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An Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials, after strikes Thursday across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 others. The latest deadly strike hit the urban Nuseirat refugee camp just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem that the recent ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for a potential deal to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the deadly strike in Nuseirat. Israel says it is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine in some of the hardest-hit parts of the territory. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: Syrian exile group says transitional government should be formed through a U.N.-backed process DAMASCUS, Syria — Mohammad Salim Alkhateb, an official with the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces — an internationally backed group of the opposition in exile — said his group wants to see a transitional government formed via a United Nations-backed process in the wake of Bashar Assad ouster. It is not yet clear if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, will pursue such a process. The insurgents have said an interim government headed by Mohammad al-Bashir, who is also the head of the “salvation government” of HTS in its former stronghold in northern Syria, will oversee the country until March but have not made clear how the transition to a new, fully empowered government would take place. “The transitional governing body should be formed in Geneva to have international legitimacy,” said Alkhateb, who is now in Damascus. “The transitional governing body, whatever its form, whether it is the ‘salvation government’ or any other, what matters is that it has international recognition.” Alkhateb said that the unexpectedly rapid fall of Damascus and departure of Assad after opposition forces launched their offensive had created confusion and a governance vacuum. A day before the insurgents pushed into Damascus, diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Iran and Russia met in Qatar to discuss the situation in Syria. Alkhateb said that they had discussed a scenario in which the rebels would halt their advance, keeping the territory they had captured so far in the north — including Syria’s largest city, Aleppo — and the opposition and Assad’s government would go to Geneva for talks on a political settlement to the conflict. However, he noted, “there were no Syrians in that meeting.” Assad fled to Russia before the rebel forces arrived in Damascus but has not officially announced his resignation, which is “why we are living in a vacuum rather than a political transition,” Alkhateb said. He added that creating a professional army should be a priority of the transitional government. “We do not want a civilian who was trained during the revolution to carry military weapons to become the military,” he said. Israel bombed hundreds of military sites in Syria this week in a wave of airstrikes that destroyed “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of airstrikes in neighboring Syria was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse . Biden administration says missing American journalist in Syria ‘is a top priority’ WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karine Jean-Peirre says Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, “is a top priority for this president.” During a briefing with reporters on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said of Tice, “There is no indication that he is not alive. There’s also no indication about his location or condition.” “What our goal is, is to bring him home. And so, we hope certainly that he is alive and, as we have stated many times before, we are talking through this with the Turks and we want to do everything we can to bring him home,” she said. Four Israeli strikes in Lebanon should be investigated as war crimes, rights group says BEIRUT — Amnesty International said Thursday that four Israeli airstrikes between September and October that killed at least 49 civilians in Lebanon “must be investigated as war crimes.” The rights organization said in a new report that the four strikes targeted homes in the Bekaa Valley, northern and eastern Lebanon, and municipal offices in the south. “These four attacks are emblematic of Israel’s shocking disregard for civilian lives in Lebanon and their willingness to flout international law,” said Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. The rights group said this report was part of its ongoing investigation into violations of the laws of war in Lebanon. Amnesty International investigated four Israeli airstrikes, including one on Sept. 29 in al-Ain that killed all nine members of the same family. On Oct. 21, a strike in Baalbek city in eastern Lebanon killed six members of the same family. Another on Oct. 14 in the village of Aitou in northern Lebanon killed 23 displaced people, including a 5-month-old baby. A fragment from the attack site in Aitou was identified by an Amnesty weapons expert as likely part of a Mk-80 series aerial bomb, weighing at least 500 pounds. These munitions are primarily supplied to Israel by the United States, Amnesty said. The fourth strike Amnesty investigated was the strike that hit the municipal headquarters in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 16, killing 11 civilians including the mayor. “The air strike took place without warning, just as the municipality’s crisis unit was meeting to coordinate deliveries of aid, including food, water and medicine, to residents and internally displaced people who had fled bombardment in other parts of southern Lebanon,” Amnesty said. The rights group said it interviewed survivors and