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Recession-Proofing Your Portfolio With GoldWILMETTE, Ill., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monopar Therapeutics Inc. MNPR , a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative treatments for patients with unmet medical needs, today announced the first patient ever dosed with MNPR-101-Lu. This novel therapeutic radiopharmaceutical combines MNPR-101, Monopar's antibody that selectively targets the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), with the therapeutic radioisotope lutetium-177. uPAR is involved in tumor growth and metastasis, and is found in some of the most aggressive, deadly cancers, including pancreatic, ovarian, triple negative breast, and colorectal cancers. The MNPR-101-Lu intravenous infusion was well-tolerated with no serious adverse reactions reported. This patient, dosed under a compassionate use protocol in the US, has metastatic pancreatic cancer, and prior to dosing, the cancer was imaged using MNPR-101-Zr (a zirconium-89 imaging radioisotope conjugated to MNPR-101) with a PET/CT scanner and showed uPAR expression. "As a result of encouraging biodistribution and dosimetry clinical data we recently reported ( link ) with our radiodiagnostic, MNPR-101-Zr, we have been eagerly looking forward to initiating treatment of patients with MNPR-101-Lu, hopeful it may provide an important therapeutic benefit to a group of cancer patients very much in need," said Chandler Robinson, MD, Monopar's Chief Executive Officer. "We are thrilled to have dosed this patient with MNPR-101-Lu, and believe this may be the world's first dosing of a patient with a uPAR-targeted therapeutic radiopharmaceutical," said Andrew Cittadine, Monopar's Chief Operating Officer. Monopar is actively enrolling participants in two Phase 1 clinical studies in Australia, evaluating MNPR-101-Zr for imaging and MNPR-101-Lu for treatment of advanced solid tumors. Further information about the MNPR-101-Lu Phase 1a trial is available at www.ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT06617169 . Further information about the MNPR-101-Zr Phase 1 imaging and dosimetry clinical trial is available at www.ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT06337084 . About Monopar Therapeutics Inc. Monopar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with ALXN-1840 for Wilson disease which has completed a Phase 3 trial, and radiopharma programs including Phase 1-stage MNPR-101-Zr for imaging advanced cancers, and Phase 1a-stage MNPR-101-Lu and late preclinical-stage MNPR-101-Ac225 for the treatment of advanced cancers. For more information, visit: www.monopartx.com . Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "target" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: the MNPR-101-Lu intravenous infusion was well-tolerated with no serious adverse reactions reported; that as a result of recently reported encouraging biodistribution and dosimetry clinical data with Monopar's radiodiagnostic, MNPR-101-Zr, the Company has been eagerly looking forward to initiating treatment and to seeing if the Company can bring an important therapeutic benefit to a group of cancer patients very much in need; and the Company believes this may be the world's first dosing of a patient with a uPAR-targeted therapeutic radiopharmaceutical. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: that the patient may develop a serious adverse event in the future to MNPR-101-Lu; that radiation dosimetry analytics in the future may not be consistent with the estimated data generated thus far; that Monopar may not find enough patients to successfully enroll its MNPR-101-Lu therapeutic study; that the Phase 1 imaging and dosimetry clinical trial in advanced cancer patients with MNPR-101-Zr may not yield consistently satisfactory results; that future preclinical or clinical data may not be as promising as the data to date; that MNPR-101-Zr and/or MNPR-101-Lu may cause unexpected serious adverse effects or fail to be effective against the cancer tumors in humans; that the trials could result in a clinical hold should there be a Serious Adverse Event; Monopar's ability to raise sufficient funds in order for the Company to support continued clinical, regulatory and commercial development of its programs and to make contractual future milestone payments, as well as its ability to further raise additional funds in the future to support any future product candidate programs through completion of clinical trials, the approval processes and, if applicable, commercialization; uncertainties related to the regulatory discussions that Monopar intends to initiate related to ALXN-1840 and the outcome thereof; the rate of market acceptance and competitiveness in terms of pricing, efficacy and safety, of any products for which Monopar receives marketing approval, and Monopar's ability to competitively market any such products as compared to larger pharmaceutical firms; and the significant general risks and uncertainties surrounding the research, development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of imaging agents and therapeutics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks are described more fully in Monopar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Monopar undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Monopar's views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. CONTACT: Monopar Therapeutics Inc. Investor Relations Karthik Radhakrishnan Chief Financial Officer karthik@monopartx.com Follow Monopar on social media for updates: Twitter: @MonoparTx LinkedIn: Monopar Therapeutics © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
– Presidential spokesperson has dismissed speculation of discord among the country’s top leadership, asserting that and his deputies, and , are united in their focus on governance and improving the lives of Zimbabweans. Charamba made the remarks in an interview on Friday, stressing that the government’s top echelon remains committed to addressing socio-economic challenges and fulfilling the promises of the ruling party. “There is no noise in the government cockpit. The president and his deputies are working seamlessly, focusing on issues that matter to the people rather than engaging in politics,” Charamba said. The comments come amid persistent rumours of factionalism within the ruling party, particularly between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga. These speculations have been fuelled by past events, including perceived rivalries during Zanu PF’s internal succession battles and key policy disagreements. Charamba, however, rubbished these claims, saying they are “a product of wishful thinking” by opposition groups and detractors. “This administration is focused on delivering tangible results, not on politicking. Those hoping for divisions within Zanu PF will be disappointed,” Charamba added. According to Charamba, the government is prioritising key development projects in line with its agenda, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy. He highlighted ongoing efforts in infrastructure development, agriculture, and industrial revitalisation as evidence of the leadership’s unified focus. “The president and his deputies are working together to ensure progress in energy generation, food security, and job creation. These are the pressing issues, not the gossip being peddled on social media,” he said. Zimbabwe is grappling with significant economic challenges, including high inflation, currency instability, and unemployment. Despite these difficulties, Charamba argued that the government remains steadfast in its objectives, buoyed by recent improvements in agricultural output and infrastructure investments. The spokesperson also pointed to recent engagements with international investors and regional bodies as signs of the administration’s commitment to repositioning Zimbabwe on the global stage. Critics, including opposition parties, have accused the Mnangagwa administration of failing to prioritise reforms that would stabilise the economy and address corruption. , ex-leader of the opposition , recently criticised the government for what he described as “window dressing,” claiming that real progress requires addressing systemic governance issues. As Zimbabwe heads into 2025, the unity of Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and Mohadi could prove pivotal in navigating political and economic challenges. Charamba’s assurances aim to project an image of stability and focus, but analysts say the administration must address pressing issues such as foreign currency shortages, debt repayment, and political tensions to solidify its legacy. Observers suggest that maintaining harmony in the leadership ranks will be critical for ensuring the success of large-scale initiatives, such as the and the ambitious , both of which are key pillars of the Vision 2030 framework. For now, the government’s official line is clear: no turbulence, just progress.
Frustrated by a lack of support and solutions to city software issues from gWorks as the city’s provider, Forest City council members on Dec. 2 voted to enter into negotiations with Edmunds GovTech about starting a new software contract. City Adminstrator Daisy Huffman had the council’s consideration of a $47,745 software quote from Edmunds GovTech on the agenda for possible action but after all the money and time spent on rectifying a difficult situation in the past year, council members first want to try to recoup any costs possible for software/installation duplication. Huffman reported gWorks was not agreeable to providing any refund from the city’s contract with them and was not willing to have a representative available in person to discuss the matter at Monday’s meeting. “I sent an email to them to be on the agenda,” Huffman said. “They said no one would be available in person (only remotely) ... Now they aren’t even joining us tonight.” “We started and paid for this conversion to go into the (Internet) cloud, but the bottom dropped out of it in a couple of days,” continued Huffman. “If they’re not able to join us and give us product we need to do our daily work, I feel we have no choice but to go with something else.” Huffman cited an incident in which a city hall employee had problems doing payroll that took three days for gWorks to respond. She also said the company will not provide the city any credits for the past year’s contract or an upcoming annual contract in spite of all the issues. “We’re already in limbo with all the software issues,” said Huffman, noting already having issues as well as concerns about more issues, just like a number of other municipalities, in moving forward with gWorks. “We’re in a limbo area here.” “We have to run the two softwares parallel,” Huffman said. “We have to pay for the new one and the old one by the end of the year. Otherwise, they’ll shut us off and we’ll have no software.” She noted the software is necessary for doing payroll, benefits, and so much more. Councilmember Carly Carper cited her frustrations with the system, especially given the fact that city officials had done their homework and planned ahead on this process. She recommended asking the new vendor (Edmunds) for a credit to reduce the onboarding costs, since the city is already well into the process. “They should be able to help us out a little bit,” Carper said. “We shouldn’t have to just have to pay that.” Huffman said Edmunds GovTech has been a new service provider in Iowa in the last 23 months and should be a good fit for the necessary transition. “It’s very similar to the software we have,” Huffman said. “The images and software are about the same. It’s going to be an easy switch. Huffman added she’d be willing to negotiate with them about a possible credit as directed by the council. “Forest City will be one of the first cities in Iowa,” said Carper of working with Edmunds GovTech. “That’s a risk we’re taking. Councilmember Tony Mikes said legal action against gWorks would likely be cost-prohibitive and noted “they still have to work with us a little bit. I think this is probably the way to go (Edmunds).” “It’s a hefty price tag to start off with but we’ll be better off when we get going,” predicted Mikes. Huffman noted that, for a number of processes, some city departments still rely on phones rather than computers. She added it can make things like payroll challenging without all the hardware in place like some other municipalities. Huffman said she pushed for and got July 2025 as a realistic conversion date from gWorks to Edmunds GovTech. “I was pushing for July because that’s when the budget starts,” Huffman said. “They wanted a year for conversion and I said ‘no.’ Now, I’m going back and asking for a discount.” Council members voted unanimously for Huffman to negotiate for a better contract price with Edmunds GovTech given the extenuating circumstances. The annual software subscription price for gWorks was $13,000 in the city’s unceremonious first year of what was deemed a necessary technological transition. It is listed as $18,250 in the Edmunds GovTech software quote. It could have cost the city nearly $30,000 for an additional one-time transition to address issues and move forward with gWorks. Many council members voiced their loss of confidence in that supposed alternative. Light plant inspection The council approved Electric Superintendent Duane Kuhn’s request for a full inspection and evaluation of generator engines’ condition and operation at the municipal power plant. The inspection will be conducted by Wheeler World of Gambier, Ohio, at a total cost of $24,936. “Every three years, we’re required to have an inspection for the insurance company,” Kuhn said. “That’s what we’re doing.” Council members also approved Kuhn’s additional request to have Wheeler World rectify a fuel pump issue that he said is causing venting of exhaust into the basement at the light plant. It also entails work on the heat exchanger, according to Kuhn. Dam to rapids project The council also unanimously approved a resolution setting the announcement of bids received at 11 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2025, and a hearing for 7 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2025, for the city’s dam removal and riverfront enhancement project. The hearing will relate to proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, project cost estimate, and time and place for the city council to consider bids received. The resolution also authorizes the city clerk to post notice to bidders for the project. According to the resolution, the amount of bid security for each bid is fixed at 5%. Huffman said city officials have already heard from at least two local contractors, and possibly more, that are interested in the project. “It’s going to happen,” Huffman said. “We’ve been working on it for about five years.” Also known as the dam to rapids project, it has gone through Department of Natural Resources permitting and grant funding processes. The final project is intended to provide conservation benefits and improve river recreation opportunities. Conversion of the existing low-head dam to a step-down small rock arch rapids will aid fish passage and navigation. In other business, the council approved the mayoral appointment of library board members Steph Buffington and Jon Klauke. During staff reports, Water and Wastewater Supervisor Kevin Reicks said a crew removed a lead service line on South Fourth Street. Reicks also announced that a virtual wastewater treatment facility pre-construction meeting is planned in which the equipment head will be available to answer questions. “They plan on starting in February if it doesn’t snow too much