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WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would get access to popular weekly injectables that would help them shed pounds quickly if a $ 35 billion proposal from the Biden administration is blessed by President-elect Donald Trump. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would get access to popular weekly injectables that would help them shed pounds quickly if a $ 35 billion proposal from the Biden administration is blessed by President-elect Donald Trump. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would get access to popular weekly injectables that would help them shed pounds quickly if a $ 35 billion proposal from the Biden administration is blessed by President-elect Donald Trump. The rule, unveiled Tuesday by the Health and Human Services Department, would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound for a large segment of Americans who are obese. But it’s unclear if the proposal, which would not go into effect until after Trump takes office, will have support from his new administration — including from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an opponent of the drugs whom the president-elect has tapped to serve as head of HHS. Here’s what to know about the drugs and the Biden administration’s proposal: The drugs work by regulating appetites The weight-loss drugs, also called anti-obesity medications or GLP-1s, mimic the hormone known as glucagon-like peptide 1, which regulates appetites by communicating fullness between the gut and brain when people eat. The drugs include Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic as well as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro. In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But a slice of “nonresponders” did not lose significant body weight. Private health insurers have limited coverage of the drugs. Medicare has been barred from covering them under a law that says the program cannot pay for weight-loss products. Coverage through Medicaid, meanwhile, has varied from state to state. That’s meant the drugs — which can cost upwards of $1,000 monthly — have been largely unaffordable for many. It would benefit millions, but cost billions The rule announced Tuesday affects Medicaid, which provides health care coverage for roughly 70 million of the nation’s poorest people, and Medicare, the health insurance program for about 67 million older Americans. Under the proposal, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, would reinterpret the federal law, to consider the drugs as a treatment for obesity diseases. The nation’s top health agency estimates as many as 3.5 million people on Medicare and 4 million on Medicaid could qualify for coverage of the drugs. But research suggests far more people might qualify, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimating roughly 28 million people on Medicaid are considered obese. And the proposal would cost a lot of money — at least $35 billion over the next decade. It’s not clear if Trump will support it The drugs are popular — with a majority of Americans telling health firm KFF in a poll earlier this year that Medicare should cover the drugs. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, too, has lobbied for coverage of the drugs. But support is mixed in Trump’s inner circle. Kennedy has railed against the idea of Medicare or Medicaid covering the drugs. Instead, he’s told Congress that they should expand coverage of healthier foods and gym memberships through the government-sponsored health care programs. Meanwhile Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is poised to take the helm of CMS, has said the drugs can be a helpful tool. In a video posted to Instagram last year, Oz praised some of the benefits of the drugs, but said the long-term effects should be further studied. “I think these new generation of medications offer us a huge opportunity,” Oz said. Trump or Kennedy could ultimately ignore Biden’s proposal and not implement it. Some lawmakers praised the move on Tuesday, while others expressed skepticism. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a Republican who sponsored a bill to have Medicare cover the weight-loss drugs, has argued that covering the drugs and other obesity treatments could save taxpayers in the long run. “I am encouraged to see the Administration support our efforts to help make Americans healthier by allowing Medicare coverage of new, physician prescribed and FDA approved anti-obesity medications,” Wenstrup said in a statement. He called for the Congress to pass a law that would help pay for dietitians, nutritionists and behavioral therapy to treat obesity. Sen. Bernie Sanders, however, warned that unless the government required drugmakers to lower the price of the medications Medicare premiums would “skyrocket” under the plan. Doctors praise the drugs, but still have concerns It’s good for more Americans to have access to these drugs, which have proven effective, but Dr. David Ludwig, a nutrition and obesity expert at Harvard University, hopes that it doesn’t become the primary way obesity is treated in America. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. He worries that not enough investment is being made to figure out what is driving climbing obesity rates across the U.S., and the role that healthy foods and exercise might play in solving that epidemic. “It’s appropriate to treat the problems that we now face with drugs, but let’s not stop there,” Ludwig said. “Let’s identify what’s causing the problem, and ultimately rely on these drugs — which have side effects — less and less over time.” Dr. Andrew Kraftson, who treats obese patients at the University of Michigan, is happy that more of his patients might be able to afford these drugs, which he has prescribed for patients and has had successful results. But he, too, would like to see more research and guidance from the government on prescribing the medications. Kraftson also worries about some of the side effects for elderly patients. The drugs, he points out, can lead to muscle loss, which is a bigger problem for older Americans who are at risk of falling, for example. “I’m advocating for their thoughtful