witnesses, examined evidence, and found no military targets near the sites of the four strikes. The Israeli military gave no warnings and did not respond to Amnesty’s inquiries, the group said. Israeli strike on a multistory building in Gaza kills at least 25 people and wounds dozens DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, just hours after President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photos from the scene of the blast that circulated on social media showed a completely collapsed building with people walking through its mangled and charred remains, smoke rising from piles of belongings strewn over the rubble. Officials at two hospitals in the Gaza Strip, al-Awda Hospital in the north and al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, reported they received a combined total of 25 bodies from an Israeli strike on a multistory residential building in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian medics also reported that over 40 people, most of them children, were receiving treatment at the two hospitals. The al-Aqsa Hospital said that the Israeli attack also damaged several nearby houses in Nuseirat. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UN food agency faces challenges in Syria UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. food agency is trying to deal with massive needs in Syria not only from escalating war-related food insecurity and an upsurge in displaced people fleeing Lebanon but also the dramatically new environment following the ouster of Bashar Assad, a senior U.N. official says. “It’s a triple crisis and the needs are going to be massive,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday. The WFP estimated that 3 million people in Syria were “acutely food insecure” and very hungry. However, that estimate was made before the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon pushed many Syrian refugees back to their home country, plus the instability caused by the overthrow of Assad. Due to funding cuts, the WFP had been targeting only 2 million of those people, he said. Because WFP has been working in Syria during the 13-year civil war, he said, it has pre-positioned food in the country. It has 500 staff in seven offices nationwide and has operated across conflict lines, across borders, and with all different parties, he said. Skau said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, has promised to provide security for WFP warehouses. Humanitarian aid supplies had been looted at U.N. warehouses in the disorder after Assad fell. “We’re not really up and running in Damascus because of the continued kind of uncertainty there,” he said. WFP initially thought of relocating non-essential staff but the situation in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been “quite calm and orderly," he said. In the short term, Skau said, “what we’re seeing is that markets are disrupted, the value of the currency dropped dramatically, food prices are going up, transport lines don’t work,” and it’s unclear who will stamp required papers for imports and exports. This means that a bigger humanitarian response is needed initially, he said, but in the next phase, the U,N. will be looking at contributing to Syria’s recovery, and ultimately the country will need reconstruction. Skau said he expects a new funding appeal for Syria and urged donors to be generous. A top US official says the truce in Lebanon may help seal a Gaza ceasefire deal JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday that Israel’s ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for another deal to end the war in Gaza. He plans to travel next to Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in the ceasefire talks — as the Biden administration makes a final push on negotiations before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Sullivan said “Hamas’ posture at the negotiating table did adapt” after Israel decimated the leadership of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and reached a ceasefire there. “We believe it puts us in a position to close this negotiation,” he said. Sullivan dismissed speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waiting for Trump to take office to finalize a deal. He the U.S. believes there are three American hostages still alive in Gaza, but it’s hard to know for sure. He also said “the balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly” since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, especially with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key ally of Hezbollah and Iran. “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term,” he said. Israel launches deadly strike on a Lebanese border town just hours after withdrawing troops KHIAM, Lebanon — An Israeli strike killed at least one person Thursday in the Lebanese border town of Khiam, the Health Ministry said, less than a day after Israeli troops handed the hilltop village back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, Khiam is the first Lebanese town Israel has pull out of since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants began two weeks ago, and marks an important test of the fragile truce . Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency did not provide details on who was killed, and did not report airstrikes elsewhere on Thursday. The Israeli military said the airstrike in Khiam targeted Hezbollah fighters. Lebanese troops deployed in the northern section of the town on Thursday morning and were coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to finalize Israel’s withdrawal before fully entering into other neighborhoods. An Associated Press reporter who visited Khiam on Thursday observed widespread destruction, with most houses reduced to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, with collapsed walls and debris scattered across the streets. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, sharply criticized Israel for striking the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army returned, saying it was “a violation of the pledges made by the parties that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, who must act to curb Israeli aggression.” The truce was brokered by the U.S. and France. Israel has previously said the ceasefire deal allows it to use military force against perceived violations. Near-daily attacks by Israel during the ceasefire, mostly in southern Lebanon, have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others. Khiam, which sits on a ridge less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. The Lebanese army was clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern section of the town. Civilian access to other areas remained challenging as the army clears roads and works alongside the U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance. Blinken urges the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to violence AQABA, Jordan -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to further violence. Blinken spoke to reporters in Jordan on Thursday shortly after meeting King Abdullah II as he opened a trip in the region to discuss Syria's future after former President Bashar Assad's ouster. Blinken will next visit Turkey, a NATO ally and a main backer of Syrian rebel groups. Blinken called this “a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors.” He said he was focused on coordinating efforts in the region “to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and establish a government that isn’t dominated by one religion or ethnic group or outside power. Blinken was asked about Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone that had been demilitarized for the past half century. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the move is temporary and defensive, but also indicated Israel will remain in the area for a long time. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. supports the move, but said the U.S. would be speaking to Israel and other partners in the region. “I think, across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that, we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. Turkish spy chief makes symbolic visit to pray in Damascus after Assad's fall ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, arrived in Damascus on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Kalin was seen arriving at the Umayyad Mosque to pray, surrounded by a large crowd, according to video shown on Turkish television. The visit is highly symbolic. Turkish officials, who supported the opposition against Syria’s government, had predicted at the start of the civil war in 2011 that President Bashar Assad’s government would fall, allowing them to pray at the Umayyad Mosque. Paraguay reopens embassy in Jerusalem in diplomatic victory for Netanyahu JERUSALEM — Paraguay reopened its embassy in Jerusalem Thursday, becoming one of a small handful of nations to recognize the city as Israel’s capital and marking a diplomatic victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s international isolation has increased as the war in Gaza drags on, and Paraguay was the first country to move its embassy to Jerusalem since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that kickstarted the war. The United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea are among the few countries with Jerusalem embassies. Israel annexed east Jerusalem in 1967 but it wasn’t recognized by the international community, and most countries run their embassies out of Tel Aviv. Spirits were high at the ceremony marking the embassy’s inauguration Thursday, with Netanyahu and Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lavishing praise on Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. “My good friend Santiago,” said Netanyahu, addressing Pena. “We’re a small nation. You’re a small nation. We suffered horrible things but we overcame the odds of history...we can win and we are winning.” Paraguay had an embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, under Former President Horacio Cartes. That embassy was moved back to Tel Aviv by Cartes’ successor, Mario Abdo Benitez, prompting Israel to close its embassy in Asuncion. Saar said Israel and Paraguay shared a “friendship based not only on interests but also values and principles.” He and the Paraguayan foreign minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, signed a series of bilateral agreements and Saar said he would soon visit Asunción with a delegation from the Israeli private sector. “Israel is going to win and the countries we are standing next to Israel, we are going to win," Pena said. US Secretary of State Blinken renews calls for inclusion, stability in Syria in Mideast visit AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is renewing calls for Syria’s new leadership to respect women and minority rights, prevent extremists from gaining new footholds in the country and keeping suspected chemical weapons stocks secure as he makes his first visit to the Mideast since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Making his 12th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted lasted year but amid fresh concerns about security following the upheaval in Syria, Blinken emphasized Thursday to Jordan’s King Abdullah II U.S. “support for an inclusive transition that can lead to an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people,” the State Department said. Blinken also repeated the importance the outgoing Biden administration puts on respect for human rights and international law, the protection of civilians and stopping terrorist groups from reconstituting. Blinken met with the monarch and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Aqaba before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Syria and the urgency of securing a long-elusive deal to release hostages and end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Abdullah told Blinken that “the first step to reach comprehensive regional calm is to end the Israeli war on Gaza." UN envoy urges authorities to collect evidence from Syrian detention centers GENEVA — The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling on authorities to save evidence from detention centers that were a hub of “unimaginable barbarity” that Syrians have faced for many years and cooperate with international investigators looking into such crimes. Geir Pederson referred to new images from the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital, Damascus, after President Bashar Assad fled Syria as armed groups stormed in to overthrow his government over the weekend. “The images from Saydnaya and other detention facilities starkly underscore the unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured and reported for years,” Pedersen said in a statement. Documentation and testimonies “only scratch the surface of the carceral system’s horrors,” he added. Pedersen urged authorities to cooperate with U.N. bodies like an independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, which was created in 2011, and an independent group known as the IIIM that was set up five years later to also compile evidence of crimes. G7 leaders say they support an inclusive political transition in Syria ROME — Leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations offered their full support for an inclusive political transition in Syria and invited all parties to preserve the country’s territorial integrity. In a message released by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office, the leaders said they were ready to support a transition that “leads to a credible government, inclusive and not sectarian, that guarantees respect for the state of law, universal human rights, including rights for women, (and) the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” The leaders also underlined the importance that ousted President Bashar Assad’s government is held responsible for crimes, citing “decades of atrocities.” They said they would also cooperate with groups working to prohibit chemical weapons “to secure, declare and destroy” remaining chemical arms in Syria. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. Israel's military says it hit Hamas militants in two locations in southern Gaza JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants in two locations in the southern Gaza Strip who planned to hijack aid convoys. Palestinian Health officials had earlier said that the two strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid deliveries. The committees have been organized in cooperation with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza. It was not possible to independently confirm either account of the strikes, which occurred overnight into Thursday. Israel has long accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid deliveries, while U.N. officials have said there is no systemic diversion of aid . U.N. agencies and aid groups say deliveries are held up by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and movement within Gaza, as well as the breakdown of law and order more than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, which maintained internal security before the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, said a U.N. convoy of 70 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in southern Gaza “was involved in a serious incident,” resulting in just one of the trucks reaching its destination. It did not provide further details on the incident but said the same route had been used successfully two days earlier. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, leaving the territory heavily reliant on international food aid. American who says he crossed into Syria by foot is free after 7 months in detention DAMASCUS, Syria — An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country’s notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the weekend, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending his family’s 54-year rule. As video emerged online of Timmerman on Thursday, he was initially mistaken by some for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. In the video, Timmerman could be seen lying on a mattress under a blanket in what appeared to be a private house. A group of men in the video said he was being treated well and would be safely returned home. The Biden administration is working to bring Timmerman home, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, without offering details, citing privacy. Timmerman later gave an interview with the Al-Arabiya TV network, saying he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle seven months ago, before being detained. He said he was treated well in detention but could hear other men being tortured. US Secretary of State Blinken visits Mideast after Assad's ouster in Syria AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Jordan on his 12th visit to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year and his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad that has sparked new fears of instability in a region wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken was meeting in Aqaba with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on Friday. The meetings will focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Blinken