casino game quest 2
Teen with cancer who inspired Kate dies(Bloomberg) — Human plasma is a protein-rich compound made by spinning blood so fast that the heavier red blood cells are flung aside like clothes on the side of a washing machine, leaving behind a straw-colored liquid. It is also the basis of CSL Ltd.’s $88 billion health-care empire. Australia’s largest biotechnology company delivered a 750% return for investors in the decade before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic by dominating the global market for the critical substance. However, since the start of 2020, the stock has plateaued for the longest period since its listing. The firm first had difficulty getting people to both sell and gather blood from which to make plasma during lockdowns and then struggled with its largest-ever acquisition. Chief Executive Paul McKenzie, who is a year and a half in the job, needs to find a way to boost profits from CSL’s 2022 purchase of Switzerland-based Vifor to revive the shares. The $11.7 billion acquisition was designed to diversify the company’s portfolio by adding treatments for iron deficiency and kidney disease. However, generic competition in the European Union has eroded margins for Vifor’s best-selling medication and slashed returns on invested capital, convincing some investors that CSL overpaid for the business. Still, the acquisition has catapulted CSL into the position of the world’s largest provider of iron therapies. One in four people globally don’t have enough of the mineral, which is essential to transport oxygen in the blood and make muscles work. Demand for iron supplements will help boost the unit’s sales over the next five years, according to McKenzie. In particular, he expects iron infusions to provide plenty of opportunities for growth by treating various ailments. “There are so many things that iron could benefit,” said McKenzie in an interview in Melbourne. “Heart failure we believe is a big one. Anemia is a big one. Women’s health is a big one.” He has yet to convince the market. Since the deal closed in August 2022, the company’s shares have dropped 5.5% compared with a 20% gain for the broader ASX200 index, weighed down by disappointment in the Vifor acquisition. CSL “absolutely paid too much,” said Jun Bei Liu, a portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners. “In time, they will generate a return. It’s just they should have done their due diligence a bit better. For such a large acquisition, investors put a lot of faith in the management.” She said the purchase made strategic sense. The company’s move into iron supplements was spurred in part by a growing need for the treatments. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2021, anemia affected roughly 2 billion people, with the vast majority of cases attributed to iron deficiency. Children and women of reproductive age suffer at the highest rates. That same year, the WHO began urging hospitals to screen for anemia and optimize iron levels in patients ahead of planned surgeries, aiming to reduce the reliance on higher-risk blood transfusions. A study published this month highlighted the growing importance of this approach, finding that a single intravenous iron treatment reduces hospitalization risk by 17% for anemic heart failure patients. Plasma is still the company’s biggest business, accounting for about 72% of sales and 66% of profit. It is ubiquitous in hospitals’ operating rooms globally and is used for bleeding disorders and burns. Plasma is also the basis for immunoglobulin, which is used to treat autoimmune diseases, such as Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects Canadian-born singer Celine Dion. With almost 350 plasma collection centers in the US, Europe and China, CSL is one of the world’s largest and most efficient producers of the material. The company is also the world’s second-largest maker of flu vaccines. Its success in plasma stems from a series of acquisitions orchestrated by former CEO and current chairman Brian McNamee. Over the course of a 23-year career, he snapped up rivals including businesses founded by Switzerland’s Red Cross and German Nobel laureate Emil von Behring, the father of serum therapy. CSL traces its roots to 1916, when the Australian government set up Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in response to World War I cutting off the country’s access to life-saving medicines from overseas. It was listed in 1994 as part of a wave of initial public offerings of state-owned companies that included Qantas Airways Ltd., Telstra Group Ltd. and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. “There was a lot of skepticism for an ex-government group, that it would be very fat and very lazy,” said Michael Glenane, who was an analyst for McIntosh Securities, the lead manager on the CSL listing. “At that stage there was very limited understanding of what the actual company did.” Some forward-looking investors could see CSL was “a cash machine because of high depreciation charges and pretty lucrative government contracts,” said Glenane. That turned it into a favorite for both retail and institutional investors. Australia’s A$4 trillion ($2.6 trillion) pension industry poured into the stock with some of the largest funds among the top 10 owners. So did small individual investors, drawn to CSL’s capital appreciation. “It has an incredibly loyal retail shareholder base,” said Michael Muntisov, who has monitored the company for five years for the Australian Shareholders Association, which represents thousands of individual investors. “And you see that