Maximus contract with CMS for Medicare services cancelled; shares drop

Mazel Tov Bar/Bat Mitzvah Featured Stories Headlines Israel Local Community Miriam's Advice Well Arts Performance Lifestyle Philacatessen Judaism Ritual Life Society The hit Netflix series “Fauda” drew widespread acclaim when it debuted nearly a decade ago. The action-packed show, which has aired four thrill-filled seasons thus far, chronicles the adventures of an elite Israeli counterterrorism unit that conducts covert missions that often keep viewers at the edge of their seats. Fauda’s leading star, Lior Raz, not only plays the main character, Doron Kabilio, he also co-wrote and co-produced the popular series. Raz was one of the headliners at a Nov. 21 event in Philadelphia to benefit American Friends of Magen Adom, the American arm of Israel’s national emergency services organization. A crowd of approximately 225 came to pay tribute to several well-deserved honorees — Hilary Sennett, Jim Showers and Gershon Trimpol — and support an organization whose sole mission is saving lives. The event was emceed by Emily Austin, a TV personality who has extensive experience interviewing athletes and stars in the entertainment industry. With a social media following of over two million, Austin has become a well-known influencer who often speaks about her strong support for Israel and the importance of combatting antisemitism. In an interview with the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, Austin, who became an Israeli citizen the week before Oct. 7, 2023, talked about why she feels it’s so important to be outspoken in support of the Jewish state. “I consider myself an advocate for the truth and for what’s right ... I always take the moral high ground,” Austin said. “And I find it really unfortunate that everyone’s on the same page, except when it comes to the Jews. Christians can have a country. Muslims can have a country ... But when it comes to the Jewish people, after enduring a massacre, the world turns a blind eye, or even worse, sides with evil. So, I’m just trying to open people’s eyes. “I go by a saying — don’t tell people they’re wrong but show them why you’re right. And I believe Israel has so many ‘rights’ to show the world that we have, and if I can be the one to show them the truth, then what an honor,” she added. As for her huge social media following, Austin doesn’t shy away from using her platform to voice her pro-Israel views. “I’m very blessed to have a platform that’s not preaching to the echo chamber of Jewish people who already support Israel. I work in sports. I work in entertainment. And I would even argue that my audience is mostly non-Jews. And ... I don’t want to be proselytizing. I don’t want to shove Israel down your throat to the point that it’s nauseating, like the pro-Palestinians do. They shut down bridges and tunnels and they make you almost nauseated by the cause. I try to show a positive light and the truth without completely overwhelming my [social media] feed with it — like I know you follow me for sports, and you’re still going to get it. But I also love Israel, and I’m going to show you why I love Israel. And I think I try to balance the two.” American Friends of Magen David Adom CEO Catherine Reed introduced one of the evening’s honorees, Gershon Trimpol, noting that Trimpol, who serves as chairman of the International Magen David Adom Committee and vice president of American Friends of Magen David Adom, has 26 years of experience working with the organization. As he addressed the crowd, Trimpol, a resident of Southampton, quoted the famous Talmudic passage “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh” (All Jews are responsible for each other), noting that “few organizations embody that principle more than Magen David Adom.” In addition to Magen David Adom’s efforts to supply blood to the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli hospitals, Trimpol underscored the Herculean efforts of the organization’s first responders. “The heart and soul of Magen David Adom are its paramedics,” he said. “On Oct. 7, while others were running from the danger, the brave paramedics of Magen David Adom ran into the danger to help others.” Attendees watched an emotional video that spotlighted the bravery of Magen David Adom paramedics as they responded to various terrorist attacks, including Oct. 7 and in July 2024, when a rocket hit a soccer field in Majdal Shams, a city in northern Israel, which left 12 children dead. During the event, Sue and Bruce Epstein of Margate City, New Jersey, stood up and pledged to make a sizable donation that Magen David Adom could use to buy a new ambulance for its fleet in Israel, drawing applause from the crowd. The evening’s keynote speaker was Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who assumed the role of global president of Magen David Adom in September 2024. Prior to his new role, Erdan served for four years as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, where he vigorously defended Israel on the world stage. Erdan also served as a member of Knesset for 17 years and had a tenure as Israel’s ambassador to the United States. In an interview with the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, Erdan spoke about the challenges currently facing Israel and the heightened role that Magen David Adom plays post-Oct. 7. “Our enemies know that they cannot defeat the IDF. You see what’s happening in Gaza and Lebanon — we are destroying them. So, what’s their strategy? It’s a twofold strategy. They are focused on attacking our civilians ... They want to terrorize our kids, frighten them, make sure that they maybe drive us out of our homeland in fear for the long term,” Erdan said. “And then the other part, how do they plan to survive? They are trying to exploit my last battlefield, the U.N., to pressure us to a cease-fire, to tie our hands, to portray us as baby killers. So, this is why it’s twofold. Now focusing on the civilian side, they’re attacking the home front. As [there are] many more people that they will be able to kill there, it most likely will succeed to terrorize our citizens.” Erdan cited those challenges to make the case that Magen David Adom is indispensable. “The Israeli resilience, it is dependent on us [Magen David Adom]. So yes, I believe that the Jewish world came to the understanding that of course the IDF is the most important organization, but other than the IDF, when it comes to the first responders like Magen David Adom ... we cannot afford for Magen David Adom not to be the No. 1 emergency medical service in the world. I feel that the Jewish communities really came to this understanding, and they’re behind us. “There’s only one national organization in Israel, which is Magen David Adom — this is the emergency national organization that is obligated to supply services everywhere, be it rural areas, Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights. We are the ones that the resilience of Israel is dependent upon,” Erdan added. Erdan had much to say about what sort of strategies could be employed to try and counter the anti-Israel animus that is prevalent at international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, which recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of “crimes against humanity” relating to the war in Gaza. “Always be on the offensive. That’s what I did at the U.N. — never be apologetic. I knew I represented the most moral military and country in the world, so I exposed their lies, their hypocrisy,” Erdan said. “I need to preserve our allies’ support for us, and that’s what we’re doing by always being there on the offensive, fighting and exposing the lies.” In his remarks to the audience, Erdan focused on the threat posed by the U.N. to Israel, opening with a line that drew laughs from the Philly crowd. “It’s really great for me to be here in Philadelphia, a city that cherishes so much both liberty and loyalty, though I must confess that being here during Eagles’ season without being an Eagles fan feels almost as lonely as defending Israel at the U.N.,” he said. “Today, dear friends, the U.N. is not just biased, it’s a weapon in the terrorist arsenal to help them survive,” Erdan said. “What would the U.N.’s founders say if they saw their creation today, an institution founded after the Holocaust to prevent genocide has been hijacked by those who plot it?” Erdan noted that although Israel represents less than one-tenth of 1% of the world’s population, it receives 70% of the U.N.’s condemnations every year. “We receive more condemnations than Syria, Russia, North Korea and Iran combined,” he said. After declaring that the “U.N. has become a stain on humanity,” citing the U.N.’s $75 billion annual budget and noting that the United States, as the biggest funder of the U.N., is “literally financing an institution controlled by dictators that works against our values,” Erdan emphatically declared that “the time has come for us to understand that the U.N. is lost” and stated that, “The U.N. must be defunded. Completely defunded,” which drew rousing applause from the crowd. Referring to Magen David Adom, Erdan painted a far more positive and promising picture than he did when speaking about the U.N. “We are in the life-saving business. It’s sometimes very hard, very sad, very challenging, but the future is bright, I promise you ... Our sages, as you know, teach us that whoever saves even one life, it is as if they saved an entire world. So many lives have been saved, thanks to you. So many worlds have been saved, thanks to you ... I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Erdan said, asserting that “a stronger Magen David Adom means a stronger Israel.” The crowd watched excitedly as Raz and Austin engaged in an armchair conversation, in which Austin interviewed the “Fauda” star about his upbringing and the hit series. Noting that his father was born in Iraq and his mother was born in Algeria, Raz said that Arabic was frequently spoken in his home. Raz’s father served in Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, and Raz’s military service consisted of service in Duvdevan, an elite counterterrorism unit. “What you’ve seen in ‘Fauda’ is what I used to do,” Raz said, referring to his time in the IDF. After his army service, Raz said he went to the United States, where he served as a bodyguard to Arnold Schwarzenegger and actress Nastassja Kinski. He then returned to Israel and began pursuing an acting career. Raz, who was experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder following his IDF service, eventually met journalist Avi Issacharoff. Together, Raz and Issacharoff began writing the script that ultimately became ‘Fauda.’ “So many things that you see in ‘Fauda’ are from our real lives,” Raz said, referring to Issacharoff and himself. Event organizers said it was a successful evening for Magen David Adom, which Erdan proudly referred to as “the backbone of Israel’s resilience.” [email protected] TAGS American Friends of Magen David Adom Catherine Reed Emily Austin Fauda Gershon Trimpol Hilary Sennett Israel Israel Defense Forces Jim Showers Lior Raz United NationsTrump provides update on Melania's plans during his next term in wide-ranging Time interview

(The Center Square) – American taxpayers may provide a loan of more than $7.5 billion to a joint venture involving automaker Chrysler that plans to build electric vehicle batteries in Indiana. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Program Office revealed that StarPlus Energy has received a “conditional commitment” for the multi-billion dollar loan. If approved, teh money would help the collaboration between FCA US and Samsung SDI Co. construct two lithium-ion battery plants in the Kokomo 50 miles north of Indianapolis. The loan announcement comes after the Indiana Economic Development Corp. pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in state tax credits and incentives to the project. Stellantis, FCA’s parent company, and Samsung first announced plans to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo in May 2022. Then, in October 2023, the partners announced they would construct a second plant. According to Monday’s announcement, the project is expected to create up to 3,200 construction jobs as well as 2,800 plant jobs. The batteries built in Kokomo are forecasted to power about 670,000 electric cars each year. Stellantis would purchase the batteries for the vehicles marketed in the United States. An Energy Department fact sheet indicates that the interest rate for the loan would be the “applicable U.S. Treasury rate for the term of the loan with no credit spread.” No details on the term were immediately available. “This project reinforces President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to onshore and reshore domestic manufacturing technologies,” the Energy Department’s statement said. The loan would come through the federal government’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which was first established through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. It would be the second Indiana plant to receive program funds. Last month, the Biden administration announced the finalization of a $1.3 billion loan to ENTEK, which is constructing a factory in Terre Haute to make separators used in lithium-ion batteries. The Biden administration and StarPlus must still complete some requirements before the loan can be finalized. Among them, StarPlus must create a Community Benefits Plan that demonstrates how the company will work with local officials and labor groups. The battery plants are being built using workers from local trade unions. Administration officials are also expecting StarPlus to participate in the Justice40 Initiative, which calls for 40% of the benefits produced from the government’s investment to boost communities that are considered underinvested “and overburdened by pollution.”The Board of Jinhui Shipping and Transportation Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the unaudited condensed consolidated results of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) for the quarter and nine months ended 30 September 2024. Given the rebound of market freight rates driven by robust demand for dry bulk commodities, limited supply of vessels and the increase in number of owned and chartered-in vessels, the Group recorded a significant increase in the chartering freight and hire revenue for the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the depressed freight market upon the weak dry bulk shipping market sentiment for the first nine months of 2023. Market freight rates have recovered from the low level as seen in the beginning of the year despite the simultaneous occurrence of multiple geo-political issues that affected business sentiment. The Group reported a revenue for the third quarter of 2024 of US$45,585,000, representing an increase of 127% as compared to US$20,038,000 for the corresponding quarter in 2023. The Company recorded a consolidated net profit of US$7,595,000 for the current quarter as compared to a consolidated net loss of US$8,079,000 for the corresponding quarter in 2023. The consolidated net loss for last corresponding quarter in 2023 was attributable to the exposure to declining freight rates at such unexpected weak dry shipping market and the impairment loss on assets held for sale of US$1,897,000 recognized upon reclassification of one Supramax for which the Group entered into a disposal agreement. Basic earnings per share for the third quarter was US$0.070 as compared to basic loss per share of US$0.074 for the same quarter in 2023. The average daily time charter equivalent rates earned by the Group’s fleet increased 74% to US$15,290 for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to US$8,796 for the corresponding quarter in 2023. Revenue for the first nine months of 2024 reached US$114,724,000, which is a significant increase compared to US$57,265,000 during the same period in 2023. This represents a doubling of revenue year-over-year. The Company recorded a consolidated net profit of US$18,816,000 for the first nine months of 2024 whereas a consolidated net loss of US$27,340,000 was reported in the first nine months of 2023. Basic earnings per share for the period was US$0.172 as compared to basic loss per share of US$0.250 for the first nine months of 2023. The average daily time charter equivalent rate for the fleet improved 70% to US$14,446 for the first nine months of 2024 as compared to US$8,520 for the same period in 2023. The Board has resolved not to recommend the payment of any interim dividend for the quarter ended 30 September 2024. Third Quarter of 2024. In the third quarter of 2024, the momentum in dry bulk shipping market remained positive as limited newbuilding deliveries and increasing tonnage scrapping activities had kept the fleet growth at a reasonable level. During the quarter, the Baltic Dry Index (“BDI”) opened at 2,050 points at the beginning of July. It rose to a peak of 2,179 points in early July and closed at 2,084 points by the end of September 2024. The average of BDI for the third quarter of 2024 was 1,871 points, which compares to 1,194 points in the same quarter in 2023. Revenue for the third quarter of 2024 was US$45,585,000, representing an increase of 127% as compared to US$20,038,000 for the third quarter in 2023. The Company generated a consolidated operating profit before depreciation and amortization amounted to US$21,642,000 for the current quarter as compared to US$4,025,000 for the last corresponding quarter. As of 30 September 2024, the Group operated twenty-four owned vessels and nine chartered-in vessels as compared to twenty-four owned vessels and one chartered-in vessel for the same period of last year. During the quarter, a Capesize vessel which has been contracted to acquire in February 2024 was delivered to the Group. In the third quarter of 2024, our Panamax fleet achieved an average daily time charter equivalent rate (“TCE”) of US$14,555, while the Ultramax/Supramax fleet recorded US$15,228. In comparison, during the same quarter of 2023, the Panamax fleet recorded US$15,104 and the Ultramax/Supramax fleet recorded US$8,531. Other operating income increased from US$2,502,000 from the third quarter of 2023 to US$4,444,000 for the current quarter mainly due to the Group recording a net gain of US$2,140,000 on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss for the third quarter of 2024 while a net loss of US$130,000 on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss was recorded and included in other operating expenses for the same quarter of 2023. Shipping related expenses rose from US$12,572,000 for the third quarter of 2023 to US$24,147,000 for the current quarter mainly attributable to the rise in hire payments upon the increase in number of chartered-in vessels. Throughout the nine-month period, the Group engaged in certain inward time charters engagements, resulting in approximately US$8 million in hire payments for these short-term leases during the third quarter of 2024. The daily vessel running cost of the Group’s owned vessels slightly increased to US$5,302 for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to US$5,181 for the third quarter of 2023 as certain initial running costs and expenses were incurred for newly delivered vessels. We will continue with our cost reduction effort, striving to maintain a highly competitive cost structure when stacked against other market participants. Other operating expenses decreased 62% from US$3,163,000 for the third quarter of 2023 to US$1,209,000 for the current quarter. This decrease was mainly due to the recognition of an impairment loss on assets held for sale (disposed vessel), which amounted to US$1,897,000 in the same period of last year. Depreciation and amortization of the Group increased from US$10,300,000 for the third quarter of 2023 to US$12,473,000 for the third quarter of 2024. The increase was attributable to the recognition of depreciation of US$4,753,000 on right-of-use assets for long-term chartered-in vessels for the current quarter whereas US$2,124,000 was recorded in last corresponding quarter. The Group’s daily vessel depreciation decreased to US$3,467 for the current quarter as compared to US$3,596 for the corresponding quarter in 2023. This reduction is attributed to lower carrying amounts of owned vessels following the recognition of an impairment loss on these vessels at the end of 2023. Finance costs decreased from US$1,804,000 for the third quarter of 2023 to US$1,574,000 in the third quarter of 2024. The reduction was due to a decreased recognition of interest expenses on lease liabilities, which amounted to US$299,000 during the quarter as compared to US$568,000 for last corresponding period. First Nine Months of 2024 Statement of Cash Flows and Statement of Financial Position as at 30 September 2024 During the first nine months of 2024, upon financing of delivery of two vessels, the Group maintained positive working capital position and had cash and cash equivalents of US$22,460,000 (31/12/2023: US$40,250,000). Net cash generated from operating activities after working capital changes was US$56,791,000 (30/9/2023: US$6,122,000), of which US$4,844,000 (30/9/2023: US$4,481,000) related to changes in working capital. For the first nine months of 2024, net cash used in investing activities was US$61,228,000 (30/9/2023: US$4,253,000). This included US$10,414,000 cash proceeds received from the completed disposal of one Supramax, US$68,188,000 on acquisition of two motor vessels and dry-docking expenditure and US$4,800,000 on deposit paid for acquisition of a Capesize which will be delivered to the Group during the fourth quarter of 2024. During the first nine months of 2024, the Group had drawn new secured bank loans of US$50,876,000 (30/9/2023: US$30,474,000) and repaid US$51,975,000 (30/9/2023: US$28,220,000). The Group’s total secured bank loans decreased from US$88,167,000 as at 31 December 2023 to US$87,068,000 as at 30 September 2024, of which 19%, 8% and 73% are repayable respectively within one year, in the second year and in the third to fifth year. The bank borrowings represented revolving loans, term loans and property mortgage loans that were denominated in Hong Kong Dollars. All bank borrowings were committed on floating rate basis. As at 30 September 2024, the total of the Group’s equity and debt securities, bank balances and cash decreased to US$43,019,000 (31/12/2023: US$62,613,000). The gearing ratio, as calculated on the basis of net debts (total interest-bearing debts net of equity and debt securities, bank balances and cash) over total equity, was 12% (31/12/2023: 7%) as at 30 September 2024. With cash, marketable equity and debt securities in hand as well as available credit facilities, the Group has sufficient financial resources to satisfy its commitments and working capital requirements. As at 30 September 2024, the Group is able to service its debt obligations, including principal and interest payments. Capital Expenditures and Commitments Capital Expenditures During the first nine months of 2024, the Group incurred capital expenditure of US$67,925,000 on additions of motor vessels and capitalized drydockings and US$263,000 on other property, plant and equipment. For the first nine months of 2023, capital expenditure of US$3,666,000 was incurred, including US$3,564,000 on capitalized dry-dockings and improvements to motor vessels and US$102,000 on other property, plant and equipment. During the first nine months ended 30 September 2024, the Group entered into two shipbuilding contracts for the construction of two newbuildings, each at a consideration of US$34,000,000 of deadweight 63,500 metric tons, to be delivered in 2026 and 2027 respectively. As at the reporting date, the capital expenditure commitments contracted by the Group but not provided for was US$68,000,000 (31/12/2023: nil). The Group further entered into a charterparty in respect of leasing of a Capesize of deadweight 207,672 metric tons, built in year 2017, for a term of minimum thirty-three months; the vessel will be delivered to the Group between 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025. An unaudited value of the right-of-use asset of approximately US$26,640,000 will be recognized on the date of delivery of the vessel. As at the reporting date, the capital expenditure commitments contracted by the Group but not provided for was approximately US$26,640,000 (31/12/2023: nil). During the current quarter, the Group entered into an agreement in respect of the acquisition of a Capesize of deadweight 178,021 metric tons, built in year 2008, at a purchase price of US$24,000,000, to be delivered to the Group in the fourth quarter of 2024. As at the reporting date, a deposit of US$4,800,000 for the vessel was paid, the capital expenditure commitments contracted by the Group but not provided for, net of deposits paid, was approximately US$19,200,000 (31/12/2023: nil). In 2018, the Group entered into the co-investment documents to co-invest in a property project in Tower A of One Financial Street Center, Jing’an Central Business District, Shanghai, the PRC, pursuant to which the Group is committed to acquire non-voting participating class A shares of Dual Bliss Limited of US$10,000,000. Dual Bliss Limited is one of the investors of the Co-investment. As at the reporting date, the capital expenditure commitments contracted by the Group but not provided for was US$372,000 (31/12/2023: US$372,000). As at the reporting date, the total amount of capital expenditure commitments contracted by the Group but not provided for, net of deposits paid, was US$114,212,000 (31/12/2023: US$372,000). Save as disclosed above, there was no other significant capital expenditure commitments contracted by the Group but not provided for as at the reporting date. Source: Jinhui Shipping and Transportation Limited

A new round of Israeli air strikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports while the World Health Organisation’s director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight. “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport... pic.twitter.com/riZayWHkvf — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 26, 2024 Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.