use,” Kraftson said. “Because if you have a senior and you just write a prescription and the visit takes five minutes, is that an appropriate level of care? Have we defined that well? Advertisement AdvertisementStockholders Approved Merger on October 25, 2024 $2.50 Per Share Merger Consideration Unanimously Approved by SPAR Group Board of Directors AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. SGRP ("SGRP", "SPAR Group" or the "Corporation"), a provider of merchandising, marketing and distribution services, in response to media and investor inquiries, affirms intent to close the proposed acquisition (the "Proposed Acquisition") by Highwire Capital. As previously announced, SPAR Group entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 30, 2024, by and among SGRP, Highwire Capital and Highwire Merger Co. I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Highwire Capital, whereby SPAR Group is to be acquired by Highwire Capital in an all cash transaction. SPAR Group's stockholders approved the transaction in a special meeting conducted on October 25, 2024. "We remain committed to completing this transaction and delivering value to our shareholders," said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR Group. "We are also excited about the performance of our business and the favorable response from clients, partners and employees to this merger." "Highwire Capital is committed to the completion of this transaction," said Rob Wilson, CEO of Highwire Capital. "We are addressing final lender requirements and expect to close soon. The commitment letter with our lenders, which had an expiration date of December 15, 2024, has been extended to January 15, 2025 to allow time for the completion of the remaining requirements." About Highwire Capital Highwire Capital transforms middle-market businesses by integrating innovative technologies with traditional operating models. By driving efficiency and fostering industry advancements, Highwire Capital revitalizes established entities into leading platforms for disruption and growth. About SPAR Group, Inc. SPAR Group is an innovative services company offering comprehensive merchandising, marketing and distribution solutions to retailers and brands. We provide the resources and analytics that improve brand experiences and transform retail spaces. We offer a unique combination of scale and flexibility with a passion for client results that separates us from the competition. Forward-Looking Statements This press release (this "Press Release") contains "forward-looking statements" within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, made by, or respecting, the Corporation. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Proposed Acquisition. "Forward-looking statements" are defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, as amended. All statements (other than those that are purely historical) are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "project," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made by the Corporation in this Press Release may include (without limitation) statements regarding: risks, uncertainties, cautions, circumstances and other factors ("Risks"). Those Risks include (without limitation): the impact of the news of the Proposed Acquisition or developments in it; the nature, cost and outcome of any legal proceedings related to the Proposed Acquisition; uncertainty of satisfaction of closing conditions respecting the Proposed Acquisition; the impact of the Corporation's continued strategic review process, or any resulting action or inaction, should the Proposed Acquisition not occur; the impact of selling certain of the Corporation's subsidiaries or any resulting impact on revenues, earnings or cash; the impact of adding new directors or new finance team members; the potential n continuing negative effects of the COVID pandemic on the business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"); the Corporation's potential non-compliance with applicable Nasdaq director independence, bid price or other rules; the Company's cash flow or financial condition; and plans, intentions, expectations, guidance or other information respecting the pursuit or achievement of the Corporation's corporate objectives. You should carefully review and consider the Company's forward-looking statements (including Risks and other cautions and uncertainties) and other information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into this Press Release, but you should not place undue reliance on any of them. The results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or condition of the Company (including its affiliates, assets, business, clients, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, foreign exchange, income, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, performance, prospects, revenues, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results, Risks, trends or condition) and other events and circumstances planned, intended, anticipated, estimated or otherwise expected by the Company (collectively, "Expectations"), and our forward-looking statements (including all Risks) and other information reflect the Company's current views about future events and circumstances. Although the Company believes those Expectations and views are reasonable, the results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or condition of the Company or other events and circumstances may differ materially from our Expectations and views, and they cannot be assured or guaranteed by the Company, since they are subject to Risks and other assumptions, changes in circumstances and unpredictable events (many of which are beyond the Company's control). In addition, new Risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these matters or how they may arise or affect the Company. Accordingly, the Corporation cannot assure you that its Expectations will be achieved in whole or in part, that it has identified all potential Risks, or that it can successfully avoid or mitigate such Risks in whole or in part, any of which could be significant and materially adverse to the Corporation and the value of your investment in the Corporation's common stock. These forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation's Expectations, views, Risks and assumptions only as of the date of this Press Release, and the Corporation does not intend, assume any obligation, or promise to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements (including any Risks or Expectations) or other information (in whole or in part), whether as a result of new information, new or worsening Risks or uncertainties, changed circumstances, future events, recognition, or otherwise. Media Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Highwire Capital Contact: Ronald Margulis Sandy Martin Ben Hudson RAM Communications Three Part Advisors Highwire Capital, LLC 908-272-3930 214-616-2207 ben@highwire.capital ron@rampr.com smartin@threepa.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Cathay general bancorp vice chairman sells $256,389 in stockNone