is the latest senior U.S. official to visit the Middle East in the five days since Assad was deposed as the Biden administration navigates more volatility in the region in its last few weeks in office and as President-elect Donald Trump has said the U.S. should stay out of the Syrian conflict. Other include national security adviser Jake Sullivan and a top military commander who traveled there as the U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes to prevent the Islamic State militant group from reconstituting and prevent materiel and suspected chemical weapons stocks from falling into militant hands. Blinken “will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed,” the State Department said. The U.S. would be willing to recognize and fully support a new Syrian government that met those criteria. U.S. officials say they are not actively reviewing the foreign terrorist organization designation of the main Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known as HTS, which was once an al-Qaida affiliate, but stressed they are not barred from speaking to its members. Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in Syrian buffer zone until border security is guaranteed JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a Syrian buffer zone until a new force on the other side of the border can guarantee security. After the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israeli forces pushed into a buffer zone that had been established after the 1973 Mideast war. The military says it has seized additional strategic points nearby. Israeli officials have said the move is temporary, but Netanyahu’s conditions could take months or even years to fulfill as Syria charts its post-Assad future, raising the prospect of an open-ended Israeli presence in the country. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Thursday that Assad’s overthrow by jihadi rebels created a vacuum on the border. “Israel will not permit jihadi groups to fill that vacuum and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights with October 7th style attacks,” it said, referring to Hamas’ 2023 attack out of Gaza, which ignited the war there. “That is why Israeli forces entered the buffer zone and took control of strategic sites near Israel’s border.” The statement added that “this deployment is temporary until a force that is committed to the 1974 agreement can be established and security on our border can be guaranteed.” The buffer zone is adjacent to the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed. The international community, except for the United States, views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. Attacker who fatally shot boy on a bus in the West Bank turns himself in, military says JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said Thursday that the attacker who fatally shot a 12-year-old Israeli boy in the occupied West Bank overnight turned himself in to authorities. The attacker opened fire on a bus near the Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit, critically wounding the boy, who hospital authorities pronounced dead in the early morning. Three others were wounded in the attack, paramedics said. The shooting took place just outside Jerusalem in an area near major Israeli settlements. Indonesia evacuates 37 citizens from Syria JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian government has evacuated 37 citizens from Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government, officials said Thursday. The evacuees were taken by land from Damascus to Beirut, where they boarded three commercial flights to Jakarta, said Judha Nugraha, director of citizen protection at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus said all 1,162 Indonesian citizens in Syria were safe. Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Wajid Fauzi said the situation in Syria has gradually returned to normal. “I can say that 98% of people’s lives are back to normal, shops are open, public transportation has started running,” Fauzi said, adding that most Indonesian nationals living in Syria had chosen to stay. Israeli airstrikes kill at least 28 people, including 7 children, Palestinian medical officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 28 people in the Gaza Strip, including seven children and a woman. One of the strikes overnight and into Thursday flattened a house in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. An Associated Press reporter saw the bodies at the hospital’s morgue. Two other strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid convoys . The committees were set up by displaced Palestinians in coordination with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. The Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis received the bodies and an AP reporter counted them. The hospital said eight were killed in a strike near the southern border town of Rafah and seven others in a strike 30 minutes later near Khan Younis. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UN General Assembly demands ceasefire in Gaza and backs UN agency helping Palestinian refugees UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved resolutions Wednesday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban . The votes in the 193-nation world body were 158-9 with 13 abstentions to demand a ceasefire now and 159-9 with 11 abstentions to support the agency known as UNRWA. The votes culminated two days of speeches overwhelmingly calling for an end to the 14-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group . General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly. Israel and its close ally, the United States, were in a tiny minority speaking and voting against the resolutions.

