candidates; the content and timing of decisions by the FDA, the European Commission and other regulatory authorities concerning each of the described products and product candidates, including the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the regulatory authorities' abilities to issue such decisions and the timing of such decisions; the market for each of these products; actual sales of BioMarin's commercial products and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on such sales; the introduction of generic versions of BioMarin's commercial products, in particular generic versions of Kuvan; and those factors detailed in BioMarin's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, without limitation, the factors contained under the caption "Risk Factors" in BioMarin's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 as such factors may be updated by any subsequent reports. Stockholders are urged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. BioMarin is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
BioMarin®, Brineura®, Kuvan®, Naglazyme®, Palynziq®, Vimizim® and Voxzogo® are registered trademarks of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., or its affiliates. RoctavianTM is a trademark of BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. Aldurazyme® is a registered trademark of BioMarin/Genzyme LLC. All other brand names and service marks, trademarks and other trade names appearing in this release are the property of their respective owners.
Non-GAAP Information
The results presented in this press release include both GAAP information and Non-GAAP information. As used in this release, Non-GAAP Income is defined by the Company as GAAP Net Income/Loss excluding net interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation expense, amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, contingent consideration expense and, in certain periods, certain other specified items, as detailed below when applicable. In addition, BioMarin includes in this press release the effects of these adjustments on certain components of GAAP Net Income/Loss for each of the periods presented. In this regard, Non-GAAP Income and its components, including Non-GAAP Cost of Sales, Non-GAAP Research and Development expenses, Non-GAAP Selling, General and Administrative expense, Non-GAAP Intangible Asset Amortization and Contingent Consideration, Non-GAAP Gain on the Sale of Intangible Asset and Non-GAAP Benefit From Income Taxes are statement of operations line items prepared on the same basis as, and therefore components of, the overall Non-GAAP measures.
BioMarin regularly uses both GAAP and Non-GAAP results and expectations internally to assess its financial operating performance and evaluate key business decisions related to its principal business activities: the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of innovative biologic therapies. Because Non-GAAP Income and its components are important internal measurements for BioMarin, the Company believes that providing this information in conjunction with BioMarin's GAAP information enhances investors' and analysts' ability to meaningfully compare the Company's results from period to period and to its forward-looking guidance, and to identify operating trends in the Company's principal business. BioMarin also uses Non-GAAP Income internally to understand, manage and evaluate its business and to make operating decisions, and compensation of executives is based in part on this measure.
Non-GAAP Income and its components are not meant to be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to comparable GAAP measures and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should note that the Non-GAAP information is not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. Investors should also note that these Non-GAAP measures have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and, therefore, have limits in their usefulness to investors. In addition, from time to time in the future there may be other items that the Company may exclude for purposes of its Non-GAAP measures; likewise, the Company may in the future cease to exclude items that it has historically excluded for purposes of its Non-GAAP measures. Because of the non-standardized definitions, the Non-GAAP measure as used by BioMarin in this press release and the accompanying tables may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.
The following table presents the reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Income:
The following reconciliation of the GAAP reported to the Non-GAAP information provides the details of the effects of the Non-GAAP adjustments on certain components of the Company's operating results for each of the periods presented.
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SOURCE BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
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https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/08/03/biomarin-announces-record-revenues-second-quarter-2022-increases-full-year-2022-top-bottom-line-guidance/
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Luis Castillo traded to Mariners by Reds for 4 prospects
By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have acquired perhaps the top starting pitcher on the trade market, getting All-Star Luis Castillo from the payroll-paring Cincinnati Reds for four minor league prospects. Cincinnati obtained infielders Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo, and right-handers Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore. Marte was the Mariners’ top-rated prospect, Arroyo was third and Stoudt fifth. Seattle has not been to the playoffs since 2001, the longest postseason drought in the four major North American pro sports.
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https://localnews8.com/news/2022/07/29/luis-castillo-traded-to-mariners-by-reds-for-4-prospects/
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