Gavin McKenna will suit up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. Set to turn 17 next week, the star forward with the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers headlines the country’s 25-player roster for the annual tournament announced Friday. McKenna, who is projected as the potential top pick at the 2026 NHL draft, will be joined by a pair of fellow youngsters battling for the No. 1 selection spot in June — 18-year-old winger Porter Martone and 17-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer. Five of seven eligible returnees from last year’s squad that finished a disappointing fifth in Sweden are back, with forwards Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager and Carson Rehkopf getting the nod, while defencemen Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk will anchor the blue line. The two players unable to hold onto their spots for the event set to run Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa are forward Matthew Wood and goaltender Scott Ratzlaff. Making up the rest of the group up front are Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, Luca Pinelli, Berkly Catton, Ethan Gauthier, Calum Ritchie, Tanner Howe, Cole Beaudoin and Mathieu Cataford. Nadeau didn’t attend selection camp in Ottawa this week, but was guaranteed a spot after being made available by the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes from their American Hockey League affiliate. Canada’s defence corps also includes Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, Caden Price, Sawyer Mynio and Beau Akey. The hockey powerhouse’s three-headed crease contingent is made up of goaltenders Jack Ivankovic — another 17-year-old eligible for June’s NHL draft — Carter George and Carson Bjarnason. “We believe we have assembled a competitive and talented roster that will give us the best opportunity to win a gold medal on home ice,” Hockey Canada’s Peter Anholt, who leads the under-20 program’s management group, said in a statement. “We look forward to them wearing the Maple Leaf with pride.” The Canadians, who will be looking to add to a record 20 gold medals at the annual showcase, were ousted in last year’s quarterfinals thanks to a last-minute loss to Czechia. Among the other notable cuts Friday were Calgary Flames defence prospect Zayne Parekh and Beckett Sennecke, who was selected No. 3 overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2024 draft. Both players were late injury additions for selection camp and are eligible to try out again next year. Canada will now hold training camp in Petawawa, Ont., before pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Sweden and Czechia. The hosts open Group A at the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, on Boxing Day against Finland. The defending champions United States, Latvia and Germany make up the rest of the field. Group B at TD Place, home of the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Kazakhstan. Russia remains banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation due to that country’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Ottawa last hosted the world juniors in 2009 when Canada defeated Sweden to secure a record-tying fifth straight gold. Cameron, who guided the country atop the podium in 2022 after winning silver in 2011, was an assistant coach on the staff of the late Pat Quinn at that tournament 15 years ago in the nation’s capital. “This group of 25 players is excited for the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in front of Canadian fans in Ottawa, and to represent their country in our quest to win a gold medal,” he said in a statement. “This is a great accomplishment for these players and their families. “We know they will enjoy the world juniors experience while bringing the competitiveness needed for us to be successful and accomplish our goal.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.DePaul Prep senior Michael Casper never expected to spend the Saturday before Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family, celebrating a trip to the Class 4A state championship game. The Rams haven’t finished a season with more wins than losses since 2015. They won just four games last year. “I knew we were going to have a great season but coming this far was definitely a stretch,” Casper, a senior defensive lineman, said. The game came down to the final drive. Coal City had the ball and 2:32 seconds to tie or win the game. DePaul Prep’s defense stood strong. The Rams didn’t allow the host Coalers into the red zone and earned a 21-14 win in the Class 4A semifinals. “That was definitely the top moment of my life right there,” Casper said. “I knew all my boys had my back and we could win that football game.” DePaul Prep (10-3) took the lead on a nine-yard touchdown run by Nick Martinez with 6:42 to play. Martinez had 18 carries for 89 yards and two TDs. Coal City (10-3) tied the game twice but never led. “We are all brothers and we got together and put our hearts together,” Casper said. “We knew we had to get it done. We’d been dreaming of this moment for the past three years and the bond is there.” DePaul Prep quarterback Juju Rodriguez was 12-for-15 for 213 yards. He connected with Matthew Osterman for a 28-yard TD with 3:22 left in the third quarter. Osterman had three catches for 79 yards. Senior Braden Peevy caught six passes for 116 yards for the Rams. Landin Benson led Coal City with 33 carries for 183 yards and two TDs. The Rams didn’t allow a big play. The Coalers’ longest run was 14 yards and the longest pass was 21 yards. “We knew their run game was the focus so we tried to nail that down,” Casper said. “That made it tough for them to pass.” DePaul Prep will play the winner of Saturday night’s Mt. Zion vs. Normal U-High semifinal in the Class 4A title game on Friday at ISU’s Hancock Stadium.