(The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has promised to reduce government waste and employed wealthy businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the charge. So far, spending on federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies are prime targets for Musk and Ramaswamy, and a recent report shows just how widespread federal DEI spending has become. The report from Do No Harm shows 500 ways the Biden-Harris administration “infused DEI into the federal government.” Those examples include federal agencies starting dozens of equity training programs, doling out federal contracts and jobs based on race and gender, and teaching Americans more about their country’s racism, both past and present. The DEI explosion took off after Biden issued executive orders on his first day in office as well as another in June of 2021. The first executive order “established that affirmatively advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our Government.” The second order established “that it is the policy of my Administration to cultivate a workforce that draws from the full diversity of the Nation.” Biden also issued other executive orders, including around gender and sexuality, to the same effect his first year in office. Those orders gave federal bureaucrats not only permission but actually direct orders to embrace DEI policies across the board. And Do No Harm’s report shows they did, full-throttle, citing 80 “Equity Action Plans” submitted by agencies that promised over 500 taxpayer-funded actions. Some of the actions are seemingly mild, such as the U.S. Social Security Administration tracking more racial data. Other examples of DEI policies, though, made the federal government the nation’s teacher. For example, a blog for the U.S. Treasury Department lectures Americans on racial inequality. More directly, the federal government began implementing training programs for many federal employees that fully embrace racial ideology labeled “woke” by its opponents. For instance, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission invested in training for employees to consider equity more in its regulatory decisions. “Training will address how equity and environmental justice involves removing barriers underserved communities may face in the context of the Commission’s practices, processes, and policies,” FERC said in its Equity Action Plan. “Training also will address how, consistent with FERC’s mission and statutory duties, the Commission considers the impact of its actions on such communities. More specific trainings geared toward the responsibilities of different program offices and issue areas also may be identified or developed and offered.” Other actions seem to favor some groups over others. Changing the “percentage” of benefits received necessarily requires giving contracts, grants, or other federal resources to certain groups, almost always at the expense of white Americans, even more often white men. For example, the American Battle Monuments Commissions in its Equity Action Plan called for “expanding the percentage of U.S.-based contracted goods and services awarded to minority-owned, women-owned, and service disabled veteran-owned enterprises.” In fact, the ABMC pledged to pay a worker for this sole purpose. In another instance, the Smithsonian Institute pledged to recruit more Black and indigenous interns. “One of the simplest ways to ensure equity and accessibility in internships is to provide a livable stipend and advertise it clearly in promotion materials,” the federal group said in its Equity Action Plan. “Many units include a statement directly in their internship description about their commitment to equity. They also are intentional about making the application process simple and transparent, offering access services for interviews and allowing for multiple formats in place of a required essay.” The Smithsonian Institution , the federal steward of America’s past, also promised to begin promoting a historical framework that emphasizes American racism in the past and today. The federal group pledged to “Address the historical roots and contemporary impacts of race and racism in the United States and globally through interdisciplinary scholarship, creative partnerships, dialogue, education, and engagement.” The Center Square has reported on other examples of DEI policies and grants becoming the norm in recent years as well, though much of this kind of spending began before the Biden-Harris administration took power. Those include: $2.6 million in taxpayer dollars to train students to promote critical race theory. Millions to train school teachers in DEI ideology around race and gender. A portion of New York's $9 billion in federal COVID funding was spent training staff in ‘privilege’ and to recognize ‘equity warriors,’" among other related themes. $1.2 million for research find evidence that racism is the culprit for minorities struggling to sleep at night.