WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast. Speaking at the White House, Biden said the U.S. was not sure of Assad's whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria's backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad's grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON (AP) — The sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is forcing the Biden administration and the incoming Trump team to confront intensifying questions about the possibility of greater conflicts across the Middle East. President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades , because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Those comments on Trump's social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the U.S. intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT." The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to President Joe Biden's national security adviser. Biden was meeting with his national security team at the White House on Sunday. He was expected to make public comments later in the day. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Assad's fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts, including Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, 2025, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia's war in Ukraine , noting that Assad's allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham . The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. Vice President-elect JD Vance , a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on own social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. “Many of ‘the rebels’ are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they’ve moderated. Time will tell,” he said, using another acronym for the group. Trump has suggested that Assad's ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Trump wrote that Putin's government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and the Republican called for an immediate cease-fire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders . Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was “solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict.” “We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syria’s minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement,” Shapiro said. “Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record to include Assad’s horrific crimes, Russia’s indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS," he added. Shapiro, however, was careful not to directly say Assad had been deposed by the insurgents. “If confirmed, no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime,” he said. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Tice’s mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. "We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed & he’s going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus, amid intensification of what became a civil war stretching more than a decade. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain, contributed to this report. Will Weissert, The Associated Press
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Presentations include analytical validation of Myriad's high-definition tumor informed MRD assay for breast cancer and its Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool MyRisk® with RiskScore® SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc . (NASDAQ: MYGN), a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine, announced it will present new data at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium ® (SABCS), including a spotlight presentation on a breast cancer risk assessment tool that combines a polygenic score for all ancestries. Additional new data will show how Myriad's second-generation tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) assay demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity and measurement accuracy, which, together, will facilitate improved resolution in residual-disease detection and extend lead times in recurrence detection. "We are very excited to share validation data of our MRD assay. SABCS gives us the opportunity to showcase our clinical expertise in the prevention and treatment of early and advanced breast cancer,” said George Daneker, MD, President and Chief Clinical Officer, Oncology, Myriad Genetics. "Myriad is one of the only labs that can offer germline and tumor genomic testing, combined with customizable workflow solutions and point-of-care patient education sessions. Our test results are supported by treatment-focused reporting, concordance checks between germline and tumor genomic results, and a summary sheet designed to help oncologists and breast surgeons interpret actionable insights more effectively.” Myriad Genetics Data Presentations Spotlight Presentation: Session 16, PS16-01: Polygenic Risk Date: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, 5:30-7:00 pm (CST), Hemisfair Ballroom 3 Presenter: Timothy Simmons, PhD, Biostatistician III, Myriad Genetics The presentation will share longitudinal validation in the UK Biobank of a breast cancer risk assessment tool that combines a polygenic score for all ancestries with traditional risk factors. Rapid-Fire Presentation: RF1-06 Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, 12:00-12:50 pm (CST), Hall 1 Presenter: Katie Johansen Taber, PhD, Vice President, Clinical Product Research & Partnerships, Myriad Genetics Dr. Johansen Taber will share data detailing the association of polygenic-based breast cancer risk prediction with patient management. Poster Presentation: P2-04-23 Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, 5:30-7:00 pm (CST), Halls 2-3 Presenter: Ashley Acevedo, PhD, Staff Computational Scientist, Myriad Genetics This poster shares the analytical validation of a high-definition tumor-informed Molecular Residual Disease (MRD) assay to demonstrate robust detection at low-tumor fractions, which are common in breast cancer. Poster Presentation: P3-02-10 Date: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, 12:30-2:00 pm (CST), Halls 2-3 Presenter: Holly Pederson, MD, Cleveland Clinic Dr. Pederson will share her evaluation of a polygenic risk score as a predictor of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and early-onset disease in Hispanic women. In addition to data presentations, Myriad will welcome attendees to its booth (#1327) during exhibition hours. Among the Myriad products highlighted in the company's SABCS exhibit are: Myriad Genetics is a leading genetic testing and precision medicine company dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all. Myriad develops and offers genetic tests that help assess the risk of developing disease or disease progression and guide treatment decisions across medical specialties where genetic insights can significantly improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.myriad.com . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including that the company will present new data at SABCS and that the company's new data that will be shared at SABCS will show how the company's second-generation tumor-informed MRD assay demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity and measurement accuracy, which, together, will facilitate improved resolution in residual-disease detection and extend lead times in recurrence detection. These "forward-looking statements” are management's expectations of future events as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions, and events to differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. Such factors include those risks described in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2024, as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in the company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. Myriad is not under any obligation, and it expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. Investor Contact Matt Scalo (801) 584-3532 [email protected] Media Contact Glenn Farrell (385) 318-3718 [email protected]
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