7xm xom Defence argues evidence too thin in Ottawa neo-Nazi terrorism trialNoneRecord Revenues as Global Logistics Network Expands WATERLOO, Ontario and ATLANTA, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) announced its financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter ( Q3FY25 ). All financial results referenced are in United States ( US ) currency and, unless otherwise indicated, are determined in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP ). “Our business has grown organically while we've added complementary solutions to our Global Logistics Network by way of acquisition,” said Edward J. Ryan, Descartes’ CEO. “We listen to our customers about where best to invest to help them meet the many logistics and supply chain challenges they're facing, which contributed to us completing two acquisitions this past quarter. The global trade landscape remains highly uncertain and complex for our customers, especially with potential upcoming changes to tariffs and sanctions and the resulting impact on trade. As always, our goal is to help our customers manage this complexity so that they can continue to focus on their core businesses.” Q3FY25 Financial Results As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes’ Q3FY25 included: Revenues of $168.8 million, up 17% from $144.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 ( Q3FY24 ) and up 3% from $163.4 million in the previous quarter ( Q2FY25 ); Revenues were comprised of services revenues of $149.7 million (89% of total revenues), professional services and other revenues of $15.6 million (9% of total revenues) and license revenues of $3.5 million (2% of total revenues). Services revenues were up 15% from $130.4 million in Q3FY24 and up 2% from $146.2 million in Q2FY25; Cash provided by operating activities of $60.1 million, up 7% from $56.1 million in Q3FY24 and up 73% from $34.7 million in Q2FY25. Cash provided by operating activities was negatively impacted in Q2FY25 by the payment of $25.0 million in contingent acquisition consideration for previously completed deals, which was not accrued for at the time of acquisition; Income from operations of $45.8 million, up 41% from $32.4 million in Q3FY24 and down from $45.9 million in Q2FY25; Net income of $36.6 million, up 38% from $26.6 million in Q3FY24 and up 5% from $34.7 million in Q2FY25. Net income as a percentage of revenue was 22%, compared to 18% in Q3FY24 and 21% in Q2FY25; Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $0.42, up 35% from $0.31 in Q3FY24 and up 5% from $0.40 in Q2FY25, respectively; and Adjusted EBITDA of $72.1 million, up 14% from $63.5 million in Q3FY24 and up 2% from $70.6 million in Q2FY25. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 43%, compared to 44% and 43% in Q3FY24 and Q2FY25, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues are non-GAAP financial measures provided as a complement to financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation (for which we include related fees and taxes) and other charges (for which we include restructuring charges, acquisition-related expenses, and contingent consideration incurred due to better-than-expected performance from acquisitions). These items are considered by management to be outside Descartes' ongoing operational results. We define Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues as the quotient, expressed as a percentage, from dividing Adjusted EBITDA for a period by revenues for the corresponding period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues to net income determined in accordance with GAAP is provided later in this release. The following table summarizes Descartes' results in the categories specified below over the past 5 fiscal quarters (unaudited; dollar amounts, other than per share amounts, in millions): Year-to-Date Financial Results As described in more detail below, key financial highlights for Descartes’ nine-month period ended October 31, 2024 ( 9MFY25 ) included: Revenues of $483.5 million, up 14% from $424.7 million in the same period a year ago ( 9MFY24 ); Revenues were comprised of services revenues of $433.7 million (90% of total revenues), professional services and other revenues of $44.4 million (9% of total revenues) and license revenues of $5.4 million (1% of total revenues). Services revenues were up 13% from $385.3 million in 9MFY24; Cash provided by operating activities of $158.5 million, up 1% from $156.9 million in 9MFY24. Cash provided by operating activities was negatively impacted in 9MFY25 by the payment of $25.0 million in contingent acquisition consideration for previously completed deals, which was not accrued for at the time of acquisition; Income from operations of $134.0 million, up 27% from $105.8 million in 9MFY24; Net income of $105.9 million, up 26% from $84.1 million in 9MFY24. Net income as a percentage of revenues was 22%, compared to 20% in 9MFY24; Earnings per share on a diluted basis of $1.21, up 25% from $0.97 in 9MFY24; and Adjusted EBITDA of $209.7 million, up 15% from $181.7 million in 9MFY24. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues was 43%, consistent with 9MFY24. The following table summarizes Descartes’ results in the categories specified below over 9MFY25 and 9MFY24 (unaudited, dollar amounts in millions): Cash Position At October 31, 2024, Descartes had $181.3 million in cash. Cash decreased by $71.4 million in Q3FY25 and $139.7 million in 9MFY25. The table set forth below provides a summary of cash flows for Q3FY25 and 9MFY25 in millions of dollars: Acquisition of MyCarrierPortal On September 17, 2024, Descartes acquired all of the shares of Assure Assist, Inc., doing business as MyCarrierPortal (“MCP”), a leading provider of carrier onboarding and risk monitoring solutions for the trucking industry. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $22.5 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded from cash on hand, plus potential performance-based consideration of up to $6.0 million based on MCP achieving revenue-based targets over the first two years post-acquisition. Acquisition of Sellercloud On October 11, 2024, Descartes acquired all of the shares of Sellercloud LLC and certain assets of Sellercloud Europe Ltd. (collectively referred to as “Sellercloud”), a leading provider of omnichannel ecommerce solutions. The purchase price for the acquisition was approximately $110.2 million, net of cash acquired, which was funded from cash on hand, plus potential performance-based consideration of up to $20.0 million based on Sellercloud achieving revenue-based targets over the first two years post-acquisition. Conference Call Members of Descartes' executive management team will host a conference call to discuss the company's financial results at 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Designated numbers are +1 289 514 5100 and +1 800 717 1738 for Toll-Free in North America, using conference ID 07584. The company will simultaneously conduct an audio webcast on the Descartes website at www.descartes.com/descartes/investor-relations. Phone conference dial-in or webcast login is required approximately 10 minutes beforehand. Replays of the conference call will be available until December 10, 2024, by dialing +1 289 819 1325 or Toll-Free for North America using +1 888 660 6264 with Playback Passcode: 07584#. An archived replay of the webcast will be available at www.descartes.com/descartes/investor-relations. About Descartes Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com , and connect with us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter ) . Descartes Investor Contact Laurie McCauley (519) 746-2969 investor@descartes.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relates to Descartes' expectations concerning future revenues and earnings, and our projections for any future reductions in expenses or growth in margins and generation of cash; our assessment of the potential impact of geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine (the “Russia-Ukraine Conflict”), and between Israel and Hamas (“Israel-Hamas Conflict”), or other potentially catastrophic events, on our business, results of operations and financial condition; continued growth and acquisitions including our assessment of any increased opportunity for our products and services as a result of trends in the logistics and supply chain industries; rate of profitable growth and Adjusted EBITDA margin operating range; demand for Descartes' solutions; growth of Descartes' Global Logistics Network (“GLN”); customer buying patterns; customer expectations of Descartes; development of the GLN and the benefits thereof to customers; and other matters. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions including the following: global shipment volumes continuing at levels generally consistent with those experienced historically; the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Israel-Hamas Conflict not having a material negative impact on shipment volumes or on the demand for the products and services of Descartes by its customers and the ability of those customers to continue to pay for those products and services; countries continuing to implement and enforce existing and additional customs and security regulations relating to the provision of electronic information for imports and exports; countries continuing to implement and enforce existing and additional trade restrictions and sanctioned party lists with respect to doing business with certain countries, organizations, entities and individuals; Descartes' continued operation of a secure and reliable business network; the stability of general economic and market conditions, currency exchange rates, and interest rates; equity and debt markets continuing to provide Descartes with access to capital; Descartes' continued ability to identify and source attractive and executable business combination opportunities; Descartes' ability to develop solutions that keep pace with the continuing changes in technology, and our continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights. These assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Descartes, or developments in Descartes' business or industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, Descartes' ability to successfully identify and execute on acquisitions and to integrate acquired businesses and assets, and to predict expenses associated with and revenues from acquisitions; the impact of network failures, information security breaches or other cyber-security threats; disruptions in the movement of freight and a decline in shipment volumes including as a result of contagious illness outbreaks; a deterioration of general economic conditions or instability in the financial markets accompanied by a decrease in spending by our customers; the ability to attract and retain key personnel and the ability to manage the departure of key personnel and the transition of our executive management team; changes in trade or transportation regulations that currently require customers to use services such as those offered by Descartes; changes in customer behaviour and expectations; Descartes’ ability to successfully design and develop enhancements to our products and solutions; departures of key customers; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates; Descartes' ability to retain or obtain sufficient capital in addition to its debt facility to execute on its business strategy, including its acquisition strategy; disruptions in the movement of freight; the potential for future goodwill or intangible asset impairment as a result of other-than-temporary decreases in Descartes' market capitalization; and other factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada, including Descartes' most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues We prepare and release quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial information, used to evaluate our performance, in this and other earnings releases and investor conference calls as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP. We believe that current shareholders and potential investors in our company use non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues, in making investment decisions about our company and measuring our operational results. The term “Adjusted EBITDA” refers to a financial measure that we define as earnings before certain charges that management considers to be non-operating expenses and which consist of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation (for which we include related fees and taxes) and other charges (for which we include restructuring charges, acquisition-related expenses, and contingent consideration incurred due to better-than-expected performance from acquisitions). Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues divides Adjusted EBITDA for a period by the revenues for the corresponding period and expresses the quotient as a percentage. Management considers these non-operating expenses to be outside the scope of Descartes’ ongoing operations and the related expenses are not used by management to measure operations. Accordingly, these expenses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, which we reference to both measure our operations and as a basis of comparison of our operations from period-to-period. Management believes that investors and financial analysts measure our business on the same basis, and we are providing the Adjusted EBITDA financial metric to assist in this evaluation and to provide a higher level of transparency into how we measure our own business. However, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues are non-GAAP financial measures and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues should not be construed as a substitute for net income determined in accordance with GAAP or other non-GAAP measures that may be used by other companies, such as EBITDA. The use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues does have limitations. In particular, we have completed seven acquisitions since the beginning of fiscal 2024 and may complete additional acquisitions in the future that will result in acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges. As these acquisition-related expenses and restructuring charges may continue as we pursue our consolidation strategy, some investors may consider these charges and expenses as a recurring part of operations rather than expenses that are not part of operations. The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues to net income reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for Q3FY25, Q2FY25, Q1FY25, Q4FY24, and Q3FY24, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The table below reconciles Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues to net income reported in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for 9MFY25 and 9MFY24, which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Descartes Systems Group Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (US dollars in thousands; US GAAP; Unaudited) The Descartes Systems Group Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (US dollars in thousands, except per share and weighted average share amounts; US GAAP; Unaudited) The Descartes Systems Group Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (US dollars in thousands; US GAAP; Unaudited)None

The Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, said borders are critical gateways that determine a nation’s capacity to protect its citizens, safeguard its economy, and foster security. Adeniyi spoke at the 18th African Security Watch Conference in Doha, Qatar. Represented by the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, he shared a comprehensive account of the Service’s achievements in balancing security enforcement with trade facilitation. In his keynote address entitled Protecting National Security Through Effective Border Control: The Nigeria Customs Example, Adeniyi stressed the vital role of border management in national security, describing borders as more than just geographical boundaries. According to him, borders are critical gateways that determine a nation’s capacity to protect its citizens, safeguard its economy, and foster security. The CGC highlighted how the NCS, empowered by the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, has successfully redefined its operational priorities to address emerging threats, enhance efficiency, and improve collaboration. Adeniyi noted that the Customs Act represents a legislative milestone that has repositioned the NCS to thrive in a dynamic environment. He also reflected on the significant strides made in 2024, which marked a year of unparalleled achievements for the Service, adding: “Under my leadership, the NCS generated a record breaking N5.1 trillion in revenue, a feat that underscores the agency’s innovative use of technology and improved compliance frameworks. “We have equally strengthened partnerships with both domestic and international stakeholders. The achievement was not merely about numbers but also reflected the efficiency and resilience of the Customs workforce.” The CGC, however, described how, through intelligence-led operations, the NCS has intercepted several arms shipments, including 844 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition in Onne Seaport. “These efforts have significantly disrupted the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which remain a persistent threat to national security. Additionally, the NCS’s collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led to so many interceptions of illicit drugs,” Adeniyi said. He also brought attention to the Service’s role in combating wildlife trafficking, detailing how officers intercepted 4,200 kilograms of pangolin scales and ivory, underscoring the NCS’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and international compliance. In the area of fighting against economic saboteurs who venture into smuggling and diversion of petroleum products, Adeniyi discussed the impact of Operation Whirlwind and highlighted how the Service, in collaboration with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), intercepted over 695,000 liters of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). He disclosed that the use of geospatial technologies, such as satellite feeds and geo-mapping, has enhanced the Service’s surveillance and enforcement capabilities, ensuring that these operations are not only effective but sustainable.

Banks scores 21, UNC Asheville beats Western Carolina 78-61

Tre Carroll scores 18 as Florida Atlantic fends off Texas State 89-80(From left) Danggang, Noraini, Martin, Judson and Sengiang take their oath as KDC councillors. KAPIT (Dec 4): Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Kapit chairman Martin Bilun was sworn in Monday as Kapit District Council (KDC) deputy chairman. Martin fills the vacancy left by Watson Awan Jalai, who was appointed as a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier in April this year. The oath-taking ceremony, witnessed by KDC chairman Lating Minggang and secretary Kelimbik Sibat, among others, also saw the swearing-in of four new councillors. They are Judson Jarrau, Sengiang Anjan, Noraini Abdullah, and Danggang Ugik. In his speech, Lating reminded all councillors to work closely with each other and council staff in discharging their duties. “As a councillor, you must know your role, tasks and responsibilities. Each of you have been assigned specific tasks to carry out for the benefit of the people,” he said. With the new additions, KDC now has a total of 32 councillors for the 2023-2025 term. The council is currently having its fourth-quarter meeting until Dec 6.ATLANTA (AP) — Robert Braswell's 19 points helped Charlotte defeat Georgia State 77-63 on Saturday. Braswell also contributed three steals for the 49ers (5-4). Nik Graves scored 15 points while shooting 5 of 7 from the field and 5 for 9 from the line. Jaehshon Thomas totaled 13 points and seven rebounds. Zarigue Nutter led the Panthers (4-6) with 19 points. Nicholas McMullen and Toneari Lane both finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Charlotte took the lead with 8:06 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 32-25 at halftime, with Braswell racking up seven points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughingTennessee Titans second-year running back Tyjae Spears finally got the opportunity he had been waiting for on Sunday. After sitting behind Derrick Henry as a rookie and losing carries to Tony Pollard in 2024, Spears was finally presented with a chance to be the primary running back and carry a heavy workload for the Titans against the Jaguars on Sunday. Spears came into Sunday with a career-high of 16 carries and 75 rushing yards in one game (12/03/23 vs. Indy). With Pollard battling an illness, this was a big chance for Spears to show off the potential that got him drafted 81st overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and prove why he needs a bigger role in the future. Things got off to a smashing start. Spears was running at an impressive clip and getting over five yards per carry. He was the Titans' primary source of offense through almost three full quarters. But as the second half unfolded, Spears had a career milestone taken away from him and his season ended by a series of unfortunate events. For the first time in his NFL career, Spears surpassed 100 rushing yards in a game. He did it with his 19th carry of the afternoon as the Titans were driving late in the third quarter. But on a broken first down play, Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen got into the backfield and tackled Spears for a loss of five yards. It brought his 100-yard total back down to 95 yards and also put the second-year running back in the concussion protocol. #Titans RB Tyjae Spears has his first 100-yard rushing game of his career. pic.twitter.com/HkL0UBw63t The celebration for Spears' milestone turned out to be a bit premature. He would not return to the ballgame and therefore finished with 95 rushing yards on 20 attempts. But somehow that's not the worst of it. Spears also had his opportunity to be the primary running back ended... because head coach Brian Callahan told the media after the game that Spears will be out for Week 18. Therefore his season is over. That's not super surprising considering he just got concussed while wearing a concussion prevention "guardian cap"...But it's unfortunate for him nonetheless. There always seems to be something that gets in the way of Tyjae Spears hitting his stride for the Titans. It has been injuries this season. He will finish the 2024 campaign with 312 rushing yards on 84 rushes (3.7 per) and five total touchdowns. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.The U.S. Navy is transforming a costly flub into a potent weapon with the first shipborne hypersonic weapon, which is being retrofitted aboard the first of its three stealthy destroyers. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. Gerald Herbert, Associated Press “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. The U.S. has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the U.S. military to hasten their production. People are also reading... Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added maneuverability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defense department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon previously acknowledged the weapon's development, it had not recognized its testing. One of the U.S. programs in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the “Conventional Prompt Strike." It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a $7.5 billion warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. Gerald Herbert, Associated Press The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an Advanced Gun System with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155 mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was canceled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Despite the stain on its reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warship in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The Zumwalt arrived at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in August 2023 and was removed from the water for the complex work of integrating the new weapon system. It is due to be undocked this week in preparation for the next round of tests and its return to the fleet, shipyard spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard said. A U.S. hypersonic weapon was successfully tested over the summer and development of the missiles is continuing. The Navy wants to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt in 2027 or 2028, according to the Navy. The U.S. weapon system will come at a steep price. It would cost nearly $18 billion to buy 300 of the weapons and maintain them over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say there is too little bang for the buck. “This particular missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far far away. Is it really worth the money? The answer is most of the time the missile costs much more than any target you can destroy with it,” said Loren Thompson, a longtime military analyst in Washington, D.C. US Navy intercepts Houthi missiles aimed at American ships in Gulf of Aden But they provide the capability for Navy vessels to strike an enemy from a distance of thousands of kilometers — outside the range of most enemy weapons — and there is no effective defense against them, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, an independent forum focusing on national security issues, and former commander of an aircraft carrier strike force. Conventional missiles that cost less aren’t much of a bargain if they are unable to reach their targets, Spicer said, adding the U.S. military really has no choice but to pursue them. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he said. The U.S. is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to U.S. national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities,” said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said. Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help Image Credit: Jacob Lund / ShutterstockThe financial challenges facing U.S. military households are a significant concern throughout the year. Holidays such as Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, or Veterans Day highlight the ongoing struggles that service members face, particularly amid rising costs for everyday essentials. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey shows a troubling trend: Military personnel and their families are finding it more difficult to cover basic household expenses such as food, housing, and transportation than the average American.Our analysis examines how service members are faring in today’s economy compared to civilian households, highlighting the states where military families report the greatest challenges in managing their finances.As we enter Giving Season, we’ve also highlighted meaningful ways to support service members and their families through charitable contributions, offering an opportunity to make a direct impact on those who serve our nation. Jacob Lund Financial Challenges Facing Service Members Service members are struggling more financially than the average American. Image Credit: Upgraded PointsAccording to recent Household Pulse Survey data, members of the armed services are experiencing financial strain at higher rates than the general U.S. population. Over 40% of service members report difficulty covering their usual household expenses, compared to 36.6% of all U.S. adults.The data also shows heightened anxiety among service members regarding rising prices. Nearly 80% of military personnel express stress about recent price increases, significantly higher than the 71.8% of all U.S. adults who share similar feelings. Furthermore, 81.8% of service members are concerned about future price hikes, reflecting widespread uncertainty about inflation’s long-term impact on household budgets. States Where Service Members Struggle To Cover Costs More than half of service members in certain states have difficulty covering basic household expenses. Image Credit: Upgraded PointsAcross the U.S., the financial burden on service members varies significantly from state to state, primarily influenced by local economic conditions. According to the most recent data, Utah leads with 53.7% of service members reporting difficulty covering basic household expenses, closely followed by Louisiana (52.9%) and Alaska (52.8%). Other states where over half of service members are struggling include Indiana (52.0%), Tennessee (51.2%), New York (50.8%), and Florida (50.3%).A key issue service members frequently raise is that their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) has not kept pace with the rapidly rising cost of housing. In states where service members face the greatest financial difficulties, such as Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida, home price increases have far exceeded the national average, exacerbating the strain on household budgets.Another critical factor affecting military families is the employment challenges military spouses face. According to the Department of Defense, the military spouse unemployment rate was 21% in 2023, compared to a national rate of 3.6% that year. Many military bases are located in rural or remote areas, limiting job opportunities for spouses, particularly in specialized fields. Additionally, frequent relocations make it difficult for spouses to sustain long-term careers, especially for those in professions requiring state-specific occupational licenses that can be difficult to transfer.Service members are also more likely to report financial struggles in states with higher-than-average unemployment rates, such as Louisiana, Alaska, and New York. Conversely, the state unemployment rate is below average in 9 of the 10 states where service members report the least financial difficulty. This suggests that strong local employment opportunities, particularly for spouses, significantly ease the financial burden on military households. How You Can Help: Top Military and Veteran Charities Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / ShutterstockOne of the most impactful ways to support service members, veterans, and their families who are facing financial hardships is through donations to reputable charities. These organizations are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by military families and veterans, providing vital assistance in areas like housing, medical expenses, scholarships, and career training. To help guide your generosity, we’ve compiled a list of top-rated charities based on scores from Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, and GuideStar, which assess organizations on criteria such as impact, efficiency, accountability, and transparency.Here are some of the best charities supporting military families and veterans in need:1. USOFor over 80 years, the USO has provided crucial support to active-duty service members and their families. From financial assistance programs to community-building initiatives, the USO helps service members stay connected to loved ones while addressing their most pressing needs during deployments and transitions.2. Homes For Our TroopsThis charity is focused on providing specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. It helps veterans regain independence. Homes For Our Troops also provides financial planning and household budgeting to ensure long-term stability for the recipients.3. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)Dedicated to advocating for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, IAVA works to improve government policies and programs that support military families. Its advocacy ensures veterans have access to financial resources, healthcare, and education opportunities.4. Fisher House FoundationThis foundation builds “comfort homes” near military and VA medical centers, allowing families to stay free of charge while a loved one is hospitalized. By reducing travel and lodging expenses, Fisher House eases financial stress during difficult times.5. Hope For The WarriorsOffering a range of programs focused on financial stability, wellness, social support, and education, Hope For The Warriors provides critical support to service members, veterans, and their families. Its services include direct financial assistance for transitioning service members and veterans in need, career training and job placement, and scholarships for spouses.6. Semper Fi & America’s FundSemper Fi & America’s Fund assists wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families through direct financial assistance and case management during hospitalization and recovery. The organization also provides educational support, career assistance, and health and wellness services.7. Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS)WWFS supports families of those wounded or killed in combat through programs like medical travel grants, meal and housekeeping assistance, in-home care services, and family retreats. By addressing these families' immediate and ongoing needs, WWFS alleviates the financial burdens of those suffering from recent tragic events.For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points. Bumble Dee Methodology Photo Credit: Jacob Lund / ShutterstockUpgraded Points conducted the analysis using the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Phase 4.0–4.2, covering the period from January 9, 2024, to September 16, 2024. Service members were defined as adults currently serving in the U.S. armed forces (Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard) and their spouses.This analysis focuses on 3 key questions from the survey:Difficulty Covering Household Expenses: Respondents were asked, "In the last 7 days, how difficult has it been for your household to pay for usual household expenses, including but not limited to food, rent or mortgage, car payments, medical expenses, student loans, and so on?" We defined difficulty as either "very difficult" or "somewhat difficult.”Stress Due to Price Increases: Respondents were asked, "How stressful, if at all, has the increase in prices in the last two months been for you?" We defined stress as either "very stressful" or "moderately stressful."Concern About Future Price Increases: Finally, respondents were asked, "In the area you live and shop, how concerned are you, if at all, that prices will increase in the next 6 months?" We defined concern as either "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned."Statistics with fewer than 50 survey responses were omitted from the analysis. Additional statistics on home prices were sourced from Zillow’s Home Value Index, and unemployment rates were sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates.For complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points. Jacob Lund Be the first to know

SCMB: Schwab Offers Low Cost Municipal Bond ETF But Not Great ResultsI made £250 a month at the Co-op - now I'm singing for the Pope, says EMELI SANDE

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Tre Carroll scored 18 points off the bench to lead Florida Atlantic to an 89-80 victory over Texas State on Saturday. Carroll shot 7 of 9 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Owls (7-5). Niccolo Moretti scored 15 points, shooting 4 of 6 from the field and 6 for 7 from the line. Matas Vokietaitis shot 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. The Bobcats (7-4) were led by Tyler Morgan, who posted 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Tylan Pope added 14 points and three blocks. Josh O'Garro finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Texas State had a five-game win streak end. Florida Atlantic took the lead with 51 seconds to go in the first half and never looked back. The score was 43-40 at halftime, with Vokietaitis racking up 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .This is why unemployable sycophantic nobody bozos shouldn’t do economics. The Morons Marathon of US politics has taken yet another IQ nosedive. The constant tides of talk about proposed tariffs are bad enough. “Tariff” is code for total illiteracy in trade. A minimum 10% tariff is the benchmark. They’ll add a lot to prices. That will cost you a lot of money you don’t have. It’ll also kill revenue by suffocating demand by volume, simply because things are more expensive. “But, why?” you ask, clutching your non-existent but expensive ideology in your pseudopods? It’s mainly because the idiots proposing the tariffs still haven’t got it through their thick heads that the importer pays tariffs, not the exporter. Everything will cost so much more because you clowns put a tariff on it. Got it, you ^&&(((&^* godforsaken 3 $%&^(% half-witted brain dead fruit flies? The stylish fruit fly analogy is because fruit fly brains work and yours don’t . Add to this impending cluster the imbecile idea of a devalued dollar , if you please, Your dollars will be instantly worth less, at a time when the cost of living is truly insane. Let’s go through the devaluation myths from the last century to explain: “Devaluing will make our products more competitive.” This particular myth has bankrupted countries many times before. Anyway -What products? You offshored them and a lot of American jobs decades ago. You think you can set up an entire manufacturing sector overnight? Ain’t gonna happen. “Our foreign currency holdings will be worth more.” Not really. Any fool can play margins and pretend to win. Those currencies also aren’t the world’s default currency, and only a very few of them are stable. It’s a meaningless statement. “Our dollar debts will cost less because the dollar is worth less.” The exact opposite is the case. You can pay with foreign currency to a point, but not on the global scale of US debts. People holding dollar denominated debts don’t want to lose money. You’re more likely to increase interest rates on borrowing to make up for the decline in the value of currency holdings. Bond yields will also have to respond. “Volatility will help supercharge the markets.” This one may seem a little obscure. The theory is that high turnover in anything is good for middlemen like brokers, hedge funds, termites, political skanks, etc. So it is, to a point, until constant stress destroys confidence in the market. Given the other disasters on this list, no confidence will happen sooner rather than later. You and your money will quite rightly move to other markets and take your trillions with you. Any supercharging will be of the getting the hell out variety. OK, now a bit of analysis. Do you notice that the outcome of each of these loads of garbage is the exact opposite of what was stated? There’s a reason for that. All of these economic circus tricks have been tried and have failed consistently throughout the 20 th century. One of the reasons South America and Africa are such happy carefree places that everyone is trying to escape policies of this kind. Bad management of trade, currencies, and a bizarre perspective on how the world does business are all you need. There’s another, potentially fatal, issue for the US, though. America is locked in to global trade. Disadvantaging itself and its own trading position is stupid. Adding costs is suicidal. What’s likely to happen is the “Russification” of America. This would be the collapse of corporate and private assets, not state assets. (A heavily devalued billion is not the same thing, Elon.) Everything crashes. Everyone goes broke. Somebody walks in and buys all those depreciated assets at bargain bin prices. (Almost literally nothing, in the case of the USSR. It was one of the biggest systematic rip-offs in history.) That’s worked out well, hasn’t it? We could have another fragmented senile ex-superpower staggering around picking fights with everyone and losing. Sound familiar? America used to be truly great. It was the richest, healthiest, most prosperous society in history. You gave it all away to idiotic politics and your own insularity. You’re doing it again, America. _____________________________________________________ Disclaimer The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members. Editor-at-Large based in Sydney, Australia.