Barclays PLC Decreases Stock Position in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (NYSE:AMBP)KINGSTON, Jamaica – Caribbean technology conference Tech Beach Retreat has announced Google and Massy Group as lead sponsors for its Jamaica staging, December 4-6, in Montego Bay, St James. It marks a significant milestone in the conference’s mission to transform the Caribbean’s digital landscape, organisers said in a release. Tech Beach touted in the release that the partnership brings together two global powerhouses – Google, a world leader in technology innovation, and Massy, one of the Caribbean’s largest and most diversified investment holding companies – and noted that their collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to fostering technological advancement in the region. “TBR supports the digital transformation, investment, and ecosystem ambitions of numerous corporates, governments, startups, and investors. We are thrilled to once again have the buy-in and confidence of technology leader Google and Massy to partner on new and innovative solutions to build their businesses and benefit the overall ecosystem. Their investment will enable us to create an even more impactful experience for our attendees and further our mission of positioning the Caribbean as a global tech hub,” said Kirk Anthony Hamilton, co-founder of Tech Beach Retreat. Google is quoted in the release as being proud to partner with Tech Beach for a third time. “We appreciate the platform’s ability to give us access to a significantly diverse audience, often engaging players we otherwise don’t get to interact with. TBR helps increase our visibility in communities that matter but are sometimes overlooked and gives our executives the room to communicate the work we are doing to impact the world. We’re excited to discuss closing the gap between the Caribbean, Latin America, and AI,” the company stated. Massy Group said: “As a Caribbean-born investment holding company, our commitment to data-driven innovation embodies our dedication to sustainable growth. This approach paves the way for a future that benefits both our customers and our shareholders.” Tech Beach said the sponsorship will enhance its ability to bring world-class speakers and thought leaders to the Caribbean, provide enhanced networking opportunities for attendees, and facilitate knowledge transfer between global tech leaders and Caribbean innovators. “Tech Beach Retreat’s success is not possible without partnerships like these. In aligning with our vision to create a holistic space for like-minded individuals in technology, innovation, and investment, we have been able to collaborate with some of the best talent on the planet on groundbreaking ideas to change the world. Having a global giant such as Google paired with a regional powerhouse like Massy is the kind of result we pursue – attracting global influence while elevating regional excellence in a mutually beneficial environment,” said Kyle Maloney, co-founder of Tech Beach Retreat. This year’s existing roster of presenters includes James McLetchie, Massy Group Chief Financial Officer; Hans Malzar, Head of Gaming, Americas, TikTok; and Raamel Mitchell, Microsoft Director of Public Affairs and Citizenship, among others. Tech Beach boasted that it continues to serve as a catalyst for technology and innovation in the Caribbean, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders from around the world. The upcoming event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and drive regional innovation. Horace Hinds
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Trump's strategy is to create economic uncertainty in other countries: Freeland
A nonprofit leader who supports at-risk New Orleans youth. A social worker who fosters animals. A postdoctoral researcher. They are among the roughly 1,540 people whose sentences were commuted or who were pardoned by President Joe Biden on Thursday in what was the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. But not everyone was pleased by Biden’s decisions. A Republican state senator said a commutation for a woman who stole $54 million from a small town in Illinois was “a slap in the face” to residents. The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania said Biden “got it absolutely wrong” when he commuted the sentence of a judge who orchestrated a scheme to send children to for-profit jails in exchange for kickbacks. Here are some of their stories: TRYNITHA FULTON, 46, OF NEW ORLEANS Fulton was pardoned after pleading guilty to participating in a payroll fraud scheme while serving as a New Orleans middle school teacher in the early 2000s. She was convicted of a felony and sentenced to three years of probation in 2008. Fulton, who has two children and works as an elementary school teacher, said that for years she had lived with “a sense of embarrassment and shame” about the felony conviction. Even though she completed a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2017, Fulton felt that her criminal record disqualified her from applying for principal positions she felt she could handle. “The conviction has served as a mental barrier for me, limiting my ability to live a full life,” Fulton said. Nearly a decade after she first