at the AGM, when it can sometimes resemble a love fest.” The love was lacking this year. At the company’s AGM in October, frustrated with the company’s performance more than 26% of shareholders opposed the pay package for top management. Under Australia’s corporate governance rules, this is termed a “first strike”. This is important because if a quarter or more of shareholders vote against executives’ pay the following year, it will trigger a subsequent vote on whether the board should be dissolved. “We will go back and look in detail and say, ‘look, are there further things that we can modify that would satisfy people?’” said Chairman McNamee. “But do I ever think we’re going to get a hundred percent support for remuneration? No.” Vifor’s top seller is Ferinject, a treatment for anemia that is infused rather than swallowed. Putting iron compounds straight into the bloodstream makes it easier for the body to absorb them. In the EU, Ferinject faces increased competition from generics and has had to cut prices in response. In the US, the company has been hit by what’s known as step edits, a way in which insurers prioritize less expensive medicines. This has held sales below the company’s initial expectations. While the business has not been as profitable as anticipated, CSL defends the acquisition, arguing that the long-term outlook for iron treatments makes it an attractive market to be involved in. “There’s no doubt that we underestimated some of the competitive challenges,’’ said McNamee, citing the competition from generics and US step edits as examples. “But that doesn’t mean the categories in which (Vifor) operates aren’t ones in which we want to compete in.” The company’s specialized treatments for people with kidney disease took a hit from Covid, which has been particularly deadly for people on dialysis. Some studies have suggested that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy, could also curb kidney disease. McKenzie said CSL is monitoring the development of those medicines but does not currently see them as a threat. The US is the company’s largest market and CSL does not expect the incoming Trump administration to have a significant impact on its business in the country. Even if vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as Secretary of Health, the company anticipates continued demand for its products. “At the end of the day, Americans care about people being well and healthy and I really don’t have any significant concern for our life-saving drugs and our life-saving vaccines being impacted,” McNamee said. While CSL’s expansion into iron treatments has not gone to plan, it is still expanding the business. The company recently started selling Ferinject in Canada and has started operations in China. CEO McKenzie calls the market for iron treatments “underserved” and says demand for the element’s medicinal uses will eventually offset Vifor’s lower-than-expected earnings. Some of the company’s long-term investors back his assessment. “CSL has an outstanding track record over the long term,” said David Grace of the Australian Foundation Investment Company, which owns about A$629 million of the company’s shares and has been invested since at least 2005. “We haven’t seen that in Vifor yet, but we’re confident we will.”
Warning: This article contains disturbing details of alleged animal abuse. People on social media are calling for a boycott of Butterball brand turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving after People for Ethical Treatment of Animals resurfaced an old video, causing confusion and disturbance. The video, posted to PETA’s Instagram account last week, highlighted disturbing allegations from an investigation at a Butterball plant that reportedly took place nearly 20 years ago. According to PETA’s website, the 2006 “undercover investigation” that allegedly took place at a Butterball slaughterhouse in Ozark, Arkansas, found workers physically and sexually abusing live turkeys. However, Butterball said these allegations took place before the company became privatized and certified by American Humane. The resurfaced video zeroes in on the alleged sexual abuse of the live turkeys. The caption on the video states, “Do you know what happened to your Butterball turkey before they were killed?” However, PETA did not specify that the content was from 18 years ago. Still, a majority of the comments encourage people to boycott Butterball ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Videos of other people on social media discussing PETA’s post have sparked confusion that there is a recall associated with it, but there are currently no active recalls for Butterball turkeys. Scripps News reached out to Butterball and its spokesperson provided the following statement: "We are aware of a video from nearly 20 years ago, which is being re-shared across social media. This video is not current and was taken prior to Butterball becoming a private company and prior to our engagement and certification through American Humane. Animal care and well-being is central to who we are as a company, and we are committed to the ethical and responsible care of our flocks. Eleven years ago, Butterball was the first, and remains the only, turkey company to be American Humane certified. That means we have yearly audits conducted by a third party to ensure compliance with our 200+ science-based standards of best practice for care of turkeys, well exceeding industry best practices. We are proud of this designation that no other turkey company can claim and have a zero-tolerance policy for animal mistreatment."
