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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
A special election for the House may give us clues to what's coming this fall.
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
You may know the closely divided House and Senate are at stake. Republicans are favored to gain, as the party out of power often does, but they are feeling a little bit less optimistic these days. Last week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged what the experts say - it's getting harder to see how his party captures the Senate. It's a little hard to hear this, but listen closely to this clip.
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MITCH MCCONNELL: There's probably a greater likelihood the House flips than the Senate. Senate races are just different. They're statewide. Candidate quality has a lot to do with the outcome.
MARTIN: He said, candidate quality. Republicans have been struggling in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia.
INSKEEP: Where their nominees have been much criticized. McConnell also said Republicans have a better chance to win the House. And that special election in New York state this week gives us more information. NPR senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro is here. Domenico, good morning.
DOMENICO MONTANARO, BYLINE: Hey there, Steve.
INSKEEP: OK, just to be clear - not a primary, although we have some more primaries coming up this week. This is not a primary. It's an open seat. It gets decided. It's the final-final in New York state, outside of New York City, in the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, rural areas and some urban areas. What should we know about it?
MONTANARO: Well, this is a race between Democrat Pat Ryan and Republican Marc Molinaro, both local county executives. It's to fill out a term for Anthony (ph) Delgado, who left Congress to become lieutenant governor of the state. It's a measure, really, of which party has the enthusiasm right now in a fairly even-divided district. You know, Trump won it in 2016. Biden won it in 2020. And I often like to look at candidates' ads to see what they're focusing on. These give you a pretty good idea. First, here's an ad from Ryan, who's an Army veteran.
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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: He fought for our families, for our freedom.
PAT RYAN: And freedom includes a woman's right to choose. How can we be a free country if the government tries to control women's bodies?
MONTANARO: Meanwhile, Molinaro is focusing on something entirely different.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: Sky-high gas prices.
(SOUNDBITE OF SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: Rising crime.
(SOUNDBITE OF SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: Runaway inflation.
(SOUNDBITE OF SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi are to blame.
MONTANARO: (Laughter) So very dramatic there. But you can hear how this has become a proxy fight in the messaging wars on abortion rights versus inflation, the two big issues that both parties really want to focus on nationally.
INSKEEP: Well, how big an indicator could a special election like this be?
MONTANARO: Well, you never want to overread special elections, but they have been indicators in recent years of which party is most fired up and which way elections that are upcoming are headed. You know, Republicans did well in special elections earlier this cycle, but after the Supreme Court overturned Roe, Democrats have overperformed in places like Minnesota and Nebraska, and Democrats are looking to build on their momentum after a big win in Kansas on an abortion-related ballot measure.
INSKEEP: With all that said, we should be clear - Republicans still have a good chance to win a lot of seats this fall, and we'll see how things turn out. But they've had some difficulty recently. So what is Donald Trump saying about this, particularly given that so many Republican candidates have pledged fealty to him?
MONTANARO: Well, we heard that clip from McConnell, and Trump unloaded on McConnell on his social media platform. He called him a broken-down hack, criticized his wife, Elaine Chao, who you might remember was Trump's labor secretary but resigned over Trump's conduct on January 6. And he said that he thought McConnell should spend more time and money helping Republican Senate candidates get elected. Ironically, though, it's McConnell's outside group that's tied to him, the Senate Leadership Fund, that's spending some quarter-billion dollars in these elections, and Trump is the one who's spending pretty much nothing to support them. And McConnell-backed aides really feel like Trump has handed them a slate of candidates who are weaker, who they need to now try to push over the finish line.
INSKEEP: NPR's Domenico Montanaro. Thanks.
MONTANARO: You're welcome.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
INSKEEP: Authorities in Pakistan have filed terrorism charges against a former prime minister.
MARTIN: The Prime Minister is Imran Khan. He was ousted last spring in a no-confidence vote, and he's refused to accept his defeat. He gave a speech over the weekend criticizing police and a judge, and that is what has triggered the criminal charges.
INSKEEP: NPR's Diaa Hadid is in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Hey there, Diaa.
DIAA HADID, BYLINE: Good morning.
INSKEEP: Exact words would matter here. What did Imran Khan seem to say?
HADID: He had actually threatened to file cases against two senior police officers and a female judge. But in terms of the judge, he also said she should prepare herself, as actions would be taken against her. This coming from a man whose supporters are quite notorious for taking action into their own hands and threatening people online, at the very least. So it could have been interpreted as a threat against this woman.
INSKEEP: OK. So he makes this statement. The police file this thing called a first information report, which is part of the criminal process in Pakistan. He hasn't been arrested yet, but there is a law enforcement activity against a former national leader. How have his supporters taken this news?
HADID: Well, his supporters have rushed to his palatial home in Islamabad. They've formed a human barrier around it. And his lawyers have successfully appealed to the court to prevent his arrest until at least Thursday. I should add that it's not unusual in Pakistan for former prime ministers to have these sorts of actions taken against them once they fall out of favor.
INSKEEP: Certainly there are some former prime ministers who've ended up in prison over the years, but why would the authorities, the current authorities, the coalition government that took over, go after him now if, in fact, that's the way that we should think of this?
HADID: It seems that he is losing the patience of Pakistan's security establishment, which is the country's most powerful institution. If I can step back a bit, you see; he was in power and was widely seen as being propelled to power with the military support, but he was ousted in April when he lost a no-confidence motion. And that was seen as coming around because the military had signaled that it no longer supported him. But Khan, like many civilian leaders in Pakistan, hasn't accepted that result. He's been staging large rallies around the country, where he's been critical of the military for not supporting his party. And that's key because that's pushed him into dangerous political territory here.
And it came around - in mid August, things really seemed to escalate. Authorities arrested his chief aide, whom they accuse of inciting against the military, calling on soldiers to disobey orders. They've shut down pro-Khan TV stations. And by Saturday, the government seemed to have had enough. Authorities blocked the live transmission of his speech at a rally. And when his supporters said they'd carry it on dozens of YouTube channels live, the government blocked YouTube. And then he was charged.
INSKEEP: It sounds like he still has a lot of supporters around the country.
HADID: Khan does have a lot of supporters around the country, and this crisis, which has gone on for months, has really elevated him even more. He's winning by-elections across Pakistan right now. But he's also bitterly polarized the country. He's painted the opposition as traitors. He's even claimed that he was ousted from power because of a coup that was orchestrated by Washington. There's no evidence to support that, but again, he's used that grievance to fuel his popularity even more. And now what comes next? Well, if he is arrested, that could lead to street violence between security forces and Khan loyalists.
Could it do more than that? I spoke to one seasoned analyst here, Mosharraf Zaidi. He says broad unrest is unlikely, but taking action against Khan won't help this government.
MOSHARRAF ZAIDI: What it is doing is enhancing Imran Khan's brand. Every act of desperation on the part of the military high command further reinforces the anti-status-quo brand that Imran Khan has very carefully and very fortuitously honed.
HADID: So the challenge facing the government and the military now is how they silence Khan without making him more popular.
INSKEEP: NPR's Diaa Hadid. Thanks so much.
HADID: Thank you, Steve.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
INSKEEP: Some other news now. A car bomb in Moscow has killed the daughter of a far-right Russian ideologue who was an ally of President Vladimir Putin.
MARTIN: Aleksandr Dugin's ideas and writing influenced the Kremlin's narrative for the invasion of Ukraine. His daughter, Darya Dugina, shared his views and spread disinformation and conspiracy theories about the war in Ukraine as a commentator on Russian nationalist TV. Russia's investigative committee has opened a criminal murder case. It is unknown whether she, her father or both were the target of the attack.
INSKEEP: Let's turn now to Max Seddon. He is the Moscow bureau chief for the Financial Times. He is in Riga, Latvia, at the moment. Welcome.
MAX SEDDON: Good morning.
INSKEEP: I don't want to be flip about this, but normally, it's people who criticize Vladimir Putin who get mysteriously killed. What does it mean that someone who seems to be in Putin's orbit was assassinated?
SEDDON: Well, this is the first time that there has been any real serious blowback for supporters of the war within Moscow itself. Something Putin's been very successful at throughout the war is maintaining a sense of normalcy in Moscow, not just for ordinary people but also for the elite who are, you know, part of the state TV and propaganda apparatus. Life is largely going on as normal. There isn't wartime mobilization that you would have if they, you know, officially declared a war, which they haven't done.
So this is the first time that the war has come home to them. And it's certainly a shock to a lot of the people, you know, who knew Darya Dugina, who know Aleksandr Dugin, who move in these circles. The editor of Russia Today, Margarita Simonyan, where Darya Dugina occasionally appeared as a guest, wrote that she has been followed around by bodyguards everywhere for the last few months because of threats to her own life. And certainly there is a sense that they are having to deal with some blowback finally here, six months into the war.
INSKEEP: Granting that authorities have said they're going to investigate, are we likely to get what we would accept as credible information about what happened here?
SEDDON: I would expect not. I think what's really going to be significant here is - so you could compare it to the murder of one of Stalin's top aides, Sergei Kirov, in 1934, where it was, yeah, decades before there was any clue from evidence as to who really was behind it, but what was important was how it was used. And I think that would be the most important thing to watch here. So if they blame this on Ukraine, will this be used as justification for further attacks on Ukraine? If they blame this on some sort of Russian dissident movement, like the one that has apparently claimed responsibility, will that be used to justify further repression inside Russia? And I think that will be the best indication of how Russia is treating this, is a - who is the victim of reprisals for this attack?
INSKEEP: I guess we should note that Ukraine has denied any involvement here. But is the Kremlin signaling who they are intending to blame?
SEDDON: The Kremlin has - from state propaganda, has obviously already blamed Ukraine. It certainly seems that professionals were involved in doing this. It was a remote-detonating bomb, according to the investigators. There's also a Russian partisan group that has claimed responsibility, but there is a lot of suspicion about whether they really exist. You know, could they be a front for Ukrainian special ops? Could they be a front for the FSB? Really, nobody knows. And what's certain is this seems like professionals were behind this, and the consequences are going to be felt for some time.
INSKEEP: Max Seddon of the Financial Times. Thanks so much.
SEDDON: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR. | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-22/news-brief-primary-election-are-winding-down-imran-khan-russia-car-bomb | 2022-08-23T10:13:53Z |
Eggland's Best Recognized for Seventeenth Consecutive Year by Leading Men's Magazine
CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, the Men's Health team showcased foods with the most protein, fiber and healthy fats to share how consumers can maintain a nutritious diet while staying within budget. After consulting dietitians and taste-testing each product to ensure a thorough review process, Men's Health has once again recognized Eggland's Best for its superior nutrition, naming Eggland's Best Eggs as the "Best Egg" in its 2022 Best Foods for Men Awards.
"Year over year we are honored to be recognized by the trusted Men's Health publication in its prestigious Best Foods for Men Awards," said Kurt Misialek, President and CEO of Eggland's Best. "We're committed to providing eggs with superior taste, quality and nutrition to ensure men and the entire family can enjoy their meals while staying healthy. Winning this award is a sign of our dedication to that commitment."
Compared to ordinary eggs at the grocery store, Eggland's Best eggs contain six times more Vitamin D, 25% less saturated fat, more than double the Omega-3s and Vitamin B12 and ten times more Vitamin E. The superior nutrition of Eggland's Best is due to its proprietary all-vegetarian hen feed that contains healthy grains, canola oil and a wholesome supplement of rice bran, alfalfa, sea kelp and Vitamin E. In addition, independent testing has revealed that Eggland's Best eggs have stronger shells than ordinary eggs, which leads to less breakage and helps them stay fresher longer.
"Eggland's Best eggs are a staple ingredient in my household that I incorporate in my meals due to their exceptional nutrition," said Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Dalina Soto. "With six times more Vitamin D, ten times more Vitamin E, and 25 percent less saturated fat, I only recommend Eggland's Best eggs to my clients to ensure their whole family is getting essential vitamins and nutrients."
Eggland's Best eggs have been the recipient of more than 100 awards and honors for the product's superior taste, nutrition, freshness and variety. For more information on Eggland's Best eggs and delicious recipes, visit www.egglandsbest.com.
Eggland's Best is the #1 branded egg in the U.S. and is an excellent source of Vitamins D, B12, E, B5 and riboflavin. Eggland's Best eggs have six times more Vitamin D, more than double the Omega-3s, 10 times more Vitamin E and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs. Eggland's Best's patented method of production and verification ensures that every Eggland's Best egg has these superior qualities. Independent testing has also confirmed that Eggland's Best eggs stay fresher longer than ordinary eggs. The distinctive "EB" stamp on the shell assures consumers and food service customers that Eggland's Best eggs meet the highest production and safety standards.
Eggland's Best was voted "America's Most Trusted Egg Brand" by American shoppers in the BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards; "America's Most Recommended™ Eggs" by women in the Women's Choice Awards; and "Product of the Year." In addition, Eggland's Best has received more than 100 awards and honors from trusted publications, such as Prevention Magazine, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Taste of Home, Women's Health, and many others.
Eggland's Best's hens are fed a strictly controlled proprietary, high-quality all-vegetarian diet, which results in a better-tasting, more nutritious egg that stays fresher longer. Eggland's Best eggs are available in large, extra-large, jumbo, cage free, organic, hard-cooked, cage free hard-cooked, organic hard-cooked, liquid egg whites, various frozen varieties and are certified Kosher. For more information, visit www.egglandsbest.com.
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SOURCE Eggland's Best | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/mens-health-once-again-honors-egglands-best-eggs-2022-best-foods-men-awards/ | 2022-08-23T10:13:56Z |
Ashley Lopez is a political correspondent for NPR based in Austin, Texas. She joined NPR in May 2022. Prior to NPR, Lopez spent more than six years as a health care and politics reporter for KUT, Austin's public radio station. Before that, she was a political reporter for NPR Member stations in Florida and Kentucky. Lopez is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and grew up in Miami, Florida. | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/a-change-to-floridas-election-law-creates-headaches-for-local-officials | 2022-08-23T10:13:59Z |
The country's top infectious disease expert is leaving the federal government. Fauci served under seven presidents and helped lead the country through multiple health crises.
Copyright 2022 NPR
The country's top infectious disease expert is leaving the federal government. Fauci served under seven presidents and helped lead the country through multiple health crises.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/after-decades-of-public-service-anthony-fauci-will-step-down-in-december | 2022-08-23T10:14:05Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Missfresh Limited (NASDAQ: MF) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired Missfresh securities pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus issued in connection with Missfresh's June 2021 initial public offering.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 12, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in MF:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/missfresh-loss-submission-form?id=31040&from=4
Missfresh Limited NEWS - MF NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Missfresh Limited made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Missfresh provided false financial figures in its registration statement and related prospectus issued in connection with the Company's June 2021 initial public offering; (2) Missfresh would need to amend its financial figures; (3) Missfresh, among other things, had lesser net revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2021; and (4) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times and negligently prepared.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Missfresh you have until September 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 Missfresh 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 MF lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/missfresh-loss-submission-form?id=31040&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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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/mf-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-12-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-missfresh-limited-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:05Z |
When Dani Yuengling felt a lump in her right breast last summer, she tried to ignore it.
She was 35, the same age her mother had been when she received a breast cancer diagnosis in 1997. The disease eventually killed Yuengling's mom in 2017.
"It was the hardest experience, seeing her suffer," said Yuengling, who lives in Conway, South Carolina.
After a mammogram confirmed the lump needed further investigation, Yuengling scheduled a breast biopsy for Valentine's Day this year at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach.
Among many concerns she had ahead of that appointment — the first being a potential cancer diagnosis — Yuengling needed to know how much the biopsy would cost. She has a $6,000 annual deductible — the amount her health plan requires she pay before its contribution kicks in — and she wasn't close to hitting that. Whatever the procedure cost, Yuengling knew she'd be on the hook for most of it.
But the hospital wouldn't give her a price. She was told her providers wouldn't know what type of biopsy needle they needed until the procedure was underway and that would impact the price.
The hospital's online "Patient Payment Estimator" showed that an uninsured patient would owe about $1,400 for the procedure.
"That's fine. No big deal," she thought to herself, confident it would be cheaper for her because she did have insurance. A Google search indicated it could be closer to $3,000, but Yuengling thought that price seemed reasonable, too. She wasn't fretting too much about money as she underwent the procedure.
It soon brought the good news that she didn't have cancer.
Then the bill came.
The patient: Dani Yuengling, now 36, who is covered by Cigna through her employer, a human resources contractor for the Mayo Clinic.
Medical service: An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.
Service provider: Grand Strand Medical Center, a 403-bed, for-profit hospital in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is one of 182 hospitals owned by Nashville-based HCA Healthcare, which generated $58.7 billion in revenue last year.
Total bill: $17,979 for the procedure, including lab work, pharmacy charges, and sterile supplies. Cigna's in-network negotiated rate was $8,424.14, of which the insurance company paid the hospital $3,254.47. Yuengling was billed $5,169.67, the balance of her deductible.
What gives: It's not uncommon for uninsured patients — or any patient willing to pay a cash price — to be charged far less for a procedure than patients with health insurance. For the nearly 30% of American workers with high-deductible plans, like Yuengling, that means using insurance can lead to a far bigger expense than if they had been uninsured or just pulled out a credit card to pay in advance.
Ge Bai, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, recently published research on this topic and said hospitals in the U.S. often set their cash prices lower than the prices they charge to treat commercially insured patients.
"We can very confidently say this is very common," said Bai, who advised that all patients, regardless of their insurance status, inquire about the cash price before undergoing a procedure. "It should be a norm."
Grand Strand charged Yuengling's insurance an extraordinarily high price for her procedure. By comparison, according to the federal government's website, Medicare patients who need an ultrasound-guided biopsy similar to the one Yuengling received would pay only about $300 — their required 20% coinsurance for outpatient care. Medicare would pay the hospital the remainder of the bill, about $1,200. The hospital expected more than five times the Medicare price from Yuengling and her insurer.
Patients in Conway with private health insurance who are treated at other hospitals also typically are charged less than what Yuengling paid for the same procedure — on average about $3,500, according to Fair Health Consumer, an organization that analyzes health insurance claims.
And uninsured patients who pay cash prices and need an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy at the nearby Conway Medical Center are likely to owe even less — about $2,100, according to Allyson Floyd, a spokesperson for the hospital.
Meanwhile, Grand Strand Medical Center spokesperson Caroline Preusser blamed "a glitch" involving the hospital's online calculator for the inaccurate information Yuengling received and said the correct estimate for the cash price for a breast biopsy at the hospital is between $8,000 and $11,500 "depending on the exact procedure and equipment used."
The hospital removed certain procedures from the payment estimator until they can be corrected, Preusser wrote. She did not say how long that would take.
Resolution: Yuengling tried disputing the charges with the hospital. She called the billing department and was offered a 36% discount, lowering the amount she needed to pay to $3,306.29. Grand Strand Medical Center allows patients to set up payment plans, but Yuengling decided to charge the full amount to a credit card because she wanted the whole thing to go away.
"I could not sleep. It was driving me crazy. I was having migraines. I was sick to my stomach," she said. "I hate having debt. I didn't want to think about it. Obviously, that didn't work because I'm still thinking about it."
She said she requested on multiple occasions to speak to the hospital's patient advocate and was eventually connected with an outside company, Parallon, which conducted an audit of her bill. She eventually received a letter dated May 26 from the hospital's Revenue Integrity Department. It stated: "After a review of the charges in question and your medical record, the following was identified; The charges on your account were appropriate."
"I don't know why I actually expected a different outcome," she said.
The hospital has requested that Yuengling return for a follow-up appointment related to the biopsy. She has refused.
Harlow Sumerford, a spokesperson for HCA Healthcare, told KHN in an email that the hospital system apologizes for any confusion caused by the payment estimator "and we are working to fix the issue."
The takeaway: With a family history of breast cancer, Yuengling was right to follow up with her doctor after feeling a lump. After failing to get a clear answer on her costs from Grand Strand Medical Center, she could have taken an additional step to explore what other hospitals in the area charge. Although her physician referred her to Grand Strand, she was not obligated to use that hospital. She could have saved a significant amount of money by opting to undergo the procedure elsewhere.
Furthermore, patients like Yuengling who have a high-deductible insurance plan should consider paying cash prices for certain procedures and not involving their insurance company at all.
Jacqueline Fox, a health care attorney and a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, said she isn't aware of any law that would prohibit a patient from doing that. After all, she pointed out, patients with health insurance pay cash prices for prescription medications all the time. It stands to reason they could do the same for medical procedures.
But some facilities make this difficult. Grand Strand Medical Center, for example, offers "self-pay" patients an "uninsured discount," but that discount is limited to people who have "no third party payer source of payment or do not qualify for Medicaid, Charity or any other discount program the facility offers," according to the hospital's website. Only patients confirmed to have no health insurance are offered information about the discount.
In some cases, paying a cash price for a procedure might not make financial sense in the long run because none of it would be applied toward the deductible. Patients might save money on one procedure but end up paying their full deductible if unexpected medical expenses mount later during the calendar year.
Insured patients should reach out to their health plan for a good-faith estimate before a procedure. Under the No Surprises Act, health plans are supposed to give members an idea of their total out-of-pocket costs upon request. Ask for an "Advanced Explanation of Benefits," said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, though she points out this part of the law isn't being enforced yet.
The No Surprises Act also allows patients to file complaints with the federal government regarding their medical bills — whether or not they carry health insurance.
Yuengling filed her complaint in June.
Stephanie O'Neill contributed the audio portrait with this article.
Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KHN and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? Tell us about it!
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. It is an editorially independent major operating program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
Copyright 2022 Kaiser Health News. To see more, visit Kaiser Health News. | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/an-18-000-biopsy-paying-cash-might-have-been-cheaper-than-using-her-insurance | 2022-08-23T10:14:11Z |
SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI), a global life science leader and innovator, was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award for Most Valuable Corporate Response in the COVID-19 category as part of the 19th Annual International Business Awards.
This marked the second time in the past two months MGI was recognized on a global level for its advanced COVID-19 pandemic control and response efforts.
As the world's only international, all-encompassing business awards program, winners of the International Business Awards® were selected from more than 3,700 nominations submitted by organizations in 67 countries this year. More than 300 executives from different industries around the world participated on 11 specialized committees in the judging process. A judge praised MGI's technology* and products as the "unsung heroes behind the headlines", while others commended MGI for its "superior scientific abilities" and "tremendous contribution".
"MGI has a clear commitment to leveraging the power of science and technology* and utilizing our leading life science tools* to better lives," said Duncan Yu, President at MGI. "Receiving the Silver Stevie® Award reflects our innovative, inclusive, and impactful approach towards tackling COVID-19. To date, we have played an active role in the successful prevention and control of the pandemic in over 70 countries and regions worldwide, demonstrating the value of our technology*, power of our efforts and strength of our commitment to combatting the virus and safeguarding global communities."
Since the rise of COVID-19 and the outbreak of subsequent new variants, MGI's DNBSEQ™ sequencers*, automation systems, and proprietary ATOPlex technology have showcased their consistent value in empowering users and communities. From facilitating large-scale nucleic acid testing for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to virus genome sequencing to inform the diagnosis and understanding of the epidemiology and virology of the Omicron variant, MGI supports national and regional genomic sequencing initiatives, enhances large-scale testing capability, and helps inform pandemic response efforts.
Earlier in June, the 14th Annual 2022 Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards saw MGI, alongside fellow winning companies such as IBM, KPMG, and Honeywell, taking home a Silver Globee® for Company Innovation of the Year.
About MGI
MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI), headquartered in Shenzhen, is committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science through intelligent innovation. Based on its proprietary technology, MGI focuses on research & development, production and sales of sequencing instruments, reagents, and related products to support life science research, agriculture, precision medicine and healthcare. MGI is a leading producer of clinical high-throughput gene sequencers*, and its multi-omics platforms include genetic sequencing*, medical imaging, and laboratory automation. MGI's mission is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare. For more information, please visit the MGI website or connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube.
*Unless otherwise informed, StandardMPS and CoolMPS sequencing reagents, and sequencers for use with such reagents are not available in Germany, Spain, UK, Hong Kong, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria and Romania. No purchase orders for CoolMPS products will be accepted in the USA until after August 22, 2022. No purchase orders for StandardMPS products will be accepted in the USA until after January 1, 2023.
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SOURCE MGI Tech Co., Ltd. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/mgi-honored-with-2022-stevie-award-most-valuable-covid-19-corporate-response/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:12Z |
Following the attack on author Salman Rushdie, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Iranian American writer Azar Nafisi about attempts to silence writers. Her latest book is: Read Dangerously.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Following the attack on author Salman Rushdie, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Iranian American writer Azar Nafisi about attempts to silence writers. Her latest book is: Read Dangerously.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/an-iranian-american-writer-makes-a-case-against-censorship-and-for-rushdie | 2022-08-23T10:14:17Z |
Announcement marks new CEO Johann Fernando, Ph.D. and $20M Series B Funding
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Miku, the industry's leading contact-free and wearable-free smart pediatric health monitor, announced the appointment of Johann Fernando, Ph.D. as the company's new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment marks a pivotal time of growth for Miku as the company also announces its $20M Series B funding, which will enable expansion into clinical healthcare and remote patient monitoring applications of the company's technology.
Dr. Fernando brings a proven track record of leading global healthcare organizations with over 20 years' executive experience at early-stage companies and industry notables such as Philips Healthcare, Fujifilm Healthcare, Becton Dickson, and Accuray. Leading Becton Dickinson's Urology and Critical Care Business, Fernando launched a portfolio of innovative medical devices and stimulated record revenue growth for the business. At Fujifilm, he led the product development, regulatory strategy, go-to-market process and directed the launch of the industry's first FDA-approved Hepatocellular Carcinoma biomarkers for in-vitro diagnostic testing of chronic liver disease detection. As CEO of Miku, Dr. Fernando's experience in commercializing MedTech and implementing global business strategies will be key in the company's mission to create pediatric wellness solutions that support parents in easily understanding their child's health and wellness.
"I'm excited to join Miku's highly innovative and passionate team to lead them through this new stage," said Johann Fernando, Miku CEO. "More than ever, people are prioritizing their own wellness through the use of personal monitoring devices. It is equally important to do the same for the family as a whole, but the tools available to parents have lacked understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that parents face today. The Miku team has developed an innovative wearable-free technology that understands these challenges and responsibilities that parents face. There are great opportunities to study, extrapolate learnings, and further the company mission to support parents' holistic understanding of their child's health and wellness."
"Johann has an impressive track record of leading major corporations in the healthcare space and demonstrating substantial growth," says Eric White, Miku Founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer. "Beyond that and equally critical to our business, he brings a shared passion for our mission. We see consumer products becoming the entry point to healthcare and healthcare moving home. We plan to operate at the intersection of those trends."
In addition to the appointment, Miku has raised $20 million in its Series B funding. This new capital will enable Miku to expand product and service offerings across consumer and medical applications as well as domestically and internationally, pursue FDA claims, and support research partnerships.
Miku is a pediatric health monitoring company creating products that make it easy for parents to understand their child's sleep and respiratory behaviors and trends. The contact-free Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor and corresponding analytics platform give parents easy access to breathing and sleep data, all without the use of a wearable.
Founded in 2018, Miku's products and proprietary, clinically-tested SensorFusion™ technology have received accolades from Fast Company, CES, Good Housekeeping, Babylist, Digital Trends, and more for innovation, design, and overall industry best-of. Partnered with established universities, hospital systems, research organizations, investors, and leaders, Miku is pioneering contactless monitoring in the pediatric space. For more information, please visit mikucare.com.
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SOURCE Miku | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/miku-appoints-new-ceo-lead-next-stage-company-growth-towards-wellness-sector/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:18Z |
Teachers and students in parts of Kentucky are reckoning with heavily damaged schools and a delayed start to the school year after deadly flash floods inundated the region last month.
Copyright 2022 Louisville Public Media
Teachers and students in parts of Kentucky are reckoning with heavily damaged schools and a delayed start to the school year after deadly flash floods inundated the region last month.
Copyright 2022 Louisville Public Media | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/eastern-kentucky-delays-the-start-of-school-as-people-rebuild-after-floods | 2022-08-23T10:14:23Z |
MOSES LAKE, Wash., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mississippi Silicon LLC, a leading global producer of silicon metal, announced plans to work with REC Silicon to help establish a low-carbon and fully traceable U.S.-based solar supply chain. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing them to negotiate a raw material supply agreement.
Recent investment by the Hanwha Group into REC Silicon, in conjunction with Hanwha's subsidiary Qcells, moves REC to expand its relationship with Mississippi Silicon to support the development of an end-to-end U.S. solar supply chain from silicon metal and polysilicon to fully assembled solar modules. The plan follows the August 18 passage of the Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act (SEMA) as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, expanding U.S. production of polysilicon and metallurgical grade silicon.
Mississippi Silicon is the first new silicon metal facility in North America in forty years. Located in the northeast corner of Mississippi State, the plant is strategically placed to take advantage of a growing domestic customer base, stable low-cost electricity, and a regional supply chain. This facility has the highest quality process and environmental controls available, which allows it to operate one of the most efficient and cleanest silicon meal plants in the world.
As a leading producer of high-purity electronics and solar grade polysilicon with assets in Moses Lake, Washington and Butte, Montana, REC is positioned to help lead the U.S. clean energy transition. The recent Hanwha investment will enable a re-start of the currently idle Moses Lake plant in 2023 and make available high volumes of cost competitive, high quality, and low-carbon solar grade polysilicon. REC shut down the Moses Lake plant in 2019 due to unfavorable global market conditions.
Eddie Boardwine, CEO of Mississippi Silicon, noted "Mississippi Silicon was founded nearly ten years ago to be a domestic source of high-quality silicon metal to the U.S. solar, electronics and chemical industries. We are pleased by the growing recognition of the importance of a strong end-to-end US supply chain for these materials. Passage of the SEMA Act is critical to bringing that supply chain to reality. We look forward to working with REC Silicon to strengthen our existing relationship and build out that vital supply chain."
"A robust solar energy industry in the U.S. is crucial to our national security and clean energy goals," said James A. May II, CEO of REC Silicon. "Now that SEMA has passed as part of a broad clean energy incentive package, the solar manufacturing industry is in a position to make long-term investments that create millions of new career opportunities in cities and towns across the country and accelerate the transition to clean energy."
For more information on REC and Mississippi Silicon, please visit www.recsilicon.com and www.missilicon.com/.
Media Contacts:
REC Silicon
Douglas J. Moore, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 509-989-0749
Email: douglas.moore@recsilicon.com
Mississippi Silicon
Elizabeth Heaton
Phone: 202-445-9858
Email: elizabeth@EAHstrategiesLLC.com
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SOURCE Mississippi Silicon | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/mississippi-silicon-rec-silicon-help-establish-low-carbon-fully-traceable-us-based-solar-supply-chain/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:25Z |
The veterinary sedative xylazine is being mixed into illegal drugs and could be contributing to a rise in overdoses. (Story first aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on July 30, 2022.)
Copyright 2022 WBUR
The veterinary sedative xylazine is being mixed into illegal drugs and could be contributing to a rise in overdoses. (Story first aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on July 30, 2022.)
Copyright 2022 WBUR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/encore-an-animal-tranquilizer-is-making-street-drugs-even-more-dangerous | 2022-08-23T10:14:29Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Molecular Partners AG (NASDAQ: MOLN) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of a class consisting of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired: (a) Molecular Partners American Depositary Shares pursuant and/or traceable to certain documents issued in connection with the Company's initial public offering conducted on or about June 16, 2021; and/or (b) Molecular Partners securities between June 16, 2021, and April 26, 2022.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 12, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in MOLN:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/class-action-molecular-partners-ag-loss-submission-
form?id=31041&from=4
Molecular Partners AG NEWS - MOLN NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Molecular Partners AG made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company's product, ensovibep, was less effective at treating COVID-19 than defendants had led investors to believe; that (ii) accordingly, the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") was reasonably likely to require an additional Phase 3 study of ensovibep before granting the drug Emergency Use Authorization ("EUA"); (iii) waning global rates of COVID-19 significantly reduced the Company's chances of securing EUA for ensovibep; (iv) another of the Company's product candidates, MP0310, was less attractive to Molecular Partners' collaborator, Amgen, than defendants had led investors to believe; (v) accordingly, there was a significant likelihood that Amgen would return to global rights of MP0310 to Molecular Partners; (vi) as a result of all the foregoing, the clinical and commercial prospects of ensovibep and MP0310 were overstated; and (vii) as a result, documents issues in connection with the Company's initial public offer and defendants' public statements throughout the class period were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Molecular Partners you have until September 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 Molecular Partners 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 MOLN lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/class-action-molecular-partners-ag-loss-submission-form?id=31041&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/moln-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-12-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-molecular-partners-ag-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:32Z |
The defense for the admitted gunman in the 2018 Marjory Stone Douglas High School shooting in Florida has begun. Jurors will determine whether he should be executed or spend life in prison.
Copyright 2022 NPR
The defense for the admitted gunman in the 2018 Marjory Stone Douglas High School shooting in Florida has begun. Jurors will determine whether he should be executed or spend life in prison.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/lawyers-for-the-parkland-school-shooter-make-the-case-for-him-not-to-be-executed | 2022-08-23T10:14:35Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Outset Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: OM) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Outset Medical common stock between September 15, 2020, and June 13, 2022.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 6, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in OM:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/loss-submission-form-outset-medical-class-action?id=31039&from=4
Outset Medical, Inc. NEWS - OM NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Outset Medical, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's flagship product, Tablo Hemodialysis System ("Tablo"), would require an additional 510(k) application to be filed with The United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), as defendants had "continuously made improvements and updates to Tablo over time since its original clearance"; (2) as a result, the Company could not conduct a human factors study on a cleared device in accordance with FDA protocols; (3) the Company's inability to conduct the human factors study subjected the Company to the likelihood of the FDA imposing a "shipment hold" and marketing suspension, leaving the Company unable to sell Tablo for home use; and (4) as a result, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and /or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Outset Medical you have until September 6, 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 Outset Medical 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 OM lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/loss-submission-form-outset-medical-class-action?id=31039&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
View original content:
SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/om-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-outset-medical-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:38Z |
It's a story comedian Mohammed Amer says he's had in his head for two decades and started writing nine years ago. Now, on Wednesday, Mo will be out on Netflix.
Co-created by Amer and Ramy Youssef, the show is a semi-autobiographical look at the trauma of displacement. Amer's family was forced to leave home and travel to another part of Palestine in the 1940s. They were displaced again to Kuwait and then again in the 1990s during the Gulf War. He and his family ended up in a suburb of Houston as refugees.
"It speaks to a second generation statelessness, right? And the ripple effect that happens from being stateless," he told Morning Edition.
Amer finds the comedy and tragedy in his family's tale. He explores the way the wounds that come from being forced from your homeland by war and occupation are passed down, as his character navigates a 20-year journey through the asylum process in the U.S.
"Once you're waiting for your asylum to be granted, you're just out there, no home on paper," he said. "All a person like that wants is to feel like he belongs, and feel like they're seen, and feel like they're equal to their other human counterparts."
While his character is in immigration limbo, he can't legally work. He has no papers. So he resorts to working under the table and hawking knock-off luxury goods to support his family. Then he ends up getting addicted to codeine after he has to be treated for a gunshot wound at a tattoo parlor because he doesn't have health insurance.
Amer, who stars in the show, is quick to point out the codeine addiction is not real. There are many dramatic flourishes of this story based on his life for comedic or storytelling purposes.
The show looks at what can be the American experience: gun violence, a broken healthcare system, and a broken immigration system that puts people in the position of having to skirt the law.
"It's tragic. It's heartbreaking. It almost forces you to do illegal things while you're trying to be an upstanding citizen," he said.
The backdrop of this dramedy is the Houston suburb where Amer grew up.
"Alief is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in America, 80 languages are spoken there," he said.
Houston was the only place Amer wanted to film this story. He wanted the show to look like an "urban western." The city is its own character with a rich mix of cultures and languages.
"Houston's incredible, and it's been an exporter of phenomenal artists for many years," he said. "There's something in the water there, for sure."
Mo showcases those Houston stars. Amer's character, Mo Najjar, has a best friend played by Nigerian American rapper Tobe Nwigwe. There are cameos by rappers Bun B as a Catholic priest, and Paul Wall as a courthouse security guard.
Amer's Palestinian, Houstonian, American and Muslim roots are all on full display. His character carries a little glass bottle of Palestinian olive oil around in his pocket. He's on a mission to stop the awful things being done to hummus in the U.S., like chocolate hummus — "a war crime," he calls it.
He switches from a Texas twang, to Spanish to Arabic seamlessly. He blasts hip hop from his car then brims with excitement over the traditional Zaffa (wedding procession) at a friend's nuptials, and cries at his father's grave as he recites a Muslim prayer.
It's heartbreaking, heartwarming, hilarious and tragic all at the same time.
While Amer's story is a singular experience of a Palestinian family in Houston, it also has a universal relatability.
Before he wrote the show, he talked to his mother about telling their family story. He asked her to tell him more about what his family went through, including the things she protected him from when he was a child. But first he explained why he wanted to portray that on screen for a global audience.
"'Millions of people are going to relate to this and it can empower them to better their lives. And also people who didn't go through it can relate to it and have empathy for it,'" he recounted telling his mother. "Once we had that conversation, she just opened up completely. It was just incredible to understand the strength of this woman, but also get some better understanding about my family as well, our experiences and what makes us who we are today."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/mohammed-amers-new-series-explores-the-tragedy-and-comedy-in-the-refugee-experience | 2022-08-23T10:14:42Z |
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 15, 2022, ONE Carmel, the luxury real estate investment project of DL Holdings in the San Francisco Bay area of California, held a groundbreaking ceremony. More than 100 political and business guests, investors and developers from Monterey County and Carmel attended the event. The groundbreaking ceremony and cocktail party were attended by Monterey County Board of Supervisors Mary Adams, Luis Alejo, Chris Lopez and Wendy Root Askew, Dave Potter, the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea and guests from the Carmel Valley Association, the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club and the Carmel Valley Chapter of the California Dressage Society.
"ONE Carmel will be built into an intelligent and sustainable diversified community, connecting families and global investors with the same visions while benefiting and giving back to the local residents and community of Carmel. We will preserve and rebuild the memory and glory of Carmel Valley, September Ranch, and make ONE Carmel a new link between people. This will be a new starting point and a new start for DL's investment in North America," Ms. Crystal Jiang, the founder of DL Holdings and ONE Carmel, said when delivered the ceremonial speech.
At the ceremony, Mr. Andy Chen and Ms. Crystal Jiang, the founders of DL Holdings, John Zhou, and Victor Ai, the partners of DL Holdings, Wei Huang, the project director, representatives, investors and service providers, together with Mary Adams, Monterey County Board of Supervisor, and Jim Morgens, the former owner of September Ranch, started the largest and most important residential project in Carmel with a golden shovel which symbolizes sunshine and success.
The predecessor of ONE Carmel is September Ranch, which is a local landmark and historical memory. The design team not only retained the iconic red barn of September Ranch, but also specially designed a brand-new logo to permanently preserve this memory.
ONE Carmel recently became a Diamond Sponsor of the Menlo Charity Horse Show which is one of the finest equestrian events in the United States with a history of more than 50 years. ONE Carmel not only shares the same love of horses but also the passion of philanthropy with Menlo Charity Horse Show. As a nonprofit organization, the Show provides funding to numerous charities, including Planned Parenthood and Amigos De Las Americas. Its current charitable partner, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, was founded in 1936 and is the premier resource for individuals with vision loss in the area.
As the night falls, the cocktail party began with beautiful singing from the Carmel High School choir. The project team built a luxurious tent on the soft sand of the original arena and showed the guests the promising future of Carmel with music, art, and food.
As a famous musician, Vicky Wang has been trying to contribute to the community through musical performances. She and the young performers of her music summer camp dedicated three classical and modern songs to the audience, expressing their ardent expectations for Carmel's future development.
Through the white gauze drapes, the red barn and green valleys were the natural stage and beautiful background. The freshly baked, handmade Italian pizzas, appetizers, desserts and cocktails let everyone enjoy the natural harmony of music, food and beauty.
The highlight of the cocktail party was a short film, which not only showed the breathtaking scenery of ONE Carmel, but also told the story between the interviewees and Carmel with their deep love for this land in the past five years. Mr. Jim Morgens recalling his horse-riding vacation with his father here thirty years ago, Enzo sharing his experience of placing his home and restaurant in Carmel. DL's lawyers elaborating their deep feelings of witnessing the development of the project for decades, everyone was impressed by the relentless efforts and firm beliefs of the DL team, and the promising community philosophy that ONE Carmel would bring in the coming future.
Just 10 minutes from ONE Carmel, there was the annual Pebble Beach Automotive Week, one of the most attractive and liveliest events near Carmel, held in the Pebble Beach. The construction of ONE Carmel will bring even more excitement to Monterey County in the future.
About ONE Carmel and DL Holdings Group.
ONE Carmel is a real estate development project for an 891-acre land (3.6 square kilometers) located at the South of San Francisco Bay Area, near San Francisco and Silicon Valley, with an exclusive collection of 73 world-class estate homes and average lot size of 4.38 acres (18,000 square meters). Nestled in the hills and ocean views of Carmel Valley, this gated luxury community is powered by the most advanced A.I. technology, solar power and clean energy system, independent water circulation network, high-speed fiber-optic Internet service, exquisite community clubhouse, 24/7 exclusive butler service, 20-acre exclusive equestrian center, private hiking trails, campsites, etc. The project is within 2 hours drive to San Francisco, 1.5 hours drive to Silicon Valley, and only 10-minute drive to the renowned beach city Carmel-by-the-Sea and legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, the No.1 golf course in America.
DL Holdings Group is a leading multi-family office and investment platform in the Asia Pacific region, focusing on serving Hong Kong's rapidly growing listed companies and corporate families. Over the past 12 years, we have been dedicated to identifying and nurturing the development of those companies with excellent potential and quality. We have also placed a strong focus on helping our entrepreneurial family clients to develop their inheritance structures and execute global asset allocation, to successfully achieve cross-cycle corporate development and inter-generational family wealth succession.
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SOURCE DL Holdings | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/one-carmel-luxury-real-estate-project-dl-holdings-north-america-bay-area-officially-started/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:44Z |
Voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday. Ukrainian workers man a nuclear power plant under the eyes of occupying Russian soldiers. More states are poised to enact abortion trigger bans this week.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday. Ukrainian workers man a nuclear power plant under the eyes of occupying Russian soldiers. More states are poised to enact abortion trigger bans this week.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/morning-news-brief | 2022-08-23T10:14:48Z |
Scholarship targets diverse and underrepresented Oregon students
SALEM, Ore. , Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oregon College Saving Plan (OCSP) today announced the new winner of the 2022 Diversity in Leadership Scholarship. This is the second year the scholarship has been awarded to an underrepresented and diverse Oregon high school graduate pursuing higher education in the state. This year's recipient, Mariam Qudoos, plans to study Psychology on the Pre-Med track at Portland State University.
"The Oregon College Savings Plan scholarship will enable me to become the first independent female in my family line to finish a college degree and work towards medical school," said scholarship awardee, Mariam Qudoos. "My dream for the future is to build bridges between people of different backgrounds with my work, to show that our humanity can connect and tap into extraordinary feats of achievements when we learn how to collaborate."
OCSP's 2021 Diversity in Leadership Scholarship awardee, Monserrat Beltran Juarez, is set to begin her first year at the University of Portland, after deferring her award last year. Monserrat plans to become a registered nurse.
"I am the daughter of two Mexican immigrants, who are agricultural workers," said scholarship awardee Monserrat Beltran Juarez. "I will be the first person in my family to graduate high school and pursue a college education. I want my parents to see that each hour of their exhausting work has been worth it. I want to show my younger sister that life outside of the orchards is possible. I know my eight-year-old self—the little girl who was beginning to learn English after living in Mexico for two years—would be so amazed at how far she has come."
New OCSP scholarship recipients are selected each year, with awardees receiving $10,000 for their freshman year and $5,000 for each of the next three years of full-time enrollment, or until completion of degree (whichever is earlier).
Miriam joins last year's awardees as part of a select group of students whose higher education is being funded on a multiyear basis by the OCSP. When fully rolled out, the program is anticipated to fund $50,000 in scholarships each year to a class of eight students.
"We are excited to welcome these accomplished Oregonians to the group of students being funded by our Diversity in Leadership Scholarship," said Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read. "This scholarship is an investment, aimed at making Oregon's future more inclusive, and we're gratified to support the education journeys of promising students such as Miriam and Monserrat. We all have a stake in their success and hope they will continue to contribute to Oregon's future."
Diversity in Leadership Scholarship awards may be used to attend a range of Oregon institutions, including apprenticeships, trade schools and community colleges. Applications are open from November to March each year.
The Oregon College Savings Plan is a state-sponsored higher education savings program that comes with special tax advantages and can be opened by just about anyone.
Contact:
Kasey Krifka, kasey.krifka@ost.state.or.us, 503-431-7976
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SOURCE Oregon College Savings Plan | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/oregon-college-savings-plan-grows-class-multi-year-scholarship-awardees/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:51Z |
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, about whether death tolls in Russia's war on Ukraine have been underestimated.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, about whether death tolls in Russia's war on Ukraine have been underestimated.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/six-months-into-the-russia-ukraine-war-how-can-we-measure-the-loss-of-life | 2022-08-23T10:14:54Z |
- Black-owned businesses spend in South Africa up 40% to R33,6 billion of R55,8 billion B-BBEE spend
- Invested R1,2 billion in skills development
- Key terms agreed with IPPs for more than 600MW of renewable energy for SA Operations
- Balance sheet strengthened with net debt down to US$3,8 billion
- Reinstatement of dividend of R14,70 per share
- Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) up by more than 100% to R61,4 billion
- Earnings per share up more than 100% to R62,34, core headline earnings per share up more than 100% to R68,54
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sasol delivered a strong set of financial results against the backdrop of increased volatility resulting from ongoing geopolitical tensions, extended COVID-19 lockdowns and global supply chain disruptions. We benefitted from higher energy and chemicals prices, as well as strong cost and capital discipline through the delivery of our Sasol 2.0 transformation programme. This was offset by lower volume performance mainly due to the operational challenges experienced in the first half of the financial year. We have seen improved performance on the back of more stable operations in the second half of the financial year.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of R61,4 billion increased by more than 100% compared to the prior year, driven by higher crude oil prices, refining margins and chemical prices. This also resulted in a strong gross margin improvement compared to the prior year.
- Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adjusting EBIT for depreciation, amortisation, share-based payments, remeasurement items, change in discount rates of environmental provisions, all unrealised translation gains and losses, and all unrealised gains and losses on our derivatives and hedging activities. We believe adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure of the Group's underlying cash flow performance. However, this is not a defined term under IFRS and may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. (Adjusted EBITDA constitutes pro forma financial information in terms of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and should be read in conjunction with the basis of preparation and pro forma financial information as set out in the full set of audited summarised financial statements).
- Core HEPS is calculated by adjusting headline earnings per share with non-recurring items, earnings losses of significant capital projects (exceeding R4 billion) which have reached beneficial operation and are still ramping up, all translation gains and losses (realised and unrealised), all gains and losses on our derivatives and hedging activities (realised and unrealised), and share-based payments on implementation of B-BBEE transactions. Adjustments in relation to the valuation of our derivatives at period end are to remove volatility from earnings as these instruments are valued using forward curves and other market factors at the reporting date and could vary from period to period. We believe core headline earnings are a useful measure of the Group´s sustainable operating performance. (Core HEPS constitutes pro forma financial information in terms of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements and should be read in conjunction with the basis of preparation and pro forma financial information as set out in the full set of audited summarised financial statements.
Dividend
A final gross cash dividend of South African 1 470 cents per share (30 June 2021 – nil cents per ordinary share) has been declared for the year ended 30 June 2022. The cash dividend is payable on the ordinary shares and the Sasol BEE ordinary shares. The Board is satisfied that the liquidity and solvency of the company, as well as capital adequacy remaining after payment of the dividend, are sufficient to support the current operations for the ensuing year. The dividend has been declared out of retained earnings (income reserves). The South African dividend withholding tax rate is 20%. At the declaration date, there are 629 367 128 ordinary and 6 331 347 Sasol BEE ordinary shares in issue. The net dividend amount payable to shareholders who are not exempt from dividend withholding tax, is 1 176 cents per share, while the dividend amount payable to shareholders who are exempt from dividend withholding tax is 1 470 cents per share.
Sasol Limited's Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2022 (the Annual Financial Statements) have also been published on the Company's website at : https://www.sasol.com/investor-centre/financial-results.
Copies of the full announcement and the Annual Financial Statements may also be requested from the Investor Relations office, investor.relations@sasol.com.
The JSE link is as follows: https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2022/JSE/ISSE/SOL/FY22Result.pdf.
The President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will share the results on Tuesday, 23 August 2022 at 09:00 (SA time) followed by a conference call.
Please connect to the call via the webcast link: https://www.corpcam.com/Sasol23082022.
Or via teleconference: https://services.choruscall.za.com/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=3629805&linkSecurityString=7a93dfa35.
Issued by:
Alex Anderson, Senior Manager: Group Media Relations and External Relations
Mobile: +27 (0) 71 600 9605; Email: alex.anderson@sasol.com
Matebello Motloung, Manager: Group Media Relations
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 773 9457; Email: matebello.motloung@sasol.com
About Sasol:
Sasol is a global chemicals and energy company. We harness our knowledge and expertise to integrate sophisticated technologies and processes into world-scale operating facilities.
We strive to safely and sustainably source, produce and market a range of high-quality products globally.
Please visit www.sasol.com for more information.
About Sasol's Information Privacy Policy:
We wish to inform you about the processing of your Personal Information by Sasol South Africa Limited and your rights under applicable data protection law, as interpreted and included in Sasol Information Privacy Policy.
Within our company, only Sasol Group Media Relations will receive your Personal Information to fulfil the purpose of maintaining the relationship with the receiver in his/her capacity as a member of the media. You have the right to request for the correction or deletion of your Personal Information stored by us at address: Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Sandton in Johannesburg. You also have a right to restrict the processing of your Information. To exercise your privacy rights or find out more about Information Privacy Policy, kindly contact our Privacy Office on: privacy@sasol.com.
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SOURCE Sasol | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/sasol-posts-strong-financial-results-supported-by-macroeconomic-environment/ | 2022-08-23T10:14:57Z |
Demand for low or no-alcohol wine is skyrocketing. In France, entire vineyards are dedicated to wine without alcohol, and winemakers have special tastings for their non-alcoholic offerings.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Demand for low or no-alcohol wine is skyrocketing. In France, entire vineyards are dedicated to wine without alcohol, and winemakers have special tastings for their non-alcoholic offerings.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/theres-a-new-item-on-the-menu-at-many-french-wine-bars-non-alcoholic-wine | 2022-08-23T10:15:00Z |
CHONGQING, China, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing:
On August 22nd, the Smart China Expo (SCE) 2022 Key Projects Signing Ceremony was successfully held online in Chongqing. A total of 70 business projects were signed with an RMB212.1 billion investment contract value.
Under the theme of SCE: "Smart Technology: Empowering Economy, Enriching Life", the signing ceremony saw Chongqing match with industrial leaders from home and abroad and signed a series of major cooperation projects focusing on key areas such as big data and smart technology. 54 projects with an investment contract value of more than RMB1 billion were landed, of which 80% were projects of strategic emerging industries. These projects will further expand Chongqing's smart technology industry and add new impetus to the building of a "Smart Manufacturing Powerhouse" and a "Renowned Smart City".
In the field of smart and internet-connected new energy vehicles, 18 projects, focusing on boosting the parts and components industry, have been signed with a contract investment value of RMB83.3 billion, improving and strengthening the industrial chain.
In the fields of software information and technological innovation, starting from industrial software, we advanced the tertiary industry by leveraging the advantages of the manufacturing sector, and signed 14 projects attracting a total contract investment of RMB33 billion from investors of well-known enterprises such as Kingdee, and Perfect World, contributing to the acceleration of industrial agglomeration.
In a bid to boost smart manufacturing of the electronics and equipment industries to enable more industry-leading enterprises to take the lead and promote upgrade in those industries, 13 projects were signed with a total contract investment value of RMB22.4 billion, including a 6-inch IGBT wafer production line, an 8-inch wafer fabrication method, and the Chongqing Institute of Carbon-based Integrated Circuits of Peking University.
A total of 6 projects worth RMB12.8 billion were signed to advance the biomedicine industry, including the R&D and industrialization of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), demonstration base of innovation, and industrial application of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), nuclear medicine and health technology, and new micro-dose medical CBS-CT machine production line.
In addition, a group of projects was signed on new energy, new material, private equity, and other industries.
According to a person in charge of Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Investment Promotion and Facilitation, they will maintain a log management system to follow up with these projects and exercise special supervision and inspection over all projects signed in SCE 2022. They will ensure that the responsibilities for Districts/Counties (Economic Development Zones) and project owners are fulfilled. They will also strengthen the integration, coordination, service, and supervision of all investment promotion departments. All efforts are made to facilitate early implementation of these projects.
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SOURCE iChongqing | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/smart-china-expo-2022-key-projects-signing-ceremony-online/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:04Z |
Terror group Al Shabab was responsible for last week's 30-hour siege at a hotel. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Omar Mahmoud of the International Crisis Group about why the group remains powerful.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Terror group Al Shabab was responsible for last week's 30-hour siege at a hotel. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Omar Mahmoud of the International Crisis Group about why the group remains powerful.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/what-led-to-the-deadly-attack-on-a-popular-hotel-in-somalias-capital-mogadishu | 2022-08-23T10:15:06Z |
SMArtX Leverages Flyer Financial Technologies to Upgrade Managed Accounts Solutions
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SMArtX Advisory Solutions ("SMArtX"), a leading innovator in managed accounts technology and operator of the SMArtX turnkey asset management platform ('TAMP'), announced a partnership with Flyer Financial Technologies ('Flyer FT') and its Co-Pilot OEMS, a cloud-based order and execution management platform. The integration of Flyer FT's Co-Pilot OEMS and SMArtX's UMA technology streamlines broker and custodial connectivity while expanding trading services and capabilities for advisors and asset managers using the SMArtX platform.
By integrating Co-Pilot OEMS via API, SMArtX clients will have full control over order instructions, order routing, and post trade allocation processing, while maintaining real-time visibility that supports ongoing portfolio management updates from advisors, model managers, and other platform participants. As a result, traders will improve execution quality and scale their middle and back-office trade operations.
"SMArtX is thrilled to partner with a leading WealthTech firm like Flyer FT to bring best-in-class trading capabilities to the managed accounts industry," said Evan Rapoport, CEO of SMArtX Advisory Solutions. "This partnership will support asset managers and managed accounts providers that need a better way to deliver their services at scale."
The partnership will enable traders at SMArtX enterprise firms, TAMPs, independent broker-dealers, and other providers to effortlessly trade at scale with a seamless experience. It will also assist asset managers looking to scale their middle and back-office operations while supporting accounts across multiple custodians. Flyer Trading Network is connected directly to over 100+ brokers and custodians supporting SMArtX's current roster of 7 custodians and expansion plans for adding 2 more custodians.
"Flyer is excited to work with an innovative firm like SMArtX to enable a shared vision of delivering a feature-rich trade order management platform," said Brian Bleasdell, Chief Product Officer of Flyer FT. "By using the Co-Pilot API, SMArtX has greatly enhanced their order management workflows and overall trading capabilities. The API enables third-parties, such as SMArtX, to integrate advanced OEMS functionality and trading connectivity in a fraction of time that it would have taken to build in-house."
The partnership lays the groundwork for the next stage of SMArtX's technological expansion: an end-to-end standalone portfolio management solution designed to support managed accounts across custodians for asset managers, while continuing to advance the capabilities of the SMArtX TAMP.
SMArtX Advisory Solutions is an award-winning managed accounts technology provider and manages SMArtX, a turnkey asset management platform ('TAMP'). SMArtX's API-first, cloud-native technology operates within a modular, micro-services architecture, providing clients a tailored solution catered to their unique specifications. SMArtX is available as an off-the-shelf TAMP for advisors seeking wider selection of investment product and ease of use, while automating the investment processes and simplifying the everyday tasks of managing client accounts. SMArtX also licenses its proprietary technology to enterprise firms looking to create, customize, or upgrade their existing managed accounts technology as a standalone or fully integrated solution. SMArtX is the managed account technology and TAMP platform of choice for multiple RIAs, broker-dealers, and asset managers. Learn more at www.smartxadvisory.com
Flyer Financial Technologies (Flyer FT) builds cutting-edge technology that solves asset and wealth management firms' toughest trading workflows. As a leading cloud-based FinTech provider, Flyer FT serves wealth managers, asset managers, broker-dealers, RIAs, banks, TAMPs and other technology service providers. The platform includes Co-Pilot, a multi-asset trading platform, and Flyer Trading Network, an order and trade routing network with direct FIX connectivity. Co-Pilot and FTN enables advisors, portfolio managers, and traders the freedom to focus on performance at each stage of the trading lifecycle, from portfolio construction to trade execution. For more information, visit https://flyerft.com/.
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SOURCE SMArtX Advisory Solutions | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/smartx-advisory-solutions-announces-partnership-with-flyer-financial-technologies/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:10Z |
Andriy Tuz was at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant when it came under Russian control in March. Now in Switzerland, Tuz talks about work and life at the complex under Russian occupation.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Andriy Tuz was at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant when it came under Russian control in March. Now in Switzerland, Tuz talks about work and life at the complex under Russian occupation.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/work-goes-on-inside-a-ukrainian-nuclear-power-plant-amid-threats-of-russian-bombs | 2022-08-23T10:15:12Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGTX) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: January 15, 2020 to May 31, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 16, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in TGTX:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/tg-therapeutics-loss-submission-form?id=31042&from=4
TG Therapeutics, Inc. NEWS - TGTX NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that TG Therapeutics, Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) clinical trials revealed significant concerns related to the benefit-risk ratio and overall survival data of the Company's therapeutic product candidates, Ublituximab and Umbralisib; (ii) accordingly, it was unlikely that the Company would be able to obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the Umbralisib marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma New Drug Application, the Biologics License Application for Ublituximab in combination with Umbralisib, the supplemental New Drug Application for Ublituximab in combination with Umbralisib, or the Ublituximab relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis Biologics License Application in their current forms; (iii) as a result, the Company had significantly overstated Ublituximab and Umbralisib's clinical and/or commercial prospects; and (iv) therefore, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in TG Therapeutics you have until September 16, 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 TG Therapeutics 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 TGTX lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/tg-therapeutics-loss-submission-form?id=31042&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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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/tgtx-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-16-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-tg-therapeutics-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:16Z |
On a sunny Saturday morning in July, Tambra Morrison’s kids played in the living room. Morrison’s wiggly one-and-a-half-year-old, Kalani, motored around, picking up toys as her two older siblings played video games and scrolled on their phones.