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 17, 2024-- Origin Materials (“Origin”) (NASDAQ: ORGN, ORGNW), a technology company with a mission to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials, today announced that Origin Co-Founder and Co-CEO John Bissell will serve as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 31. Rich Riley will step down from his role as Co-CEO and from the Origin Board, effective December 31, and will remain at the Company in an advisory role through the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Effective December 31, Origin CFO Matt Plavan will take on the additional role of Chief Operating Officer. “I want to thank Rich for his valuable contributions to Origin these past four years,” said Bissell. “During Rich’s tenure, Origin became a publicly listed company, and he was instrumental in positioning Origin for our next phase of growth. We believe now is the right time to transition to a single CEO structure, which will enable quick and nimble operations as we expand our manufacturing activities in 2025. We look forward to a smooth and orderly transition ahead.” Riley, who joined Origin as Co-CEO in 2020, helped steer the company’s commercial efforts and go-to-market strategy. Riley has been an advisor to and investor in Origin since 2010. “I am extremely proud to have served Origin partners and shareholders during my time at the company alongside John and our amazing team,” said Riley. “We created a strong foundation together and, with our PET caps and closures business now positioned for rapid and sustained growth, I believe Origin has a bright future ahead.” “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Rich for his contributions to Origin,” said Board Chair R. Tony Tripeny. “Looking ahead to Origin’s future, we are excited for John, Matt and the leadership team to continue driving the company forward to unlock tremendous value our for shareholders and the world as we commercialize our PET closures business.” Bissell added: “Matt has strong manufacturing leadership experience and a demonstrated record of successfully managing both corporate finance and operations functions, having previously served as COO/CFO of a publicly held medical device company. As we enter our commercial production ramp-up phase, this is the perfect time for us to deploy Matt’s operational horsepower as Origin’s COO/CFO.” About Origin Materials Origin is a technology company with a mission to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials. Our innovations include PET caps and closures that bring recycling circularity and enhanced performance to a ~$65 billion market, specialty materials, and our patented biomass conversion platform that transforms carbon into sustainable materials for a wide range of end products. For more information, visit www.originmaterials.com . Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “target,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Origin’s business strategy, rapid and sustained growth of Origin’s PET caps and closures business, timing of expansion of manufacturing activities, and ability to transition smoothly to a single CEO structure. The forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations, and intentions of the management of Origin and are not predictions of actual performance and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Origin. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the fact that Origin Materials may be unable to successfully commercialize its products; the effects of competition on Origin Materials’ business; the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Origin; disruptions and other impacts to Origin’s business. Other factors that could adversely affect the transactions described above and the Company’s operations include those discussed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 14, 2024 under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents Origin has filed, or will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Origin Materials presently does not know, or that Origin currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217618783/en/ CONTACT: Origin Materials Investors:ir@originmaterials.com Media:media@originmaterials.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SUSTAINABILITY ENVIRONMENT TEXTILES PACKAGING RECYCLING CHEMICALS/PLASTICS GREEN TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Origin Materials Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/17/2024 04:10 PM/DISC: 12/17/2024 04:08 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217618783/en

A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They're due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple's hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. RELATED STORY | Florida social media influencer arrested for stealing from Target According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He'd then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards' attorney declined to comment. Lawes-Richards' public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. "This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable," Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue." The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. "I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations," Latz said in a statement. "This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online." Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis.Perma-Fix Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

LOS ANGELES — UCLA might have lost its chance at playing in a bowl game, but there’s still important outcomes at stake Saturday when the Bruins take on Fresno State. “I think the biggest thing here is you just want to go out and have a competitive spirit,” linebacker Carson Schwesinger said at the Bruins’ Tuesday practice. “You could say there’s not much to play for, and stuff like that, but I think, with this team too, you have a lot of competitive people, so you line it up at any time, we’re going to go out there and play our hardest.” There’s a collective desire to conclude a season laden with low points on a high one. There are also individual objectives on the line. For those with aspirations to play at the next level, it’s another chance to showcase talent and put quality reps on film. For the underclassmen hoping to step into the place of those departing, it’s another chance to prove they belong on the field and would flourish with additional snaps. And for others, like Schwesinger, rewarding accolades are up for grabs. On Monday, the