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Mr. Liu has been a mentor, a friend, and a role model to both students and fellow faculty members. His passion for finance and accounting has inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in the field, and his commitment to excellence has set a high standard for all of us to follow. His departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, both in terms of his expertise and his personal charisma.THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) will present at Citi's 2024 Global Healthcare Conference at 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday , Dec. 5, 2024. Peter Griffith , executive vice president and chief financial officer at Amgen, Jay Bradner , executive vice president of Research and Development and chief scientific officer at Amgen, and Susan Sweeney , executive vice president of Obesity and Related Conditions at Amgen, will participate in a fireside chat at the conference. The webcast will be broadcast over the internet simultaneously and will be available to members of the news media, investors and the general public. The webcast, as with other selected presentations regarding developments in Amgen's business given by management at certain investor and medical conferences, can be found on Amgen's website, www.amgen.com , under Investors. Information regarding presentation times, webcast availability and webcast links are noted on Amgen's Investor Relations Events Calendar. The webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 90 days after the event. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to help millions of patients in their fight against some of the world's toughest diseases. More than 40 years ago, Amgen helped to establish the biotechnology industry and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what's known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline that builds on its existing portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases and rare diseases. In 2024, Amgen was named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company and one of "America's Best Large Employers" by Forbes, among other external recognitions . Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average ® , and it is also part of the Nasdaq-100 Index ® , which includes the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2023, Amgen was named one of "America's Greatest Workplaces" by Newsweek, one of "America's Climate Leaders" by USA Today and one of the "World's Best Companies" by TIME. For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Threads . Amgen Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Amgen. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements on the outcome, benefits and synergies of collaborations, or potential collaborations, with any other company (including BeiGene, Ltd. or Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.), the performance of Otezla ® (apremilast) (including anticipated Otezla sales growth and the timing of non-GAAP EPS accretion), our acquisitions of Teneobio, Inc., ChemoCentryx, Inc., or Horizon Therapeutics plc (including the prospective performance and outlook of Horizon's business, performance and opportunities, any potential strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected as a result of such acquisition, and any projected impacts from the Horizon acquisition on our acquisition-related expenses going forward), as well as estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes, effects of pandemics or other widespread health problems on our business, outcomes, progress, and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those we project. Our results may be affected by our ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, clinical and regulatory developments involving current and future products, sales growth of recently launched products, competition from other products including biosimilars, difficulties or delays in manufacturing our products and global economic conditions. In addition, sales of our products are affected by pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny and reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment. Furthermore, our research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. We or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with our products, including our devices, after they are on the market. Our business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and product liability claims. In addition, our business may be impacted by the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities. If we fail to meet the compliance obligations in the corporate integrity agreement between us and the U.S. government, we could become subject to significant sanctions. Further, while we routinely obtain patents for our products and technology, the protection offered by our patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by our competitors, or we may fail to prevail in present and future intellectual property litigation. We perform a substantial amount of our commercial manufacturing activities at a few key facilities, including in Puerto Rico , and also depend on third parties for a portion of our manufacturing activities, and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of our current products and product candidate development. An outbreak of disease or similar public health threat, such as COVID-19, and the public and governmental effort to mitigate against the spread of such disease, could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of materials for our manufacturing activities, the distribution of our products, the commercialization of our product candidates, and our clinical trial operations, and any such events may have a material adverse effect on our product development, product sales, business and results of operations. We rely on collaborations with third parties for the development of some of our product candidates and for the commercialization and sales of some of our commercial products. In addition, we compete with other companies with respect to many of our marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, some raw materials, medical devices and component parts for our products are supplied by sole third-party suppliers. Certain of our distributors, customers and payers have substantial purchasing leverage in their dealings with us. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of our products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on our business and results of operations. Our efforts to collaborate with or acquire other companies, products or technology, and to integrate the operations of companies or to support the products or technology we have acquired, may not be successful. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to realize any of the strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities arising from the Horizon acquisition, and such benefits, synergies or opportunities may take longer to realize than expected. We may not be able to successfully integrate Horizon, and such integration may take longer, be more difficult or cost more than expected. A breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach of our information technology systems could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of our systems and our data. Our stock price is volatile and may be affected by a number of events. Our business and operations may be negatively affected by the failure, or perceived failure, of achieving our environmental, social and governance objectives. The effects of global climate change and related natural disasters could negatively affect our business and operations. Global economic conditions may magnify certain risks that affect our business. Our business performance could affect or limit the ability of our Board of Directors to declare a dividend or our ability to pay a dividend or repurchase our common stock. We may not be able to access the capital and credit markets on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks Elissa Snook , 609-251-1407 (media) Justin Claeys , 805-313-9775 (investors) View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amgen-to-present-at-citis-2024-global-healthcare-conference-302319891.html SOURCE Amgen Best trending stories from the week. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. You may occasionally receive promotions exclusive discounted subscription offers from the Roswell Daily Record. Feel free to cancel any time via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter you received. You can also control your newsletter options via your user dashboard by signing in.

The traditional retail model has long been characterized by a complex supply chain that often results in inflated prices and a lack of transparency for consumers. The “Spring Dawn Plan” seeks to address these challenges by cutting out the middlemen and connecting consumers directly with the manufacturers through a streamlined online platform. This not only eliminates unnecessary markups but also allows for greater control over the quality and authenticity of the products being offered.AP Business SummaryBrief at 12:05 p.m. ESTATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeats, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son for federal crimes, with some calling the move misguided and unwise after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who disregarded the law. The president pardoned Hunter Biden late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed. The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who along with Biden and other White House officials insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon . That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump , who has argued that multiple indictments and one conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote of Biden on the social media platform X. “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation,” the governor continued, a reference to the president invoking fatherhood in explaining his decision. “Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.” Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said on X: “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet said Biden “put personal interest ahead of duty” with a decision that “further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all.” Michigan Sen. Gary Peters said the pardon was “an improper use of power” that erodes faith in government and “emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests.” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., called the pardon “understandable” if viewed only as the “action of a loving father.” But Biden's status as “our nation's Chief Executive," the senator said, rendered the move “unwise.” Certainly, the president has Democratic defenders who note Trump’s use of presidential power to pardon a slew of his convicted aides, associates and friends, several for activities tied to Trump’s campaign and first administration. “Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner — who he just appointed US ambassador to France,” wrote prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper on X. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said there “is no standard for Donald Trump, and the highest standard for Democrats and Joe Biden.” Harrison pointed to Trump's apparent plans to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray and replace him with loyalist Kash Patel and suggested the GOP's pursuit of Hunter Biden would not have ended without clemency. “Most people will see that Joe Biden did what was right,” Harrison said. First lady Jill Biden said Monday from the White House, “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Democrats already are facing the prospects of a Republican trifecta in Washington, with voters returning Trump to the White House and giving the GOP control of the House and Senate. Part of their argument against Trump and Republican leaders is expected to be that the president-elect is violating norms with his talk of taking retribution against his enemies. Before beating Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump faced his own legal troubles, including two cases that stemmed from his efforts to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Those cases, including Trump’s sentencing after being convicted on New York state business fraud charges, have either been dismissed or indefinitely delayed since Trump’s victory on Nov. 5, forcing Democrats to recalibrate their approach to the president-elect. In June, President Biden firmly ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case: “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” As recently as Nov. 8, days after Trump’s victory, Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden, saying: “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.” The president’s about-face came weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges. It capped a long-running legal saga for the younger Biden, who disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month after his father’s 2020 victory. The sweeping pardon covers not just the gun and tax offenses against the younger Biden, but also any other “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.” Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when , prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. He had been set to stand trial in September in a California case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges in a surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin. In his statement Sunday, the president argued that such offenses typically are not prosecuted with the same vigor as was directed against Hunter Biden. “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said in his statement. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. ... I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.” Associated Press journalists Will Weissert aboard Air Force One and Darlene Superville, Mary Claire Jalonick and Michael Tackett in Washington contributed to this report.

Yao Ming, the iconic Chinese basketball player, has been a subject of much debate and speculation regarding his eligibility for induction into the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame. Fans and analysts alike have been eagerly awaiting the decision on when Yao Ming will be honored with a place among the basketball legends in the Hall of Fame. Amidst this fervor, a recent statement from an official spokesperson has added a new layer to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of Yao Ming's personal consent in the process.