There was an obvious sense of joy that day, one Morrison’s perpetually grateful for. Her pregnancy with Kalani was tough. It was 2020, during the height of the pandemic, and she didn’t have any family in Dallas. She felt like she was doing everything for the first time again.
She also saw stark statistics about the mortality rate of Black people giving birth.
“When I got pregnant, it was the first pregnancy that I was actually scared to go through,” Morrison said. “It was so emotional because so much had transpired.”
She started looking for support, and had heard about doulas, but “didn’t really fully understand what a doula was.” She asked D’Andra Willis to be her doula in June of 2020. Willis had done her hair for a few years and had become a doula with The Afiya Center, a Dallas-based reproductive justice organization that provides HIV programming, abortion access, and pregnancy support.
Doula care through The Afiya Center
Willis and Qiana Lewis Arnold are full-spectrum doulas with Southern Roots Doula Services, which The Afiya Center launched in 2019.
Doulas are “a proven key strategy to improve maternal and infant health,” according to a 2016 article from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Journal of Perinatal Education. But doula care is rarely covered by Medicaid, and out-of-pocket costs can range anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 and beyond in Dallas.
The center’s aim is to make doula care more affordable and accessible to Black pregnant people.
“Our job is to support them, to teach them how to advocate for themselves and to advocate for them if necessary, and to literally be there to hold their hand through the process,” Arnold said.
Part of that work is talking about the health risks, like high blood pressure, bleeding, and gestational diabetes.
“We know that the infant and maternal mortality rate is astronomically high, not just in the nation, but in the state of Texas,” Arnold said. “A lot of folks who come to us and they're really concerned, scared, emotional. We help them work through that, and we also help them understand their options.”
Willis was with Morrison through her whole pregnancy and the birth; when Morrison was feeling lonely, trying to figure out what to pack for the hospital, and grieving a change to her birth plan.
“I'd be texting her late at night,” Morrison said. “Like, am I supposed to feel like this? Is this supposed to happen? As far as pregnancy, she kind of helped me through what to say to my doctor, giving me the confidence that I don't just have to go with my doctor's plan, because it's about me.”
Pregnancy support past delivery and birth
Willis still helped after Kalani arrived: making sure she had financial support to cover her bills, delivering groceries, and answering questions. Willis said her work as a full-spectrum doula extends about a year past the due date. She works with people after terminated pregnancies, too.
“Be it with post-abortion, postpartum, post-miscarriage, you still have us an additional 13 months,” Willis said. “We’re there to hold space during that time. We do understand that those 13 months is a difficult, interesting transition, whatever reproductive choices that you make.”
Morrison was grateful to have Willis, because she said compassion was missing from the experiences she had in the hospital, especially with complications during Kalani’s birth.
“I remember [my doctor’s colleague] was helping her, and it was a white man,” Morrison said. “He was talking about going golfing. Meanwhile, I'm on a drip, so I won't have a stroke, because my blood pressure is super-high. My baby is being delivered five weeks early. I want to live! I would like to live, to see her go to college.”
Doula work has changed in response to Texas abortion laws
Full-spectrum doula work has been changing since Texas passed SB-8 in September 2021, and Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court this past June.
Doulas with The Afiya Center have been in overdrive since June, spending hours on the phone late at night with lawyers to understand what they can and cannot do for their clients.
“We now have to protect them from being criminalized and protect ourselves from being criminalized,” Lewis said.
Willis fears what the future holds for Black people giving birth in Texas.
“I think about how so many of them are going to fall through the cracks, and how so many are going to have unwanted pregnancies,” she said. “Maternal mortality and morbidity, postpartum depression, and all of that, I think about how those numbers are gonna skyrocket.”
This is something Kyrah K. Brown has been researching for years. She’s an assistant professor of public health and runs the Maternal and Child Health Equity Research Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington.
“My philosophy is if we can improve the birth outcomes of Black [people], we can improve everybody's birth outcomes,” Brown said.
Improving maternal mortality and morbidity for Black Texans
Nationally, Black people were almost three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than their white counterparts in 2020, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. The report also showed that mortality rates rose for everybody giving birth during the pandemic. Many of these causes were and are preventable; bleeding, infection, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia can all be addressed with improved access to care, according to the World Health Organization.
“There's so much more beyond the individual and beyond the health care system,” Brown said. “Structural, gendered racism has to do with the conditions before they even get to the hospital.”
Brown said it’s important for people to know that disparities in pregnancy outcomes are systemic; contributing factors include a lack of culturally competent providers, delays in care, and health care coverage.
“What tends to happen is this victim blaming, like, well, if they're healthier, then they would have better birth outcomes,” she said. “I think the more we can focus on the systems level, the more we can move forward.”
Texas is one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to the rate of uninsured reproductive-aged people, said Brown, and health insurance is a strong predictor of health outcomes.
“We've seen a lot of research around states that have expanded Medicaid, and seen reductions in maternal mortality and reductions in Black maternal mortality,” she said. “We refused to accept those federal dollars to expand Medicaid, [and] that creates a barrier for every [person], but especially for Black [people].”
Medicaid covers more than half of the births in Texas, but currently insurance only extends for two months after people give birth. Texas lawmakers are petitioning for six months of postpartum coverage instead, but Brown, Willis and mother Tambra Morrison think it should extend for at least a year.
“Birth is a wild ride,” Morrison said. “Whatever it starts out in the beginning, it might not be that in the end.”
She wants Black people giving birth in Texas to have all the support they deserve, before, during and after their pregnancies. Having a doula made her tough pregnancy a little easier.
“I truly don't know mentally, physically, where I would be if I didn't have her,” Morrison said. “I didn't have anybody here. So for her to show up…it meant a lot.”
Got a tip? Email Elena Rivera at erivera@kera.org. You can follow Elena on Twitter @elenaiswriting.
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you. | https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2022-08-23/roe-v-wade-overturned-pregnancy-complications-black-maternal-mortality-death-rate-texas | 2022-08-23T10:15:18Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Tuya Inc. (NYSE: TUYA) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Tuya American Depositary Shares in or traceable to the Company's March 2021 initial public offering.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: October 11, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in TUYA:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/tuya-class-action-submission-form?id=31048&from=4
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Tuya Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (a) a material portion of Tuya's China-based customers were engaged in the widespread and systematic manipulation of reviews and product offerings in violation of Amazon.com's terms of use; (b) prior to the initial public offering, a consumer investigation and data breach had exposed an illicit fake review scheme being perpetrated by many of Tuya's clients, among others, which included, inter alia, the exposure of 13 million records of organized fake review scams linked to over 200,000 Amazon account profiles; (c) as a result of (a) and (b) above, there was a substantial risk that a material portion of Tuya's significant customers would be barred from using Amazon.com's platform, negatively impacting Tuya's business, revenue, earnings, and prospects; and (d) as a result of (a)-(c) above, the registration statement's representations regarding Tuya's historical financial and operational metrics and purported market opportunities and expected growth did not accurately reflect the actual business, operations, financial results, and trajectory of the Company at the time of the initial public offering, and such statements were materially false and misleading and lacked a reasonable factual basis.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Tuya you have until October 11, 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 Tuya 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 TUYA lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/tuya-class-action-submission-form?id=31048&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 | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/tuya-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-october-11-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-tuya-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:22Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Unity Software Inc. (NYSE: U) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
Class Period: March 5, 2021 to May 10, 2022
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 6, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in U:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/unity-software-class-action-loss-form?id=31037&from=4
Unity Software Inc. NEWS - U NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Unity Software Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) deficiencies in Unity's product platform reduced the accuracy of the Company's machine learning technology; (ii) the foregoing was likely to have a material negative impact on the Company's revenues; (iii) accordingly, Unity had overstated the Company's commercial and/or financial prospects for 2022; (iv) as a result, the Company was likely to have to reduce its fiscal 2022 guidance; and (v) 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 Unity you have until September 6, 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 Unity 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 U lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/unity-software-class-action-loss-form?id=31037&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 | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/u-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-6-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-unity-software-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:29Z |
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
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SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/webr-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-27-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-weber-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:35Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Wells Fargo common stock between February 24, 2021 and June 9, 2022.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: August 29, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in WFC:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/wells-fargo-wfc-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=31036&from=4
Wells Fargo & Company NEWS - WFC NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Wells Fargo & Company made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Wells Fargo had misrepresented its commitment to diversity in the Company's workplace; (ii) Wells Fargo conducted fake job interviews in order to meet its Diverse Search Requirement; (iii) the foregoing conduct subjected Wells Fargo to an increased risk of regulatory and/or governmental scrutiny and enforcement action, including criminal charges; (iv) all of the foregoing, once revealed, was likely to negatively impact Wells Fargo's reputation; and (v) 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 Wells Fargo you have until August 29, 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 Wells Fargo 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 WFC lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/wells-fargo-wfc-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=31036&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 | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/wfc-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-29-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-wells-fargo-amp-company-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:41Z |
BEIJING, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new vlog series of China Factory Story, Fenjiu, Soul of Chinese Liquor, has recently been released. This is the third piece of this 10-episode vlog series, which is jointly produced by the National Brand Project Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service and Fenjiu Group.
The 10 episodes tell Fenjiu's liquor-making stories, from raw grain in green production base, a bottle of fragrant Fenjiu on the table, clear karstic water sources 800 meters underground, to modern workshops adopting time-honored techniques, which all speak of Fenjiu's craftsmanship, pursuit for excellence with a pragmatic approach, and spirits of staying true to tradition and innovation in brewing mild aromatic Baijiu.
See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/329605.html
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SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/xinhua-silk-road-ancient-liquor-making-technique-you-might-not-have-known/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:48Z |
BEIJING, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new vlog series of China Factory Story, Fenjiu, Soul of Chinese Liquor, has recently been released. This is the fourth piece of this 10-episode vlog series, which is jointly produced by the National Brand Project Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service and Fenjiu Group.
The 10 episodes tell Fenjiu's liquor-making stories, from raw grain in green production base, a bottle of fragrant Fenjiu on the table, clear karstic water sources 800 meters underground, to modern workshops adopting time-honored techniques, which all speak of Fenjiu's craftsmanship, pursuit for excellence with a pragmatic approach, and spirits of staying true to tradition and innovation in brewing mild aromatic Baijiu.
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SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/xinhua-silk-road-big-shot-fenjiu-liquor-making-procedures/ | 2022-08-23T10:15:54Z |
BEIJING, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A new vlog series of China Factory Story, Fenjiu, Soul of Chinese Liquor, has recently been released. This is the second piece of this 10-episode vlog series, which is jointly produced by the National Brand Project Office of Xinhua News Agency, China Economic Information Service and Fenjiu Group.
The 10 episodes tell Fenjiu's liquor-making stories, from raw grain in green production base, a bottle of fragrant Fenjiu on the table, clear karstic water sources 800 meters underground, to modern workshops adopting time-honored techniques, which all speak of Fenjiu's craftsmanship, pursuit for excellence with a pragmatic approach, and spirits of staying true to tradition and innovation in brewing mild aromatic Baijiu.
See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/329604.html
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SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/xinhua-silk-road-secrets-good-tasting-fenjiu/ | 2022-08-23T10:16:01Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: YQ) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.
This lawsuit is on behalf of persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded 17EdTech securities pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus issued in connection with 17EdTech's December 2020 initial public offering.
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 19, 2022
No obligation or cost to you.
Learn more about your recoverable losses in YQ:
https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/17-education-technology-group-inc-loss-submission-form?id=31043&from=4
17 Education & Technology Group Inc. NEWS - YQ NEWS
CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) 17EdTech's K-12 Academic AST Services would end less than a year after the Company's initial public offering; (2) as part of its ongoing regulatory efforts, Chinese authorities would imminently curtail and/or end 17EdTech's core business; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in 17EdTech you have until September 19, 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 17EdTech 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 YQ lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/17-education-technology-group-inc-loss-submission-form?id=31043&from=4.
J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
J. Klein, Esq.
Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
59th Floor
New York, NY 10118
jk@kleinstocklaw.com
Telephone: (212) 616-4899
www.kleinstocklaw.com
View original content:
SOURCE The Klein Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/yq-alert-klein-law-firm-announces-lead-plaintiff-deadline-september-19-2022-class-action-filed-behalf-17-education-amp-technology-group-inc-shareholders/ | 2022-08-23T10:16:07Z |
LISBON, Portugal, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hovione and Zerion Pharma A/S (Zerion) today announced an extension of their collaboration on Zerion's Dispersome® technology into the nutraceutical/dietary supplements field. Many dietary supplements suffer from low solubility. This results in poor bioavailability and consequently limits the physiological effect of the supplement. To overcome these limitations, the two companies will collaborate and apply the solubility enhancing Dispersome® technology for the development and commercialization of certain nutraceutical products.
The first product candidate selected for joint development is an antioxidant with multiple health benefits and known for its extremely low solubility and bioavailability. By applying the Dispersome® technology, Zerion has been able to demonstrate significant solubility improvements of this antioxidant. Under their collaboration, Hovione and Zerion will now upscale and develop commercial formulations of the antioxidant using the Dispersome® platform and make these products available for distribution by partners globally. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, the two companies will share income from the commercialization of these products according to their respective contributions.
In addition to the joint development projects, Zerion has granted Hovione an exclusive license to exploit the Dispersome® technology for other nutraceuticals/dietary supplements. In return, Hovione will pay Zerion license fees and royalties on sales of the licensed products.
"The low oral bioavailability of some of the health-promoting nutraceutical compounds is a well-known challenge. The problem is compounded by the fact that some of the solutions used in pharma cannot be used in foods." says Jean-Luc Herbeaux, CEO of Hovione. He adds: "Hovione is thrilled to be Zerion´s exclusive partner for the application of Dispersome® to the fields of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. The Dispersome® platform and its enabling ingredient – beta-lactoglobulin or BLG – afford formulators new options which address unmet needs of the industry."
"I am extremely pleased with this extension of our collaboration", says Ole Wiborg, CEO of Zerion and continues: "The Dispersome® technology is actually very well suited for use in dietary supplements because it employs BLG as its solubility enabling component. BLG is a sustainable natural material and in itself a beneficial nutritional product that we source in high quality from Arla Food Ingredients. Since we as a company only have limited resources to exploit these promising applications of the Dispersome® technology in the nutraceutical field, the collaboration with Hovione is a win/win situation."
In February 2022, Zerion and Hovione announced a strategic partnership aimed at commercializing the Dispersome® technology within the drug development field. Under this partnership, Hovione and Zerion are offering pharma and biotech companies worldwide access to an innovative drug delivery platform combined with an unparalleled experience in formulation development, scale up and GMP manufacturing. This unique combination provides customers in the pharma industry with a line of sight over the entire drug development life cycle from the preclinical phase to commercial drug product.
About Hovione
Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a fully integrated offering of services for drug substance, drug product intermediate and drug product. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solution across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and devices. Hovione´s culture is based on innovation, quality and delivery. Hovione was the first Chemical/ Pharmaceutical Company to become a Certified B Corp, is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.
About Zerion Pharma A/S
Zerion develops proprietary drug formulations and offers the Dispersome® technology to established pharma companies as a means to solve their most challenging drug solubility problems. By applying the Dispersome® technology, the solubility of poorly soluble, oral drugs is greatly enhanced, which improves their bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes for the patients. Zerion was established in 2019 as a spinout from the University of Copenhagen based on almost a decade of research. (Dispersome® is a trademark of Zerion Pharma A/S)
For more information, please visit www.hovione.com or contact:
Vanessa Romeu | Communications Director | vromeu@hovione.com |Tel.: +351 21 982 9000
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1883542/Hovione_and_Zerion_Pharma_Logos.jpg
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SOURCE Hovione | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/zerion-pharma-hovione-extend-partnership-cover-use-dispersome-technology-platform-nutraceuticals/ | 2022-08-23T10:16:14Z |
On eve of Ukraine’s national day, fears Russia will pounce
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - On the eve of Ukraine’s independence day and the half-year mark of Russia’s invasion of its neighbor, there was increasing unease in the country on Tuesday that Moscow could be focusing on specific government and civilian targets during the holiday.
The United States reinforced those concerns when its embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert, saying it “has information that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days.”
On Tuesday’s Ukrainian Flag Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed defiance rather than worry when he raised the flag at a memorial.
“The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine will again fly where it rightfully should be. In all temporarily occupied cities and villages of Ukraine,” he said, including the Crimea peninsula which has been annexed by Russia since 2014.
At the weekend, Zelenskyy sensed a threat coming when he said in his daily address that “we should be aware that this week Russia may try to do something particularly nasty, something particularly cruel.”
The U.S. warning came on the heels of Russia’s claim that Ukrainian intelligence was responsible for the car bombing that killed the daughter of a leading right-wing Russian political thinker over the weekend. Ukraine denied involvement.
Hundreds of people lined up Tuesday to pay tributes to Darya Dugina, a 29-year-old commentator with a nationalist Russian TV channel who died when her SUV blew up Saturday night as she was driving on the outskirts of Moscow.
Her father, Alexander Dugin, a philosopher and political theorist who was believed to be the target, ardently supports Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send troops into Ukraine. “She lived for the sake of victory, and she died for the sake of victory. Our Russian victory, our truth,” Dugin said at a farewell ceremony.
The sense of dread pervading the war centers in part on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, at Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, where continued shelling and fighting in the area has raised fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres late Monday warned about the nuclear threat in general, particularly since Russia alluded to its massive nuclear arsenal early in the war.
Guterres demanded a halt to “nuclear saber-rattling” on Monday, saying the world is at a “maximum moment of danger” and all countries with nuclear weapons must make a commitment to “no first-use.”
That didn’t prevent shelling close to Zaporizhzhia early Tuesday. Regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian forces fired on nearby Marhanets and Nikopol on the right bank of the Dnieper River, continuing weeks of relentless overnight shelling.
Meanwhile, the fate of Ukrainian prisoners of war is also raising worries. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was “concerned by reports that the Russian Federation and affiliated armed groups in Donetsk are planning — possibly in the coming days — to try Ukrainian prisoners of war.” She said it is being labeled an “international tribunal” but that due process and a fair trial would not be guaranteed.
Amid the death and destruction, there was one small point of light. All professional soccer was stopped in February, but a new league season starts Tuesday in Kyiv.
The Olympic Stadium will see the the opening-day meeting of Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist 1925 from Kharkiv — teams from eastern cities that are fighting for their very existence.
No fans will be allowed in the 65,000-capacity downtown stadium for the kickoff at 1 p.m. local time, and the players must be rushed to bomb shelters if air-raid sirens sound.
“The teams, the players will be proud of this event,” Shakhtar captain Taras Stepanenko said Monday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
___
Full coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/23/eve-ukraines-national-day-fears-russia-will-pounce/ | 2022-08-23T10:29:06Z |
Ashley Lopez is a political correspondent for NPR based in Austin, Texas. She joined NPR in May 2022. Prior to NPR, Lopez spent more than six years as a health care and politics reporter for KUT, Austin's public radio station. Before that, she was a political reporter for NPR Member stations in Florida and Kentucky. Lopez is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and grew up in Miami, Florida. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/a-change-to-floridas-election-law-creates-headaches-for-local-officials | 2022-08-23T10:39:51Z |
The country's top infectious disease expert is leaving the federal government. Fauci served under seven presidents and helped lead the country through multiple health crises.
Copyright 2022 NPR
The country's top infectious disease expert is leaving the federal government. Fauci served under seven presidents and helped lead the country through multiple health crises.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/after-decades-of-public-service-anthony-fauci-will-step-down-in-december | 2022-08-23T10:39:58Z |
Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to hold a pilot's license. A hundred years after her first public flight in 1922, an all-Black, all-female crew flew from Dallas to Phoenix in her honor.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to hold a pilot's license. A hundred years after her first public flight in 1922, an all-Black, all-female crew flew from Dallas to Phoenix in her honor.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/american-airlines-paid-tribute-to-the-aviation-pioneer-known-as-brave-bessie | 2022-08-23T10:40:04Z |
When Dani Yuengling felt a lump in her right breast last summer, she tried to ignore it.
She was 35, the same age her mother had been when she received a breast cancer diagnosis in 1997. The disease eventually killed Yuengling's mom in 2017.
"It was the hardest experience, seeing her suffer," said Yuengling, who lives in Conway, South Carolina.
After a mammogram confirmed the lump needed further investigation, Yuengling scheduled a breast biopsy for Valentine's Day this year at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach.
Among many concerns she had ahead of that appointment — the first being a potential cancer diagnosis — Yuengling needed to know how much the biopsy would cost. She has a $6,000 annual deductible — the amount her health plan requires she pay before its contribution kicks in — and she wasn't close to hitting that. Whatever the procedure cost, Yuengling knew she'd be on the hook for most of it.
But the hospital wouldn't give her a price. She was told her providers wouldn't know what type of biopsy needle they needed until the procedure was underway and that would impact the price.
The hospital's online "Patient Payment Estimator" showed that an uninsured patient would owe about $1,400 for the procedure.
"That's fine. No big deal," she thought to herself, confident it would be cheaper for her because she did have insurance. A Google search indicated it could be closer to $3,000, but Yuengling thought that price seemed reasonable, too. She wasn't fretting too much about money as she underwent the procedure.
It soon brought the good news that she didn't have cancer.
Then the bill came.
The patient: Dani Yuengling, now 36, who is covered by Cigna through her employer, a human resources contractor for the Mayo Clinic.
Medical service: An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.
Service provider: Grand Strand Medical Center, a 403-bed, for-profit hospital in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is one of 182 hospitals owned by Nashville-based HCA Healthcare, which generated $58.7 billion in revenue last year.
Total bill: $17,979 for the procedure, including lab work, pharmacy charges, and sterile supplies. Cigna's in-network negotiated rate was $8,424.14, of which the insurance company paid the hospital $3,254.47. Yuengling was billed $5,169.67, the balance of her deductible.
What gives: It's not uncommon for uninsured patients — or any patient willing to pay a cash price — to be charged far less for a procedure than patients with health insurance. For the nearly 30% of American workers with high-deductible plans, like Yuengling, that means using insurance can lead to a far bigger expense than if they had been uninsured or just pulled out a credit card to pay in advance.
Ge Bai, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, recently published research on this topic and said hospitals in the U.S. often set their cash prices lower than the prices they charge to treat commercially insured patients.
"We can very confidently say this is very common," said Bai, who advised that all patients, regardless of their insurance status, inquire about the cash price before undergoing a procedure. "It should be a norm."
Grand Strand charged Yuengling's insurance an extraordinarily high price for her procedure. By comparison, according to the federal government's website, Medicare patients who need an ultrasound-guided biopsy similar to the one Yuengling received would pay only about $300 — their required 20% coinsurance for outpatient care. Medicare would pay the hospital the remainder of the bill, about $1,200. The hospital expected more than five times the Medicare price from Yuengling and her insurer.
Patients in Conway with private health insurance who are treated at other hospitals also typically are charged less than what Yuengling paid for the same procedure — on average about $3,500, according to Fair Health Consumer, an organization that analyzes health insurance claims.
And uninsured patients who pay cash prices and need an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy at the nearby Conway Medical Center are likely to owe even less — about $2,100, according to Allyson Floyd, a spokesperson for the hospital.
Meanwhile, Grand Strand Medical Center spokesperson Caroline Preusser blamed "a glitch" involving the hospital's online calculator for the inaccurate information Yuengling received and said the correct estimate for the cash price for a breast biopsy at the hospital is between $8,000 and $11,500 "depending on the exact procedure and equipment used."
The hospital removed certain procedures from the payment estimator until they can be corrected, Preusser wrote. She did not say how long that would take.
Resolution: Yuengling tried disputing the charges with the hospital. She called the billing department and was offered a 36% discount, lowering the amount she needed to pay to $3,306.29. Grand Strand Medical Center allows patients to set up payment plans, but Yuengling decided to charge the full amount to a credit card because she wanted the whole thing to go away.
"I could not sleep. It was driving me crazy. I was having migraines. I was sick to my stomach," she said. "I hate having debt. I didn't want to think about it. Obviously, that didn't work because I'm still thinking about it."
She said she requested on multiple occasions to speak to the hospital's patient advocate and was eventually connected with an outside company, Parallon, which conducted an audit of her bill. She eventually received a letter dated May 26 from the hospital's Revenue Integrity Department. It stated: "After a review of the charges in question and your medical record, the following was identified; The charges on your account were appropriate."
"I don't know why I actually expected a different outcome," she said.
The hospital has requested that Yuengling return for a follow-up appointment related to the biopsy. She has refused.
Harlow Sumerford, a spokesperson for HCA Healthcare, told KHN in an email that the hospital system apologizes for any confusion caused by the payment estimator "and we are working to fix the issue."
The takeaway: With a family history of breast cancer, Yuengling was right to follow up with her doctor after feeling a lump. After failing to get a clear answer on her costs from Grand Strand Medical Center, she could have taken an additional step to explore what other hospitals in the area charge. Although her physician referred her to Grand Strand, she was not obligated to use that hospital. She could have saved a significant amount of money by opting to undergo the procedure elsewhere.
Furthermore, patients like Yuengling who have a high-deductible insurance plan should consider paying cash prices for certain procedures and not involving their insurance company at all.
Jacqueline Fox, a health care attorney and a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, said she isn't aware of any law that would prohibit a patient from doing that. After all, she pointed out, patients with health insurance pay cash prices for prescription medications all the time. It stands to reason they could do the same for medical procedures.
But some facilities make this difficult. Grand Strand Medical Center, for example, offers "self-pay" patients an "uninsured discount," but that discount is limited to people who have "no third party payer source of payment or do not qualify for Medicaid, Charity or any other discount program the facility offers," according to the hospital's website. Only patients confirmed to have no health insurance are offered information about the discount.
In some cases, paying a cash price for a procedure might not make financial sense in the long run because none of it would be applied toward the deductible. Patients might save money on one procedure but end up paying their full deductible if unexpected medical expenses mount later during the calendar year.
Insured patients should reach out to their health plan for a good-faith estimate before a procedure. Under the No Surprises Act, health plans are supposed to give members an idea of their total out-of-pocket costs upon request. Ask for an "Advanced Explanation of Benefits," said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, though she points out this part of the law isn't being enforced yet.
The No Surprises Act also allows patients to file complaints with the federal government regarding their medical bills — whether or not they carry health insurance.
Yuengling filed her complaint in June.
Stephanie O'Neill contributed the audio portrait with this article.
Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KHN and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? Tell us about it!
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. It is an editorially independent major operating program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
Copyright 2022 Kaiser Health News. To see more, visit Kaiser Health News. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/an-18-000-biopsy-paying-cash-might-have-been-cheaper-than-using-her-insurance | 2022-08-23T10:40:10Z |
Following the attack on author Salman Rushdie, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Iranian American writer Azar Nafisi about attempts to silence writers. Her latest book is: Read Dangerously.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Following the attack on author Salman Rushdie, NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Iranian American writer Azar Nafisi about attempts to silence writers. Her latest book is: Read Dangerously.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/an-iranian-american-writer-makes-a-case-against-censorship-and-for-rushdie | 2022-08-23T10:40:17Z |
In the opening moments of the Jan. 6 Committee hearings, Chairman Bennie Thompson drew a line across history, connecting the Lost Cause to the Big Lie.
"I'm from a part of the country where people justify the actions of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching," Thompson began.
"I'm reminded of that dark history as I hear voices today try and justify the actions of the insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021."
The Lost Cause is the racist myth that justifies chattel slavery. It tells a false story of generous slave owners and happy slaves, as well as lies that the Civil War wasn't really fought over slavery — it was about states' rights. Everything that follows, the nadir of American race relations, the violent dismantling of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, the erections of Confederate monuments and the conflation of a treasonous Confederate flag with patriotism, are all in the name of this Lost Cause.
The Big Lie has come to mean the lie that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election but that it was stolen from him. It was a lie so large that it drove the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and extended out to include another lie, one that painted the violent attempt to overturn the election as a peaceful protest.
Just as the Lost Cause denied the brutal racism of slavery in order to perpetuate violent inequity through other means, at the heart of the Big Lie is also a drive to protect a racist order, according to Stanford University political scientist Hakeem Jefferson.
The Lost Cause and the lie that Trump won the 2020 election are myths to justify violence and preserve white power
Jefferson says both the Lost Cause and the Big Lie are myths meant to justify — and at the same time deny the existence of — violence meant to preserve white power.
Thompson's direct mention of race and America's legacy of racism at the top of the hearings was a bit of an aberration. There has been little direct mention of race during the televised hearings, which paused in August and are set to resume in September.
While not a criminal trial, the proceedings have had a legal laser focus, to show the culpability of the former president.
But just the symbolism of Thompson at the helm of the hearings places race and history on display, Jefferson says.
"How striking to see someone who looks like Bennie Thompson wield this amount of institutional power, against a person like Donald Trump, who is awash in the markings of whiteness and privilege and all that it affords."
Trump, born into his wealth, has previously peddled a racist conspiracy theory denying the legitimacy of the nation's first Black president. Thompson got his start in politics registering Black people to vote in Mississippi during the civil rights movement.
It's Thompson's very Black Southern-ness that allows him to "weave into this narrative, both explicitly and implicitly by way of his identity, how much this has to do about race," Jefferson says.
"We were watching, in real time, a racial backlash"
"It's not by some dent of the universe or some sort of random act that the faces that we see in these photographs and videos from Jan. 6 are a bunch of white people," Jefferson says.
"We were watching, in real time, a racial backlash."
More precisely, he says, it is part of a white backlash against the very perception of racial progress and the idea, unrealized though it may be, of multiracial democracy.
"Some white people are really concerned about a loss of power and status in American society," Jefferson says.
Jefferson says at the center of the Jan. 6 insurrection is the maintenance of white power. But not all white power cloaks itself in a white hood.
"It is also about the power to tell a narrative of one's self and one's identity group," he says. "The power some white people want to hold onto is a power of narrative."
"So it's not about power that's maintained by burning crosses. It's about power that's maintained about telling some stories and not some others in schools," he says. "It's about power to elect people who you think will do your bidding."
It is also about power, Jefferson says, that has been wielded explicitly through the disenfranchisement of others. When Republicans "talk about protecting 'our' country and making sure 'our' country isn't taken away from us by other people," Jefferson says, "the 'our' is doing some work here."
"What's implied is that this country is moving in a direction where white people have less power."
That, says political scientist Robert Pape, is what drove the events of Jan. 6, 2021. "What we are really observing are the consequences of the fear of white status decline," Pape says.
Pape, the director of the Chicago Project on Security & Threats, has been researching those who were arrested for storming the Capitol, digging into the data of who was there that day.
The results have surprised him. "Of the over 800 people who have been arrested on Jan. 6, we see a striking pattern," he says.
The pattern?
"They don't fit the profile of a far-right extremist."
Fox's Tucker Carlson consistently denies that Jan. 6 had anything to do with race
At Fox News, Tucker Carlson, who has peddled variations of the Big Lie, has consistently denied that the Jan. 6 insurrection had anything to do with race. A few months after the riot at the Capitol, he spoke to his nightly average of 3 million viewers: "There's no evidence that white supremacists were responsible for what happened on Jan. 6. That's a lie," he said.
"Contrary to what you've been hearing, there's also no evidence that this was a, quote, 'armed insurrection.' "
Except there is evidence on both counts.
In June of this year, Carlson again reiterated the building blocks of the Big Lie to his audience, both in denying the culpability of the pro-Trump Jan. 6 crowd, hinting that FBI agents were planted in it, and in suggesting the 2020 election was compromised. "A lot of the protesters on Jan. 6 were very upset about that, and they should have been, all of us should be," he ranted. "But the Jan. 6 Committee ignored all of that completely. Instead, on the basis of zero evidence, no evidence whatsoever, they blamed the entire riot on white supremacy."
Unpacking almost anything Carlson says is like having to undo a Russian nesting doll of falsehoods, dangerous innuendos and outright lies. The Jan. 6 Committee has very carefully not come out and blamed the riot on white supremacy. In fact, it has had a light to almost nonexistent touch when addressing the role of race in the insurrection.
Instead, the committee has carefully crafted a credible narrative that blames Trump's lies about a stolen election for riling up the crowd.
But why was this crowd so susceptible to those lies, and why did they act so violently in response to them? That, says political scientist Pape, has everything to do with race and the preservation of white supremacy.
The counties with the greatest decline in the non-Hispanic white population produced the most rioters
While members of violent extremist groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers certainly helped plot the attack and were mixed in among the swelling crowds, "nearly 90%" of the people arrested for their actions on Jan. 6 "are not members of these militant extremist groups," Pape says.
They were mostly white and mostly men, but other factors are markedly different: "We see that over half of those charged with breaking into the Capitol are business owners, CEOs, are from white-collar occupations — doctors, lawyers, architects, accountants," Pape says.
Most traveled to Washington from their homes in suburbs and cities, places that Joe Biden won. And this is what is so key, Pape says. The ZIP codes that the insurrections call home "are the parts of the country where diversity is happening the fastest."
"The counties that lost the most non-Hispanic white population are the counties that produced the most Jan. 6 insurrectionists," Pape says.
They came from places that used to be almost all white and aren't anymore.
Pape says that this fact parallels another recent incident of explicitly racist violence: a white supremacist's targeting and killing of 10 Black people at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., this May.
The shooter went to a supermarket in a Black neighborhood of a diverse city to commit a racist massacre. But the place he came from, Broome County, is small, population-wise, but has a rapidly shifting population.
"It's in the top 15% of counties who have lost non-Hispanic white population since 2010," Pape says. Broome County, like many of the places that produced insurrectionists, is becoming less and less white.
Pape says people, like the shooter and the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, are being radicalized online and by right-wing media and politicians. Taken together with living in places that are no longer white spaces, it creates a toxic mix.
"This is dovetailing with rhetoric by politicians and by media figures — stoking fear about the great replacement," he says.
The racism of replacement theory, a conspiracy theory peddled by the likes of Carlson, purports that people of color are replacing white people as part of a nefarious Democratic plan to take power and steal elections.
And it is no longer a fringe ideology; it's now believed by a majority of Republicans. Nearly 7 out of 10 Republicans believe replacement theory ideas, a recent poll from the Southern Poverty Law Center found.
Pape's research shows that the driving force among the insurrectionists — and those who support them — is replacement theory. The conspiracy theory is a racist lie, but the fear it stokes is real — fear that the white majority is becoming a minority and will have to give up power.
And that isn't just driving elections and politics, Pape says. It's driving violence.
"What's dangerous is when a group like this begins to adopt the mindset or the rhetoric of an oppressed minority," says Jefferson, the Stanford political scientist.
Jefferson says when members of a group that still holds very real privilege, like white people, imagine themselves on the margins — that is precisely the moment when violent white nationalism takes hold.
The right to vote remains fragile
Race has been a subtext in much of the Jan. 6 Committee hearings, simmering beneath the surface. Most of the witnesses have been Republicans and Trump loyalists, telling their story of that day and the days leading up to it, often from the inside. The story presented has been that of a petulant, out-of-control president, desperate to hold onto power.
But there is one notable exception: Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss.
"I've always been told by my grandmother," Moss told the committee and the country, her voice shaking slightly, "how important it is to vote and how people before me, a lot of people, older people in my family, did not have that right."
Moss and her mother are Black women, and both were poll workers during the 2020 elections.
Moss told the committee she loved her job and she was proud to help people vote, especially older folks. Her job was not partisan; she didn't work in the service of one party or another. Her work was to help average, everyday voters, to facilitate the small moments that make democracy function.
Then she was falsely and publicly accused by Trump of tampering with votes. After he called out her and her mother by name, they were bombarded with death threats and racist harassment.
Jefferson says these two women represent the opposite of people in power — they represent the right of the average person to vote. "So many Black people, Black women in particular, work on these front lines of democracy," he says.
They often do so, Jefferson says, because voting is a right that for many was achieved only in recent memory. Black people have an intimate understanding of how precious — and how fragile — the right to vote has been and still is.
Increasingly fragile, Jefferson says, because America's incomplete multiracial democracy is in grave peril.
The Jan. 6 insurrection was not, in the end, a successful coup. But, Jefferson says, the spectacle of that day both reveals and conceals much more subtle threats.
"Americans are really responsive to the spectacular," he says. "The problem for us is that democracy dies not often in these moments of the spectacular." Instead, it dies "in these sort of incremental or seemingly legal — or at least procedural — ways of taking away and short-circuiting democracy."
That slow-moving threat is happening right now, Jefferson says, and it's being driven by the Republican Party.
This racial project has been about maintaining white power at the expense of democracy
The Supreme Court is set to take a case that could allow a fringe legal theory to give state legislatures control of elections, leaving the choice of who gets power in the hands of those who already have it. Because of gerrymandering, many state legislatures don't function as representative democracies, especially as maps are drawn to dilute and diminish the votes of people of color. A temporary Supreme Court ruling this February made it even more difficult to push back against deliberate racial gerrymandering.
And then there are voter suppression laws, like some of the ones now on the books in Georgia, overseen by Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
When Raffensperger spoke at one of the Jan. 6 Committee hearings, he was lauded and applauded for standing up for democracy and against Trump.
But back in his home state of Georgia, he is championing laws that make it harder for people of color to vote.
"January the 6th was a racial project," Jefferson says. "But the everyday undos and attacks on American democracy are also a part of a racial project."
It is a racial project as old as the Lost Cause, reborn in the Big Lie. The project has always been about maintaining white power, often at the expense of democracy itself.
It is part of a larger battle that has never really ended, over whose votes get counted and whose votes get to count.
To Jefferson, race is not just the elephant in the room during the Jan. 6 Committee hearings. "It's the whole damn room," he says.
"This is all about race all the time."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/at-the-jan-6-hearings-race-isnt-discussed-much-still-its-a-central-issue | 2022-08-23T10:40:23Z |
Teachers and students in parts of Kentucky are reckoning with heavily damaged schools and a delayed start to the school year after deadly flash floods inundated the region last month.
Copyright 2022 Louisville Public Media
Teachers and students in parts of Kentucky are reckoning with heavily damaged schools and a delayed start to the school year after deadly flash floods inundated the region last month.
Copyright 2022 Louisville Public Media | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/eastern-kentucky-delays-the-start-of-school-as-people-rebuild-after-floods | 2022-08-23T10:40:30Z |
The final primary day of August has some key election contests in Florida, New York and Oklahoma.
Florida and New York had their congressional maps scrambled by redistricting, boosting the number of notable races Tuesday.
But the biggest matchup in Florida is at the top of the ticket, where Democrats will pick a nominee to try to defeat Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential presidential contender in 2024. (Rep. Val Demings will also aim to lock up the Democratic nomination to take on GOP Sen. Marco Rubio.)
In New York, voters are finally casting ballots in congressional races, months after the state's top court scrapped the legislature's map, ruling it unfairly benefited Democrats. The newly drawn map led to intraparty battles, mostly within solidly blue districts, as incumbent House members had to run in new districts, compete against colleagues or face a handful of challengers. New York also has two special congressional elections.
And in the Republican stronghold of Oklahoma, runoff primary elections take place to fill a U.S. Senate term, and in the state's 2nd District.
Florida governor
Florida's Democratic gubernatorial primary will likely come down to who voters believe has the best chance of defeating DeSantis in November.
Rep. Charlie Crist is running against state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat. Crist lost his last gubernatorial bid in 2014. But he was elected to serve as governor in 2006 as a Republican.
Many state Democratic lawmakers, including some of the party's more progressive members, have expressed support for Crist. He also has endorsements from the Sierra Club and several labor unions, including the statewide teachers union. Fried has received endorsements from a handful of Democratic state representatives and the Florida College Democrats.
Crist has also raised more money than Fried. Most polls have shown Crist leading Fried — and DeSantis leading both in hypothetical matchups.
3 notable Florida U.S. House races
- FL-07: Eight Republicans are campaigning for a chance to fill outgoing Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy's seat, which contains parts of the Orlando suburbs and now skews Republican following redistricting. Leading among the GOP candidates are state Rep. Anthony Sabatini and controversial businessman Cory Mills — both of whom promote Donald Trump's lie that the 2020 election was stolen.
- FL-10: Progressive activist Maxwell Alejandro Frost leads among a slew of Democrats in fundraising and national endorsements in the race to fill the solidly Democratic, Orlando-based seat left open by Demings' run for Senate. If elected, Frost, 25, would be the first member of Generation Z to serve in Congress. The Democratic field also includes state Sen. Randolph Bracy and former Rep. Alan Grayson.
- FL-13: Florida's latest round of redistricting has also turned Crist's once-toss-up Democratic district, containing Clearwater and parts of St. Petersburg, into a competitive Republican playing field. Leading among Republican candidates is Air Force veteran Anna Paulina Luna, who's been endorsed by Trump. The winner of the GOP primary will go on to face former Obama official Eric Lynn in November.
New York's 12th Congressional District
Redistricting has forced two high-ranking Democrats into a bitter fight over a single, Manhattan-based seat.
Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler are both from New York City and were both first elected in 1992. They have largely voted the same, with a handful of key exceptions.
Now, Maloney is making a pitch based on her work on women's rights — arguing that she is the best candidate to fight for reproductive health care in a post-Roe world. Nadler highlights his votes opposing the Iraq War and the Patriot Act, as well as his leading role in the Trump impeachment hearings.
They're challenged by a third candidate, Suraj Patel, a former Obama aide who came within 4 percentage points of beating Maloney in 2020.
Maloney has outraised her opponents, but Nadler has received some key endorsements, including from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Tuesday's winner is expected to take the House seat, since the district leans so heavily Democratic. But no matter the outcome, Democrats will lose at least one of their senior leaders in Congress.
New York's 10th Congressional District
As Nadler takes on Maloney, a newly redrawn 10th District is open for the first time in nearly a decade.
Daniel Goldman, the former legal counsel to House Democrats who spearheaded Trump's impeachment in 2019, is a leading candidate in the race, as are U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones and state Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou.
Out of a crowded field of about a dozen candidates, Goldman leads in recent polling, followed by Niou, Jones and Councilwoman Carlina Rivera — all three of whom are self-described progressives.
Goldman, a descendant of the family that owns Levi Strauss & Co., has been criticized for largely self-financing his campaign and vastly outspending his opponents.
Jones — a freshman congressman currently representing District 17, located in the suburbs outside New York City — has been endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. But other progressive figures, such as fellow New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have stayed out of the fray.
Special elections in New York's 19th and 23rd Districts
- NY-19: In New York's Hudson Valley, two county executives, Democrat Pat Ryan and Republican Marc Molinaro, are locked in a close race to serve out the remaining four months of former Rep. Antonio Delgado's term. The Democrat Delgado resigned in May to serve as lieutenant governor.
The district is considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, and Ryan and Molinaro are ideologically divided along party lines, notably splitting on the issue of abortion, making the race a key contest to watch as November inches closer.
(A twist: Molinaro is running for a full term in the 19th District under the new congressional map, while Ryan is also running for a full term, but in the 18th District.)
- NY-23: Republican Joe Sempolinski will face off against Democrat Max Della Pia for the remaining months of former Rep. Tom Reed's term. But Sempoliski, a former aide to Reed, is not running in the primary for a full term, despite the district being solidly Republican and the term only lasting until January.
Instead, Della Pia, who is running in the primary unopposed, will go up against either state GOP Chair Nick Langworthy or controversial businessman Carl Paladino.
Oklahoma U.S. Senate runoff
In Oklahoma, voters are one step closer to knowing who will finish the term of retiring Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe. And in a deep red state like Oklahoma, winning the GOP contest effectively seals the deal.
Despite a first-place finish back in June, Rep. Markwayne Mullin failed to get over 50% of the primary vote, forcing a runoff against former state House Speaker T.W. Shannon. Mullin has the endorsement of Trump and has out-fundraised Shannon.
The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Kendra Horn in November. Both Mullin and Shannon have the potential to become the first Indigenous person to serve in the Senate since 2005.
Oklahoma 2nd District runoff
The contest to succeed Mullin in the 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses the eastern portion of the state, is also in a runoff on the GOP side.
Both state Sen. Josh Brecheen and state Rep. Avery Frix tout their support for Trump — though the former president has not issued an endorsement. Frix marginally leads against Brecheen, according to recent polling, but 42% of Republican respondents polled remain undecided. The winner goes against Democrat Naomi Andrews.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/election-contests-to-watch-tuesday-in-florida-new-york-and-oklahoma | 2022-08-23T10:40:36Z |
The veterinary sedative xylazine is being mixed into illegal drugs and could be contributing to a rise in overdoses. (Story first aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on July 30, 2022.)
Copyright 2022 WBUR
The veterinary sedative xylazine is being mixed into illegal drugs and could be contributing to a rise in overdoses. (Story first aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on July 30, 2022.)
Copyright 2022 WBUR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/encore-an-animal-tranquilizer-is-making-street-drugs-even-more-dangerous | 2022-08-23T10:40:42Z |
Some complained when video showed Finland's Sanna Marin partying with friends. There seemed to be less controversy when Australia's Anthony Albanese turned up at a rock concert and downed his beer.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Some complained when video showed Finland's Sanna Marin partying with friends. There seemed to be less controversy when Australia's Anthony Albanese turned up at a rock concert and downed his beer.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/finlands-prime-minister-got-grief-for-partying-australias-leader-was-cheered | 2022-08-23T10:40:48Z |
Nearly 10 million people tuned in to the Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon Sunday, making it the most watched series premiere in HBO and HBO Max history, the company announced.
The series was also the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter Sunday, and garnered more than 2 million Google searches that day.
The cable-only ratings, measured by Nielsen, will not be available until Tuesday.
""It was wonderful to see millions of 'Game of Thrones' fans return with us to Westeros last night," said Casey Bloys, chief content officer for HBO and HBO Max. "'House of the Dragon' features an incredibly talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into the production, and we're ecstatic with viewers' positive response."
House of the Dragon is a prequel to Game of Thrones, set nearly 200 years before the events of the latter show. It is based on the novel Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin and tells the story of the House of Targaryen.
Ahead of the premiere of House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones had its highest weekly audience on HBO Max last week.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/house-of-the-dragon-is-the-most-watched-premiere-in-hbo-history-the-company-said | 2022-08-23T10:40:54Z |
The defense for the admitted gunman in the 2018 Marjory Stone Douglas High School shooting in Florida has begun. Jurors will determine whether he should be executed or spend life in prison.
Copyright 2022 NPR
The defense for the admitted gunman in the 2018 Marjory Stone Douglas High School shooting in Florida has begun. Jurors will determine whether he should be executed or spend life in prison.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/lawyers-for-the-parkland-school-shooter-make-the-case-for-him-not-to-be-executed | 2022-08-23T10:41:01Z |
It's a story comedian Mohammed Amer says he's had in his head for two decades and started writing nine years ago. Now, on Wednesday, Mo will be out on Netflix.
Co-created by Amer and Ramy Youssef, the show is a semi-autobiographical look at the trauma of displacement. Amer's family was forced to leave home and travel to another part of Palestine in the 1940s. They were displaced again to Kuwait and then again in the 1990s during the Gulf War. He and his family ended up in a suburb of Houston as refugees.
"It speaks to a second generation statelessness, right? And the ripple effect that happens from being stateless," he told Morning Edition.
Amer finds the comedy and tragedy in his family's tale. He explores the way the wounds that come from being forced from your homeland by war and occupation are passed down, as his character navigates a 20-year journey through the asylum process in the U.S.
"Once you're waiting for your asylum to be granted, you're just out there, no home on paper," he said. "All a person like that wants is to feel like he belongs, and feel like they're seen, and feel like they're equal to their other human counterparts."
While his character is in immigration limbo, he can't legally work. He has no papers. So he resorts to working under the table and hawking knock-off luxury goods to support his family. Then he ends up getting addicted to codeine after he has to be treated for a gunshot wound at a tattoo parlor because he doesn't have health insurance.
Amer, who stars in the show, is quick to point out the codeine addiction is not real. There are many dramatic flourishes of this story based on his life for comedic or storytelling purposes.
The show looks at what can be the American experience: gun violence, a broken healthcare system, and a broken immigration system that puts people in the position of having to skirt the law.
"It's tragic. It's heartbreaking. It almost forces you to do illegal things while you're trying to be an upstanding citizen," he said.
The backdrop of this dramedy is the Houston suburb where Amer grew up.
"Alief is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in America, 80 languages are spoken there," he said.
Houston was the only place Amer wanted to film this story. He wanted the show to look like an "urban western." The city is its own character with a rich mix of cultures and languages.
"Houston's incredible, and it's been an exporter of phenomenal artists for many years," he said. "There's something in the water there, for sure."
Mo showcases those Houston stars. Amer's character, Mo Najjar, has a best friend played by Nigerian American rapper Tobe Nwigwe. There are cameos by rappers Bun B as a Catholic priest, and Paul Wall as a courthouse security guard.
Amer's Palestinian, Houstonian, American and Muslim roots are all on full display. His character carries a little glass bottle of Palestinian olive oil around in his pocket. He's on a mission to stop the awful things being done to hummus in the U.S., like chocolate hummus — "a war crime," he calls it.
He switches from a Texas twang, to Spanish to Arabic seamlessly. He blasts hip hop from his car then brims with excitement over the traditional Zaffa (wedding procession) at a friend's nuptials, and cries at his father's grave as he recites a Muslim prayer.
It's heartbreaking, heartwarming, hilarious and tragic all at the same time.
While Amer's story is a singular experience of a Palestinian family in Houston, it also has a universal relatability.
Before he wrote the show, he talked to his mother about telling their family story. He asked her to tell him more about what his family went through, including the things she protected him from when he was a child. But first he explained why he wanted to portray that on screen for a global audience.
"'Millions of people are going to relate to this and it can empower them to better their lives. And also people who didn't go through it can relate to it and have empathy for it,'" he recounted telling his mother. "Once we had that conversation, she just opened up completely. It was just incredible to understand the strength of this woman, but also get some better understanding about my family as well, our experiences and what makes us who we are today."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/mohammed-amers-new-series-explores-the-tragedy-and-comedy-in-the-refugee-experience | 2022-08-23T10:41:07Z |
NASA has captured new telescopic images of Jupiter that show auroras, altitude levels and cloud covers.
The latest photos, captured with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, show bands of blue and gray in the middle, with rainbow-colored hues at the planet's poles.
The telescope uses a camera with three filters that can map out infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye, to colors on the visible spectrum.
"We hadn't really expected it to be this good, to be honest," said planetary astronomer and UC-Berkeley professor Imke de Pater. "It's really remarkable that we can see details on Jupiter together with its rings, tiny satellites, and even galaxies in one image."
The red on the photos show auroras, while the yellows and greens show hazes swirling around the poles. The white bands and spots show cloud cover, including the Great Red Spot, a massive storm that "could swallow Earth," NASA said.
"The brightness here indicates high altitude – so the Great Red Spot has high-altitude hazes, as does the equatorial region," said Heidi Hammel, vice president for science at the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. "The numerous bright white 'spots' and 'streaks' are likely very high-altitude cloud tops of condensed convective storms."
Likewise, the darker areas are ones with little cloud cover. Photos with a wider view show the planet's rings and two moons, Amalthea and Adrastea.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/nasas-james-webb-telescope-has-taken-new-images-of-jupiters-moons-rings-and-more | 2022-08-23T10:41:13Z |
Voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday. Ukrainian workers man a nuclear power plant under the eyes of occupying Russian soldiers. More states are poised to enact abortion trigger bans this week.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday. Ukrainian workers man a nuclear power plant under the eyes of occupying Russian soldiers. More states are poised to enact abortion trigger bans this week.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/news-brief-florida-primary-ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-worker-abortion-laws | 2022-08-23T10:41:20Z |
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, about whether death tolls in Russia's war on Ukraine have been underestimated.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Matilda Bogner, head of the United Nations Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, about whether death tolls in Russia's war on Ukraine have been underestimated.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/six-months-into-the-russia-ukraine-war-how-can-we-measure-the-loss-of-life | 2022-08-23T10:41:26Z |
NEW YORK — When Eric Sosa and Michael Zuco, the owners of Brooklyn queer bars Good Judy and C'Mon Everybody, first heard about monkeypox, they had a familiar feeling.
"Here we go again," said Sosa.
They were frustrated to hear about another virus to deal with. But as people they knew and friends of friends got monkeypox, they realized their community was especially at risk.
"How do we help our community members?" Sosa asked.
Monkeypox is spreading primarily through close physical contact, mostly during sex. So far, the CDC says, the vast majority of cases in the United States are among gay and bisexual men.
Owners of queer bars, who serve this community, feel uniquely positioned to share information about the virus — without adding to rising stigma against LGBTQ people.
For Sosa and Zuco, the first step was sifting through social media to get accurate information about monkeypox. They also started going to town halls and posting what they learned on their bars' social media — vaccine updates and key city contacts to share concerns with — among memes, promos for drag shows, and drink specials.
Zuco said he was a little nervous at first about the bar doing so much public health messaging.
"Are people gonna just full stop, stop going out? Because they're worried about their health? But I think talking about it and providing information is a really great way to quell fear," Zuco said.
Sosa and Zuco wanted to get even more involved in fighting monkeypox. They asked if any of their social media followers had connections to the city's Department of Health (DOH). Eventually, someone from the DOH reached out about a pilot program.
The program sends health workers to community spaces, like bars, and schedules customers for otherwise hard-to-find vaccine appointments. C'Mon Everybody was the one location in Brooklyn chosen for the first round of the program.
"I'm actually also a registered nurse," Zuco said. "So for me it was really gratifying to see one of our bars being used in like a public health capacity."
Good Judy bartender Julian Diaz said his employer's proactive approach to monkeypox means he knew how to get a vaccine appointment and protect himself. He feels proud to work at a place taking action against monkeypox.
"I definitely feel like we've done really well. And played our part in the community," Diaz said.
In Chicago, bar owner Mark Liberson said he has been monitoring monkeypox so closely his employees also see him as a go-to resource on the virus.
"I'm inherently a Jewish mother. And so I will jump in, make calls, try to figure out how to get people scheduled in for appointments," he said.
Liberson worked with the city's health department to create posters and a video about monkeypox. The weekend of an LGBTQ festival, Market Days, he showed the video at one of his nightclubs, Hydrate.
He asked other bars to share the resources too. Liberson remembers how the AIDS crisis was handled and says he has a responsibility to protect his community.
"In our community, we have to recognize that there are people who don't care about us. There are people who actually are antagonistic toward us. It's really important that we are taking care of our own, just as we did back then," Liberson said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Liberson asked an auto shop near one of his bars to help him host a large-scale vaccination clinic. He said he hopes something like that — getting hundreds vaccinated at a single location every day — will be possible soon for monkeypox.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/some-bars-are-playing-a-major-role-in-fighting-monkeypox-in-the-lgbtq-community | 2022-08-23T10:41:32Z |
A couple weeks ago, my truck was stolen. This wasn't just any truck. It was a 1999 Toyota Tacoma that I owned for 20 years. I bought it used back when I was a teenager, and it was my primary mode of transportation for basically my entire adulthood. Sure, it was dented. It was rusting. It was starting to fall apart. But I loved that truck.
Then, in the dead of night, in front of our apartment in San Francisco, poof, it was gone. I moved to this city almost exactly a year ago — and this is the third time the truck was either stolen or broken into since I arrived. Which is weird: It was never broken into or stolen in the 19 years before. That includes the years I lived and parked my truck in rough parts of Brooklyn.
My personal experience matches the data. The San Francisco Bay Area has one of the highest rates of car theft of any major metro area in the nation. New York City has one of the lowest. (H/t to Greg Morton for crunching the numbers and making this pretty map.)
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Maybe my experience of living in New York and other low-theft areas was why I was so naive. I didn't invest in an alarm or other anti-theft devices. I didn't have comprehensive insurance that would cover the cost of theft (ouch). I mean, why would I? It was an old, beat-up truck. I really believed that with so many nicer vehicles out there, why would thieves even bother?
But over the last couple weeks, I've gotten a crash course on the black market for stolen cars, and I've come to learn that it's actually not the nice ones that are the most frequent targets. It's the clunkers. If you think about it, that's pretty messed up. It means that the people who can least afford to have their cars stolen are more likely to have their cars stolen.
Here's the National Insurance Crime Bureau's list of the top five most stolen vehicles in America last year:
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Notice that Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, BMW, or Range Rover are nowhere on this list. Part of this is a function of the fact that there are fewer of these vehicles on the road — and parked on the street. But, more importantly, newer and fancier vehicles have much more sophisticated anti-theft technology. Unlike them, vehicles like my 1999 Toyota Tacoma were not equipped with an electronic engine immobilizer, which requires a smart key with a special chip that sends an encrypted signal to start the car. My truck's key technology consisted of a piece of jagged metal, which made it much easier to steal.
The Slow Spread Of The Immobilizer
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, cars were being stolen left and right. By 1991, national car thefts hit a historic peak, with more than 1.7 million cars stolen, or about 659 thefts for every 100,000 people.
The crazy part of this story is that car companies and drivers had the power to stop the tsunami of vehicle thefts. They had a range of technologies at their disposal, including various kinds of engine immobilizers, the first of which was invented back in 1919. All it took was a bit of research and development to make the technology more sophisticated, affordable, and widespread. So why didn't this happen between 1919 and the 1990s?
Analyzing the failure of the private market to beef up anti-theft technologies in cars, the economist Simon Field wrote in 1993 that the problem was that drivers lacked strong incentives to take precautionary measures. "In practice, there is very little incentive for individual owners to prevent auto theft, since most of the costs fall in the form of insurance premiums and government expenditures rather than in the form of losses falling to individual owners," Field wrote. In other words, why invest in car security when, on the off-chance your car gets stolen, taxpayers will foot the bill for the police work and your insurer will compensate you for any losses? Economists call this "moral hazard," which refers to the lack of incentives to shield yourself against risks when you're protected from the consequences.
Meanwhile, Field argued, car manufacturers had little incentive to provide built-in security devices, like engine mobilizers, because insurance-protected consumers apparently didn't demand them. "In the current automobile market, the incentives on individual car owners to secure their vehicles are so low that manufacturers have little incentive to research and develop more effective security measures," Field wrote. As a result of this market failure, Field recommended that the government mandate better security technology for all new cars.
But, despite apparent incentive problems, the market did end up changing. And as bad as car thefts were in America in the early 1990s, it was actually Europe that led the way for a more car-secure future.
The Immobilizer Gets Mobile
After the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Eastern European gangsters began flooding into Western Europe, stealing cars, and driving or shipping them back home to be resold. The problem was particularly acute in what was formerly known as West Germany. The annual number of car thefts there more than doubled between 1990 and 1992.
Car manufacturers and individual car owners in Europe were just like those in the United States: they lacked much in the way of incentives to do something about the problem. But there was one group that did have strong incentives to fight the problem: insurance companies.
German insurers, which often footed the bill for stolen cars, were hemorrhaging money. And they decided to put an end to it. One of the largest German insurance companies, Allianz, decided to only fully reimburse victims of car thefts if their cars were equipped with immobilizers. Other German insurers offered policyholders big discounts for driving cars with the technology. This created incentives for consumers and a growing market for anti-theft technologies.
Siemens, the German industrial conglomerate, was one of the first big manufacturers of electronic engine immobilizers. Responding to swelling demand, in 1995, it made a huge step forward by integrating an immobilizer system using an encrypted transponder with a key fob, allowing drivers to remotely unlock their cars with the push of a button on the same device used to start their cars. Mercedes-Benz was the first car company to adopt this tech back in 1997. Ford, an American company, was another early adopter of electronic immobilizers, but, interestingly, it put them in its cars sold in Europe first.
Governments in Europe gave these efforts a huge boost. The European Union issued a regulation in November 1995 that made the immobilizer mandatory in all cars sold within its borders starting in October 1998.
For whatever reason, the United States never mandated it (although it "encourages" it), which maybe explains why car companies were slow to adopt the tech on their fleets here — and why you can continue to see vehicles like the 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup truck and the 2000 Honda Civic on the list of most stolen vehicles. Honda Civics adopted the immobilizer in 2001, which is why post-2001 Civics are much less likely to be stolen.
Nonetheless, due to the dramatic success of this tech and the market dynamics unleashed in Europe, and perhaps some encouragement from the federal government and insurance companies, automakers began making immobilizers more and more standard on vehicles sold in the United States. And you can see the results in the data:
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The spread of the immobilizer did not completely solve the problem of car theft, of course. By 2019, the annual rate of car thefts had fallen about 67% from its peak in 1991, but there still were roughly 220 car thefts for every 100,000 inhabitants, according to FBI data.
Since the pandemic began, however, we've seen a significant surge of car thefts. Many vehicles stolen today still don't have immobilizers or have badly designed ones. Others do have well-designed immobilizers but they're stolen because of driver carelessness, such as leaving their key fobs in easy-to-access places, like their car's cup holders.
Cars are stolen for various reasons: for resale, for joyriding, for use to commit crimes. Many are stolen and broken down for parts, like the catalytic converter, a technology used to scrub car exhaust of noxious fumes. Prized because they contain valuable metals, catalytic converters have seen an astounding 1,215% increase in theft since 2019, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Thieves after these parts often bypass immobilizer systems by opting to not steal the car at all. Instead they use power tools to cut the parts off while the vehicle is parked on the street.
Another way of bypassing immobilizer systems is carjacking, holding drivers up at gun or knife point and stealing their car while it's running. The NICB says that Los Angeles has seen a 53% increase in carjackings since 2019.
And despite the clear benefits of having sophisticated immobilizers for preventing thefts, car companies in the United States have continued to sell cars either without them or with subpar immobilizers that thieves have found ways to hack.
Up until recently, many Kia and Hyundai cars did not come standard with immobilizers. And car thieves have noticed. Recently, there's been a viral craze on TikTok led by the so-called "Kia Boyz." It's a group of adolescents making TikTok videos that show how to steal cars made by Kia and Hyundai, using things like a run-of-the-mill USB cord to turn the ignition and start the engine. Kias and Hyundais now account for almost half of all cars stolen in some metro areas. It's gotten so bad that Progressive Insurance has restricted coverage to owners of certain Kia and Hyundai models. And the car companies are now facing multiple lawsuits.
Seeing a surge of Kia and Hyundai thefts in their city, the Milwaukee City Council recently wrote a letter to their parent company. "We write to ask that KIA Motors America Inc., make fundamental changes to the mechanisms used to secure its vehicles," the city council wrote. "We do this not only in the interest of protecting the property and persons of those who purchase your vehicles, but to try and do something to lessen the drain on police and other resources that seems directly attributable to certain defects in their locking system." Kia and Hyundai are reportedly now, as of 2022, making all their vehicles come standard with immobilizers.
As bad as the recent surge in car thefts is, however, it looks like a blip compared to the rate of car thefts America saw back in the early 1990s. We can, for the most part, thank a little technology called the immobilizer for that — a technology that, unfortunately, did not come standard on my 1999 Toyota Tacoma.
My truck, by the way, was eventually tracked down. A parking enforcement officer found it illegally parked on the outskirts of San Francisco and then had it towed to an impound lot. When I got word, I rushed to the lot. Walking in with police officers, I inspected it. My truck was trashed. The vandals had crashed it and stripped it for parts. Inside I found an empty pizza box, dirty napkins, a Sprite bottle, a thermos, sink faucet parts, and a spray-painted Darth Vader mask. I'm not making this up.
I decided that, given the money it would take, rebuilding the vehicle just wasn't worth it. The truck was already starting to break down before this incident. So, long story short, I've decided, after 20 years, it's finally time for a new truck. With supply chain issues resulting in a brutally dysfunctional car market, it's probably the worst time to buy. But I need some wheels! Stay tuned for an exploration of the wild world of car dealerships in a future Planet Money newsletter.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/someone-stole-my-truck-i-got-a-crash-course-on-the-wild-black-market-for-stolen-cars | 2022-08-23T10:41:38Z |
If you've ever seen a close-up photo of a jumping spider, you'll know they're the cute ones.
Many fit on the tip of a finger and sport fuzzy, colorful bodies and big eyes. They're quite amazing, said Daniela Roessler, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Konstanz in Germany.
"I think they're just special in a lot of ways," she said. "They have this incredible vision that is really not comparable with any other ... insects or arthropods ... and they've been shown to be really smart."
Jumping spiders tailor their hunting strategies to the species of their prey. They can leap great distances relative to their size, and they have elaborate mating dances.
They might even dream at night.
Roessler recently led a study that found jumping spiders experience something like rapid eye movement sleep when they rest at night.
REM sleep, also known as paradoxical sleep, is the phase of our sleep cycle where our brains show an increase in activity but our bodies remain immobilized — our eyes dart quickly, and we can experience really visual dreams.
The team filmed jumping spiders overnight and observed behaviors that mirror REM sleep in other species.
"All the legs would curl into the body and they would twitch," Roessler said. "We would see that always when this happened. We also detected quite significant and very obvious eye movements."
The study, which appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, takes advantage of the fact that baby jumping spiders have translucent exoskeletons. Jumping spiders can't move their eyes like humans, but the team observed their tube-shaped retinas moving through their clear bodies.
Octopuses have REM-like sleep. Do spiders too? We need to have a closer look at how universal REM sleep and REM-like behaviors might be across the animal kingdom. There are likely many things we can learn from this, since even in humans REM sleep is still a big mystery. 5/7 pic.twitter.com/ZXtlvSUFdj
— Dr. Daniela Rößler 🌎 (@RoesslerDaniela) August 8, 2022
Roessler cautioned that it's too early to say whether the spiders are technically "asleep" during these rapid eye movements. She said they'll be testing whether the behavior meets the definition of sleep next.
But even these early findings are exciting to sleep scientists like Mark Blumberg at the University of Iowa.
"These behaviors themselves are just, you know, if I can say so, they're just beautiful behaviors," he said. "What we want to know at some fundamental level is why do these animals do this?"
Blumberg was not involved in the work, but he said studying these behaviors across the animal kingdom might someday tell us more about how REM sleep evolved. REM-like activity has been observed in almost all mammals and birds, as well as some insects and cephalopods.
Teresa Iglesias, a neuropathologist at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, agreed. She has studied REM-like activity in cuttlefish.
"I think we're on the cusp of finally addressing the [questions] of: What is REM sleep and what is it for ... why did it evolve in the first place?" she said. "It's quite possible that maybe sleep and REM sleep evolved once a long time ago and everyone shares the same origin, but we're all manifesting it slightly differently."
As for the question on whether spiders dream, Roessler said it was too early to say. And even if they do, it wouldn't be like humans do.
"I mean, it's beautiful to think about it that way," she said, "that these spiders hang there and they have a visual scene of catching a fly or trying to get a mate. It's quite cute, but probably is going to be very different."
After all, Roessler pointed out that some spiders have very poor vision but are very attuned to vibrations. She wondered if they might "dream" in vibrations instead.
Something to ponder, perhaps, as we all drift off to sleep tonight.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/spiders-show-signs-of-rem-like-activity-raising-the-question-do-they-dream | 2022-08-23T10:41:45Z |
Demand for low or no-alcohol wine is skyrocketing. In France, entire vineyards are dedicated to wine without alcohol, and winemakers have special tastings for their non-alcoholic offerings.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Demand for low or no-alcohol wine is skyrocketing. In France, entire vineyards are dedicated to wine without alcohol, and winemakers have special tastings for their non-alcoholic offerings.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/theres-a-new-item-on-the-menu-at-many-french-wine-bars-non-alcoholic-wine | 2022-08-23T10:41:51Z |
Terror group Al Shabab was responsible for last week's 30-hour siege at a hotel. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Omar Mahmoud of the International Crisis Group about why the group remains powerful.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Terror group Al Shabab was responsible for last week's 30-hour siege at a hotel. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Omar Mahmoud of the International Crisis Group about why the group remains powerful.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/what-led-to-the-deadly-attack-on-a-popular-hotel-in-somalias-capital-mogadishu | 2022-08-23T10:41:57Z |
Richard Engel, chief foreign correspondent for NBC News, announced on Thursday that his 6-year-old son Henry, diagnosed with Rett syndrome as an infant, had died.
In a tweet posted on Aug. 18, Engel wrote: "Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. "
Engel's tweet included a link to a page on the Texas Children's Hospital site, which explained Henry's medical journey and how he was diagnosed with Rett syndrome. The disorder is incredibly rare — particularly so for boys, said Dr. Tim Benke, a professor in pediatric neurology at the University of Colorado.
"It happens in about 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 10,000 female births. But it's so rare we don't know how often it happens in male births," Benke told NPR.
Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard. https://t.co/M8LV8SHv6r pic.twitter.com/21Ja6TOtjH
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) August 18, 2022
What is Rett syndrome?
Rett syndrome, as defined by the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, is a rare genetic neurological disorder that begins to show up between 6 and 18 months of age. Children start to miss developmental milestones or lose skills they'd once had.
A diagnosis is based on an array of factors, including difficulties with movement, the loss of hand and language abilities, and constant hand motions, "such as hand-wringing, squeezing, clapping or tapping, putting hands in the mouth, or washing and rubbing movements," according to the Mayo Clinic.
What do we know about the development of Rett syndrome?
The disorder occurs very rarely in males, and is typically more severe than with females. Many begin experiencing symptoms at or shortly after birth, with significant problems occurring very soon after. These patients require aggressive medical intervention.
"There's a lot that we don't fully understand yet," says Benke. "There is a discrepancy between male and female births, and we have some theories as to why. And we think that the answer is that the mutation happens around the time the egg and sperm come together. And it's more likely to happen in sperm than it is in eggs. It's so rare that we don't know how often it happens."
This has created a challenge for the medical community: Due to the rarity of this condition in males, it's difficult to find enough of them to participate in clinical trials for treatments.
While Rett syndrome may not be well-known among the general public, the foundation said that it is in the forefront of research happening across the globe.
Is there a cure for Rett syndrome?
"There is no cure for it," Benke told NPR. "It's a genetic disorder, you can't go back and fix that misspelling [in the genes]."
"All the treatments are systemic," he added. "You try and treat seizures, and you're trying to improve things like muscle tone, which in the case of Henry Engel was the most problematic for him."
At the moment, anticonvulsant drugs like carbamazepine can be prescribed to help control seizures, and sedatives like clonidine can help reduce pain. Benke is hopeful that new therapies that are coming along will be beneficial to those with Rett syndrome.
A drug to treat symptoms of Rett syndrome in women completed phase three trials, he said. The drug, trofinetide, has been submitted to the FDA for approval, and researchers are hoping to hear back in 2023. If approved, there is a chance that this therapy could apply to males as well, Benke said.
"It's not a home run, but it's a therapy that's going to get us on first base that we think could be really helpful," he added.
Benke emphasized that there are support systems for people with Rett syndrome and their families. Local and national associations, such as the Rocky Mountain Rett Association and the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, are dedicated to connecting people with specialized care, he said. "It's important for people to know that it sounds hopeless, but there's hope there."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/what-you-should-know-about-rett-syndrome-the-condition-that-richard-engels-son-had | 2022-08-23T10:42:04Z |
Andriy Tuz was at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant when it came under Russian control in March. Now in Switzerland, Tuz talks about work and life at the complex under Russian occupation.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Andriy Tuz was at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant when it came under Russian control in March. Now in Switzerland, Tuz talks about work and life at the complex under Russian occupation.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-23/work-goes-on-inside-a-ukrainian-nuclear-power-plant-amid-threats-of-russian-bombs | 2022-08-23T10:42:10Z |
Elon Musk has subpoenaed his friend Jack Dorsey, Twitter's former CEO, as part of his legal effort to abandon his bid to acquire the social media company.
Twitter is suing Musk in Delaware Chancery Court to make him follow through on an agreement to buy Twitter for $44 billion. Both parties have filed dozens of subpoena requests, asking banks, investment firms, executives and high-profile Silicon Valley figures for information and communications about the deal.
According to legal filings made public Monday, Musk's attorneys are seeking documents and communications from Dorsey regarding how Twitter detects, labels and counts fake accounts, and how it uses daily active users as a key metric in its financial disclosures.
Musk argues that Twitter wasn't forthcoming about the number of bots and spam among daily active users on its platform. He claims the social media company tried to "mislead investors" by providing false numbers in financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Twitter says its SEC filings are accurate and Musk's team has "spent months trying to invent a spam disclosure problem," but found nothing. The company also claims Musk's efforts to finance the deal ran out of steam, which contradicts the legal arguments coming from the world's richest man.
Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been friends with Dorsey for years. Both are enamored with crypto currencies.
Dorsey, who stepped down as Twitter's CEO in November 2021, supported the buyout and Musk's move to take the company private.
He tweeted that he "Elon is the singular solution I trust" for Twitter.
In principle, I don’t believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving for the problem of it being a company however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness.
— jack (@jack) April 26, 2022
Twitter's legal team has sought out information about Musk's communications with several Silicon Valley bold names, in an attempt to understand how his thinking about the deal changed.
Twitter is seeking documents and messages from entrepreneurs and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen, Joe Lonsdale, David Sacks, and Steve Jurvetson. Some of them have been involved in financing Musk's purchase.
Meanwhile, Musk's lawyers have filed dozens of subpoena requests asking for information about fake accounts on Twitter.
The judge granted Musk's requests to subpoena communications from Kayvon Beykpour, former head of consumer product, and Bruce Falck, former head of revenue product, who were both dismissed by CEO Parag Agrawal in May.
The case is scheduled for a 5-day trial on October 17.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2022-08-22/as-takeover-battle-heats-up-elon-musk-subpoenas-former-twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey | 2022-08-23T10:57:15Z |
A beautiful day is expected today
Sunshine will return to the region
Published: Aug. 23, 2022 at 6:23 AM EDT|Updated: 43 minutes ago
We are dealing with some areas of patchy fog this morning, but once the sun comes up the fog should lift, and we’ll see a mix of sun and clouds. Temperatures this afternoon will top off in the mid-upper 70s and low 80s.
Mainly clear skies are expected tonight with lows in the upper 50s and low 60s.
Another dry day is expected tomorrow with mainly sunny skies. High temperatures will rise into the upper 70s and low 80s.
A few spotty showers and thunderstorms are possible for the end of the week as a frontal system moves closer to our area. Temperatures will continue to rise into the upper 70s and low 80s. Make sure to stay tuned and catch the latest on WVVA.
Copyright 2022 WVVA. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/23/beautiful-day-is-expected-today/ | 2022-08-23T11:06:35Z |
DeSantis rival to emerge from high-stakes Florida primary
MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is poised to learn the identity of his general election opponent on Tuesday as Democrats choose between a man who spent a lifetime in politics — much of it as a Republican — and a woman casting herself as “something new” as she seeks the energy of her party’s resurgent base.
The Democratic establishment has largely lined up behind Charlie Crist, a 66-year-old Democratic congressman who served as the state’s Republican governor more than a decade ago. Running now as a moderate Democrat, Crist is facing 44-year-old Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who hopes to become the state’s first female governor while leaning into the fight for abortion rights.
The race is ultimately a debate over who is best-positioned to defeat DeSantis, who emerged from a narrow victory four years ago to become one of the most prominent Republicans in politics. His relatively light touch handling the pandemic and his eagerness to lean into divides over race, gender and LGBTQ rights have resonated with many Republican voters who see DeSantis as a natural heir to former President Donald Trump.
His reelection effort is widely assumed to be a precursor to a presidential run in 2024, adding to a sense of urgency among Democrats to blunt his rise now.
“I have been in the trenches. I have taken on DeSantis,” Fried told The Associated Press. DeSantis “won’t have a 2024 because he won’t have a 2022. We are going to beat him in November, and we are going to kill all of his aspirations to run for president of the United States.”
Crist, in an interview, described DeSantis as a threat to democracy.
“He is the opposite of freedom. He is an autocrat. He is a demagogue. And I think people are sick of him,” Crist said of the sitting Republican governor, noting that DeSantis earlier this year admonished a group of high school students for wearing face masks at an indoor news conference. “Who is this guy? Who does he think he is? He is not the boss.”
The Florida contest wraps up the busiest stretch of primaries this year. Republicans from Pennsylvania to Arizona have supported contenders who have embraced Trump’s lies that the 2020 election was stolen, an assertion roundly rejected by elections officials, the former president’s attorney general and judges he appointed.
And for the most part, Democrats have avoided brutal primary fights. That could be tested Tuesday, however, as voters in New York participate in congressional primaries that feature two powerful Democratic committee chairs, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler, competing for the same seat and other incumbents fending off challenges from the left.
Democrats are entering the final weeks ahead of the midterms with a sense of cautious optimism, hoping the Supreme Court’s decision overturning a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion will energize the party’s base. But Democrats still face tremendous headwinds, including economic uncertainty and the historic reality that most parties lose seats in the first midterm after they’ve won the White House.
The dynamics are especially challenging for Democrats in Florida, one of the most politically divided states in the U.S. Its last three races for governor were decided by 1 percentage point or less. But the state has steadily become more favorable to Republicans in recent years.
For the first time in modern history, Florida has more registered Republicans — nearly 5.2 million — than Democrats, who have nearly 5 million registered voters. Fried serves as the only Democrat in statewide office. And Republicans have no primary competition for four of those five positions – governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and chief financial officer — which are all held by GOP incumbents.
Democrats hope that U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who faces a little-known candidate in her Senate primary Tuesday, can unseat the state’s senior U.S. senator, Republican Marco Rubio, this fall. But for now, the party’s national leadership is prioritizing competitive Senate contests in other states, including neighboring Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania.
In Florida’s governor’s race, the Supreme Court’s abortion decision has animated the final weeks of the Democratic primary.
Fried has promoted herself as the only true abortion-rights supporter in the race, seizing on Crist’s appointment of two conservative Supreme Court justices while he was governor.
The conservative-leaning court will soon decide whether the Republican-backed state legislature’s law to ban abortions after 15 weeks is constitutional. Florida’s new abortion law is in effect, with exceptions if the procedure is necessary to save the pregnant woman’s life, to prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow exemptions in cases of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Crist insisted he is “pro-choice” and highlighted a bill he vetoed as governor in 2010 that would have required women seeking a first-trimester abortion to get and pay for an ultrasound exam.
“It is a woman’s right to choose,” Crist told the AP. “My record is crystal clear. And for my opponent to try to muddy that up is unconscionable, unfair and unwise.”
In experience and personality, voters have a clear contrast between Crist, an establishment-backed lifelong politician viewed as a relatively safe choice, and Fried, a newer face who may be in better position to catch fire with the party’s most passionate voters.
Crist has raised $14 million so far this election cycle, nearly twice as much money as Fried. Having served in elected office since 1992, his supporters describe him as reliable and personable with an excellent memory.
“He is the best retail politician in Florida in this century. He is just an outstanding politician. He asks about my grandchildren by name,” said Mac Stipanovich, a political strategist who served as chief of staff to former Republican Gov. Bob Martinez.
Meanwhile, Fried has gained twice as many followers on every social network and is quick to jump on online trends. She built her profile as one of DeSantis’ fiercest opponents, regularly challenging him on policy related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also created a position within her department to ensure LGBTQ members are given opportunities as DeSantis wages what the Human Rights Campaign recently described as “an assault on transgender Floridians.”
DeSantis signed into law what opponents called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and restricts it in upper grades. He also championed the “stop WOKE act” that restricts race-based conversation and analysis in business and education, although a Florida judge last week declared the law an unconstitutional violation of free speech.
Such issues have been good for DeSantis’ standing with GOP voters.
The Florida governor touted his record at a weekend rally with more than 1,000 Pennsylvania voters, having already recently campaigned for Republican allies across Arizona, New Mexico and Ohio.
DeSantis was officially in Pennsylvania to help the GOP gubernatorial candidate, Doug Mastriano. But DeSantis barely mentioned Mastriano’s name in remarks to his Pittsburgh audience and focused instead on the political battles he fought in Florida to confront liberal “woke ideology.”
He didn’t mention that he’s running for reelection for governor this year.
“If you lead and lead with strength and courage, and you deliver results, the people will be with you,” DeSantis said.
___
Peoples reported from Washington, Farrington from Tallahassee. Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/23/desantis-rival-emerge-high-stakes-florida-primary/ | 2022-08-23T11:06:42Z |
On eve of Ukraine’s national day, fears Russia will pounce
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - On the eve of Ukraine’s independence day and the half-year mark of Russia’s invasion of its neighbor, there was increasing unease in the country on Tuesday that Moscow could be focusing on specific government and civilian targets during the holiday.
The United States reinforced those concerns when its embassy in Kyiv issued a security alert, saying it “has information that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days.”
On Tuesday’s Ukrainian Flag Day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed defiance rather than worry when he raised the flag at a memorial.
“The blue and yellow flag of Ukraine will again fly where it rightfully should be. In all temporarily occupied cities and villages of Ukraine,” he said, including the Crimea peninsula which has been annexed by Russia since 2014.
At the weekend, Zelenskyy sensed a threat coming when he said in his daily address that “we should be aware that this week Russia may try to do something particularly nasty, something particularly cruel.”
The U.S. warning came on the heels of Russia’s claim that Ukrainian intelligence was responsible for the car bombing that killed the daughter of a leading right-wing Russian political thinker over the weekend. Ukraine denied involvement.
Hundreds of people lined up Tuesday to pay tributes to Darya Dugina, a 29-year-old commentator with a nationalist Russian TV channel who died when her SUV blew up Saturday night as she was driving on the outskirts of Moscow.
Her father, Alexander Dugin, a philosopher and political theorist who was believed to be the target, ardently supports Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send troops into Ukraine. “She lived for the sake of victory, and she died for the sake of victory. Our Russian victory, our truth,” Dugin said at a farewell ceremony.
The sense of dread pervading the war centers in part on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, at Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, where continued shelling and fighting in the area has raised fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres late Monday warned about the nuclear threat in general, particularly since Russia alluded to its massive nuclear arsenal early in the war.
Guterres demanded a halt to “nuclear saber-rattling” on Monday, saying the world is at a “maximum moment of danger” and all countries with nuclear weapons must make a commitment to “no first-use.”
That didn’t prevent shelling close to Zaporizhzhia early Tuesday. Regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko said Russian forces fired on nearby Marhanets and Nikopol on the right bank of the Dnieper River, continuing weeks of relentless overnight shelling.
Meanwhile, the fate of Ukrainian prisoners of war is also raising worries. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was “concerned by reports that the Russian Federation and affiliated armed groups in Donetsk are planning — possibly in the coming days — to try Ukrainian prisoners of war.” She said it is being labeled an “international tribunal” but that due process and a fair trial would not be guaranteed.
Amid the death and destruction, there was one small point of light. All professional soccer was stopped in February, but a new league season starts Tuesday in Kyiv.
The Olympic Stadium will see the the opening-day meeting of Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist 1925 from Kharkiv — teams from eastern cities that are fighting for their very existence.
No fans will be allowed in the 65,000-capacity downtown stadium for the kickoff at 1 p.m. local time, and the players must be rushed to bomb shelters if air-raid sirens sound.
“The teams, the players will be proud of this event,” Shakhtar captain Taras Stepanenko said Monday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.
___
Full coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wvva.com/2022/08/23/eve-ukraines-national-day-fears-russia-will-pounce/ | 2022-08-23T11:06:48Z |
KUHUKU-- The grizzly scene of a Ford pick up truck, crashed head on with a sedan, killing two victims, was avoidable according to police had it not been for the trucks speed and attempts to pass multiple vehicles Monday afternoon.
"The driver was reckless and knew or should have known that his actions could cause a collision of this severity, which again, resulted in the death of 2 occupants in the second vehicle and the third occupant clinging to her life," Major Ben Moszkowicz said.
Honolulu police have now opened a manslaughter and negligent homicide investigation following the deadly crash near Gunstock Ranch in Kahuku
The two victims were in the drivers seat and back seat of the Hyundai.
According to HPD, it was a man in his 50s or 60s in the back seat who was pronounced dead at the scene on Kamehameha Highway.
The woman driving in her 50s or 60s also succumbed to her injuries by the end of the day. Witnesses told HPD the truck was weaving through traffic at a high speed, and had passed multiple vehicles leading up to the crash.
"So if you can imagine driving along at 45 miles per hour minding your own business and someone coming the other direction overtaking the 45 mile an hour traffic. So they're probably traveling 55, 60 or more miles per hour overtaking the other 45 mile per hour traffic, colliding head on. Essentially that's the same as driving 45 miles an hour directly into a brick wall," Moszkowicz said.
HPD says the accident took place in the vicinity of a broken yellow line dividing two lanes of one way traffic.
"You can pass if several conditions exist, number 1 it's safe to pass which in this case, clearly it was not. Number 2 you're obeying the speed limit. It's not ok to accelerate above the speed limit to pass which clearly in this case it was not, Moszkowicz added, "And then you have to use your turn signal and make sure traffic is clear in both directions. Which it's really it's really doubtful doubtful the driver could have done, or else he would have seen this oncoming car." | https://www.kitv.com/news/north-shore-crash-leaves-two-family-members-dead/article_203d851a-22c9-11ed-917a-c333fbb3cfd5.html | 2022-08-23T11:17:47Z |
The collaboration will expand Kamillio's Canadian insurtech platform into the U.S. market
ROCKLIN, Calif., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Builders & Tradesmen's Insurance Services, Inc. (BTIS), an insurance intermediary focused on serving small businesses with end-to-end insurance solutions, is pleased to announce a partnership with Ontario-based insurtech platform Kamillio.
The uniquely intelligent Kamillio platform offers a new perspective on the insurance buying system, acting as a storefront that agents can use to deliver a modern customer experience. Brokers can easily add the extension directly to their websites, enabling consumers to quote and purchase their own General Liability policies at any time that is convenient for them.
"It's a match made in heaven" says Paul Hohlbein, Co-President of BTIS. "Our collaboration of technology is going to revolutionize the industry by transacting end-to-end business in a single experience, opposed to multiple inefficient systems."
A selection of five carriers will be available in 48 states.
BTIS is an industry leader of innovative solutions for small and medium sized commercial insurance products. To learn more about this automation and quoting platform, please contact the experts at BTIS or book a demo.
Part of the Amynta Group, BTIS is a nationwide insurance intermediary with a small business attitude that believes in building and fostering solid relationships through communication and genuine concern for their customers. BTIS offers a wide range of commercial lines and is focused on developing and implementing cutting edge technology to provide individual service, exceptional value, ease of use, and rapid turnaround times. Visit my.btisinc.com.
License #0D10271
Kamillio is an award-winning Agency Management System built on a proprietary process automation engine. Kamillio is designed to streamline and automate traditionally manual back-office processes, reducing operating expenses and increasing agency capacity for sales and service. For more information or to obtain an interview with Kamillio, please contact Rob McPherson at rob@insurego.ca.
Media Contact for BTIS: Anita Nevins, anita@directconnectionusa.com
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SOURCE Builders & Tradesmen's Insurance Services, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/btis-announces-partnership-with-kamillio-direct-to-consumer-insurance-technology/ | 2022-08-23T11:44:47Z |
NANCHANG, China, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:
East China's Jiangxi province, known as the "cradle of the Chinese revolution", has managed to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, and the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has become a motto for the province's future development.
Wuning county in Jiangxi's Jiujiang city has remained committed to following a green development path with ecological protection as its main priority, which has brought tangible benefits to local villagers, and boosted the county's high-quality social and economic development.
The ecological circulation industrial park in Changshui village in Wuning, covers an area of more than 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares) and has adopted a new industrial model featuring rice-fish farming, mushroom-fruit relay cropping, bee-forest raising, and ecological circulation, which helps local farmers explore a new development mechanism that combines tourism, agriculture and culture. The new model not only benefits the environment, but also improves the efficiency of agricultural production and increases farmers' incomes.
Ji'an city in Jiangxi, also responded actively to the provincial government's call to build a brand-new Jiangxi with lucid waters and lush mountains, and has beefed up efforts to beautify the coastline along the Ganjiang River, which is dubbed as the "mother river" of Jiangxi.
Through years of continuous efforts, the water quality of Ganjiang River has been significantly improved, which has created a better living environment for residents living along the river. In recent years, more and more rare and endangered birds have taken shelter in Ji'an such as the scaly-sided merganser, also known as the Chinese merganser, which is an endangered species under first-grade State protection and appears on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list.
Luxi county, an old revolutionary base in Pingxiang city, Jiangxi, is located near the mountains and the river, and boasts abundant ecological resources.