Walmart's best weekend deals: Major price drops on Skechers, HP, Shark and moreSome quotations from We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary – which is wonderful – but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity was so deep and publicized that it created a myth: that he both founded and ran the nonprofit that builds affordable housing. “Neither of those things are true,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International. But Carter’s years of volunteer presence with the organization in the U.S. and abroad, which was founded in Americus, just down the road from his hometown of Plains, was essential to Habitat’s success, Reckford said. The Carters first worked with Habitat in 1984, eight years after it was founded. At that point, Habitat had built fewer than 1,000 homes. Over the years, the Carter Work Project alone, a special program in Habitat that did construction drives in cities from Memphis, Tennessee to New York, has built, renovated or repaired more than 4,300 homes. The COVID-19 pandemic and the declining health of the Carters, both in their 90s, curtailed the yearly programs recently. Habitat has built more than 800,000 homes across the world. “Carter really put Habitat on the map,” Reckford said. “It was so unlikely to have a former U.S. president sleeping in a church basement and literally doing construction.” The couple also inspired large numbers of volunteers to join Habitat’s cause, starting with their first weeklong Carter Work Project in New York City’s Lower East Side, which attracted global media attention. Since 1984, they have worked alongside more than 100,000 volunteers at work sites in 14 countries. “The Carters have brought extraordinary international awareness to the great need for affordable housing and to Habitat for Humanity’s specific mission to be a part of the solution,” Reckford said. A skilled carpenter, Carter was always one to get his hands dirty. The former president was one of only two people to work on each of the first 35 annual Carter Work Projects, the other being his wife. “I’ve had the great privilege of being with them with heads of state around the world and also with some of the poorest people in the world, and I think the Carters are always the same in every setting,” Reckford said. “That’s an extraordinary mark of integrity.” In 2015, when Carter announced the growing threat and toll of cancer on his body, he didn’t allow the disease to stop him from working at Habitat builds. Carter received treatment for spots of melanoma found on his brain and planned to attend a build in Nepal that was eventually canceled because of a natural disaster and political unrest in the country. Instead, he worked at a Habitat build in Memphis in November 2015. He returned to Memphis a year and one day after his cancer announcement to host a Carter Work Project in August 2016. Reckford, who has been on several builds with the Carters, said Habitat volunteers were always eager to join the former president. “He worked hard, and he expected everyone else to work really hard. If he saw something he didn’t like, you would get that submarine commander blue-eyed gaze that you never want to get,” Reckford said lightheartedly. Carter’s involvement with Habitat also was an extension of his legacy as a peacemaker. During the 2006 Carter Work Project in Lonavala, India, Reckford said he saw cultural and religious differences dissipate. Two men from different faiths — one Muslim and one Hindu — and from different social castes were going to share one of the new duplexes. After participating in the weeklong build, one gentleman put his arm around his new neighbor and said despite their differences they were now brothers, Reckford said. “President Carter was such a great ambassador in breaking down barriers between people and building, both physical homes but building community in that process,” he said. Because of Carter’s involvement with Habitat, Reckford said millions of people worldwide are living in new or improved homes. “You have to admire the way he led his life, which was a life of service to others,” he said.

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The 36-year-old founder of this lingerie brand wants to create Singapore’s most comfortable brasMARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Tarence Guinyard scored 31 points as UT Martin beat Champion Christian 123-56 on Sunday night. Guinyard added eight rebounds and five assists for the Skyhawks (4-7). Josue Grullon scored 23 points while shooting 8 for 16, including 7 for 13 from beyond the arc and added eight rebounds. Matija Zuzic shot 6 for 14, including 5 for 12 from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points. The Tigers were led in scoring by Noah Brooks, who finished with 14 points and two blocks. Champion Christian, a member of the Association of Christian College Athletics, also got 11 points from Adrian Brown. KJ Younge finished with nine points and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

MEXICO CITY, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Mexican lower house lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal to alter the constitution to include a ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices as well as a crackdown on synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sent the proposal to Congress before leaving office this year, had argued that smoking devices were damaging public health, with children particularly susceptible to getting hooked. Lopez Obrador had already banned such devices through a presidential decree, though they remain widely available for purchase. Millions of Mexicans, meanwhile, smoke traditional cigarettes, which remain legal. The reform passed by the legislature on Tuesday also sanctions "production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl and other non-authorized synthetic drugs." Fentanyl, while approved for some use medically, is also by and large banned in Mexico. The measure passed, in general terms, with 410 votes in favor and 24 against. Less than 1 million people from ages 12 to 65 reported regularly using a vape in 2022, according to federal data cited by lawmakers. Meanwhile, around 500,000 teens and 300,000 adults used e-cigarettes. "We value girls', boys', and young people's right to good health above economic and political interests," said Workers' Party lawmaker Mary Carmen Bernal, who belongs to the ruling bloc. Opposition legislator Ector Jaime Ramirez, meanwhile, said banning fentanyl and vaping in the same reform was excessive and "trivializing to the effort being made to combat the most addictive and dangerous drugs." The reform is now set to head to the senate, where the ruling Morena party and its allies hold a strong majority. Sign up here. Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Gregorio Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

