A former employee has accused Lurie Children’s Hospital of firing her because she reported alleged problems in its pharmacy to state regulators. Christina Christner, who worked as a pharmacy technician at the hospital from August 2023 until April 2024, filed complaints with management and regulators alleging unsanitary practices with medication, according to her lawsuit. She was fired a week after state investigators visited the hospital, the lawsuit states. “It was horrible; it was terrible,” Christner said Tuesday about her time working at Lurie. “Their concern was not about the patients. Their concern was saving money and doing what they’ve always done, and not being current with new regulations, technology.” In the suit, Christner accused the hospital of reusing single-use vials of medications up to four days after they were first used — past their 12-hour expiration. She also alleged pharmacy technicians reused gloves while compounding medication for patients, reused single-use fluid bags and used rubbing alcohol to clean surfaces instead of sterile alcohol, according to court documents. Lurie Children’s Hospital, in a statement to the Sun-Times on Tuesday, denied the allegations. “Lurie Children’s consistently prioritizes safe, high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve and fosters an ethical workplace for our employees,” a spokesperson said. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, seeks backpay with interest, future lost earnings and unspecified damages. Christner said she started voicing concerns as soon as she arrived at Lurie. She made a series of formal complaints in late November and early December 2023. The suit states she met with managers twice, where Christner said they turned the focus to her behavior and claimed she was targeting certain employees by filing the complaints. In February, inspectors from The Joint Commission — which accredits health care organizations — made a surprise visit to Lurie where they gave management a list of issues to fix. Christner alleges management claimed they were going to fight the conclusions. “And it was at that point, I thought, ‘I’m just going to go ahead and report them,’ because that is not the attitude you should have,” Christner said. She reported the hospital to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. David Fish, a lawyer representing Christner, said they hope to get justice for Christner and improve conditions at Lurie. “Employees who work at hospitals, particularly hospitals that deal with babies, should not be put in a position where they have to make a decision about whether to speak up about something they think is unsafe or risk losing their jobs,” Fish said.
As Litecoin (LTC) struggles to maintain its momentum, investors are turning their attention to innovative new projects with high growth potential, such as Avalanche (AVAX) and Lightchain AI. Lightchain AI, now in its presale phase , is making waves with its revolutionary combination of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, delivering decentralized solutions with unparalleled scalability and security. AVAX is a strong rival in the blockchain market nowadays because of its tremendous scalability and lightning-fast transaction speeds. Seeing great possibilities for exponential growth in both AVAX and Lightchain AI , investors are swarming to those two projects as 2025 approaches. The Current State of Litecoin- Challenges and Opportunities Litecoin (LTC) is often called the web silver. It has been a key part of the digital money scene since it started in 2011. Made to be a swifter and cheaper choice to Bitcoin, Litecoin has long shown faster deals times and lower costs making it nice for daily buys. But, the crypto market grow fast brings both problems and chances for Litecoin. The rise of newer coins with better traits and ways to grow has made competition stronger. Also, market ups and downs and rules doubts make big obstacles. Even with these troubles, Litecoin keeps making progress, especially with the adding of MimbleWimble Extension Blocks MWEB upgrade which boosts privacy and growth. ͏These changes try to help Litecoin's place in the changing digital economy. AVAX- A Rising Star in Blockchain Ecosystems Among the most well-known players in the blockchain ecosystem, Avalanche (AVAX) offers a robust platform for custom blockchains and dApps. Launched in 2020 by Ava Labs, Avalanche distinguishes itself from the competitors with its creative tri-chain architecture—the X-Chain, C-Chain, and P-Chain—which enhances scalability and interoperability. The X-Chain facilitates the creation and exchange of digital assets, the C-Chain supports the deployment of smart contracts, and the P-Chain coordinates validators and manages subnets. This design enables developers to build tailored solutions while benefiting from the network's robust security and speed. Avalanche's consensus mechanism, known as the Avalanche Consensus, combines classical and Nakamoto consensus methods to achieve high throughput and low latency without compromising decentralization. This innovation positions Avalanche as a competitive alternative to established platforms like Ethereum, particularly for applications requiring rapid transaction finality and low fees. The native token of the platform, AVAX, is utilized for staking, transaction fees, and governance and is thus an integral part of the ecosystem. Staking AVAX allows holders to participate in network consensus, therefore benefiting the security of the network and rewards. Thanks to its commitment to scalability, security, and interoperability—which has attracted developers and investors— Avalanche is a potential new promising participant in the blockchain scene. Why Lightchain AI is Gaining Traction for 2024 and Beyond Lightchain AI (LCAI) is becoming more and more popular as it addresses significant challenges in artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies. Proof of Intelligence (PoI), its consensus method, rewards nodes for valuable artificial intelligence computations thereby improving network security and efficiency. By using a dedicated computational layer for AI operations, the Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM) ensures seamless integration of AI into the blockchain. Running a presale now, Lightchain AI has raised $5.5 million with tokens valued at $0.004. Analysts predict fast expansion; some speculate that by 2025 the surge would go to $10. Strong alliances and a clear road map help Lightchain AI to transform the game for decentralized AI apps. This interests investors and developers. Buying LCAI tokens today will help you invest in the AI and blockchain revolution. https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
Smart Transportation Surge: USD 97.81B in 2022 to USD 293.84B by 2031, 13% CAGR. 11-26-2024 09:00 PM CET | Logistics & Transport Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Smart Transportation Market Scope: Key Insights : Smart Transportation Market size was valued at around USD 97.81 billion in 2022 and is expected to rise from USD 110.53 billion in 2023 to reach a value of USD 293.84 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 13.0% over the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/smart-transportation-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/smart-transportation-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Smart Transportation Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Smart Transportation market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Smart Transportation Market Research Report: Cisco Systems Siemens AG IBM Corporation Intel Corporation Thales Group Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. General Electric Company Cubic Corporation TomTom International B.V. Denso Corporation Alstom S.A. Hitachi Ltd. Robert Bosch GmbH Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Smart Transportation market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Smart Transportation market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Smart Transportation market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Smart Transportation segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Smart Transportation market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Smart Transportation market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Smart Transportation market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/smart-transportation-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.Crypto industry leaders and advocates welcomed the potential change after a grueling four-year war with Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler. Gensler, who resigned last month, badgered crypto companies with multiple lawsuits and controversial enforcement actions. He routinely allied with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on crypto skepticism and regulatory issues. Crypto enthusiasts accused Gensler of launching “Operation Chokepoint 2.0,” a campaign using litigation to achieve what could not be accomplished through regulation or legislation. The effort was modeled after the Obama-era Operation Chokepoint, which targeted gun dealers, payday lenders and sex workers. “Gensler’s SEC was too quick to condemn new technology and financial products ... and unwilling to offer simple guidance that would have given more clarity to consumers and investors,” said Yaël Ossowski, deputy director at the Consumer Choice Center and a fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute. The SEC’s version of Operation Chokehold encountered legal headaches almost immediately. A federal judge dismissed Gensler’s attempt to classify Ripple’s XRP token as a security and denied the SEC’s appeal. A separate panel of judges criticized the SEC for its capricious and inconsistent policy of denying Grayscale’s proposed Bitcoin exchange-traded program after previously approving two others. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts A significant setback occurred in 2023 when a federal judge threatened to sanction SEC attorneys for “materially false and misleading representations” in a suit against Wyoming-based crypto firm Digital Licensing Inc., also known as DEBT BOX. The SEC later dropped the suit. Gensler refused to back down on crypto enforcement. Less than two weeks after his resignation, the SEC requested that a federal judge not dismiss its suit against Binance and 10 other crypto asset issuers. “The issuers of the Ten Crypto Assets and Defendants treated the offer and sale of these assets as investments whose success inured to the investors’ financial benefit — and publicly promoted them as such,” SEC attorneys alleged in court documents. Trump has nominated former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins as Gensler’s replacement, pending approval from the Senate. He named entrepreneur David Sacks as his White House AI and Crypto Czar to work on the crypto legal framework. Both are crypto supporters. Atkins has been a policy adviser to The Digital Chamber, a pro-crypto advocacy group. Sacks invested in crypto companies through his Craft Ventures fund. Noted crypto and financial tech advocate Jimmie Lenz of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering said the appointments signal Trump is serious about advancing America’s tech role. “The administration is likely to support innovation, thus new technologies and new ideas are likely to be encouraged,” he said. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse praised the pair, calling them a Dream team. He said Atkins would bring common sense policy to the SEC. As for Sacks, Garlinghouse said he would promote pro-innovation plans. This has alarmed Warren, who is expected to be the top Democrat on the Banking Committee. She expressed concern over Atkins, calling him a Wall Street lobbyist who opposed “fines against the giant corporations that defrauded investors” during the 2009 financial crisis. The potential new regulatory environment has Ossowski excited about the future of Bitcoin and other crypto assets. “If the U.S. truly becomes a Bitcoin and crypto powerhouse with a more receptive administration, it will be a beacon to the rest of the world that Bitcoin and its crypto-offspring are vital tools for democratizing financial inclusion and consumer innovation for the future,” he said. Eric Trump framed it in grander terms: Donald Trump “is going to make America the Bitcoin capital of the world,” he said.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. “I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success,” Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. “For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us.” The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch , led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. “If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich,” offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. “I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism.” The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. “I’ve been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy,” Allar said. “I think that’s been a huge difference for me this year.” The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory . He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. “For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm,” Allar said. “Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game.” Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. “He’s a football player,” Warren said. “He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he’s just a football player and that fires up our offense.” Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. “I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Denton Village Board election tie vote ends when husband concedes to his wifeWASHINGTON - Donald Trump threatened the United States’s closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Trump said Monday he would use an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico until the two countries stop drugs and migrants from illegally crossing the U.S. border. The announcement, made on Truth Social, brought swift responses from officials and industry in both countries who are bracing for chaos during Trump’s second tenure. He has long used the threat of import taxes to pressure other countries to do his bidding, saying this summer that “the most beautiful word in the dictionary is ‘tariff.’” It’s unlikely the move would violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U. S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said the president can impose tariffs under his national security powers. This type of duty has a time limit and can only be made permanent through Congressional approval, but for Trump, national security powers are like a “get out of jail free card,” Dawson said. “This is exactly what happened in the last Trump administration,” Dawson said. “Everyone said, ‘Well, that is ridiculous. Canada is the U.S.‘s best security partner. What do you mean our steel and aluminum imports are somehow a source of insecurity?’” But within the global trade system, she said, no country challenges another’s right to define their own national security imperatives. Trump’s first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America’s whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. is Canada’s closest neighbour and largest trading partner. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Negotiation of CUSMA, commonly dubbed “the new NAFTA,” was a key test for Ottawa following Trump’s first victory. The trilateral agreement is up for review in 2026 and experts suspect this week’s tariff announcement is a negotiating tactic. Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for treasury secretary, said in a recent op-ed that tariffs are “a useful tool for achieving the president’s foreign policy objectives.” “Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defence, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing co-operation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role.” During the initial CUSMA negotiations in 2018, Trump floated the idea of a 25 per cent tariff on the Canadian auto sector — something that would have been crippling for the industry on both sides of the border. It was never implemented. At the time, he did use his national security powers to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imports, casting fear of an all-out trade war that would threaten the global economy. The day after announcing those levies, Trump posted on social media “trade wars are good, and easy to win.” Former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer recounted in his book that the duties sent an “unmistakable signal that business as usual was over.” “The Trump administration was willing to ruffle diplomatic feathers to advance its trade agenda.” It led to a legendary clash between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump at the G7 in Quebec. Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory measures, saying the argument that tariffs on steel and aluminum were a matter of national security was “kind of insulting.” Trump took to social media, where, in a flurry of posts he called Trudeau “very dishonest and weak.” Canada and other countries brought their own duties against the U.S. in response. They targeted products for political, rather than economic, reasons. Canada hit yogurt with a 10 per cent duty. Most of the product impacted came from one plant in Wisconsin, the home state of then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. The European Union, Mexico and Canada all targeted U.S. whiskey products with tariffs, in a clear signal to then Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Ultimately, Canada and Mexico were able to negotiate exemptions. Carlo Dade, the director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, said Trump is returning to the White House with more experience and a plan. But he suspects Americans will not like the blow to their bank accounts. Trump’s new across-the-board tariff strategy would not only disrupt global supply chains, it would also cause a major shakeup to the American economy. It’s unclear if Trump will go through with them, or for how long, after campaigning on making life more affordable and increasing the energy market. “I think it will be short-term,” Dade said. “The U.S. can only inflict damage on itself for so long.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press
Stock market 12-03-24: Wall Street inches higher to set more records
Nate Johnson scores 25 as Akron defeats Alabama State 97-78