applied for a presidential pardon, Fulton this week received a phone call informing her that it had been granted. “It was astonishing for me, I wasn’t expecting a call,” Fulton said, adding that the pardon will enable her to explore more career opportunities. A White House news release commended Fulton as “someone who goes above and beyond for her community.” For years, Fulton has helped lead a nonprofit supporting at-risk New Orleans youth with hot meals, clothing and shelter and mental health referrals. STEVONI DOYLE, 47, OF SANTAQUIN, UTAH Doyle applied for a pardon six years ago. It had been so long that she had all but forgotten about it — until Wednesday. “I was in shock,” Doyle said of the call she received from a Justice Department pardon attorney. “And honored.” Doyle, who was once addicted to meth, had pleaded guilty to drug possession and check forging charges when she was 24. She served more than two years in state and federal prison. Released in 2006, Doyle resolved to stay clean. She started a family, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and now works as a social worker with a behavioral health center. Doyle applied for a pardon in 2018 and heard nothing until 2020, when the FBI reached out — and the vetting began. “They talked to my boss, my boss’ boss, they talked to my mother’s boss, they called my doctors,” Doyle said. “Just pretty much anybody that had any type of relationship with me in the past 20 years they contacted.” After the vetting was over, she would have to wait some more: four years, it turned out. “I just want people to know that are in the throes of addiction, or families to know that when they have somebody in their family that is addicted, that there is hope,” Doyle said Thursday. “This has just brought so much joy to me and my family and is just the continuation of my recovery.” She has five children and three grandchildren, volunteers in her community, fosters animals and competes in roller derby. KELSIE LYNN BECKLIN, 38, of NEW BRIGHTON, MINNESOTA Becklin was 21 when she got into trouble, which she said was due to trying to get money to support her drug addiction. She pleaded guilty to a nonviolent felony charge for failing to provide information to police about a 2007 bank robbery. She served four months in a halfway house, four months of home confinement and three years of probation. She found out she was pregnant after she’d been out of custody for about a year. She said she had her “aha moment” when her son was 1 year old. “And I was living at home with my parents. I had, like, no job, no education, no future,” Becklin said. “Had a felony on my record. I had substance use history, you know, all these things. And he was 1. And I just remember, like looking at him and realizing that his whole life was, like, really dependent on what I did with mine.” Within days, she said, she enrolled at a community college. She recently earned her doctoral degree in comparative molecular biosciences at the University of Minnesota. For her doctorate, she used stem cell biology and genetic engineering to better understand how pediatric cancers grow and develop. She’s still working in the cell and gene therapy space, now as a postdoctoral researcher at the university. The White House noted in its announcement that Becklin also mentors currently and previously incarcerated people who are seeking to pursue higher education. She said she does it as part of a program called Prison to Professionals. They help guide people on the unique issues they’ll face in higher education and provide them with a support network. She said she still doesn’t know exactly how being pardoned and having her record cleared will affect her future. “I think there was a point in my life where it really mattered if I, like, had a certain career path or if I did that. But I have found that, kind of wherever I am, I find my purpose and my need there. And, you know, it’s kind of a beautiful way to live,” she said. RITA CRUNDWELL, 71, OF DIXON, ILLINOIS Crundwell was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison in 2013 for stealing about $54 million over two decades when she was in charge of finances for Dixon, Illinois. She was released to a halfway house program in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic before moving to home confinement. Biden’s commutation releases Crundwell from any restrictions. Paul Gaziano, a lawyer who represented Crundwell in federal court, declined to comment Thursday. Dixon Mayor Glen Hughes said he believes most of the town is probably stunned, and maybe even angry, that Biden would provide clemency to Crundwell. Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney called Biden’s act “nothing short of a slap in the face to the people of Dixon.” Dixon, best known as the childhood home of President Ronald Reagan, sued auditors and a bank after Crundwell’s theft was revealed and recovered $40 million in settlements. Crundwell, who was a horse breeder, told a judge in 2020 that more than $15 million was repaid from the sale of her horses and other assets. “I am going to do everything possible to make up for my mistakes,” she told the judge in a handwritten letter that described various health problems. “I have taken responsibility for my actions since the first day.” MICHAEL CONAHAN, 72, OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA Conahan was sentenced to 17 years in prison for helping orchestrate one of the worst judicial scandals in U.S. history: a scheme to send children to for-profit jails in exchange for kickbacks. Biden’s decision to commute his sentence angered many in northeastern Pennsylvania, from the governor to the families whose children were victimized by the disgraced former judge. Conahan had already served the vast majority of his sentence, which was handed down in 2011. “I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania,” Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said Friday. A message seeking comment was sent to an attorney who recently represented Conahan, the former judge of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. In what came to be known as the kids-for-cash scandal, Conahan and Judge Mark Ciavarella shut down a county-run juvenile detention center and accepted $2.8 million in illegal payments from a friend of Conahan’s who built and co-owned two for-profit lockups. Sandy Fonzo, whose son killed himself at age 23 after Ciavarella locked him up as a teen, called Conahan’s commutation an “injustice.” “I am shocked and I am hurt,” Fonzo said in a statement provided to The Citizens’ Voice of Wilkes-Barre. “Conahan’s actions destroyed families, including mine, and my son’s death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of his abuse of power.” The Juvenile Law Center, which represented plaintiffs in a $200 million civil judgment against Conahan and Ciavarella, said it “supported President Biden’s actions” but wants to see the “same kind of compassion and mercy” extended to juvenile defendants around the country. When he pleaded guilty in 2010, Conahan apologized to the youths he had hurt. “The system is not corrupt,” Conahan said at the time. “I was corrupt.”
It’d be one thing if the Philadelphia 76ers were merely average, but they’re not. With roughly a fifth of the season in the books, the Sixers have been bad. Some of it’s not their fault. The injury bug has been and continues to be a factor for them. However, it’s all starting to pile up for them. At 3-12, the pressure’s already on Philadelphia tenfold to get their act together. In fact, one alarming statistic should make them consider where to go with their season after all that’s happened. Basketball-Reference lists the Sixers with a 4.2% chance of making the playoffs. They can get it together with all that’s left this season, but stats like those do not inspire much hope. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if the Sixers owned their first-round pick this season, but they don’t. Because of the Al Horford trade from 2020, the Sixers owe the Thunder a top-six protected first-round pick in 2025. It's disturbing how the Horford misstep still haunts the franchise all these years later. If the Sixers’ initial plans were to keep that pick away from the Thunder, they’re on the right track. Everyone knows this wasn’t their plan, but it’s not too late to change route. No one will blame the Sixers if they rest Embiid indefinitely so he can recuperate, see what they have with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain, and perhaps explore Paul George’s trade market. It may not lead to much winning, but winning many games may not be an option anymore. There’s another benefit to this. The Sixers don’t have much tanking competition this season There aren’t too many teams that have been on the same level in terms of inadequacy as the Sixers this season. The only teams around their level are the Wizards, Raptors, and Jazz. The Pelicans have also been bad, but like the Sixers, it’s just been injuries that have held them back. It is a shame when a season with title aspirations comes up short. In the Sixers’ case, their odds of getting the number one pick outweigh those of even making the playoffs. Tanking might not be the most desirable option for Philadelphia, but at least they’d feel right at home if they chose that route. MORE SIXERS NEWS: 76ers may acquire rising NBA champion wing via major trade with Warriors
Law: Cubs finally take big swing with great deal for Kyle TuckerCaitlin Clark is right to snub Unrivaled, claims Skip Bayless after 'jealousy and resentment' WNBA star suffered READ MORE: Fans slam 'disgusting' Unrivaled for 22-minute Caitlin Clark video By LEOCCIANO CALLAO Published: 22:34 GMT, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 22:42 GMT, 21 November 2024 e-mail 13 shares View comments Skip Bayless claims that Caitlin Clark is right to skip the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league in January after the Indiana Fever star walked with a target on her back throughout her rookie campaign. WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded the 3-on-3 league to provide an alternative for women's basketball players who typically play overseas during the offseason to make up for financial gaps. After the promising competition failed to land Clark on their small, yet star-studded, roster, Bayless took to X to express his thoughts on Clark waving off the reportedly massive offer. 'Good for Caitlin Clark not playing in this new 3-on-3 league,' Bayless wrote. 'After all the jealousy and resentment she felt last season - all the cheap shots and bullying attempts - she made a late-season run at MVP. 'SHE'S the reason WNBA popularity exploded last season. She doesn't need 3-on-3,' he continued. Good for Caitlin Clark not playing in this new 3-on-3 league. After all the jealousy and resentment she felt last season - all the cheap shots and bullying attempts - she made a late-season run at MVP. SHE'S the reason WNBA popularity exploded last season. She doesn't need 3-on-3 — Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 21, 2024 Skip Bayless claimed that Caitlin Clark was right to turn down the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league Read More BREAKING NEWS Caitlin Clark makes Unrivaled decision ahead of breakaway league's debut season After getting drafted by the Fever with the No 1 overall pick, Clark became a catalyst in the WNBA's popularity soaring to unprecedented heights. Upon her entry, the league saw records broken for both attendance and viewership numbers. However, Clark was also on the receiving end of 'welcome to the league' moments early into the season. The most infamous incident was when she got body-checked by veteran guard Chennedy Carter in her first game against college rival Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. Clark got hit with five flagrant fouls and a handful of close calls. Four of the five flagrant fouls were committed by the Sky. Nonetheless, Clark took care of business on the court, leading Indiana to their first playoff appearance since 2016. While the Fever got swept by Connecticut in the first round, Clark won the WNBA Rookie of the Year and made a run for the MVP award to cap off a spectacular campaign. Bayless insisted Clark dealt with jealousy and resentment while making the WNBA popular Clark received five of the 30 flagrant fouls in the WNBA during her rookie season with Indiana In October, Front Office Sports reported that Unrivaled offered Clark a lucrative deal similar to what Inter Miami handed Lionel Messi to bring him over to MLS from Europe. Furthermore, several of Clark's friends have already filled roster slots for the league's inaugural season. Namely Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull and former Iowa teammate Kate Martin, who was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces this year. After claims of taking her offseason away from the game were followed by hints of her participation, the plans to get her on board ultimately failed to materialize. Unrivaled will be based in Miami, Florida, and its inaugural season will begin in January 2025. The league will feature 30 players from the WNBA and NCAA and have the highest average salaries in women's sports history. On Oct. 16, Unrivaled announced a multi-year media rights deal with TNT. Games will also be available on Max and truTV. Caitlin Clark WNBA Share or comment on this article: Caitlin Clark is right to snub Unrivaled, claims Skip Bayless after 'jealousy and resentment' WNBA star suffered e-mail 13 shares Add commentInternet has encouraged our writing, linguist says
( MENAFN - The Conversation) In December 1978, Jimmy Carter – who has died aged 100 – outlined his belief that American strategic decisions abroad should be shaped by an adherence to human rights.“Human rights is the soul of our foreign policy ... because human rights is the soul of our sense of nationhood.” In the sphere of foreign affairs, Jimmy Carter's one term as US president (1977-1981) had some notable achievements. The most significant was the 1978 Camp David accords . Carter, Israeli prime Minister Menachem Begin, and Egyptian president Anwar Sadat signed an agreement that saw Begin agree to relinquish the entire Sinai Peninsula, captured by Israel in the 1967 six-day war, in exchange for peace and full diplomatic relations with Egypt. This exemplified Carter's belief in the power of American diplomacy and why US presidents should courageously assume the difficult task of peace-making . Twenty-five years later, and against the backdrop of the build-up to the second Gulf war, Carter was recognised for his role in the accords and awarded the 2002 Nobel peace prize. The Nobel committee said that while President George W. Bush was planning an invasion of Iraq:“former President Jimmy Carter was awarded the Peace Prize for undertaking peace negotiations, campaigning for human rights, and working for social welfare”. They added that the prize was in recognition of“his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development”. On leaving office in January 1981, Carter sought to use his status as a former president to engage in the issues and causes that mattered to him most. He established the Carter Center to pursue his own course of personal diplomacy. Starting in 1982, the centre has monitored more than 110 elections in 39 countries. Ahead of the 2020 US presidential election and as then president Donald Trump on refused to commit to a peaceful transition should he lose, the Carter Center took the extraordinary step of designating the US as a “backsliding” democracy . Carter, a devout Christian, maximised his personal relationships with former world leaders to promote democracy and human rights, support scientific work on eliminating diseases, and to mediate where possible to prevent conflict. His activism was not always appreciated by some of his White House successors, both Republican and Democrat. Randall Balmer , professor of religion at Dartmouth College, said that the former president's personal brand of diplomacy could often complicate and even contradict contemporary US diplomatic initiatives. Carter was a member of The Elders , an independent group of global leaders working on peace promotion, social justice, climate change and global human rights. During his years of active membership Carter dedicated significant energy to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , visiting the region on a number of occasions to support the Elders' work. In the early 1990s the former president became involved in mediation work between the US State Department and several rogue states including North Korea and Libya. In 1994, Carter supported the US government's diplomatic efforts to resolve an increasingly tense nuclear weapons' situation with North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. Carter met with Kim in June 1994, becoming the first former US president to visit the country. The trip laid the groundwork for an eventual bilateral deal between North Korea and the US. The agreement saw North Korea pledge to freeze its plutonium weapons programme, while the US agreed to offer aid. Carter continued to weigh-in on contemporary geopolitical events well into his 90s. He was openly critical when Trump announced in May 2018 that he was withdrawing the US from the Iran nuclear agreement , which had been negotiated by the Obama administration in 2015. He called Trump's move a “serious mistake” . Carter felt that an international agreement made by an American president needed to be binding on all their successors and that by walking away from the Iran deal the US was signalling a“message to North Korea that if the United States signs an agreement, it may or may not be honored”. One of Carter's major accomplishments since leaving office was his centre's work in health care, and specifically the eradication of Guinea-worm disease. This is a parasitic infection caused by drinking contaminated water. The consequences of the illness , while not fatal, can incapacitate the sufferer and lead to permanent disability. The Carter Center committed to training over 100,000 village-based health care workers, invested in education programmes and provided water filters to protect people from swallowing the parasite. The results have been highly successful. According to the centre:“incidences of Guinea-worm disease have been reduced from an estimated 3.5 million in 1986 to 13 in 2023 , with the disease being eliminated in 17 countries”. Jimmy Carter's commitment to human rights never went away and his concept of a human-rights focused foreign policy has become permanently encoded in the global conversation . The former president's work brought him international acclaim, and illustrated why the nation's leaders should reject short-sighted calculations that risk the US being complicit in human rights violations . MENAFN29122024000199003603ID1109040022 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Summary: VCA, proudly part of Mars Veterinary Health , and Antech aspire to collaborate at scale with One Health reporting organizations, envisioning a six-step framework for nationwide health initiatives The pet health companies test framework via a large-scale study of humans and pets across the U.S., revealing COVID-19 transmission to pets with no signs of illness LOS ANGELES , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VCA Animal Hospitals , a leader in comprehensive veterinary services and Antech , a leader in veterinary diagnostics, today published its Six-Step Framework for Companion Animal Public Health Collaboration, detailing how One Health organizations can integrate pets into a nationwide health response. This innovative framework outlines the necessary considerations and steps to quickly activate this response lever as part of public safety efforts. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between veterinary professionals, public health officials, and diagnostic experts to create a seamless and effective response system. Prior to the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approaches to understand the impacts of infectious disease outbreaks such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, on pets were limited and fragmented. A recent VCA study published in Viruses highlights the effectiveness of this new six-step framework in action with VCA and Antech working together to implement rapid-response monitoring and disease detection protocols. This collaboration enabled swift identification and management of COVID-19 cases, demonstrating the potential of the framework to address a critical knowledge gap bridging human and pet health during an emerging public health pandemic. "Traditionally, pets have largely been ignored in public health surveillance, but we want to change that," said Anne Kimmerlein DVM, MPVM, DACVPM, Veterinary Epidemiologist for VCA Animal Hospitals. "Thanks to the participation of our Associates and their pets, we were able to show the impact that the private veterinary sector can have when we come together to address an emerging public health threat. Based on that initial work, we've created a framework for continued and expanded One Health collaboration." The study involved a nationwide approach, focusing on households with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans. Pets in these households were monitored for clinical signs consistent with SARS-CoV-2, and samples were collected for PCR and serological testing. The study included 747 dogs and 253 cats. The study highlighted the significance of being watchful of close human-animal contact and preventive measures to reduce transmission risks. The results indicated that pets can contract SARS-CoV-2, primarily through close contact with infected humans. While most pets showed mild or no symptoms, the study nonetheless underscored the recommendation for preventive measures such as good hand hygiene around pets to minimize transmission risks. The findings also demonstrated the potential for pets to seroconvert and develop antibodies, indicating exposure to the virus. "The results of this study show a significant step in advancing our understanding of how closely human and animal health are intertwined – and it was only possible through close collaboration between VCA and our team at Antech," said Christian Leutenegger , Dr. Med. Vet., Ph.D., FHV, Vice President of R&D, Assay Development at Antech Diagnostics . "The research provides a blueprint for continued ongoing collaboration to examine other types of infectious diseases that could impact our pets." VCA and Antech's six-step framework for One Health collaboration sets a new standard for integrating pets into nationwide health responses. By fostering collaboration and leveraging advanced diagnostic tools, this approach helps deliver a swift and effective response to public health crises. The success of the COVID-19 study serves as a testament to the potential of this innovative strategy. "Our commitment to One Health principles has never been stronger," said Marie Kerl , DVM, MPH, MBA, DACVIM, DACVECC and Chief Medical Officer for VCA Animal Hospitals. "By integrating pets into our nationwide health response, we can ensure a more comprehensive approach to public safety and health." To learn more about this groundbreaking framework, visit " Six-Step Framework for Companion Animal Public Health Collaboration ." About VCA Animal Hospitals A leader in veterinary care, VCA Animal Hospitals is committed to caring for the future of veterinary medicine. We are a family of hometown animal hospitals determined to positively impact pets, people, and our communities. From general practice to emergency and specialty care, VCA delivers world-class medicine to more than four million pets each year. Our national network of hospitals invests in cutting-edge tools, training and technology that enables our Associates to lead the industry today and into tomorrow. Among our talented 35,000 Associates are nearly 7,000 veterinarians – including 430 who are board-certified specialists – nearly 4,000 credentialed veterinary technicians and more than 10,000 veterinary assistants – all dedicated to giving pets the very best in medical care. As part of the Mars Petcare family of businesses, VCA is committed to its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. To learn more about VCA, visit vca.com . About Mars Veterinary Health Mars Veterinary Health is a global division of Mars Petcare dedicated to delivering high-quality pet healthcare to further its collective Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Mars Veterinary Health's 70,000 Associates across 3,000 global veterinary clinics put pets, people, and the planet first. The Mars Veterinary Health family includes Associates at AniCura, Banfield, BluePearl, Creature Comforts, Gentle Oak, Hillside, Linnaeus, Mount Pleasant, Tai Wai , VCA, VES, and VSH who demonstrate compassion and expertise while enabling 35 million pet visits each year. Learn more at marsveterinaryhealth.com . About Antech Antech is a leader in veterinary diagnostics, driven by our passion for innovation that delivers better animal health outcomes. Our products and services span 90+ reference laboratories around the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services. As part of the Mars Petcare family of businesses, Antech is committed to its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Learn more at AntechDiagnostics.com . SOURCE VCA Animal Hospitals
The New York Giants' rookie duo of wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. made history on Sunday. In the first half of New York's clash with the Indianapolis Colts, Nabers and Tracy both surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards this season. They became the third pair of teammates in NFL history to reach 1,000 all-purpose yards as rookies, via Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Reggie Bush and Marques Colston represented the last duo to accomplish the feat, doing so on the New Orleans Saints during the 2006 season (h/t Jared Schwartz of the New York Post ). This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .Giants' offense explodes in 45-33 win, knocking Colts out of playoff race