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Keishon Porter scores 20 to guide North Carolina Central to 77-70 victory over LongwoodStockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. Control Bionics inks two deals advancing commercialisation of NeuroStrip Company acquires a 20% stake in US-based Neuro Elite Athletics Control Bionics inks memorandum of understanding with Stroke Lab in Japan Special Report: Control Bionics has entered two strategic agreements with industry leaders to expand the presence of its NeuroStrip technology into the high-growth US sports performance and Japanese neurological rehabilitation markets. Control Bionics (ASX:CBL) has acquired a 20% stake for US$250,000 including cash and in-kind contributions in US-based Neuro Elite Athletics, which is the company behind the NeuroBounce program for athletes. The company said its partial ownership in Neuro Elite Athletics would provide the company with an exclusive licensing arrangement for the NeuroBounce program in Australia and Japan. The company anticipates a payback period for the deal of less than 12 months. Control Bionics has also inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a rehabilitation facility in Tokyo called Stroke Lab, laying the groundwork for a joint operating agreement by Q1 2025 and further solidifying its position in Japan’s advanced rehabilitation market. The partnerships aim to not only diversify Control Bionics’ market focus but are also expected to generate material revenue through new recurring SaaS fees and hardware sales. They also aim to unlocking access to valuable patient data to support future automation and AI model development. Control Bionics said the partnerships will leverage its NeuroStrip technology to drive further innovation and growth for Neuro Elite Athletics and Stroke Lab in their respective fields. NeuroStrip is a miniaturised version of Control Bionics’ NeuroNode tech, which is a watch-like device to assist cognitive people with physical disabilities – notably sufferers of cerebral palsy or motor neuron disease – to perform everyday functions. Weighing less than a piece of paper, the wearable NeuroStrip measures physiological data such as unintentional muscle movements and expands the company’s market from disabilities to the sports science, occupational health and rehabilitation sectors. NeuroStrip is attached directly to the skin with data fed straight to an app. Source: Control Bionics Strategic Stake in Neuro Elite Athletics Neuro Elite Athletics was founded by physical therapist Steve Bennett, a specialist in electromyography (EMG) training, and co-led by entrepreneur Rex Hale. Control Bionics said NeuroBounce’s proprietary program was the only computerised EMG training program in the world, which has been proven to increase vertical leap by 5-15cm in just eight training sessions. Control Bionics said NeuroBounce had been used by US athletes for more than 25 years improving vertical jump height and explosiveness in sports such as basketball, volleyball and football. The potential US market size for Neuro Elite Athletics is significant. There are more than 28,500 college sports teams with over 600,000 athletes, including some 10,000 basketball players and 4000 women’s volleyball players on scholarships. The US has 166 professional sports teams such as the National Basketball Association, National Football League, Major League Baseball, and National Hockey League, with ~4700 active players. In addition, the potential market also includes 300,000 high school teams with 7.9 million participants, offering long-term growth potential. For the NeuroBounce program, Control Bionics said NeuroStrip was used to train the brain to turn on previously unused muscle fibres. Control Bionics said the US sports market represented significant potential. Each college sports program was expected to pay ~US$25,000 annually, combining one-off set-up fees and recurring SaaS revenue. Advancing Japanese rehabilitation Founded by Tadafumi Kaneko, a leader in neurological rehabilitation, Stroke Lab rehabilitation facility combines neurology and therapy to deliver evidence- based, personalised care. Control Bionics noted Stroke Labs’ expertise and offerings include: Advanced use of surface EMG technology for recovery A strong digital presence with over 50,000 social media followers and an extensive industry network More than 500 therapist graduates, enhancing its influence in the sector A joint operating agreement between Control Bionics and Stroke Lab aims to be formalised by Q1 2025, laying the groundwork for expanding rehabilitation services in Japan. Under the partnership NeuroStrip will be adapted for the Japanese market, combining Control Bionics’ innovation with Stroke Lab’s clinical expertise. Strategic i mportance of deals for growth Control Bionics CEO Jeremy Steele said the agreements reflect a pivotal step in Control Bionics’ mission to harness neurotechnology for human empowerment. “These collaborations underscore Control Bionics’ ability to enter and lead high- growth markets,” he said. “With NeuroBounce’s proven success in sports and Stroke Lab’s rehabilitation expertise, we are driving innovation while delivering value for our shareholders.” This article was developed in collaboration with Control Bionics, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Control Bionics leaps into new US and Japanese markets with strategic deals More related stories Stockhead Is the future of business ‘AI first’? 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