After-hours movers: Marvell Technology, Salesforce, Okta and moreTAIPEI , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cordyceps Sunshine Biotech Holdings Co., Ltd. 【C.S 】 Group , Taiwan's largest chain specializing in Taiwanofungus products, has officially announced its entry into the global pet medication market with a groundbreaking new drug. On November 30, 2024 , the company co-hosted the "Taiwanofungus Fungal Technology and Pharmacological Research Progress Seminar" in Taipei with the Chinese Herbal Fungi Industry Research and Development Association (CHFIRDA). During the seminar, 【C.S 】 Group revealed plans to produce a topical ointment using Antcin A , a key compound extracted from Taiwanofungus , aiming to address the demand in the global steroid-based pet medication market. Extraction and purification of the key compound in Taiwanofungus, Antcin A. Vincent Liu , director at 【C.S 】 Group , highlighted the company's unique position as one of the few biotech startups capable of vertically integrating the entire production chain—from fungal strain development, cultivation, extraction, and purification to large-scale production and distribution. It is expected that the active ingredients will be further extracted, making it an ideal candidate for the development of botanical new drugs. A report by Market Research Engine projects the global botanical drugs market to reach $47.4 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%. Antcin A, a signature sterol compound derived from Taiwanofungus, serves as a precursor for many bioactive compounds but is challenging to extract due to its scarcity in wild strains. Leveraging proprietary breeding techniques and patent-protected cultivation methods, 【C.S 】 Group has successfully optimized the production of Antcin A, enabling scalable extraction and purification. Entering the Global Steroid-Based Pet Medication Market Dr. Jia-Xin Huang , a renowned Taiwanofungus expert, The effects of Antcin A have been recognized by the industry for a long time. However, the extraction process requires a large amount of Taiwanofungus raw materials, which is very costly and few industry players can overcome it. As a result, the market demand far exceeds the supply. If it is to be commercialized in the short term, it is very suitable to be introduced into the pet external preparation market first. Dr. Chiao Li , a U.S. listing advisor for 【C.S 】 Group , emphasized the immense potential of the global pet market, particularly in North America . According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), as of 2017-2018, there were 84.6 million pet-owning households in the U.S., with 94.2 million cats and 89.7 million dogs. The pet industry is projected to reach $150 billion by 2024. Furthermore, Asia has emerged as a fast-growing pet market, with substantial growth momentum. In developed regions like Europe and the U.S., spending on pets—including medical care, medications, food, and insurance—is well-established. As pet ownership rises globally, fueled by aging populations and declining birth rates, demand for pet medications is expected to increase. Innovative Solutions for a Growing Market Dalan Huang , President of 【C.S 】 Group , cited a Research Nester report projecting the global pet medication market to reach $22.58 billion by 2024, with a CAGR exceeding 9.7% through 2036, potentially surpassing $69.8 billion . Steroids remain a common treatment option but are often stigmatized due to their side effects. With the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Antcin A, 【C.S 】 Group aims to introduce a novel steroid alternative that reduces reliance on conventional steroids while minimizing side effects, a solution likely to appeal to both veterinarians and pet owners. The Taiwanese pet medication market is valued at approximately NT$60 billion , with NT$12 billion attributed to livestock and NT$48 billion to pets. Taiwan's Institute for Economic Research (TIER) estimates that the pet population will reach 4 million by 2025, ensuring steady market growth. Promising Growth in the U.S. Capital Market In recent years, the U.S. capital market has introduced pet-themed ETFs, reflecting the long-term revenue potential of the pet industry, where the average pet lifespan of 10-15 years provides stable income streams resilient to economic fluctuations. 【C.S 】 Group 's classification in the U.S. stock market as a company specializing in medicinal plants is supported by its exclusive cultivation techniques for Taiwan's native Taiwanofungus . With large-scale production facilities in Taiwan , the company has achieved a CAGR of 41% in the Taiwanese market between 2023 and 2024. Building on the Asia pacific herbal health and pharmaceutical markets, 【C.S 】 Group 's expansion into the global pet steroid medication market is set to drive significant revenue growth with a bright outlook ahead. SOURCE Cordyceps SunshineIs Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughingQatar’s emir, Egypt’s prime minister discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy's decision not to wear the rainbow armband in support of the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign has drawn scrutiny. Morsy wore a standard-issue armband instead of the rainbow design during his side's 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on Saturday for "religious beliefs", according to his club Ipswich. He did the same for Ipswich's game against Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. So what are the factors behind the decision - and what has the reaction been? The Premier League collaborates with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall on the Rainbow