VANCOUVER — British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store’s video camera system for around $5,000 more. He’s not selling luxury brands or expensive jewels. Chaput sells cheese, and at Christmas, cheese is a hot commodity. He is the co-owner of specialty cheese store les amis du Fromage, with two locations in Vancouver. While cheeselifting is rare in their Kitsilano store, the outlet in East Vancouver is hit in waves, with nothing happening for a month, then three of four people trying to steal their inventory within a week. “Sometimes, you miss it. Sometimes, you catch it. The way shoplifters behave ... they tend to gravitate toward expensive things,” said Chaput. Expensive cheese is on shoplifters’ Christmas list, he said. “They tend to do the classic examples of staying away from customer service and trying to go to a different part of the store so they can be left alone to steal.” Chaput isn’t alone. Police say food-related crimes on are the rise in Canada and as prices climb for items such as cheese and butter, they become lucrative on the black market for organized crime groups, not to mention theft for local resale. Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-food Analytics Lab, said a black market tends to emerge as soon as food prices surge. “Organized crime will steal anything (if) they know they can sell it and so, they probably would have known who their clients are before even stealing anything at all, and that’s how a black market is organized,” said Charlebois. He said he believes there are two categories of people shoplifting — those who do so out of desperation because they can’t afford the food, or organized criminals, profiting from sales on the black market. Mounties in North Vancouver made cheesy headlines when they ran into a man with a cart of stolen cheese in the middle of the night in September. The cheese, valued at $12,800, was from a nearby Whole Foods Store. While the cheese was recovered, it had to be disposed of because it hadn’t been refrigerated. Const. Mansoor Sahak, with the North Vancouver RCMP, said officers believe cheese is targeted because it’s “profitable to resell.” “If they are drug addicts, they will commit further crimes with that or feed their drug habits. It’s a vicious cycle,” said Sahak. Sahak said meat is also a top target for grocery thieves, with store losses sometimes in the thousands. “So, we’re not surprised that this happened,” said Sahak. Police in Ontario have been chasing down slippery shoplifters going after butter. Scott Tracey, a spokesman with Guelph Police Service, said there have been eight or nine butter thefts over the last year, including one theft last December worth $1,000. In October, two men walked into a local grocer and filled their carts with cases of butter valued at $936, and four days later a Guelph grocer lost four cases valued at $958. Tracey said he has looked at online marketplaces and found listings by people selling 20 or 30 pounds of butter at a time. “Clearly, somebody didn’t accidentally buy 30 extra pounds of butter. So, they must have come from somewhere,” said Tracey, “I think at this point it appears to be the black market is where it’s headed.” He said the thefts seem to be organized, with two or three people working together in each case. Police in Brantford, Ont., are also investigating the theft of about $1,200 worth of butter from a store on Nov. 4. Charlebois said retailers could invest in prevention technologies like electronic tags, but putting them on butter or cheese is rare. He said up until recently grocery store theft has been a “taboo subject for many years.” Stores didn’t wanted to talk about thefts because they didn’t want to alarm people but now they feel they need to build awareness about what is “becoming a huge problem,” said Charlebois. Chaput, the cheese store owner, said he had been running the East Vancouver store for 15 years while managing the store in Kitsilano for 30 years, and he loves his customers. “It’s really one of the best parts of our businesses, seeing familiar faces and making new customers. It’s why we come to work, really. Partly it’s the cheese, and partly it’s the people,” said Chaput. He said his strategy to combat would-be thieves is to give them extra customer service to make it harder for them to steal. He admits, however, that the shoplifting causes him stress. “It’s challenging. You’re busy trying to run your business day to day and take care of customers and take care of employees. Having to deal with criminals, just kind of scratches away. It can be a bit exhausting,” said Chaput.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to avoid taking the Communist Party’s “goodwill for granted” and suggested “no one will win a trade war” after Trump announced a plan to impose a ten-percent tariff on Chinese goods on Monday. Trump made the tariff promise in remarks published to his social media site, Truth Social, in the context of the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States. He further suggested imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico for not doing enough to curb drug production and trafficking. “Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through,” Trump wrote , “and drugs are pouring into our Country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before.” WATCH — “Here I Am!” — Trump Warns China over Taking Advantage of American Workers While He Was Gone: “ Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” he asserted. Trump had previously promised a separate 60-percent tariff on Chinese goods if elected president during the 2024 campaign. Regarding North America specifically, Trump vowed that, on Inauguration Day, he will sign an executive order “to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.” “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” he continued. “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!” Migrants walk along the Huixtla highway after departing Tapachula, southern Mexico, hoping to reach the country’s northern border and ultimately the United States, on November 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) The