The overwhelming success of the live stream highlighted the power of authentic and engaging content in capturing and retaining the attention of online audiences. Xiaohua and Xiangzuo's ability to create moments that resonate with their fans and followers speaks to their influence and popularity in the digital realm, as well as their knack for connecting with audiences on a personal and emotional level.Tariffs may hit U.S. food costs
One of the key points Ferdinand raised was the need for Manchester United to have a clear strategy in place for dealing with underperforming players. He argued that the club should not hesitate to offload players who are not meeting the required standard, even if they are high-profile or highly-paid individuals. Ferdinand stressed that performance on the pitch should be the ultimate measure of a player's value to the team, and sentimentality or past achievements should not cloud the judgment of the club's management.
With the emergence of a "lifesaving straw" in the form of rice, is corn on the verge of a transformation? The market sentiment is showing subtle changes.The police have also stepped in to investigate the incident and determine the motivations behind the mother and daughter carrying knives on the train. It is crucial that a thorough investigation be conducted to uncover any possible threats to passenger safety and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
STATE COLLEGE — Third-ranked Penn State faces the top-ranked Oregon Ducks in Saturday's Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis. A Nittany Lions win would earn their first Big Ten title since 2016, and would likely give Penn State the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. "We get an opportunity to go into Indianapolis now and play for the Big Ten Championship," Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said. "That's why we all come to Penn State, to play in games like this. It's going to be a huge opportunity for us. Obviously, it's going to be a very talented team that we're going against, that's had a great year so far as well. So this is another great opportunity for us." How they got here The Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) took care of business last week, smashing the Maryland Terrapins 44-7 to clinch a CFP berth. They got help with Michigan upsetting Ohio State to punch a ticket to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship. The Ducks (12-0, 9-0) completed an undefeated regular season with a 49-21 win over Washington last week. Saturday's game offers a compelling matchup of two productive offenses aided by stingy defenses. The Nittany Lions come in averaging the fourth-most points in the Big Ten at 33.3, while the Ducks are third in scoring at 35.2. Defensively, the Nittany Lions have the superior scoring defense — allowing just 14 points per game. The Ducks allow 16.2 points per game, good for fourth in the Big Ten. Players to watch Penn State: Drew Allar, Abdul Carter, Nicholas Singleton Saturday's game is a significant opportunity for Allar, who has played at an elite level at times this season (see his performance in a win at USC). Though he's thrown for 2,668 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, completing 71.6% of his passes, Allar hasn't had any signature performances other than the 391-yard, two-touchdown game against USC. He's been fine, but not spectacular. If he's spectacular against Oregon, that will bolster Penn State's standing as well as Allar's stock beyond Penn State. Carter was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday, and he also took home the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year award. Carter's move from linebacker to edge rusher sputtered out of the gate, but his adaptation to the defensive line got better with each game. Carter has 54 total tackles with 10 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss, which leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the country. Getting to Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel is key to Penn State winning Saturday. If Carter continues the tear he's been on, those chances look more realistic. Singleton, a junior running back, started the year looking like the explosive and twitchy back that arrived in Happy Valley, posting consecutive 100-yard rushing games. But after the second game of Big Ten play, when he sat out against UCLA, Singleton looked like a shell of himself as he battled through an injury. Over his last four games, despite not getting a boatload of carries, Singleton has looked close to his early-season form. "I feel like I'm good," Singleton said after the win over Maryland. "I'm all healthy coming out of this game. You've got to give credit to the trainers and our staff. They're doing a good job — being with them every day, helping with my body, taking care of my body. They've been a big help for myself." The Nittany Lions have rolled up 209 yards rushing per game over their last four, with 13 touchdowns. Singleton has accounted for four of those 13, and has averaged nearly 6 yards per carry over his last four games. "Nick is back as close to 100% as he's been in a long time, and you see the burst and the acceleration on tape," Penn State coach James Franklin said Sunday. "But yeah, we're going to try to be creative each week with our guys and put them in the best position to be successful." Oregon: Dillon Gabriel, Tez Johnson, Matayo Uiagaleiei Oregon's Gabriel has been the best quarterback in the Big Ten this season, completing a conference-best 73.5% of his passes for 3,275 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The fifth-year senior has been around a while, having started his career at Central Florida before transferring to Oklahoma and then Oregon for his final year of eligibility. "It seems like he's been playing