Laces campaign every season. The initiative involves top-flight players being encouraged to wear rainbow-coloured laces and captain's armbands to demonstrate support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, inspire acceptance among children and young people, and promote equality and diversity. Rainbow Laces was first launched in 2013, typically lasts for a week and has been supported by all clubs and the vast majority of Premier League captains since. Morsy has chosen not to comment on his decision so far. It is not compulsory for captains to wear the armbands, which are provided by the Premier League, along with other matchday assets. But Ipswich Town said in a statement on Monday that the 33-year-old Egypt international, who is a Muslim, made the choice based on his religious beliefs. "We proudly support the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance," the club said. "At the same time, we respect the decision of our captain Sam Morsy, who has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain's armband due to his religious beliefs." Morsy's decision, which made him the only captain to not wear the armband in last weekend's round of fixtures, has garnered support from some and criticism from others. Ipswich Town LGBTQ+ supporters' group Rainbow Tractors told BBC Radio Suffolk: "While Rainbow Tractors were aware in advance of the decision, we are disappointed that Sam Morsy chose not to wear the rainbow armband in support of the Rainbow Laces campaign. We do, however, continue to respect his religious beliefs as we have done in previous seasons." The fact that Morsy's religious beliefs have been cited as the reason behind his decision has led to confusion and accusations of hypocrisy from some, given the Wolverhampton-born midfielder has previously worn shirts promoting gambling sponsors. Gambling is forbidden according to Islamic law. Uefa executive committee member Laura McAllister, a former captain of Wales who was told to remove a rainbow-coloured hat at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar , said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think there has to be an element of individual choice, but I'm really disappointed because a captain represents the team, and the club, and everybody who is a fan of that club, and everybody who works at that club, and that will include a lot of LGBT people as well." Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi wore the armband in his team's draw with Newcastle last weekend, but wrote 'I [heart] Jesus' across it. The Football Association (FA) chose not to take action against Guehi, but is to remind both the club and player that religious messaging on their kit is banned. In Tuesday's game with Ipswich, Guehi changed his written message to 'Jesus [heart] you'. Morsy is not the first footballer to choose not to participate in a campaign designed to show support to LGBTQ+ people. Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, also a Muslim, did not wear the armband when he was made Blades captain during their Premier League defeat by Liverpool last season. Like Morsy, he also declined to provide an explanation for his decision, simply replying "guess" when asked to clarify in an interview with Swedish broadcaster SVT Sport. Previously, clubs in France's top two divisions wore rainbow-themed shirts for one matchday per season in order to demonstrate support for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The names and numbers on the back of shirts were rainbow-coloured, meaning every player in the division was automatically involved in the initiative. But a minority of players did not want to participate in the campaign and refused to wear the shirts. That led to some players making themselves unavailable to play and being left out of matchday squads by their clubs. Current Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was left out of Paris St-Germain's squad for two consecutive seasons because of his apparent refusal to wear the amended kit, while five players on the books of Toulouse and Nantes missed their respective clubs' matches in 2023. The Ligue de Football Professionnel, which runs Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, announced earlier this year that it was ending the campaign following the controversy. The president of a French LGBTQ+ charity told newspaper L'Equipe: "We are shocked by the way in which the symbol of the LGBT+ fight against homophobia will be made invisible." The Premier League has committed to a variety of initiatives designed to show support for different causes in recent years. Following the murder of US citizen George Floyd by a police officer in 2020, Premier League footballers began taking the knee before kick-off to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement , external , following in the footsteps of NFL player Colin Kaepernick. Over time the campaign has been changed and become less specific. Players now take the knee before only four fixtures per season, and the Premier League says the gesture is designed to "demonstrate their ongoing commitment to fight racism and all forms of discrimination". Clubs in the Premier League and English Football League have worn poppies, which are commonly worn in the UK to commemorate the service of members of the British Armed Forces, on the front of their shirts in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday for around 15 years. But some, including Republic of Ireland winger James McClean and Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic , have chosen not to do so because of British involvement in military conflicts in their home regions. There is variation among clerics on the relationship between Islam and homosexuality. Some interpretations of Islam are more conservative, while some are more liberal. In many modern Muslim countries there are restrictions on homosexual relationships. In Egypt, homosexuality is not criminalised, but was described as "highly stigmatised" by a 2023 BBC News investigation. Different interpretations of religious texts in other major religions such as Christianity and Judaism means followers can have varying views about homosexuality. A person's religion does not inherently define their view of LGBTQ+, and not all followers of any one religion believe exactly the same things. Many religious people also identify as LGBTQ+. Diego Garcia Rodriguez, research fellow at the University of Nottingham and author of Gender, Sexuality and Islam in Contemporary Indonesia: Queer Muslims and their Allies, told the BBC that clubs and players can help forge an increased understanding between football and religion. "What we have traditionally witnessed is the dominance of conservative interpretations of the Qu'ran," he said. "But if you look at the work of progressive Islamic scholars too, there is an emphasis on justice, on compassion. There are many Islamic verses that ask Muslims to stand for justice. These values have also been used to challenge discrimination. "Football has that ability to bring people together and unite them across differences. Football clubs and players have the opportunity to lead by example and to emphasise that inclusivity can strengthen the game." Earlier this year BBC News reported on the UK's first Muslim Pride event. One of the Muslim Pride attendees, Farhan, told the BBC it is important to challenge the notion that Islam is "inherently queer-phobic". "This is an assumption that's not necessarily based on fact, because if you read the parts of the Qu'ran that supposedly condemn homosexuality, it's not as clear-cut," Farhan said. A report released earlier this year by ILGA-Europe - an independent group of hundreds of LGBTQ+ organisations from across Europe and Central Asia - suggested that LGBTQ+ rights are regressing in the UK. It ranks the UK just 15th for support for LGBTQ+ rights among 49 European countries , external , having ranked first in 2015. Writing on social media platform X , external , diversity and inclusion consultant and former FA advisor Liz Ward explained why some players might struggle to understand the purpose of their involvement. "When people feel as though they are being 'told' to do something, as opposed to really understanding 'why' they're doing something, conflict will arise," Ward explained. "When you then bring into question values and beliefs, the conflict becomes severe, wide reaching and impossible to combat. This is true of any workplace, no less professional football. "Players aren't having regular conversations about race, gender, sexuality or any other protected characteristic. Clubs, with the best intentions, often tell players what campaign they will take part in. "[Players] are being told to wear laces, an armband or a warm-up top because they 'have to'. I've seen players be told that it's part of their contract, threatened with a breach if they don't take part. "We need better communication and player involvement in campaigns such as this." Players are able to access support from the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) - the footballers’ union for England and Wales - on matters concerning identity, faith and spirituality. Both the PFA and Premier League declined to comment when asked to do so by the BBC.None
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EXCLUSIVE Moment careless Evri driver drops parcels onto doorstep before hurling another package over a fence and running away - as shopper vows never to use courier again By JOSE RAMOS Published: 20:00 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 20:12 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail 16 View comments This is the shocking moment a delivery driver throws a parcel across a garden fence in broad day light. The man is seen carrying three plastic bags with him as he approaches the house before he drops two of them at the front door of the property in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Following that, the Evri driver, wearing a beanie, a black puffer jacket and blue track bottoms, is seen hurling the bigger parcel across a fence onto a neighbouring property before running away. A thwack can be heard in the video as the parcels are thrown onto the floor. The video captured on doorbell footage on Saturday shocked Vicky Hartley who had just ordered a pair of new boots from Clark's for her mother Patricia, 70, ahead of Christmas . The 35-year-old NHS worker could not believe her eyes when she saw the footage on her phone. Speaking to MailOnline, she said: 'I wasn't home at the time of the delivery but I heard the notification pop up on my phone. I saw it right away and was shocked at how careless it was, without any thought of who it was being delivered or for who it was. 'I have had issues with Evri in the past when they take pictures for proof of delivery and then when you go try to find the parcels you can't see them anywhere. This is the shocking moment a delivery driver throws a parcel across a garden fence in broad day light The driver is seen carrying three plastic bags with him as he approaches the house before he chucks two of them at the front door of the property in Barnsley, South Yorkshire The man, wearing a beanie and a black puffer jacket and blue track bottoms, is seen hurling the bigger parcel across a fence unto a neighbouring property 'I paid a fiver for the delivery and because the weather has been awful and it was just thrown unto the floor, the box was all damaged. That wasn't money well spent at all.' She added: 'I'm never getting a parcel with Evri again'. Ms Hartley contacted Evri through its automatic customer service messaging service and was told someone would be in touch with her. 'I was really surprised at the lack of care that was taken by the delivery driver. 'I would like a refund for my whole order because the box was all smashed up. 'Just imagine if I had ordered an expensive thing like a computer or something else. 'I'm not wanting a full refund for what happened. The box is all smashed up.' A spokesperson for Evri said: 'Every parcel matters to us and we're committed to instilling this culture amongst everyone who delivers on our behalf. 'This footage does not reflect the high standards we usually see from our couriers who receive an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. 'This courier will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri.' This isn't the first time the courier has got into trouble for the careless way its drivers appear to handle the packages. A thwack can be heard in the video as the parcels are thrown unto the floor After throwing the parcels and leaving them for anyone to take, the man then runs off into the distance As previously reported, in April a delivery driver was seen carelessly throwing parcels out of his van and into a gutter in front of a disgusted customer. The courier in Torquay, Devon, hurled the packages, which are a range of sizes, in front of photographer Maciej Olszewski, who was worried one of the items could be his new camera. A growing pile of parcels was scattered along the gutter below the pavement just a couple of yards away from a drain. With the rear door of the van open, a brown cardboard box could be seen getting chucked from inside the vehicle and into the gutter before a softer bright blue package joined it on the side of the road. Evri told The Sun that the driver responsible had been put on a 'training course' but remains employed by the firm. The company added that they take their responsibility to 'care' for every parcel 'seriously'. Mr Olszewski, who was on his way to work when he witnessed the incident, said he had received damaged packages before. 'I thought 'what the f*** could this be my new camera?'' he said. 'Someone could have stolen them just as easily.' Read More Shocking moment Evri delivery driver carelessly throws parcels into the GUTTER in front of disgusted customer In December last year, the Mail went undercover at the delivery company after it was dubbed Britain's 'worst' courier firm. We found a workforce, scrambled together following minimal training, battling to earn minimum wage in all weathers — to which those soggy parcels can testify. Desperate for drivers in the run-up to Christmas, and amid what was billed as the 'biggest recruitment drive in our history', the Mail reporter was offered work by Evri within hours of completing an online application. Having then received just three hours of face-to-face training he was immediately sent out on the road with a car-load of 30 parcels. While Evri claims that drivers 'have the chance to earn a competitive rate of £10 to £15 per hour', he discovered that to hit those figures, he needed to deliver a parcel at a rate of one every couple of minutes — a tall order. A large carboard box parcel can be seen getting chucked out of the white van and onto a growing pile of packages lying in the gutter This is the shocking moment an Evri delivery driver carelessly throws parcels out of his van and into a gutter in front of a disgusted customer It meant that over four days spent collecting, loading and delivering from a depot in the Midlands, on no day did his basic pay reach the minimum wage of £10.42 an hour. Evri, meanwhile, insists 'new starters' like our reporter would in fact earn in excess of that figure because they are given bonus payments for the first few days to make up for their lack of experience. In January a mother was left fuming after spotted her alleged Evri driver launching her parcel into the front garden like a frisbee. Beth Robyn had ordered a gift for her son but soon realised the contents of the parcel were damaged after opening it. When the mother from Keighley, West Yorkshire, went to analyse the footage she saw how the parcel was chucked towards the door instead of the delivery driver walking a few feet up the path to safely deliver it. Ms Robyn took to social media on January 8 to share the shocking footage, playfully writing: 'Seems Evri now have a new way to deliver.' She later added: 'After communication with Evri, the driver has been removed from the service. 'I've reported it as damaged from the company as well. A friend of mine has had the same today from the same area and apparently, he's allowed to do that as long as it's on the property.' The post received over 160 likes and dozens of comments from Brits left unimpressed by the driver's actions. One person wrote: 'Why on earth did he leave his car door wide open while he had a car full of parcels while people were walking past, is what I can't get over. Because he couldn't keep his eyes off those kids near his car.' An Evri spokesperson said at the time: 'Our ambition is that every customer's experience is a positive one. We've apologised to Ms Robyn and provided a goodwill payment. 'This delivery falls below the standards we expect and the courier will no longer be delivering on behalf of Evri. 'They added: 'We work with over 20,000 couriers on a day-to-day basis, the vast majority of which are honest and hard-working local people, delivering parcels in their own communities with an average star rating of 4.7 out of 5.' Share or comment on this article: Moment careless Evri driver drops parcels onto doorstep before hurling another package over a fence and running away - as shopper vows never to use courier again e-mail Add commentGoogle’s CEO Sundar Pichai recently discussed the significant challenges associated with the web ecosystem and predicted that 2025 will usher in a period of substantial transformation. In an interview, Sundar Pichai outlined what users might anticipate in the coming year, while also noting the potential concerns for content creators that were not fully addressed. When asked about Google’s current standing in the global landscape, he described the company as undergoing a profound transition. He emphasized that Google is recognized as a leading force in the realm of artificial intelligence, distinguishing itself from others who merely follow trends. Specifically, he pointed out that the entire AI sector is built upon Google’s open-source research contributions, asserting that without Google’s involvement, the AI landscape would not have developed as it has. Also read: Google CEO slams ‘completely unacceptable’ Gemini AI errors Pichai characterized this as a pivotal moment in the evolution of technology, indicating that we are at the beginning of a significant transformation where artificial intelligence is becoming integral to all aspects. He noted that world-class research is paramount, and its prominence in citations underscores its importance. Currently, Google boasts over 15 products utilized by 500 million users. The company is developing foundational models for internal use, which have greatly benefited over 3 million developers, reflecting a genuine investment in innovation. Brief discussions also touched on the current blue link economy, where Pichai explained that Google has implemented advanced AI techniques in its search functionality. This has effectively addressed gaps in search quality. Many industry observers have not fully grasped that AI is not a recent development for Google; it has been an integral part of the company since 2012. From deep neural networks to advancements in image and speech recognition, Google has been actively engaged in this field for years. Looking ahead to 2025, the CEO indicated that the focus will be on early changes, acknowledging that progress may become increasingly challenging as innovation is not as readily attainable as it once was. The search engine is poised to confront more intricate issues than in the past, and the world can expect surprising developments on the horizon.
Artificial intelligence (AI) was hot again this week, and it wasn't just Nvidia 's ( NVDA -3.22% ) earnings that were in focus. Super Micro Computer ( SMCI 11.62% ) was the huge winner, as it put forth a plan to become compliant with Nasdaq listing requirements. According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence , Super Micro Computer's shares were up as much as 85% this week, C3.ai ( AI 6.94% ) was up 43.9%, and BigBear.ai Holdings ( BBAI 11.87% ) jumped 47.6%. At 3 p.m. ET on Friday, the stocks were up 78.1%, 42.8%, and 45.3%, respectively, for the week. Super Micro Computer's new plan On Wednesday, Super Micro Computer announced it had submitted a plan to Nasdaq to regain compliance to be listed on the exchange. That includes filing the company's annual 10-K for fiscal 2024 and the first quarter of fiscal 2025 10-Q. A key to the plan was Monday's announcement that BDO has been hired as the company's auditor. The company's previous auditor, Ernst & Young, resigned on concerns about management's governance and transparency. When a company's auditor quits, it can be a sign there are hidden risks that investors aren't anticipating. And the remedy can take months or even years, potentially ending with being delisted from the exchange. This doesn't solve Supermicro's problems, but it puts the company on a path to normal reporting again. C3.ai's big announcement At Microsoft Ignite, C3.ai announced a strategic alliance with Microsoft to "accelerate the adoption of Enterprise AI on Microsoft Azure." This includes initiatives like technical integration, product development, and joint sales and marketing. This is a natural partnership, given the common enterprise customers the companies have in common and the scale Microsoft can bring. Nvidia is the elephant in the room On top of these company-specific news items, Nvidia's earnings were the big news this week, as the company released fiscal third-quarter 2025 financial results. Revenue was up 94% to $35.1 billion, and net income jumped 109% to $19.3 billion, or $0.78 per share. Management continued to say demand is greater than supply for AI systems, and guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter (which Nvidia usually beats) was for $37.5 billion in revenue, continuing the growth march. The one trend that weakened for Nvidia was gross margins, which have fallen from 75.5% in the fiscal second quarter of 2025 to a guided range of 73% to 73.5% in the fiscal fourth quarter. This indicates that pricing power isn't quite as high as it once was for Nvidia, which makes sense as the company grows and AI chips become more competitive. The AI momentum continues It's been an incredible two years for AI, but the momentum doesn't seem to be stopping. And with Nvidia indicating that there's at least a few more quarters of growth, investors may see more gains ahead. Even companies like BigBear.ai that didn't announce anything significant this week are benefiting from the rising tide lifting all stocks. Someday, the tide will turn, but it certainly didn't this week.