Milton Keynes: Two women killed on Christmas Day pictured for first timeFive holiday wishes for the Minnesota Wild
12_17-24 Business Briefs
TJ Perenara's Tiriti haka addition welcomed by both Te Pāti Māori and David SeymourPHOENIX — A man has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting Monday evening. Officials say the shooting happened around 5 p.m. Monday in the area of 19th and Glendale avenues. When officers arrived, they found 35-year-old Keshawn Stewart with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. A woman, described in court documents as a victim of the shooting, told investigators that she was in a "love triangle style" relationship with Stewart and 33-year-old Khalid Williams. Williams told investigators that he had been in a relationship with the woman for six years and that there was a long history of physical and verbal fights. They broke up when he found out she was dating Stewart, who possibly got her pregnant. Court documents say Williams and the woman tried to maintain an amicable relationship but had arguments over a vehicle that Stewart owned but Williams was paying for. Do you have a concern in your community or a news tip? We want to hear from you! Connect with us: share@abc15.com Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Court documents state that Stewart, his girlfriend, and Williams were arguing over the phone on Monday about the vehicle. Stewart and his girlfriend then decided to drive to Williams' apartment. Williams told investigators that he admitted to taking an AK47 out to meet them "because he felt the need to defend himself," though he said that neither of the victims had been known to have weapons. When the two victims arrived, Stewart and Williams argued and got into a physical fight. According to court documents, Williams wanted to talk to the woman and partially got into the backseat of the vehicle when Stewart began diving away. After getting out of the vehicle, Williams allegedly began shooting, striking Stewart. Williams was arrested on Thursday and told investigators that he didn't know what made him do it, "other than the culmination of the stress and drama of their relationship," court documents say. He faces charges including murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person. During Williams' court appearance, a Maricopa County attorney stated that Williams has prior felony offenses. Latest from ABC15: Game Over: Level 1 Arcade Bar in Gilbert announces closure abc15.com staff Housing laws to pay attention to as the New Year approaches Lillian Donahue Officials are investigating what brought down an Azerbaijan Airlines jet Scripps News Staff Man shot in west Phoenix near 83rd Ave and Lower Buckeye Rd abc15.com staff‘Grow Up You Ludicrous Imbecile’: Piers Morgan Slams Madonna For Disrespecting Pope
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Rosen Law Firm Announces Investigation of Breaches of Fiduciary Duties by the Directors and Officers of Southwest Airlines Co. - LUV
As part of the Government of Punjab’s comprehensive efforts to combat the effects of smog and mitigate its harmful impact, the Bank of Punjab (BOP) has taken a proactive step to protect the health of its employees and customers. In a landmark initiative, BOP has announced the installation of air purifiers across its branches in 18 districts in Punjab which have been severely affected by smog, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for all who visit or work in its premises. As a responsible corporate citizen, BOP is the first in the banking industry to implement such robust protective measures to address this environmental challenge. “The health and safety of our employees and customers are our highest priorities,” said Zafar Masud, President & CEO of the Bank of Punjab. “By equipping our branches with air purifiers, we are providing a safe environment. This initiative not only underscores our commitment to employee welfare but also highlights our dedication to the customers & communities we serve. This is our hope and wish that other organizations follow suit.” The installation of air purifiers is expected to significantly reduce indoor air pollution levels, enabling uninterrupted banking services without compromising health. This initiative aligns with the bank’s broader goals of sustainability, social responsibility, and building trust within its communities. BOP calls upon its stakeholders and the public to take all necessary precautions to safeguard their health during the smog crisis. The bank remains committed to delivering exceptional service while prioritizing the well-being of its employees and customers.