and they’ll have another construction meeting at that time,” Reicks said. On Sept. 3, the council approved the $19.673 million bid of Staab Construction Corporation of Marshfield, Wisconsin, for the wastewater plant update project. The total wastewater treatment plant improvements cost was projected at just over $21 million with the inclusion of engineering-related costs. Brian Lackore and Randy Broesder were announced as substitutes/fill-ins for the city transit. “Having these two on board is just a big plus for us,” Huffman said. Rob Hillesland is community editor for the Summit-Tribune. He can be reached at 641-421-0534, or by email at . Get local news delivered to your inbox! Community Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Shoplifting incidents in Sault Ste. Marie have surged, with a 22 per cent increase in reported cases compared to last year. In response, local law enforcement is ramping up efforts to tackle the issue through preventative measures, collaboration with the Crown’s office, and enhanced data analysis. This rise comes despite an overall decline in crime across the city. Property crimes such as break-ins and vehicle thefts have dropped significantly — by 32 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively — according to statistics presented at Monday’s police board meeting. “We know something is going on because there are fewer thefts of autos and break-ins,” said Police Chief Hugh Stevenson. “The criminal sub-culture doesn’t have to go to that bother — they simply go into the store, steal the product, and walk out.” Much of the theft involves low-value, consumable items often linked to substance use. “It becomes a low-end commodity to support, basically, a fentanyl habit in this city,” said Stevenson. The economic and social consequences of shoplifting are felt widely, the police board heard. Store owners face increased security costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers, contributing to higher costs of living. “I think sometimes when we see shoplifting, we think, ‘Well, that’s not an important issue.’ It is an important issue because it affects a lot more people than violent crimes,” said Stevenson, adding that many shoplifting offenders may become violent in the future. While major franchises such as Circle K are often targeted, small businesses also bear the brunt. An employee at Krazy Ernie’s noted, “People steal all the time. It’s sometimes so small that we don’t bother to call it in, but it’s frustrating.” The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that shoplifting appears to be improving, now occurring about once a week compared to once every couple of days during the summer. In the downtown core, shoplifting has been a persistent concern. Ashton Carter, coordinator for the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association (DTA), emphasized the financial and safety impacts. “Shoplifting in our downtown core is a real concern that not only impacts local businesses financially but also affects the sense of safety for residents, employees, and visitors,” said Carter in a statement. The DTA has collaborated with law enforcement, community organizations, and merchants to address the issue through various initiatives. The Downtown Ambassador program, launched by the CMHA in 2022, provides on-the-ground support for vulnerable individuals and addresses safety concerns. In June, Norpro Inc. began a downtown security patrol program using “track tick tags,” a technology that monitors patrol movements to optimize their effectiveness and work better in tandem. To curb shoplifting, police have consulted with 11 businesses as of Monday, providing advice on preventative measures such as installing mirrors and raising counter heights to deter theft. Crime Stoppers has also intensified efforts, using “Wanted Wednesday” posts to spotlight repeat offenders. Repeat offenders, especially those committing multiple thefts in a single day, are now being held for bail with the support of the Crown’s office. Police believe stricter bail conditions can help connect offenders with treatment and support. “It will not stop until we apply bail release issues as they were over the last 20 years, where people are held until they get the help, get the treatment, and they can get on with their lives,” said Stevenson. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
Syria's Assad: the president who led a bloody crackdown“ Deep Dive ” is an in-depth podcast and video essay series featuring interviews with the stars and creative team behind an exceptional piece of filmmaking. For this edition, the IndieWire Crafts and Special Projects team partnered with Prime Video to take a closer look at “ The Boys ” with creator Eric Kripke, actor Antony Starr, production designer Mark Steel, costume designer Laura Jean Shannon, visual effects supervisor Stephan Szpak-Fleet, supervising stunt coordinator John Koyama, composers Christopher Lennertz and Matt Bowen, as well as editors David Kaldor and Scott Stolzar to examine the emotionally charged and shocking fourth season of the hit series. When it comes to “The Boys,” you can expect the unexpected. Since its inception, creator Eric Kripke has adapted Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic book series into a standout among superhero offerings. The Prime Video series is beloved for its dark humor and imaginative violence, but it keeps audiences watching because of its intelligent writing, unforgettable characters, superb acting, and engaging storylines that are rife with conflict and emotional resonance. In Season 4, the complexity of the characters is pushed even further as they’re forced to question wounds from their past. Kripke, actor Antony Starr, and eight members of the creative team spoke to IndieWire about how they were able to weave emotionally charged themes to deepen our understanding of the characters without losing sight of what makes “The Boys” an entertaining satire. In the videos below, watch how those involved in the series developed the engrossing backstories through production design, costumes, score, editing, and visual effects. One might not think death-defying superheroes spend much time considering their own mortality, but such was the case in the fourth season of “The Boys.” Creator Eric Kripke told IndieWire that Season 4 was meant to be “the low point for the characters” where each one confronts “the trauma that really defines them.” For Homelander, played by Antony Starr, the dream of a brighter future prompts a return to a traumatic past. “His humanity has always been his kryptonite. As much as he wants to be a god, he’s always been aware that he’s human,” Starr told IndieWire. “That mortality being on display and the sense of legacy really drives all of what he does through the whole season. He’s really concerned about what’s gonna happen when he dies.” Starr brilliantly captures the weight of the character’s internal conflict, culminating in a terrifying sequence during which Homelander seeks revenge on a group of Vought researchers who conducted experiments on him as a child. In creating the ominous moment, production designer Mark Steel found inspiration from the “Cold War era” to give shape to the laboratory sets, adding nuanced details to heighten the realism. “We put all the dents at kid height and made it sort of feel like this was a familiar place he’d been in before,” Steel told IndieWire. And the composers enhanced the tension twofold. “The tension is so crazy, to think that everyone knows: just the slightest flinch and you’re dead,” said Christopher Lennertz, who worked alongside fellow composer Matt Bowen. “Musically, there’s a lot of things that we took a pause for and it was to have it be this breathing of like, oh my god, tension, tension, tension. Oh, maybe he’s not gonna kill him. And it’s this back and forth.” There are plenty of gruesome deaths in the sequence, including a memorable cremation with a live scientist. “When you’re meeting people, I always ask for as much practical fire as possible. So the very last shot of that sequence was the dummy on the ground,” VFX supervisor Stephan Szpak-Fleet said. “It was a mixture of Indiana Jones and OG face melts and having done so many burning bodies and melty, gross shit for this show by now.” “The way he comes in and the way he goes out are the key moments,” Starr noted of the sequence. “Because he goes in really not knowing what’s gonna come out of it. And then in the elevator on the way out, that smile was everything. That’s like therapy.” In the video above, watch the team break down Homelander’s complicated relationship to his own humanity — and how he handles it. As costume designer Laura Jean Shannon pointed out, “In this season, we built new suits — we took away the flap that he’s had since Season 1, that was his ability to loosen up.” Akin to Homelander, Billy Butcher, stoically portrayed by Karl Urban, faces his own moral dilemma. Does he walk the path of righteousness or release his inner demon? In shaping the character’s arc, Kripke separated Butcher from his group of ragtag partners, leaving him to think about how to make things right with his adoptive son Ryan (Cameron Crovetti). “We knew that Butcher was going to spend so much time alone and he has a literal angel and devil on his shoulder. One character who’s telling him, ‘Show love, show mercy,’ and then he has another who’s like, just become a monster,” Kripke told IndieWire. Crafting the juxtaposition was a key development early on. “He’s really down in the dumps at the beginning of Season 4, and we’ve got hints that he’s losing his mind but maybe hasn’t completely gotten there yet,” noted editor David Kaldor. The angel on his shoulder is his deceased wife, Becca (Shantel VanSanten), while a new character, Joe Kessler (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), plays his devil, who, in a late reveal, turns out to be a figment of Butcher’s imagination. The haunting revelation plays out through a montage of moments where Butcher believes he’s talking to Kessler, but in fact, no one is there. “When he starts to go through the flashbacks, we have this, like, rhythmic piece of distortion that just starts to loop on itself and starts to feedback on itself,” said composer Matt Bowen. “Kessler represents all the bad stuff in Butcher,” editor Scott Stolzar said. “He tried, and he failed, and he immediately reverts back to the absolute worst version of himself.” The event that firmly turns Butcher to the dark side is seeing Ryan send CIA officer Grace Mallory (Laila Robins) through a brick wall. “It’s such an emotional moment. Kripke and I talk about it all the time, some things, kept simple and just fast and violent, hit harder than all kinds of fancy moves and fancy wire work,” said supervising stunt coordinator John Koyama about creating the tragic death of the character. “For Butcher, it feels like a line that Ryan has crossed that he won’t come back from. And if he doesn’t have Ryan, then what the hell is he holding onto his humanity for? That’s when Butcher accepts that fate,” revealed Kripke. Part of what “They Boys” does so well is seamlessly introducing new characters, whether it’s a minor one like Will Ferrell making a cameo as a coach in a Vought-produced film or a major one, like Sister Sage (Susan Howard), the mastermind behind Homelander’s political rise. But no one made a bigger impact this season than Firecracker (Valorie Curry), a right-wing “truth bomber” who cozies up to Homelander as part of the Seven. The political mouthpiece becomes a sore spot for Annie (Erin Moriarty), revealing some of her darkest secrets. “There’s a lot of political figures that are folded into Firecracker,” said Kripke. “A big one, though, is the QAnon movement and just this overall notion of these unfounded conspiracy theories based on misinformation and social media and how they metastasize into this very frightening worldview.” In designing her super suit, costume designer Laura Jean Shannon infused a red, white, and blue color scheme with a customized camo jumpsuit as the base. Leather was infused into the creation along with metal accents and an ammo belt across her chest. “When Vought gets their hands on Firecracker, they take aspects of her costume that she wore, and they bake the DNA of that into their bells and whistles version of the Seven branded super suit,” explained Shannon. Similar thought went into designing her televised special “Truth Bomb.” “The whole idea of that stage set up was this guerrilla event happening across the street,” noted production designer Mark Steel. “Putting her brand in full relief behind, putting it on the floor, so that in every shot, you’re just entirely immersed in her brand. It was a graphic design approach that we took and it was for television.” Before Firecracker and Annie go toe-to-toe, supervising stunt coordinator John Koyama spoke with the actors to find the emotional undertones of the scene to “drive the action.” “It was just so great seeing Annie be a badass in her little quasi-preppy sports coat,” said Shannon. “And there was something really amazing about this sort of clashing of good and evil, but the one that deserved the beating was in her patriotic red, white, and blue.”Calls for Marnus Labuschagne to be axed from Aussie Test side over 'inexplicable' act
New RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra warned of killing ‘golden goose’Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level Media
Clintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public service
As President-elect Donald Trump reshuffles his cabinet wish list, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seems to be moving closer to the halls of the Pentagon, that is if Trump's embattled first choice for the job flames out. Pete Hegseth's nomination continues to be clouded by troubling allegations raising serious concerns about his suitability for one of the country's most critical roles. That said, on Friday Trump made his first public show of support for Hegseth, according to ABC News since the scandals began to flood the airwaves. “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “He was a great student — Princeton/Harvard educated — with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense [typo in original text], one who leads with charisma and skill," wrote Trump who added that Hegseth is a "WINNER." But then Trump invited someone else (DeSantis) to the upcoming annual Army-Navy college football game, reported Fox News on Friday. Which means? Read Also: Trump To Swap Hegseth For DeSantis? Here’s What Polymarket Odds For Defense Secretary Pick Show While not a defense stalwart though he did offer to send Florida troops to the Texas border to stop the flow of drugs and immigrants from Mexico, DeSantis served as a Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer and deployed to Iraq, making him comparatively qualified by Trump standards, which seem to prioritize loyalty and optics over skill and experience. In Florida, DeSantis has been riding high since the defeat of the constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis, which he fought against tooth and nail despite widespread public support for legalization, which included Trump’s endorsement that no doubt irked the governor. Advocates argue DeSantis’ resistance to cannabis reform not only stifled economic opportunities in the state but also ignored the will of many Floridians. For an amendment to be adopted in Florida, it must receive 60% of the vote. The cannabis amendment received 57% — a majority, but no cigar. The cannabis angle could become relevant given the growing recognition of legalization as a bipartisan issue. For a potential Secretary of Defense nominee, opposition to marijuana reform could complicate relations within the states — 38 and counting — and nations where cannabis is embraced for its medical, social and economic benefits. Now Read : Trump’s DEA Drama: He Didn’t Quit, I Fired Him — A Tale Of Pastors, Pandemic And Hurt Feelings © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
