RapDev Named One of North America's Fastest-Growing Tech Companies on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 ListMeet Chicopee’s new at-large School Committee memberDonald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
The latest climate summit has been as hypocritical and dysfunctional as every one before, with most world leaders not even bothering to turn up. Still, 50,000 people flew in from across the world, while essentially telling the rest of us to stop flying. Poor-country politicians performatively staged a "walk-out", and rich nations ended up promising a climate slush fund of US$300 billion (about 10 trillion baht) a year. This extravagant pay-off is unlikely to happen, just like previous fanciful pledges made over three decades of climate summits. While virtually every summit has promised to cut emissions, they've increased almost every year, and 2024 reached a new high. In 2021, the world promised to phase-down coal. Since then, coal consumption has only gone up. We need a different game plan -- and the decisive election of Donald Trump may upend these sanctimonious summits. Therein lies an opportunity for the world. Carbon emissions continue to grow because cheap, reliable power, mostly from fossil fuels, drives economic growth. Wealthy countries like the US and European Union members have started to cut emissions but the rest of the world remains focused on eradicating poverty. The rich world has tried to bribe the poor to agree to emission cuts, mainly by rebranding existing development aid. Unsurprisingly, rich countries paying lip service to the pay-offs has led to poor countries paying lip service to the climate pageantry, while actually driving economic growth with ever-more fossil fuels. Green campaigners insist that the global transition away from fossil fuels is unstoppable, yet over the past decade and even just last year, fossil fuel energy has increased twice as much as green energy. Even the Biden Administration's Energy Information Administration expects fossil fuels to increase all the way to 2050. Green politicians insist solar and wind are cheaper than fossil fuels, but this is only true when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. In reality, such renewables need massive subsidies and redistributive taxes, which has driven up electricity costs in the EU by 50% since 2000, now costing each person over $300 extra annually. Recent years have seen politicians promising feverishly to cut even more carbon -- but the election of Donald Trump, who campaigned on pulling out of the Paris Agreement and scrapping renewable energy projects, means this bubble is bursting. And these troubles began even before Mr Trump's election. Despite an exuberant stock market in recent years, clean energy shares have lost half their value. After the US election, they immediately tumbled further, based on the expectation that subsidy spigots will be turned off in the US. The "net zero" green agenda, based on massive subsidies and expensive legislation, will likely cost $27 trillion per year across the century, making it utterly unattractive to most nations. Mr Trump will dump these policies. Without huge transfers of wealth, China, India and many other growing, developing countries will in effect disavow these policies, too. This leaves a rag-tag group mostly from the EU, which can scarcely afford their own policies but have no ability to pay off everyone else. Fortunately, there is a much better and cheaper way to tackle climate change. Climate economists have long shown that investment in green energy R&D is the most efficient approach. For just a tiny fraction of current, inefficient green spending, we could quintuple global green innovation to drive down the price of new technologies like better batteries and fourth-generation nuclear. Innovating the price of green energy below fossil fuels is the only way to get everyone to switch. This approach can even help convince policymakers who are sceptical about climate change because they see the vast potential in cheaper energy. A dose of realism could also end the elite's preoccupation with climate. The rich world faces many challenges: rapid aging, an urgent need for pension reform, growing healthcare costs, flatlining education results, and military threats. The trillions wasted on current climate policies could be much better spent. For the world's poorer half, problems of poverty, hunger, easily curable infectious diseases, and corruption need more attention, and they have incredibly cheap and effective solutions. Instead of the immense, and mostly poorly spent, climate bribes, this money could boost development across the global south. Climate campaigners can spend the next four years doubling down on policies that have failed for the past three decades and protesting the Trump Administration for its policy shift. Or they can use the opportunity to refocus on a smarter and much cheaper green innovation policy -- and address all the other urgent problems facing the world. Bjorn Lomborg is President of the Copenhagen Consensus.JonBenét Ramsey's dad gives new update decades after six-year-old beauty queen murdered
As robotics investing climbs out of its 2023 slump, humanoid robotics pioneer WorkFar — which has not received any funding from venture capital — is ready to produce at the level of competitors already receiving billions of investment dollars. SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There's nothing quite like the tenacity of a new company with a unique value proposition that directly addresses the needs of its target customer base. WorkFar Robotics, a business specializing in commercial humanoid service robots for industrial applications, has yet to get on the radar of today's venture capitalists — but that hasn't stopped them from reaching the mass-producing stage. Many companies, particularly those in the robotics industry, are reliant on venture capital, and they can go for years — or even a decade — without turning a profit. Building a cash-flowing robotics company with no investment aside from hard work, creativity, and business acumen is a feat rarely accomplished. Yet WorkFar has managed to achieve the same level of progress as competitors receiving $100 million to over $1 billion in investment funding. WorkFar's Business Model: An Autonomous, Remote-operatable Robot for $0 down WorkFar's offering is unique in the world of industrial robotics. The industry's most common business model is to sell an expensive product to a manufacturer and possibly provide some integration services. For companies unable to afford the high price tag, certain robotics manufacturers offer a subscription-based "Robot-as-a-Service." WorkFar takes this a step further by allowing clients to lease both a robot and a trained, remote operator on a monthly basis without a down payment. The combination of sophisticated humanoid robot, AI-enhanced programming, and an optional human operator constitutes a turnkey solution for warehouses and manufacturers dealing with aggravating challenges like long-lasting labor shortages, concerns around worker safety and burnout, and issues with efficiency and consistency. Since the optional teleoperator is remote-based, WorkFar can leverage the global workforce to support its customers. The WorkFar "Syntro" robot uses virtual reality eye tracking and AI algorithms to target and grasp objects at the operator's direction, and the operator gets feedback on object pick-up through haptic gloves. The robot's "core logic" is human intelligence, which — despite rapid advances in AI — still can't be beat. WorkFar's Manufacturing Expertise goes back Decades Although the 'Syntro' robot is brand-new, WorkFar's US based manufacturing facility has over 40 years of experience producing plastic and metal parts for industrial machinery and consumer products. This expertise is now being leveraged to mass produce humanoid robot in-house — an arrangement that cuts out the middleman and leads to more efficient operations. With supply chain issues wreaking havoc on robotics companies' operations for the past several years, this is a major advantage. Robotics Investing dipped in 2023, but it's Coming Back strong with AI and Humanoid Technology Investment in the robotics industry hit a five-year low last year, particularly in the area of autonomous vehicles (AVs). This was partially a result of a widespread market correction within venture capital investing, but the legislative concerns and negative press surrounding AVs didn't help. The slump was temporary, however, and robotics venture capital is starting to rise again rapidly, with vertical-specific robotics companies focusing on logistics, security, and medical applications leading the way. One thing that's making robotics investing much more appealing is the awe-inspiring takeoff in artificial intelligence capabilities. AI models give robots the capacity to execute complex tasks like grasping unpredictably shaped objects much more smoothly and accurately. Even better, AI allows the robots to learn from each effort, rapidly increasing their accuracy and efficiency over time. Robot vision will gain clarity with improved object detection and image segmentation — essential tools for interacting "intuitively" with the environment. With a design meant to evoke their maker, humanoid robots are poised to reap the greatest benefits from this rapid growth in AI. They show promise across multiple industries, ranging from manufacturing to healthcare to personal assistance. Once AI's transformative capabilities became apparent, projections for the humanoid robot market ten years from now shot up from just $6 billion to almost $200 billion — or in some estimates, well over $24 trillion . Sheer Business Acumen has propelled WorkFar to the point of Mass Production Although the robotics investment outlook is getting brighter, the recent dip has prompted investors to be more discerning and focus on areas where robotic solutions can make important strides right now. Venture capitalists have seen plenty of technology demos that turn heads; now it's time to back these up with solid business plans that show real returns on investment. With its robot-as-a-service offering at $0 down payment, this is WorkFar's strong suit. Even with rapid AI advances, this model will always benefit from the authority and decision-making power of human intelligence. This is central to WorkFar's vision: a human-robot team that will unleash a new era of productivity, bringing collaborative efficiency to factories and facilities worldwide. This innovative solution takes into account what other solutions overlook: the fact that true productivity depends on human decision-making and robotic efficiency being intertwined, not isolated. This vision is what has enabled WorkFar to grow on its own revenue in an industry that usually requires millions or even billions of dollars in venture capital. No longer a startup, this company has now pushed into a higher corporate level of investment based on business acumen alone. With a market-ready product that can be manufactured in WorkFar's own factory, the humanoid robotics pioneer is stronger because it does not rely on venture capital. To inquire, contact us via www.WorkFar.com now! Contact: [email protected] SOURCE WorkFar IncPhoto: Castanet file photo A South Okanagan teenager who filmed an underaged sexual partner and threatened to share the footage has highlighted concerns about youth internet usage. In a case recently before the B.C. youth court system, a South Okanagan high school student — whose name and other identifying information is shielded due to youth privacy requirements — pleaded guilty in relation to an incident in 2023. Court heard that the teen, who Castanet will refer to with the pseudonym Kevin, took intimate photos and videos of himself engaging in consensual sexual activity with a child of a similar age, in the range of 13-15. While the sex was consensual, the filming meets the definition of child sexual exploitation imagery, which is illegal to create or possess. The victim denied knowledge of being filmed. In September of the same year, Kevin threatened the victim with releasing the video to her new partner, and taunted her with suggestions that he had already shared the imagery with friends, according to what was shared in court. The victim reported the incident, and a subsequent arrest and search of Kevin's phone showed the victim on video as well as multiple other saved explicit images of similarly-aged girls. The victim told the court she continues to struggle with psychological trauma from the incident. Crown counsel Danielle Borgia called it a “unique” situation and a “big problem” with teenagers today using social media apps such as Snapchat in explicit ways. “I think the real issue here that takes us into the criminal charges [...] is the threat,” Borgia said. Judge Gregory Koturbash accepted Kevin's guilty plea and called it a "sad day" for both Kevin and the victim. He sentenced Kevin to a conditional discharge, meaning no jail time and strict probation requirements for 18 months. At the end, if he follows all the rules, Kevin will not have a record as an adult. The sentence, the judge noted, takes into account that youth do not yet have fully developed brains and can learn from a mistake. “This [court system] isn’t the best system sometimes for solving these sorts of situations but it’s the only system we have, and it does take a lot of courage to come forward,” Koturbash said, praising the victim for speaking up. "It’s really difficult for the message to get out there as to how damaging these sorts of things can be [to youth involved]," he added, saying "kids don't watch the news." "But some way, somehow, young people need to understand that sending out or threatening to send out intimate images for revenge [...] can have such devastating consequences.” Digital literacy and concerns about explicit content are addressed at School District 67 schools, said superintendent Todd Manuel. He could not comment on the specific case, but confirmed "consent education is an integrated component in our sexual health curriculum to teach the importance of personal boundaries and respectful interactions both online and in person," in an emailed statement. "SD67 schools often share information with parents and guardians about opportunities to sign up for a variety of online sessions and DPAC parent engagement nights to help families to support their children's safe use of digital technologies, covering strategies for open communication and setting boundaries," Manuel explained. "For example, the Expect Respect and A Safe Education session 'Establishing Safe, Caring, and Respectful Digital Communities' is offered several times a year and has been very popular with families." Manuel also highlighted that SD67 schools offer access to support when needed, including helping with connecting to RCMP when needed and educating about the BC Intimate Images Protection Service, available online here. "We appreciate the support that our school communities, Ministry of Education and Child Care, RCMP and community partners continue to provide to our students regarding the proper use of social media," Manuel said. "These issues require our collective response to continue to build safety and education for all children."
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021 , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the federal election interference case against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate classified documents case against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his conviction on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans who voted to acquit Trump during his Senate impeachment trial said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he enjoyed absolute immunity from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke National Politics | Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration National Politics | Expecting challenges, blue states vow to create ‘firewall’ of abortion protections National Politics | Washington power has shifted. Here’s how the ACA may shift, too The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of improperly storing at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed.Thrivent Financial for Lutherans cut its stake in shares of Itron, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ITRI – Free Report ) by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 60,108 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock after selling 2,769 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned about 0.13% of Itron worth $6,421,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sculptor Capital LP acquired a new position in Itron in the 2nd quarter worth about $5,255,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in shares of Itron by 7.8% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 268,379 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $26,559,000 after purchasing an additional 19,387 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Itron in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,319,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Itron by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,701,337 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock valued at $527,488,000 after buying an additional 45,909 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ boosted its position in Itron by 97.8% during the 2nd quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 10,207 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company’s stock worth $1,012,000 after buying an additional 5,047 shares during the period. 96.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Itron news, CEO Thomas Deitrich sold 887 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.15, for a total value of $90,607.05. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 205,276 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $20,968,943.40. This trade represents a 0.43 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Joan S. Hooper sold 509 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.15, for a total transaction of $51,994.35. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 72,338 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,389,326.70. The trade was a 0.70 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 39,066 shares of company stock worth $4,092,737. Corporate insiders own 1.45% of the company’s stock. Itron Stock Performance Itron ( NASDAQ:ITRI – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $615.46 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $596.41 million. Itron had a net margin of 9.37% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The business’s revenue was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.98 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Itron, Inc. will post 5.33 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have issued reports on ITRI. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Itron from $125.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Janney Montgomery Scott began coverage on Itron in a report on Friday, September 27th. They set a “buy” rating and a $131.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Itron from $110.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Itron in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $133.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $110.00 price objective on shares of Itron in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $123.92. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ITRI Itron Company Profile ( Free Report ) Itron, Inc, a technology, solutions, and service company, provides end-to-end solutions that help manage energy, water, and smart city operations worldwide. It operates in three segments: Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and Outcomes. The Device Solutions segment offers hardware products that are used for measurement, control, or sensing, such as standard gas, electricity, water, and communicating meters, as well as heat and allocation products. 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AP Sports SummaryBrief at 7:07 a.m. ESTUFC fans loved Petr Yan’s reaction to a question about Sean O’Malley after his latest win. The former bantamweight champion seemingly put himself in line for a shot at current 135lb king Merab Dvalishvili by easily outpointing Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau on Saturday. Yan’s latest win makes it two in a row since he snapped his three-fight losing streak, which included a very controversial split decision defeat against O’Malley in October 2022. ‘Suga’ went on to win the belt by knocking out Aljamain Sterling , but he’s currently looking for a route back to the top after losing it to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September. READ MORE: ‘King of Kung Fu’ incredibly scores sixth spinning kick KO of his MMA career at UFC Macau Petr Yan issues cold response to Sean O’Malley question Umar Nurmagomedov appeared to be next in line for a bantamweight title shot before Petr Yan put on a flawless performance against the former two-time flyweight champion. The Russian fan-favorite believes he’s done enough to leapfrog Nurmagomedov, whose 18-0 record has just one high-profile win over somebody Yan has also beaten, Cory Sandhagen During a post-fight press conference, Yan was asked if he would entertain rematches with O’Malley and Sandhagen. ‘No Mercy’ lived up to his nickname as he gave a cold response to the question, he said: “I already beat both Sean O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen. I beat them before.” Footage of Yan still contesting his defeat to O’Malley four years later quickly went viral on social media, and earned countless comments from fans who thought he was ‘robbed’ against the rainbow-haired KO artist. One person tweeted: “Yan’s speaking facts.” Another said: “He’s right.” Someone else added: “No lie here.” A fourth fan commented: “And he’s right. He was robbed af against O’Malley.” Petr Yan wants to rematch Merab Dvalishvili next Petr Yan used his post-fight mic time to send a message to Merab Dvalishvili , who won every round when they clashed at UFC Fight Night 221 in March 2023. He said during an interview with Michael Bisping: “Hey guys, before my fight, Merab said that Deiveson Figueiredo was the number one contender who deserved the title fight – I want to say to Merab, what do you say now?! “When I’ve beaten the number one contender in my division, I want to do a rematch with Merab – let’s get him!” Dvalishvili hasn’t responded directly to the callout, although he was posting throughout the UFC Macau main event: “What a great fight,” he wrote on X, followed by “I’m impressed [by] Petr Yan’s performance tonight.” Yan replied: “Let’s do it again! I promise fans won’t be disappointed.” He added about his win over Figueiredo: “I think it wasn’t bad after 8 months layoff and knee surgery. Thanks to everyone who supported me.”
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MDT Ventures Closes Fund III & IV at $570 Million, Exceeding $525 Million Target 11-26-2024 11:50 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Brand Push MDT Ventures is a Chicago-based early growth stage venture capital fund launched in 2016 by a team of professionals with over 100 years of combined experience in the industry. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/caa388160f1c0618c7d4049b7b8cc083.png The Chicago-based early growth stage venture capital fund MDT Ventures [ https://www.mdtventures.com/ ] has announced the successful closure of its third and fourth rounds of funding, noting both rounds were substantially oversubscribed and closing its hard cap while surpassing the $525 million target. The team pointed out that MDT Fund III closed at $480 million and will continue their investment thesis while expanding into the ESG or environmental, social, and governance space. MDT Fund IV, Chicago Diversity Growth Fund, closed at $90 million and will provide underrepresented founders with equity and resources to expand innovation and economic opportunity while creating additional jobs in Chicago in the technology, healthcare, and real estate sectors. Founder Michael Thompson stated that as a "diverse founder and business owner, I understand the hurdles and constraints these founders and businesses face to run their operations in this economy." "MDT is excited to begin making more significant investments in our hometown of Chicago," the founder added. "None of this is possible without the unwavering support of our investors and limited partners. We are excited to provide strong returns to our investors while embracing our key mission and values." The four pillars of the MDT Ventures investment criteria include a proven management team, differentiated products or services, plus capital efficiency and the immense desire for growth. The MDT Ventures [ https://www.mdtventures.com/ ] team has been in the industry for over 15 years, combining over 100 years of experience in its team of over half a dozen employees. Their primary focus remains on equity investments in companies that have a clear dynamic growth potential, mainly highly scalable business in technology and service areas. The company explained how they invest in many industry types but have developed a preference for education, healthcare, technology, financial services, and logistic supply chains over their past eight years of operation since the official 2016 launch. "Our company serves as a strategic partner to entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building world-class companies that are scalable and durable," an MDT Ventures representative stated. "As investors, we show our commitment to the business by becoming an extension of their team and by using our resources and experience to propel them to the next level of growth. We invest in entrepreneurs who have a vision, plan, and motivation." Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/9e7fa89f2730b1677f2eaacd40364872.jpg MDT Ventures was founded [ https://www.mdtventures.com/about-us/ ] in 2016 by Michael Thompson, who is responsible for overseeing the firm's investment sourcing, valuation, transaction structuring, and securing of acquisition financing. Four years ago, MDT Ventures closed its second round of funding with $170 million, once again surpassing its target, which was then set to $150 million. The reports at the time said that the company had fully entered "a new league." Thompson commented in 2020, "We're looking forward to leading rounds of funding now as opposed to just being a participant." The team is now moving up to another league again, highlighting how excited the team is to get to work doing what they do best, which is helping build world-class companies and providing our investors with strong returns. More information about MDT Ventures, their latest investments and the overall business approach can be found on the official website [ http://mdtventures.com/ ]. The company also retains an active presence through its official social media channels, including LinkedIn [ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mdt-ventures/ ], X, and Instagram. Media Contact Company Name: MDT Ventures Contact Person: Cathy Smith Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=mdt-ventures-closes-fund-iii-iv-at-570-million-exceeding-525-million-target ] Country: United States Website: https://www.mdtventures.com/ This release was published on openPR.
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NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) between February 29, 2024 and September 4, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victoryMarpai has secured a number of significant new accounts for 2025 TAMPA, Fla. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marpai, Inc. ("Marpai" or the "Company") (OTCQX: MRAI), a technology platform company, operates as a national Third-Party Administrator (TPA) through its subsidiaries. Marpai is transforming the $22 billion TPA market by offering affordable, intelligent, healthcare solutions to self-funded employer health plans. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. The unsealed document provides a first glimpse of several testimonies that describe the former president as one of the key leaders of the plot, and not a mere observer. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former president was formally accused of three crimes: violent elimination of the rule of law, staging a coup d'etat and forming a criminal organization. Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Bolsonaro could face up to a minimum of 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges. “A woman involved in the Jan. 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Rios told The Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.” Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. ___ Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro Mauricio Savarese And Eléonore Hughes, The Associated Press
Boeing is resuming production of its bestselling plane, the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. The company said Tuesday that plane-building resumed at its plant in Renton, Washington, after going through a process of training workers and identifying and fixing potential problems. Boeing shares rose 4.5%, their best single-day percentage gain in nearly four months. Production and deliveries of Max jets and another airline plane, the 787 Dreamliner, have been stopped several times in recent years to fix manufacturing flaws. “Our team has worked methodically to restart factory operations in the Pacific Northwest. We have now resumed 737 production in our Renton factory, with our Everett (Washington) programs on plan to follow in the days ahead," the company said in a statement. Boeing builds its 777 and 767 jets in Everett, north of Seattle. Separately, the company said it took orders for 49 planes in November but lost an order by U.K. carrier TUI for 14 Max jets. It delivered 13 planes, down from 56 a year earlier. Ever since a panel called a door plug blew off a Max operated by Alaska Airlines in January, the Federal Aviation Administration has capped Boeing’s production of Max jets to 38 per month. Boeing hopes to convince regulators that it has corrected quality and safety issues and can raise that number to 56 planes per month. Boeing has been losing money since 2019, after two Max jets crashed, killing 346 people. It needs the cash it earns from delivering new planes to begin digging out of a deep financial hole . New CEO Kelly Ortberg has announced plans to lay off about 17,000 workers and sell new stock to raise cash and prevent the company’s credit rating from sliding into junk status.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. “In life, all good things come to an end,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. Late in the first half, Indiana punter James Evans fumbled a snap and was buried at his own 7-yardline with the Buckeyes taking over. That turned quickly into a 4-yard TD run by Henderson that gave the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. Early in the second half, Caleb Downs fielded an Evans punt at the Ohio State 21, raced down the right sideline, cut to the middle and outran the coverage for a TD that put the Buckeyes up 21-7. It was the first time a Buckeye returned a punt for a touchdown since 2014. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. “Our guys just played with a chip today, and that’s the way you got to play the game of football,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. Indiana scored on its first possession of the game and its last, both short runs by Ty Son Lawson, who paced the Hoosiers with 79 rushing yards. Rourke was 8 for 18 for 68 yards. “We had communication errors, pass (protection), every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened," Cignetti said. Indiana's 151 total yards was its lowest of the season. And it was the most points surrendered by the Hoosier's defense. Indiana: Its special season was blemished by the Buckeyes, who beat the Hoosiers for the 30th straight time. Indiana was eyeing its first conference crown since sharing one with two other teams in 1967. That won't happen now. “Ohio State deserved to win,” Cignetti said. “They had those (third quarter scores), and we just couldn’t respond.” Ohio State: Didn't waste the opportunities presented by the Hoosiers when they got sloppy. The Buckeyes led 14-7 at the break and took control in the second half. An offensive line patched together because of multiple injuries performed surprisingly well. “We know what was at stake," Day said. “We don't win this game, and we have no chance to go to Indianapolis and play in the Big Ten championship. And that's real. We've had that approach for the last few weeks now, more than that.” Some voters were obviously unsure of Indiana because it hadn't played a nationally ranked team before Ohio State. After this one, the Hoosiers will drop. Howard made history by completing 80% of his passes for the sixth time this season. No other Ohio State quarterback has done that. He completed his first 14 passes in a row and finished with a 85% completion rate. “I think Buckeye nation is now seeing, after 11 games, that this guy is a winner, he's tough, he cares about his teammates, he's a leader,” Day said. Indiana hosts Purdue in the regular-season finale next Saturday. Ohio State hosts rival Michigan on Saturday. 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 Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.