A screenshot of the the viral video of ministry staff singing Christmas songs. — Screengrab via TikTok/Nga Kor Ming Official KUCHING (Dec 29): The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has deemed it ‘deeply troubling’ for an Islamic political party to criticise the recent Christmas celebration, hosted by the Housing and Local Government Ministry. The youth-led political party deemed such remarks by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) as more than just an act of disagreement, as they were also seen as direct attacks on the essence of Malaysia’s identity as a harmonious, multi-racial and multi-religious nation. “Ours is a country founded on mutual respect and understanding, where the diversity of our people is not a weakness but a profound strength,” said Muda in a statement yesterday. “To question the celebration of Christmas or any other cultural or religious festivity is to undermine the values that have held Malaysians together for decades. “It is an attempt to sow division and distrust, and it risks eroding the delicate social fabric that binds us as Malaysians. “Festivals like Christmas, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Chinese New Year are not merely traditions, but are opportunities to build bridges between communities. “They remind us of our shared humanity and create a sense of belonging for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, and those who criticise such celebrations fail to see the bigger picture.” Muda further pointed out that inclusivity was ‘not a luxury, but a necessity in a diverse nation like Malaysia’. “Rejecting these moments of shared joy is not only divisive, but also a betrayal of the ideals upon which Malaysia was built. “For leaders who question these celebrations, one must ask what kind of Malaysia that they envision. “A nation fractured by distrust and suspicion? How can leaders who dismiss acts of inclusivity claim to represent the interests of a multiracial country?” it argued, adding that such rhetoric risks would only create divisions and harm the future of our nation. “Let us be clear. Rhetoric that pits Malaysians against each other based on race or religion has no place in our society. Muda stressed that it was high time for Malaysians to stand against such divisive narratives by rejecting any attempt to stoke fear or hatred in the name of politics. It said Malaysians must look beyond the narrow politics of division and work toward a Malaysia that celebrates its people in all their diversity. “This is not just about Christmas; it is about the Malaysia we want to build – a nation where unity triumphs over division, where respect is the norm, not the exception. “Let us remind ourselves that Malaysia’s true strength lies in its ability to embrace all its people, not just some. “This is the vision we must defend, and this is the Malaysia we must fight for,” it added.
ExSorbtion announces acquisition of SRI International’s novel Direct Lithium Extraction technology
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- Tivic Health® Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVC), a health tech company developing and commercializing bioelectronic medicine, today released its annual CEO letter to shareholders. Dear Fellow Shareholders: As we conclude 2024 and look forward to 2025, I’d like to take this opportunity to recap some of the important developments this year and share some of our expectations for 2025. Improvements in Commercial Business: Tivic’s Future is in Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) While we continue to improve the performance of our commercial business, some of the most important news this year pertains to our focused entry into Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). VNS has been steadily emerging as a transformative technology in medicine, mostly based on surgically implanted simulators. Polaris Research forecasts that the VNS market will be worth $21B in the next five years, growing at a CAGR of 10.6%. Implanted stimulators have been approved for—or are nearing approval for—treatment of depression, epilepsy, chronic stroke rehabilitation and rheumatoid arthritis in the US and additional conditions overseas. The companies behind these devices are driving both practitioner awareness and adoption and reimbursement pathways. Our strategy is to build on this momentum, focusing on achieving the same or better results using non-invasive stimulation approaches. Our non-invasive cervical approach to VNS (ncVNS) offers a less capital-intensive pathway to market while generating similar biological and clinically meaningful effects. In fact, our non-invasive VNS system has shown best-in-industry effects on outcomes like heart rate variability and achieved “comparable-to” or “better-than” results when compared to invasive implants. In May 2024, we completed a pilot study with Feinstein Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine and demonstrated that our ncVNS approach was able to drive clinically meaningful changes in brain, cardiac, and nervous system activity, consistent with vagus nerve engagement. We are now underway with our second collaborative study that is designed to further optimize ncVNS parameters and their impact on vagus nerve activation. This includes electrode positioning, frequency, and amplitude of stimulation. Results thus far have been positive, increasing confidence as we plan to move into clinical trials with the target populations of medical interest in 2025. These investments to tune the device specifications have both yielded meaningful improvements in efficacy markers and created new intellectual property (IP) that we are protecting on a global scale. The study has been fully enrolled and data from the study will be announced following study completion next year. In parallel with our clinical work, we have worked with seasoned advisors to aggressively evaluate the VNS landscape. This in-depth analysis has involved both primary and secondary research and uncovered targeted opportunities for our ncVNS approach exceeding $30B in annual market opportunity. Today, Tivic has a robust U.S. and international IP portfolio that includes a total of 16 issued patents and 10 pending patents spanning the U.S., Europe, India and China. We expect to continue to grow this base, for broad international protection of our innovations. We are confident that our investment in research and development, combined with a deep understanding of the regulatory processes, commercial drivers and medical needs, will serve us well as we transform Tivic to drive greater degrees of success. Equally as important, we are seeing positive trends in the industry as a whole. Industry awareness of VNS and the accompanying insurance coverage continues to improve. We expect that patient demand for these drug-free therapeutics, supported by appropriate financial access, will accelerate as information about VNS makes its way into mainstream media. VNS and bioelectronic medicine more broadly are expected to play a growing role in the future of healthcare. Looking back at 2024: Company Priorities for 2025 Looking at both the improvements in the base business and the advances we made with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), we have a lot to be proud of in 2024. I am even more pleased we accomplished all of this while slashing our net operating loss by more than 30%. As we look to 2025, We anticipate that the advancement of our clinical programs for ncVNS will be key to increasing long-term shareholder value. In addition, the board and I continue to evaluate a range of options to maximize shareholder returns, including taking the necessary steps to ensure we regain Nasdaq listing compliance. I would like to recognize the exceptional efforts of the lean and dedicated Tivic Health team. I thank them for their relentless drive and hard work. Together, with our investors, collaborators, and supporters, we are striving to build a company that can transform the future of medicine and make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of people around the world. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and we look forward to continuing this journey with all of you in 2025. Sincerely, Jennifer Ernst Chief Executive Officer About Tivic Health Tivic Health is a commercial health tech company advancing the field of bioelectronic medicine. Tivic Health’s technology platforms leverage stimulation of the trigeminal, sympathetic, and vagus nerve structures. Tivic Health’s non-invasive and targeted approach to the treatment of inflammatory chronic health conditions gives consumers and providers drug-free therapeutic solutions with high safety profiles, low risk, and broad applications. Tivic Health’s first commercial product ClearUP TM is an FDA approved, award-winning, handheld bioelectronic sinus device. ClearUP TM is clinically proven, doctor-recommended, and is available through online retailers and commercial distributors. For more information visit http://tivichealth.com @TivicHealth Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Tivic Health Systems, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and assumption that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties relevant to the company, and other important factors, see Tivic Health’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024, under the heading “Risk Factors”; as well as the company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Tivic Health Systems, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223565460/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact: Hanover International, Inc. ir@tivichealth.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH MEDICAL DEVICES BIOMETRICS NEUROLOGY HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL TRIALS BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Tivic Health Systems, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 04:54 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 04:54 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223565460/enThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is shaping up to be a titan in the smartphone world, and recent leaks suggest its color options will be just as impressive. Forget the usual blacks and blues – Samsung appears to be embracing a “titanium” theme for its flagship device, offering a range of sophisticated and modern hues. This leak, originating from display industry analyst Ross Young, provides unprecedented detail, not only revealing the color names but also hinting at their potential availability. What’s the Scoop? Ross Young, known for his accurate predictions in the display tech world , has unveiled what he claims to be the full color palette for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. This leak comes months ahead of the phone’s expected launch in early 2025, giving us a tantalizing glimpse of what Samsung has in store. The leak suggests a move towards a more premium aesthetic, with titanium playing a central role in the color scheme. The Titanium Collection: According to Young, the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in seven colors: This strategy of offering exclusive online colors isn’t new for Samsung. It allows them to create excitement and offer unique options for customers who prefer to buy directly from Samsung.com. Why Titanium? The shift towards a titanium-focused color palette could signify several things. Firstly, it aligns with rumors that Samsung might be incorporating titanium into the S25 Ultra’s design, possibly for the frame or camera module . This would not only enhance the phone’s durability but also contribute to a more premium look and feel. Secondly, the “titanium” nomenclature evokes a sense of strength, sophistication, and modernity, qualities that Samsung likely wants to associate with its flagship device. More Than Just a Pretty Face: While the color options are certainly exciting, it’s important to remember that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to pack a punch in terms of features and performance. Rumors suggest a powerful new processor, an upgraded camera system with improved zoom capabilities, and possibly even an under-display selfie camera. My Take: Personally, I’m thrilled with this potential shift towards a more refined color palette. While I’ve always appreciated Samsung’s willingness to experiment with bold colors, the titanium theme seems like a step in the right direction for the Ultra line. It conveys a sense of elegance and sophistication that aligns with the device’s premium positioning. I’m particularly intrigued by the “Titanium Jade Green” and “Titanium Pink Gold” online exclusives. These unique shades could be a real draw for consumers looking for something different. A Deeper Dive into the Colors: Beyond the Ultra: While this leak focuses solely on the S25 Ultra, it’s worth noting that the standard Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are also expected to come in a variety of colors. Leaked images of SIM trays suggest options like black, green, purple, blue, and white for these models. It’s possible that some of these colors might also be available for the Ultra, but with a titanium twist . Looking Ahead: It’s important to remember that these are still leaks, and Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet. However, Ross Young has a reliable track record, so there’s a good chance these colors will be close to the final product. We can expect more information to surface as we get closer to the official launch of the Galaxy S25 series. Until then, we can only speculate and dream about which titanium hue will best suit our style. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is shaping up to be a device that pushes the boundaries of smartphone design and technology. The leaked color palette suggests that Samsung is paying close attention to aesthetics, offering a range of sophisticated and modern options to appeal to a wide range of users. With its rumored titanium construction and powerful features, the S25 Ultra could be a true flagship phone in every sense of the word.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on Saturday, while also announcing safety Jordan Whitehead was activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. Barrett spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2023. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 19 1-2 sacks in his first year with the Bucs, then helped the team win its second Super Bowl title the following season. In all, Barrett started 70 games with Tampa Bay, amassing 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was released last winter in a salary cap move, signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media before the start of training camp in July. Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl during a four-season stint with the Denver Broncos, decided to unretire last month. He signed with the Bucs after clearing waivers earlier in the week. Whitehead has missed the past four games with a pectoral injury. His return comes of the heels of the Bucs placing safety Christian Izien on IR with a pectoral injury. On Saturday, the Bucs also activated rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson from IR and elevated punter Jack Browning to the active roster from the practice squad. NFL: