Reforms should be carried out by elected govtBiden says the US believes journalist Austin Tice is alive after disappearing in Syria in 2012
A special election will be held next year for the vacant 36th state Senate district seat. The primary will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and the general election will take place on Tuesday, April 29, per Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation ordering the special election. The 36th state Senate district — which spans Orange and Los Angeles counties — was most recently represented by Republican Janet Nguyen , who was sworn in last week as Orange County’s First District supervisor . The district is predominantly coastal, stretching from Seal Beach down to San Clemente. It stretches inland to include Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster in Orange County, as well as Artesia and Cerritos in Los Angeles County. Republicans account for 37.11% of registered voters in the district, as of the secretary of state’s latest tally on Oct. 21 , and Democrats make up 33.93% while 22.61% are no party preference. Huntington Beach Councilmember Tony Strickland, a Republican, has already launched a bid for the seat . He previously spent 10 years in the California Legislature where he represented parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The governor’s proclamation Tuesday also set a special election on the same dates for the 32nd Assembly district seat, which was represented by now-Rep. Vince Fong. The San Joaquin Valley Republican had been on the ballot twice in November, for the Assembly seat as well as the House seat to replace former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Staff writer Hanna Kang contributed to this report.Gun found on suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO matches shell casings at scene, police say ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — New York City’s police commissioner says the gun found on the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO matches shell casings found at the crime scene. Commissioner Jessica Tisch also said Wednesday that lab results matched suspect Luigi Mangione’s prints to a water bottle and a snack bar wrapper found near the scene of the killing. Police had said earlier that they believed the gunman bought the items at a nearby coffee shop while awaiting his target. Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania on weapon and forgery charges, but he also has been charged in New York with murder in Brian Thompson's death. His lawyer has noted that Mangione is presumed innocent. Authorities are scrutinizing evidence and the suspect’s experiences with the health care industry. Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer a glimpse into an unusual American moment Memes and online posts in support of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Some cast Mangione as a hero. That's too far, says Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising Democrat who was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee this year. CEO Brian Thompson's death touched off off these ripples. They offer a glimpse into how so many different aspects of 21st-century life can be surreally connected, from public violence to politics, from health care to humor, or attempts at it. FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in January WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray says he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. The announcement Wednesday comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the position. His impending resignation will bring him three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations. Trump applauded the news Wednesday, saying it will end the weaponization of what he called the “Department of Injustice.” Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. The Trump and Biden teams insist they're working hand in glove on foreign crises WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t think much of Joe Biden’s foreign policy record. He frequently casts the outgoing Democratic president as a feckless leader who shredded American credibility around the world during his four-year term. But the Trump and Biden national security teams have come to an understanding that they have no choice but to work together as conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine have left a significant swath of the world on a knife’s edge. It’s fuzzy how much common ground Biden and Trump’s teams have found as they navigate crises that threaten to cause more global upheaval as Trump prepares to settle back into the White House. Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisons DAMASCUS (AP) — Many bodies have been found in Syrian detention centers and prisons since President Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Now Syrians around the world are circulating images of the corpses in hopes that they will see slain loved ones whose fate had been a mystery. At the morgue visited by The Associated Press on Wednesday in Damascus, families flocked to a wall where some of the pictures were pinned in a haunting gallery of the dead. Relatives desperately scanned the images for a recognizable face. Some of the prisoners died just weeks ago. Others perished months earlier. US warns Russia may be ready to use new lethal missile against Ukraine again in 'coming days' WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Russia could launch its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again soon. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh cited a U.S. intelligence assessment in telling reporters on Wednesday that an attack could come “in the coming days.” She says the U.S. does not consider the Oreshnik missile a game changer on the battlefield. But that Russia is using the weapon to intimidate Ukraine as both sides wrestle for an advantage that will give them leverage in any negotiations to end the war. The Russian Defense Ministry also is warning it may retaliate against Kyiv for an attack on a military base in the Rostov region in southern Russia on Wednesday. Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 33 including children, Palestinian medics say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 33 people. One of the strikes hit a home where displaced people were sheltering in the isolated north, killing 19. A separate strike outside nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital killed a woman and her two children, and another strike in central Gaza killed at least seven people. Israel's military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and accuses militants of hiding among them, putting their lives in danger. Local health officials say Israel’s retaliatory offensive after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 has killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Hannah Kobayashi, missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search, is found safe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Kobayashi has been found safe. That’s according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Kobayashi vanished last month in Los Angeles. The missing Hawaii woman's disappearance prompted a massive search and a missing persons investigation. It was not immediately clear where she was found, but police previously said she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico. The LAPD said Wednesday the department will wrap up its investigation. Kobayashi's family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages. Kobayashi’s mother and sister said they are “grateful” she has been found safe. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly? ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament. Key issues include during which part of the year to stage the tournament, where to play the games, whether alcohol will be allowed at all and how to protect workers rights in the massive construction projects required to host the World Cup.Ashworth pays price for Man United recruitment as Ratcliffe shows ruthlessnessTASS: Bashar al-Assad Arrives in Moscow with His Family googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1523223967409-0'); }); Bookmark article Publié le Dimanche 08 Decembre 2024 - 20:44 Lecture 0 min, 44 sec A source in the Kremlin reported on Sunday evening that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in the Russian capital, Moscow, where they have been granted asylum by Russia. The source told TASS news agency: *"Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and were granted asylum on humanitarian grounds."* ... googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1447608228340-1'); }); According to the source, Russia has always supported finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Additionally, the Kremlin believes it is essential to resume negotiations under United Nations auspices. The source added that *"Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the Syrian armed opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria."* The Kremlin affirmed its hope to continue political dialogue in the interest of the Syrian people and to further develop bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and Syria. تابعونا على ڤوڤل للأخبار Bookmark article الأخبــار والمقــالات المحفــوظة
Blackhawks have lots to prove in first of back-to-back games vs. IslandersSudan’s war is ‘deepening and widening’ a famine crisis
CRM Lead Management Market is Booming Worldwide | Big Giants Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — If Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi has any definite ideas about who'll play quarterback for New Orleans against Washington on Sunday, he's not ready to share that information. Rizzi maintained on Wednesday that there's still a chance that Derek Carr could clear the concussion protocol and function well enough with his injured, non-throwing left hand to return against the Commanders. Meanwhile, reserve QBs Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler split first-team snaps during Wednesday's practice, which Carr missed, Rizzi said. “We're not going to name a starter right now,” said Rizzi, who also made a point of noting that Carr would not be placed on the club's injured reserve list and would not need surgery. “We're going to see how that progression plays out, first with Derek and then obviously with Jake and Spencer.” Carr, whose latest injury occurred when he tried to dive for a first down during Sunday's 14-11 victory over the New York Giants , has already missed three starts this season because of a separate, oblique injury. New Orleans lost all three of those games, with Rattler, a rookie, starting and Haener, a second-year pro, serving as the backup. In his three starts, Rattler completed 59 of 99 passes (59.6%) for 571 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Haener has gotten sporadic work this season in relief of both Carr and Rattler, completing 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 177 yards and one TD without an interception. Rizzi said he finds the 6-foot-1 Haener and 6-foot Rattler “very similar in a lot of ways," adding that whichever of those two might play “doesn't change a whole bunch" in terms of game-planning. “They're both similar-size guys. Their athletic ability is very similar,” Rizzi said. “They're similar-style quarterbacks. We're not dealing with opposites on the spectrum.” The Saints also signed another QB this week — Ben DiNucci — to help take scout team snaps at practice, now that Rattler and Haener are not as available to do that while competing to possibly start if Carr is indeed unable to play. The Saints (5-8) have won three of four games since Rizzi took over following the firing of coach Dennis Allen. That allowed New Orleans to remain alive in the NFC South Division, currently led by Tampa Bay (7-6). Rizzi said Carr has not had any setbacks this week in terms of progressing through the NFL's concussion protocol. “By the end of the week, if's he's not able to get any reps in any form or fashion, then obviously we'll go with one of the other guys,” Rizzi said. NOTES: RB Alvin Kamara did not practice on Wednesday because of an illness. ... WR Chris Olave, who is out indefinitely because of concussions this season, has returned to meetings at Saints headquarters. He as not, however, made plans to return to practice yet because he still plans to meet first with neurological specialists to try to assess the risks of returning to action during what's left of this season. Rizzi said the possibility of Olave playing again this season remains “on the table” for now. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Reforms should be implemented through an elected parliament, who, once in power, could swiftly address the economic, social, political and foreign challenges the country is currently facing, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said yesterday. Stressing the need for polls at the earliest, he also said the reports by the reform commissions formed by the interim government should be discussed in parliament. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with some other political parties at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. At the meeting, leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad (Rashed); Gono Forum, Bam Gonotantrik Oikya; Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad; Peoples Party; and National Awami Party (Bhashani) – parties that previously organised joint movements with BNP against the former Awami League government – expressed their dissatisfaction with the interim government's performance so far. They urged the interim government to hold discussions with political parties and announce an election date, adding that reforms should be carried out through an elected parliament after the polls. They also called for initiatives to bridge the gap among the parties. The leaders criticised the formation of a new political party and vowed to continue opposing the government until their demands are met, meeting sources said. Speaking anonymously, one of the leaders at the meeting said the interim government is likely to take time to form a new party, raising concerns for BNP and others. After the meeting, Gono Adhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan accused the interim government of avoiding the banning of AL by putting the blame on BNP. "Our clear statement is that we'll build a mass resistance against those who rehabilitate the Awami League." He too blamed the government of "wasting time to form a party". Mostafa Mohsin Montu, president of a faction of Gono Forum, called for unity based on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. "There is no alternative to unity in the current political situation. For the last 15 years, people have been deprived of their voting rights. After August 5, the opportunity for change has come." Montu also said that reform proposals must be discussed in parliament, adding, "We want to solve the problems through an elected government." Shamsul Alam, coordinator of Bam Gonotantrik Oikya, said, "The government will be requested to hold elections as soon as possible," while Ismail Samrat, convener of Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, demanded that the election be held by next June or July. "Awami League loyalists are still in the administration. Prices of goods are rising, and the law-and-order situation is worsening," Samrat added. Meanwhile at a separate event yesterday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said there was no place in his party for those who were involved in killings, corruption and terror activities. He made the comment at the Thakurgaon Public Library during a blanket distribution programme. About removing autocracy, corruption and fascism from the country, he said, "The only way to overcome corruption and fascism is by establishing the people's rule. In other words, there is no alternative to governing the country through a parliament elected by the people." Reforms should be implemented through an elected parliament, who, once in power, could swiftly address the economic, social, political and foreign challenges the country is currently facing, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said yesterday. Stressing the need for polls at the earliest, he also said the reports by the reform commissions formed by the interim government should be discussed in parliament. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with some other political parties at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. At the meeting, leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad (Rashed); Gono Forum, Bam Gonotantrik Oikya; Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad; Peoples Party; and National Awami Party (Bhashani) – parties that previously organised joint movements with BNP against the former Awami League government – expressed their dissatisfaction with the interim government's performance so far. They urged the interim government to hold discussions with political parties and announce an election date, adding that reforms should be carried out through an elected parliament after the polls. They also called for initiatives to bridge the gap among the parties. The leaders criticised the formation of a new political party and vowed to continue opposing the government until their demands are met, meeting sources said. Speaking anonymously, one of the leaders at the meeting said the interim government is likely to take time to form a new party, raising concerns for BNP and others. After the meeting, Gono Adhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan accused the interim government of avoiding the banning of AL by putting the blame on BNP. "Our clear statement is that we'll build a mass resistance against those who rehabilitate the Awami League." He too blamed the government of "wasting time to form a party". Mostafa Mohsin Montu, president of a faction of Gono Forum, called for unity based on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. "There is no alternative to unity in the current political situation. For the last 15 years, people have been deprived of their voting rights. After August 5, the opportunity for change has come." Montu also said that reform proposals must be discussed in parliament, adding, "We want to solve the problems through an elected government." Shamsul Alam, coordinator of Bam Gonotantrik Oikya, said, "The government will be requested to hold elections as soon as possible," while Ismail Samrat, convener of Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, demanded that the election be held by next June or July. "Awami League loyalists are still in the administration. Prices of goods are rising, and the law-and-order situation is worsening," Samrat added. Meanwhile at a separate event yesterday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said there was no place in his party for those who were involved in killings, corruption and terror activities. He made the comment at the Thakurgaon Public Library during a blanket distribution programme. About removing autocracy, corruption and fascism from the country, he said, "The only way to overcome corruption and fascism is by establishing the people's rule. In other words, there is no alternative to governing the country through a parliament elected by the people."Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Pep Guardiola admits Man City 'have a lot of problems' in disagreement over Ilkay Gundogan verdictSaints QB situation remains cloudy as matchup with Washington nearsDana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Hermosa Beach Police Department Capt. Landon Phillips was one of more than 200 law enforcement officers who recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Phillips has been with the HBPD for nearly 23 years and is part of the graduating class of the 292nd session of the National Academy, which had 257 graduates, according to a press release. “To be able to provide excellent service,” Phillips said in a statement about the HBPD, “we invest in our employees to provide them the best training and tools so they can be leaders in their profession.” “I learned best practices from the instructors and the many other executive-level students from agencies all over the world,” Phillips added about the FBI academy. “I was able to form friendships and partnerships with a network of police executives that I will rely on to enhance our department’s service and address challenges facing our community now and in the future.” The National Academy offers 11 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training, according to a press release from the nonprofit FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. “On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience,” the release said, “and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.” Phillips started as a police officer with HBPD in April 2002, according to his LinkedIn page, and has served as sergeant, lieutenant, acting captain and captain. Nearly 56,000 graduates have competed the National Academy since 1935, according to the press release. It’s held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, where special agents and intelligence analysts are trained. “FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training,” the press release said. “Many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields.” HBPD Chief Paul LeBaron also graduated from the National Academy in 2015, which changed his life “personally and professionally,” he said in a statement. “I continually draw on the worldwide resources that come from being a graduate,” LeBaron said, “and I have implemented many of the National Academy’s key concepts right here at the Hermosa Beach Police Department including building community trust, technology based crime fighting and personal and employee wellness.” FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered remarks at the Dec. 12 graduation ceremony, which included law enforcement officials from 48 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, according to the press release.As Guyana aligns itself to become a bilingual nation, Mexican ambassador to Guyana, Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo explained that this move will not only enhance global trade and competitiveness but also strengthen its ties with the Latin American community. The ambassador made this comment during a recent edition of the Energy Perspectives podcast where he highlighted Mexico’s contribution to Guyana’s Development in terms of education. He noted that currently, several international countries are currently eyeing Guyana as an investment hub due to its growing economy. However, he noted that the lack of a skilled workforce is an obstacle that the country is currently facing. “There are many companies that are willing, that are starting already, already started coming into Guyana and seeing again, the potential of having a very young population and eager population to see what’s in for them in this economic boom so they want to contribute, but they need the tools.” In this regard, He added that with over 1500 tertiary institutions in Mexico, the country could significantly contribute to the enhancement of the local education sector. “And that’s where international partners, such as Mexico, can come into the equation. We have more than 1,500 universities in Mexico, and that includes public universities, private universities, specialisation schools. So, we’re trying to build, again, bridges and connections, networks between the academia in Mexico and here in Guyana.” On, this point the ambassador highlighted that it is also important for the Government to work closely with the private sector. This he noted will ensure that educational institutions are in line with the labour demands within the country. “We have learned a big lesson in Mexico, and that’s that, you have to work hand in hand with the private sector. To know, and I’m talking about the academia, the universities, they have to know what the private sector is, where they are going, what they need, so you stop graduating people that may not find opportunities in the future.” He added, “So that you prepare them from college, university, schools, even technical schools, because that’s some side of education that’s been growing all over the world, and Mexico is no exception. Sometimes the answer is not creating more PhDs and MBAs. Some of the answers rely on the technical side of it, and these are very valuable positions within the labour market.” Moreover, ambassador Crespo highlighted that Mexico could also play an important role in helping Guyana transition into a bilingual nation. “And of course, in helping Guyana embrace this neighbourhood sense, in which most of your neighbours speak a different language. So, also that’s another aspect to how Mexico could help create the objective that you’ve set for yourselves to be a bilingual nation, with either English plus Spanish plus Portuguese plus French and any other of the languages from the neighbours.” Meanwhile, in a move intended to ensure the future generation of the country is not left behind in a rapidly changing economy. President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced last year that Spanish would be a mandatory subject from as early as primary school, he explained that Cabinet members would also be mandated to learn the language. Spanish is the official language of 20 countries and is rated as the world’s second-most spoken native language after Mandarin Chinese, and the world’s fourth-most spoken language overall100 percent of evaluable patients for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing achieved MRD negativity in MajesTEC-5 as induction therapy and MajesTEC-4 as maintenance therapy SAN DIEGO , Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) today announced new frontline data featuring TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv) from two investigational studies in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in induction and maintenance settings. The MajesTEC-5 ( Abstract #493 ) and MajesTEC-4 ( Abstract #494 ) studies establish the potential of TECVAYLI ® for use in newly diagnosed patients, with promising efficacy and a tolerable safety profile. These data were highlighted as oral presentations at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. 1,2 Forty-nine patients with transplant-eligible NDMM were treated with TECVAYLI ® in combination with DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj), lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Tec-DRd) or DARZALEX FASPRO ® , bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Tec-DVRd) as induction therapy in the MajesTEC-5 study. 1 All patients who were evaluated for MRD negativity after cycle 3 of induction therapy achieved MRD negativity (10 -5 ) and maintained through cycle 6. 1 "These data from the MajesTEC-5 study build on the growing body of evidence of TECVAYLI combinations that support the potential combinability of TECVAYLI with other effective therapies, demonstrating high rates of MRD-negative responses for evaluable patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma," said Rachel Kobos, M.D., Vice President, Oncology Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "At Johnson & Johnson, our deep expertise and understanding of multiple myeloma has shaped the regimens we're developing, including our bispecific antibodies in new combinations, and we're committed to exploring the full potential of our therapies to improve outcomes for patients." The safety profiles were manageable and consistent with individual safety profiles. 1 No treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) led to study treatment discontinuation or death; cytokine release syndrome (CRS; Grade 1 or 2) occurred in 65 percent of patients. 1 No patients experienced immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). 1 Grade 3/4 TEAEs included lymphopenia (43 percent), neutropenia (57 percent) and infections (35 percent). 1 "There remains opportunity to achieve even deeper and more sustained outcomes for a broader patient population in the frontline setting," said Marc S. Raab , M.D., Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany .* "These data reinforce the potential of TECVAYLI when used in earlier lines and show that TECVAYLI can be leveraged to optimize existing standard regimens in combination." Results from the safety run-in of the Phase 3 MajesTEC-4 study highlighted the potential of TECVAYLI ® to be administered as a maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). 2 MajesTEC-4 is the first study to present data on a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) bispecific as monotherapy or combination therapy after ASCT. 2 Low rates of non-hematologic Grade 3/4 TEAEs and discontinuation of treatment due to all TEAEs (5.3 percent) were observed. CRS events were all Grade 1/2, mostly occurring during step-up dosing, and ICANS was not observed. Neutropenia and infections were the most common Grade 3/4 TEAEs. 2 Grade 3/4 neutropenia at 6 months showed a decreased trend in cohorts 2 and 3 with less frequent TECVAYLI ® dosing (cohort 1: 94 percent, cohort 2: 63 percent, cohort 3: 47 percent). 2 A similar trend was observed for all-grade infections (cohort 1: 94 percent; cohort 2: 78 percent; cohort 3: 77 percent). 2 All evaluable patients in cohort 1 who underwent MRD assessment after 12 months of therapy were MRD negative, and 100 percent of evaluable patients assessed in cohorts 2 and 3 were also MRD negative at cycle 6. 2 Further analysis of combination therapies will be evaluated in the Phase 3 MajesTEC-7 study, which is currently enrolling. About MajesTEC-5 Study MajesTEC-5 ( NCT05695508 ) is an ongoing, Phase 2 study of teclistamab and talquetamab, evaluating the safety and efficacy of combination regimens in participants with newly diagnosed transplant eligible multiple myeloma. 3 About MajesTEC-4 Study MajesTEC-4 ( NCT05243797 ) is an ongoing, multicenter, randomized, open-label, Phase 3 study of teclistamab in combination with lenalidomide and teclistamab alone versus lenalidomide alone in participants with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma as maintenance therapy following autologous stem cell transplantation. 4 About MajesTEC-7 Study MajesTEC-7 ( NCT05552222 ) is a Phase 3 randomized study comparing teclistamab in combination with daratumumab SC and lenalidomide (Tec-DR) and talquetamab in combination with daratumumab SC and lenalidomide (Tal-DR) versus daratumumab SC, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DRd) in participants with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are either ineligible or not intended for autologous stem cell transplant as initial therapy. 5 About TECVAYLI ® TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv) received approval from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 as an off-the-shelf (or ready-to-use) antibody that is administered as a subcutaneous treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody. 6 The European Commission (EC) granted TECVAYLI ® conditional marketing authorization (CMA) in August 2022 as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have received at least three prior therapies, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 antibody, and have demonstrated disease progression since the last therapy. In August 2023 , the EC granted the approval of a Type II variation application for TECVAYLI ® , providing the option for a reduced dosing frequency of 1.5 mg/kg every two weeks in patients who have achieved a complete response (CR) or better for a minimum of six months. TECVAYLI ® is a first-in-class, bispecific T-cell engager antibody therapy that uses innovative science to activate the immune system by binding to the CD3 receptor expressed on the surface of T-cells and to the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells and some healthy B-lineage cells. In February 2024 , the U.S. FDA approved the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for TECVAYLI ® for a reduced dosing frequency of 1.5 mg/kg every two weeks (Q2W) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have achieved and maintained a CR or better for a minimum of six months. For more information, visit www.TECVAYLI.com . About DARZALEX FASPRO ® and DARZALEX ® DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) received U.S. FDA approval in May 2020 and is approved for nine indications in multiple myeloma, four of which are for frontline treatment in newly diagnosed patients who are transplant eligible or ineligible. It is the only subcutaneous CD38-directed antibody approved to treat patients with MM. DARZALEX FASPRO ® is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20, Halozyme's ENHANZE ® drug delivery technology. DARZALEX ® is the first CD38-directed antibody approved to treat multiple myeloma. DARZALEX ® -based regimens have been used in the treatment of more than 585,000 patients worldwide and more than 239,000 patients in the U.S. alone. In August 2012 , Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Genmab A/S entered a worldwide agreement, which granted Janssen an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab. For more information, visit https://www.darzalexhcp.com. About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. 7 In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells proliferate and spread rapidly and replace normal cells in the bone marrow with tumors. 8 Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer worldwide and remains an incurable disease. 9 In 2024, it was estimated that more than 35,000 people will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. and more than 12,000 people would die from the disease. 10 People living with multiple myeloma have a 5-year survival rate of 59.8 percent. 