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Josh Hubbard scored 25 points and Claudell Harris Jr. scored 21 on 6-of-9 shooting as Mississippi State escaped with a 91-84 win against Prairie View A&M on Sunday in Starkville, Miss. Prairie View A&M took a 65-64 lead with 10:38 remaining, but Hubbard and Harris Jr. each scored seven points to power the ensuing 14-1 run that put Mississippi State up for good. Hubbard punctuated the rally with a 3-pointer that made it 78-66 with 5:51 to play. The Bulldogs (8-1) stretched their lead to as many as 13 points in the closing minutes to notch their second straight win. Shawn Jones Jr. added 11 points for Mississippi State, while Michael Nwoko added 10 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Melendez also netted 10 points. The Panthers (1-8) were led by the trio of Nick Anderson (21 points) Tanahj Pettway (20) and Marcel Bryant (19). Pettway drilled 4 of 5 3-pointers and Bryant grabbed seven rebounds. Prairie View A&M got off to a hot start, opening up a 27-12 lead with 10:42 left in the first half. It was a surprising haymaker from the visitors, who entered the game winless in Division I play and faced a Bulldogs team that was ranked last week. Mississippi State eventually found its stride offensively, turning things around with a 32-17 run to tie the game at 44 entering halftime. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field overall in the first half, but only made six of their 17 attempts from 3-point range (35.3 percent). Their defense remained an issue throughout the half, with the Panthers hitting 16 of their 27 shots (59.3 percent) and canning 5 of 8 3-pointers. Neither team led by more than five early in the second half until Mississippi State pulled away. The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 55.6 percent from the floor (30-of-54) and drilled 11 of 26 attempts (42.3 percent) from long range. They outrebounded Prairie View A&M 35-22 and outscored them 31-20 in bench points. The Panthers held a 34-32 advantage in points in the paint and shot 56.4 percent overall for the game, including 52.6 percent (10-of-19) on threes. --Field Level Media
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and MISC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in innovation, research and development (R&D) and test-bedding activities, to advance digital transformation in the maritime industry. The MoU was signed by Mr David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations and Operations Technology), MPA, and Mr Mohd Denny Mohd Isa, Vice President, MISC Marine, and witnessed by Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, and Mr Zahid Osman, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, MISC Berhad. As part of the three-year arrangement, both parties will focus on integrating sustainable digital technologies into marine operations, enhance processes through data-sharing initiatives and cybersecurity innovations. These include exchanging data and technology trials between MISC and MPA for tankers through the Just-in-time Planning and Coordination platform under digitalPort@SGTM, data sharing and cloud services to support the use of e-clearances and e-certificates in the Port of Singapore and onboard Singapore-registered ships and conducting cyber solution trials with the Maritime Cyber Assurance and Operations Centre. They will also collaborate with Singapore’s vibrant research ecosystem to explore the use of artificial intelligence, digital twins, and semi-autonomous vessel operations to improve shipping efficiency and safety. Additionally, the partnership will prioritise talent development, identify emerging skillsets for onshore ship management, upskill seafarers to operate alternative-fuelled vessels, and ensure a future-ready workforce for the maritime industry through training under the Maritime Energy Training Facility. Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA said: “MISC, with its expertise in ship management and sustainable shipping practices, is a good partner for MPA to develop solutions to help digitalise and optimise shipping operations. We look forward to deepening our partnership with MISC Marine to transform the work for seafarers and professionals for more resilient and efficient shipping services.” 5. Mr Zahid Osman, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MISC Berhad said: “MISC is proud to partner with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to accelerate the maritime industry’s transition towards a sustainable future. This MoU underscores our shared commitment to harnessing digital innovation, enhancing ship management efficiency, and preparing the workforce for advancements in alternative fuels and cutting-edge technologies.” Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Elon Musk has backed allegations of wrongdoing in the death of Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old tech researcher of Indian descent and ex-OpenAI worker. Poornima Ramarao, Balaji’s mother, has requested an FBI investigation, claiming that evidence disputes the San Francisco Police Department's determination of suicide. Who Is Poornima Ramarao?Poornima Ramarao is the mother of Suchir Balaji. Ramarao has asked for a federal inquiry into her son's death. Her concerns were backed by Musk, the owner of Tesla. He commented under Ramarao's post, "This doesn't seem like a suicide." Ramarao claimed there were inconsistencies in the case via a succession of public statements. She emphasized results from a personal autopsy and inquiry, asserting that Balaji’s apartment exhibited indications of a struggle. Writing on social media, Ramarao stated, “Suchir’s apartment was ransacked. There were blood spots in the bathroom. It looks like he was hit. This is a cold-blooded murder misclassified as suicide.” Ramarao further accused local authorities of interference, adding, “Lobbying in SF city doesn’t stop us from getting justice. We demand an FBI investigation.” Musk Joins the Chorus for AnswersBillionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk voiced his agreement, tweeting, “This doesn’t seem like a suicide.” His remark heightened public interest in the case and encouraged Ramarao to seek further assistance. As reported by The Times of India, Musk had earlier condemned the ethics of OpenAI, fueling speculation around Balaji’s demise. Ethical Concerns and Rising MomentumBalaji, a renowned figure in technology, had openly denounced AI practices in recent months. In October, he discussed with The New York Times, expressing worries about copyright infringements by major AI firms. His critiques positioned him at the center of a legal conflict, with the publication referencing him in a prominent copyright lawsuit against OpenAI. In August, Balaji stepped down from OpenAI, allegedly due to ethical disputes. His sudden passing, just days after he turned 26, has sparked demands for openness. Leading advocates for AI ethics are calling for enhanced safeguards for whistleblowers and independent inquiries into the matter. Police Stand By Suicide ConclusionBalaji was discovered deceased in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. Surveillance video revealed he was by himself in the hours before his passing. The San Francisco Police Department ruled the death a suicide, noting insufficient evidence to suggest foul play. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lawyer for former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller says the 22-year-old sat for a long interview with the NCAA amid an investigation into unusual gambling activity. But neither the lawyer nor federal law enforcement officials on Friday would confirm reports that a federal probe is now under way. Lawyer Jason Bologna says Miller cooperated because he hopes to play again. Miller was released last month after transferring to Virginia Tech. Temple President John Fry says the Philadelphia school has not been asked for any information from federal law enforcement officials. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26.
This season of I'm A Celebrity.. . has already proven to be one of the most explosive yet, with the opening episode alone featuring stomach-churning cocktails, cockroaches, skydiving, dinner a la kangaroo anus, former boxing champ Barry McGuigan spectacularly failing to complete a task and Danny Jones encountering a 'trouser snake' . The action-packed pace hasn't slowed down since. For those keeping up with the fast-paced happenings Down Under, and one particular WAG's reactions to it, there appears to be a noticeable thaw in the famously icy relationship between Rebekah Vardy and her alleged arch-rival, Coleen Rooney . Initially quite scathing about the 38 year old's jungle experience in her daily no-holds-barred newspaper diary about the show, Rebekah, who has had legal disputes with the fellow footballer's wife over their infamous Wagatha Christie scandal, seems to be reassessing her stance, according to OK!. However, the feeling may not be reciprocated. And when the reality show concludes, Coleen, who has been extremely popular and is tipped by many to leave as Queen of the Jungle, returns home from Australia , her reported determination to avoid any interaction with Rebekah could be stronger than ever. "In Coleen's mind, her war with Becky is over and all she wants is for Becky to pay her bill and then she will never have to think about her again," a source claimed. "But Becky can't let it go - and Coleen will find it hilarious, and somewhat tragic, about Becky's constant mentioning of her." Jamie Vardy's wife, 42, initially took a swipe at Coleen at the start of the series, gleefully mocking Coleen when she sank in the river during the opening task - writing: "Coleen sank in the river twice. It's the gift that keeps on giving." The mum-of-six also set the tone for her own social media. As Coleen entered camp, Rebekah posted a picture of herself lounging in a pink bikini with her eyes closed, captioning it: "The feeling when you are living rent free in people's heads" alongside a laugh-crying and a winking emoji. She also accused Coleen – who reportedly is being paid a record £1.5m for her appearance – of "following in her footsteps" because she had "always wanted [Vardy's] life." Rebekah, who previously labelled Coleen Nolan 'dull' and expressed her desire to see the campmate eat 'penis or humble pie', recently praised the Liverpudlian mum-of-three following her successful Bushtucker Trial. Coleen was hailed as a 'warrior' by viewers for maintaining her composure during the gruesome Absolute Car-nage trial with Northern Irish DJ Dean McCullough, which saw her completely covered in cockroaches and rats. In her column for The Sun, Rebekah wrote: 'It's blowing a gale at home but there's definitely a rumble in the jungle. Luckily it's not in the campmates' stomachs, as Teabag Dean had Coleen with him for Absolute Carnage and they managed to get nine stars." She continued, 'I'm applauding Coleen. She really held her nerve as the mealworms, cockroaches and rats crawled all over her.' Many were taken aback by Rebekah's apparent change of hear. A source added, "It seems to have backfired on Becky, as many of the comments were telling her to grow up and get over it. Coleen is proving very popular with everyone and coming across better than many thought she would. So, it's no wonder Becky is trying to praise her now, after spending days slating her." She added, 'I'm applauding Coleen. She really held her nerve as the mealworms, cockroaches and rats crawled all over her.' Rebekah's seeming U-turn shocked many, but the source added, " Becky is also aware of all the backlash she has been getting for slating Coleen so has decided on a change of tack. If Becky wants a long career, she knows she needs to be seen as more than the pantomime villain and a rent-a-gob. Her praising Coleen is an attempt to reach out to her and show everyone she is fair and can give praise when it's deserved." She says she also wants to move on from it all but she can't do that if she continues to take aim at Coleen. " Meanwhile, Coleen seems to be getting on with things in the Australian jungle and viewers have admired her warm, resilient, no-nonsense nature. Having touched on her epic court battle with Rebekah early on, she seems happy to leave all talk of Rebekah Vardy in the past, instead delighting viewers with other insights, such as her marriage to football manager Wayne, the sometimes crazy life of a WAG - and a memorable meeting with President Donald Trump . In one eye-opening campfire confessional, Coleen branded Trump a 'dirty b**tard' after he told his son when they met that she was proof that 'all the soccer players get the good looking girls'. She made the shock revelation to fellow contestants as she spoke about her time living in Washington DC in 2018, when Wayne was head coach at DC United. Our insider has dished that Coleen Rooney's opinion of Rebekah Vardy hasn't budged an inch despite Vardy's apparent attempt at reconciliation during her time in the jungle, and she's keen to put it all behind her. "Coleen just wants Becky to shut up, leave her alone and get on with her life. She has no intention of ever talking about all that drama again – that's why she did the book and documentary, so that her story is out there. " They continued, "She has said to friends, 'I won't forgive Becky' and can't just forget everything she's put her through. 'She'll never get over how Becky has behaved and continues to behave.'" Furthermore, the source insists that Coleen's appearance on the popular ITV show - which offers a fresh glimpse into her life - will be transformative for her, and she's buzzing about the future. "She can't wait to see what happens after. Her main aim was to make her boys proud and she will definitely feel that she has. Because Coleen is such a kind person, she'll probably end up feeling sorry for Becky because she looks quite sad and nasty in all of her videos - it's not going to do her any favours.Whereas, Coleen will be the winner once again, regardless of whether she is crowned Queen of the Jungle or not." Coleen Rooney's eagerly awaited jungle adventure follows the dramatic 2022 Wagatha Christie trial, where she accused Rebekah Vardy of leaking private stories—a claim Rebekah vehemently denied. Despite this, in July 2022, a High Court judge ruled that Coleen's allegations were "substantially true". Adding to Rebekah's woes, last month a judge ordered her to cough up an additional £100,000 in costs , piling onto the hefty £1.8 million bill she's been instructed to pay Coleen. Meanwhile, a separate source close to Rebekah claimed, “Becky is reviewing what she sees on IAC, that’s all. She is doing a job to give an opinion/insight into the jungle, I wouldn’t read anything more into than this.”
Dikko, Youth minister strategies for youth involvement in sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was limited with the right shoulder injury that sidelined him last week and there is growing concern about the long-term status of left tackle Trent Williams. Wednesday's practice was not the start to the NFL workweek head coach Kyle Shanahan had hoped after Purdy was unable to bounce back from a shoulder injury in Week 11. Brandon Allen started at Green Bay and the 49ers (5-6) lost 38-10 with the backup-turned-starter committing three turnovers. Williams was reportedly spotted in the locker room with a knee scooter and is experiencing pain walking. He played through an ankle injury against the Seattle Seahawks Nov. 17. Defensive end Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) also missed practice Wednesday, leaving the 49ers to spend the holiday plotting to play the Buffalo Bills (9-2) without the three Pro Bowlers again. "I don't know anyone who gets Thanksgiving off unless maybe you have a Monday night game. You just start a lot earlier and get the players out," Shanahan said. "We cram everything in so the players get out, tries to be home with the family by 5. I usually get home by 7 and they're all mad at me, then get back to red-zone (installation)." The 49ers are in danger of a three-game losing streak for the first time since Oct. 2021. Injuries have been a common thread since September when running back Christian McCaffrey was a surprise scratch with an Achilles injury for the opener. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) is out for the season at a position dinged from top to bottom. Star linebacker Fred Warner also is ailing and said Wednesday that he fractured a bone in his ankle on Sept. 29 against the New England Patriots. The game against the Bills will mark his eighth straight game playing with the injury. "It's something I deal with every game," Warner said. "I get on that table before every game and get it shot up every single game just to be able to roll. But it's not an excuse. It's just what it is. That's the NFL. You're not going to be healthy. You've got to go out there, you've got to find ways to execute, to play at a high level and to win every single week." Shanahan wasn't interested in injury talk. He said the 49ers have not played well in the past two weeks, and puts part of his focus on getting more out of the running game with snow in the forecast on Sunday night. He's not in agreement with pundits who doubt McCaffrey's ability early into his return from injured reserve, with a per-carry average of 3.5 yards compared to 5.4 in 2023. "The speculation on Christian is a little unfair to him," Shanahan said. "Christian is playing very well. He's playing his ass off. To think a guy who misses the entire offseason is going to come back and be the exact same the day he comes back would be unfair to any player in the world." San Francisco opened the 21-day practice window for linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl in February. His return date is unclear. --Field Level MediaNone
Colby Rogers made 6 of 9 3-pointers and scored 28 points as host Memphis defeated No. 16 Ole Miss 87-70 on Saturday afternoon. Rogers fouled out and finished one 3-pointer and one point short of his career-highs in both categories and Memphis never trailed. PJ Haggerty added 17 points, Dain Dainja had 16 and Moussa Cisse, an Ole Miss transfer who's in his second stint with the Tigers (10-3), had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sean Pedulla scored 13, Jaylen Murray had 12 and Malik Dia added 11 to lead the Rebels (11-2), who had won their last five games. Memphis scored the first five points of the second half to increase its lead to 43-36. Pedulla made a layup for Ole Miss' first points, but Nicholas Jourdain made consecutive field goals to push the lead to nine. Mikeal Brown-Jones made two free throws for the Rebels before Haggerty made a 3-pointer and Cisse added a tip-in for a 52-40 lead. Pedulla made a jumper before Brown-Jones was ejected for committing a Flagrant 2 foul. Haggerty made both of the technical free throws and Rogers added two 3-pointers to push the lead to 16. Ole Miss got within 11 points four times, but couldn't get any closer until Matthew Murrell's dunk trimmed the lead to 76-67 with five minutes remaining. Rogers answered with a 3-pointer and Dainja added two field goals to increase the lead to 16. Murray made a free throw, but the Rebels didn't make a field goal during the final 5:32. The Tigers scored the first four points of the game and Haggerty had four as they opened a 9-2 lead. The Rebels made consecutive field goals before Memphis scored eight straight points for a 17-6 lead. Eduardo Klafke made a 3-pointer to end the run, but Rogers' 3-pointer helped the Tigers increase the lead to 27-14. Ole Miss scored the next seven points before Cisse's basket ended the run. The Rebels closed within four points four times Brown-Jones made two free throws to trim the lead to 38-36 at halftime. --Field Level Media
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Panchkula: Two snatchers riding an Activa scooter without a number plate snatched a woman’s purse and fled after injuring her on the dividing road of Panchkula’s Sector 15.The victim has been admitted to Sector 6 civil hospital for treatment. As per the police, Kanta Devi, an elderly woman and resident of Sector 10, had gone to the vegetable market in Sector 14 on Saturday night. At around 9.35 pm, two youths riding an Activa scooter snatched her purse and fled. The purse contained Rs 12,000 and a mobile phone. When the police inquired on the spot, it was found that two youths had come riding a black Activa and the vehicle did not have a number plate. The police have registered a case against unknown accused and started investigation. tnn We also published the following articles recently Woman injured after being dragged for 30m in purse-snatching bid In Lucknow's Vikasnagar, a shocking incident unfolded as a police officer's daughter, Reena Chauhan, was dragged 30 meters by motorcycle-borne thieves who snatched her purse. The purse contained jewelry, cash, and important documents. A disturbing video of the incident circulated on social media, showing the woman being dragged by the fleeing criminals. 2 arrested after encounter in purse-snatching case Two suspects were apprehended in Lucknow following a dramatic encounter with police. The arrests are linked to a November 29th purse-snatching where a police officer's wife was dragged by her assailants. Recovered items include the stolen jewelry, cash, and the motorcycle used in the crime. 2 arrested after encounter in purse-snatching case Two suspects were apprehended in Lucknow following a dramatic encounter with police, linked to a purse-snatching incident involving a police officer's wife on November 29, 2024. The suspects, identified as Snehil Srivastava and Apoorv, were cornered at separate locations. During the recovery operation, a shootout ensued when one suspect opened fire, resulting in minor injuries. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Fortuna Stamping Emerges as a Leading CNC Processing and Professional Metal Stamping Service CompanyMINISO Stock Up Ahead of Q3 Earnings: Retail’s Cheerful
Revolve Shareholders Approve All Resolutions Proposed by the Board of Directors at the Annual and Special General Meeting
As part of a national “moonshot” to cure blindness, researchers at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus will receive as much as $46 million in federal funding over the next five years to pursue a first-of-its-kind full eye transplantation. “This is no easy undertaking, but I believe we can achieve this together,” said Dr. Kia Washington, the lead researcher for the University of Colorado-led team, during a press conference Monday. “And in fact I’ve never been more hopeful that a cure for blindness is within reach.” The CU team was one of four in the United States that received funding awards from the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health , or ARPA-H. The CU-based group will focus on achieving the first-ever vision-restoring eye transplant by using “novel stem cell and bioelectronic technologies,” according to a news release announcing the funding. The work will be interdisciplinary, Washington and others said, and will link together researchers at institutions across the country. The four teams that received the funding will work alongside each other on distinct approaches, though officials said the teams would likely collaborate and eventually may merge depending on which research avenues show the most promise toward achieving the ultimate goal of transplanting an eye and curing blindness. Dr. Calvin Roberts, who will oversee the broader project for ARPA-H, said the agency wanted to take multiple “shots on goal” to ensure progress. “In the broader picture, achieving this would be probably the most monumental task in medicine within the last several decades,” said Dr. Daniel Pelaez of the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which also received ARPA-H funding. Pelaez is the lead investigator for that team, which has pursued new procedures to successfully remove and preserve eyes from donors, amid other research. He told The Denver Post that only four organ systems have not been successfully transplanted: the inner ear, the brain, the spinal cord and the eye. All four are part of the central nervous system, which does not repair itself when damaged. If researchers can successfully transplant the human eye and restore vision to the patient, it might help unlock deeper discoveries about repairing damage to the brain and spine, Pelaez said, as well as addressing hearing loss. To succeed, researchers must successfully remove and preserve eyes from donors and then successfully connect and repair the optical nerve, which takes information from the eye and tells the brain what the eye sees. A team at New York University performed a full eye transplant on a human patient in November 2023, though the procedure — while a “remarkable achievement,” Pelaez said — did not restore the patient’s vision. It was also part of a partial face transplant; other approaches pursued via the ARPA-H funding will involve eye-specific transplants. Washington, the lead CU researcher, said she and her colleagues have already completed the eye transplant procedure — albeit without vision restoration — in rats. The CU team will next work on large animals to advance “optic nerve regenerative strategies,” the school said, as well as to study immunosuppression, which is critical to ensuring that patients’ immune systems don’t reject a donated organ. The goal is to eventually advance to human trials. Pelaez and his colleagues have completed their eye-removal procedure in cadavers, he said, and they’ve also studied regeneration in several animals that are capable of regenerating parts of their eyes, like salamanders or zebra fish. His team’s funding will focus in part on a life-support machine for the eye to keep it healthy and viable during the removal process. InGel Therapeutics, a Massachusetts-based Harvard spinoff and the lead of a third team, will pursue research on 3-D printed technology and “micro-tunneled scaffolds” that carry certain types of stem cells as part of a focus on optical nerve regeneration and repair, ARPA-H said. ARPH-A, created two years ago, will oversee the teams’ work. Researchers at 52 institutions nationwide will also contribute to the teams. The CU-led group will include researchers from the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University and Johns Hopkins University, as well as from the National Eye Institute . The teams will simultaneously compete and collaborate: Pelaez said his team has communicated with researchers at CU and at Stanford, another award recipient, about their eye-removal research. The total funding available for the teams is $125 million, ARPA-H officials said Monday, and it will be distributed in phases, in part dependent on teams’ success. U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat who represents Denver in Congress, acknowledged the recent election results at the press conference Monday and pledged to continue fighting to preserve ARPA-H’s funding under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The effort to cure blindness, Washington joked, was “biblical” in its enormity — a reference to the Bible story in which Jesus cures a blind man. She and others also likened it to a moonshot, meaning the effort to successfully put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon nearly 50 years ago. If curing blindness is similar to landing on the moon, then the space shuttle has already left the launchpad, Washington said. “We have launched,” she said, “and we are on our trajectory.”
BACK HOME The 13 Filipino surrogate mothers convicted of human trafficking in Cambodia arrive in Manila on Sunday morning, three days after a royal pardon. —Photo courtesy of the DOJ MANILA, Philippines — Filipino surrogate mothers convicted of human trafficking in Cambodia returned to Manila on Sunday, three days after they were pardoned by King Sihamoni. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the 13 women, who brought along three babies, were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said they would be provided “all forms of assistance.” The 13 were among the 20 Filipino women who were arrested in Kandal province in September for their involvement in surrogacy, which is illegal in Phnom Penh. They were found to be pregnant upon their arrest. The other seven, who were not pregnant, were not charged in court and instead sent back to the Philippines in October. On Dec. 2, a local court found the 13 women guilty of violating Cambodia’s laws on human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They were initially meted a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years. But the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) led by the DOJ initiated a dialogue with Cambodia that led to the reduction of the women’s sentence to four years, with two years suspended. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continued to intervene on the women’s behalf, which led to a royal pardon by King Sihamoni on Dec. 26. “The Philippine Government thanks the Royal Government of Cambodia, headed by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Prime Minister Hun Manet, for the humanitarian treatment extended to the Filipino mothers throughout the investigative and judicial processes,” the DFA said in a statement on Sunday, adding that return home attested to the “long-standing friendly relations” between the Philippines and Cambodia. While the Philippine government has classified the 13 women as trafficking victims, there is no local law regulating or prohibiting surrogacy, creating a legal gray area that may lead to potential exploitation. Earlier this month, Iacat said the government was building cases to charge the recruiters responsible for trafficking the women. The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia said that, based on interviews, the victims were recruited online by an individual whose identity and nationality have yet to be determined. The 13 women also claimed they were unaware of the identities of their actual clients, as all transactions were handled through a third-party agency representative known only as “Ima.” Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, who heads Iacat, said in a previous interview that the women had voluntarily agreed to become surrogates. They were promised monthly aid during pregnancy and P500,000 each upon giving birth. Ty said that during the discussions with Cambodia about the babies, the Philippines also made known its position that the children would be considered Filipinos. “Under our law, it’s simple: the woman who gives birth to the child is the child’s mother, and her nationality will be followed,” he said. In 2016, Cambodia issued a ban on commercial surrogacy after neighboring Thailand pulled the plug on the trade the previous year, putting an abrupt end to a thriving industry for hopeful parents, many from Australia and the United States. But demand for commercial surrogacy remains high after China eased its one-child policy and agencies in Cambodia continue to offer the service. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Sources in Phnom Penh said that couples, mostly from China, were willing to pay from $40,000 (P2.3 million) to $100,000 (P5.8 million) to surrogacy agents to find a Cambodian woman to carry their child. —with reports from Dianne Sampang, Inquirer Research and Agence France-Presse
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