Daniel McCarthy: Let the spirit of Christmas heal our wounds after a bruising political yearNone
The essence of ChristmasOmo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin has reenacted the Igue traditional wrestling competition after eight years on the throne of his forebears. The wrestling competition that began Centuries ago, was last celebrated during the reign of his father, Oba Erediauwa. Oba Ewuare II rewarded winners and contestants in the competition, held sandy ringside in Oba Palace in Benin City on Boxing Day, December 26th 2024. Fans and sports enthusiasts cheered the muscular show of strength which has cash rewards for winners and participants. Bright Irobeghian (Ikpoba-Okha LGA) and Ovbokhan Idele (Oredo LGA), set new records as overall winners in both senior and junior categories in the competition. Under the senior category, Mathias Iguma and Friday Eribo, took second and third positions, while Famous Ilekhuoba (Orhionmwon LGA) and Sunday Amuji (Egor LGA), won the second and third positions in the junior category. Oba Ewuare II directed that prizes be awarded to deserving winners in the 2024 edition of the competition where traditional wrestlers meet up to wrestle. Prince Aghatise Erediauwa presented a cash gift and trophy to the overall winner in the senior category, Bright Orobeghian. Prince Ehioze Erediauwa and Prince Ikponmwosa Ewuare presented prices to Friday Eribo, the second-place winner and Mathias Iguma, the overall third-place winner in the senior category respectively. Earlier, Princess Oghogho Ewuare was awarded the overall prize for the overall winner in the junior category, Ovbokhan Idele. Prince Igbinosa and Princess Amenaghawon presented cash gifts to the second and third-place winners in the junior category respectively. Royal scepter bearers known as Emuada, also wrestled and tested their strength with one another and won cash prizes during the competition. Members of the Benin Royal family, including Oba Ewuare’s Queens, watched the outdoor celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Edo people. Giving insight into the show of strength in the traditional form of wrestling that holds deep cultural and social significance, Chief Osemwegie Ero, the Edobayokhae said the traditional wrestling began Centuries ago in the ancient City of Benin. “Wrestlers are trained and the game is enjoyed by everyone and it’s a physical exercise. It has also been with the Benin people since ancient times when villagers usually come to Benin City, especially during the Igue festival to watch wrestling competitions. It’s a fine competition for every individual and Community”. The nonagenarian also said, “Wrestling is an instrument of physical fitness, we always enjoy it. We are happy today that the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo has reintroduced traditional wrestling competition during our Igue festival”.All Three Pillars Holding Up The Economy Have Cracked
Paramount Global Announces Redemption of its 4.750% Senior Notes due May 2025, which successfully brought a messenger RNA (mRNA)-based COVID-19 vaccine to market, sought twice this past week to reassure investors that it could not only survive but thrive even if Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were to become Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Donald Trump’s second administration—comments that helped spark a in the company’s stock. At an investor lunch held by Goldman Sachs, and a fireside chat held a few days later by Jefferies, Moderna’s top executives laid out a similar hopeful scenario for why they believe the company will be able to carry out the comeback plans it first announced in September and continue its development of mRNA-based vaccines should Kennedy come to oversee HHS. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel and president Stephen Hoge (joined at the event by Lavina Talukdar, the company’s senior vice president and head of investor relations) based their optimism in part on the historic administrative relationship between HHS and its secretaries. “Management highlighted that, according to legislation, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for managing the department rather than creating policy,” the Moderna leaders asserted, according to a report by Benzinga based on a Morgan Stanley analyst’s account of the lunch. The leaders also reportedly asserted, “It remains uncertain how political appointees might affect the current vaccine regulatory framework, which Moderna believes would require significant effort to alter.” While Kennedy has previously raised concerns about vaccine safety, the concerns focused on vaccines for children; Moderna’s vaccines are not specifically targeted for children. During the luncheon, Bancel and Hoge “expressed strong confidence” in the comeback strategy they laid out for Moderna in September at its annual R&D Day. Moderna committed to stepping up the development of vaccines for cancer and rare diseases, while dialing back investment in infectious disease jabs. Moderna’s strategy jolted investors enough to send shares over the two days following the announcement, to $68.28 on September 13 from $79.51. That’s because the company pushed back by two years, from 2026 to 2028, its plans to break even on an operating cash cost basis—which excludes stock-based compensation, depreciation, and amortization expense—with $6 billion in revenue. Moderna also revealed plans to slash between $1 billion and $1.2 billion in expenses by shrinking its R&D budget by about 20%, from the $4.8 billion it anticipated spending this year to between $3.6 billion and $3.8 billion by 2027. However, last month, Moderna surprised analysts by reporting net income of $13 million (up from a $3.63 billion net loss in Q3 2023) and higher-than-expected sales of its COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax® ($1.8 billion). Yet the unexpected profit wasn’t enough to stave off a drop in Moderna shares. This past week saw better stock news for Moderna, as shares from last week, rising to $41.11 Friday, from $36.85 on November 15. That low (just $1.05 or 3% above the stock’s 52-week low) followed Wolfe Research initiating coverage of Moderna with analyst Alexandria Hammond rating the stock an “Underperform” and setting a 12-month price target of $40. One likely factor in Moderna’s comeback: HSBC analyst Yifeng Liu on November 18 upgraded the firm’s rating on the company’s shares from “Hold” to “Buy.” However, Liu chopped the firm’s price target on Moderna by 29%, from $82 to $58, citing concerns over the company’s comeback plans, according to TipRanks. Despite this week’s relatively good news, Moderna shares are , having closed at $78.17 on November 22, 2023, no small factor in the company mapping out its comeback. But the stock has upside potential, he added, should Moderna deliver on plans to bring 10 pipeline candidates to approvals, up from the current two (SpikeVax and respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] vaccine mRESVIA, the latter approved in May). The 10 include three of Moderna’s five respiratory vaccines with positive Phase III results, which the company expects to submit for approval this year. On Thursday, Jefferies equity analyst Michael J. Yee reported highlights of its fireside chat with unnamed Moderna “management” leaders to investors. Summarizing the event, Yee wrote that the “co[mpany] believes RFK may have caused investor nervousness but unlikely doing anything draconian or removing vaccines.” That belief is based on RFK Jr. asserting in numerous interviews, including , that: “Of course, we’re not going to take vaccines away from anybody,” and, “We are going to make sure that Americans have good information about vaccines and vaccine safety.” Moderna’s view was buttressed by comments made in a separate Jeffries fireside chat with Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBRE). According to Yee, Marks “doesn’t expect any changes to vaccine approvals + the new admin’s stance has mostly been around vaccine mandates [FDA only weighs in on safety/efficacy].” He expects “add’l AdComm’s [advisory committee meetings on applications for new vaccines] or other pushes for transparency would be an oppt’y to reinforce + shift dialogue towards risk benefit.” In a separate summary elaborating on Marks’ comments, Yee reported: “Dr. Marks stated that ‘he isn’t going anywhere’ and sees it as imp’t [important] that people see constant and consistent leadership—FDA leadership has a long track record of working w/ different admins including the Trump admin[instration].” Marks cited FDA cooperation with Operation Warp Speed initiative, through which Trump’s first administration shepherded development of COVID-19 vaccines through funding of trials and manufacturing. According to a , Operation Warp Speed spent over $18 billion dollars of U.S. public funds on six vaccine candidates, including Moderna’s SpikeVax, the subject of a to manufacture and deliver 100 million doses. “While acknowledging uncertainty and that he can’t fully predict workforce impacts, his belief is that the vast majority at FDA generally have very strong relationships w/ their management and leadership and a commitment to unmet needs and rare diseases which wouldn’t change under a new admin,” Yee added. At HHS, Kennedy would oversee agencies that include the FDA—for which Trump said Friday he plans to nominate Marty Makary, MD, as commissioner—and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for which Dave Weldon, MD, a physician and former Republican Congressman from Florida, will be nominated as director. Moderna leaders also told Jefferies that they projected COVID-19 vaccines revenues averaging $2 billion to $3 billion annually, Yee reported, a “durable base biz [business] given vaccination data from the last 2 years in the ‘endemic’ commercial market.” The company reasoned that because COVID-19 vaccines are not now mandated, “people who are opting to receive the jab should con’t [continue] to do so year over year.” Two pioneers in artificial intelligence (AI)-based drug development became one this past week when and Exscientia they said would help them fulfill commitments to deliver first-in-class and best-in-class drug discovery. However, a pair of analysts took a more cautious view of the companies joining forces. Mani Foroohar, MD, of Leerink Partners acknowledged two benefits of the combination deal: It extends Recursion’s cash runway into 2027 and provides the company with additional tools in Exscientia’s pipeline candidates, as well as its precision chemistry tools and capabilities, including its newly commissioned automated small molecule synthesis platform. “We see long-term risks associated with pipeline prioritization and deal execution,” Foroohar cautioned, citing the companies’ plan to generate annual savings through operational “synergies’ of $100 million. Those synergies included job cuts, Najat Khan, PhD, Recursion’s chief R&D officer and chief commercial officer, . The combined workforce has shrunk from about 900 pre-combination to approximately 800. Foroohar also cited Recursion’s delayed timing for several of its pipeline candidates: The company also deprioritized a second program for a fourth candidate, in advanced AXIN1/APC-mutant cancers. The combined company, which assumed the Recursion name and stock ticker (Exscientia’s ticker of NASDAQ: EXAI has ceased trading and has been delisted), is a trans-Atlantic AI powerhouse with a pipeline of more than 10 clinical and preclinical programs, 10 programs in advanced discovery phases, and more than 10 additional programs partnered with biopharmas. Recursion CEO Chris Gibson, PhD, who keeps his position in the combined company, has envisioned growing to . “Investors continue to struggle with the abundance of programs for a company with a heavy cash burn,” Foroohar commented. “In light of this dynamic, we would advocate a more disciplined and focused approach with aggressive headcount and pipeline rationalization.” Investor reaction appeared to reflect the caution voiced by Foroohar. Shares of the newly-combined Recursion the day the combination took effect Thursday, from $6.04 to $5.75, and Friday, to $5.70. In the months leading up to the combination, the stock yo-yoed from $6.84 on August 8, peaking at $7.84 on November 11 before retreating. Foroohar reiterated Leerink’s “Market Perform” rating and $8 price target on Recursion shares. Also staying in place was Needham analyst Gil Blum, PhD, who reiterated his firm’s “Buy” rating and $11 price target. Dennis Ding, equity analyst with Jefferies, wrote in a research note that the company could generate a potential $50 million in cost savings next year alone from shrinking its real estate footprint, reducing its spending on external contract research, and consolidating its late discovery stage pipeline programs. He projected Recursion will offer more information on cost-cutting when it reports fourth quarter 2024 results early in the new year. On the value creation side, however, Ding said Recursion’s stock could see a boost if it reports positive data next month from its lead cancer candidate REC-617 (formerly GTAEXS617), an Exscientia-developed CDK7 inhibitor being developed to treat advanced solid tumors. Recursion expects to report initial monotherapy safety and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data from the Phase I portion of the Exscientia-initiated Phase I/II ELUCIDATE trial ( ) on December 9 during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference, being held in Toronto, and the following day at a webinar. “We think this is the next catalyst for the stock and coming up imminently,” Ding declared. In a September , Exscientia said preclinical models suggested 8-10 hours of IC [in vitro 80% inhibitory] coverage on CDK7 was optimal, while less coverage compromised efficacy and longer coverage could result in signals of safety problems. “The therapeutic window is very narrow for CDK7, and—outside of obvious chemical design choices—RXRX hopes to have a short half-life ~6-8 hours to hit CDK7 hard but not long enough to drive tox[icity],” Ding observed. “It’s imperative they thread the needle on this.”
These two investments are two of the most exciting options, in my view. You're reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool's Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources , and more. Learn More The ASX growth stock space is where I like to look for opportunities that could deliver strong capital returns. Not only is capital growth great at increasing our wealth, but it also does so in a way where the tax burden is quite low. Capital growth is only taxed when the asset is sold, whereas dividend income and interest are taxed every year. Of course, there are plenty of businesses that are growing quickly and also pay a dividend. I like businesses that are increasing their earnings rapidly because compounding is a very powerful financial tool that can allow companies to double in size. For example, if a business grows revenue by 20% per year, it will double in size in less than four years. Having said all that, I think these ASX growth stocks below could have a very positive 2025. TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) TechnologyOne is one of the most impressive software businesses on the ASX, in my view. It provides enterprise resource planning (ERP) for clients like local, state, and... Tristan HarrisonLuke DeCock: Where’s Bill? Belichick’s impending UNC arrival casts long shadow over Fenway Bowl.Russia delivers deadly missile strike on Christmas Eve
Police in Georgia on Saturday fired water cannons to disperse pro-EU protesters rallying for a ninth consecutive day against the prime minister's decision to shelve talks on joining the European Union. The Caucasus nation has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared that it had won a disputed October 26 election. The party's critics have accused it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Thousands of defiant pro-EU protesters in Georgia began to rally Friday eve after the prime minister claimed victory in a "battle" against the opposition. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets since the election to protest against alleged electoral fraud. Fresh rallies took place across the country after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced last week that Georgia would not hold talks on European Union membership until 2028. Police have fired tear gas and water cannon against pro-EU protests in Tbilisi and hundreds of arrests have been made, triggering outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. France, Germany and Poland condemned what they called the government's "disproportionate" use of force against protesters and opposition leaders in a joint statement Friday. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, riot police in full gear moved in with water cannons to disperse the rally outside the parliament building, making arrests as the crowd retreated a few metres (yards), an AFP reporter witnessed. Earlier on Friday evening, several thousand people blocked the street outside parliament, with some blowing whistles and others setting off firecrackers. The crowd was smaller than on previous nights and the mood quieter, but protesters rejected claims the movement was dying out. "People will continue the protest," said one demonstrator, 23-year-old Giorgi, wearing a Georgian flag and a back scarf pulled over his nose. "They're patient, I will be here for the rest of my life if it is necessary to save my country." Separate protests were held outside Georgia's Public Broadcaster -- accused of being a government propaganda tool -- as well as the education ministry and the country's tourism administration offices. Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Georgian hotels' federation, told AFP that the "unexpected and unacceptable" suspension of EU accession talks has severely hit the country's tourism industry, which accounts for seven percent of the country's GDP. Thousands have also staged anti-government rallies in the second city of Batumi on the Black Sea coast. On Friday evening, a court in Tbilisi put a 19-year-old youth activist in pre-trial detention. Zviad Tsetskhladze had been arrested during the protests on charges of "organising, leading, and participating in group violence". Tsetskhladze told the judge: "Democracy in Georgia is no more. The rule of law has been crushed. "Our actions are a form of resistance, aimed at preserving the rule of law, defending democracy, and protecting the rights of every individual." Earlier Friday Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised his security forces for "successfully neutralising the protesters' capacity for violence". "We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country," he told a news conference, using language reminiscent of how the Kremlin in Russia targets its political opponents. "But the fight is not over. Liberal fascism in Georgia must be defeated entirely," Kobakhidze said, repeating an earlier threat to "complete the process of neutralising the radical opposition". With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The leader of the opposition Lelo party, Mamuka Khazaradze, said the ruling party "no longer has the strength or resources to stand against the people." The government "has resorted to arresting young activists and political opponents out of fear of relentless public protests and growing civil disobedience by public servants," he told AFP. The interior ministry said police had detained three more individuals Friday for "participating in group violence", punishable by up to nine years' jail. Masked officers have raided several opposition party offices and arrested opposition leaders earlier this week, while around 300 people have been detained at rallies. On Friday Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition Akhali party, was sentenced to 12 days in prison. Alexandre Elisashvili, leader of the Strong Georgia opposition group, was remanded in custody for two months of pretrial detention. More trouble is expected after December 14, when Georgian Dream lawmakers elect a loyalist to succeed pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili. She has vowed not to step down until the parliamentary polls are re-run. Local media has also reported protests across the country, including in the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi and Telavi. Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of Tbilisi's bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Several ambassadors, a deputy foreign minister, and other officials have resigned over the suspension of EU talks. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels warned such policies were incompatible with EU membership, while domestic critics accuse the government of copying Russia's playbook. Georgia's own rights ombudsman has accused the police of "torture" against those arrested. ub-im/sbkBOZEMAN, Mont. – Aurora, a self-driving trucking company, is making waves in Bozeman with its innovative technology and job creation. The company uses LIDAR, a tool that employs lasers and photonics to create a 3-D picture of the environment. Montana State University and Gallatin College have developed programs to educate students in photonics, preparing them for real-world applications. Some students have already secured positions with Aurora. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.