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CoreNest Capital , one of the most dynamic emerging players in venture capital, has announced its latest round of investments, backing seven innovative companies: OpenAI, xAI, Weave Robotics, Blaze Money, Domu, Phonely, Andromeda Surgical, and Texture Capital. These strategic investments underscore CoreNest's commitment to driving transformative growth across AI, robotics, MedTech, and fintech sectors. "Our focus is on backing founders who are reshaping industries and solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology,” said Bob Ras , Co-Founder & GP of CoreNest Capital. "This round of investments underscore CoreNest's commitment to driving impactful innovation and supporting visionary teams that are defining the future of AI, Robotics, MedTech, and Fintech.” OpenAI: OpenAI is setting new standards in artificial intelligence by driving advancements that push the boundaries of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). xAI: xAI , founded by Elon Musk, is pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence, aiming to deepen our understanding of the universe through the development of cutting-edge AI technologies. Weave Robotics: Weave Robotics is reshaping personal robotics with Isaac, the world's first autonomous home assistant robot, designed to handle tasks like tidying, folding laundry, and home monitoring. Blaze Money: Blaze Money revolutionizes financial services with a seamless app designed for global nomads, enabling instant, fee-minimal payments worldwide. Domu: Domu leverages AI to transform client interactions in the insurance sector, automating real-time, 24/7 sales and service calls. This innovation empowers businesses to engage clients efficiently, handle payment reminders, and respond to inquiries. Phonely: Phonely enhances business communication with AI-driven phone support that handles calls, schedules appointments, and integrates with existing tools, elevating customer service efficiency. Andromeda Surgical: Andromeda Surgical is advancing precision surgery with AI-guided robotic systems, initially focused on endourology, optimizing accuracy and patient outcomes. Texture Capital: CoreNest has strategically invested in Texture Capital , positioning itself to acquire a significant stake in the firm. This investment will support the launch of the SoloTex platform, the first regulated trading and tokenization platform for U.S. stocks. SoloTex is changing the way people trade and invest in U.S. stocks by enabling users to have self-custody of their tokenized stocks and ETFs and allowing fractional trading of these assets, bringing unprecedented flexibility and accessibility to the securities market. This funding round builds on CoreNest's history of high-impact investments, including companies like Artisan AI , Piramidal , Avatar Medical , OpenCall , Fleak.ai , Algorized , itsElectric , and Dili . Each of these companies is making strides in their fields, reflecting CoreNest's mission of driving global innovation and delivering meaningful technological progress. About CoreNest Capital CoreNest Capital is a powerhouse for nurturing and funding startups in cutting-edge sectors like AI, Robotics, MedTech, and Fintech. For more information on CoreNest Capital, visit corenest.com . Innovative startups tackling real-world challenges and seeking investment are encouraged to submit their pitch decks for consideration. CONTACT: Pedro Crespo CoreNest Capital [email protected]None
CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE: ODC) today declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.155 per share of the Company's Common Stock and $0.1165 per share of the Company's Class B Stock. The dividend amount has been proportionately reduced to reflect the anticipated two-for-one stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, where stockholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024, the record date of the stock split, will receive one additional share of Common Stock for every share of Common Stock held on the record date, and one additional share of Class B Stock for every share of Class B Stock held on the record date. Oil-Dri expects the additional shares will be distributed after market close on January 3, 2025. The cash dividends will be payable on March 7, 2025 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 21, 2025. Oil-Dri has paid cash dividends continuously each year since 1974 and has increased dividends annually for twenty-one consecutive years. The Company's press release outlining its performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 will be issued after the close of the U.S. stock market on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Oil-Dri will host an earnings discussion via a live webcast on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Participation details will be posted on the Company's website's Events page approximately one week prior to the call. About Oil-Dri Corporation of America Oil-Dri Corporation of America ("Oil-Dri”) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for the pet care, animal health and nutrition, fluids purification, agricultural ingredients, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri is vertically integrated which enables the Company to efficiently oversee every step of the process from research and development to supply chain to marketing and sales. With over 80 years of experience, the Company continues to fulfill its mission to Create Value from Sorbent Minerals . To learn more about the Company, please visit oildri.