11 While some people diagnosed with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms that can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels and kidney problems or infections. 12,13 TECVAYLI ® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGIC TOXICITY including IMMUNE EFFECTOR CELL- ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY SYNDROME Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including life-threatening or fatal reactions, can occur in patients receiving TECVAYLI ® . Initiate treatment with TECVAYLI ® step-up dosing schedule to reduce risk of CRS. Withhold TECVAYLI ® until CRS resolves or permanently discontinue based on severity. Neurologic toxicity, including Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) and serious and life- threatening reactions, can occur in patients receiving TECVAYLI ® . Monitor patients for signs or symptoms of neurologic toxicity, including ICANS, during treatment. Withhold TECVAYLI ® until neurologic toxicity resolves or permanently discontinue based on severity. TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program called the TECVAYLI ® and TALVEY ® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). INDICATION AND USAGE TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv) is a bispecific B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CD3 T-cell engager indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s). WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Cytokine Release Syndrome - TECVAYLI ® can cause cytokine release syndrome (CRS), including life-threatening or fatal reactions. In the clinical trial, CRS occurred in 72% of patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose, with Grade 1 CRS occurring in 50% of patients, Grade 2 in 21%, and Grade 3 in 0.6%. Recurrent CRS occurred in 33% of patients. Most patients experienced CRS following step-up dose 1 (42%), step-up dose 2 (35%), or the initial treatment dose (24%). Less than 3% of patients developed first occurrence of CRS following subsequent doses of TECVAYLI ® . The median time to onset of CRS was 2 (range: 1 to 6) days after the most recent dose with a median duration of 2 (range: 1 to 9) days. Clinical signs and symptoms of CRS included, but were not limited to, fever, hypoxia, chills, hypotension, sinus tachycardia, headache, and elevated liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase elevation). Initiate therapy according to TECVAYLI ® step-up dosing schedule to reduce risk of CRS. Administer pretreatment medications to reduce risk of CRS and monitor patients following administration of TECVAYLI ® accordingly. At the first sign of CRS, immediately evaluate patient for hospitalization. Administer supportive care based on severity and consider further management per current practice guidelines. Withhold or permanently discontinue TECVAYLI ® based on severity. TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program under a REMS. Neurologic Toxicity including ICANS - TECVAYLI ® can cause serious or life-threatening neurologic toxicity, including Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS). In the clinical trial, neurologic toxicity occurred in 57% of patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose, with Grade 3 or 4 neurologic toxicity occurring in 2.4% of patients. The most frequent neurologic toxicities were headache (25%), motor dysfunction (16%), sensory neuropathy (15%), and encephalopathy (13%). With longer follow-up, Grade 4 seizure and fatal Guillain-Barré syndrome (one patient each) occurred in patients who received TECVAYLI ® . In the clinical trial, ICANS was reported in 6% of patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose. Recurrent ICANS occurred in 1.8% of patients. Most patients experienced ICANS following step-up dose 1 (1.2%), step-up dose 2 (0.6%), or the initial treatment dose (1.8%). Less than 3% of patients developed first occurrence of ICANS following subsequent doses of TECVAYLI ® . The median time to onset of ICANS was 4 (range: 2 to 8) days after the most recent dose with a median duration of 3 (range: 1 to 20) days. The most frequent clinical manifestations of ICANS reported were confusional state and dysgraphia. The onset of ICANS can be concurrent with CRS, following resolution of CRS, or in the absence of CRS. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of neurologic toxicity during treatment. At the first sign of neurologic toxicity, including ICANS, immediately evaluate patient and provide supportive therapy based on severity. Withhold or permanently discontinue TECVAYLI ® based on severity per recommendations and consider further management per current practice guidelines. Due to the potential for neurologic toxicity, patients are at risk of depressed level of consciousness. Advise patients to refrain from driving or operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery during and for 48 hours after completion of TECVAYLI ® step-up dosing schedule and in the event of new onset of any neurologic toxicity symptoms until neurologic toxicity resolves. TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program under a REMS. TECVAYLI ® and TALVEY ® REMS - TECVAYLI ® is available only through a restricted program under a REMS called the TECVAYLI ® and TALVEY ® REMS because of the risks of CRS and neurologic toxicity, including ICANS. Hepatotoxicity - TECVAYLI ® can cause hepatotoxicity, including fatalities. In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, there was one fatal case of hepatic failure. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 34% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 elevations in 1.2%. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred in 28% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 elevations in 1.8%. Elevated total bilirubin occurred in 6% of patients with Grade 3 or 4 elevations in 0.6%. Liver enzyme elevation can occur with or without concurrent CRS. Monitor liver enzymes and bilirubin at baseline and during treatment as clinically indicated. Withhold TECVAYLI ® or consider permanent discontinuation of TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Infections - TECVAYLI ® can cause severe, life-threatening, or fatal infections. In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, serious infections, including opportunistic infections, occurred in 30% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 infections in 35%, and fatal infections in 4.2%. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection prior to and during treatment with TECVAYLI ® and treat appropriately. Administer prophylactic antimicrobials according to guidelines. Withhold TECVAYLI ® or consider permanent discontinuation of TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Monitor immunoglobulin levels during treatment with TECVAYLI ® and treat according to guidelines, including infection precautions and antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis. Neutropenia - TECVAYLI ® can cause neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, decreased neutrophils occurred in 84% of patients, with Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophils in 56%. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 3% of patients. Monitor complete blood cell counts at baseline and periodically during treatment and provide supportive care per local institutional guidelines. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Withhold TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Hypersensitivity and Other Administration Reactions - TECVAYLI ® can cause both systemic administration-related and local injection-site reactions. Systemic Reactions - In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, 1.2% of patients experienced systemic-administration reactions, which included Grade 1 recurrent pyrexia and Grade 1 swollen tongue. Local Reactions - In patients who received TECVAYLI ® at the recommended dose in the clinical trial, injection-site reactions occurred in 35% of patients, with Grade 1 injection-site reactions in 30% and Grade 2 in 4.8%. Withhold TECVAYLI ® or consider permanent discontinuation of TECVAYLI ® based on severity. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity - Based on its mechanism of action, TECVAYLI ® may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with TECVAYLI ® and for 5 months after the last dose. ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were pyrexia, CRS, musculoskeletal pain, injection site reaction, fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, headache, pneumonia, and diarrhea. The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥20%) were decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased white blood cells, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased platelets. Please read full Prescribing Information , including Boxed WARNING, for TECVAYLI ® . DARZALEX FASPRO ® INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION INDICATIONS DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma: IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS DARZALEX FASPRO ® is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity to daratumumab, hyaluronidase, or any of the components of the formulation. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity and Other Administration Reactions Both systemic administration-related reactions, including severe or life-threatening reactions, and local injection-site reactions can occur with DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Fatal reactions have been reported with daratumumab-containing products, including DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Systemic Reactions In a pooled safety population of 1249 patients with multiple myeloma (N=1056) or light chain (AL) amyloidosis (N=193) who received DARZALEX FASPRO ® as monotherapy or in combination, 7% of patients experienced a systemic administration-related reaction (Grade 2: 3.2%, Grade 3: 0.7%, Grade 4: 0.1%). Systemic administration-related reactions occurred in 7% of patients with the first injection, 0.2% with the second injection, and cumulatively 1% with subsequent injections. The median time to onset was 2.9 hours (range: 5 minutes to 3.5 days). Of the 165 systemic administration-related reactions that occurred in 93 patients, 144 (87%) occurred on the day of DARZALEX FASPRO ® administration. Delayed systemic administration-related reactions have occurred in 1% of the patients. Severe reactions included hypoxia, dyspnea, hypertension, tachycardia, and ocular adverse reactions, including choroidal effusion, acute myopia, and acute angle closure glaucoma. Other signs and symptoms of systemic administration-related reactions may include respiratory symptoms, such as bronchospasm, nasal congestion, cough, throat irritation, allergic rhinitis, and wheezing, as well as anaphylactic reaction, pyrexia, chest pain, pruritus, chills, vomiting, nausea, hypotension, and blurred vision. Pre-medicate patients with histamine-1 receptor antagonist, acetaminophen, and corticosteroids. Monitor patients for systemic administration-related reactions, especially following the first and second injections. For anaphylactic reaction or life-threatening (Grade 4) administration-related reactions, immediately and permanently discontinue DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Consider administering corticosteroids and other medications after the administration of DARZALEX FASPRO ® depending on dosing regimen and medical history to minimize the risk of delayed (defined as occurring the day after administration) systemic administration-related reactions. Ocular adverse reactions, including acute myopia and narrowing of the anterior chamber angle due to ciliochoroidal effusions with potential for increased intraocular pressure or glaucoma, have occurred with daratumumab-containing products. If ocular symptoms occur, interrupt DARZALEX FASPRO ® and seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation prior to restarting DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Local Reactions In this pooled safety population, injection-site reactions occurred in 7% of patients, including Grade 2 reactions in 0.8%. The most frequent (>1%) injection-site reaction was injection-site erythema. These local reactions occurred a median of 5 minutes (range: 0 minutes to 6.5 days) after starting administration of DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Monitor for local reactions and consider symptomatic management. Neutropenia Daratumumab may increase neutropenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Monitor patients with neutropenia for signs of infection. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO ® until recovery of neutrophils. In lower body weight patients receiving DARZALEX FASPRO ® , higher rates of Grade 3-4 neutropenia were observed. Thrombocytopenia Daratumumab may increase thrombocytopenia induced by background therapy. Monitor complete blood cell counts periodically during treatment according to manufacturer's prescribing information for background therapies. Consider withholding DARZALEX FASPRO ® until recovery of platelets. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on the mechanism of action, DARZALEX FASPRO ® can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. DARZALEX FASPRO ® may cause depletion of fetal immune cells and decreased bone density. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females with reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with DARZALEX FASPRO ® and for 3 months after the last dose. The combination of DARZALEX FASPRO ® with lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide is contraindicated in pregnant women because lenalidomide, thalidomide, and pomalidomide may cause birth defects and death of the unborn child. Refer to the lenalidomide, thalidomide, or pomalidomide prescribing information on use during pregnancy. Interference With Serological Testing Daratumumab binds to CD38 on red blood cells (RBCs) and results in a positive indirect antiglobulin test (indirect Coombs test). Daratumumab-mediated positive indirect antiglobulin test may persist for up to 6 months after the last daratumumab administration. Daratumumab bound to RBCs masks detection of antibodies to minor antigens in the patient's serum. The determination of a patient's ABO and Rh blood type are not impacted. Notify blood transfusion centers of this interference with serological testing and inform blood banks that a patient has received DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Type and screen patients prior to starting DARZALEX FASPRO ® . Interference With Determination of Complete Response Daratumumab is a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) kappa monoclonal antibody that can be detected on both the serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation (IFE) assays used for the clinical monitoring of endogenous M-protein. This interference can impact the determination of complete response and of disease progression in some DARZALEX FASPRO ® -treated patients with IgG kappa myeloma protein. ADVERSE REACTIONS In multiple myeloma, the most common adverse reaction (≥20%) with DARZALEX FASPRO ® monotherapy is upper respiratory tract infection. The most common adverse reactions with combination therapy (≥20% for any combination) include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea, insomnia, headache, pyrexia, cough, muscle spasms, back pain, vomiting, hypertension, upper respiratory tract infection, peripheral sensory neuropathy, constipation, pneumonia, and peripheral edema. The most common hematology laboratory abnormalities (≥40%) with DARZALEX FASPRO ® are decreased leukocytes, decreased lymphocytes, decreased neutrophils, decreased platelets, and decreased hemoglobin. Please click here to see the full Prescribing Information for DARZALEX FASPRO ® . About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com . Follow us at @JanssenUS and @JNJInnovMed . Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are both Johnson & Johnson companies. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv ) and DARZALEX FASPRO ® (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj). The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 , including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov , www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. * Marc S. Raab , M.D., has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Johnson & Johnson; he has not been paid for any media work. 1 Raab, Marc, S., et al, 493 Phase 2 Study of Teclistamab-Based Induction Regimens in Patients with Transplant-Eligible (TE) Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM): Results from the GMMG-HD10/DSMM-XX (MajesTEC-5) Trial. 2024 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. December 2024 . 2 Zamagni, Elena, et al., 494 Phase 3 Study of Teclistamab (Tec) in Combination with Lenalidomide (Len) and Tec Alone Versus Len Alone in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) As Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT): Safety Run-in (SRI) Results from the MajesTEC-4/EMN30 Trial. 2024 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. December 2024 . 3 GMMG-HD10 / DSMM-XX / 64007957MMY2003, MajesTEC-5 (HD10/DSMMXX). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05695508 . Accessed November 2024 . 4 Phase 3 Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Lenalidomide and Teclistamab Alone Versus Lenalidomide Alone in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma as Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (MajesTEC-4). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05243797 . Accessed November 2024 . 5 A Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Daratumumab and Lenalidomide (Tec-DR) and Talquetamab in Combination With Daratumumab and Lenalidomide (Tal-DR) in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-7). https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05552222 . Accessed November 2024 . 6 U.S. FDA Approves TECVAYLI ® (teclistamab-cqyv), the First Bispecific T-cell Engager Antibody for the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. https://www.jnj.com/u-s-fda-approves-tecvayli-teclistamab-cqyv-the-first-bispecific-t-cell-engager-antibody-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple-myeloma . Accessed November 2024 . 7 Rajkumar SV. Multiple myeloma: 2020 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification and management. Am J Hematol. 2020;95(5):548-5672020;95(5):548-567. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32212178 8 National Cancer Institute. Plasma Cell Neoplasms. https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloma/patient/myeloma-treatment-pdq . Accessed November 2024 . 9 City of Hope. Multiple Myeloma: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments. https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma . Accessed November 2024 . 10 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics About Multiple Myeloma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/key-statistics.html#:~:text=Multiple%20myeloma%20is%20a%20relatively,men%20and%2015%2C370%20in%20women . Accessed November 2024 . 11 SEER Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics [Internet]. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/ . Accessed November 2024 . 12 American Cancer Society. What is Multiple Myeloma? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/about/what-is-multiple-myeloma.html . Accessed November 2024 . 13 American Cancer Society. Multiple Myeloma Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/multiple-myeloma/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html . Accessed November 2024 . Media contacts: Sarah Freeman sfreem21@its.jnj.com Christie Corbett ccorbet6@its.jnj.com Investor contact: Lauren Johnson investor-relations@its.jnj.com U.S. Medical Inquiries +1 800 526-7736 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tecvayli-teclistamab-cqyv-demonstrates-potential-as-frontline-combination-therapy-for-patients-with-newly-diagnosed-multiple-myeloma-302325575.html SOURCE Johnson & Johnson
Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. 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2024 in pop culture: In a bruising year, we sought out fantasy, escapism — and cute little animals