college football for the last 10 years, and he's just so poised and relaxed," Franklin said. "You're not going to give him a whole lot that he hasn't seen before, and he's surrounded with really good talent. The running backs are really good. The tight end is a really good player. The receivers are dynamic. "He's put himself in really good situations, but he's played a ton of football. Their playcaller does a really good job of getting people in space, and he looks very comfortable and relaxed. And because of that, he's thrown for a very high percentage. You very rarely ever see him get rattled, and he's throwing to guys that can make plays for him." One of those playmakers is senior wide receiver Johnson. The 5-foot-10 veteran was tied for third in the Big Ten with nine touchdown catches, and tied for 11th in the conference with 685 receiving yards. Like Gabriel, Johnson has had a great college career after starting his career elsewhere — he had 211 yards and 18 catches as a freshman at Troy. Just last season, Johnson set an Oregon single-season record for receptions with 86. His 1,182 receiving yards in 2023 were third-most in a single-season in school history. He can also affect the game as a receiver and as a kick returner. Speaking of game-breakers, the Oregon defense is one of the best units in college football, led by sophomore edge rusher Uiagaleiei. The Ducks are tied for sixth in the country with 49 sacks. Uiagaleiei accounts for 10.5 of those, tied for ninth in the country. The All-Big Ten first-team selection also has 12.5 tackles for loss this season, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten. Like Carter, Uiagaleiei is a game-wrecker coming off the edge, and if he's allowed to run wild, it'll be a long night for Penn State. "They're talented," Franklin said of the Ducks' defense. "They've done a really good job of recruiting and developing. They have size and speed and athleticism. They've done a good job of using it. They've got some guys that are somewhat unusual in terms of their measurables for the position they play, specifically at defense, and then we've got a ton of respect for their nose guard (Jamaree Caldwell) as well. Series history The Big Ten Championship is the first time Penn State and Oregon have met since the 1995 Rose Bowl — a game Penn State won 38-20 to finish the season 12-0. It'll be the team' fifth meeting. Penn State owns a 3-1 advantage in the series.The controversy has also shed light on the lack of transparency in the ticket reselling industry. Many consumers are unaware that third-party vendors like Flight Butler exist, and may inadvertently purchase tickets at inflated prices without realizing they have other, more affordable options. This lack of transparency raises concerns about fair competition and consumer protection.PRR loan fails to revamp Pakistan’s tax system: report Report says that multilateral donors provided 16 foreign loans and assistance packages to reform tax system ISLAMABAD: Despite utilising 80% of the $400 million World Bank-funded Pakistan Raises Revenues (PRR) loan, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has failed to address longstanding issues in Pakistan’s tax system and machinery. This was the conclusion of a joint report by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and PRIME, an economic think tank, titled “World Bank’s PRR Loan: Did It Help Increase Tax Revenues and Tax Machinery Efficiency? A Prospective Analysis,” launched on Friday. The report, authoured by economist Shahid Mehmood, highlights significant shortcomings in achieving the loan’s objectives. The report points out that multilateral donors have provided 16 foreign loans and technical assistance packages to reform Pakistan’s tax system. However, an FBR official, when contacted, argued that the report inaccurately included funding allocated to provinces as part of the FBR’s financing. The official clarified that the FBR itself had only secured three foreign loans. Speaking at the report’s launch, the World Bank’s lead economist, Tobias Akhtar Haque, emphasised the urgent need to bring all forms of income, at both federal and provincial levels, into the tax net. He said that Pakistan’s economy was on the brink of default 18 months ago but has now entered a stabilisation phase. However, bridging the revenue gap remains critical. “In the short term, emergency measures are necessary, but the country must ultimately broaden its tax base. Pakistan needs to consider moving toward a flat income tax system,” Haque added. Responding to questions about policy loans for addressing external financing gaps, Haque highlighted that provinces also secured foreign loans, underscoring the need to assess their actual benefits. On the digitisation of the FBR, he said that efforts were underway to develop state-of-the-art data centres and analytics to broaden the tax base. However, he conceded that the tax-to-GDP ratio remains unsatisfactory. Haque also stressed the importance of balancing revenue collection with necessary spending in a country where 80% of children face learning poverty, and 40% experience stunting. The report warns that the PRR loan risks repeating the failures of previous initiatives, such as the World Bank’s Tax Administration Reform Project (TARP). Despite partial improvements, fundamental issues persist due to a lack of institutional learning and consideration of ground realities. The loan’s main objective was to sustainably increase tax revenues by broadening the tax base and facilitating compliance. The first component outlined four goals: creating a simple and transparent system, ensuring taxpayer obligations, facilitating compliance, and promoting institutional development. However, none of these goals have been fully achieved. “With 80% of the loan already utilised, major improvements with the remaining funds seem highly improbable,” the report states. Core issues, such as the lack of institutional development, a stagnant tax-to-GDP ratio, declining filer numbers, and ineffective efforts to bring retailers and non-compliant groups into the tax net, remain unresolved. The report also criticises the use of technology under the loan’s second component, aimed at equipping the FBR with modern IT systems and tools. It references Robert Solow’s famous 1987 observation, “You can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics,” to underline the minimal impact of technology on improving FBR’s efficiency. The report concludes that outdated bureaucratic structures, political pressures, and entrenched inefficiencies continue to hinder the FBR’s performance, rendering technological upgrades insufficient to achieve meaningful reforms.Boston business leaders considering backing out of tax compromise with Mayor Wu after less dire hikes
Amgen Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Amgen) (PRNewsFoto/) 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 Amgen
Details surrounding the circumstances of the kidnapping and subsequent murder are still unfolding, but authorities have confirmed that the victim's body was disposed of in the ocean, making the recovery of her remains a difficult and daunting task. The overwhelming sense of loss and grief that has gripped her family, friends, and fans is only compounded by the uncertainty of ever being able to properly lay her to rest.Opening a hotel in a county town can be a promising entrepreneurial venture, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and uncertainties. As more and more chain hotel brands are setting their sights on expanding into county towns, the landscape of the hospitality industry is rapidly evolving.
(CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to offer Kelly Loeffler the job of secretary of the Department of Agriculture, two people familiar with the matter told CNN. He is set to meet with her at Mar-a-Lago Friday afternoon, but as is always the case, nothing is final until Trump announces it. Loeffler, who briefly represented Georgia in the Senate, had fundraised for Trump during the 2024 race and raised several million dollars for his campaign over the summer when she hosted a debate watch party with Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley. Several of Trump’s other Cabinet picks — including Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Elise Stefanik — were at that party. Loeffler is also co-chairing Trump’s inauguration, as CNN previously reported. The agriculture job will likely be a significant one — especially as Trump’s pick to run the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has promised to assert his influence over the agriculture industry. Loeffler, appointed to the Senate by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp over the wishes of Trump, lost her seat in a 2021 runoff to Democratic now-Sen. Raphael Warnock. Loeffler was a staunch Trump ally in Congress, saying prior to the violence on January 6, 2021, that she planned to vote against certifying her state’s electoral results in support of Trump’s broader effort to upend Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. After the US Capitol attack, Loeffler backed off her objection, saying on the Senate floor: “When I arrived in Washington this morning, I fully intended to object to the certification of the electoral votes. However, the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider, and I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors.” In the same speech, Loeffler condemned the violence at the Capitol, calling it “abhorrent.” Loeffler was among the witnesses who appeared before the grand jury as part of Trump’s 2020 election subversion criminal case in Georgia. Before joining the Senate, Loeffler served as an executive at a financial services firm in Atlanta. She was also a co-owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. She was among the wealthiest lawmakers during her short time in Congress. Her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, is the CEO of the Intercontinental Exchange. When running for election in 2020, she announced she and her husband were divesting from individual stocks amid sharp criticism over trades she and other lawmakers made ahead of the market downturn caused by the coronavirus. Kemp had appointed Loeffler to fill the seat of Johnny Isakson, who had left the Senate before the end of his term because of health concerns. Trump, however, had pressed the governor to appoint then-Rep. Doug Collins, who then challenged Loeffler for the remainder of Isakson’s term. The two Republicans sought to one-up the other and showcase their loyalty to Trump, moving further and further to the right in a state where Atlanta’s more moderate suburban voters were key. Collins fell short in the November 2020 election, while Loeffler and Warnock advanced to the January 2021 runoff. This year, Trump has selected Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.The Taiwan Strait has already been a point of contention between the US and China, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as a renegade province and the US committed to upholding Taiwan's security and sovereignty. With the US engaged in the Middle East and potentially diverting resources and attention to other regions, China may see an opportunity to increase its pressure on Taiwan, whether through military exercises, diplomatic maneuvers, or economic coercion.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: WING) today announced that its board of directors approved the purchase of up to an additional of its outstanding shares of common stock under its existing share repurchase program, effective immediately. This repurchase program follows the substantial completion of purchases of common stock under the inaugural repurchase authorization from . With this additional repurchase authorization, the Company anticipates executing a accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") program that will commence in the fourth quarter of 2024. "We believe our asset-lite, highly-franchised model enables industry-leading shareholder returns," commented , Chief Financial Officer. "Since becoming a public company in 2015, we have returned more than of capital to shareholders. Our share repurchase program is another example of the long-term value creation enabled by our category of one operating model." Repurchases under the program may be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means, including through trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and accelerated share repurchase agreements, with the amount and timing of repurchases to be determined at Wingstop's discretion, depending on market and business conditions, prevailing stock prices, and contractual limitations, among other factors. Open market repurchases will be structured to occur in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. This program does not obligate Wingstop to acquire any particular amount of common stock, or at any specific time or intervals and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time at Wingstop's discretion. Wingstop expects to fund repurchases with existing cash and cash equivalents, including the proceeds from its recently completed financing transaction which closed on . Founded in 1994 and headquartered in , Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ: WING) operates and franchises more than 2,450 locations worldwide. The Wing Experts are dedicated to Serving the World Flavor through an unparalleled guest experience and a best-in-class technology platform, all while offering classic and boneless wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches, cooked to order and hand sauced-and-tossed in fans' choice of 12 bold, distinctive flavors. Wingstop's menu also features signature sides including fresh-cut, seasoned fries and freshly-made ranch and bleu cheese dips. In fiscal year 2023, Wingstop's system-wide sales increased 27.1% to approximately , marking the 20th consecutive year of same store sales growth. With a vision of becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand, Wingstop's system is comprised of corporate-owned restaurants and independent franchisees, or brand partners, who account for approximately 98% of Wingstop's total restaurant count of 2,458 as of . A key to this business success and consumer fandom stems from The Wingstop Way, which includes a core value system of being Authentic, Entrepreneurial, Service-minded, and Fun. The Wingstop Way extends to the brand's environmental, social and governance platform as Wingstop seeks to provide value to all guests. In 2023, Wingstop earned its "Best Places to Work" certification. The Company landed on Entrepreneur Magazine's "Fastest-Growing Franchises" list and ranked #16 on "Franchise 500." Wingstop was listed on Technomic's "Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report," QSR Magazine's "2023 QSR 50" and Franchise Time's "40 Smartest-Growing Franchises." For more information, visit or and follow @Wingstop on X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Learn more about Wingstop's involvement in its local communities at . Unless specifically noted otherwise, references to our website addresses, the website addresses of third parties or other references to online content in this press release do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on such website and should not be considered part of this release. This news release includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to the discussion of our expectations concerning the implementation and execution of our share repurchase program, including the anticipated execution of a ASR and our strategic growth initiatives. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "may," "will," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "outlook," "guidance," "anticipate," "believe," "think," "estimate," "seek," "predict," "can," "could," "project," "potential" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such terms. These forward-looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks, and factors relating to our operations and business environments, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which can be found at the SEC's website . The discussion of these risks is specifically incorporated by reference into this news release. When considering forward-looking statements in this news release or that we make in other reports or statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this news release and future reports we file with the SEC. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict when they may arise or how they may affect us. Any forward-looking statement in this news release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Wingstop Restaurants Inc.Robert Smith: Steel City's steel saga continues
Abandoned Runway At Syracuse Hancock Airport To Be Repurposed Into Parking Lot
As the transfer saga nears its conclusion, anticipation is building among Barcelona fans, who are eager to see their new signing in the famous Blaugrana kit. With the winger's arrival, Coach Xavi's vision for the team's future is starting to take shape, and the prospect of success and glory looms large on the horizon.Shanxi's star players stepped up when it mattered most, with their dynamic duo of import players leading the charge. The combination of scoring prowess and defensive tenacity from these players proved to be a major factor in Shanxi's success, as they managed to gain a slight edge over Beijing throughout the game.
F or a reporter, it is always exciting and challenging to cover elections. There is plenty of ground to traverse, people to talk to, clues to pick up on, issues to report, and interviews to conduct. Reporting also involves observations and listening — for instance, to chatter in various places, such as tea stalls and village kattas (where people gather for conversions) — to gauge the mood. Before the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections , I heard diverse voices and issues across constituencies. Farmers spoke about crop losses, loan waivers, and Minimum Support Price. Young voters said they were frustrated about the job situation. Women spoke about inflation. In urban pockets, religious and caste polarisation, infrastructure issues, and the popularity of a few leaders dominated conversations. But to predict an outcome is a different game altogether. Yet, the inevitable question that journalists face from colleagues, family, friends, acquaintances, and even leaders during elections is “Who is going to win?” Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: CSDS-Lokniti Survey Women sided with Mahayuti for Ladki Bahin Yojana’s monthly dole Mahayuti reaps the benefits of Centre’s schemes for farmers Digital and door-to-door campaigns, along with late deciders, shaped outcomes Amid weak execution, welfare may not have influenced Maharashtra vote At some point during this election, this became a common conversation starter as though reporters are privy to some secret knowledge about the numbers game. As voting day approached, the question was posed as a challenge — a friend even said, “If you are covering the polls, you should know the outcome, right?” I had some unhelpful stock replies: “Let’s wait and see” or “It is a tough fight”. None of this is surprising, especially since TV journalists often wade into the tricky waters of election forecasting. When people pose this question, the (wrong) assumption is that journalists are not the chroniclers, but architects of history. But with experience, I have learned to refrain from getting too entangled in the arithmetic of polls or predicting outcomes; that unenviable job is best left to political pundits. A seasoned journalist once told me, “In political journalism, the wind blows where it pleases. Our job is just to catch its scent.” While we managed to catch the scent — a broad spectrum of people, including women in rural areas, seemed to favour the Mahayuti alliance — predicting the scale of victory was trickier. It is safe to say that few imagined the scale of the Mahayuti’s victory. This was the case during the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections too. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party won merely 11 seats out of 175, leaving many journalists and analysts stunned and scrambling to explain the extent of his defeat. The BJP got a historic mandate in Maharashtra with 132 seats , exactly 10 more than what the party had secured a decade ago. I heaved a sigh of relief for surviving another election cycle without sticking my neck out too far. But predictably, the question shifted and people began to ask, “Who is going to be the Chief Minister?” This is a relatively simpler question to tackle. In Maharashtra, the political grapevine had been buzzing for days and the name of one leader was floating about. But it is necessary to be cautious in this regard too, as politics always throws up surprises. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, for instance, leaders who were not in the race were suddenly sworn in as Chief Minister. Again, I did not commit to an answer. Related Stories Devendra Fadnavis back as Maharashtra CM, ‘to work together’ with deputies Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar Suspense prevailed before Shinde finally took oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar breaks records as deputy CM, but his long quest for the top job remains unfulfilled This is not to say that there is no temptation to predict the outcome or reply with some confidence. But doing so or reporting certain events and statements too early can backfire, especially in a profession where credibility is currency. As my editor says, “It is not about breaking news; it is about breaking it right.” As the dust settles on another election, I know that it is okay to not answer some questions. Reporters are not here to speculate or foresee the outcome. We are here to report stories that matter the most to the people, to provide a balanced view of the political climate, and to catch the scent as it were. deshpande.abhinay@thehindu.co.in Published - December 06, 2024 02:45 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit election / political campaignsThe spread of false information and rumors not only tarnishes the reputation of Hisense Group but also creates unnecessary panic and anxiety among employees who rely on accurate and transparent communication from the company's leadership. In times of uncertainty, it is crucial for organizations to maintain open channels of communication and address any concerns or misinformation promptly.