In recent years, the county has highlighted the integration of Red tourism with green industry, and received the honor of being a "Beautiful and livable demonstration county in Jiangxi".
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SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/greener-jiangxi-improves-quality-life/ | 2022-08-23T11:44:48Z |
State of Student Success & Engagement in Louisiana Higher Education points to evolving student perceptions of educational needs
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure, the maker of Canvas, today released a new study highlighting key higher education trends in Louisiana. The study, developed in coordination with Hanover Research, gives a timely and insightful view into how 114 higher education students in Louisiana define student success and engagement. Student respondents are focused on career readiness, skill competency, educational goals and relevant job placement. To view the report, visit this page.
In an era marked by rapid change and increased reliance on new technology and evolving instructional strategies, Louisiana educators are working to meet the unique educational needs of their students. The study found that while in-person classes are still popular, the number of hybrid and online remote learning courses being offered is becoming an important factor for students as they choose a college or university. Students also want their institutions to focus on their holistic development. This includes personal instruction and the effective delivery of online learning from faculty. The results of the study highlight the importance of a holistic approach to education that meets the needs of today's students.
"While grades remain an important measure of student success, administrators and faculty in Louisiana are increasingly focused on student well-being and on preparing students to enter the workforce," said Ryan Lufkin, VP of Product Marketing at Instructure. "Institutions are actively working to provide a more comprehensive education that is relevant to the academic and employment goals of each student. Whether through in-person, online, or hybrid learning opportunities, institutions that adapt to and seek to support the whole student will help prepare students ready to make a positive impact in the job market."
The research revealed six key trends that parents and educators in the state of Louisiana feel are important to teaching and learning in higher education:
1. Career readiness is priority No. 1 for students.
These Louisiana students are laser-focused on career readiness and having the skills to gain post-graduation employment. Some 79% of respondents view career readiness as the top determinant of success. Over 75% of the student respondents also rated skill competency, educational goals, recent graduate employment rates and relevant job placement as the top determinants of success.
2. Student preference for in-class, online, or hybrid learning continues to evolve.
The ability to take online classes in a remote or hybrid learning environment is becoming a deciding factor in which institutions students choose to attend. But their preferences for hybrid (43%) and in-person (37%) classes and fully online remote learning (20%) don't always align with the learning environments being offered at their institution.
Dr. James H. Ammons, Jr., executive vice president and chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans, commented on this key finding: "The Southern University System just moved to Canvas because we were looking for a robust cloud-based and user-friendly LMS. We are convinced that our students will enjoy the web-based interfaces and capabilities and its natural adaptability for mobile computing. In addition, faculty and students will have 24/7 technical support. Canvas takes advantage of the enormous advances in remote learning modalities and puts these enhancements in the hands of the users."
3. Students want their institutions to focus on their holistic development.
Students want an enhanced learning experience that includes personalized instruction and the effective delivery of online learning from faculty. In fact, 94% of the 100 Voices respondents say that holistic development such as self-discipline, communication, knowledge and personal reflection are important to student success and 53% say this will become more important over the next 12 months.
University of Louisiana System president Dr. Jim Henderson said: "The university has long been dedicated to the holistic development of individuals. The rapid advancement of technology has made the necessary development even more complex but our institutions are committed to ensuring our graduates have the competencies required for life and career success."
4. Students still feel the impact of COVID, but there are reasons for optimism.
Unsurprisingly, 73% of student respondents believe COVID-19 negatively impacted student engagement. Some 66% believe it negatively affected academic progress and 63% said that it negatively impacted career readiness. The good news is that these impacts appear to be lessening when compared to Instructure's global 2021 State of Higher Education report which spanned 18 countries and included input from 7,687 students, administrators and faculty. Respondents to the Louisiana survey also believe the impact will decline further over the next 12 months.
5. Access is the key to engagement and success.
Access to the internet and technological devices are two key socioeconomic factors that fuel student engagement and success, according to over 80% of the 100 Voices respondents. Students express a clear interest in mobile learning capabilities, though some struggle to maintain consistent access to WiFi and the technology that would foster learning. While 69% of students feel engaged in the classroom, only 29% of students from self-identified lower economic classes said it was very easy to stay engaged. As is always the case, making education accessible is an important part of the effort to close the equity gap among students.
6. Students want connection.
It's clear that students in Louisiana crave connection and flexibility around learning modalities, yet connection means different things to different students. Relevant top factors that students believe will increase engagement include hands-on instruction (46%), smaller class sizes (44%), a sense of community (37%), in-person instruction (34%), teamwork assignments (32%), strong friendships (30%) and personalized instruction (30%).
"Higher ed institutions, like Tulane SoPA, can help create connections and a sense of community for students while building interpersonal relationships through small class sizes that allow rich faculty-student and student-student interactions, or by providing a curated student experience such as an in-person three-day residency to complement an online graduate program," said Ilianna H. Kwaske, associate dean for academic affairs at Tulane University School of Professional Advancement (SoPA) in relation to this finding. "Offering robust services, such as academic and career advising, also fosters connection while supporting student success."
Ronni Tyger, director of Tulane SoPA learning design & development, emphasizes the need for universities to understand students' need for both connection and flexibility: "By collaborating with faculty subject matter experts to design learning experiences that intentionally put the student's experience first, we develop opportunities to increase inclusivity and a sense of connection for students across all modalities. Adding synchronous course meetings throughout the semester to all our online courses has brought students and instructors together and has established a sense of community while enhancing learning."
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The survey was fielded in April of 2022 and was cleaned and analyzed by Hanover Research. After fielding and data cleaning, the study consisted of 114 qualified, completed responses, with 35 respondents attending a two-year program and 74 respondents. We performed statistical significance testing across segments with a 95% confidence level. For any questions regarding the underlying methodology or data, please contact studentsuccess@instructure.com.
ABOUT INSTRUCTURE
Instructure (NYSE: INST) is an education technology company dedicated to elevating student success, amplifying the power of teaching, and inspiring everyone to learn together. Today the Instructure Learning Platform supports tens of millions of educators and learners around the world. Learn more at www.instructure.com.
ABOUT HANOVER RESEARCH
Founded in 2003, Hanover Research is a global research and analytics firm that delivers market intelligence through a unique, fixed-fee model to more than 1,000 clients. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Hanover has been named a Top 50 Market Research Firm by the American Marketing Association every year since 2015. To learn more about Hanover Research, visit www.hanoverresearch.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the potential, timing, and examples of any strategic alternatives. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 22, 2022 and other documents filed with the SEC and could cause actual results to vary from expectations. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof and Instructure undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law.
CONTACT:
Brian Watkins
Corporate Communications
Instructure
801-610-9722
brian.watkins@instructure.com
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SOURCE Instructure | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/instructure-study-suggests-that-louisiana-higher-ed-students-prioritize-career-readiness-holistic-development/ | 2022-08-23T11:44:50Z |
BEIJING , Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NaaS Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: NAAS, "NaaS" or "the Company"), a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging service provider in China, and Tunghsu Group, recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement whereby both parties will begin comprehensive cooperation on the construction, operation and maintenance of charging stations, as well as supplying non-charging services to new energy vehicles.
Senior executives from both companies attended the ceremony, including Wang Chunxiang, Vice President of Newlink Group, Jiang Yi, Vice President of Operations, NaaS, Gao Chao, Executive Vice President of Tunghsu Group and Liu Guowei, Vice President of Tunghsu Group.
Gao Chao, Executive Vice President of Tunghsu Group , extended a warm welcome to the C-level guests from NaaS Technology Inc. Mr. Gao said, "Tunghsu Group has advantages in technology, talent and in its industry in the areas of semiconductor optoelectronic display materials and cutting-edge advanced materials, and has been committed to independently innovating in core equipment and materials in the related industries. Tunghsu Group has repeatedly broken up international monopolies and reduced the limits on China's key developing industries. The cooperation between our two companies, leaders in our respective industries would expedite the growth and facilitate the overall development of our businesses."
Wang Chunxiang, Vice President of Newlink, also expressed his agreement with the development strategy, the vision for both enterprises, the innovation of new technologies and the potential market applications for Tunghsu Group. "Newlink Group has continuously focused on the Internet of Things, new retail and other fields of new energy for many years now, and has established multiple business lines such as Tuanyou, NaaS, Newlink Enterprise Service, Nengcheng Technology (logistics), and Newlink Retail." He said, "This partnership will enable both companies to jointly help realize China's Dual Carbon goals, creating a better future for everyone in process."
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAC), sales of new energy vehicles in China totaled 2.6 million for the first half of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 1.2 times, accounting for 21.6 percent of the market, and is expected to exceed 5 million by the end of the year. The rapid increase in sales and inventory has resulted in a greater need to build new energy vehicle charging infrastructure, and has driven the rapid development of the charging industry. Data from the National Energy Administration shows that 1.3 million new charging piles were built in the first half of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.8 times. Currently, both central and local governments are constantly developing new energy policies, which are being included in the seven key areas of their "new infrastructure construction" plan.
Tunghsu Group is a large high-tech group with businesses covering semiconductor optoelectronic display materials, high-end equipment manufacturing, environmentally friendly new energy, new energy vehicles and cutting-edge advanced materials, and has accumulated profound technological know-how, developing a strong presence in new energy vehicles, photovoltaic, energy storage, charging stations and other fields related to China's "Dual Carbon" goals. Tunghsu Group has been awarded the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (First Class and Second Class), "Chinese Patent Gold Award" and the title of "Manufacturing Individual Champion Demonstration Enterprise."
As a leader in both the domestic production of core display materials and China's new materials industry, Tunghsu Group is committed to consistently improving its capacity for independent innovation in its core technologies, and to complement, extend and strengthen Tunghsu Group's multiple industry value chains to ensure that each industry value chain is self-supporting, and thereby contribute to the overall high-quality development of China's national industry.
NaaS Technology Inc. has integrated participants throughout the EV charging industry value chain, including charger manufacturers, operators and OEMs, improving the operational efficiency of all parties in the process through both online and offline charging and non-charging solutions. For commercial clients, NaaS helps operators to attract users with charger connectivity and traffic support. At the same time, NaaS provides one-stop solutions for charging station development to help reduce construction, operation and maintenance costs for charging stations. NaaS also provides professional operations management, and help improve charging station profitability by adding non-charging services such as car wash service and ancillary products.
As of June 30, 2022, NaaS operates in 358 cities across China and has connected to more than 400,000 chargers and 44,000 charging stations. On June 13, NaaS was officially listed on NASDAQ with the stock code "NAAS".
Industry experts say that the strategic cooperation between the two parties will promote the organic integration of the upstream and downstream portions of China's new energy charging industry value chain, facilitate the development of innovative cooperation models in the charging ecosystem, and build a more intelligent charging network. An important sector for achieving China's "Dual Carbon" goals, the new energy charging industry is now in a critical period of development. This cooperation is of great importance for promoting the development of the industry and for creating a new energy ecosystem in China. It will further advance China's new energy industry and contribute to achieving China's "Dual Carbon" goals through the respective strengths of both companies.
About NaaS Technology Inc.
NaaS Technology Inc. is one of the largest and fastest growing electric vehicle charging service providers in China. The firm is a subsidiary of NewLink, a leading energy digitalization group in China. NaaS offers a comprehensive one-stop shop to charger manufacturers and operators, OEMs, in-house delivery fleets as well as fleet operators, with online, offline, and non-electric services covering the entire EV industry value chain. As of June 30, 2022, NaaS operates in 358 cities across China and has connected to more than 400,000 chargers and 44,000 charging stations. On June 13, 2022, NaaS Technology Inc. was officially listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker NAAS.
For more information, please visit NaaS Technology Inc.
Media Contact
E-mail: pr@enaas.com
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SOURCE NAAS | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/naas-tunghsu-group-signs-strategic-cooperation-agreement-jointly-drive-towards-realization-chinas-dual-carbon-goals/ | 2022-08-23T11:44:53Z |
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Recovery Centers of America (RCA) treatment facilities have been ranked among the best in the country by Newsweek Magazine's 2022 America's Best Addiction Treatment Centers.
With inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder and mental health treatment centers across the country, RCA's Bracebridge Hall (Md.), Capital Region (Md.), Danvers (Mass.), Indianapolis (Ind.), Raritan Bay (N.J,) and Westminster (Mass.) facilities took top honors in their respective communities for quality of service, reputation and accreditation.
RCA's national network of world class substance use disorder and mental health treatment facilities have been serving patients and families for years in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This is the third consecutive year that Recovery Centers of America facilities have received the prestigious Newsweek designation.
"It's wonderful to have our team acknowledged for the amazing work they do here at Bracebridge Hall," said Robert Bunyon, CEO. "Our team works to make a difference in the community and appreciates the community recognizing those efforts. Our goal is to provide exceptional addiction treatment and it is humbling to be recognized as one of the leading providers in Maryland."
RCA is known for its evidence-based treatment programs to help its patients get well. Every person who walks through the door is assessed and given a treatment regimen that is customized to meet them where they are on their recovery journey.
Patients often come to RCA with mental illness, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, as well as substance use. RCA has greatly expanded its mental health services to meet this growing demand. Drug and alcohol use is often closely related to mental illness. Dr. Peter Vernig, a renowned psychologist with decades in the mental health field, joined RCA to grow the company's behavioral health strategy.
"When people come to us, they are suffering," Vernig says. "We want them to find relief. In a lot of the same ways that substance use disorder impacts the community, mental health disorders do as well."
RCA has long been a provider of treatment for co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, but has expanded to offer mental health treatment with or without a substance use disorder to meet the growing need for services. Outpatient hubs to treat mental illness are being established to serve each state where RCA exists. The newest site, servicing all of Pennsylvania, is in Malvern.
The America's Best Addiction Treatment Centers 2022 list highlights the nation's top facilities based on quality of service, reputation and accreditation relative to in state competition, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The rankings feature the top 330 inpatient/residential and long-term addiction treatment centers. The evaluation process was comprised of three steps:
- Recommendations from peers: Thousands of medical experts (therapists, counselor, medical doctors, administration & staff working in addiction treatment facilities) were invited to an online peer-to-peer survey.
- Quality Score: Participants were also asked to rank the quality dimensions which influence the quality of rehabilitation facilities.
- Accreditation Score: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides data for addiction treatment centers. Specifically, SAMHSA lists accreditations relevant to addiction treatment centers.
The rankings were performed by Newsweek and Statista Inc., a market leading statistics data and industry ranking company. Newsweek and Statista employed a comprehensive methodology in evaluating selected addiction treatment centers which included a reputation survey conducted by Newsweek and Statista and an accreditation score by SAMHSA.
"RCA is a different kind of addiction center; we focus on being a whole community and neighborhood treatment provider where everyone can heal," said Kevin Rudd, interim CEO of RCA Indianapolis. "Our specialty programming is specific to the Indianapolis area, catering directly to what this community needs. It's good to see that the hard work our staff puts into saving lives and providing top level care for our patients is being recognized by our community."
Recovery Centers of America is dedicated to helping patients achieve a life of recovery through evidence-based alcohol and drug addiction treatment, as well as treatment for mental health disorders. RCA has ten inpatient facilities in Earleville and Waldorf (near Washington D.C.), Maryland, Danvers and Westminster, Massachusetts; Devon (near Philadelphia), and Monroeville (near Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania; South Amboy and Mays Landing, NJ; St. Charles, Illinois (outside of Chicago), and Indianapolis, Indiana. A full spectrum of outpatient treatment is also provided at many of these facilities. Patients can obtain immediate substance use disorder care and mental health treatment by calling 1-800-Recovery with complimentary transportation provided in most cases.
For media interviews, please contact Joe E Carmean at j.carmean@recoverycoa.com.
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SOURCE Recovery Centers of America | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/newsweek-recognizes-six-recovery-centers-america-facilities-top-addiction-treatment-providers/ | 2022-08-23T11:44:54Z |
MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) announced that it will provide anesthesia services at the new Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center, effective October 1, 2022. NAPA is the largest single-specialty anesthesia and pain management company in the U.S., with more than 6,000 clinicians providing anesthesia at hundreds of hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and office-based locations across 21 states. The 132-bed, 341,000-foot Penn State Health facility, located at 2160 State Road, Lancaster, PA, 17601, will open on October 3, 2022. The new facility will provide residents of Lancaster and York counties access to Penn State Health's expertise and specialty services without having to drive to its Hershey location.
Joseph J. Frank, MS, MPH, Regional Hospital President, East Region, Penn State Health, said, "We are committed to providing our communities access, quality, choice of care, and complete medical and surgical capabilities as close to their homes as possible. This facility will strengthen Penn State Health, providing world-class primary, specialty, and acute care to residents. NAPA will help us deliver the highest level of care and reinforce our reputation in the Lancaster area."
Joshua Constable, DO, NAPA's Vice President of Clinical Services for the Mid-Atlantic Region, said, "We are excited about this new relationship, where NAPA's trusted anesthesia clinicians will support Lancaster Medical Center in providing exceptional medical care from day one. With years of experience in delivering consistent and safe anesthesia services, we at NAPA look forward to a long relationship with Penn State Health in Lancaster, where we will work collaboratively to expand health care services, achieve facility excellence, and make reliable surgical services available for all."
As a clinician-led organization, North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) is redefining healthcare, delivering unsurpassed excellence to its partners and patients every day. NAPA has grown to become the nation's leading single-specialty anesthesia and pain management company. Our 6,000+ clinicians serve nearly 3 million patients annually at nearly 500 healthcare facilities in 21 states. For more information, please visit NAPAanesthesia.com.
Penn State Health is a multi-hospital health system serving patients and communities across 29 counties of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to improve health through patient care, research, education, and community outreach. Penn State Health has 126 practices in 94 unique outpatient locations. It employs more than 17,500 people, including more than 3,000 physicians and direct-care providers. Penn State College of Medicine is located on the campus of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and partners with Penn State Health to improve lives through research and education.
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SOURCE NAPA Management Services Corporation | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/north-american-partners-anesthesia-bring-anesthesia-services-new-penn-state-health-medical-center/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:07Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EXCLUSIVE: In the latest episode of The Chris Cuomo Project, former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort shares his view on whether Trump will enter the 2024 presidential race. Manafort's wide-ranging interview with Cuomo also covers FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago, his work in Ukraine, and the Mueller investigation and his subsequent conviction and pardon.
Watch/listen here: https://youtu.be/JKr7J3TblGc
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SOURCE The Chris Cuomo Project | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/paul-manafort-tells-chris-cuomo-whether-he-believes-donald-trump-will-enter-2024-presidential-race/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:14Z |
ROCKVILLE, Md., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- REGENXBIO Inc. (Nasdaq: RGNX) today announced presentations at the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism Annual Symposium, taking place from August 30 through September 2, 2022, in Freiburg, Germany. The presentations will highlight new data from the Phase I/II/III CAMPSIITE™ trial of RGX-121, an investigational one-time AAV Therapeutic for the treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II), also known as Hunter Syndrome, and an encore data presentation for RGX-111, an investigational one-time AAV Therapeutic for the treatment of severe Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I), or Hurler syndrome.
Presentations include:
Title: RGX-121 gene therapy for the treatment of severe mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II): Interim analysis of data from a Phase 1/2 study
Presenter: Roberto Giugliani, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Department of Genetics, UFRGS, Medical Genetics Service, HCPA, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 31, 2022, 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. CEDT
Title: RGX-111 gene therapy for the treatment of severe mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I): Interim analysis of data from the first in human study
Presenter: Raymond Wang, M.D., Division of Metabolic Disorders, CHOC Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA
Date/Time: Thursday, September 1, 2022, 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. CEDT
Title: Natural History of Neurodevelopment in Neuronopathic Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II): Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) Cognitive, Motor, and Language Developmental Trajectories
Presenter: Maria Escolar, M.D., M.S., Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Program for the Study of Neurodevelopment in Rare Disorders, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 31, 2022, 6:45 – 8:15 p.m. CEDT
About REGENXBIO Inc.
REGENXBIO is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company seeking to improve lives through the curative potential of gene therapy. REGENXBIO's NAV Technology Platform, a proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery platform, consists of exclusive rights to more than 100 novel AAV vectors, including AAV7, AAV8, AAV9 and AAVrh10. REGENXBIO and its third-party NAV Technology Platform Licensees are applying the NAV Technology Platform in the development of a broad pipeline of candidates, including late-stage and commercial programs, in multiple therapeutic areas. REGENXBIO is committed to a "5x'25" strategy to progress five AAV Therapeutics from our internal pipeline and licensed programs into pivotal-stage or commercial products by 2025.
Contacts:
Dana Cormack
Corporate Communications
dcormack@regenxbio.com
Investors:
Chris Brinzey
ICR Westwicke
339-970-2843
chris.brinzey@westwicke.com
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SOURCE REGENXBIO Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/regenxbio-announces-presentations-society-study-inborn-errors-metabolism-annual-symposium/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:20Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SKYPAD, a global leader in product performance analytics for retailers and brands, is thrilled to announce a partnership with luxury beauty retailer, Cos Bar. Leveraging feedback from key existing subscribers, including Chantecaille, Creed, Augustinis Bader, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Revive, and a host of others, the SKYPAD team worked to build an application tailored to best support the ever-burgeoning beauty industry with sales insights and consumer trends. This exclusive partnership is a strategic step forward to support the cosmetics and beauty space.
With its 19 brick-and-mortar stores throughout the US and its online presence, Cos Bar chose the SKYPAD SaaS platform as its preferred analytics tool. SKYPAD will be utilized to best forecast demand and to ensure automated, accurate, and consistent sales data-sharing with its brands. This will ultimately lead to optimal product availability for consumers in their stores and online. This time save will be a win-win for brands, buyers, and most importantly, consumers.
SKYPAD will provide a comprehensive dashboard with vendor product and location level insights and year-over-year comparison capabilities in a shared view, easing brand and buyer collaboration. The program includes industry specific terminology and concepts, including aggregate time frames around holidays and key events, categories and sub-categories, and benefits.
SKYPAD and Cos Bar have a shared, focused commitment to clients, which is to enhance speed, consistency, and accuracy of data sharing between merchants and their suppliers – Ultimately ensuring consumers have access to the right product, in the right place, at the right time.
"We are eager to launch with SKYPAD, and to empower our Merchant team and brands with an industry leading tool. We anticipate that this solution will not only grow our collective businesses, but will also grow our strategic and new brand relationships. We look forward to the results to come." – Cristina Estrada, VP of Operations
SKYPAD's VP of Business Development, Gil Hakami, stated, "We are super excited about this exclusive new partnership with Cos Bar. SKYPAD will allow Cos Bar buyers and their respective brands to collaborate on a single platform, to make merchandising decisions based on facts. Inevitably, this will positively impact Cos Bar consumers at the stores and online."
Sky I.T. Group is the home of SKYPAD, a leading B2B SaaS platform, supporting the collaboration of the world's most recognizable brands with the top retailers across the globe. Leveraging automation and self-serve reporting, SKYPAD provides insights into product and location level trends that drive planning, forecasting, and supply chain decisions, refining the consumer shopping experience.
Today, SKYPAD services over 4,000 users, from 2,000+ brands across several industry verticals and geographic regions. Our client brand portfolio of industry leaders includes International Cosmetics and Perfumes, Bond No 9, La Prairie, Sisley, Shiseido, and Oribe Hair Care. The SKYPAD retailer partner network includes Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth, and Nordstrom.
Website: www.skyitgroup.com
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SOURCE Sky I.T. Group | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/skypad-partnership-with-cos-bar/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:26Z |
DeSantis rival to emerge from high-stakes Florida primary
MIAMI (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is poised to learn the identity of his general election opponent on Tuesday as Democrats choose between a man who spent a lifetime in politics — much of it as a Republican — and a woman casting herself as “something new” as she seeks the energy of her party’s resurgent base.
The Democratic establishment has largely lined up behind Charlie Crist, a 66-year-old Democratic congressman who served as the state’s Republican governor more than a decade ago. Running now as a moderate Democrat, Crist is facing 44-year-old Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who hopes to become the state’s first female governor while leaning into the fight for abortion rights.
The race is ultimately a debate over who is best-positioned to defeat DeSantis, who emerged from a narrow victory four years ago to become one of the most prominent Republicans in politics. His relatively light touch handling the pandemic and his eagerness to lean into divides over race, gender and LGBTQ rights have resonated with many Republican voters who see DeSantis as a natural heir to former President Donald Trump.
His reelection effort is widely assumed to be a precursor to a presidential run in 2024, adding to a sense of urgency among Democrats to blunt his rise now.
“I have been in the trenches. I have taken on DeSantis,” Fried told The Associated Press. DeSantis “won’t have a 2024 because he won’t have a 2022. We are going to beat him in November, and we are going to kill all of his aspirations to run for president of the United States.”
Crist, in an interview, described DeSantis as a threat to democracy.
“He is the opposite of freedom. He is an autocrat. He is a demagogue. And I think people are sick of him,” Crist said of the sitting Republican governor, noting that DeSantis earlier this year admonished a group of high school students for wearing face masks at an indoor news conference. “Who is this guy? Who does he think he is? He is not the boss.”
The Florida contest wraps up the busiest stretch of primaries this year. Republicans from Pennsylvania to Arizona have supported contenders who have embraced Trump’s lies that the 2020 election was stolen, an assertion roundly rejected by elections officials, the former president’s attorney general and judges he appointed.
And for the most part, Democrats have avoided brutal primary fights. That could be tested Tuesday, however, as voters in New York participate in congressional primaries that feature two powerful Democratic committee chairs, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler, competing for the same seat and other incumbents fending off challenges from the left.
Democrats are entering the final weeks ahead of the midterms with a sense of cautious optimism, hoping the Supreme Court’s decision overturning a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion will energize the party’s base. But Democrats still face tremendous headwinds, including economic uncertainty and the historic reality that most parties lose seats in the first midterm after they’ve won the White House.
The dynamics are especially challenging for Democrats in Florida, one of the most politically divided states in the U.S. Its last three races for governor were decided by 1 percentage point or less. But the state has steadily become more favorable to Republicans in recent years.
For the first time in modern history, Florida has more registered Republicans — nearly 5.2 million — than Democrats, who have nearly 5 million registered voters. Fried serves as the only Democrat in statewide office. And Republicans have no primary competition for four of those five positions – governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and chief financial officer — which are all held by GOP incumbents.
Democrats hope that U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who faces a little-known candidate in her Senate primary Tuesday, can unseat the state’s senior U.S. senator, Republican Marco Rubio, this fall. But for now, the party’s national leadership is prioritizing competitive Senate contests in other states, including neighboring Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania.
In Florida’s governor’s race, the Supreme Court’s abortion decision has animated the final weeks of the Democratic primary.
Fried has promoted herself as the only true abortion-rights supporter in the race, seizing on Crist’s appointment of two conservative Supreme Court justices while he was governor.
The conservative-leaning court will soon decide whether the Republican-backed state legislature’s law to ban abortions after 15 weeks is constitutional. Florida’s new abortion law is in effect, with exceptions if the procedure is necessary to save the pregnant woman’s life, to prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. It does not allow exemptions in cases of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Crist insisted he is “pro-choice” and highlighted a bill he vetoed as governor in 2010 that would have required women seeking a first-trimester abortion to get and pay for an ultrasound exam.
“It is a woman’s right to choose,” Crist told the AP. “My record is crystal clear. And for my opponent to try to muddy that up is unconscionable, unfair and unwise.”
In experience and personality, voters have a clear contrast between Crist, an establishment-backed lifelong politician viewed as a relatively safe choice, and Fried, a newer face who may be in better position to catch fire with the party’s most passionate voters.
Crist has raised $14 million so far this election cycle, nearly twice as much money as Fried. Having served in elected office since 1992, his supporters describe him as reliable and personable with an excellent memory.
“He is the best retail politician in Florida in this century. He is just an outstanding politician. He asks about my grandchildren by name,” said Mac Stipanovich, a political strategist who served as chief of staff to former Republican Gov. Bob Martinez.
Meanwhile, Fried has gained twice as many followers on every social network and is quick to jump on online trends. She built her profile as one of DeSantis’ fiercest opponents, regularly challenging him on policy related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also created a position within her department to ensure LGBTQ members are given opportunities as DeSantis wages what the Human Rights Campaign recently described as “an assault on transgender Floridians.”
DeSantis signed into law what opponents called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that bans lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and restricts it in upper grades. He also championed the “stop WOKE act” that restricts race-based conversation and analysis in business and education, although a Florida judge last week declared the law an unconstitutional violation of free speech.
Such issues have been good for DeSantis’ standing with GOP voters.
The Florida governor touted his record at a weekend rally with more than 1,000 Pennsylvania voters, having already recently campaigned for Republican allies across Arizona, New Mexico and Ohio.
DeSantis was officially in Pennsylvania to help the GOP gubernatorial candidate, Doug Mastriano. But DeSantis barely mentioned Mastriano’s name in remarks to his Pittsburgh audience and focused instead on the political battles he fought in Florida to confront liberal “woke ideology.”
He didn’t mention that he’s running for reelection for governor this year.
“If you lead and lead with strength and courage, and you deliver results, the people will be with you,” DeSantis said.
___
Peoples reported from Washington, Farrington from Tallahassee. Associated Press writer Marc Levy in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.whsv.com/2022/08/23/desantis-rival-emerge-high-stakes-florida-primary/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:32Z |
MONTREAL, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - AirAsia India and CAE have announced their collaboration to integrate the CAE Rise™ Training System into the airline's simulator training program. AirAsia India is the first airline in India to adopt a data-driven training program using CAE Rise™.
CAE Rise™ leverages analytics to deliver a higher quality of training, providing real-time data during training sessions while giving instructors insights that enable them to objectively assess a pilot's technical competencies and performance. As long-time collaborators, AirAsia and CAE have worked together since 2014 on pilot training at CAE network training centers.
"This collaboration uniquely incorporates CAE's distinct features, which enable a more robust data-driven training program for our pilots," said Capt. Manish Uppal, Head of Operations, AirAsia India. "At AirAsia India, we continue to be at the forefront of integrating technology and ensuring that safety is paramount in every aspect of our training and operations."
"With Indian regulator DGCA aiming to make Evidence-Based Training (EBT) implementation mandatory, CAE Rise™ will be a key tool in collecting data to support a smooth EBT implementation and practice,'' said Capt. Arun Nair, Chief Pilot Training & Standard, AirAsia India.
"We are thrilled that AirAsia India will leverage the benefits of CAE Rise™ for their pilot training," said Nick Leontidis, CAE's Group President, Civil Aviation. "With CAE Rise™, AirAsia India is investing in the development of their pilots and the safety of their passengers."
Launched in 2018, the CAE Rise™ training system is a technological innovation that enables the translation of simulator training data into valuable insights for instructors and training managers. This new training system compares independent sources to provide increased confidence in grading data quality. In addition to monitoring SOP compliance, CAE Rise™ augments each instructor's capability to identify pilot proficiency gaps and evolve training programs to the most advanced aviation safety standards including AQP, ATQP, and EBT methodologies.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, AirAsia (India) Private Limited is a joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited. AirAsia India commenced operations on 12th June 2014 and flies over 50 direct and 100 connecting routes across India. The airline offers plush leather seats, hot meals, and Red-Carpet priority services.
AirAsia stands firmly on the pillars of its core values - People First, Dare to Dream, Be Guest-Obsessed, make it Happen, One AirAsia, Safety Always, and Sustainability Spirit. AirAsia India has consistently embraced technology to deliver operational efficiency and enhance guest experiences, offering fast bookings, fab value and fantastic deals on its award-winning mobile apps and website airasia.co.in, delivering seamless support with an advanced AI-powered multilingual chatbot Tia.
For the latest on AirAsia India's innovations, promotions, activities and contests, check out AirAsia India on Twitter @AirAsiaIndia, Instagram @AirAsiaIndia, Facebook @AirAsiaIndia, YouTube @AirAsiaIndia and LinkedIn @AirAsiaIndia
At CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, airlines, defence and security forces, and healthcare practitioners to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we're everywhere customers need us to be with more than 13,000 employees in more than 200 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents 75 years of industry firsts—the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators, surgical manikins, and personalized training programs powered by artificial intelligence. We're investing our time and resources into building the next generation of cutting-edge, digitally immersive training and critical operations solutions while keeping positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact at the core of our mission. Today and tomorrow, we'll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.
Read our FY22 Annual Activity and Corporate Social Responsibility Report
Follow us on Twitter: @CAE_Inc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cae.inc
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cae
Hashtags: #CAE; #CAEpilot
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SOURCE CAE INC. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/airasia-india-becomes-first-airline-india-use-revolutionary-ai-powered-cae-rise-training-system/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:39Z |
Partnerships with NorthStar Medical Radioisotopoes, Niowave, and TerraPower to Support Advancement of Targeted Alpha Radiopharmaceutical Pipeline to Treat a Broad Range of Solid Tumors
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aktis Oncology, a biotechnology company discovering and developing novel classes of targeted alpha radiopharmaceuticals to treat a broad range of solid tumors, today announced agreements with three leading medical radioisotope manufacturers NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC, Niowave, Inc, and TerraPower LLC, for preclinical, clinical, and commercial supply of Actinium-225.
"Given the breadth and depth of our emerging pipeline, securing robust isotope supply across all stages of development is critical. Each of our three partners are leaders in the field of nuclear innovation with strong reputations for production, operational experience, and technical capabilities," said Matthew Roden, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aktis Oncology. "We believe these foundational relationships with such high-quality suppliers will ensure timely and efficient progression of our programs and ultimately, enable patient access to potentially life-saving therapies."
The three agreements provide Aktis with a portfolio of suppliers that utilize varied techniques to produce high quality Actinium-225, and enhance the Company's ability to ensure just-in-time delivery of finished targeted radioconjugates to healthcare providers for administration to patients. NorthStar's approach to Actinium-225 production is to utilize non-uranium, electron accelerator-based production methods; Niowave builds and operates superconducting electron accelerators to produce Ac-225 and other radioisotopes, whereas TerraPower uses a Thorium-229 generator. These agreements are a part of broader ongoing efforts to build and enhance Aktis's supply access, radiomanufacturing and distribution capabilities.
Aktis Oncology is creating precision targeting molecules to deliver Actinium-225 directly to cancer cells, thereby harnessing alpha radiation to treat commonly occurring cancers with limited treatment options, including breast, lung and colorectal cancers, and to improve standards of cancer care. Actinium-225's powerful alpha particle emissions potently kill cancer cells by inducing double strand DNA breaks to overcome acquired resistance to traditional chemotherapy, and potentially outperform the new generation antibody drug conjugates.
About Aktis Oncology
Aktis Oncology is a biotechnology company pioneering the discovery and development of a new class of targeted alpha radiopharmaceuticals to treat a broad range of solid tumor cancers. Founded and incubated by MPM Capital, the company has developed proprietary platforms to generate tumor targeting agents with ideal properties for alpha radiotherapy. Designed for high tumor penetration and long residence time, Aktis Oncology's molecules will quickly clear other areas of the body, thereby maximizing tumor elimination while minimizing side effects of treatment. This approach would enable clinicians to visualize and verify target engagement prior to exposure to therapeutic radioisotopes. To learn more about Aktis Oncology, visit www.aktisoncology.com.
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SOURCE Aktis Oncology | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/aktis-oncology-announces-actinium-225-supply-agreements-with-leading-isotope-producers/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:46Z |
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- the Kleyman Law Firm, a law practice devoted exclusively to divorce and family law in New York City announced that its partner, Andriana Toscano, received the 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognition for her work as an NYC family and divorce lawyer.
Recognition in Best Lawyers is widely considered by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor conferred on a lawyer by members of their profession. Based entirely on peer review, this coveted award is given to an attorney after surveying thousands of leading lawyers who are asked to weigh in on the skill, talent, and achievements of their peers in their respective practice. More than 1.6 million evaluations were analyzed resulting in less than 20,000 lawyers being selected by their peers to be included and commended for their outstanding work in the entire country.
"We are very proud of Andriana and this recognition is well deserved. She is a rising star and one of the top divorce lawyers in NYC right now," said Val Kleyman, founding partner and fellow divorce attorney at the Kleyman Law Firm.
Andriana Toscano has proven herself capable of guiding individuals, parents, children, and families through the toughest and highly contested family law matters. She is also recognized as a Top Rated Family Law Attorney in New York, NY by Super Lawyers Rising Stars in multiple years. Trusted by clients and colleagues, she and the rest of the Kleyman Law Firm cultivated reputations as leaders in their field and helped thousands of clients in complex cases of divorce and family law routinely representing high-profile clients such as artists, athletes, business executives, and celebrities.
"I'm very excited and honored to have received this recognition. I will continue to work hard to help my clients through the most difficult time of their lives. I'm thankful to my firm and my peers, who nominated me, and with whom I look forward to working in the future," said Andriana Toscano.
Andriana Toscano is a partner at the Kleyman Law Firm. Her Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognition can be viewed at https://bestlawyers.com/lawyers/andriana-toscano/356088. The Kleyman Law Firm is located at One Rockefeller Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY. For more info go to https://nyc-divorcelawyer.com, email: atoscano@kleymanfirm.com or call 212-401-1977.
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SOURCE Kleyman Law Firm | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/andriana-toscano-named-2023-best-lawyers-ones-watch-america/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:52Z |
Expands Automation Capabilities in Medical Device and Life Sciences
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Arsenal Capital Partners ("Arsenal"), a private equity firm that specializes in investments in industrial growth and healthcare companies, today announced that it has completed an investment in Innovative Products & Equipment, Inc. ("Innovative"), which it will combine with Eckhart, Inc. ("Eckhart") to build a leading automation solutions provider serving highly complex applications in high-growth end markets. The terms of the Innovative acquisition were not disclosed.
Innovative, an automation solutions provider which focuses on the medical device and life sciences markets, represents Arsenal's second investment in the automation sector, following the acquisition of Eckhart in December 2021. Together, Innovative and Eckhart will provide specialized automation solutions, including Factory of the Future (design simulation) services, single & multi-cell automation systems, and fully automated assembly lines, as well as automation technologies, including Autonomous Guided Vehicles ("AGVs"), Autonomous Mobile Robots ("AMRs"), thermal bonders, servo presses, and semi-automated tooling.
"We are excited to work with the Innovative team to enhance our delivery of advanced, end-to-end automation capabilities for our customers," said Andy Storm, CEO of Eckhart. "Rich, Eric, Dale, Kevin, and the rest of the Innovative team have developed a reputation in the medical device and life sciences markets for solving mission-critical issues for their customers, and we believe joining forces will position us well for our next phase of growth."
Rich Brownstein, Principal and Co-President of Innovative, stated, "We are thrilled to partner with Arsenal, Andy, and the Eckhart team. The scale, capabilities, and resources that we can provide as a combined company will allow us to strategically accelerate growth as we support our global customer base with higher productivity, efficiency, and precision. Arsenal's reputation and experience investing in innovation-forward industrial technology and healthcare companies gives us confidence in the future growth prospects of our industry and company."
Sal Gagliardo, an Operating Partner of Arsenal, added, "Innovative is the latest example of our commitment to invest significant capital behind the substantial growth in automation and expand our presence in attractive, specialized end markets, such as medical device and life sciences."
SVB Securities served as exclusive financial advisor and Ruberto, Israel & Weiner P.C. served as legal advisor to Innovative on this transaction.
Harris Williams LLC served as financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Arsenal and Eckhart.
About Innovative Products & Equipment
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Hudson, New Hampshire, Innovative provides complex automation and product & process development solutions to blue-chip customers in specialized markets, with a focus on medical device and life sciences. Innovative's technologies and solutions include automated assembly and test systems, machine vision solutions, integrated robotics, and engineering services. For additional information, please visit www.ipeinc.com.
About Eckhart
Eckhart, based in Warren, Michigan, designs, builds, and sustains advanced industrial solutions used to solve complex manufacturing needs. Eckhart's proven portfolio of Industry 4.0 technology includes autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), collaborative robot systems, traditional robotics, assembly automation & simulation, 3D printing tool development & production, and Factory of the Future consulting for the world's largest manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.eckhartusa.com.
About Arsenal Capital Partners
Arsenal Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm that specializes in investments in industrial growth and healthcare companies. Since its inception in 2000, Arsenal has raised institutional equity investment funds totaling over $10 billion, completed more than 250 platform and add-on acquisitions, and achieved more than 30 realizations. The firm works with management teams to build strategically important companies with leading market positions, high growth, and high value-add. For additional information, please visit www.arsenalcapital.com.
Contact for Arsenal:
Jackie Schofield at Prosek Partners
Pro-Arsenal@prosek.com
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SOURCE Arsenal Capital Partners | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/arsenal-capital-partners-acquires-innovative-products-amp-equipment-its-second-investment-build-leading-automation-solutions-business/ | 2022-08-23T11:45:58Z |
Aviation Industry Leader Collaborates with WM
CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AvAir, an inventory solutions provider for the aviation aftermarket, is proud to announce it is now working with WM to improve its sustainability efforts. WM is the leading environmental service and solutions provider in North America and will provide an extensive evaluation and recommendations on how AvAir can improve its operations to reduce its environmental impact.
"From how we serve our customers and employees to how our operations are run on a daily basis, we are always trying to improve our processes and services," said Mike Bianco, CEO of AvAir. "Assessing our operations to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts is something my team and I care deeply about. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the sustainability team at WM."
AvAir is headquartered in Chandler, Ariz. with operations in Dublin, Ireland. It has been named the Supplier of the Year for 2021 and 2022 by Airline Economics, the leading industry trade publication. It has also been recognized for its work in sustainability by The Aviation 100 two years in a row, AvAir received the Environmental Sustainability award.
AvAir offers solutions for customers and suppliers to buy, sell, exchange, loan, lease, or consign inventories with more than 26 million in-stock parts. The company is ISO 9001, AS9120, and ASA 100 certified and adheres to the highest quality standards in all phases: purchasing, receiving, stocking, sales, and shipping.
For more information about AvAir, visit AvAir.aero.
About AvAir
Founded in 2000, Arizona-based AvAir is a global leader in the aviation aftermarket, providing customized inventory solutions for airlines, OEMs, and MROs. AvAir offers solutions for customers and suppliers to buy, sell, exchange, loan, lease, or consign inventories with more than 26 million in-stock parts. Recognized as a global leader, AvAir has been named "No. 1 Parts Supplier of the Year" by Airline Economics and "Fastest Growing Companies in America." by Inc. 5000. For more about AvAir, visit AvAir.aero.
Contact: Claire Natale
Email: claire@evolveprandmarketing.com
Phone: 202.294.5999
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SOURCE AvAir | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/avair-invests-sustainability-efforts/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:04Z |
MONTRÉAL, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) today announced that 1,067,517 of its 11,397,196 fixed-rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series AA ("Series AA Preferred Shares") have been tendered for conversion on September 1, 2022, on a one-for-one basis, into floating-rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series AB ("Series AB Preferred Shares"). In addition, 1,977,982 of its 8,599,204 Series AB Preferred Shares have been tendered for conversion on September 1, 2022, on a one-for-one basis, into Series AA Preferred Shares. Consequently, on September 1, 2022, BCE will have 12,307,661 Series AA Preferred Shares and 7,688,739 Series AB Preferred Shares issued and outstanding. The Series AA Preferred Shares and the Series AB Preferred Shares will continue to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols BCE.PR.A and BCE.PR.B, respectively.
The Series AA Preferred Shares will pay on a quarterly basis, for the five-year period beginning on September 1, 2022, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of BCE, a fixed cash dividend based on an annual fixed dividend rate of 4.94%.
The Series AB Preferred Shares will continue to pay a monthly floating adjustable cash dividend for the five-year period beginning on September 1, 2022, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of BCE. The monthly floating adjustable dividend for any particular month will continue to be calculated based on the prime rate for such month and using the Designated Percentage for such month representing the sum of an adjustment factor (based on the market price of the Series AB Preferred Shares in the preceding month) and the Designated Percentage for the preceding month.
BCE is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced Bell broadband wireless, Internet, TV, media and business communications services. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries:
Caroline Audet
514 391-9794
caroline.audet@bell.ca
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
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SOURCE BCE Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/bce-reports-results-series-aa-ab-preferred-share-conversions/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:11Z |
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At the beginning of a new school year, educators want to get to know their students, but time and resource constraints can make prioritizing teacher-student connections difficult. Along, a first-of-its-kind teacher-student connection builder, was created as a solution for educators to foster these authentic relationships within the realities of today's classrooms. Educators can sign up and use Along for free, and they can start using it in minutes.
When students are able to connect and form relationships, it drives a greater ability to learn, a stronger sense of self, and the potential for better life outcomes. However, multiple barriers to prioritizing these critical teacher-student bonds have created a "connection gap" in our schools.
"Along was purpose-built by educators for educators as a solution for bridging the teacher-student connection gap that is so prevalent in today's schools," said Samia Zaidi, Program Director for Along. "Building community by starting with simple questions, Along helps educators turn small conversations into actual connections. They are modeling the soft skills needed to create not just knowledgeable students, but whole students."
According to a recent survey of students from Gradient Learning, the nonprofit organization that offers Along, more than 70% of students pay attention or participate in class more when they have a strong relationship with a teacher. Additionally, 35% of students say it's awkward or uncomfortable for them to reach out to their teachers, and nearly a third (31%) are not having regular check-ins with their teacher. Also, as reported in a separate Gradient Learning Poll, 95% of teachers believe that every student can benefit from a mentor, and 83% of teachers say that mentoring helps their students develop greater confidence and self-efficacy.
This school year, Along can be implemented for free by educators across the country. The connection builder continues to be recognized by trusted, independent sources in education, including Common Sense Education, which named Along a "Best Tool for Back to School" for 2022.
Rochester Public Schools in Rochester, Minnesota, is using Along as part of a district-wide focus on building relationships in the 2022-23 school year, after piloting it with a number of their educators last year.
"Relationship building should be the absolute number one priority for any adult who is going to have students in the classroom," said Will Ruffin II, Executive Director of Equity and Engagement, Rochester Public Schools. "That's what's truly important, not so much the book that's in front of the student. If their basic needs aren't met, learning is not going to occur. We knew that we had to find some way to offer a different kind of connection for our students and teachers, and Along filled that void for us."
Along offers access to hundreds of research-informed reflection questions, classroom activities, and educator practices. Educators can start using Along by choosing a reflection question, recording their own answer, and then sharing it with their students. Students will see their teacher's question in their Along account and can respond in whatever way they feel most comfortable—via text, audio, or video. Their answers go directly back to their teacher, eliminating peer pressure and starting to build essential one-one-one teacher-student connections.
To explore Along and to sign up for free, please visit https://www.along.org/.
For more information about Along:
Along is a first-of-its-kind teacher-student connection builder provided at no cost by Gradient Learning, a nonprofit organization founded and led by educators who are driven to bring communities, schools, and families together in pursuit of meeting the needs of every student. Using simple, yet powerful, reflection questions, Along helps to solve the connection gap between teachers and their students by fostering authentic conversations. Along was named a 2022 "Best Tool for Back to School" by Common Sense Education, an independent and trusted source that educators turn to for support about technology to use in the classroom. With the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Gradient Learning partners with communities, schools, and educators to create solutions—such as the Summit Learning program and Along—to meet the holistic needs of every student while fostering success for all.
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SOURCE Along | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/bridging-teacher-student-connection-gap-this-school-year-with-along/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:17Z |
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BSM Partners, the leading full-service pet care research and consulting firm, announces 15-year-old Ava Dorsey as the first participant in their Young Entrepreneur Mentorship Program. Dorsey is the founder and Chief Pet Officer of Ava's Pet Palace, a line of USDA Organic-certified and all-natural dog and cat treats and pet accessories. All packaging for Ava's Pet Palace products is made from sustainable recycled products.
"Having already accomplished so much at such a young age, Ava is the perfect first mentee to kickstart our Young Entrepreneur Mentorship program," said Dr. Frank Niles, Principal of BSM's Business Transformation practice and startup services group lead. "Our startup services team has been thrilled to be guiding and assisting Ava through her company's growth, and we look forward to helping other young entrepreneurs break into and flourish in the industry."
BSM Partners' Young Entrepreneur Mentorship Program guides emerging young business leaders within the pet industry, providing advice and support on matters such as product innovation, formula development, marketing, business development, employee development, organizational development, executive coaching, and more.
"It's been a great and very productive relationship since meeting everyone on the BSM team," said Dorsey. "The team members are so caring and provide help and guidance that any startup could benefit from across all areas of business. I'm really looking forward to the future of the pet industry that includes the youth this program seeks to help. And I'm so happy they are being active change agents for the future of the industry. Growing and scaling a business can sometimes feel scary, but I now feel very confident and super excited about the future of Ava's Pet Palace!"
Ava's Pet Palace is a line of organic and all-natural dog and cat treats and pet accessories and are sold online at www.avaspetpalace.com, in independent retailers throughout the nation and in all PetPeople and Pet Food Express locations.
BSM Partners is the leading full-service pet care research, consulting, and strategy-to-shelf product innovation firm. BSM Partners collaborates with hundreds of clients, ranging from the largest companies to individual entrepreneurs, to provide both technical and business solutions. The firm's startup services group helps early-stage pet care entrepreneurs build the foundation necessary to scale their business. From ideation to execution and everything in-between, BSM accelerates the growth of promising new businesses in the pet food industry. To learn more, go to www.bsmpartners.net.
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SOURCE BSM Partners | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/bsm-partners-young-entrepreneur-mentorship-program-announces-ava-dorsey-avas-pet-palace-first-participant/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:24Z |
Tuesday is the primary for governor to see which Democrat, Charlie Crist or Nikki Fried, will face Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this fall. Christ was elected governor in 2006 as a Republican.
Copyright 2022 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7
Tuesday is the primary for governor to see which Democrat, Charlie Crist or Nikki Fried, will face Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis this fall. Christ was elected governor in 2006 as a Republican.
Copyright 2022 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/2-democrats-compete-for-the-chance-to-unseat-florida-gov-desantis-in-november | 2022-08-23T11:46:25Z |
JUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Within two weeks of signing an agreement to purchase 4,500 vehicles, Canoo (NASDAQ: GOEV), & Walmart (NYSE: WMT) InHome launched advanced deliveries to finalize their unique configuration for their Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles (LDV) order. Canoo LDV's were deployed for real world deliveries in a 7-days-a-week program in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex (DFW). InHome delivery is an optional add-on for Walmart+ members offering unlimited delivery from Walmart stores to their door and beyond.
"It's been awesome to work with Walmart's highly experienced team to rapidly deploy our LDV's in real world use cases to finalize a configuration for Walmart," said Tony Aquila, Investor, Chairman & CEO at Canoo. "Our LDV has been engineered to enable a wide range of package deliveries, including refrigerated items, groceries and general merchandise – and do it efficiently, emission free and with a high level of driver comfort and ergonomics. And we have been turning a lot of heads in the neighborhoods when driving by in our uniquely identifiable vehicles."
The LDV is built on Canoo's proprietary multi-purpose platform (MPP) architecture that integrates the motor, battery module, critical driving components and proprietary flat leaf spring suspension. This platform is the foundation for all Canoo vehicles and enables more usable space for the cabin and cargo area. The LDV is engineered for high frequency stop-and-go deliveries and rapid vehicle to door drop-off, including grocery and food/meal delivery. The interior is customized to Walmart's specific use-case at competitive per stop economics. The modular design and 120 cubic feet of cargo volume that's adaptable to evolve with Walmart's business strategy including its focus to become a regenerative zero emissions company by 2040.
Engineered with the driver in mind, the modular vehicle is designed for swift loading and unloading. The smaller footprint, tight turning radius and ease of maneuverability support narrow roads and driveway parking making the LDV ideal for new and veteran delivery drivers.
Canoo and Walmart recently announced an agreement to purchase 4,500 all-electric delivery vehicles, beginning with the LDV, with the option to purchase up to 10,000 units. The vehicles will be used to deliver online orders in a sustainable way which will also contribute to Walmart's goal to achieve zero-emissions by 2040.
Canoo's mission is to bring EVs to Everyone. The company has developed breakthrough electric vehicles that are reinventing the automotive landscape with bold innovations in design, pioneering technologies, and a unique business model that spans the full lifecycle of the vehicle. Distinguished by its experienced team from leading technology and automotive companies – Canoo has designed a modular electric platform purpose-built to deliver maximum vehicle interior space that is customizable across all owners in the vehicle lifecycle to support a wide range of vehicle applications for consumers and businesses.
Canoo has teams in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. For more information, visit www.canoo.com. For Canoo press materials, including photos, visit press.canoo.com. For investors, visit investors.canoo.com.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 230 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2022 revenue of $573 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com/walmart.
The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, expectations and timing related to commercial product launches and the achievement of operational milestones, including the ability to meet and/or accelerate anticipated production timelines, Canoo's ability to capitalize on commercial opportunities, current or anticipated customer orders, and expectations regarding the development of facilities. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Canoo's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Canoo. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; Canoo's ability to access future capital, via debt or equity markets, or other sources; the rollout of Canoo's business and the timing of expected business milestones and commercial launch; future market adoption of Canoo's offerings; risks related to Canoo's go-to-market strategy and manufacturing strategy; the effects of competition on Canoo's future business, and those factors discussed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Canoo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 1, 2022, as well as its past and future Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting Canoo's Investors Relations website at investors.canoo.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Canoo does not presently know or that Canoo currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Canoo's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Canoo anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Canoo's assessments to change.
However, while Canoo may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Canoo specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Canoo's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE Canoo | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/canoo-vehicles-walmart-complete-advanced-deliveries-refine-finalize-vehicle-custom-configuration/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:30Z |
Isabella Payne used her father's ham radio to talk to astronaut Kjell Lindgren aboard the International Space Station. Her dad had been listening for weeks to Lindgren use his amateur radio equipment.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Isabella Payne used her father's ham radio to talk to astronaut Kjell Lindgren aboard the International Space Station. Her dad had been listening for weeks to Lindgren use his amateur radio equipment.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/8-year-old-girl-in-kent-england-has-an-out-of-this-world-story-to-tell-her-friends | 2022-08-23T11:46:31Z |
Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to hold a pilot's license. A hundred years after her first public flight in 1922, an all-Black, all-female crew flew from Dallas to Phoenix in her honor.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to hold a pilot's license. A hundred years after her first public flight in 1922, an all-Black, all-female crew flew from Dallas to Phoenix in her honor.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/american-airlines-paid-tribute-to-the-aviation-pioneer-known-as-brave-bessie | 2022-08-23T11:46:37Z |
Ashunta Taps Twenty Years of Professional Makeup Experience to a Create Vegan, Vibrant & Bold Conscious Beauty Line
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, black-owned beauty with a conscience, introduces a world of bold, beautiful color from Emmy-nominated celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks.
Known for her work with Taraji P. Henson, Sean Combs, Alicia Keys, Yvonne Orji, Zendaya, Molly Sims, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tessa Thompson, Tika Sumpter, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Marisa Tomei, Ciara, Jazmine Sullivan and many other Hollywood stars, Ashunta Sheriff brings over two decades of professional experience to her line.
Ashunta Sheriff Beauty offers vibrant cruelty-free, vegan products every skin shade and type.
"I created Ashunta Sheriff Beauty to bring easy-to-use, quality products that create flawless, stunning and bold makeup looks for all skin tones," shares Ashunta of her inspiration for the line. "I wanted to bring that A-list glamour to everyone with the same high-quality products that I use daily – on clients and myself."
The line features numerous innovative products and tools that are fun and easy-to-use with long-lasting results:
- MagnitiEYES™️ Magnetic Luxury Lashes – Employing new magnetic liquid liner technology, this product makes applying and removing lashes easier than ever without damage. Each kit comes with two or three lash styles, a lash application tool and black liquid magnetic eye liner. The magnetic technology makes applying lashes as easy as applying eye liner. The lashes last through workouts and sleeping and are water resistant. Each pair can be used for up to 20 applications and is easy to clean.
- BROWzing™ Brow & Lash Kit – This kit delivers everything needed for perfectly-manicured brows while nourishing brows and lashes.
- BROWzing Brow Gel Freeze – For extreme, all-day hold, this customizable brow-styling wax lifts, tames and sculpts each brow hair for a laminated, feathered look.
- Unicorn Duochrome Highlighter – This vegan-friendly, long-lasting highlighting powder features a diamond finish and can be used on the face, eyes and body.
- UV Vegan Liquid Liners – Inspired by the fun bold colors of Ashunta's childhood in New York City in the 80's, these liners come in six amazing bold shades. Waterproof and smudge-proof, the liners can be layered for bold, vibrant looks that glow under black light.
- Unicorn Multichrome Glitter Shadow Palette – Ten shades of highly-pigmented pressed duochrome glitter eye shadow create a long-wearing, multidimensional effect.
- Dual Lock Adhesive Liner – This liner is offered in both black and clear and features an easy grip applicator.
- Beauty Water Fix It Spray – A vegan and alkaline, water-based hydrating spray, this product is infused with jojoba, rose water, coconut fruit, Vitamin E and setting agents that set makeup all day while giving skin a fresh, healthy glow.
- Black Diamond Makeup Sponge – The makeup sponge with an EDGE! This latex-free sponge plumps when dampened, yet maintains its shape and is perfect for getting those tough-to-reach areas. This product comes with its own clear diamond-shaped holder.
- BROWzing™ Brow Brush – This dual-ended vegan brow brush is the perfect eye accessory! One side helps shape, define and sculpt brows, and the other can be used with eye shadows and cream color bases to line.
Products are available on https://ashuntabeauty.com.
Ashunta Sheriff Beauty delivers highly pigmented, cruelty-free, vegan beauty products for all skin tones. Our products are long-wearing and eco-friendly. From paper packaging to reduced carbon footprint manufacturing, we are taking steps to do our part. We are a Black-owned beauty brand and proud to be a part of this growing conscious global beauty collective.
https://ashuntabeauty.com
@ashuntasheriffbeauty
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SOURCE Ashunta Sheriff Beauty | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/celebrity-makeup-artist-ashunta-sheriff-unveils-eponymous-makeup-line-ashunta-sheriff-beauty/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:37Z |
Some complained when video showed Finland's Sanna Marin partying with friends. There seemed to be less controversy when Australia's Anthony Albanese turned up at a rock concert and downed his beer.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Some complained when video showed Finland's Sanna Marin partying with friends. There seemed to be less controversy when Australia's Anthony Albanese turned up at a rock concert and downed his beer.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/finlands-prime-minister-got-grief-for-partying-australias-leader-was-cheered | 2022-08-23T11:46:43Z |
Continued Focus on Technology and Delivering Value for Clients
BRADENTON, Fla., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CoAdvantage, a leading national provider of strategic human resource solutions for small to mid-sized companies and one of the nation's largest privately held professional employer organizations (PEO), today announced it has completed a full migration of its 100,000 worksite employees onto CoAdQuantum, the company's proprietary and internally developed HR platform with a built-in benefit administration, benefits enrollment, and payroll processing engine,
"This represents a milestone six years in the making. Internally developing a platform that delivers a great client experience and has scaled to incorporate all of our clients across the country puts CoAdvantage in a totally unique position" says Clinton Burgess, President and Chief Executive Officer of CoAdvantage. "In 2016, when we were building our strategic plan, we were in a position that commercially available solutions wouldn't support our vision and growth expectations. It is a major accomplishment that the team was able to design a scalable solution to meet the needs of our most complex clients and at the same time provide us with efficiencies to continue to offer industry-leading value to our clients. We have taken the approach of excelling at the key items that clients value the most and have even more enhancements to the platform coming out over the next ninety days."
Burgess further credits the hard work of the team and leaders. "We are all very thankful for Mark Zimmerman's leadership and the entire CoAd team for their diligent efforts. Everyone pushed forward to get us to this point. Every person involved has worked tirelessly and their efforts are well appreciated."
"While this is a major milestone to celebrate, I am also excited to continue to develop the platform with enhancements and upgrades to exceed the future needs of our clients," says Mark Zimmerman, CoAdvantage's Chief Information Officer. "We are very eager to continue to work with our clients and incorporate their feedback into our development roadmap. We believe our clients will be very pleased with the updated design, additional reporting capabilities and further integrations to be released in the 2nd half of the year."
Burgess concludes, "Having our own high-performing human capital management system allows us to own our destiny and empowers CoAdvantage's focus on meeting the payroll, insurance, employee benefits, and HR needs of small and mid-sized businesses now and in the future. We are fully committed to executing on our vision to be the leading tech-enabled HR service provider."
The CoAdQuantum® platform provides valuable human resource solutions and improved payroll processing to small and mid-sized businesses. CoAdQuantum® seamlessly manages and is inclusive of the ability to process end-to-end payroll (both input and calculations), flexible client invoicing, onboarding, customized reporting, BI analytics, check printing, garnishments, PTO, ACH, tax management, general ledger integration, employee and manager self-service, and full-service benefits and ACA administration, all in a completely automated fashion.
CoAdvantage is a leading Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that offers small and mid-sized businesses in all 50 states a comprehensive package of human resource solutions, enabling them to reduce their administrative burden and access affordable employee benefits. The company integrates payroll and tax processing, employee benefit plan administration, risk management, compliance, and other human resources services into a single vendor solution that is exceptionally efficient and effective. To learn more, visit www.coadvantage.com.
Media Contact: Megan Wheeler, 770-296-2034, marketing@coadvantage.com
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SOURCE CoAdvantage | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/coadvantage-completes-transition-all-100000-worksite-employees-coadquantum/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:44Z |
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to former Florida Republican Rep. David Jolly, who's an analyst for NBC, about the rise of Gov. Ron DeSantis to become a potential presidential candidate.
Copyright 2022 NPR
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to former Florida Republican Rep. David Jolly, who's an analyst for NBC, about the rise of Gov. Ron DeSantis to become a potential presidential candidate.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/gov-desantis-is-seen-as-an-heir-to-trumpism-strategist-david-jolly-says | 2022-08-23T11:46:49Z |
All-Pro football stars Stefon and Trevon Diggs to apply ball-handling expertise to advance product innovation, unlock discounts for fans based on their on-field performance
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Effective immediately, SAXX is welcoming a new pair: Stefon and Trevon Diggs will join the premium underwear brand as 'Chief Ball Officers.'
Famous for its patented BallPark Pouch™, SAXX knows a thing or two about securing the balls. So do wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive back Trevon Diggs, who are ball hawks in their own right as top professional football players at their respective positions. The Diggs brothers have always dreamed of teaming up – and while SAXX can't grant that wish on the field, it brought the duo together for a unique off-field opportunity.
"Our BallPark Pouch secures balls just as well as Stefon when he's catching a game-winning touchdown or Trevon when he's grabbing a highlight reel-caliber interception. So, when we learned they were also fans of our underwear we knew we had to bring them on board as our first-ever Chief Ball Officers," said Wendy Bennison, Chief Executive Officer, SAXX. "We're glad to be able to give them the chance to finally be on the same team."
Rounding out the job responsibilities of their new role, the Diggs brothers will apply their experience as world-class athletes, men's lifestyle trendsetters and, most importantly, ball-handling experts to help SAXX push its product innovation to the max.
Stefon and Trevon recently visited the Test(icle) Lab in Portland, Oregon, where they had the chance to learn the nuts and bolts of what it takes to create the most comfortable sack receptacles on the planet. They fully immersed themselves in all things SAXX, modeling the current collections and meeting with Soft-wear Engineers, as they prepare to advise the brand on new apparel designs, product innovations and textile materials.
"I'm big on both style and comfort – and that includes my underwear," said Stefon. "I've tried a lot of different underwear brands and it doesn't get any better than SAXX.
"I'm excited to team up with my brother," said Trevon. "It's something we've always wanted to do, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ball out together."
The Chief Ball Officers will appear in a new digital ad produced by Palette Group. The spot shows Stefon and Trevon arriving at SAXX Headquarters for their first day on the job. Office manager Jerry – played by SAXX's multi-talented Vice President of Sales, Adam Craig – welcomes the newest CBOs and brothers to the office before running them through a comically unconventional onboarding.
The creative closes with Jerry trying and failing to catch a football. Stefon and Trevon give their new colleague a few tips and the trio huddles up for a "one, two, three, secure the balls!" chant.
To give fans skin in the game, Stefon and Trevon's performance on the field during the upcoming football season will trigger flash deals on SAXX products. Every touchdown caught by Stefon will activate a sitewide 10% off discount on SAXXUnderwear.com for a limited time, while the same deal will apply to every interception by Trevon. Promo codes will be posted on social media in real-time. But hurry, they won't last long!
SAXX continues to usher in a new era for men's underwear, redefining how gentlemen think about self-care for their manhood.
The brand's BallPark Pouch™ is a hammock-shaped compartment built into every pair of underwear that's designed to cradle the balls and deliver friction-free support below the belt. With breathable mesh panels on either side, the pouch provides a permanent divide between the balls and thighs to prevent sticking, chafing and general discomfort.
SAXX's obsession with the comfort of manhood continues to revolutionize the men's underwear industry. SAXX underwear keeps guys comfortable, confident and ready for action in any situation, thanks in part to its BallPark Pouch™ − a patented 3D hammock-shaped pouch that keeps everything in place for chafe-free support. The brand is one of the fastest-growing men's underwear companies in North America and is poised for growth beyond the underwear market, as it incorporates this technology and others like DropTemp™, a cooling technology without the use of chemicals, into other categories such as activewear, sleepwear and swimwear. For more information, visit saxxunderwear.com or follow SAXX on social at @saxxunderwear.
Founded in 2014, Palette Group is a global commercial creative agency specializing in producing content for campaign activations both online and offline. Our experience is rooted in producing, directing and developing product, lifestyle photography, and video production. Our production haus develops, produces and writes branded and original interview, docu-style series, and narrative-based shorts. We stand with creatives, the humans connected to culture, the community-movers, the society shapers. Learn more about us at palettegrp.com and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Zeno Group for SAXX
ZenoSAXX@zenogroup.com
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SOURCE SAXX | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/diggs-brothers-give-family-jewels-whole-new-meaning-join-saxx-chief-ball-officers/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:50Z |
Voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday. Ukrainian workers man a nuclear power plant under the eyes of occupying Russian soldiers. More states are poised to enact abortion trigger bans this week.
Copyright 2022 NPR
Voters in Florida head to the polls Tuesday. Ukrainian workers man a nuclear power plant under the eyes of occupying Russian soldiers. More states are poised to enact abortion trigger bans this week.
Copyright 2022 NPR | https://www.keranews.org/2022-08-23/news-brief-florida-primary-ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-worker-abortion-laws | 2022-08-23T11:46:55Z |
The Company's Total Investment Raised Now Tops $130 Million
CORALVILLE, Iowa, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Diagnostics, a leading artificial intelligence diagnostic health care technology company, today announced that it has successfully closed a $75 million Series B funding round. This brings the company's total amount raised to more than $130 million. Global investment firm KKR led the round, with participation from new and existing investors, including Cedar Pine, Kinderhook, 8VC, Optum Ventures, OSF Ventures, Gundersen Health System, Edward - Elmhurst Health Venture Capital, and the University of Iowa. Digital Diagnostics will use the funding to accelerate its product roadmap, expand its distribution footprint, and invest in sales and marketing. Ali Satvat, Partner and Global Head of Health Care Strategic Growth at KKR and Stephen Weiss, Managing Director of Cedar Pine, have joined the company's board of directors.
Digital Diagnostics is paving the way for AI diagnosis to become a standard-of-care, democratizing health care and closing care gaps. The company's flagship product, IDx-DR, an autonomous AI diagnostic system designed to detect diabetic retinopathy (including diabetic macular edema) at the point-of-care, is the first FDA De Novo cleared autonomous AI in health care.
"Our Series B fundraise, supported by our accelerating commercial traction, is another validation point that autonomous AI in health care is now mainstream," said John Bertrand, co-founder and CEO of Digital Diagnostics. "We are proud to have KKR, Cedar Pine, Kinderhook, 8VC, Optum Ventures, OSF Ventures, Gundersen Health System, Edward - Elmhurst Health Venture Capital, and the University of Iowa, join us in our mission to make AI-enabled diagnostic technology available at scale. We are focused on innovating the way providers manage patient care by creating technology rooted in equity and widespread access, while positively impacting patient outcomes through our AI solutions."
"Digital Diagnostics' AI technology platform is paving the path as a standard of care in the health care industry. We're focused on meeting patients where they want to experience health care—from primary care and value-based care groups to retail brick and mortar locations," remarked Seth Rainford, co-founder, president, and COO of Digital Diagnostics. "This new investment will help drive the company's next stage of growth as we double down on our AI product pipeline, allowing for commercial scalability for designing and developing AI the right way."
Dr. Michael D. Abramoff, MD, PhD, founder and executive chairman, added, "This momentous milestone furthers the mission of AI in health care with many other AI companies adopting the ethical principles that Digital Diagnostics has championed to drive the industry forward into mainstream use. As we continue to build on the ethical principles established during the design, development, and validation of IDx-DR, we are guided by a mission to transform the quality, accessibility, equity, and affordability of health care while eliminating bias."
"Digital Diagnostics is improving patient outcomes and creating compelling efficiencies for health care systems through its pioneering autonomous AI technology," said Ali Satvat, Partner and Global Head of Health Care Strategic Growth at KKR. "We are impressed with what the company has achieved so far and are excited to support its continued growth and efforts to develop new and innovative solutions for patients, providers, clinicians, and health plans."
KKR is investing in Digital Diagnostics through its Health Care Strategic Growth strategy, which is focused on investing in high-growth health care-related companies to which KKR can be a unique strategic partner in helping reach scale.
"We are proud to partner with Digital Diagnostics in advancing technology to prevent one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide: untreated diabetic retinopathy," said Stephen Weiss, Managing Director of Cedar Pine.
Digital Diagnostics Inc. is a pioneering AI diagnostics company on a mission to transform the quality, accessibility, equity, and affordability of global health care through the application of technology in the medical diagnosis and treatment process. The company, originally founded by Michael Abramoff, MD, PhD, a neuroscientist, practicing fellowship-trained retina specialist, and computer engineer, is led in partnership with co-founders John Bertrand, CEO, and Seth Rainford, President and COO.
Digital Diagnostics is paving the way for autonomous and assistive AI diagnosis to become a new standard of care, contributing to democratizing health care and closing care gaps. The company works closely with patient advocacy groups, federal regulators, and other quality of care and ethics-focused stakeholders to enable the adoption of autonomous AI. For more information and the latest news follow: https://digitaldiagnostics.com/
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life, and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at http://www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.
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SOURCE Digital Diagnostics | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/digital-diagnostics-closes-75-million-series-b-funding-round-led-by-kkr/ | 2022-08-23T11:46:57Z |
Game of Thrones and Fast & Furious star Nathalie Emmanuel featured in Diversion's upcoming podcast "War Queens"
Diversion to Launch "The Shows We Watched," "War Queens," "The Ali Rogin Show," and "The Royals of Malibu"
NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Diversion Audio, a premium podcast network in partnership with Gemini XIII, announced today four new podcasts from its upcoming release slate, marking the network's entrance into the Talk and Fiction formats.
Coming September 13th is "The Shows We Watched," hosted by TV/film critic and author James King and lifestyle influencer Emily Johnston, who take listeners back to hang out with their favorite TV shows and share surprising details and backstories. "The Shows We Watched" covers a different beloved TV show every episode and includes dives into Friends, Sex & the City, My So-Called Life, Gossip Girl, Married with Children, and many more.
The second new podcast from Diversion Audio set for Fall 2022 is "War Queens," featuring Nathalie Emmanuel, best known for her role in HBO's Game of Thrones and the Fast & Furious movies. Each week, with Nathalie at the helm, father-daughter duo Jonathan W. Jordan, a military historian and award-winning author, and Emily Anne Jordan examine the incredible true stories of history's most powerful female battle leaders and the brilliant methods and maneuvers history's "killer queens" used to defend their people.
Also coming from Diversion Audio is an inspiring new podcast hosted by award-winning correspondent with the PBS NewsHour and author of the book Beat Breast Cancer Like a Boss, Ali Rogin. "The Ali Rogin Show" will feature influential women leaders, celebrities, politicians, and survivors as they reveal how they overcame crises in health, work, family and relationships, and more.
For Valentine's Day 2023, Diversion Audio will debut the romantic fiction podcast, "The Royals of Malibu" based on the popular romance book series, The Royals by Erin Watt, the pseudonym for New York Times bestselling authors Jen Frederick and Elle Kennedy. "The Royals of Malibu" is Cinderella meets Cruel Intentions meets Euphoria.
Scott Waxman, CEO, Diversion Audio, said: "We couldn't be more excited about this first slate from the newly-branded Diversion Audio. Building on the early success of our nonfiction limited series, this new slate plants our flag firmly in the 'always on' podcast landscape and also features an irresistible offering for an audience we love: romance fiction fans. Our goal is always to reach new listeners who are seeking an engrossing experience in podcasts."
Diversion Audio leverages sister company Diversion Books' vast publishing assets and author relationships to offer a focused content model unique to podcasting: expanding IP from books, authors, and personalities as original podcasts across both high-frequency episodic shows and engrossing narrative limited series. Diversion Audio's podcasts drive new audience communities and tell expert-driven stories.
Diversion's podcast "I Am Kobe" was recently honored with two Webby Awards. In October Diversion launches Season 2 of the multi-million listener hit series "Good Assassins," one of the top 20 biggest new podcasts of 2021. In addition, Diversion's hits include the #1 biggest new sports podcast of 2020, "The Dream Team Tapes." Each of these are released in conjunction with iHeartPodcasts.
Diversion Audio creates immersive stories that engage and amaze listeners. Diversion productions take you deep into worlds and introduce you to characters you'll never forget. From romance to espionage, from true crime to true adventure, across history, health, and pop culture, Diversion brings real stories to life. Learn more at diversionaudio.com
CONTACT
Lisa Dollinger
Dollinger Strategic Communication for Diversion Audio
512.633.4084
lisa@dollcomm.com
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SOURCE Gemini XIII | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/diversion-audio-moves-into-talk-fiction-with-slate-new-podcasts/ | 2022-08-23T11:47:04Z |
- Simulates a complete operation and service touchpoints using helicopters to understand how Chicago Metropolitan area commuters will experience a quiet and sustainable Urban Air Mobility ("UAM") journey
- Flight testing begins in mid-September with morning and afternoon flights on weekdays, with seats available for those who want to experience the future of commuting by Electric Vertical Aircraft ("EVA" or "eVTOL")
MELBOURNE, Fla., Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eve Holding, Inc. ("Eve") (NYSE: EVEX; EVEXW) will conduct its first North American UAM simulation using helicopters powered by Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDE, or "Blade"), as a substitute for an eVTOL. The company aims to study operations, ground services, passenger journeys and eVTOL operator needs, creating more accessible and faster connections to Downtown Chicago. Eve will conduct its Chicago, Ill., UAM simulation over three weeks, starting with ground tests on September 12th and passenger flights on the 14th. Following the simulation, the city of Chicago will gain knowledge about the infrastructure and ecosystem needed to enable the launch and expected long-term growth of UAM in the area.
"Simulating the eVTOL operation in Chicago allows us to study how people will experience this service and understand the entire ecosystem requirements for our product and services, while showcasing the benefit of Urban Air Mobility in one of North America's most prominent and populated cities," said André Stein, co-CEO of Eve. "We are wrapping up preparations to execute these simulations seamlessly and look forward to helping prepare Chicago for a local zero-emission UAM solution that is quiet, efficient, and sustainable."
Eve will perform the ground tests at Vertiport Chicago, an existing downtown heliport facility, simulating services, infrastructure, and equipment requirements for the eVTOL. In the UAM infrastructure, a vertiport is an area of land or a structure used for the landing, take-off, charging and operation of eVTOL vehicles.
"For Eve, it is essential to understand and address through these projects involving partners and the community the key challenges associated with the main pillars of the UAM ecosystem. Our proposal brings together all stakeholders and counts on different views and feedback to structure and deliver the best solutions," said Luiz Mauad, Vice President of Services and Fleet Operations at Eve.
For this simulation, Eve has formed a consortium of partners, including Blade, Republic Airways, Halo Aviation, Vertiport Chicago, Village of Tinley Park, Village of Schaumburg, ACCIONA, SkyWest, Inc. and Speedbird Aero. A helicopter replicating Eve's future eVTOL will transport passengers from the Vertiport Chicago facility to two helistops located northwest and southwest of Chicago. The first route will connect Vertiport Chicago to Schaumburg Municipal Helistop, and the second route will connect Vertiport Chicago to Tinley Park Helistop in Illinois. Flights are available through Blade's app and website (www.blade.com).
Image: https://bit.ly/3QKHmuc
Follow Eve on Twitter: @Eveairmobility
About Eve
Eve is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer S.A.'s more than 50-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, comprehensive global services and support network and a unique air traffic management solution. Since May 10, 2022, Eve is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where its shares of common stock and public warrants trade under the tickers "EVEX" and "EVEXW". For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com.
About Blade
Blade is a technology-powered, global air mobility platform committed to reducing travel friction by providing cost-effective air transportation alternatives to some of the most congested ground routes in the U.S. and abroad. Today, the Company predominantly uses helicopters and amphibious aircraft for its passenger routes and is also one of the largest air medical transporters of human organs for transplant in the world. Its asset-light model, coupled with its exclusive passenger terminal infrastructure, is designed to facilitate a seamless transition to Electric Vertical Aircraft ("EVA" or "eVTOL"), enabling lower-cost air mobility to the public that is both quiet and emission-free. For more information, visit www.blade.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure
Certain statements in this press release include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target", "may", "intend", "predict", "should", "would", "predict", "potential", "seem", "future", "outlook" or other similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions) that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Eve's, Blade's, Republic Airways', Halo Aviation's, Vertiport Chicago's, Village of Tinley Park's, Village of Schaumburg's, ACCIONA's, SkyWest, Inc.'s and Speedbird Aero's current expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements are based on current assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions, and such differences may be material. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Eve, Blade, Republic Airways, Halo Aviation, Vertiport Chicago, Village of Tinley Park, Village of Schaumburg, ACCIONA, SkyWest, Inc. and Speedbird Aero.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: (i) changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; (ii) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the announced partnership between Eve, Blade, Republic Airways, Halo Aviation, Vertiport Chicago, Village of Tinley Park, Village of Schaumburg, ACCIONA, SkyWest, Inc. and Speedbird Aero; (iii) risks relating to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Eve; (iv) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Eve; (v) future global, regional or local economic and market conditions, including the growth and development of the urban air mobility market; (vi) the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations; (vii) Eve's ability to grow and manage future growth, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its key employees; (viii) Eve's ability to develop new products and solutions, bring them to market in a timely manner, and make enhancements to its platform; (ix) Eve's ability to successfully develop, obtain certification for and commercialize its aircraft, (x) the effects of competition on Eve's future business; (xi) the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; (xii) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and (xiii) those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Eve's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed on July 29, 2022, and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Eve does not presently know or that Eve currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Eve's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Eve anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Eve's assessments to change. However, while Eve may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Eve specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Eve's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release and undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Investor Information
Contacts
investors@eveairmobility.com
media@eveairmobility.com
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SOURCE Eve Holding, Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/eve-announces-first-north-american-urban-air-mobility-simulation-chicago/ | 2022-08-23T11:47:10Z |
Firmenich is the first company in the industry to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its net-zero emissions target
GENEVA, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, has received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its net-zero emissions target, making it the first company in the industry and one of the first companies globally to receive approval from the SBTi.
Firmenich has both near- and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets verified and approved by the SBTi. The Group is committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2039, keeping global warming below 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement
"I am proud that Firmenich is one the first companies to see their net-zero emissions target approved by SBTi. These ambitious goals aim at effectively reducing our environmental footprint, while actively engaging with our suppliers and customers to reduce CO2 emissions through our supply chain. Setting science based targets is crucial to future-proofing sustainable business growth while assuring the stability of our planet and climate system for generations to come," said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich.
"Acting on the climate emergency via a scientific approach is key to effective decarbonization and by establishing a framework, the SBTi is enabling companies to lead the path to a low carbon future. At Firmenich, we are taking the necessary measures to minimize our impact and aim to lead our industry towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions," said Neil McFarlane, Senior Vice President Global QHS&E, Firmenich.
Firmenich equally commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by 2039 from a 2021 base year. Being a positive driver of change across its value chain, Firmenich also commits that 80% of its suppliers by spend will have science-based targets by 2026.
The approval of the net-zero emissions target builds on earlier important milestones in tackling climate change. Previously, the company has taken concrete steps to ensure the continued availability of renewable energy options for its sites, from solar and wind as well as by installing biogas boilers at its sites. Since February 2020, all its operations worldwide are powered by 100% renewable electricity.
Sustainability has been at the core of Firmenich's values and action for several decades, and it is one of only two companies in the world to have received a Triple A listing for climate change, forest and water management from CDP for four years in a row.
Firmenich is one of the founding members of the "Business Ambition for 1.5C", a broad coalition of visionary companies committed to a net-zero carbon future by no later than 2050, including Unilever, Danone, Nestlé and L'Oréal.
Note to editors
Scope 1 and 2 covers emissions generated from Firmenich's own operations, such as electricity and energy to power manufacturing plants and offices. Scope 3 refers to emissions in Firmenich's extended supply chain, such as energy usage by sourcing partners.
About Firmenich
Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895, and has been family-owned for 127 years. Firmenich is a leading business-to-business company specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors, and ingredients. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity as well as its leadership in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers superior innovation in formulation, a broad and high-quality palette of ingredients, and proprietary technologies including biotechnology, encapsulation, olfactory science, and taste modulation. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 4.7 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2022. More information about Firmenich is available at www.firmenich.com.
About Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.
The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies' targets.
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SOURCE Firmenich | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/firmenich-receives-sbti-approval-net-zero-emissions-target/ | 2022-08-23T11:47:16Z |
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GameOn Entertainment Technologies Inc. (CSE: GET) (OTCQB: GMETF), a leading game technology company partnered with the world's biggest IPs to launch, operate, and monetize web3 games, today announces a partnership with RDB Car Club. The web3 project is a partnership between RDB LA, a celebrity-favorite auto body shop with millions of YouTube views, and Blockchn Media Inc, the all female-owned public relations agency to top tier web3 companies.
RDB LA customers include model Kendall Jenner, NFL Super Bowl champion Jalen Ramsey, eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, and singer-songwriter sensations Khalid and Billie Eilish. As part of the partnership, RDB Car Club will license GameOn's technology to hyperfuel web3 engagement, retention, and revenue, in particular for their recently-launched NFT collection. GameOn will also receive 10% equity ownership in the RDB Car Club project, including 10% revenue share on all NFT sales from the effective date.
"We're thrilled to enter the auto category to help drive engagement, retention, and monetization for RDB Car Club," said Matt Bailey, CEO of GameOn. "We continue to showcase the flexibility of our content-agnostic platform - onboarding new partners, securing recurring revenue, and adding to our bottom line. Our foot is on the profitability pedal!"
RDB Car Club and RDB LA CEO Mano Yeghikian said, "The feeling of excitement is mutual. As a long time gamer it has been a childhood dream to see my cars in a game. This transition into the gaming industry seemed like a natural progression for the RDB ecosystem. There is no better company to bring value to my community than the GameOn team."
As part of GameOn's broader initiative to expand within the web3 ecosystem, the company expects to capitalize on all avenues of its partnerships which include, but are not limited to: upfront setup fees, recurring monthly license fees, and revenue share from the initial mint and ongoing secondary sales of NFTs. With partners like Chibi Dinos, Tetavi, and now RDB Car Club, GameOn continues to leverage this tailwind with its growing portfolio of web3 partners.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors:
Matt Bailey, Director & Chief Executive Officer
GameOn Entertainment Technologies Inc.
matt@gameon.app
GameOn (CSE: GET) (OTCQB: GMETF) partners with the world's biggest sports, media, and entertainment IPs to launch brand-building, money-making web3 games. We turn fans into superfans - engaging, retaining, and monetizing audiences, and getting upside in the entire economic cycle of web3 games. With a diverse team of web3, gaming, sports, and media veterans with experience at Take-Two Interactive, Twitch, EA, Dapper Labs, and the Brooklyn Nets, GameOn works with broadcasters, TV networks, streaming platforms, leagues, tournaments, and web3 companies to launch best-in-class web3 games. Customers include NBCUniversal, Bravo, MX Player, Chibi Dinos, and Gaming Society.
RDB Car Club LLC. is a web3 gaming company in partnership with RDB LA and Blockchn Media Inc. With over 35 years of family experience in the auto collision industry and a Celebrity favorite for custom design & build, it was a natural progression for the founders of RDB LA to take the leap into the web3 industry. Holders can use one of the 5,000 custom luxury car NFTs in the official RDB Car Club mobile game or race their RDB NFT car in a play and earn game launching mid 2023. Learn more on our website.
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this news release are forward looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company, execution of business strategy, future performance and future growth, business prospects, synergies and opportunities of the Company and its related subsidiaries, and other factors beyond the Company's control.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made, including, but not limited to the Company being able to capitalize on the acquired assets, the ability of acquired assets to maintain its value as presently contemplated, the synergies of the acquired assets with the Company's operations, and such other assumptions presented in the Company's disclosure record. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and GameOn disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE GameOn Entertainment Technologies Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/gameon-amp-rdb-car-club-turn-their-engines-web3-games/ | 2022-08-23T11:47:23Z |
Data insights on performance, safety and sustainability delivering top value for sector
TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Geotab, a global leader in IoT and connected transportation, announced that it has surpassed 3 million subscribers* across the globe, demonstrating the continued high demand for data intelligence that is supporting the rapid transformation of the industry, including fuel and operating efficiency, safety, sustainability and predictability.
For Geotab, which recently marked its 22-year anniversary, surpassing 3 million connected vehicles is indicative of the significant impact that its high-quality data insights contributes to organizations across the world as they optimize operations, build safe and intelligent communities and aim to achieve sustainability goals.
"In January 2020, we announced that Geotab had achieved its goal of becoming the first telematics company to achieve 2 million connected vehicles built on a single, open platform," said Geotab CEO Neil Cawse. "Two years later, despite the disruption of a global pandemic, we have reached another significant milestone by adding a further 1 million net new subscriptions. This exceptional growth speaks to the talent of our employees and partners, an always-on innovation mindset, and to a relentless focus on working with our customers over many years to solve their evolving transportation challenges."
Geotab has one of the largest data science teams in the industry, and with devices installed in 163 countries, the company processes approximately 55 billion data points a day and has advanced support for more than 9000 internal combustion engine makes and models and more than 250 electric vehicle makes and models – twice the number of any other fleet telematics company. Additional models are added daily. Geotab also offers an OEM telematics platform with a variety of industry-leading integration partners, and is rapidly expanding its list of offerings.
"With our world class talent and continuous commitment to research and development, the opportunity — and responsibility — that Geotab has to help businesses and governments across the world leverage intelligent data insights to optimize their investments, and create safer, more sustainable and efficient communities is tremendous, and where we will continue to focus our efforts as we scale," added Cawse.
As the global commercial telematics market continues to mature (US $34.79 billion in 2020 to US$158.31 billion by 2028), Geotab is well positioned in all global markets to help its customers navigate relevant issues and challenges in today's transportation industry, while providing trending and predictive insights to inform smart business planning.
* "Subscriber" refers to a single vehicle equipped with one or more telematic devices connected to Geotab's platform.
Geotab is advancing security, connecting commercial vehicles to the cloud and providing data-driven analytics to help customers better manage their fleets. Geotab's open platform and Marketplace, offering hundreds of third-party solution options, allows both small and large businesses to automate operations by integrating vehicle data with their other data assets. As an IoT hub, the in-vehicle device provides additional functionality through IOX Add-Ons. Processing billions of data points a day, Geotab leverages data analytics and machine learning to help customers improve productivity, optimize fleets through the reduction of fuel consumption, enhance driver safety, and achieve strong compliance to regulatory changes. Geotab's products are represented and sold worldwide through Authorized Geotab Resellers. To learn more, please visit www.geotab.com and follow us @GEOTAB and on LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Geotab Inc. | https://www.whsv.com/prnewswire/2022/08/23/geotab-surpasses-3-million-subscribers-demand-data-intelligence-transportation-sector-continues-soar/ | 2022-08-23T11:47:30Z |
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