To learn more about HereHear, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngU32WgiWf4 "HereHear is here in the US, and I am truly grateful to the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program for recognizing its potential," noted Lynia Huang , Bamboo Technology's CEO. "As important as mental health has become in recent years, there is a shortage of mental health providers and access to support is low — and HereHear is paving the way for AI to bridge that gap as a first line of defense." A growing case for incorporating AI into mental healthcare With data showing that the US is in a mental health crisis, the CDC recently noted a dire need for public health initiatives that create environments centered around mental health. Specific to the workplace, the Society for Human Resource Management's Employee Mental Health in 2024 Research Series found that 44% of US employees feel burned out at work. The combination of a shortage of mental health providers in the US with the flourishing capabilities of AI builds a strong case for the technology to be deployed in the form of human-guided mental health solutions. HereHear's YangYang: A personalized 3D virtual therapist As organizations seek out ways to empower team members to take better care of their mental health, AI is increasingly emerging as a solution for on-demand, personalized support. Offering a more engaging interaction than chatbots, HereHear's 3D virtual therapist YangYang was launched in January 2024 and offers: Sophisticated vocal and emotional analysis: Aligned with professional assessment scales, it analyzes voice features in 30 seconds to detect levels of stress, depression and happiness, assessing both verbal and nonverbal cues. Broad accessibility : Multiple languages and real-time, personalized support Powered by AI and deep learning: Continuously learns from patient interaction YangYang has already been implemented in several therapy clinics and has helped 70% of users improve stress and depression levels by 25% within 3 months. Taking the form of a sheep further distinguishes her — this functions both to provide a 'cute' aspect lending to the warm, healing emotional support she provides, while also helping users who are struggling emotionally to keep in perspective that their interactions are ultimately not with a human. Bringing success in Taiwan to the US market Bamboo Technology's acceptance into the Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program is a major accomplishment as the platform seeks to enter the US market. Batch 19 has only 117 startups out of around 2300 applications, and the program will support HereHear to develop, pilot and launch, as well as to pitch for funding. The company aims to target the app in the human resources space—as a tool for companies to offer staff for on-demand, privacy-first mental health support. Back in Taiwan , the app already has hospitals, mental health clinics, universities, publicly listed companies, and government agencies that use it, similarly spurred by a shortage of mental health workers. About Bamboo Technology Established in November 2018 , the Taipei -based Bamboo Technology is a mental health technology innovation company that focuses on improving public mental health with voice emotion analysis technology. It embraces a belief that a universal, objective, and scientific mental health system can effectively solve the problem of deteriorating mental health in today's society — a core tenet upheld by its many psychologists; social workers; and information management, AI and big data experts. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bamboo-technologys-herehear-virtual-ai-therapist-joins-berkeley-skydeck-ipp-program-302325187.html SOURCE BAMBOO TECHNOLOGY LTD.
Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trollingBy MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump’s Truth Social account shows am image of President-elect Donald Trump standing beside a Canadian flag. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. ( Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is getting a gun that is also a bong, resulting in a backlash from players who are upset they got banned for toxic voice chat in a game that is 'promoting using drugs'NEW JERSEY - Mysterious drones have been flying around parts of New Jersey, and it's leaving people worried. One political figure is demanding answers. State Senator Doug Steinhardt delivered a letter to Governor Phil Murphy on Saturday. In it, he demanded Murphy organize a Joint Legislative session where all members of the state legislature can ask state and federal officials for answers. Officials have been saying there is no threat to the public. But Steinhardt says that's not only dismissive, but irresponsible and dangerous. The FBI is investigating the sightings.
NoneSyrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhb