Germany has pledged to tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute people-smugglers enabling small-boat crossings to Britain, as the two countries signed a new deal aimed at tackling immigration crime. Berlin confirmed plans to reform its legal framework make it a clear criminal offence to “facilitate the smuggling of migrants to the UK” as part of the agreement, the Home Office said. The Home Office said the move would give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boats. Both countries will also commit to exchange information that may help to remove migrant-smuggling content from social media platforms and tackle end-to-end routes of criminal smuggling networks as part of the deal. It comes ahead of the UK and Germany hosting the so-called Calais Group in London, which sees ministers and police from the two countries, alongside France, Belgium and the Netherlands, gather to discuss migration in Europe. Delegates are expected to agree a detailed plan to tackle people-smuggling gangs in 2025 at the meeting on Tuesday. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For too long organised criminal gangs have been exploiting vulnerable people, undermining border security in the UK and across Europe while putting thousands of lives at risk. “We are clear that this cannot go on. “Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling, but there is always more we can do together. “Our new joint action plan with deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations, and ultimately saving lives.” Nancy Faeser, German federal minister of the interior said: “We are now stepping up our joint action to fight the brutal activities of international smugglers. “This is at the core of our joint action plan that we have agreed in London. “I am very grateful to my British counterpart Yvette Cooper that we were able to reach this important agreement. “It will help us end the inhumane activities of criminal migrant smuggling organisations. “By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence and sending them across the Channel, these organisations put human lives at risk. “Many of these crimes are planned in Germany. “Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve. “This includes maintaining a high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible, and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes.”
Phase 3 Study Results Demonstrated Three Year, Disease-Free Survival of 96% THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. , Dec. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced new data demonstrating that adding BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk (SR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) of average or higher risk of relapse. The data are from a Phase 3 study (AALL1731) conducted by the Children's Oncology Group. The results were simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be presented during the plenary session on Sunday, Dec. 8 , at 2 p.m. PT at the 66 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego . "Over the last decade, BLINCYTO has reshaped the treatment landscape for B-ALL, offering a critical lifeline for thousands of adult and pediatric patients," said Jay Bradner , M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development and chief scientific officer at Amgen. "These powerful new data leave us little doubt about the profound impact of this medicine for a large number of children affected by this disease. We are grateful to the Children's Oncology Group, along with the patients, families and clinical teams, for their dedication and partnership in advancing this critical study to improve the lives of children with cancer." Based on the results of the first pre-specified interim analysis for efficacy, the study met its primary endpoint of DFS and study randomization was terminated early based on the recommendation from the data and safety monitoring committee due to the benefit observed in the BLINCYTO arm compared to the chemotherapy-only arm. Overall, the 3-year DFS was 96.0% for patients treated with chemotherapy plus BLINCYTO compared to 87.9% for those treated with only chemotherapy. The hazard ratio (HR) was 0.39 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.64], indicating a 61% reduction in the risk of disease relapse, secondary malignant neoplasm or remission death with BLINCYTO. At 3 years, more patients remained alive and cancer free when treated with BLINCYTO plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. "The AALL1731 study results are truly practice-changing, further solidifying blinatumomab's role as the standard of care for a large number of children with B-ALL," said Sumit Gupta , M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group AALL1731 study and oncologist and clinician investigator, Division of Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto . "These breakthrough data showing a significant improvement in disease-free survival are poised to bring substantial clinical value to children with newly diagnosed B-ALL." The addition of BLINCYTO to chemotherapy in standard risk patients resulted in outcomes similar to those previously achieved in only the most favorable pediatric risk subsets. Among SR-Average patients, 3-year DFS was 97.5% for patients treated with BLINCYTO compared to 90.2% for those treated with only chemotherapy (HR 0.33, CI 0.15-0.69). For SR-High patients, 3-year DFS was 94.1% for those treated with BLINCYTO compared to 84.8% for those treated with only chemotherapy (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85). "Relapsed ALL remains a major cause of pediatric cancer mortality, with nearly half of the relapses occurring in children with standard-risk B-ALL," said Rachel E. Rau , M.D., co-chair of the Children's Oncology Group AALL1731 study, pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Seattle Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington . "These findings underscore the progress made with blinatumomab in preventing relapse and support its role as a critical addition to current therapeutic strategies." Safety results are consistent with the known safety profile of BLINCYTO. BLINCYTO has demonstrated a positive balance of benefits and risks, with only 0.3% of first courses associated with Grade 3+ cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 0.7% with seizures. A higher risk of infections was observed in the BLINCYTO arm. These results provide the first evidence supporting BLINCYTO for use in the consolidation phase in newly diagnosed pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) B-ALL patients. This groundbreaking first-in-class Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE ® ) therapy is now backed by additional evidence reinforcing its role in redefining a standard of care for both adult and pediatric patients, starting from one month old, regardless of measurable residual disease (MRD) status. The findings further establish BLINCYTO as a versatile first-line consolidation therapy across all ages and treatment backbones. The NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), which sponsored the study will share data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of their ongoing communications relating to the trial. About The Children's Oncology Group The Children's Oncology Group (childrensoncologygroup.org), a member of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), is the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. The Children's Oncology Group unites over 10,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children's hospitals, universities and cancer centers across North America , Australia , New Zealand and Saudi Arabia in the fight against childhood cancer. Today, more than 80% of the 15,000 children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States are cared for at Children's Oncology Group member institutions. Research performed by Children's Oncology Group institutions over the past 50 years has transformed childhood cancer from a virtually incurable disease to one with a combined 5-year survival rate of 86%. The Children's Oncology Group's mission is to improve the cure rate and outcomes for all children with cancer. About AALL1731 (NCT03914625) The AALL1731 study was a Phase 3 randomized trial to determine if two non-sequential cycles of BLINCYTO added to chemotherapy improved disease-free survival (DFS) in children with newly diagnosed pediatric National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk (SR) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). The study enrolled 4,264 newly diagnosed NCI SR B-ALL patients, of whom 2,334 were risk stratified at the end of induction therapy as either SR-Average or SR-High. At the first planned interim efficacy analysis (data cutoff June 30, 2024 ), 1,440 of the eligible and evaluable patients had been randomized. The AALL1731 study was designed and conducted independently from industry. The Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) of the NCI sponsored the trial and provided funding to the Children's Oncology Group to conduct the study. NCI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, Amgen provided BLINCYTO and support through an NCI Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. About Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) ALL, also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is a fast-growing type of blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and central nervous system. ALL is a rare disease, with an estimated 6,550 new cases, affecting both children and adults, diagnosed in the U.S. in 2024. 1 B-ALL begins in immature cells that would normally develop into B-cell lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that grow in bone marrow. 2,3 B-ALL is the most common type of ALL, constituting approximately 75% of cases in adults and approximately 88% in children, the most common cancer in children. 4,5 About BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) BLINCYTO is the first globally approved Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE ® ) immuno-oncology therapy that targets CD19 surface antigens on B cells. BiTE ® molecules fight cancer by helping the body's immune system detect and target malignant cells by engaging T cells (a type of white blood cell capable of killing other cells perceived as threats) to cancer cells. By bringing T cells near cancer cells, the T cells can inject toxins and trigger cancer cell death (apoptosis). BiTE ® immuno-oncology therapies are currently being investigated for their potential to treat a wide variety of cancers. BLINCYTO was granted Breakthrough Therapy and Priority Review designations by the U.S. FDA and is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of: In the European Union (EU), BLINCYTO is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of: BLINCYTO ® IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME and NEUROLOGICAL TOXICITIES including IMMUNE EFFECTOR CELL-ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY SYNDROME Contraindications BLINCYTO ® is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to blinatumomab or to any component of the product formulation. Warnings and Precautions Adverse Reactions Dosage and Administration Guidelines INDICATIONS BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) is indicated for the treatment of CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adult and pediatric patients one month and older with: Please see BLINCYTO ® full Prescribing Information , including BOXED WARNINGS. About Bispecific T-Cell Engager (BiTE ® ) Technology BiTE technology is a targeted immuno-oncology platform that is designed to engage a patient's own T cells to any tumor-specific antigen, activating the cytotoxic potential of T cells to eliminate detectable cancer. The BiTE immuno-oncology platform has the potential to treat different cancer types through tumor-specific antigens. The BiTE platform has a goal of leading to off-the-shelf solutions, which have the potential to make innovative T-cell treatment available to all providers when their patients need it. For more than a decade, Amgen has been advancing this innovative technology, which has demonstrated strong efficacy in hematological malignancies and now a solid tumor with the approval of IMDELLTRA. Amgen remains committed to progressing multiple BiTE molecules across a broad range of hematologic and solid tumor malignancies, paving the way for additional applications in more tumor types. Amgen is further investigating BiTE technology with the goal of enhancing patient experience and therapeutic potential. To learn more about BiTE technology, visit BiTE ® Technology 101 . About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative medicines to help millions of patients in their fight against some of the world's toughest diseases. More than 40 years ago, Amgen helped to establish the biotechnology industry and remains on the cutting-edge of innovation, using technology and human genetic data to push beyond what's known today. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline that builds on its existing portfolio of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases and rare diseases. In 2024, Amgen was named one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company and one of "America's Best Large Employers" by Forbes, among other external recognitions . Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average ® , and it is also part of the Nasdaq-100 Index ® , which includes the largest and most innovative non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market based on market capitalization. For more information, visit Amgen.com and follow Amgen on X , LinkedIn , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and Threads . Amgen Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the current expectations and beliefs of Amgen. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements on the outcome, benefits and synergies of collaborations, or potential collaborations, with any other company (including BeiGene, Ltd. or Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.), the performance of Otezla ® (apremilast) (including anticipated Otezla sales growth and the timing of non-GAAP EPS accretion), Amgen's acquisitions of Teneobio, Inc., ChemoCentryx, Inc., or Horizon Therapeutics plc (including the prospective performance and outlook of Horizon's business, performance and opportunities, any potential strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected as a result of such acquisition, and any projected impacts from the Horizon acquisition on Amgen's acquisition-related expenses going forward), as well as estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial metrics, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, reimbursement activities and outcomes, effects of pandemics or other widespread health problems on Amgen's business, outcomes, progress, and other such estimates and results. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below and more fully described in the Securities and Exchange Commission reports filed by Amgen, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Unless otherwise noted, Amgen is providing this information as of the date of this news release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those Amgen projects. Discovery or identification of new product candidates or development of new indications for existing products cannot be guaranteed and movement from concept to product is uncertain; consequently, there can be no guarantee that any particular product candidate or development of a new indication for an existing product will be successful and become a commercial product. Further, preclinical results do not guarantee safe and effective performance of product candidates in humans. The complexity of the human body cannot be perfectly, or sometimes, even adequately modeled by computer or cell culture systems or animal models. The length of time that it takes for Amgen to complete clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval for product marketing has in the past varied and Amgen expects similar variability in the future. Even when clinical trials are successful, regulatory authorities may question the sufficiency for approval of the trial endpoints Amgen has selected. Amgen develops product candidates internally and through licensing collaborations, partnerships and joint ventures. Product candidates that are derived from relationships may be subject to disputes between the parties or may prove to be not as effective or as safe as Amgen may have believed at the time of entering into such relationship. Also, Amgen or others could identify safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products, including its devices, after they are on the market. Amgen's results may be affected by its ability to successfully market both new and existing products domestically and internationally, clinical and regulatory developments involving current and future products, sales growth of recently launched products, competition from other products including biosimilars, difficulties or delays in manufacturing its products and global economic conditions. In addition, sales of Amgen's products are affected by pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny and reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers, including governments, private insurance plans and managed care providers and may be affected by regulatory, clinical and guideline developments and domestic and international trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment. Furthermore, Amgen's research, testing, pricing, marketing and other operations are subject to extensive regulation by domestic and foreign government regulatory authorities. Amgen's business may be impacted by government investigations, litigation and product liability claims. In addition, Amgen's business may be impacted by the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities. If Amgen fails to meet the compliance obligations in the corporate integrity agreement between Amgen and the U.S. government, Amgen could become subject to significant sanctions. Further, while Amgen routinely obtains patents for its products and technology, the protection offered by its patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, or Amgen may fail to prevail in present and future intellectual property litigation. Amgen performs a substantial amount of its commercial manufacturing activities at a few key facilities, including in Puerto Rico, and also depends on third parties for a portion of its manufacturing activities, and limits on supply may constrain sales of certain of its current products and product candidate development. An outbreak of disease or similar public health threat, such as COVID-19, and the public and governmental effort to mitigate against the spread of such disease, could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of materials for Amgen's manufacturing activities, the distribution of Amgen's products, the commercialization of Amgen's product candidates, and Amgen's clinical trial operations, and any such events may have a material adverse effect on Amgen's product development, product sales, business and results of operations. Amgen relies on collaborations with third parties for the development of some of its product candidates and for the commercialization and sales of some of its commercial products. In addition, Amgen competes with other companies with respect to many of its marketed products as well as for the discovery and development of new products. Further, some raw materials, medical devices and component parts for Amgen's products are supplied by sole third-party suppliers. Certain of Amgen's distributors, customers and payers have substantial purchasing leverage in their dealings with Amgen. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of Amgen's products that implicate an entire class of products could have a material adverse effect on sales of the affected products and on its business and results of operations. Amgen's efforts to collaborate with or acquire other companies, products or technology, and to integrate the operations of companies or to support the products or technology Amgen has acquired, may not be successful. There can be no guarantee that Amgen will be able to realize any of the strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities arising from the Horizon acquisition, and such benefits, synergies or opportunities may take longer to realize than expected. Amgen may not be able to successfully integrate Horizon, and such integration may take longer, be more difficult or cost more than expected. A breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach of Amgen's information technology systems could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Amgen's systems and Amgen's data. Amgen's stock price may be volatile and may be affected by a number of events. Amgen's business and operations may be negatively affected by the failure, or perceived failure, of achieving its environmental, social and governance objectives. The effects of global climate change and related natural disasters could negatively affect Amgen's business and operations. Global economic conditions may magnify certain risks that affect Amgen's business. Amgen's business performance could affect or limit the ability of the Amgen Board of Directors to declare a dividend or its ability to pay a dividend or repurchase its common stock. Amgen may not be able to access the capital and credit markets on terms that are favorable to it, or at all. Any scientific information discussed in this news release relating to new indications for Amgen's products is preliminary and investigative and is not part of the labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the products. The products are not approved for the investigational use(s) discussed in this news release, and no conclusions can or should be drawn regarding the safety or effectiveness of the products for these uses. CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks Elissa Snook , 609-251-1407 (media) Justin Claeys , 805-313-9775 (investors) References View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blincyto-blinatumomab-added-to-chemotherapy-significantly-improves-survival-in-newly-diagnosed-pediatric-patients-with-b-cell-precursor-acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-b-all-302325381.html SOURCE AmgenWhat happens when 'The Simpsons' join 'Monday Night Football'? Find out during Bengals-Cowboys - The Associated PressOracle misses second-quarter revenue estimates
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Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info What do you buy the man who has everything? Something practical or fun, but always affordable, says King Charles ’ former butler, Grant Harrold. “The King hates being given anything extravagant and expensive. He’d be embarrassed if you spent a fortune on him. He’d say, ‘That’s lovely but you really shouldn’t have.’ So, at Christmas , I used to give him books on Victorian gardening or honey-based products because I know how much he loves honey.” The pragmatic royals have the same approach to festive gift buying and their shopping habits are surprisingly similar to ours. “Everyone assumes the royals only shop in the poshest stores. But they go to the same shops that we do. I’m not saying they never go to Harrods – it’s said the late Queen did some Christmas shopping there with her cousin ( the Duchess of Kent ) in the 1950s but she would often nip to her local shops in Ballater village, near Balmoral. The royals enjoy a bargain.” The Princess of Wales is a savvy shopper, too. In the past, she’s snapped up last-minute gifts at the King’s Lynn branch of home store The Range. With William, she has also stopped by the family-run department store Bakers & Larners in nearby Holt, where mouth-watering hampers and country fare set the vibe. Queen Camilla is more of a forward planner. Last year, during an official visit to Nairobi, she bought a “rather large haul” of gifts in a market, including blankets, jewellery and a pot of cashew butter, which she declared was “one up on peanut butter.” But Queen Elizabeth II had an additional Christmas shopping trick up her sleeve: a little 'shop’ was set up in a drawing room at Windsor Castle , according to her former footman Paul Burrell. John Lewis would send a selection of nearly everything they stocked, leaving her free to choose goodies at her own pace, often late at night, after dinner. “The royals could easily ask a member of staff to buy gifts on their behalf,” says Grant Harrold. “But the idea of royals mingling among us is no longer unusual because they’re becoming increasingly more normal – Princess Beatrice goes to Glastonbury festival most summers!” What’s most remarkable is that they are often shopping right under our noses without us even noticing. “In the old days, they’d close a whole store for Princess Diana. But that doesn’t happen now,” explains Grant. “The royals are very discreet. There’s always a bodyguard with them for protection, but people don’t recognise them because you don’t expect to see a King or a future Queen browsing in your local store.” The convenience of Amazon isn’t lost on the royals, either. “The younger ones, especially, are very savvy with online shopping, so that’s made Christmas shopping easier,” continues Grant. But you won’t find the monarch wrestling with the Sellotape. “I can easily see Kate, William and even Anne wrapping their own presents but not the King. He’ll have someone do that for him.” It’s well documented that the royals gather at 6pm on 24 December at Sandringham to exchange gifts. It harks back to the German tradition of Heiligabend Bescherung – 'Christmas Eve time for exchanging gifts’. The presents are laid out on a long table covered with white cloth in separate piles with a name card in front of each. There are no overhead lights – just twinkling tree lights to bathe the scene in a warm glow. In his book Spare, the Duke of Sussex recalls the merry mayhem: “By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place [and] stood before our mound of presents. Then suddenly, everyone began opening at the same time. A free-for-all, with scores of family members talking at once and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper.” There’s one rule: each gift must be cheap and cheerful. “They don’t spend much money on gifts,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe, “but they spend a lot of time thinking carefully about what to get. And the funnier and quirkier the better.” Harry once received a pen with a rubber fish attached to it from his great-aunt Princess Margaret. Rumour has it that he gave the late Queen a plastic singing sea bass and a shower cap bearing the slogan, Ain’t life a b***h!, while his brother gifted his grandmother a pair of slippers emblazoned with her face. King Charles was reportedly given a white leather loo seat from his sister, while Harry unwrapped a ‘Grow your own Girlfriend’ kit from Kate. Princess Diana initially missed the ‘silly gifts’ brief and dished out cashmere sweaters to the family. The following year, she hit the mark choosing a leopard print bath mat for Sarah, Duchess of York! “There are serious gifts given, too,” says Grant. “You’ll see the royal ladies wearing a new necklace and you’ll just know it was a Christmas present. And, of course, Santa still visits Sandringham. I like to think that on Christmas Day morning the children will have lots of presents in their stockings or under the tree.” The Wales kids are encouraged to send letters to Lapland and, when George was four, William personally delivered his son’s list to Santa Claus at a festive market in Finland’s Helsinki. George’s wish? A police car. "Money isn’t an object for William and Kate, but they’re not indulgent,” says Duncan. “So the younger royals won’t be showered with very, very expensive gifts.” While you might assume that’s the influence of Kate’s parents, former royal security chief Ken Wharfe points out that William and Harry were never over-indulged as children. “Diana was very careful to ensure that they weren’t flooded with gifts,” he explains. “Gifts did appear from unknown sources but they were often returned or given to charity because they didn’t need them.” Her late Majesty was keen to keep the magic of Santa alive, too. Once asked by a little boy, “Do you believe in Father Christmas?” she tactfully replied: “I like to believe in Father Christmas, yes.” And there’s no doubt her son has taken up the baton. During a visit to a West London shopping centre, the King looked delighted when he came face to face with Father Christmas. The big man himself later revealed that he told the King “he’s on Santa’s ‘very good boy’ list”. Quite right, too!GE-Hitachi’s small reactor design closer to deployment in UK, passes key milestone
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV ) today announced that Brad Cerepak , Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has notified the Company that he plans to retire on January 31, 2025 . Christopher ("Chris") Woenker, 42, Chief Financial Officer of the Company's Engineered Products and Climate & Sustainability Technologies segments, will succeed Mr. Cerepak as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 31, 2025 . As part of the Company's transition plan, Mr. Woenker will remain in his current segment CFO roles while working closely with Mr. Cerepak through the 2024 fiscal year financial closing. Mr. Woenker will report to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Tobin . Mr. Woenker joined the Company in March 2013 , first serving as manager and then director in the Financial Planning and Analysis function. He was promoted to business unit CFO in September 2016 , and to segment CFO in June 2017 . Since then, he has served as CFO for several of the Company's segments, including his current roles as CFO of the Engineered Products and the Climate & Sustainability Technologies segments, giving him a deep understanding of our operating model and our businesses. Mr. Tobin said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Brad for his outstanding leadership and many contributions over the past 15 years. He has been instrumental in driving financial excellence and developing the finance organization across Dover, leaving a strong legacy for the Company to build on. Looking ahead, I am very pleased to announce Chris's appointment. Chris understands well the Dover business culture and has demonstrated strong acumen and exceptional leadership in each of the roles he has held at Dover. His appointment reflects the strength of the Company's long-term succession planning process and the commitment of management and the Board of Directors to develop and promote strong internal talent. I look forward to welcoming him as our new CFO." About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of over $7 billion . We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions, and Climate & Sustainability Technologies. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 65 years, our team of over 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois , Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com . SOURCE DoverHope Bancorp director Steven Koh sells $1.29 million in stockGulfport Energy upgraded at KeyBanc on Trump tailwinds.Firms commit over $50M investment The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) says it has recorded significant achievements in its drive to position Nigeria as a leading investment destination in Africa. Through strategic partnerships and targeted investment promotion efforts, the commission said that global firms have committed over $50 million to projects in key sectors of the Nigerian economy. One of the outcomes is the partnership with Afreximbank to attract investments by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the bank’s financing opportunities. The collaboration, according to the commission, aims to channel investments into agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, healthcare, and renewable energy. Shettima Barma, deputy director and head of the Investment Promotion Department, speaking during a media engagement in Abuja, said that global firms have shown strong interest in Nigeria’s investment opportunities. Among the key commitments are IDEMIA, a French smart identity solutions company, committing $50 million to deploy biometric identification systems for international passports, national ID cards, and voter registration. He noted that Woodcross Resources, a Ugandan-based mining company, is planning a 150-200 metric ton tin mining refinery in Nigeria in partnership with New Frontier Development and Protex Healthcare Ltd, a Belgian firm, establishing a burn and dialysis center in Abuja, valued at over N300 million. As part of its outreach efforts, he stated that the NIPC has profiled over 50 credible projects using its Investment Opportunity Profiling (IOP) form, more than 100 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects were sourced, with 34 curated into a Deal Book disseminated at international business and investment forums. Barma also said that the NIPC has profiled 15 industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, ICT, and creative industries, into comprehensive factsheets to guide investors. He noted that in collaboration with the EU, GIZ, and the Ministry of Power, the commission launched the One Stop Investment Platform for Renewable Energy, a resource hub designed to attract investments in sustainable energy projects. “A French company, IDEMIA smart identity company has emphasized strong commitment investing in Nigeria to deploy a biometric identification system for international passport, national ID card, voter registration etc. This investment is within the range of $50m. “Woodcross Resources, a Ugandan-based mining company has indicated willingness to setup a 150- 200MTS Tin Mining Refinery in Nigeria. The company visited NIPC with their Nigerian Partner New Frontier Development; “A Belgian company, Protex Healthcare Ltd, is setting up a burn and dialysis center worth over N300m. Land has already been acquired in Abuja; “Established an African Invest Platform with a Japanese company for investor matchmaking. First round of meeting was held with NACCIMA and MAN; “Signed an agreement with Afreximbank to attract investments into Nigeria leveraging on AfCFTA and the financing sources from the Bank. Organizing a webinar last week in February 2025. Facilitating meetings with Brazilian firms to export fertilizer and poultry from Nigeria “Nigeria may not be the leading investment destination globally, but in Africa, we stand out due to our population, raw materials, attractive incentives, and skilled workforce,” he said Aisha Rimi, executive secretary/CEO of NIPC, said looking ahead, the commission is pivoting towards innovation and sustainability as key drivers of economic growth. Rimi said that the commission plans to attract investments in sectors like fintech, agri-tech, and renewable energy, with incentives to encourage technology-driven businesses to establish operations in Nigeria. She stated further that the NIPC will collaborate with investment bodies focused on green initiatives to attract socially responsible investors. “We aim to position Nigeria as a hub for innovation and technology investments, while also prioritizing eco-friendly projects that align with global sustainability goals. We are laying the groundwork for Nigeria to emerge as a global leader in technology and sustainability investments,” Rimi explained. The NIPC boss also said that the commission is committed to strengthening human capital as part of its long-term strategy. According to her, through partnerships with international donor agencies, the commission has launched capacity-building programs for local entrepreneurs, equipping them with skills to compete on both national and global stages. To retain existing investors, Rimi said that the commission has strengthened its investor relations strategy. Through regular feedback mechanisms and the Nigerian Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS), “NIPC has partnered with state governments to create investor-friendly environments tailored to their unique competitive advantages.”
( MENAFN - PR Newswire) CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Envision Energy, a world leader in renewable energy solutions, proudly announces a contract with the EDF Group, to supply three battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the Oasis 1 cluster of projects, amounting to 257 MW of capacity and 1028 MWh of storage. This marks the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) order in South Africa and positions Envision Energy as the first energy storage system supplier in the region to secure a GWh-scale order. These projects are integral to South Africa's inaugural Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). EDF, in collaboration with co-sponsor Mulilo, and equity partners Pele Energy Group and Gibb-Crede, under the Oasis Consortium, successfully secured three projects: Oasis Aggeneis, Oasis Mookodi, and Oasis Nieuwehoop power plants, located in the Northern Cape Province. Each project includes a 5% ownership interest for local communities through a Community Trust. Financial Close was reached on 20 November 2024 and the projects are set to be operational by end of 2026. Envision Energy will equip these facilities with a full suite of AC and DC energy storage equipment, including station SCADA and EMS systems. The DC side will feature Envision's standard 20-foot, 5 MWh storage units powered by high-safety, high-performance 315Ah cells. Additionally, Envision will provide 15 years of comprehensive lifecycle operation and maintenance (O&M) services. Kane Xu, Senior Vice President and President of International Product Lines at Envision Energy, commented on the initiative: "Battery storage technology is a cornerstone of sustainable energy systems, and we are delighted to contribute our leading technology to this milestone project in South Africa. Once operational, it will effectively address the frequent load management of the current South African power grid, enhance grid stability, and reduce reliance on coal-fired power plants, supporting South Africa's transition to a more sustainable energy system." As the largest battery energy storage initiative in South Africa, these facilities will significantly enhance the country's power infrastructure. They are designed to alleviate grid congestion, increase renewable energy integration, and engage in the power market through energy arbitrage and ancillary services, aiding South Africa's low-carbon energy transition and goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. "We look forward to constructing this project with our industrial partners Envision Energy and Huadong, chosen for their expertise with energy storage products, and ability to deliver a reliable and effective system," said Gregoire de Montgolfier, EDF Renewables Projects Director. EDF Group, the world's largest nuclear operator and a leading global power company, continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio with an aim to reach 60 GW of net renewable capacity by 2030. Envision Energy stands out as a premier provider of cutting-edge energy storage products renowned for their superior battery quality, intelligent design, and the ease and speed of their deployment. With full-stack technical capabilities and a commitment to in-house research and manufacturing, Envision boasts end-to-end control from manufacturing to deployment, including full lifecycle asset management to drive innovation in systematic grid-forming solutions, to ensure grid safety and stability. As of late 2023, Envision has grown its global footprint across the globe with over 200 BESS projects, delivering more than 15 GWh and securing upwards of 25 GWh in ongoing orders. In 2024, Envision Energy was recognized as a Tier 1 Global Energy Storage Manufacturer by Bloomberg NEF for the third consecutive quarter, positioning the company among the top leaders in the energy storage sector worldwide. MENAFN15122024003732001241ID1108995673 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.