As the conversation between Messi and Mbappe spread across social media and captured the hearts of football fans around the world, it serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of emotional intelligence in sports. Beyond the goals, assists, and awards, it is moments of genuine connection and empathy that truly define the spirit of the beautiful game.Having concluded the nonconference portion of its schedule with four consecutive wins, No. 15 Houston will open Big 12 play with something of a clean slate. The Cougars (8-3) resemble the squad that claimed the regular-season Big 12 title in their first year in the league last season as they head to Stillwater, Okla., to face Oklahoma State on Monday. Their balanced offense was on full display in an 87-51 home victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 21, with Emanuel Sharp (18 points), L.J. Cryer (17), Terrance Arceneaux (13) and Milos Uzan (12) sharing the load as Houston made a season-high 14 3-pointers. The offensive display provided a complement to the Cougars' usual brand of stifling defense and tenacious rebounding, and Houston coach Kelvin Sampson found it worth celebrating for a team whose shortcomings are too often overanalyzed. "You can't always just focus on things you've got to get better at," Sampson said. "You'll never focus on the things you're good at." Oklahoma State will represent a step up in weight class, with the depth and athleticism to challenge the Cougars' emerging offense. That comes as no surprise for the Cougars, who quickly became accustomed to the rigors of the Big 12, especially when the stakes are highest on the road. "Being able to get shots at the goal and taking care of the ball in the hostile environment is always going to be a challenge when you go on the road in this league," Sampson said. "That's what we'll be challenged with." The Cowboys (8-3) improved to 5-0 at home with their 86-74 victory over Oral Roberts on Dec. 22. Senior forward Abou Ousmane paired a season-high 19 points with a team-high seven rebounds in the victory, further validating the need for Oklahoma State to run more of its offense through its second-leading scorer. Ousmane averages 12.2 points per game for the Cowboys, second to Marchelus Avery (13.0). "It helps when we get him the basketball," first-year Cowboys coach Steve Lutz said of Ousmane. "We don't throw him the basketball enough. To his credit, he runs in transition, he seals for the most part darn near every time and our guards have to do a better job as they come across halfcourt of getting their head up and reading where the big is and (determining) can we get him the basketball. "That's going to be our quickest and best opportunity to score. We've got to continue to focus on throwing the ball inside to him." Oklahoma State enters conference play with momentum, having won four of its last five games. And while nonconference losses to Florida Atlantic, Nevada and Oklahoma proved disappointing, the setbacks showed the Cowboys have room for improvement. "We still have a lot of work to do," Lutz said. "We still have a lot of growth. I don't ever like to look ahead at the beginning of the season and say our record should be X and X. I try to focus more on the day-to-day progress of our team, and there are days where I think we make progress and days where we slip back a little bit. "We've got to continue with the process and get better and better each day." --Field Level Media

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Details of the heinous crime remain sketchy, with law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to piece together the events leading up to the influencer's untimely death. Reports suggest that she was forcibly taken from her residence by unknown individuals and subsequently subjected to unspeakable horrors before being mercilessly killed and dumped in the vast expanse of the ocean.‘Cage Rage powered by Birds Resort Hambantota’ thrills crowds with another round of bruising MMA and Boxing battlesTitle: 30-Year-Old MIT Ph.D. Searches for Family: Overcomes Three Abductions to Find Light at End of Tunnel

Furthermore, the recent positive developments in US-China trade relations have also contributed to the bullish sentiment towards Chinese assets. The Biden administration has signaled a willingness to engage with China in a more constructive manner, easing tensions that had weighed on market sentiment in the past. The prospect of improved trade relations between the two economic giants has led foreign investors to reevaluate their stance on Chinese investments.

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With the arrival of Ernesto Valverde, Beijing Guoan fans can look forward to a new era of footballing excellence and ambition at the club. As the team gears up for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, one thing is clear – the future looks bright for Beijing Guoan under the guidance of their new head coach.

I'm A Celebrity's Alan Halsall - known for his long-standing role as Tyrone Dobbs on Coronation Street - has opened up to his fellow campmates about his divorce and co-parenting with his ex-wife Lucy-Jo Hudson. Alan told Dean McCullough about how they met on the set of Corrie and eventually parted ways after their daughter Sienna's birth. He said: "Lucy left Corrie in about 2005, then we got married in 2009. "We then split up after Sienna was born. I love what I've got, even now I'm on my own, I love it when it's me and Sienna and that'll change I'm sure, that'll be different at some point but I've never done dating apps. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro says star 'shouldn’t be in the competition' as final nears Lucy-Jo Hudson, known for her role as Katy Harris, took to social media to offer her perspective. She said: "Just wanted to put the record straight. First of all, me and my ex have been divorced seven years. I actually can't believe it's a topic of conversation because it's pretty boring. "We share Sienna 50/50. We communicate. She's a happy kid. We get on great. We have to work out weekends what we're swapping, certain days he wants, certain days I want. We're constantly communicating because it's important for Sienna and to plan what we're doing. We don't want her missing out so we change things for each other," reports the Mirror . Alan Halsall is currently a contestant in the jungle (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock) "Second of all, myself and Lewis [Devine] will be sat down with Sienna watching the jungle. We wish him nothing but the best." As Alan prepared for his appearance on 'I'm A Celeb,' Lucy-Jo shared a glimpse into her life through a touching Instagram post about 'family time' with 11 year old Sienna.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members and several other countries have expressed interest in joining. While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its preeminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system . The dollar represents roughly 58% of the world’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the IMF and major commodities like oil are still primarily bought and sold using dollars. The dollar's dominance is threatened, however, with BRICS' growing share of GDP and the alliance's intent to trade in non-dollar currencies — a process known as de-dollarization. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said: “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy." At a summit of BRIC nations in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of “weaponizing” the dollar and described it as a “big mistake.” “It’s not us who refuse to use the dollar,” Putin said at the time. “But if they don’t let us work, what can we do? We are forced to search for alternatives.” Russia has specifically pushed for the creation of a new payment system that would offer an alternative to the global bank messaging network, SWIFT, and allow Moscow to dodge Western sanctions and trade with partners. Trump said there is "no chance" BRIC will replace the U.S. dollar in global trade and any country that tries to make that happen "should wave goodbye to America.” Research shows that the U.S. dollar's role as the primary global reserve currency is not threatened in the near future. An Atlantic Council model that assesses the dollar’s place as the primary global reserve currency states the dollar is “secure in the near and medium term” and continues to dominate other currencies. Trump's latest tariff threat comes after he threatened to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to do more to halt the flow of illegal immigration and drugs into the U.S. He has since held a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Thursday she is confident that a tariff war with the United States can be averted. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after meeting Trump, without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on Canada.But beneath Fan Luyuan's calm exterior lay a fire that burned just as fiercely as Ma Yun's. It was a fire fueled by a deep sense of justice and fairness, a fire that drove him to challenge Ma Yun's authority and stand up for the rights of the workers. And it was this fire that had earned him the title of the "hero" among the workers, a name whispered with reverence and gratitude in the shadows of the plant.

As the investigation into the shooting continues, questions remain about the underlying factors that led to this tragic incident. The suspect's status as an Ivy League graduate has added a new dimension to the case, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of crime and its perpetrators. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting mental health and the consequences that can arise when internal struggles are left unaddressed.The evacuation process of Chinese citizens from Syria has been a challenging and harrowing experience, with fears of danger looming at every turn. However, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of green corridors - designated routes through which civilians could safely evacuate from the conflict zones.As global supply chains grow increasingly complex, traditional management approaches — heavily reliant on metrics like cost and annual spend — can no longer fully ensure operational continuity. The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with rapid technological advances, exposed significant vulnerabilities in these one-dimensional strategies. This shift has led to multi-tier criticality management (MTCM), a methodology developed to assess suppliers based on the criticality of their materials to end-to-end operations, enabling proactive risk management and sustainable supply chain resilience. Conventional metrics, like cost and annual spend, have historically guided supplier performance evaluations, but they miss the true operational risks posed by potential disruptions. Low-cost materials, often classified as "non-critical," can bring production to a halt if unavailable. MTCM identifies and prioritizes these essential, low-cost items by highlighting their operational and strategic impact, extending beyond mere dollar value. According to McKinsey, an estimated 80% of supply chain disruptions stem from challenges within tier-two suppliers or further downstream. A Resilinc report reveals that companies using multi-tier supplier evaluations see up to 20% fewer disruptions, and a 25% improvement in operational efficiency. Such findings underscore the urgent need for a holistic approach such as MTCM to maintain stability across supply chain tiers. MTCM accounts for how low-cost items may have an outsized impact on quality, production, and downstream costs. Quality issues may arise due to factors such as shelf-life and material sensitivity. For example, materials sensitive to heat or light might pass initial quality checks but fail under specific environmental conditions. This aspect addresses logistical challenges involving climate, shipping routes, and packaging needs. Temperature-sensitive materials may require specialized storage or transport solutions to prevent spoilage or degradation. MTCM encourages contingency planning for logistical sensitivities, to avoid unanticipated losses or delays. Effective communication with suppliers of critical materials is foundational. MTCM evaluates suppliers based on responsiveness, inventory management and forecasting abilities. Suppliers unable to maintain adequate safety stock levels can lead to significant operational delays. By incorporating communication metrics into performance reviews, MTCM fosters stronger, more reliable supplier relationships. Beyond supply and quality, MTCM integrates logistics, transportation, and geopolitical considerations. If materials from specific regions face seasonal transit issues, MTCM urges closer scrutiny of alternative suppliers or expanded safety stock levels.Inter-dependencies in machinery and materials. Certain materials directly impact the functionality of others, making inter-dependency management essential. For instance, a flaw in one machine part may increase maintenance needs, or multiple components might need to work in synergy for machinery to operate seamlessly. A pharmaceutical company faced recurring losses due to temperature-sensitive materials failing quality tests before use. By implementing MTCM, they adopted temperature-controlled shipping methods, reducing downtime related to quality by 40%, leading to millions in savings. This shift improved product availability and customer satisfaction, strengthening the company’s market position. A manufacturing firm experienced frequent production halts, traced to flawed machinery parts needing significant design updates. MTCM prioritized these parts for immediate redesign and proactive maintenance, leading to a 20% increase in productivity. This adjustment saved millions in potential revenue losses and reduced maintenance-related frustrations. In the medical devices industry, vital components sourced from geopolitically unstable regions caused continuous disruptions. By adopting MTCM, the company identified backup suppliers, and mitigated future risks by maintaining substantial safety stocks. The result was a 30% improvement in on-time production rates, bolstering the company's reputation for reliability. A food processing firm encountered quality issues with shelf-life-sensitive ingredients sourced globally. Seasonal climate impacts on transit routes further shortened these products’ shelf life. With MTCM, the company invested in advanced monitoring and climate-adaptive storage solutions, reducing waste by 25%, and improving overall operational efficiency. Consumables with highly variable consumption rates often lead to inventory mismanagement. During a high-demand season, a company implementing MTCM utilized historical data and AI-driven forecasting to adjust cycle counts and improve safety-stock levels, reducing stockouts by 15% while meeting consumer demand without overstocking.Small package item management in large warehouses. In large warehousing operations, low-cost but crucial items are often misplaced, leading to costly downtimes. After MTCM implemented better storage conditions and locator systems, the company reduced downtime incidents by 20%, translating to significant annual savings. By reducing non-value-adding tasks and enhancing team morale, MTCM becomes a catalyst for a cultural shift toward collaboration and continuous improvement.Enhanced operational efficiency. MTCM addresses root causes of frequent delays and bottlenecks, positively impacting productivity and overall equipment effectiveness. With reduced downtime and well-managed material dependencies, teams can reinvest time in training, 5S, and lean initiatives, fostering a safer and more efficient workplace. MTCM reduces inter-departmental friction by aligning operations, planning, procurement, and quality departments under a unified methodology. By fostering accountability and eliminating finger-pointing, it enhances morale and productivity.Driving innovation and continuous improvement. This unified approach encourages creativity. Teams, once bogged down by reactive problem-solving, can now focus on proactive improvements, cultivating a culture of innovation. Implementing MTCM requires robust change management and strong leadership support. Common challenges include managing dependencies, ensuring supplier communication, and navigating resource constraints. Engaging senior consultants and supply chain experts can streamline this transition by offering guidance on advanced tools and data-driven insights. Employing change-management strategies such as transparent communication and employee empowerment ensures smoother adoption and sustained success. In a world marked by unpredictable disruptions, multi-tier criticality management (MTCM) offers a strategic path to heightened resilience and operational efficiency. By prioritizing material criticality beyond cost, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, companies can unlock new levels of profitability and sustainability. For organizations ready to revolutionize their supply chain management approach, MTCM represents an essential framework for aligning practices with today’s dynamic and unpredictable global landscape.

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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two New Hampshire fathers who were barred from school district events for wearing pink wristbands marked “XX” to represent female chromosomes insisted at a federal court hearing Thursday that they didn't set out to harass or otherwise target a transgender soccer player who played on the team. But a judge hearing the case suggested the message the parents sent may matter more than their intentions. Kyle Fellers and Anthony Foote sued the Bow school district after being banned from school grounds for wearing the wristbands at their daughters' soccer game in September. The no-trespass orders have since expired, but a judge is deciding whether the plaintiffs should be allowed to wear the wristbands and carry signs at upcoming school events, including basketball games, swim meets and a music concert, while the case proceeds. Testifying at Thursday's hearing, both men said that they did not view the wristbands as a protest against Parker Tirrell, a transgender girl on the opposing team, but rather as a show of support for their daughters and their teammates. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe questioned whether there is a meaningful distinction and whether their intentions matter. “Sometimes the message you think you’re sending might not be the message that is being sent,” he said. McAuliffe asked Foote whether it occurred to him that a transgender person might interpret the pink XX wristbands as an attempt to invalidate their existence. “If he’s a trans female, pink might be a color he likes,” Foote said. McAuliffe also noted that while both plaintiffs said they had no problem with transgender people outside the issue of sports, they repeatedly referred to the athlete in question as a boy. “You seem to go out of your way to suggest there’s no such thing as a trans girl,” McAuliffe said. Foote disagreed, saying it was “like learning a new language” to refer to transgender people. In a separate courtroom earlier Thursday, another judge held a hearing on a lawsuit brought by Parker Tirrell and another student challenging the state law that bans transgender athletes in grades 5 to 12 from teams that align with their gender identity. It requires schools to designate all teams as either girls, boys or coed, with eligibility determined based on students’ birth certificates “or other evidence.” That federal judge ruled earlier this year that the teens can try out for and play on girls school sports teams. The order only applies to those two individuals for now as they seek to overturn the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act on behalf of all transgender girl students in New Hampshire. Lawyers for the teens said in court Thursday they hoped the matter could go to trial and be resolved before the start of the next school year in September. They said the teens’ school districts and others in the state have asked for guidance regarding the statute. Lawyers for the state said they needed more time to prepare. Judge Talesha Saint-Marc suggested the timing of the trial was ambitious and asked that both sides talk further about scheduling. Gov. Chris Sununu, who signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law in July, has said it “ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions.” About half of states have adopted similar measures. In the Bow case, school district officials have said they acted appropriately in sanctioning the parents for conduct they knew violated school policy at athletic events. They'll explain their evidence on Friday. On Thursday, the plaintiff's lawyer, Endel Kolde, accused the district of “breathtaking” overreach by asserting that the wristbands target transgender students in general, regardless of whether such students were present at the events. “This is viewpoint discrimination, and it’s very clear they’re proud of it,” Kolde said. Kolde initially conceded that a school district can limit speech “to some degree” to protect children from harassment, but he stopped short of agreeing with the judge’s claim that yelling “transgender students out” at a particular player would be subject to such regulation. “It might be,” he said. “I’m trying to get you to concede the obvious,” McAuliffe said. “It’s less than obvious to me,” Kolde said. Feller, the first witness in the case involving the wristbands, said he purchased them thinking his daughter and her teammates would wear them, but ended up wearing one himself after they declined. After being told to leave the game, he stood in the parking lot with a sign that said “Protect women’s sports for female athletes.” “I wanted to support women’s sports and I believed what was going on was a travesty,” he said.