Chinese Foreign Ministry initially did not respond to the comments during its regular press briefing Tuesday. A spokesman later issued a statement discouraging Trump from adopting the policies. “China on Tuesday urged the US not to take China’s goodwill for granted and work to ensure that the hard-won positive dynamics will stay in the China-US counternarcotics cooperation,” the Chinese state propaganda newspaper Global Times reported, paraphrasing the Foreign Ministry. “About the issue of US tariffs on China, China believes that China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. No one will win a trade war or a tariff war,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying in a statement to the Global Times. The spokesman went on to claim that China had “carried out extensive and in-depth counternarcotics cooperation with the US” despite being the source of many of the precursor chemicals later used in the production of fentanyl. In February, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that it was documenting over 150 deaths a day in America as a result of synthetic opioids, driven in large part by the growing prevalence of fentanyl in the country. Many of those deaths involved the inadvertent consumption of fentanyl, mixed into other drugs in fatal quantities. China plays a major role in the production of fentanyl through cooperation with Mexican drug cartels to produce fentanyl in North America. The Chinese government vehemently denies any role in the fentanyl crisis, blaming inferior American “ culture ” for the issue. WATCH — Fmr. Trump Official: Biden’s Border Rules Let Chinese Fentanyl into U.S.: Separately, at an event promoting more Chinese dominance of global supply chains, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng lamented what he called the “fragmentation of the world economy” and a “new period of turmoil and change,” presumably looming in the expectation that Trump will be inaugurated into the presidency in January. Han encouraged an audience of business leaders, including representatives of the American tech company Apple, to “build consensus and strengthen links to contribute to maintaining the stability of the global supply chains,” according to the South China Morning Post . Chinese Premier Li Qiang similarly addressed the venue, the “China International Supply Chain Expo,” “opposing all forms of decoupling and firmly upholding stable and unimpeded global industrial and supply chains.” “China is a key link in global industrial and supply chains and will continue to take concrete actions to maintain the stability and smooth operation of these chains,” Li promised , according to the state-run China Daily . “Exclusiveness leads nowhere, while openness is the right path forward,” Li warned, adding that “protectionist moves and overstretching of security are harming global industrial and supply chains,” without naming Trump specifically. Li also recruited international corporations to “be steadfast defenders” of China’s dominance of supply chains and “continue firmly supporting economic globalization.” This photo released by the Casa Grande Police Department, shows a collagen supplement bottle that concealed approximately 500,000 fentanyl pills that were found in an SUV pulled over for speeding on Interstate 10 in Pinal County, Arizona, on May 23, 2022. (Casa Grande Police Department via AP) Beijing has intensified its defense of economic globalization in light of Trump’s electoral victory in November. Genocidal dictator Xi Jinping himself pressured foreign countries to resist calls for economic nationalism during a tour of South America this month, making stops at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil. In his speech to the G20, Xi demanded the parties assembled “oppose unilateralism and protectionism.” “We need to improve global financial governance and build a world economy characterized by stability,” Xi lectured , adding later, “We need to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterized by openness.” “It is important to avoid politicizing economic issues, avoid fragmenting the global market, and avoid taking protectionist moves in the name of green and low-carbon development,” Xi he added. Follow Frances Martel on Facebook and Twitter.
Teenage photographer Liz Hatton who 'inspired' Kate and William dies aged 17 after cancer battle
MAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence are roiling the country. Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces. The prisoners fled during violent protests that have seen police cars, stations and infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct. 9 elections. The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the capital, started around midday on Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said. Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. “A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael. “They (protesters) were making noise, demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences”, said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee. Story continues below video He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender to authorities and for the population to be informed about the fugitives. Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained again. In one video, a prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says he was held n the disciplinary section of the prison and was released by other inmates. Violence has engulfed Mozambique since the country’s highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections on Monday. Mozambique's Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that the violence was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned at the violence and urges all political leaders and relevant parties “to defuse tensions including through meaningful dialogue (and) legal redress,” U.N. associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said Thursday. The U.N. chief also calls for a halt to the violence and redoubled efforts “to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis,” she said.
