Zomato, Zerodha founders back Aakash Chaudhry's edtech comeback Sparkl EdventureUS equity markets dipped fell on Thursday, with the Nasdaq retreating below 20,000 following a US inflation report that topped expectations. US wholesale inflation came in at 0.4 percent last month, seasonally adjusted, up from 0.3 percent in October and higher than projected. Despite the inflation report, markets continued to bet that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this month. "Right now we're seeing profit-taking after a big day," said Sam Burns, chief strategist at Mill Street Research, who viewed the inflation report as unlikely to shift the Fed's thinking. The Nasdaq Composite Index, which closed above 20,000 for the first time on Wednesday, dropped 0.7 percent to 19,902.84. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.5 percent to 43,914.12, while the S&P 500 also shed 0.5 percent to 6,051.25. US stock indices have scored repeat records since Donald Trump won the November 5 presidential election. The Republican took a victory lap on Thursday morning, ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Among individual companies, Adobe tumbled 13.7 percent on disappointment over the software giant's forecast for next year. But Warner Bros. Discovery surged 15.4 percent as it announced a reorganization, with one major division focused on operating television networks and the other focused on streaming and movie studios. (AFP)luckycola download 。

By Chen Tianhao, Zhao Li (ECNS)-- China's innovative practices in green agricultural development provide valuable insights for the world, said Vinod Ahuja, the representative ad interim of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations for China, in an exclusive interview with China News Network at the ongoing Second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing on Wednesday. Transforming Agriculture is Imperative Ahuja noted that agriculture is increasingly under pressure from challenges such as climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, and the impacts of geopolitical conflicts on food systems. According to statistics, over 700 million people worldwide remained hungry in 2023. "That's a very big number," he said. “Given the pressures that we face,the evolution of technology, and changing consumer demands and consumer patterns, we believe that our food systems need to go through a transformation," Ahuja remarked. He emphasized that a critical aspect of this transformation is the greening of agriculture, including reducing its carbon and water footprints and making supply chains more sustainable. He highlighted China's significant progress in technological innovation, stressing that spreading these innovations globally while learning from other countries' experiences to accelerate China's own innovation is one of FAO's primary objectives in working with China. "So, it's a two-way process," Ahuja added. "We are here to work with China, for China and from China." China's Contributions Offer Global Insights Discussing China's role in sustainable agricultural development, Ahuja pointed out that the country has made significant contributions in technology, agricultural practices, and policy innovation. He particularly emphasized China's success in integrating environmental standards into its development policies. This innovative policy approach, he said, provides valuable lessons for the world. "I think China has offered a number of solutions, and we have a number of lessons that we can take forward. So, we are now also going to do a comparative study of domestic policies across China, India, the U.S., Japan, Europe, so that we can see how different countries are dealing with these common challenges,” Ahuja stated. "Different countries are dealing with it in a different context and in their own ways, but there are lessons that we can learn from each other,” he added. He also highlighted China's significant progress in reducing agricultural pollution. For example, concerns over the use of inorganic fertilizers and their impact on soil and water quality have been widespread. However, through the promotion of biological fertilizers and other sustainable practices, China has successfully improved soil health and water resources. These experiences, Ahuja noted, could serve as important references for regions like South Asia and Africa, where the adoption of such technologies faces more challenges. Achieving a “Win-Win” Outcome with Food Security and Green Development Ahuja highly praised China’s dual approach to ensuring food security and achieving green development. He believes that the goals of food security and carbon neutrality are not mutually exclusive but can be pursued simultaneously through comprehensive policies. "I think we have the knowledge and the technologies. It's just that we need an integrated policy that can drive both food security as well as green development,”Ahuja said. “I think China has introduced a number of very innovative policy measures that we can learn from,” he noted. Ahuja pointed out that China has successfully balanced the demands for food security and green development through policy innovation, demonstrating that achieving a "win-win" outcome is possible. Looking ahead, Ahuja expressed strong confidence in the continued collaboration between FAO and China. He emphasized that China's experience in green agricultural transformation is incredibly valuable, and FAO will continue to work closely with China to promote the global sharing of technologies and policies.Growing careers in China’s pet industry boom

North Lawndale middle schooler helps make scientific discovery of molecule with cancer-fighting properties in goose poopUrgent travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia after synagogue was firebombed in Melbourne Jews travelling to Australia told to be cautious Synagogue firebombed in Melbourne on Friday READ MORE: Anthony Albanese played tennis hours after synagogue terror By DOMINIC GIANNINI and KAITLYN OFFER FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 23:51 GMT, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 23:57 GMT, 9 December 2024 e-mail 4 View comments Jews or Israelis considering travelling to Australia are being told to 'exercise extreme caution' after an arson attack on a synagogue was declared a likely terrorist incident. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organisation, issued the travel warning on Tuesday morning Australian time. The travel advisory is 'a result of the failure of Australian authorities to stand up against persistent demonisation, harassment and violence against Jews and Jewish institutions in Australia'. The centre sent a letter to Australia's US ambassador Kevin Rudd to tell him of its decision. Rabbi Abraham Cooper said Jews, especially since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel , have been targeted around the world and that Australia was no exception. 'This latest attack comes within days of Australia voting for a UN resolution demanding Israel revert back to its indefensible pre-1967 War borders,' Rabbi Cooper said. 'Such a resolution, far from strengthening hopes for peace only emboldens those who seek Israel's demise, who demean Jewish history, and who hate Judaism, Zionism, and Zionists.' Israel itself has placed a level two threat on Australia advising travellers to increase precautionary measures since the fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne 's southeast on Friday. Australia, meanwhile, has told its citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the ongoing war in Gaza . Damage is seen following a firebombing on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Friday Burned books and papers are seen following the firebombing in the city's southeast A man is seen hanging the Australian flag outside the damaged synagogue Victoria Police have been criticised for being too slow to act against anti-Semitism as officers hunt the people who firebombed the synagogue on Friday. The arson attack was the final straw in a terrible year for the Jewish community Australia's special envoy to combat anti-Semitism Jillian Segal said. The firebombing is being investigated as a likely terror attack with the Joint Counter Terror Team (JCTT) taking the lead as authorities hunt three suspects. 'The rise in anti-Semitism is just completely unacceptable but what we need now is a co-ordinated response,' Ms Segal said on Tuesday as she called for strong action. 'We need to see policing where people are brought to justice and linked through to actual prosecutions and penalties.' The special envoy didn't pin the blame on the federal government following criticism the prime minister has been too slow to act, saying there were multiple factors that contributed to the rise in anti-Semitism. 'So far, we've not seen very serious penalties apply to anyone who has been arrested, whether it's been for flying a prohibited flag or anything like that,' she said. Members of the Jewish community are seen reading messages outside the synagogue 'We are sorry for what happened' a handwritten note on a bouquet left outside reads 'That has set the tone of permissiveness in our community and that's been a combination of government, policing, enforcement, the court system and the community more generally.' Ms Segal welcomed strong condemnation from the federal government and the establishment of a dedicated anti-Semitism taskforce before meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House on Tuesday. Laws to ensure perpetrators were held to account and education were key issues that would be raised in the meeting, she said. It was an issue that needed to transcend politics, she added, as the coalition launched attacks against the prime minister for his response. The terror declaration of the fire opens up a raft of extra powers for investigators including the ability to stop, search and seize people without a warrant as well as detain and question those they believe have knowledge of, or links to, the attack. The JCTT is made up of state and federal police and ASIO officers. Melbourne Share or comment on this article: Urgent travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia after synagogue was firebombed in Melbourne e-mail Add comment

A Tennessee man is convicted of killing 2 at a high school basketball game in 2021TOWSON, Md. (AP) — Tyler Tejada scored 18 points as Towson beat Bryant 70-65 on Sunday. Tejada had five rebounds for the Tigers (5-8). Dylan Williamson scored 13 points while shooting 6 for 13, including 1 for 5 from beyond the arc. Tomiwa Sulaiman went 4 of 10 from the field (0 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points. The Tigers stopped a six-game losing streak with the win. The Bulldogs (6-8) were led by Earl Timberlake, who posted 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Barry Evans added 18 points, six rebounds and two steals for Bryant. Keyshawn Mitchell also had eight points and seven rebounds. Tejada put up 12 points in the first half for Towson, who led 33-28 at the break. Towson used a 12-3 second-half run erase a six-point deficit and take the lead at 58-55 with 7:21 left in the half before finishing off the victory. Williamson scored nine second-half points. Towson plays UNC Wilmington on the road on Thursday, and Bryant visits Grand Canyon on Monday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press

Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy LOS ANGELES (AP) — Party City announced that it's going to “wind down” its retail and wholesale operations as it prepares to shutter nearly 700 stores nationwide. The company said Saturday it has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "to maximize value for the benefit of the company’s stakeholders.” The New Jersey-based retailer said it will keep more than 95% of its 12,000 employees to help with the process of closing down. Customers have flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children’s birthday parties and decorations for New Year’s Eve celebrations for nearly 40 years. It has faced growing competition from Walmart and Target and from occasion-based pop-up stores such as Spirit Halloween. A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Approximately 1 million taxpayers will automatically receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in the coming weeks. The money will be directly deposited into eligible people’s bank accounts or sent in the mail by a paper check. Most people shouldn't get their hopes up about receiving the cash. The IRS says it’s distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns after missing one of the COVID stimulus payments or receiving less than the full amount. The IRS says most taxpayers eligible for the federal stimulus payments received them. Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains — and bots Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s X, or wanting an alternative to Meta’s Threads and its algorithms. The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter and was eventually intended to replace it. While this is still very much a pie in the sky, Bluesky’s growth trajectory could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. With growth, though, comes growing pains. It’s not just human users who’ve been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office NEW YORK (AP) — In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office. The results came just ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. According to studio estimates, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend. “Mufasa,” however, was humbled in its opening weekend, coming in notably shy of expectations. It returned just $35 million in domestic ticket sales. Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. Strikes during busy periods like the holidays can help unions exercise leverage during negotiations or garner support from sympathetic consumers. One expert says he thinks workers at both companies are “desperate” to make progress before President-elect Donald Trump can appoint a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at Starbucks, Amazon and some other prominent consumer brands are fighting for their first contracts after several locations voted to unionize. Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. The University of Georgia estimates the September storm inflicted $5.5 billion in direct losses and indirect costs in Georgia alone. In rural Toombs County, Chris Hopkins just finished harvesting his ravaged cotton crop and figures he lost half of it, costing him about $430,000. Poultry grower Jeffrey Pridgen in Georgia's Coffee County had four of his 12 chicken houses destroyed and others badly damaged. Farmers say more government disaster assistance is needed. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. But he grew disillusioned with the company and told The Associated Press this fall he would “try to testify” in copyright infringement cases against it. Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures eased last month WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve barely rose last month in a sign that price pressures cooled after two months of sharp gains. Prices rose just 0.1% from October to November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices also ticked up just 0.1%, after two months of outsize 0.3% gains. The milder inflation figures arrived two days after Federal Reserve officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, rocked financial markets by revealing that they now expect to cut their key interest rate just two times in 2025, down from four in their previous estimate. Albania to close TikTok for a year blaming it for promoting violence among children TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister says the government will shut down video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in mid-November by another teenager following a quarrel that started on TikTok. Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok “would be fully closed for all. ... There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania.” Rama says the ban will begin sometime next year. Albanian children comprise the largest group of TikTok users in the country, according to domestic researchers. Stock market today: Wall Street rises to turn a dismal week into just a bad one NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to turn what would have been one of the market’s worst weeks of the year into just a pretty bad one. The S&P 500 rallied 1.1% Friday to shave its loss for the week down to 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. A report said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than expected. It’s an encouraging signal after the Fed shocked markets Wednesday by saying worries about inflation could keep it from cutting interest rates in 2025 as much as earlier thought.

With the prosecutor calling the case one of the most depraved of his career, Maurice Thomas was sentenced to 205 years to 252 years in prison Thursday. "In short, judge, Mr. Thomas is evil in the purest and simplest biblical sense of that word," Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jason Cooper said first, calling for a life sentence. Maurice Thomas' attorney, Jon Braaten, stood on his denial of the allegations, opting not to say anything at sentencing. Thomas, 44, had faced a mandatory minimum term of 70 years on five felony charges for the sexual abuse of three young girls under the age of 10. Thomas Last month, a Lancaster County jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child, one count of third-degree sexual assault of a child, generation and possession of visual depictions of child sexual abuse. People are also reading... Cooper, the prosecutor, said while Thomas, an eight-time convicted felon out of jail on bond for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexually assaulted 7-, 8- and 9-year-old girls multiple times over the course of a year just after being released for an 18- to 30-year prison sentence on theft and forgery charges. "These assaults were as cruel as they were relentless," he said. In court records, Lincoln police said that on May 30, 2023, an officer was flagged down in the street by the mother of three girls wanting to report the abuse. In an interview that followed at the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, the oldest of the girls said the abuse had started a year earlier when Thomas asked her to kiss him and threatened to shoot her if she said no. In separate interviews, the girls described multiple incidents of sexual abuse at the hands of Thomas, a friend of the family. On Thursday, Cooper said Thomas offered some of the girls drugs or threatened them with violence and was found with hundreds of severely graphic images of sexual abuse on his phone. "And that's just trial," he said. Then there were the uncharged allegations. Thomas was accused of forcibly raping an 18-year-old woman, recording her while she cried and begged him to stop, and a 15-year-old runaway. He said one of Thomas's victims cried in a conference room months before trial, feeling the weight of the responsibility to protect her sisters. Another froze at the courtroom door at the thought of being in the same room with Thomas, "but bravely told the jury what happened." Cooper said, despite a jury finding Thomas guilty on all counts and Thomas being clearly depicted in videos committing several of the acts, Thomas takes no responsibility. In a presentence interview, Thomas said: "It's all lies." "I'm getting life for some s*** I didn't do," he reportedly said. Cooper called Thomas a serial child rapist and said he "did more damage in a year than most criminals can do in a lifetime." "He deserves much more than to spend the rest of his life in prison, so please don't give him anything less," he told Lancaster County District Judge Matthew Mellor. Mellor said there isn't much more nefarious than what Thomas has done. "What's even more signaling to this court ... is that you have never and will never take control of your sexual urges," the judge said, referring to Thomas making sexual advances on the female probation officer during his presentence interview. He said he is under no impression it would ever stop. "What weighs heaviest though is you've taken something from these victims that they'll never get back, and that's immeasurable," Mellor said, handing down the sentence. A woman in the front row clapped as guards moved to escort Thomas out. Top Journal Star photos for November 2024 Lincoln firefighter Andrew Brenner sprays water from the top of a ladder truck on to the roof of a former Village Inn at 29th and O streets Wednesday morning. Luca Gustafson, 6, rides to school Tuesday with the bike bus at Riley Elementary School. Each Tuesday, students can bike to school with adult chaperones along a specific route. Wahoo's Braylon Iversen celebrates with Warrior players after they defeated Auburn in a Class C-1 state semifinal game Friday in Wahoo. Lincoln Fire Fighters Association member Andy Evans works to assemble a headboard during a bed-building day hosted by Sleep in Heavenly Peace on Saturday at Hampton Enterprises. Volunteers helped build 20 beds for children in need. Second-time mother giraffe Allie nuzzles her new calf in the giraffe experience enclosure on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Nebraska celebrates during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center. Iris Gonnerman, 8 (from right), her brother Oliver, 6, and cousin Noreen Milana, 9, wave flags while watching Veterans Parade outside the state Capitol on Sunday. Nebraska's Connor Essegian scores against Bethune-Cookma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Covered by a canopy of changing leaves, a car cruises along A street in a neighborhood north of Downtown Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Mild temperatures continue into the mid weeks of November. Wednesday calls for a chance of rain showers before noon with gusty winds. Most days this week are expected to be accompanied by mostly sunny skies and consistent breezes. Norris' Anna Jelinek (left) lifts the the Class B championship trophy alongside Rya Borer on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Lincoln Lutheran players embrace one another as threy celebrate defeating Thayer Central in four sets to win the Class C-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Superior players celebrate their three set win over EMF during the Class D-1 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Reflected in a ceiling beam, Leyton takes on Shelton in the first set of the Class D-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Omaha Skutt's Nicole Ott (left) and Addison West react after a point in the second set during a Class B semifinal match Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Hasan Khalil, owner of Golden Scissors, trims the beard of Vitaliy Martynyuk on Friday at his barbershop in Lincoln. Southwest fans Kylea Stritt (from left), Peg Rice, and Stacey Wilson cheer on their team as the "horsemen" during a Class D-1 first-round match Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Millard West players dogpile on the floor after defeating Lincoln Southwest in five set match during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Lincoln Southwest's Shelby Harding dives to save the ball from hitting the ground in the first set during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Second graders Eli Gonzalez (left) and Shrutoshome Datta look at drawings that first and second grade students made at the Monster Jam Art Show on Wednesday at Elliott Elementary School. The elementary school students made drawings of monsters to be turned into different types of art by Lincoln High School students. Norris players celebrate a point against Lincoln Pius X in a Class B state volleyball tournament match, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center. Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) on Nov. 4 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) autographs a poster for Freeman Public Schools student Godwil Muthiani, 12 (center), after the game against UNO on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Muthiani's sign says, "#3 Allison Weinder is the GOAT! Sorry I'm only 12." Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule speaks to an official after a targeting call on Nebraska during the first quarter of the game against UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. The call was overturned after review. Nebraska's Dante Dowdell scores against UCLA in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Cadet Elena Burgwald (left) and Cadet Mason Beck look up as a B-1B Lancer flies over Memorial Stadium before the UCLA game against Nebraska on Saturday. UCLA's K.J. Wallace (7) defends Nebraska's Jacory Barney (17) as he makes a diving 40-yard catch in the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. Lincoln Southeast quarterback Tre Bollen (left) and Tate Sandman react after losing a Class A football playoff game against Millard North on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Seacrest Field. Millard North won 10-3. After the field clears, Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) kicks his helmet after the Titans fell to Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School. A line of people waiting to vote has been normal at the Lancaster County Election Commission Office at 601 N. 46th St., as it was Friday afternoon. The office will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to allow voters to cast an early ballot. If they wait until Election Day, they will need to go to their precinct or drop off their ballots at one of five drop boxes across the city. For more stories about about Tuesday's election, go to Journalstar.com . Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Courts reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Reece Potter scored 19 points off the bench to help lead Miami (OH) past Sacred Heart 94-76 on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Reece Potter scored 19 points off the bench to help lead Miami (OH) past Sacred Heart 94-76 on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OXFORD, Ohio (AP) — Reece Potter scored 19 points off the bench to help lead Miami (OH) past Sacred Heart 94-76 on Sunday. Potter went 8 of 8 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range) for the RedHawks (7-4). Kam Craft scored 12 points and added five rebounds. Brant Byers had 10 points and shot 4 for 7, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc. Tanner Thomas finished with 15 points for the Pioneers (4-8). Sacred Heart also got 11 points from Griffin Barrouk. Fallou Gueye also had 10 points. Miami (OH) took the lead with 9:42 remaining in the first half and never looked back. Potter led their team in scoring with nine points in the first half to help put them up 50-30 at the break. Miami (OH) was outscored by Sacred Heart in the second half by a two-point margin, but still wound up on top, while Potter led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points. Miami (OH)’s next game is Monday against Defiance at home, and Sacred Heart hosts Manhattanville on Sunday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. 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Empowering Africa with solar-charged electric bicycle conversion kits100 percent of evaluable patients for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing achieved MRD negativity in MajesTEC-5 as induction therapy and MajesTEC-4 as maintenance therapy SAN DIEGO , Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) today announced new frontline data featuring TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv) from two investigational studies in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in induction and maintenance settings. The MajesTEC-5 ( Abstract #493 ) and MajesTEC-4 ( Abstract #494 ) studies establish the potential of TECVAYLI ® for use in newly diagnosed patients, with promising efficacy and a tolerable safety profile. These data were highlighted as oral presentations at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. 1,2 Forty-nine patients with transplant-eligible NDMM were treated with TECVAYLI ® in combination with DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj), lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Tec-DRd) or DARZALEX FASPRO ® , bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Tec-DVRd) as induction therapy in the MajesTEC-5 study. 1 All patients who were evaluated for MRD negativity after cycle 3 of induction therapy achieved MRD negativity (10 -5 ) and maintained through cycle 6. 1 "These data from the MajesTEC-5 study build on the growing body of evidence of TECVAYLI combinations that support the potential combinability of TECVAYLI with other effective therapies, demonstrating high rates of MRD-negative responses for evaluable patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma," said Rachel Kobos, M.D., Vice President, Oncology Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "At Johnson & Johnson, our deep expertise and understanding of multiple myeloma has shaped the regimens we're developing, including our bispecific antibodies in new combinations, and we're committed to exploring the full potential of our therapies to improve outcomes for patients." The safety profiles were manageable and consistent with individual safety profiles. 1 No treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) led to study treatment discontinuation or death; cytokine release syndrome (CRS; Grade 1 or 2) occurred in 65 percent of patients. 1 No patients experienced immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). 1 Grade 3/4 TEAEs included lymphopenia (43 percent), neutropenia (57 percent) and infections (35 percent). 1 "There remains opportunity to achieve even deeper and more sustained outcomes for a broader patient population in the frontline setting," said Marc S. Raab , M.D., Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany .* "These data reinforce the potential of TECVAYLI when used in earlier lines and show that TECVAYLI can be leveraged to optimize existing standard regimens in combination." Results from the safety run-in of the Phase 3 MajesTEC-4 study highlighted the potential of TECVAYLI ® to be administered as a maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). 2 MajesTEC-4 is the first study to present data on a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) bispecific as monotherapy or combination therapy after ASCT. 2 Low rates of non-hematologic Grade 3/4 TEAEs and discontinuation of treatment due to all TEAEs (5.3 percent) were observed. CRS events were all Grade 1/2, mostly occurring during step-up dosing, and ICANS was not observed. Neutropenia and infections were the most common Grade 3/4 TEAEs. 2 Grade 3/4 neutropenia at 6 months showed a decreased trend in cohorts 2 and 3 with less frequent TECVAYLI ® dosing (cohort 1: 94 percent, cohort 2: 63 percent, cohort 3: 47 percent). 2 A similar trend was observed for all-grade infections (cohort 1: 94 percent; cohort 2: 78 percent; cohort 3: 77 percent). 2 All evaluable patients in cohort 1 who underwent MRD assessment after 12 months of therapy were MRD negative, and 100 percent of evaluable patients assessed in cohorts 2 and 3 were also MRD negative at cycle 6. 2 Further analysis of combination therapies will be evaluated in the Phase 3 MajesTEC-7 study, which is currently enrolling. About MajesTEC-5 Study MajesTEC-5 ( NCT05695508 ) is an ongoing, Phase 2 study of teclistamab and talquetamab, evaluating the safety and efficacy of combination regimens in participants with newly diagnosed transplant eligible multiple myeloma. 3 About MajesTEC-4 Study MajesTEC-4 ( NCT05243797 ) is an ongoing, multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase 3 study of teclistamab in combination with lenalidomide and teclistamab alone versus lenalidomide alone in participants with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma as maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplantation. 4 About MajesTEC-7 Study MajesTEC-7 ( NCT05552222 ) is a Phase 3 randomized study comparing teclistamab in combination with daratumumab SC and lenalidomide (Tec-DR) and talquetamab in combination with daratumumab SC and lenalidomide (Tal-DR) versus daratumumab SC, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DRd) in participants with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are either ineligible or not intended for autologous stem cell transplant as initial therapy. 5 About TECVAYLI ® TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv) received approval from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 as an off-the-shelf (or ready-to-use) antibody that is administered as a subcutaneous treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody. 6 The European Commission (EC) granted TECVAYLI ® conditional marketing authorization (CMA) in August 2022 as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least three prior therapies, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression since the last therapy. In August 2023 , the EC granted the approval of a Type II variation application for TECVAYLI ® , providing the option for a reduced dosing frequency of 1.5 mg/kg every two weeks in patients who have achieved a complete response (CR) or better for a minimum of six months. TECVAYLI ® is a first-in-class, bispecific T-cell engager antibody therapy that uses innovative science to activate the immune system by binding to the CD3 receptor expressed on the surface of T-cells and to the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells and some healthy B-lineage cells. In February 2024 , the U.S. FDA approved the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for TECVAYLI ® for a reduced dosing frequency of 1.5 mg/kg every two weeks (Q2W) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have achieved and maintained a CR or better for a minimum of six months. For more information, visit www.TECVAYLI.com . About DARZALEX FASPRO ® and DARZALEX ® DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) received U.S. FDA approval in May 2020 and is approved for nine indications in multiple myeloma, four of which are for frontline treatment in newly diagnosed patients who are transplant eligible or ineligible. It is the only subcutaneous CD38-directed antibody approved to treat patients with MM. DARZALEX FASPRO ® is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20, Halozyme's ENHANZE ® drug delivery technology. DARZALEX ® is the first CD38-directed antibody approved to treat multiple myeloma. DARZALEX ® -based regimens have been used in the treatment of more than 585,000 patients worldwide and more than 239,000 patients in the U.S. alone. In August 2012 , Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Genmab A/S entered a worldwide agreement, which granted Janssen an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab. For more information, visit https://www.darzalexhcp.com. About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. 7 In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells proliferate and spread rapidly and replace normal cells in the bone marrow with tumors. 8 Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer worldwide and remains an incurable disease. 9 In 2024, it was estimated that more than 35,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. and more than 12,000 people would die from the disease. 10 People living with multiple myeloma have a 5-year survival rate of 59.8 percent. 11 While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels and kidney problems or infections. 12,13 TECVAYLI ® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGIC TOXICITY including IMMUNE EFFECTOR CELL- ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY SYNDROME Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including life-threatening or fatal reactions, can occur in patients receiving TECVAYLI ® . Initiate treatment with TECVAYLI ® step-up dosing schedule to reduce risk of CRS. Withhold TECVAYLI ® until CRS resolves or permanently discontinue based on severity. Neurologic toxicity, including Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) and serious and life- threatening reactions, can occur in patients receiving TECVAYLI ® . Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicity, including ICANS, during treatment. Withhold TECVAYLI ® until neurologic toxicity resolves or permanently discontinue based on severity. TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program called the TECVAYLI ® and TALVEY ® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). INDICATION AND USAGE TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv) is a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell engager indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Cytokine Release Syndrome - TECVAYLI ® can cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including life-threatening or fatal reactions. In the clinical trial, CRS occurred in 72% of patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose, with Grade 1 CRS occurring in 50% of patients, Grade 2 in 21%, and Grade 3 in 0.6%. Recurrent CRS occurred in 33% of patients. Most patients experienced CRS following step-up dose 1 (42%), step-up dose 2 (35%), or the initial treatment dose (24%). Less than 3% of patients developed first occurrence of CRS following subsequent doses of TECVAYLI ® . The median time to onset of CRS was 2 (range: 1 to 6) days after the most recent dose with a median duration of 2 (range: 1 to 9) days. Clinical signs and symptoms of CRS included, but were not limited to, fever, hypoxia, chills, hypotension, sinus tachycardia, headache, and elevated liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase elevation). Initiate therapy according to TECVAYLI ® step-up dosing schedule to reduce risk of CRS. Administer pretreatment medications to reduce risk of CRS and monitor patients following administration of TECVAYLI ® accordingly. At the first sign of CRS, immediately evaluate patient for hospitalization. Administer supportive care based on severity and consider further management per current practice guidelines. Withhold or permanently discontinue TECVAYLI ® based on severity. TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program under a REMS. Neurologic Toxicity including ICANS - TECVAYLI ® can cause serious or life-threatening neurologic toxicity, including Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS). In the clinical trial, neurologic toxicity occurred in 57% of patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose, with Grade 3 or 4 neurologic toxicity occurring in 2.4% of patients. The most frequent neurologic toxicities were headache (25%), motor dysfunction (16%), sensory neuropathy (15%), and encephalopathy (13%). With longer follow-up, Grade 4 seizure and fatal Guillain-Barré syndrome (one patient each) occurred in patients who received TECVAYLI ® . In the clinical trial, ICANS was reported in 6% of patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose. Recurrent ICANS occurred in 1.8% of patients. Most patients experienced ICANS following step-up dose 1 (1.2%), step-up dose 2 (0.6%), or the initial treatment dose (1.8%). Less than 3% of patients developed first occurrence of ICANS following subsequent doses of TECVAYLI ® . The median time to onset of ICANS was 4 (range: 2 to 8) days after the most recent dose with a median duration of 3 (range: 1 to 20) days. The most frequent clinical manifestations of ICANS reported were confusional state and dysgraphia. The onset of ICANS can be concurrent with CRS, following resolution of CRS, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neurologic toxicity during treatment. At the first sign of neurologic toxicity, including ICANS, immediately evaluate patient and provide supportive therapy based on severity. Withhold or permanently discontinue TECVAYLI ® based on severity per recommendations and consider further management per current practice guidelines. Due to the potential for neurologic toxicity, patients are at risk of depressed level of consciousness. Advise patients to refrain from driving or operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery during and for 48 hours after completion of TECVAYLI ® step-up dosing schedule and in the event of new onset of any neurologic toxicity symptoms until neurologic toxicity resolves. TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program under a REMS. TECVAYLI ® and TALVEY ® REMS - TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called the TECVAYLI ® and TALVEY ® REMS because of the risks of CRS and neurologic toxicity, including ICANS. Hepatotoxicity - TECVAYLI ® can cause hepatotoxicity, including fatalities. In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, there was one fatal case of hepatic failure. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 34% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 elevations in 1.2%. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred in 28% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 elevations in 1.8%. Elevated total bilirubin occurred in 6% of patients with Grade 3 or 4 elevations in 0.6%. Liver enzyme elevation can occur with or without concurrent CRS. Monitor liver enzymes and bilirubin at baseline and during treatment as clinically indicated. Withhold TECVAYLI ® or consider permanent discontinuation of TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Infections - TECVAYLI ® can cause severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections. In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, serious infections, including opportunistic infections, occurred in 30% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 infections in 35%, and fatal infections in 4.2%. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection prior to and during treatment with TECVAYLI ® and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic antimicrobials according to guidelines. Withhold TECVAYLI ® or consider permanent discontinuation of TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Monitor immunoglobulin levels during treatment with TECVAYLI ® and treat according to guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis. Neutropenia - TECVAYLI ® can cause neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, decreased neutrophils occurred in 84% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophils in 56%. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 3% of patients. Monitor complete blood cell counts at baseline and periodically during treatment and provide supportive care per local institutional guidelines. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Withhold TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Hypersensitivity and Other Administration Reactions - TECVAYLI ® can cause both systemic administration-related and local injection-site reactions. Systemic Reactions - In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, 1.2% of patients experienced systemic-administration reactions, which included Grade 1 recurrent pyrexia and Grade 1 swollen tongue. Local Reactions - In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, injection-site reactions occurred in 35% of patients, with Grade 1 injection-site reactions in 30% and Grade 2 in 4.8%. Withhold TECVAYLI ® or consider permanent discontinuation of TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity - Based on its mechanism of action, TECVAYLI ® may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with TECVAYLI ® and for 5 months after the last dose. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were pyrexia, CRS, musculoskeletal pain, injection site reaction, fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, headache, pneumonia, and diarrhea. The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥20%) were decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased white blood cells, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased platelets. Please read full Prescribing Information , including Boxed WARNING, for TECVAYLI ® . DARZALEX FASPRO ® INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INDICATIONS DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS DARZALEX FASPRO ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to daratumumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the components of the formulation. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity and Other Administration Reactions Both systemic administration-related reactions, including severe or life-threatening reactions, and local injection-site reactions can occur with DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Fatal reactions have been reported with daratumumab-containing products, including DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Systemic Reactions In a pooled safety population of 1249 patients with multiple myeloma (N=1056) or light chain (AL) amyloidosis (N=193) who received DARZALEX FASPRO ® as monotherapy or in combination, 7% of patients experienced a systemic administration-related reaction (Grade 2: 3.2%, Grade 3: 0.7%, Grade 4: 0.1%). Systemic administration-related reactions occurred in 7% of patients with the first injection, 0.2% with the second injection, and cumulatively 1% with subsequent injections. The median time to onset was 2.9 hours (range: 5 minutes to 3.5 days). Of the 165 systemic administration-related reactions that occurred in 93 patients, 144 (87%) occurred on the day of DARZALEX FASPRO ® administration. Delayed systemic administration-related reactions have occurred in 1% of the patients. Severe reactions included hypoxia, dyspnea, hypertension, tachycardia, and ocular adverse reactions, including choroidal effusion, acute myopia, and acute angle closure glaucoma. Other signs and symptoms of systemic administration-related reactions may include respiratory symptoms, such as bronchospasm, nasal congestion, cough, throat irritation, allergic rhinitis, and wheezing, as well as anaphylactic reaction, pyrexia, chest pain, pruritus, chills, vomiting, nausea, hypotension, and blurred vision. Pre-medicate patients with histamine-1 receptor antagonist, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids. Monitor patients for systemic administration-related reactions, especially following the first and second injections. For anaphylactic reaction or life-threatening (Grade 4) administration-related reactions, immediately and permanently discontinue DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Consider administering corticosteroids and other medications after the administration of DARZALEX FASPRO ® depending on dosing regimen and medical history to minimize the risk of delayed (defined as occurring the day after administration) systemic administration-related reactions. Ocular adverse reactions, including acute myopia and narrowing of the anterior chamber angle due to ciliochoroidal effusions with potential for increased intraocular pressure or glaucoma, have occurred with daratumumab-containing products. If ocular symptoms occur, interrupt DARZALEX FASPRO ® and seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation prior to restarting DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Local Reactions In this pooled safety population, injection-site reactions occurred in 7% of patients, including Grade 2 reactions in 0.8%. The most frequent (>1%) injection-site reaction was injection-site erythema. These local reactions occurred a median of 5 minutes (range: 0 minutes to 6.5 days) after starting administration of DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Monitor for local reactions and consider symptomatic management. Neutropenia Daratumumab may increase neutropenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO ® until recovery of neutrophils. In lower body weight patients receiving DARZALEX FASPRO ® , higher rates of Grade 3-4 neutropenia were observed. Thrombocytopenia Daratumumab may increase thrombocytopenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO ® until recovery of platelets. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on the mechanism of action, DARZALEX FASPRO ® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. DARZALEX FASPRO ® may cause depletion of fetal immune cells and decreased bone density. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females with reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO ® and for 3 months after the last dose. The combination of DARZALEX FASPRO ® with lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide is contraindicated in pregnant women because lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide may cause birth defects and death of the unborn child. Refer to the lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide prescribing information on use during pregnancy. Interference With Serological Testing Daratumumab binds to CD38 on red blood cells (RBCs) and results in a positive indirect antiglobulin test (indirect Coombs test). Daratumumab-mediated positive indirect antiglobulin test may persist for up to 6 months after the last daratumumab administration. Daratumumab bound to RBCs masks detection of antibodies to minor antigens in the patient's serum. The determination of a patient's ABO and Rh blood type are not impacted. Notify blood transfusion centers of this interference with serological testing and inform blood banks that a patient has received DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Type and screen patients prior to starting DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Interference With Determination of Complete Response Daratumumab is a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) kappa monoclonal antibody that can be detected on both the serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation (IFE) assays used for the clinical monitoring of endogenous M-protein. This interference can impact the determination of complete response and of disease progression in some DARZALEX FASPRO ® -treated patients with IgG kappa myeloma protein. ADVERSE REACTIONS In multiple myeloma, the most common adverse reaction (≥20%) with DARZALEX FASPRO ® monotherapy is upper respiratory tract infection. The most common adverse reactions with combination therapy (≥20% for any combination) include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea, insomnia, headache, pyrexia, cough, muscle spasms, back pain, vomiting, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, peripheral sensory neuropathy, constipation, pneumonia, and peripheral edema. The most common hematology laboratory abnormalities (≥40%) with DARZALEX FASPRO ® are decreased leukocytes, decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased platelets, and decreased hemoglobin. Please click here to see the full Prescribing Information for DARZALEX FASPRO ® . About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com . Follow us at @JanssenUS and @JNJInnovMed . Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are both Johnson & Johnson companies. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv ) and DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj). The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 , including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov , www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. * Marc S. Raab , M.D., has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Johnson & Johnson; he has not been paid for any media work. 1 Raab, Marc, S., et al, 493 Phase 2 Study of Teclistamab-Based Induction Regimens in Patients with Transplant-Eligible (TE) Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM): Results from the GMMG-HD10/DSMM-XX (MajesTEC-5) Trial. 2024 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. December 2024 . 2 Zamagni, Elena, et al., 494 Phase 3 Study of Teclistamab (Tec) in Combination with Lenalidomide (Len) and Tec Alone Versus Len Alone in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) As Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT): Safety Run-in (SRI) Results from the MajesTEC-4/EMN30 Trial. 2024 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. December 2024 . 3 GMMG-HD10 / DSMM-XX / 64007957MMY2003, MajesTEC-5 (HD10/DSMMXX). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05695508 . Accessed November 2024 . 4 Phase 3 Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Lenalidomide and Teclistamab Alone Versus Lenalidomide Alone in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma as Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (MajesTEC-4). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05243797 . Accessed November 2024 . 5 A Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Daratumumab and Lenalidomide (Tec-DR) and Talquetamab in Combination With Daratumumab and Lenalidomide (Tal-DR) in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-7). https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05552222 . Accessed November 2024 . 6 U.S. FDA Approves TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv), the First Bispecific T-cell Engager Antibody for the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. https://www.jnj.com/u-s-fda-approves-tecvayli-teclistamab-cqyv-the-first-bispecific-t-cell-engager-antibody-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple-myeloma . Accessed November 2024 . 7 Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma: 2020 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification and management. Am J Hematol. 2020;95(5):548-5672020;95(5):548-567. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32212178 8 National Cancer Institute. Plasma Cell Neoplasms. https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/patient/myeloma-treatment-pdq . Accessed November 2024 . 9 City of Hope. Multiple Myeloma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments. https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma . Accessed November 2024 . 10 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics About Multiple Myeloma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/key-statistics.html#:~:text=Multiple%20myeloma%20is%20a%20relatively,men%20and%2015%2C370%20in%20women . Accessed November 2024 . 11 SEER Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/ . Accessed November 2024 . 12 American Cancer Society. What is Multiple Myeloma? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/what-is-multiple-myeloma.html . Accessed November 2024 . 13 American Cancer Society. Multiple Myeloma Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/multiple-myeloma/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html . Accessed November 2024 . Media contacts: Sarah Freeman sfreem21@its.jnj.com Christie Corbett ccorbet6@its.jnj.com Investor contact: Lauren Johnson investor-relations@its.jnj.com U.S. Medical Inquiries +1 800 526-7736 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tecvayli-teclistamab-cqyv-demonstrates-potential-as-frontline-combination-therapy-for-patients-with-newly-diagnosed-multiple-myeloma-302325575.html SOURCE Johnson & Johnsonluckycola.com vip 。

The decision to sign with Manchester United came as a result of the club's rich history, world-class facilities, and renowned youth development program. The young prodigy expressed his excitement at the prospect of training under the guidance of top coaches and learning from the experienced players at the club, as he aims to fulfill his potential and make a name for himself on the biggest stage.

Italian tactician Maurizio Sarri has made quite the impact since taking the helm at Chelsea Football Club. Known for his unique playing style of "Sarri-ball," the former Napoli boss has brought a breath of fresh air to Stamford Bridge. As the Blues completed their first fifteen games of the Premier League season under Sarri's guidance, they find themselves in an unprecedented position in the club's history - second in the league standings.In conclusion, the meeting of experts in Dubai represents a positive step towards enhancing international cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. By fostering dialogue and sharing best practices, the participating countries have demonstrated their commitment to upholding global nuclear safety standards and working towards a more secure and peaceful world. China's active participation in the meeting further highlights its dedication to promoting responsible nuclear practices and advancing the goals of disarmament and non-proliferation on the world stage.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Technically, the standings still show the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North. It just doesn't exactly feel that way at the moment. While the Steelers still have everything in front of them even after a 34-17 loss in Baltimore on Saturday in which a pair of Russell Wilson turnovers and a battered defense starting to show signs of wear allowed the Ravens to pull away, the grasp they had on the division two weeks ago is now far more tenuous. There were no excuses offered afterward. Yet there's also no time to pout either. Not with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs visiting Acrisure Stadium on Christmas Day. “The one thing I’m not going to do is keep my head down," Wilson said shortly after a fourth-quarter pick-6 allowed Baltimore to pull away. "I know for us, we got so much great confidence in who we are and what we can do and how we’re going to respond.” If Pittsburgh wants the home playoff game that capturing a division title for the first time since 2020 would provide, it doesn't really have a choice. To do it, the Steelers will likely have to beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions on three days' rest and then the Bengals in the regular-season finale, not exactly ideal opponents for an injury-marred defense that has given up more than 400 yards in consecutive weeks for the first time since the first three games of the 2019 season. Beating Philadelphia and Baltimore on the road even in the best of times is a tough ask. The Steelers came up empty twice in six days, and while Wilson's turnovers didn’t help, Pittsburgh’s inability to match up with either team in the trenches could be a far bigger problem going forward if it can't find a way to regain the physicality it showed earlier this season. True, the Ravens and Eagles have the two best running games in the league led by backs who are putting together Hall of Fame resumes. Still, every team the Steelers figure to face in the postseason will almost certainly try to follow the blueprint Philadelphia and Baltimore used so effectively. Pittsburgh's truncated schedule — the visit by the Chiefs will be its third game in 11 days — means the tackling issues that have popped up of late will have to be addressed more in theory than in practice. It's a less-than-ideal situation. Yet despite the step or two back recently, the Steelers believe that everything they want to do this season is still in front of them. That's certainly true. Wilson — who knows a thing or two about winning this time of year — remains upbeat. “We can’t let a tough game like this take us into a negative state of mind because there’s a lot more to play for and a lot more we’re searching for, and we can still win the (AFC) North,” he said. "There’s still a lot of opportunity there, too, as well. And so we just got to buckle down and get back to work.” What's working Being disruptive in the red zone. Minkah Fitzpatrick's fourth-quarter pick of Lamar Jackson — his first in 26 games — was the fifth takeaway by the Steelers inside their 20 this season, tied for second most in the NFL. What needs help Just about everything else in the red zone. The Steelers allowed Baltimore to score touchdowns on its first three drives that reached the Pittsburgh 20. The other two ended with Fitzpatrick's interception and a chip-shot field goal by Justin Tucker in the final minutes. Two short touchdown throws from Jackson to tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews bothered Steelers coach Mike Tomlin the most. “It is just too late in the year to have guys running open like that, to be quite honest with you," Tomlin said. “So we’ve got some work to do this week and try to shore some of that up.” Stock up Calvin Austin III is the only wide receiver who seems capable of being a difference-maker with George Pickens out of the lineup. The 5-foot-9 Austin has nine receptions for 130 yards over the past two games, and while Wilson's fourth down heave to Austin at the goal line in the third quarter fell incomplete, it also symbolized the faith Wilson has in a highly motivated player who thrives on being underestimated. Stock down Complementary football. The Steelers surged to the top of the division by having a team that thrived in all three phases. That hasn't happened of late. The Ravens turned Wilson's fumble into a 96-yard touchdown drive. Fitzpatrick's interception appeared to give the Steelers momentum only to have Wilson give it right back with a poor throw that Marlon Humphrey turned into the clinching score. Injuries Pickens could return from the hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the past three games. Safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), cornerback Donte Jackson (back) could also play after sitting out against Baltimore. The news isn’t as positive for starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip), both of whom left against the Ravens and did not return. Key number 39 — field goals this season by Chris Boswell, five short of the NFL record set by David Akers with San Francisco in 2011. Next steps Try to heal up quickly and beat Mahomes for the first time. The Kansas City star is 3-0 against the Steelers with 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflSupercars, dumped puppies and Kaimanawa muster: the big stories of April 2024

Jets' Aaron Rodgers Says 'Too Many Games Got Away From Us' During 2024 NFL SeasonMaurizio Sarri's Coaching at Chelsea: Making History as Second Best After Fifteen Games

The S&P 500 fell less than 0.1% after spending the day wavering between small gains and losses. The tiny loss ended the benchmark index’s three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as US markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.2%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, and Amazon and Netflix each fell 0.9%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, finishing 1.8% lower. Some tech companies fared better. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.4%, Micron Technology added 0.6% and Adobe gained 0.5%. Health care stocks were a bright spot. CVS Health rose 1.5% and Walgreens Boots Alliance added 5.3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3%, Ross Stores added 2.3%, Best Buy rose 2.9% and Dollar Tree gained 3.8%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. US-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.1% and 16.4% respectively. The Japanese car makers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. All told, the S&P 500 fell 2.45 points to 6,037.59. The Dow added 28.77 points to 43,325.80. The Nasdaq fell 10.77 points to close at 20,020.36. Wall Street also got a labour market update. US applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labour Department reported. Treasury yields mostly fell in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.58% from 4.59% late on Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar.Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Dec. 30, #568AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:27 p.m. EST

Survey on isolation: Nearly half of Minnesotans report feeling left out at timesAs responsible citizens, we have a duty to combat the spread of fake news and misinformation by promoting media literacy and emphasizing the importance of verifying information from reliable sources. By being vigilant and discerning consumers of information, we can protect ourselves and our communities from falling victim to false narratives and manipulation. Let us remember that in the digital age, it is more crucial than ever to uphold the truth and credibility of information for the greater good of society.

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Overall, this incident underscores the importance of vigilance in the face of online misinformation and the critical role of companies in defending their reputation and credibility against unfounded attacks. Lüde Group's handling of the situation sets a strong example for organizational integrity and resilience in the digital age.More Scots business owners anticipate higher turnover in 2025, poll suggestsThe 2024 Xiaomi "Smart Life Ecosystem" Partner Conference was held on December 27th, featuring a keynote speech by Lei Jun, the company's CEO. The conference brought together industry leaders, partners, and enthusiasts to discuss the future of smart technology integration in homes, cars, and personal devices.

Josh Norris scored the go-ahead goal with 7:18 remaining in the third period, and the Ottawa Senators held on for a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night in Saint Paul, Minn. Ridly Greig and Claude Giroux also scored for Ottawa, which snapped a two-game skid. The Senators improved to 7-2-0 in their past nine contests. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. As property values continue to outpace inflation, property taxes are taking a bigger bite out of homeowners’ wallets. A new analysis from Construction Coverage breaks down property tax rates by state, county, and city to reveal where homeowners have the greatest burden. Click for more. Where Are U.S. Property Taxes Highest and Lowest? A State, County, and City Analysis

( MENAFN - GetNews) AIRE has introduced AI-powered software to deliver feasibility study reports in five business days, enabling faster Real estate decision-making. AIRE , a leading PropTech innovator in the Middle East and Africa, has launched an advanced AI-powered software that enables its team to deliver feasibility study reports for residential, hospitality, retail, and office developments in just five business days. This solution marks a significant step forward in applying artificial intelligence to streamline traditionally time-intensive processes in real estate development. Historically, the preparation of feasibility studies-a crucial step for developers, investors, and real estate professionals to assess project viability-has taken up to six weeks. AIRE's new platform reduces this timeframe by nearly 90%, giving clients a vital edge in a competitive and fast-moving market. “Our AI-powered solution is more than just a time-saver; it empowers stakeholders to make smarter, faster, and data-driven decisions with unparalleled accuracy,” said Simon Ardonceau , founder and CEO of AIRE.“By combining advanced technology with our deep industry expertise, we are reshaping how real estate projects are planned and executed across the Middle East and Africa.” The platform uses artificial intelligence to process vast datasets, analyze market trends, and deliver actionable insights tailored to the specific needs of each project. Whether for residential complexes, luxury hotels, retail hubs, or office spaces, AIRE ensures that clients receive detailed, high-quality reports without the prolonged wait times associated with traditional methods. With a mission to accelerate innovation in real estate, AIRE's latest offering demonstrates the transformative potential of PropTech in driving efficiency and sustainability. By enabling faster feasibility assessments, the company is helping its clients reduce project risks while supporting the creation of more innovative, more resilient urban developments across the region. This innovative approach also aligns with the growing demand for technology-driven solutions to improve operational efficiency, minimize delays, and provide highly accurate insights. AIRE aims to set new industry benchmarks by introducing tools that help stakeholders make informed decisions in record time. AIRE invites developers, investors, and professionals to experience the future of real estate decision-making. To learn more about this cutting-edge technology, visit Follow AIRE on Social Media: YouTube: LinkedIn: MENAFN19122024003238003268ID1109014531 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Writers Guild of America this week sent a letter to major Hollywood studios asking them to take action against tech companies that are using writers’ work to train AI tools without their permission. “The studios, as copyright holders of works written by WGA members, have done nothing to stop this theft,” the guild’s leadership said in a letter. “They have allowed tech companies to plunder entire libraries without permission or compensation. The studios’ inaction has harmed WGA members.” The guild said its collective bargaining agreement requires studios “to defend their copyrights on behalf of writers” and urged studios to “take immediate legal action against any company that has used our members’ works to train AI systems.” The letter was sent to studios including Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Walt Disney Co., Paramount Global, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios. Representatives from those studios either declined to comment or didn’t respond to requests for comment. WGA‘s letter referenced an Atlantic article last month that reported that subtitles from thousands of movies and TV episodes were included in an AI-training data set used by companies including Facebook parent company Meta and San Francisco-based AI company Anthropic. Anthropic and Meta did not immediately return a request for comment. The WGA letter comes as some studios are in discussions with tech companies that are developing AI tools. In September, “Hunger Games” studio Lionsgate announced a partnership with AI startup Runway. Under that deal, Runway will create a new AI model for Lionsgate to help with behind-the-scenes processes such as storyboarding. Other major Hollywood studios have yet to publicly announce deals, in part because AI is a complicated landscape where regulations and legal questions surrounding the technology are still evolving. There are also questions over how studio libraries should be valued for AI purposes and concerns about protecting intellectual property.Noneph-lucky-wins.club says 。

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Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Ciena Co. ( NYSE:CIEN – Free Report ) by 0.7% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 955,516 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,605 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Ciena were worth $58,850,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ciena during the first quarter valued at $222,000. Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in Ciena by 372.8% during the 1st quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 36,744 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $1,817,000 after purchasing an additional 28,972 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Ciena in the first quarter worth about $341,000. First Hawaiian Bank bought a new position in shares of Ciena in the second quarter worth approximately $661,000. Finally, Fulton Bank N.A. grew its holdings in shares of Ciena by 16.7% during the second quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 7,315 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $352,000 after buying an additional 1,046 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.99% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays upped their price objective on Ciena from $55.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. Morgan Stanley cut Ciena from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and set a $63.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Monday, October 28th. BNP Paribas lowered Ciena from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $59.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Rosenblatt Securities raised their price target on shares of Ciena from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Finally, Northland Securities reissued a “market perform” rating and set a $46.00 price objective on shares of Ciena in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $63.08. Ciena Stock Performance NYSE:CIEN opened at $69.79 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 2.99 and a current ratio of 4.06. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $66.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $55.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.08 billion, a PE ratio of 74.68, a P/E/G ratio of 5.62 and a beta of 0.94. Ciena Co. has a 52-week low of $42.20 and a 52-week high of $73.47. Ciena ( NYSE:CIEN – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.09. Ciena had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 5.98%. The company had revenue of $942.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $928.31 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.36 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Ciena Co. will post 1.13 EPS for the current year. Ciena announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, October 2nd that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the communications equipment provider to reacquire up to 10.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Activity In other Ciena news, SVP David M. Rothenstein sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.24, for a total transaction of $196,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 205,421 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,552,877.04. This trade represents a 1.68 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, SVP Joseph Cumello sold 1,289 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.99, for a total transaction of $88,928.11. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 39,486 shares in the company, valued at $2,724,139.14. This trade represents a 3.16 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 10,489 shares of company stock worth $657,051 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.83% of the company’s stock. Ciena Company Profile ( Free Report ) Ciena Corporation provides hardware and software services for delivery of video, data, and voice traffic metro, aggregation, and access communications network worldwide. The company’s Networking Platforms segment offers convergence of coherent optical transport, open optical networking, optical transport network switching, IP routing, and switching services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CIEN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ciena Co. ( NYSE:CIEN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Ciena Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ciena and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .iShares MSCI China ETF (NASDAQ:MCHI) Shares Sold by Citigroup Inc.

AP Business SummaryBrief at 12:30 p.m. ESTAfter 10 months of work, the bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in the US house of Congress has unveiled its report, outlining recommendations for federal AI policy. The sweeping 253-page report [PDF] makes 89 recommendations based on 66 key findings in 15 different areas. The 24-member (evenly split between Democrats and Republicans) Task Force – an offshoot of the committee on science and space technology – said the aim of all these is to keep the US competitive in AI while simultaneously taking action to address some of the problems that have already arisen due to its rapid rise in relevance. "AI has tremendous potential to transform society and our economy for the better and address complex national challenges," Task Force chairman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and co-chairman Ted Lieu (D-CA) wrote in an introductory letter accompanying the report. "Nevertheless, we also recognize that AI can be misused and lead to various types of harm. "This report encapsulates a targeted approach that balances the need to promote vibrant AI innovation while safeguarding Americans from potential harms as we enter an era of widespread adoption of AI," the chairs added. The report, which the Task Force said it spent 10 months working on in consultation with "business leaders, government officials, technical experts, academics and legal scholars," covers a lot of ground. It examines government AI use, finding that the feds "should be wary" of using algorithms to inform decisions and recommending the development of AI standards. It also highlights the need to invest in AI education to ensure the identified gap in "talent needed to research, develop, and deploy AI applications" doesn't continue to grow. Additionally, the Task Force suggests clarifying intellectual property laws to address challenges posed by GenAI to the creative community, "appropriately countering the growing harm of AI-created deepfakes," and developing methods to ensure content authenticity can be verified. The members also say Congress needs to act to ensure new privacy laws are written in a "generally applicable and technology-neutral" manner to conform with future AI challenges, a need to support the Defense Department in the development of safe and responsible AI, the establishment of AI research standards, and providing resources and support for small businesses to adopt AI technologies effectively. Healthcare, agriculture, and financial services are mentioned as three distinct areas in which AI could play a huge role in coming years – the report identifies the need to properly guide development in those sectors to ensure farmers, patients, and consumers benefit from advancements. The report also expresses concern with the "increased risk that malicious actors could use open [source AI] models to cause harm." It recommends the need to monitor such models for risk without restricting their development, as the Task Force found "limited evidence that open models should be restricted." As for civil rights and civil liberties, the Task Force acknowledges the potential for misuse of AI by the government and law enforcement agencies. "AI models, and software systems more generally, can produce misleading or inaccurate outputs," the report finds. "Acting or making decisions based on flawed outputs can deprive Americans of constitutional rights." To counter those issues, the report recommends agencies "understand and protect against using AI in discriminatory decision making" and suggests the creation of standards and evaluation procedures "to mitigate flawed decision-making involving AI systems." The American Civil Liberties Union commended the report, with senior policy counsel Cody Venzke expressing satisfaction that the Task Force admitted AI is leading to real harms for Americans due to misuse. "Curbing those abuses of AI is not a partisan issue, and more concrete action is needed to protect civil rights, while maintaining states' authority to build on those protections," Venzke said. The report also mentions the need for the federal government to take action while being careful not to illegally preempt state laws. "The Task Force is appropriately cautious when wrestling with issues around deepfakes, open source AI, digital identity, and other issues, recognizing that legislators should consider a wide array of tailored tools to address real, not speculative, harms while respecting civil rights and civil liberties," Venzke added. The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL) was less impressed. "We can't allow Congress to sign blank checks funding AI development, while Black people and other communities of color pay the cost of AI adoption," said LCCRUL policy counsel Alex Ault. "It is imperative that our lawmakers do more than just discuss the necessary measures needed to ensure that AI serves the public good and doesn't exacerbate longstanding inequities." While there's no sure way to know what the incoming administration of president elect Donald Trump has planned for AI policy, Task Force chair Obernolte seems to think Trump and his team are at least willing to entertain the recommendations. "We met with the Trump technology transition team last week, and I believe we're meeting with the AI czar this afternoon," Obernolte said during a press conference discussing the report yesterday. "Obviously, this is not the last word in AI - it's the beginning of the conversation and it will only be effective if future Congresses implement some of the recommendations we have created. "We need to be a partner with the executive branch in making that happen ... this has to be a team effort," Obernolte continued, citing the need for cooperation between the House, Senate and White House. "We think all of those entities are up to the challenge." Speaking to reporters afterward, Obernolte mentioned he was delighted by Trump's appointment of billionaire tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist David Sacks as " AI czar " to help steer policy, citing it as evidence the incoming administration was paying attention to the issue. "We hope [the report] sets a thoughtful and deliberate path for future Congresses to implement in achieving a balance between protecting Americans against the potential harms of AI and enabling AI innovation to flourish," Obernolte said at the end of the press conference. In short, decent AI policy is now in the hands of the US Congress. With that in mind, your mileage may vary. ®Best live TV streaming service: YouTube TV vs Sling TV vs Hulu + Live TV and the rest

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NEW YORK and LONDON , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. (NYSE: PDCC) (the "Company") today announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering of 1,200,000 shares of its 8.00% Series A Preferred Stock Due 2029 (the "Preferred Shares") at a public offering price of $25 per share, which will result in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $28.8 million after payment of underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Preferred Shares are rated 'BBB' by Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent rating agency. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 180,000 Preferred Shares pursuant to the same terms and conditions. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.HOUSTON , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravity Oilfield Services Inc. ("Gravity" or the "company"), a growth-oriented water and power infrastructure company backed by affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ("Clearlake"), announced today that it has agreed to sell its Gravity Water Midstream division to Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE: DKL) ("Delek Logistics"). Gravity Water Midstream provides gathering, transportation, recycling, storage, and disposal solutions for produced water in the Midland Basin in Texas and the Williston Basin in North Dakota . "The acquisition of Gravity Water Midstream by Delek Logistics creates a path to continue to build incredible scale in our water midstream platform in the Midland Basin," said Rob Rice , CEO of Gravity. "I am thankful to the employees of Gravity for their focus on service and dedication to building one of the largest commercial water management platforms in the Midland and Williston Basins. Building this water midstream platform would not be possible without the incredible support and partnership of Clearlake. I am excited to welcome in this new era for water management in the Midland and Williston Basins under the capable leadership of Delek Logistics." While Gravity is divesting its water midstream assets, the company will retain ownership and operation of its power infrastructure assets, continuing its commitment to providing critical power generation offerings. Clearlake and Gravity partnered in 2017 to pursue produced water midstream opportunities. Over the last several years, Gravity has focused on organically growing its water infrastructure business to support producers in the Midland and Williston basins, and its water business segment has quickly grown into one of the largest commercial operators of disposal wells in the Midland Basin. Gravity Water Midstream developed a system comprised of 200+ miles of permanent pipeline, 46 SWD facilities, and 14 fresh water facilities with over six million barrels of storage capacity, all of which form an extensive and interconnected network. "We valued the opportunity to partner with the Gravity team as they executed a vision to build a leading water midstream platform in the Midland and Williston Basins," said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Colin Leonard, Partner and Managing Director, of Clearlake. "We'd like to thank Rob and the entire Gravity Water Midstream team for their hard work and commitment to growing the business organically over the last several years." Piper Sandler & Co served as exclusive financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to Gravity in connection with the transaction. About Gravity Gravity is a growth-oriented provider of energy infrastructure services to U.S. onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, providing water midstream solutions, critical power generation offerings and other production focused services. Gravity has significant coverage density in the Permian Basin and benefits from a national footprint supported by facilities, operations and management personnel in several other key domestic resource plays including the Bakken, Eagle Ford, SCOOP/STACK, DJ Basin, Haynesville and Marcellus, among others. More information is available at www.gvty.com . About Clearlake Capital Group Founded in 2006, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, O.P.S. ® The firm's core target sectors are industrials, technology, and consumer. Clearlake has over $85 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK, Dublin, Ireland , Singapore , and Abu Dhabi , UAE. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on X @Clearlake . Media Contacts: For Gravity Heather Heacock , (281) 640-3043 Marketing Communication Manager heather.heacock@gvty.com For Clearlake Jennifer Hurson , (845) 507-0571 Lambert jhurson@lambert.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gravity-agrees-to-sell-water-midstream-business-to-delek-logistics-302330850.html SOURCE Gravity Oilfield Services Inc.; Clearlake Capital GroupNew York Emerging Technology Advisory Board Publishes First Report Outlining Vision to Elevate Leadership in AIjili lucky casino 777 。

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Prosecutors have suggested to a New York judge the possibility of sparing Donald Trump any prison time for his conviction on charges involving hush money paid to a porn star in light of his US presidential election victory, but opposed dismissing the case. In a court filing made public on Tuesday, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office urged Justice Juan Merchan to deny the Republican businessman-turned-politicians' request to throw out the case so it does not hang over him and impede his ability to govern once he takes office on January 20. Noting that many of Trump's concerns involve the possibility that he could be incarcerated, prosecutors noted that there is no requirement that Merchan sentence him to prison - and said the judge could conclude that presidential immunity from prosecution would require a non-incarceration sentence. "Such a constitutional limitation on the range of available sentences would further diminish any impact on defendant's presidential decision-making without going so far as to discard the indictment and jury verdict altogether," prosecutors wrote. Merchan has not said when he will rule on Trump's bid for dismissal. Trump has called the case an attempt by Bragg, a Democrat, to harm his 2024 campaign. In a statement on Tuesday, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said, "Today's filing by the Manhattan DA is a pathetic attempt to salvage the remains of an unconstitutional and politically motivated hoax." The case stemmed from a $US130,000 ($A204,000) payment that Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she has said she had a decade earlier with Trump, who denies it. A Manhattan jury in May found Trump, 78, guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up his reimbursement of Cohen. It was the first time a US president - former or sitting - had been convicted of or charged with a criminal offence. Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison, but incarceration is not required. Before his Nov. 5 election victory, legal experts told Reuters it was unlikely that Trump would be sentenced to prison due to his lack of a criminal history and advanced age, but that incarceration was not impossible. The US Supreme Court in July ruled in a separate criminal case involving Trump that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions taken in office, and that evidence of official acts could not be used in prosecuting a president over personal acts. Trump's lawyers have argued that meant the case should be dismissed because prosecutors used statements that Trump made while president and testimony from his White House aides. The filing by Bragg's office on Tuesday said the hush money case involved "purely unofficial conduct."California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media siteslucky calico cc 。

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Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. , 24, is charged with capital murder in the death of Jimmie “Jay” Lee , a gay man who disappeared July 8, 2022, in Oxford, where the university is located and the trial is being held. Lee's body has never been found, but a judge declared him dead . Herrington has maintained his innocence, and he did not testify. Jurors deliberated about 3 1/2 hours before sending a note to Circuit Judge Kelly Luther, asking what would happen if they could not reach a verdict. He told them to keep talking to each other. After almost two more hours, they said they were deadlocked 11-1 but did not say whether that was to convict or acquit. Luther sent them back with instructions to keep talking. Prosecutors said during closing arguments Wednesday that Herrington and Lee had a sexual encounter that ended badly and Lee left Herrington's apartment. They said text messages showed that Herrington, who was not openly gay, persuaded Lee to return with the promise of more sex. Prosecutors said Lee was killed after going back. “Tim Herrington lived a lie — lived a lie to his family,” District Attorney Ben Creekmore said. “He lied to Jay Lee to coax him over there, promising to do something with him.” Herrington's attorney, Kevin Horan, has said prosecutors cannot prove Lee is dead without having a body . He told jurors Wednesday that text messages showed Herrington did not lure Lee to his apartment. “He's the one that's being dominant anchoring this particular conversation,” Horan said of Lee. Lee, 20, has not contacted friends or family, and his financial transactions and once-prolific social media posts have stopped since the day he disappeared , investigators testified. Police arrested Herrington two weeks after Lee went missing. Authorities interviewed Herrington twice that day, and he gave conflicting information about the hours before Lee vanished, Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen testified Tuesday. Before officers interviewed Herrington, they had already obtained sexually explicit text messages exchanged between social media accounts belonging to Herrington and Lee during the final hours Lee was known to be alive, McCutchen said. Google records obtained through a warrant showed that Herrington searched “how long does it take to strangle someone” at 5:56 a.m., University Police Department Sgt. Benjamin Douglas testified last week. The final text message from Lee’s phone was sent to a social media account belonging to Herrington at 6:03 a.m. from a spot near Herrington’s apartment, McCutchen said Tuesday. A cellphone tower in another part of Oxford last located any signal from Lee’s phone shortly before 7:30 a.m., the police chief said. A security camera showed Herrington moments later jogging out of a parking lot where Lee’s car was abandoned, investigators testified earlier. On the day Lee vanished, Herrington was also seen on security cameras buying duct tape in Oxford and driving to his hometown of Grenada about an hour south of Oxford, police have testified. Herrington is from an affluent family in Grenada, Mississippi, about 52 miles (84 kilometers) southwest of Oxford, testified Ryan Baker, an Oxford Police Department intelligence officer who was a detective when he helped investigate the case. Herrington’s grandfather is bishop of a church in Grenada, other family members work at the church and Herrington himself taught youth Sunday school classes there, Baker said. Herrington “was not portraying himself as gay” to family or friends, Baker said. During testimony Tuesday, Herrington’s father and grandfather both said Herrington had never spoken about having boyfriends. Both Herrington and Lee had graduated from the University of Mississippi. Lee was pursuing a master’s degree. He was known for his creative expression through fashion and makeup and often performed in drag shows in Oxford, according to a support group called Justice for Jay Lee. Prosecutors have announced they do not intend to pursue the death penalty, meaning Herrington could get a life sentence if convicted. Mississippi law defines capital murder as a killing committed along with another felony — in this case, kidnapping. The judge instructed jurors that they could consider lesser charges, including murder and manslaughter.

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The City of Visalia, seen here from the sky above Highway 198, saw a drop in commercial permits in 2024. Adobe Stock image The Nov. 29 print edition of The Business Journal included economic forecasts for each of the four counties we cover. We will be sharing them throughout the week. Tulare County experienced diverse economic growth this year, with the agriculture, logistics and public infrastructure sectors enjoying success despite national and regional economic challenges. Trailing only Fresno County in national agricultural sales, Tulare County once again thrived in its ability to produce in 2023. Despite the recent bird flu scare with the dairy and poultry industry, the sector continues to lead the county economy by a wide margin. The county also saw growth in retail appeal this year as well as housing and infrastructure. The addition of a bus rapid transit system in 2025 will expand the county’s accessibility and potential for continued growth. Tulare County continued to see growth in urban sectors, with the three major population centers in the area experiencing growth in both business opportunity and community development, but also through local support initiatives to bolster existing businesses. The City of Tulare saw the construction of several new retail spaces at its Highway 99 and Cartmill Avenue interchange, including the construction of a Maverick Travel Center and Chick-fil-A restaurant. Tulare Outlets also saw the introduction of Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Ann Taylor, while the City of Visalia saw growth and development in single- and multi-unit housing, a trend dating back to 2022. Despite a 9 percent drop in 2024 for commercial permits, Visalia Mayor Brian Poochigian said that the 2025 outlook for the city is bright, with next year marking the start of a rapid transit system between Lindsay and Porterville, the Lemoore Naval Air Station and Tulare. Additionally, Poochigian said 2025 looks to be an active year with permitted activity already on the rise and an increase in interest in the city’s industrial park. “Retail development will continue as well and generally, Visalia will be primed as a solid investment opportunity for interested parties considering Central California or California as a whole,” Poochigian told The Business Journal. The City of Tulare will start fresh in 2025 with a brand new city logo and branding campaign. The concept will seek to integrate the city’s investors, developers, e-commerce warehousing, housing and retail/commercial industries. During recent elections, Tulare also retained all of its city council members, allowing the council to maintain its focus on economic growth uninterrupted. “Tulare City Council and management will continue to lay the groundwork for ongoing success in business attraction and retention, downtown revitalization, diversity in our housing stock and improvement of the overall quality of life for Tulare citizens,” said Tulare City Manager Marc Mondell and Economic Development Manager Traci Myers. To the southeast, Porterville continued its recruiting and business expansion efforts, collaborating with the Porterville Chamber of Commerce to launch the second year of the Porterville Shop Local Campaign, urging locals to support small businesses. In 2024, 50 small businesses participated in the campaign inviting locals to visit local businesses for a chance to win prizes. “Additionally, the City is in the process of updating the Porterville Development Ordinance to further streamline and facilitate commercial and residential development throughout the city,” said Porterville Deputy City Manager Jason Ridenour. With Tulare County maintaining its leadership as one of the nation’s top agricultural producers in 2023 with a gross agricultural production valued at more than $7.5 billion — down from its gross record of $8.6 billion reached in 2022 — this year emphasized the county’s focus on agricultural innovation, sustainable energy projects and expansion into manufacturing. The City of Tulare continued development in the area surrounding the International Agri-Center thanks to $4 million in funds secured by Rep. David Valadao this March. The project aimed to increase safety and reduce congestion in the area, which sees more than 100,000 visitors over a three-day period in February during the World Ag Expo. The area has availability for both agricultural and e-commerce use, allowing for not only growth for the city, but also serving as attractive opportunities for the Agri-Center, which sits just off Highway 99 south of Tulare. The county also continued its exploration into green energy, embarking on methane-harvesting initiatives, linking the industry with clean energy innovation. The region’s food processing aims to reduce its carbon footprint through the use of anaerobic digesters, transforming greenhouse gases into clean, reusable energy. Tulare County leads the nation in not only dairy production but also the development of new clean energy technologies, according to the Tulare County Economic Development Corp. The Nov. 29 print edition of The Business Journal included Sanger is now a bit sweeter with the recent expansion After a four-year hiatus, Des Washington and her father Brian After five tension-filled years for the development community, the Fresno

NBK begins receiving applicants for collection of run kitRaw milk, hailed by some as a natural and nutritious alternative to pasteurized dairy, may come with hidden dangers, according to a new Stanford University study. The research, published December 12 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that influenza or flu virus can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days. The findings come at a time when outbreaks of bird flu in dairy cattle have raised concerns about the potential for a new pandemic. "This work highlights the potential risk of avian influenza transmission through consumption of raw milk and the importance of milk pasteurization," said study senior author Alexandria Boehm, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Environmental Studies in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and the Stanford School of Engineering. More than 14 million Americans consume raw milk annually . Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk is not heated to kill potentially harmful pathogens. Proponents of raw milk claim that it leaves more beneficial nutrients, enzymes, and probiotics than in pasteurized milk, and can boost immune and gastrointestinal health. The Food and Drug Administration has tied raw milk to over 200 outbreaks of illnesses, and—together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention —warns that germs, such E. coli and Salmonella, in raw milk present "serious" health risks, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. The science behind the risk The researchers explored the persistence of a strain of human influenza virus in raw cow's milk at typical refrigeration temperatures. The flu virus , called H1N1 PR8, survived and remained infectious in the milk for up to five days. "The persistence of infectious influenza virus in raw milk for days raises concerns about potential transmission pathways," said study co-lead author Mengyang Zhang, a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering. "The virus could contaminate surfaces and other environmental materials within dairy facilities, posing risks to animals and humans." Additionally, the researchers found that flu virus RNA—molecules that carry genetic information but are not considered a health risk—remained detectable in the raw milk for at least 57 days. By comparison, pasteurization completely destroyed infectious influenza in the milk and reduced the amount of viral RNA by almost 90%, but didn't eliminate the RNA entirely. Although exposure to influenza virus RNA does not pose a health risk, RNA-based testing methods are often used to conduct environmental surveillance of pathogens like influenza. "The prolonged persistence of viral RNA in both raw and pasteurized milk has implications for food safety assessments and environmental surveillance, particularly because many of the techniques used in environmental surveillance detect RNA," said study co-lead author Alessandro Zulli, a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering . The research grew out of an earlier project focused on human norovirus and the subfamily of viruses responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Why it matters now In the U.S. alone, flu viruses infect more than 40 million people and kill more than 50,000 every year. These types of viruses can spread from animals to humans, as in the case of swine flu, which led to as many as 1.4 billion human infections globally in 2009-2010. Although bird flu has not proven as dangerous to people yet, it could mutate to become so. Recent detection of bird flu in cattle has raised questions about its potential transmission through milk and other dairy products. The study's findings underscore the importance of improving monitoring systems, particularly as bird flu continues to spread among livestock, according to the study's authors. The study complements earlier research involving several of the same researchers that pioneered the use of wastewater for detection of avian influenza. That analysis revealed commercial and industrial dairy waste as primary sources. By analyzing wastewater, public health officials could detect virus activity in nearby cattle populations. "We never thought that wastewater could be used to detect and respond to zoonotic pathogens circulating in the community," Boehm said. "It has been amazing to watch our work on detection in wastewater scaled across the United States and the world." More information: Alessandro Zulli et al, Infectivity and Persistence of Influenza A Virus in Raw Milk, Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00971LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams faced fourth-and-5 at the Buffalo 35 with a 38-35 lead and just under four minutes to play Sunday in their high-octane showdown with the Bills. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams faced fourth-and-5 at the Buffalo 35 with a 38-35 lead and just under four minutes to play Sunday in their high-octane showdown with the Bills. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams faced fourth-and-5 at the Buffalo 35 with a 38-35 lead and just under four minutes to play Sunday in their high-octane showdown with the Bills. Sean McVay is often a conservative coach, and it would not have been surprising to see him try a long field goal, or even punt. He kept his offense on the field, and Matthew Stafford calmly went through his progression before finding Tutu Atwell across the middle for an 11-yard gain that played a major role in the Rams’ ability to hold on for a season-altering, 44-42 victory over the powerhouse Bills. “We felt like we needed to make it a two-possession game,” McVay said Monday. “They were rolling. We talked about aggressively going to win that game. ... It was just a reflection of the confidence in that group and what we felt like we needed to do to be able to win the game.” The Rams offense has earned the confidence McVay showed in it at that crucial moment. That unit hasn’t always been good this season, entering last weekend rated just 18th in the league, but the Rams finally are mostly healthy heading down the stretch — and Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams are again playing at last season’s Pro Bowl level. That was bad news for Buffalo, and it could mean trouble for the rest of the NFC if the Rams (7-6) can keep scoring like this. Los Angeles will hope to keep this offensive momentum on a short week heading to San Francisco on Thursday night. Nacua said it was “fantastic being able to feel like, man, this is what it feels like when the Rams are moving and connecting on all cylinders.” Los Angeles had six scoring drives of at least 65 yards while racking up 457 yards against Buffalo. Stafford had a season-high 320 yards passing, while Nacua had another spectacular game with 162 yards receiving and two touchdowns along with 16 yards rushing and another TD on five carries. Incredibly, it was the Rams’ first 40-point game with Stafford behind center. Thanks to that stellar offensive performance, the Rams are above .500 for the first time all season and just one game back of Seattle (8-5) in the NFC West after winning six of their past eight games. A team that appeared to be headed for a grim season after a 1-4 start is still firmly in the playoff race, also trailing Washington (8-5) by just one game for the final wild-card spot. “It’s cool to be able to play meaningful football in December,” said McVay, who led the Rams to five playoff berths in his first seven seasons. “You never take that for granted.” What’s working The offense hummed largely because it went 11 of 15 on third downs. That’s the Rams’ highest success rate in a game since 2001 — and don’t forget that crucial fourth down conversion, either. What needs help Few teams can stop Josh Allen, but the Rams’ defense didn’t come close. The defensive backs particularly struggled, from Darious Williams getting beaten repeatedly in coverage to Quentin Lake’s 34-yard pass-interference penalty in the final moments. Two weeks after Philadelphia dropped 481 yards at SoFi Stadium, Buffalo had 445 to push the Rams down to 26th in total defense entering Monday. Stock up The Rams’ offensive line has struggled mightily at times this season, but it allowed no sacks and just three hits on Stafford while clearing the way for 137 yards rushing. With full health, the line is no longer a liability. Stock down Edge rusher Byron Young had a rough outing that included two penalties on Buffalo’s first drive — an egregious late hit on Allen and a defensive offside that negated a 2-yard Bills loss on second down from the LA 1. The Rams’ overall defensive discipline was repeatedly poor, and it cost them. Injuries CB Cobie Durant has a bruised lung, McVay revealed Monday. The Rams are uncertain whether it will prevent him from playing Thursday. Durant has started all 13 games this season. ... WR Demarcus Robinson sprained his shoulder against Buffalo, but kept playing. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 1 — The numbers of NFL games played with two teams scoring at least 40 points and making no turnovers. The Rams and Bills made history. Next steps The 49ers haven’t been this vulnerable in four years, but Kyle Shanahan has had McVay’s number throughout their careers — notwithstanding the Rams’ 27-24 comeback win in September when both teams’ top offensive playmakers were all injured. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Advertisement Advertisement

(Bloomberg) -- On The Daily Show on Monday evening, host Jon Stewart brought up the capture of Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Ivy League graduate who had been arrested that day in connection with the killing of a health-insurance executive. “They did appear to catch that guy today at a McDonald’s,” Stewart told his audience, eliciting a mix of boos and applause. “Look, I’m sorry guys.” The host then joked about the person who turned Mangione in to police, noting that “snitches get stitches, but obviously without pre-approval there’s really...” as guffaws filled the studio. It’s that kind of cavalier reaction, devoid of sympathy for Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old husband and father of two who was gunned down on the streets of Midtown Manhattan last week, that is unsettling workers in the industry. Conversations with employees in various roles revealed shock at the callous treatment of the UnitedHealth Group Inc. insurance chief on the day of his private funeral — and the evident sympathy in some corners for the man charged with murder. Social media was full of praise, often from anonymous or unverified accounts, for Mangione and even many people who condemned the violence used the killing as an occasion to criticize the industry’s practices. Frustration with health insurers is nothing new — long before Thompson died, there was widespread condemnation of a profit-driven system that makes difficult-to-understand decisions about what medical treatments to cover. But the degree of vitriol in the wake of the killing has taken even industry veterans by surprise. “There is a very strong concern that we’re going to see copycat events,” said Scott Stewart, a vice president at security firm TorchStone Global. Police in New York were investigating threatening “WANTED” posters spotted in Manhattan that depicted company executives and echoed the language found on the bullets in Thompson’s killing, a New York Police Department spokesperson said. Companies say they are prioritizing their workers’ safety and sense of wellbeing, even as some believe the reaction to the killing online has unfairly amplified attacks on the industry writ-large, according to one industry official who asked not to be identified discussing a sensitive topic. Some health insurers have scrubbed information about their executives from their websites and are weighing closing public access to offices. Companies are also tracking call-center activity and making sure consumer complaints are taken seriously, according to another person in the industry who asked not to be identified. The NYPD is on alert for “a risk that a wide range of extremists may view Mangione as a martyr and an example to follow,” according to a law enforcement document reviewed by Bloomberg News. “Rhetoric may signal an elevated threat facing executives in the near-term.” For now, it’s unclear if the fury unleashed against health insurers after the murder of one of the industry’s top executives will lead to any self-recrimination or broader changes to how coverage decisions are made. “This has been very much with us and under the surface of US health care for a long time,” said Warris Bokhari, a former executive at Elevance Health Inc. who now runs a company called Claimable that helps people appeal insurance denials. “At the bottom of it is people are frustrated and they want something better.” Insurance Surveys Industry officials point out that the current backlash isn’t broadly representative of Americans’ experience with their health plans. About 65% of people in a November Gallup survey rated their own coverage as excellent or good. Still, denials of care are widespread, and there is no shortage of heart-wrenching stories. In an August study from nonprofit Commonwealth Fund, 17% of respondents said an insurer had denied coverage for care that had been recommended by a doctor. Nearly 60% of those who experienced a denial said care was delayed as a result. Health insurers are weighing ways to improve how they communicate with members about coverage, benefits and hurdles like prior authorization and claims denials. The health-care industry will have to redouble its efforts to help explain the role of insurance, another person in the sector said, noting that there’s widespread misunderstanding. That will be a longer-term effort. But there’s a recognition by insurers that the issue isn’t simply a communications problem — companies need to examine the policies that provoke so much ire, two industry officials said. Those discussions were underway before Thompson’s murder, but have taken on new urgency. Public Anger Even some doctors who pledge to “first, do no harm” expressed conflicted feelings about the killing. James Young, a family physician from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, wrote in the trade publication MedPage Today that he “shed no tears for Thompson” who he said profited “off the suffering of others.” He said physicians are “the profession that has the moral high ground” against insurers, and called on doctors to “condemn the actions of Thompson and UnitedHealthcare as vehemently as we condemn the actions of his assassin.” Some in the industry praised remarks from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who after the suspect’s capture said: “He is no hero.” Complex Web Insurance companies frequently face public anger since they’re in the position to set limits on care, but the medical industry is full of complex relationships among employers that pay for benefits, hospitals and doctor groups that provide care, and drug and device companies that sell medical products. All segments of the industry include large, for-profit entities, and they frequently blame each other when patients get upset. Going forward, health insurers will likely make a greater effort to publicize how they help customers, like flagging gaps in care or reminding someone they need a cancer screening, said Michael Sherman, a former health-insurance executive who worked at Humana Inc. and Point32Health, a nonprofit insurer based in Massachusetts. But simply loosening policies in response to public anger can hurt their business. “If a health plan has less restrictive policies, that leads to higher costs and some employers may be less likely to choose them as their carrier,” Sherman said. “A failure to be competitive leads to lost business, even if a payer wants to do the right thing.” Thompson’s murder has forced a very sudden reckoning, but the insurance industry has long faced accusations that it puts profits above patients. Wendell Potter, a former communications executive at Cigna Group, was familiar with anger from people who had been denied life-altering or life-saving care. Then, in 2007, Potter began to feel that anger himself, when a 17-year-old girl was denied a needed liver transplant by Cigna. An outcry ensued, and the insurer eventually caved and approved the care. But it was too late, and the girl died a short time later. “It was the first time it became abundantly clear to me that there was problem,” he said. “I just saw too much.” Potter left his job at Cigna and became one of the most prominent critics of the industry, writing books, testifying before Congress, and advocating for patients directly. “This happens day in and day out, and people are suffering,” he says. Insurers are “denying what they know is medically necessary care, and they do it because they don’t think people will fight it.” --With assistance from Antonia Mufarech, Anne Cronin, John Lauerman, Michelle Fay Cortez, Myles Miller and Gerry Smith. (Updates with information about police investigating threatening posters in eighth paragraph.) 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IMRIS ( OTCMKTS:IMRSQ – Get Free Report ) and Integer ( NYSE:ITGR – Get Free Report ) are both medical companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and profitability. Profitability This table compares IMRIS and Integer’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Earnings & Valuation This table compares IMRIS and Integer”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Insider and Institutional Ownership 99.3% of Integer shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of Integer shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for IMRIS and Integer, as provided by MarketBeat. Integer has a consensus price target of $139.75, suggesting a potential downside of 0.68%. Given IMRIS’s higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe IMRIS is more favorable than Integer. Summary Integer beats IMRIS on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About IMRIS ( Get Free Report ) IMRIS Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells image-guided therapy solutions worldwide. The company offers VISIUS Surgical Theatres, a surgical environment that provides intraoperative vision to clinicians to assist in decision-making and enhance precision in treatment. Its VISIUS Surgical Theatre incorporates magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy into multi-purpose surgical suites to provide intraoperative imaging for specific medical applications by bringing advanced imaging into the operating room (OR). The company sells the VISIUS Surgical Theatres to hospitals that deliver clinical services to patients in the neurosurgical, spinal, cerebrovascular, and cardiovascular markets. It also provides service and extended maintenance contracts, and accessories and disposables. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Winnipeg, Canada. About Integer ( Get Free Report ) Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Medical and Non-Medical. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, non-vascular, urology, and gastroenterology procedures. It also provides cardiac rhythm management products, including implantable pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, insertable cardiac monitors, implantable cardiac pacing and defibrillation leads, and heart failure therapies; neuromodulation products, such as implantable spinal cord stimulators; and non-rechargeable batteries, feedthroughs, device enclosures, machined components, and lead components and sub-assemblies. In addition, the company offers rechargeable batteries and chargers; and arthroscopic, laparoscopic, and general surgery devices and components, such as harmonic scalpels, shaver blades, burr shavers, radio frequency probes, biopsy probes, trocars, electrocautery components, wound dressings, GERD treatment components, and phacoemulsification needles. Further, it provides orthopedic products that include instruments used in hip, knee, and spine surgeries, as well as reamers and chisels. Additionally, the company offers customized battery power and power management systems, and battery solutions for the energy, military, and environmental markets. Furthermore, the company provides medical technologies. It serves multi-national original equipment manufacturers and their affiliated subsidiaries in the cardiac rhythm management, neuromodulation, orthopedics, vascular, and advanced surgical and portable medical markets. Integer Holdings Corporation was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for IMRIS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IMRIS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Oportun Financial's global controller sells $11,877 in stock

lucky calico com login register WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. The president-elect announced other appointments Monday, including his lawyer Harmeet Dhillon for assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department and Mark Paoletta as the returning general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. ___ Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report. More articles from the BDN

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None:Youth Congress state president and UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil achieved a historic victory in the Palakkad assembly byelection, winning the seat by a record margin of 18,840 votes. Rahul exceeded the previous victory margin held by Shafi Parambil, who won the election with a then-record margin of 17,483 votes. The Palakkad bypoll was necessitated by the election of Shafi Parambil to the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency in May. BJP's C Krishna Kumar was unable to mount a significant challenge against the Congress candidate. The BJP's vote share decreased by 10,671 votes compared to the 2021 elections when their candidate, Metro Man E Sreedharan, secured 50,220 votes. Krishna Kumar only managed to receive 39,549 votes. The CPM-backed independent candidate P Sarin, who switched to the LDF from Congress after being denied a ticket, secured 37,293 votes. The decrease in BJP's vote share was attributed to the party's poor performance in urban areas, which were considered its strongholds. The Congress managed to garner significant support, preventing the BJP from making substantial gains from the outset. The CPM-led LDF, which nominated Sarin with the aim of attracting non-political votes, did not achieve the expected results. He could only ensure an increase of 860 votes for the LDF compared to last assembly elections. The CPM's controversial advertisements on the eve of polling, which highlighted past anti-Muslim social media posts by Sandeep Varier, appeared to backfire on the Left camp. Varier who was the star spokesman of the BJP had joined the Congress a couple of days before the polling on November 13. The Congress leadership accused the CPM of stirring communal sentiments to help the BJP. Kerala PCC President K Sudhakaran MP stated that the state's populace has decisively defeated the BJP, asserting, "The BJP will no longer be able to make a comeback in Kerala. Their communal propaganda and financial strategies have failed." LDF Convener T P Ramakrishnan attributed the UDF's victory in Palakkad to the support from communal entities such as SDPI and Jamat-e-Islami. BJP State President K Surendran claimed that all communal forces united against their candidate and remarked that the 2021 vote share should not be considered a benchmark since 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan had attracted a significant number of independent votes. He also mentioned that the party plans to probe the decrease in vote share in urban regions.

European countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad’s fall

SEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hugel Inc., a leading global medical aesthetics company, said on Friday it will spur expansion in the botulinum toxin market of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) via a strategic partnership with Dubai -headquartered aesthetic and medical distribution partner Medica Group. The two companies have recently entered into an agreement to bolster the distribution of Hugel's toxin Botulax in the key markets of the region. Hugel, which exports its own toxin to 64 markets including the US, Europe and China , the world's three largest toxin buyers, obtained sales approval for Botulax in the Middle East last year. Medica Group is a leading player in the region and has strong distribution networks through its head office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and branches in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon . The company distributes medical aesthetic products from about 30 global brands, proving their solid know-how in the field and strong execution capabilities in the MENA. The MENA is one of the fastest growing regions for medical aesthetics, driven by strong economic momentum, favorable demographic characteristics, increasing accessibility to social media as well as social and consumption transformation. Hugel's Executive Chairman, Suk Cha , commented on the partnership: "We are very pleased to enter into this strategic collaboration with Medica Group. The Middle East represents a key market for Hugel, with its rapidly growing demand for medical aesthetic treatments. We have chosen Medica Group as our distributor because they share our commitment to excellence and quality. Their proven expertise, extensive reach and deep understanding of the region make them the ideal partner to bring our Botulax product to this dynamic region. Botulax is recognized globally for its quality, and we are confident that, through this partnership, it will become a leading choice for medical professionals and patients in the Middle East and Africa ." Andre Daoud , CEO of Medica Group, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: "Our partnership with Hugel marks a key milestone for us as we continue to expand our portfolio and lead the aesthetics market with global solutions. The introduction of Botulax in the Middle East and Africa offers healthcare professionals access to a world-class botulinum toxin that is highly trusted for its quality, safety, and performance. This strategic partnership aligns with our mission to provide advanced, innovative products and services that meet the demands of the region's growing beauty and medical aesthetics market. Hugel's global expertise, combined with our deep local knowledge and network, will create tremendous value for our customers and their patients." About Hugel Established in 2001, Hugel is a leading global medical aesthetics company that manufactures injectables for skin rejuvenation such as botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers and skin boosters as well as absorbable sutures and cosmetics products. The company is the only South Korean supplier to the world's three largest botulinum toxin markets, the US, China and Europe . It exports medical aesthetic products and devices to around 70 countries and operates eight global subsidiaries in the US, Australia , Canada , Taiwan , China , Hong Kong and Singapore . About Medica Group A leading partner in the field of aesthetic medicine, Medica Group continues to push the boundaries of beauty and wellbeing in the region. Being at the forefront of the industry, the group is renowned for its innovative approach, state-of-the-art solutions with a solid commitment to delivering outstanding results and setting new standards in aesthetics. A trusted partner for international aesthetic brands, Medica showcases a commitment to excellence and quality through the technologies of its product and services, and the collaboration of the aesthetic medicine community. Contact: Jihyun Kim , Manager of the PR Team, Hugel jihyun.kim@hugel-inc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hugel-and-medica-join-forces-to-boost-botulinum-toxin-sales-in-middle-east-north-africa-302313729.html SOURCE HugelTwo men arrested in Limerick City as gardai seize €560k of cocaine

Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home

Bamboo Technology's HereHear Virtual AI Therapist Joins Berkeley Skydeck IPP ProgramDECORATING your home this festive season doesn't need to cost you an arm and a leg. You can pick up budget-friendly decor from different bargain shops, including Dollar Tree . You may not need to break the bank by splurging on a high-end wreath for your door. Dollar Tree shoppers can now pick up a Christmas buy that will have your guests feeling festive before they even walk through the door. And it appeals to more than one of your senses to set the Christmas mood. The Christmas House Metal Bell Door Hanger is available for just $1.25 from Dollar Tree. Read More On Dollar Tree This festive decoration has received a perfect rating of five stars from customers. Resembling a neck tie, the decor features a piece of material hanging from a twine ring. Attached to the festive fabric are four small bells, ensuring a fun jingle every time your door is opened. For an extra touch, a small piece of wreath cutting is glued to the top of each hanger. Most read in Money And don't worry, if you're someone with a certain color scheme in mind, there are options available. Dollar Tree shoppers can choose between three different festive designs. The first is a simple black and white gingham print, perfect for the classic look. On this style, the festive jingle bells are white to match the aesthetic. You can also add a touch of color by opting for the red and black gingham pattern. Despite the name of the store, Dollar Tree recently added items that cost more than $1 to its inventory. Most items at the store cost no more than $1.25, but items in the Dollar Tree Plus section cost up to $5. Dollar Tree introduced Plus aisles to 100 locations in 2019 as part of an effort to diversify its products. By 2022, Dollar Tree had added the items to over 1,500 locations. "We believe testing additional price points above $1 for Dollar Tree products will enable us over time to expand our assortments, introduce new products and meet more of our customers’ everyday needs," president and CEO Michael Witynski said in a statement . "Our brand promise is that customers get great value for what they spend at Dollar Tree. We will continue to be fiercely protective of that promise, regardless of the price point." The jingle bells attached to this design are also a deep shade of red. Finally, for the most influencer-esque finish, a beige option is available. Each of the decorative door hangers measures 16 inches in length. They are designed to be hung in a similar matter to a traditional Christmas wreath.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutLost Gaels: New book celebrates the life of GAA members killed in the conflict

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Hugel and Medica join forces to boost botulinum toxin sales in Middle East, North AfricaThe suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed his identity as their person of interest, crediting his arrest to a tip from a McDonald's worker. He has been connected by police to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in broad daylight, in a case that has laid bare deep frustrations and anger with the nation's privatized medical system. News of his capture triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media try to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine, though no explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, per the club's website. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. He went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive. Mangione has linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro

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The Minnesota Twins acquired infielder Mickey Gasper from the Red Sox on Tuesday, sending left-hander Jovani Moran to Boston. Gasper, 29, made his major league debut in 2024 with the Red Sox, going hitless with four walks and one run in 18 at-bats over 13 games. The switch-hitter spent most of the 2024 season at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, hitting a combined .328 with 27 doubles, 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in 92 games. The Red Sox selected him from the New York Yankees in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. A 27th-round pick of the Yankees in the 2018 draft, Gasper has played four positions in the minors -- first base, second base, third base and catcher -- along with serving as designated hitter. In 407 minor league games with the Yankees and Red Sox farm systems, he has hit .275 with 48 home runs and 207 RBIs. Moran, 27, underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2023 season and didn't pitch in 2024. In 79 relief appearances with the Twins from 2021-23, Minnesota's seventh-round pick in the 2015 draft is 2-3 with one save along with a 4.15 ERA, 52 walks, 112 strikeouts and a 1.33 WHIP in 91 innings.Northwestern women blank Saint Joseph's 5-0 to win second national championship in field hockey

There was no better place to celebrate the festive season than at Canterbury Park on Sunday, December 8. or signup to continue reading The people of the Burra packed out Canterbury Park for a night of Christmas songs performed by the Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band, primary school choirs from Eaglehawk, Eaglehawk North, California Gully, St Liborius and the Minstrels choir from St Peters Church. Special solos were performed by Dan Sexton and Julia Wellard and the night was topped off by an annual appearance from Saint Nick himself. The Christmas spirit could be felt throughout the whole crowd, which stretched from the Canterbury Park Gardens to Lake Neangar. In just its second year back from a COVID-induced break, the carols again proved a hit. "People were here quite early, getting their spot up the front," Ealgehawk Festivals' carols coordinator Mary Preston said. "We are early enough [in December] with our carols that people can go to others if they want to, [like] Bendigo's ... and we're fortunate we've got another beautiful evening." In addition to the carols, the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk was on hand for free sausage sizzle, supported by the 1st Eaglehawk Scout Group selling drinks. Comperes Janeen Barker and John Pearce said the carols embodied the community spirit Eaglehawk was all about. "What Eaglehawk does really, really well is bring the community together," Ms Barker said. "They're very proud of their festivals and the way they're organised, and it's a great community night." Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!Wide receiver Dallas Wilson, a five-star Class of 2025 prospect, signed with Florida. The move came just days after he asked Oregon to release him from his commitment. He signed with the Ducks on Dec. 4, the first day of the early signing period. The 247Sports composite ranks Wilson, a Florida product from Tampa Bay Tech, as the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 20 overall player in the class. Florida announced his signing with a video posted to social media Sunday night. Wilson had been committed to the Ducks since Jan. 17, 2023, taking an official visit there in June 2024 and one to Florida on Nov. 22. But The Athletic reported last week that Wilson's agent, Vernell Brown of EL1TE Sports Management Group, said Wilson changed his mind to remain closer to an ill family member, adding NIL money was not a factor. A 6-foot-3 speedster, Wilson also runs track and was part of his school's 4x400 relay team that qualified for the state competition in his junior year. --Field Level Media

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have congratulated John Dramani Mahama on his electoral victory in Ghana’s December 7 presidential election. The Nigerian President’s message was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, President Tinubu spoke with Mahama to express his hopes for continued regional stability under Mahama’s leadership. “In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu hoped that Mahama’s ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which President Tinubu is the chairman,” the statement read. President Tinubu commended Ghanaians for their commitment to democracy and praised the peaceful and transparent conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections. “He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa,” the statement added. Read also: Police rescue kidnapped 4-yr-old, arrest suspect who used snacks to lure children He also recognized the courage and sportsmanship of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of Ghana and candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), who conceded defeat before the official results were announced. Tinubu remarked that Bawumia’s actions underscored Ghana’s democratic values and maturity. Reflecting on Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, Tinubu noted it as a testament to the Ghanaian people’s confidence in his leadership. “President Tinubu noted that President-elect Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.” The Nigerian leader also emphasized the importance of the historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Ghana. He reaffirmed his commitment to fostering stronger bilateral relations and working together to achieve shared goals in areas such as economic integration, democracy, and the rule of law. Tinubu extended his gratitude to outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo for his leadership and significant contributions to Ghana’s progress and regional stability. “The President looks forward to working with President Mahama’s incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region,” the statement concluded. In a separate statement, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, also congratulated the people of Ghana on their successful and peaceful elections. Touray praised the nation’s democratic maturity and highlighted the smooth transition of power. “The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Touray, congratulates the Ghanaian people on their successful and generally peaceful elections,” the statement read. Touray extended his congratulations to John Mahama on his victory and commended Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his prompt concession. “The president equally commends Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for his timely concession, which demonstrates his statesmanship and love for country,” the statement added. As Mahama prepares to assume office, both President Tinubu and ECOWAS expressed optimism about the future of Ghana and its role in fostering regional cooperation and stability. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate Now

Jake Paul wants “to set the record straight,” when no straightening is required. If anyone would understand that we moved on from his “fight” against Mike Tyson, it should be Paul, who has made a fortune in the split-second entertainment world of social media. Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions issued a statement on Monday to dispel the rumor that his fight at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 15 against Tyson was rigged. The intention is to change the narrative of what was an embarrassing, if highly profitable, evening, and maintain the interest in Paul’s boxing career. The fight was not rigged, and no statement was needed. The fight was simply awful. The statement begins: “Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs. Tyson event, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight.” “Integrity” and “Tyson v. Paul” have no business of being in the same sentence. “Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight,” the statement said. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations did sanction this kitten fight between a Disney kid turned YouTuber against a 58-year-old man with serious health issues. The fight had judges, and Paul was awarded a decision when none was needed. “Best of their abilities” is subjective. After landing one of his first punches, a left to Paul’s head, Tyson looked like he may have something in what was once one of the most feared boxers who ever lived. He flashed some of that old Tyson head movement, but mostly he looked like an old boxer. Because that’s what he is. The event quickly became an awkward money grab embarrassment, an indictment on the ticket-buying audience more than the promoters, who were doing their job, and leaving Netflix blushing over streaming issues. “There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules,” the statement said. No restrictions is a liberal use of the term. The fight was eight rounds, not 10 or 12. The rounds lasted two minutes, not three. The gloves the boxers used were 14 oz., not 10. President Jimmy Carter could take a few shots from a 14 oz. glove. The statement continues, “Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions. But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naïve but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.” Accusations of rigged outcomes have been hurled at sporting events in the United States since the New York Nine defeated the Knickerbockers 23-1 in four innings, the first recorded baseball game ever played in America, in 1846. The New York Nine did not release a statement to the press that the game was rigged. Such accusations are hallow, but every now and then there is a Chicago Black Sox. “It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer—an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson—would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition,” the statement said. That’s not how rigged works. You don’t tell the broadcast partner that the live event is staged. Making sure his boss knows he’s working, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian issued his own words to this statement, saying, “This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way.” Paul, 27, beat a 58-year-old man in a fight that looked like two-hand touch. There is no compliment. “From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities — unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves,” Bidarian wrote. Paul has created a niche for himself in the sport by carefully fighting opponents who are names, but are not boxers. Older guys. Ex-UFC fighters looking for one more check. He’s also spent the necessary time to train, and learn how to box. He knows how to promote himself, and an event. He created “boxing entertainment,” but his fights are not traditional boxing matches. They are also not scripted WWE. “As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements.” Bidarian said. “We embrace the doubt — it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.” Herein lies the “need” for this press statement. Paul wants to continue to fight, but not against fighters who may knock him out. Considering the type of money his fights have generated, he would have no problem finding a line of potential traditional opponents waiting to pummel him through the canvas. He has avoided real fighters for a reason. Because he’s smart. Because he can. Because there is a market for the fights he stages. The fallout from his bout against Tyson is that Paul could have unintentionally knocked out the audience for these matches that are staged, not rigged, which is really why he wants to “set the record straight.” ©2024 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal Thursday as a candidate for attorney general illustrates the roadblocks President-elect Donald Trump could face as he tries to convert his campaign of “retribution” into a governing coalition capable of working within the realities of Washington. Gaetz, until recently a congressman from Florida, embodies Trump’s grievance- and vendetta-driven agenda like few others can. He has been one of Trump’s most pugilistic defenders and the bleeding edge of MAGA resistance in Congress, even against his own Republican leadership. In Gaetz, Trump would finally get the loyal attorney general he felt he never had in his first term. But it was a tough sell from the moment Trump announced Gaetz as his choice eight days ago — in a pick that shocked much of Washington. The Justice Department that Trump wanted him to lead had once investigated Gaetz in a sex-trafficking case it closed without charging him . Meanwhile, an unreleased report from a separate House Ethics Committee investigation also hung over Gaetz’s head, and details of what two women told the committee about their allegations he paid them for sex were beginning to trickle out. The panel had investigated Gaetz off and on over three years on allegations including sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, accepting bribes and improper gifts, sharing inappropriate images on the House floor, misusing campaign funds and obstructing the investigation itself. Gaetz denied all of those allegations and stopped cooperating with the probe this year. In the end, it was the “combination of the ethics report and opposition among Senate Republicans” that doomed Gaetz’s candidacy, a senior Senate aide told NBC News. Gaetz appeared too mired in scandal to survive a confirmation vote in the Senate. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on X . “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.” Gaetz’s hasty retreat is also emblematic of how Trump and his team often reject the conventions of Capitol Hill. Although Gaetz’s liabilities and legal troubles were well-documented, deeper vetting by Trump’s team might have unearthed details of the ethics probe sooner. And there was little, if any, effort to take the temperature of senators before Trump surprised the political world with his announcement last week. At least five Senate Republicans were planning to vote against Gaetz and had communicated to other senators and those close to Trump that they were unlikely to be swayed, according to multiple people with direct knowledge. They are Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, as well as Sen.-elect John Curtis of Utah. “Senator-elect Curtis believes that every president is afforded a degree of deference to select his team and make nominations,” said Corey Norman, Curtis’ chief of staff. “He also firmly believes in and is committed to the Senate’s critical role to confirm or reject nominations based on information and insight from confirmation hearings.” Gaetz, accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance, a senator from Ohio, met with 11 senators Wednesday. “My read is that he genuinely wanted it but had no real plan to overcome opposition,” a source familiar with Gaetz’s meetings said. “No strategy.” “Not shocking that this is the outcome. Maybe a bit surprising it happened so fast,” this person added. At least 20 — and perhaps as many as 30 — Senate Republicans were very uncomfortable about having to vote for Gaetz on the Senate floor, one of the sources said. Gaetz could afford to lose only three Republicans. “I thought it was problematic from the beginning,” Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. “There was perhaps some information out there that the president was not aware of when he made the original recommendation,” Rounds said of Gaetz’s withdrawing. “In this particular case, that appears to have been what happened, and it may very well have been because of advice from the Senate, rather than consent from the Senate.” Gaetz made the call to withdraw on his own and notified Trump of his decision earlier Thursday, two people with direct knowledge said. One of the sources recounted having observed no internal pushback when Trump informed his team of his pick for attorney general, even though multiple staffers did not believe Gaetz could be confirmed. Senate leadership was not asked in advance about the pick, this person said. The second source acknowledged that confirming Gaetz was always going to be an uphill battle and said Trump is expected to meet “very soon” with a new round of attorney general prospects, with no particular person at the top of the list. Trump has other confirmation challenges ahead. His choice for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth , is a former Fox News host who has said women should not serve in combat and has been accused of, but never charged with, sexual assault. Trump also intends to nominate anti-vaccination activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who has been accused of amplifying Russian propaganda , for director of national intelligence. Before Gaetz withdrew Thursday, Trump allies were pushing hard on GOP senators and other ambitious Republicans to publicly support his embattled Cabinet picks. A person close to Trump said by the transition team “welcomed” Gaetz’s withdrawal, adding that “the [House Ethics] report started to leak out and there was no way for Matt to make it.” Many officials at the Justice Department were also breathing sighs of relief Thursday. “Certain events, like the sun chasing away the dark of night, are not surprising, they’re expected. But that doesn’t stop me from being grateful for each sunrise,” an official said. “I now know what is going to be the first feather on my gratitude handprint turkey this Thanksgiving.”7 Dow Jones Dividend Stocks that Underperformed the S&P 500 This Year but Are Buys for 2025

Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’Maharashtra polls: Independents finish second in 19 constituenciesWorkplace solutions company has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with markets regulator SEBI to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO). The company’s IPO consists of a fresh issue of equity shares of up to Rs 750 crore and an offer for sale of equity shares of up to Rs 100 crore by the promoter-selling shareholders, Rishi Das and Meghna Agarwal. IndiQube intends to use Rs 462.6 crore of the raised proceeds towards funding capital expenditures related to establishing new centres and Rs 100 crore towards the repayment of certain borrowings availed by the company. Founded in 2015, the company currently manages around 103 centres across 13 cities and has a clientele roster ranging from Indian corporates as well as startups such as NoBroker, Redbus, upGrad. The company reported a total income of Rs 867.6 crore in FY24 compared to Rs 601.2 crore in FY23. Interestingly, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, the company derived 91.59% of its revenue from operations from centers in Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai collectively. This trend was observed in FY24, FY23, and FY22. IndiQube has become the latest company to file for an IPO after several startups such as EV-maker and food delivery platform went public in 2024. Several companies including Ather Energy and omnichannel jewellery brand Bluestone has also filed draft papers to go public. The company’s DRHP also comes at a time when flexible workspaces are becoming a rising trend in the commercial office market as hybrid working models become more common. The Book Running Lead Managers to the offer are ICICI Securities Limited and JM Financial Limited and the equity shares are proposed to be listed on BSE and NSE. Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti

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