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future performance, our business, our beliefs and our management's assumptions. In addition, we, or others on our behalf, may make forward-looking statements in other press releases or written statements, or in our communications and discussions with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, webcasts, phone calls and conference calls. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "expect,” "outlook,” "forecast,” "would,” "could,” "should,” "project,” "intend,” "plan,” "continue,” "believe,” "seek,” "estimate,” "anticipate,” "may,” "assume,” "potential,” "strive,” and similar references to future periods. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, those described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, intended, expected, believed, estimated, projected, planned or otherwise expressed in any forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except to the extent required by law, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise. Contact: Leslie A. Garber Director of Investor Relations Oil-Dri Corporation of America [email protected] (312) 321-1515 This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has made some comments. Carroll also called on deputy David Southwick to resign for sitting on his secret tape of the leadership meeting with Deeming on March 19, 2023. “The leadership of the Victorian Liberal Party is today in crisis, and it is untenable, and they both need to resign.” There was a dispute through the trial over whether Opposition Leader John Pesutto had agreed to exonerate Moira Deeming and release a joint statement in the compromise meeting from March 27, 2023. Pesutto rejected that he broke this agreement and said she was never owed a full exoneration as part of the deal, nor that he was going to release a statement with her. He said his office was going to assist her in releasing her own statement. This is what the Federal Court has found: Moira Deeming has released a statement, saying that she is “grateful to God” for the outcome. She thanked her lawyers and the court. “The judge found that I was defamed in five separate publications and that each of those also caused serious harm to my reputation,” she wrote on X. Every single one of Mr Pesutto’s defences, failed. “This judgment is a public acknowledgment that there was never any justification – legal, moral or political – for what the Opposition Leader did to me and to my family. Former shadow attorney general Tim Smith has called for Opposition Leader John Pesutto to resign. Smith, who left the parliamentary Liberal Party in 2022 after a drunken car crash, called on Pesutto to resign immediately. “As a long time member of the Liberal Party I’m calling on @JohnPesutto to resign immediately,” he said on X. Opposition Leader John Pesutto argued four defences in the defamation case: public interest, honest opinion, qualified privilege and contextual truth. Justice David O’Callaghan found the defences either failed, or did not arise. However, he wrote in his lengthy reasons that he was satisfied the Opposition Leader did “subjectively” believe what he published was in the public interest. “I accept Mr Pesutto’s evidence that he subjectively believed that it was necessary immediately to explain to the public why he proposed to move a motion to expel Mrs [Moira] Deeming,” the judge wrote. “I also accept Mr Pesutto’s evidence that he thought staying silent was not an option and that he needed to address the issue to retain credibility because the public would be watching to see how the party responded to the presence of Nazis on the steps of Parliament.” The judge criticised Pesutto for “time and time again” giving lengthy and non-responsive answers to questions asked of him by Deeming’s barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, SC. “I understand that when politicians are engaged in the cut and thrust of politics – facing tough questions in press conferences, for example – their job can involve deflecting questions, pivoting to another topic, or running out the clock,” the judge wrote. “But that is not the role of a witness in a court proceeding.” Chrysanthou argued Pesutto was an untruthful witness in many aspects of his evidence. “Ultimately, however, I am unable to conclude that he gave dishonest evidence about his subjective belief on the public interest question, as infuriatingly unresponsive as much of his evidence was,” O’Callaghan wrote. Justice David O’Callaghan said it was “extraordinary” that both Opposition Leader John Pesutto and deputy David Southwick had failed to mention a secret recording of the March 19, 2023, meeting held the day after the rally. Southwick secretly recorded the meeting and informed Pesutto months later. Pesutto only raised it with his lawyers a week before the trial began. O’Callaghan also said it was “mystifying” Southwick kept the recording secret so long and that Pesutto’s explanation was “dubious.” For Sue Chrysanthou, celebrity lawyer, today’s decision is another notch in her defamation belt. The Sydney silk has become the barrister du jour in the defamation capital of the world, representing everyone from actors to moguls with reputations to rescue. Read for the time that Chrysanthou found herself in the witness box ... Read the full court summary Justice David O’Callaghan has published his reasons for deciding in Moira Deeming’s favour, rather than read them out in court this morning. He awarded Deeming $300,000 in damages after Opposition Leader John Pesutto defamed her. Court costs are yet to be determined, and will be decided upon at a later date, which is yet to be set. “The only order that will be made today upon the publication of these reasons is to adjourn the matter to a date to be fixed for the purpose of the parties bringing in orders to give effect to the published reasons and to deal with any argument as to the grant of any injunctive relief, and as to the calculation of interests and costs,” the judge wrote.None