Extortion charges re-laid against copsSubscribe Post By: Harry Norman, REALTORS® November 21, 2024 No Comments Golf cart-friendly communities are gaining popularity for the unique lifestyle they offer—one that prioritizes convenience, sustainability, and a genuine sense of connection. In these neighborhoods, golf carts provide a fun and practical way to move through the community, offering easy access to local attractions while encouraging interactions with neighbors. More than just recreational vehicles, golf carts are a smart, eco-friendly alternative to cars for short trips, reducing fuel costs and simplifying parking. Cities like Woodstock have embraced this way of life, creating neighborhoods where a relaxed pace and effortless commuting foster a strong sense of belonging and enjoyment. Woodstock’s spirit of connection is mirrored in the design of this 5,422-square-foot home, where an open-concept layout is complemented by crafted trim and millwork, arched entryways, and a marble-surround fireplace. The main level flows to an extended deck and screened-in porch, perfect for enjoying the outdoors after a day spent exploring the neighborhood. A fully finished basement adds versatility, offering space for a home theater, gym, or recreation room, while the large, fenced backyard provides ample room for future additions, such as a pool or customized outdoor space. This six-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Woodstock Knoll offers a prime opportunity to enjoy the perks of a golf cart-friendly community. The neighborhood encourages a lifestyle rooted in relaxation and recreation, with amenities like a junior Olympic pool, tennis courts, and a playground, all just a short golf-cart ride from Downtown Woodstock. The vibrant town center, with its locally owned restaurants, boutiques, and community events, serves as a lively hub for socializing and leisure. With its versatile living spaces, exceptional amenities, and proximity to Downtown Woodstock, this home is an ideal choice for buyers looking to embrace a simpler, more enjoyable way of life. Listed by Martina Negron with Harry Norman, REALTORS® , this home is located at 323 Harvest View Terrace Woodstock, GA 30188 . Related Posts [email protected] RESTAURANTS RETAIL REAL ESTATE ABOUT CONTACT COMPANY BECOME A PARTNER BROWSE PARTNERS © What Now Media Group 2024. All rights reserved.None
Surat (Gujarat) [India], December 15 (ANI): Suchi Semicon, a Gujarat-based semiconductor company, has officially inaugurated its Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT) plant in Surat - Gujarat's first. It is a significant step towards enhancing India's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The semiconductor industry in India is still in a nascent stage, with various local and multinational companies intending to tap its vast potential. Also Read | 'Shark Tank India 4': Viraj Bahl Set to Join Anupam Mittal, Kunal Bahl, Namita Thapar, Ritesh Agarwal, and Aman Gupta in the Upcoming Season of Business Reality Show. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Union Minister CR Patil and Gujarat's Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The plant, with an initial area of 30,000-square-foot facility, will provide essential assembly, testing, and packaging services for semiconductor components, supporting industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial applications, the company said in a statement Sunday. Also Read | Visakhapatnam: Man Accidentally Swallows Dentures in Sleep As Foreign Object Gets Stuck in His Right Lung, Doctors Successfully Remove Dental Set. In alignment with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, this initiative aims to reduce India's dependency on imported semiconductors while strengthening the country's position in the global semiconductor supply chain. With a USD 100 million investment, the plant, once at full capacity, will produce up to 3 million semiconductor chips daily. The company said it is also in advanced discussions to onboard a strategic technology partner to further enhance its capabilities and drive innovation, the company statement added. Engineered for rapid scaling, this facility is poised to meet the growing demand for semiconductors in both domestic and global markets, positioning India as a key player in the global semiconductor ecosystem. Established in July 2023, Suchi Semicon was founded by Ashok Mehta and Shetal Mehta. The company's entry into the semiconductor manufacturing space is noteworthy, particularly given its origins in the textile industry. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said, "India is on a transformative path towards becoming a global technology hub, and initiatives like the Suchi Semicon OSAT plant are key to realizing this vision. With the government's focus on increasing semiconductor manufacturing within India, such plants will play a crucial role in reducing dependency on imports, creating jobs, and strengthening our domestic industry. I congratulate the Suchi Semicon team for their vision and efforts in making this dream a reality, contributing to both Gujarat's and India's growth as leaders in technology and innovation." Gujarat's Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said, "We fully support Suchi Semicon in this mission and are confident that this facility will not only contribute to the region's economic growth but also establish Gujarat as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing. We look forward to more such initiatives that bring innovation and create high-skilled jobs for our youth." Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Mehta, Chairman of Suchi Semicon, said, "Our journey into the semiconductor industry began with a humble background in textiles, but seeing the growing gap in India's semiconductor capabilities inspired us to take this leap. India has long been dependent on imports for its semiconductor needs, and this gap presented a clear opportunity for us to make a meaningful contribution. Starting with 3,00,000 pieces a day, we are laying the foundation for long-term growth, including plans to scale production and explore semiconductor design in the future. Our goal is not just to manufacture chips but also to drive innovation in the Indian semiconductor ecosystem. This facility will help us reduce supply chain delays, lower logistical costs, and support the development of a self-sustaining semiconductor industry in India." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Jigawa sends 30 agric technicians to China for training
WARRINGTON, Pa., Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. (“Windtree” or “the Company”) (NasdaqCM: WINT), a biotechnology company focused on advancing early and late-stage innovative therapies for critical conditions, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 and provided key business updates. “The third quarter of 2024 was marked with significant progress. We were very pleased with the SEISMiC B study results in early cardiogenic shock showing significant improvement in many measures of cardiac function and blood pressure along with a favorable safety profile in patients with heart failure and cardiogenic shock. There have been four positive Phase 2 studies with over 300 patients treated with istaroxime resulting in a consistent, unique and attractive drug profile across a wide range of severities,” said Craig Fraser, Chairman and CEO. “With trial execution and active operations comes the need for capital and we successfully completed transactions providing resources for our near-term needs as well as secured an equity line of credit to potentially support future requirements,” Mr. Fraser added. “Looking forward, we plan to accelerate enrollments in the istaroxime SCAI Stage C cardiogenic shock study with a planned interim data read out in early Q2 2025 as well as providing guidance on our strategy and planned activities with our oncology preclinical aPKCi inhibitor assets. Given what we believe to be strong data and market need, the Company is turning attention to business development activities to secure additional licenses and partnerships for our multi-asset cardiovascular platform with the objective to secure non-dilutive capital and partner resources to advance the assets to potential commercialization.” Key Business Updates Announced positive Phase 2b topline clinical results with istaroxime significantly improving cardiac function and blood pressure in heart failure patients with early cardiogenic shock. The study met its primary endpoint in significantly improving systolic blood pressure over six hours (SBP AUC) for the combined Part A and Part B SEISMiC istaroxime group compared to placebo as well as for SEISMiC Part B alone. The improvements in SBP AUC at 24 hours were also significantly increased by istaroxime and the improvements were sustained through 96 hours of measurement. Cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by the heart over a minute) and filling pressures in the heart significantly improved as did measured kidney function. Heart failure severity as assessed by the NYHA classification decreased significantly up to 72 hours compared to placebo. A favorable safety and tolerability profile, including risk for cardiac arrythmias, was also observed. The clinical study data was presented in a late-breaker session at the Heart Failure Society of America conference and the Company reviewed the clinical results along with the program strategy and plans at a virtual Investor Meeting which has been posted to the Company website. Completed two private placements in July 2024 for aggregate proceeds of approximately $13.9 million, which consisted of approximately $4.4 million of new funding (with $2.3 million of net proceeds) and a $9.5 million payment through the full cancellation and extinguishment of certain holders outstanding senior notes, including secured notes, and shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. Entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with an equity line investor, whereby the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell such investor, and, subject to limited exceptions, the investor is obligated to purchase for up to $35 million of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock. Announced initiation of the SEISMiC C study of istaroxime in SCAI Stage C cardiogenic shock to complete Phase 2b and advance the transition to Phase 3. This is a global trial including sites in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. It is a placebo-controlled, double-blinded study with istaroxime being added to current standard of care with inotropes and/or vasopressors. The effect of istaroxime in addition to these therapies will be assessed for 6 hours and based on the patient’s condition, the ability to remove standard of care therapies while on istaroxime will also be assessed. The primary endpoint of the study is assessment of systolic blood pressure (SBP) profile over the first 6 hours of treatment. Expanded patent estate with new patents with istaroxime in cardiogenic shock and acute heart failure. Cardiogenic shock national phase filings were completed for patent applications around the world, including in the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and China. A patent was issued for istaroxime for Japan entitled, “Istaroxime-containing intravenous formulation for the treatment of heart failure and it has been accorded Patent No. 7560134. A patent was issued for istaroxime for Hong Kong, and it is entitled, “Istaroxime-containing intravenous formulation for the treatment of heart failure (AHF).” The claims are directed formulations comprising istaroxime, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of use, alone, or in combination with other agents useful for the treatment and management of acute heart failure. Select Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results For the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported an operating loss of $4.7 million, which was comparable to an operating loss of $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. Included in our operating loss for the third quarter of 2024 is $2.2 million related to the change in fair value of our common stock warrant liability and $0.7 million in expenses related to the two private placements completed in July 2024 which were allocated to the warrants issued in those transactions and expensed immediately. Research and development expenses were $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2023. Research and development expenses for both periods primarily relate to the SEISMiC Extension trial of istaroxime for the treatment of early cardiogenic shock which completed enrollment during the third quarter of 2024. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were $2.8 million, compared to $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2023. For the third quarter of 2024, general and administrative expenses include $0.7 million in expenses related to the two private placements completed in July 2024 which were allocated to the warrants issued in those transactions and expensed immediately. The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.8 million ($4.23 per basic share) on 0.9 million weighted-average common shares outstanding for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to a net loss of $4.4 million ($15.47 per basic share) on 0.3 million weighted average common shares outstanding for the comparable period in 2023. As of September 30, 2024, the Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $2.3 million and current liabilities of $14.4 million, which includes an $8.6 million warrant liability. Included in prepaid expenses and other assets as of September 30, 2024 is $0.7 million in receivables related to ELOC Purchase Agreement gross proceeds for sales made during the quarter for which we had not yet received the cash payment. The related net proceeds after the redemption of the Series C Preferred Stock was $0.5 million. In addition, subsequent to September 30, 2024 and through November 22, 2024, we sold an additional 4.3 million shares of Common Stock under the ELOC Purchase Agreement for net proceeds of $2.4 million following mandatory redemption payments on our Series C Preferred Stock. Following these financings, we believe that we have sufficient resources available to fund our business operations through January 2025. Readers are referred to, and encouraged to read in its entirety, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2024, and includes detailed discussions about the Company’s business plans and operations, financial condition, and results of operations. Nasdaq Update On November 21, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Staff (“Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC stating that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) as a result of it not having timely filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on the November 26, 2024 filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q and a subsequent letter received from Nasdaq on November 27, 2024 stating the Staff has determined that the Company complies with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), this matter is now closed. About Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on advancing early and late-stage innovative therapies for critical conditions and diseases. Windtree’s portfolio of product candidates includes istaroxime, a Phase 2 candidate with SERCA2a activating properties for acute heart failure and associated cardiogenic shock, preclinical SERCA2a activators for heart failure and preclinical precision aPKCi inhibitors that are being developed for potential in rare and broad oncology applications. Windtree also has a licensing business model with partnership out-licenses currently in place. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the Company’s current expectations. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company’s ability to secure significant additional capital as and when needed; the Company’s ability to achieve the intended benefits of the aPKCi asset acquisition with Varian Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.; the Company's risks and uncertainties associated with the success and advancement of the clinical development programs for istaroxime and the Company’s other product candidates, including preclinical oncology candidates; the Company’s ability to access the debt or equity markets; the Company’s ability to manage costs and execute on its operational and budget plans; the results, cost and timing of the Company’s clinical development programs, including any delays to such clinical trials relating to enrollment or site initiation; risks related to technology transfers to contract manufacturers and manufacturing development activities; delays encountered by the Company, contract manufacturers or suppliers in manufacturing drug products, drug substances, and other materials on a timely basis and in sufficient amounts; risks relating to rigorous regulatory requirements, including that: (i) the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authorities may not agree with the Company on matters raised during regulatory reviews, may require significant additional activities, or may not accept or may withhold or delay consideration of applications, or may not approve or may limit approval of the Company’s product candidates, and (ii) changes in the national or international political and regulatory environment may make it more difficult to gain regulatory approvals and risks related to the Company’s efforts to maintain and protect the patents and licenses related to its product candidates; risks that the Company may never realize the value of its intangible assets and have to incur future impairment charges; risks related to the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s product candidates, and the Company’s ability to service those markets; the Company’s ability to develop sales and marketing capabilities, whether alone or with potential future collaborators; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the Company’s product candidates, if approved; the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq; the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of political unrest, including as a result of geopolitical tension, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the evolving events in the Middle East, and any sanctions, export controls or other restrictive actions that may be imposed by the United States and/or other countries which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations, including through disruption in supply chain or access to potential international clinical trial sites, and through disruption, instability and volatility in the global markets, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s ability to access the capital markets. These and other risks are described in the Company’s periodic reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. Contact Information: Eric Curtis ecurtis@windtreetx.comBeyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad
Shares of Xcel Energy Inc. ( NASDAQ:XEL – Get Free Report ) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $66.31. Several brokerages have recently issued reports on XEL. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Xcel Energy from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Xcel Energy from $66.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Xcel Energy from $74.00 to $72.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Argus upgraded Xcel Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $68.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on Xcel Energy from $69.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. View Our Latest Report on XEL Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xcel Energy Xcel Energy Stock Down 0.0 % NASDAQ:XEL opened at $71.35 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.97 billion, a PE ratio of 21.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $65.42 and a 200-day moving average of $59.75. Xcel Energy has a 52 week low of $46.79 and a 52 week high of $71.79. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. Xcel Energy ( NASDAQ:XEL – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.26 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $3.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.93 billion. Xcel Energy had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 13.67%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.23 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Xcel Energy will post 3.55 EPS for the current year. Xcel Energy Company Profile ( Get Free Report Xcel Energy Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. It operates through Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility, and All Other segments. The company generates electricity through wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy sources, as well as coal, natural gas, oil, wood, and refuse-derived fuels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Xcel Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xcel Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .According to Consensys 2024, a global survey on Crypto and Web3, the awareness of cryptocurrency has grown globally, but with a limited understanding of Web3 concepts. Globally, 93% of respondents are aware of cryptocurrencies, marking a significant increase of 1% from last year, with 51% claiming to understand them. Ownership trends show that 42% of participants currently own or have previously purchased cryptocurrencies, with notable increases in the Philippines (+7%), Mexico (+8%), Germany (+7%), South Africa (+7%) and Japan (+4%). Demographic data indicates a digital divide, with men aged 25-44 reporting the deepest knowledge of crypto technology, a trend consistent across most regions and similar to last year’s findings. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . Notably, crypto ownership is highest in Nigeria (73%), followed by South Africa (68%), the Philippines (54%), Vietnam (54%), and India (52%). Less than half of respondents (47% -2), believe the traditional financial systems work well, suggesting a continued lack of confidence in existing financial infrastructure. In addition, 18% (+2) think the system needs a complete overhaul, particularly in Nigeria, Indonesia and the Philippines. More respondents in Asia and Africa plan to invest in crypto assets in the next 12 months, reflecting a growing interest in these regions. Top barriers to entering the crypto ecosystem include perceived market volatility and the prevalence of scams. Although the perception of market volatility has decreased this year. Other common barriers include not knowing where to start, and a lack of understanding about the purpose of crypto technology. Despite this, the main concepts associated with cryptocurrencies are largely positive with the top three concepts being the future of money, an alternative to the traditional financial ecosystem, and the future of digital ownership, tied with speculation. It is however interesting to note that participation in Web3 activities, such as minting NFTs, owning tokens, and using wallets, has increased globally, with 33% of Web3-aware individuals now using wallets, up 6% from last year. However, web3 concepts remain poorly understood worldwide, with exceptions in Nigeria (61%) and South Africa (48%), where familiarity has significantly increased. In contrast, understanding remains lowest in Japan, South Korea, and Europe. NFTs are somewhat better understood than web3 concepts. About 36% of respondents in Asia and 45% in the US are familiar with NFTs. Greater awareness generally correlates with higher NFT ownership, though the UK stands out as an exception, with ownership significantly down from last year. Nigeria leads in NFT investment interest, with 93% of respondents planning to invest in NFTs over the next 12 months. The survey highlights the growing awareness and adoption of cryptocurrencies and web3 activities globally which reflects a transformative moment, bridging the gap between traditional and digital financial systems. It also presents opportunities for empowerment, innovation, and economic growth, while raising important questions about regulation, security, and equity in the evolving digital landscape.