redshirt junior was announced as one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, which is given annually to the nation’s best linebacker. Schwesinger has recorded double-digit tackles in eight of the Bruins’ last nine games, peaking with 17 in a loss at Washington on Nov. 15. He also snagged two interceptions the week before that in UCLA’s victory over Iowa. Schwesinger’s journey to an elite, game-wrecking defensive captain is a testament to his work ethic and his discipline to be able to keep his head down and not say much, as he put it. When he does speak, it’s rarely about himself. “It’s technically a one-person award,” he said about the Butkus Award, “but that’s a whole team award.” One of the individuals who helped him become a finalist for the Butkus Award has a chance at his own hardware. On Tuesday, Bruins defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe was named one of the 65 nominees for the Broyles Award for the nation’s top assistant coach. “Coach Malloe is a great guy,” defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo said Tuesday. “Yeah, he’s a good football coach, but he’s also a life coach.” On multiple occasions this season, Malloe has been overcome with emotion when expressing how much he wants his unit to improve. He’s now being recognized for those results. Oladejo, who played two seasons at Cal before transferring to UCLA in late 2022, is about to play his last college football game. In his final year of eligibility, he willingly shifted down from linebacker to the defensive line and will have another chance Saturday to showcase his versatility and dominance at his somewhat new position. With Oladejo and potentially Schwesinger, a redshirt junior, soon moving on from UCLA, their younger teammates have one final chance to prove why they should fill those vacated snaps. Defensive lineman Devin Aupiu and linebacker Jalen Woods look like prime candidates to make that jump. Aupiu, a redshirt junior, had his best game of the season against USC on Saturday, highlighted by a strip sack of Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava. Woods had a season-high six tackles. “Last game, he played a lot of snaps and played really good,” Schwesinger said of Woods. “Same thing (this Saturday), just keep that momentum going.” Schwesinger nodded his head when asked if he was aware of the history of success Fresno State holds in its matchup with the Bruins. The Bulldogs have won the past four games between the programs, and while that last one came a year before Schwesinger arrived in Westwood, he knows how important it would be to be part of the group that returns to the win column. “We’re coming out ready to compete,” he said.Larson Financial Group LLC Acquires 1,000 Shares of Invesco California AMT-Free Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:PWZ)

From parties to family-friendly fireworks and hotel discounts, The Mile High City is the place to ring in the New Year DENVER , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver boasts endless ways to celebrate the New Year, from holiday traditions like the free, ball drop-style countdown at the Mile High Tree to New Year's Eve parties and live performances. Below is a list of events. For the most up-to-date information on this growing list, check out the VISIT DENVER website . Celebrate New Year's Eve at one of the more than 20 wonderful Denver hotels offering holiday packages. For a full list, check out the VISIT DENVER website . RTD is once again offering free fares on buses and trains, supported by Molson Coors from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 1 . New Year's Eve Fireworks & Downtown Fun New Year's Eve at The Mile High Tree Presented by Xcel Energy and Xfinity Dec. 31, 2024 ; 9 p.m. , Civic Center Park Join in on the family-friendly celebration as The Mile High Tree will host a special ball drop-style countdown to ring in the new year. The show will begin at 9 p.m. with a 60-second cascading countdown along the seven-story, 110-foot-tall immersive art tree and will immediately precede the first downtown firework display. Admission is free! Downtown Fireworks Dec. 31, 2024 ; 9 p.m. and midnight, 16th Street Mall For more than two decades, the city has been celebrating the new year with fireworks over downtown. Two free shows will start and 9 p.m. and midnight, from two rooftop locations. The best spot to see the shows is from the 16th Street Mall. The fireworks are presented by the Downtown Denver Partnership and co-sponsored by VISIT DENVER and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District. Mile High Drone Show Dec. 31, 2024 ; 5:30 p.m. Downtown Catch the final Mile High Drone Show of the year, when 400 drones soar into the sky, creating breathtaking holiday-themed animations! See these dazzling displays from across the city at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the Colorado Avalanche game on New Year's Eve. From Santa and his reindeer to iconic Denver landmarks like the Mile High Tree and Denver Union Station . Keep an eye out for a surprise or two. New Year's Eve Parties Decadence Dec. 30–31, 2024; Colorado Convention Center America's biggest electronic New Year's celebration is the two-night event of the (end of the) year you won't want to miss! Get your two-day pass and dance your way into 2025. The Clocktower Cabaret's Annual New Year's Eve Burlesque Bash Dec. 31, 2024 ; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. , The Clocktower Cabaret, D&F Tower The Clocktower Clockettes present their best and brightest acts from the past year, with the sassy, classy, high-altitude attitude audiences scream for. This top-shelf, all-star lineup is the best of the best together for one night to ring in the new year! Acts range from classic to modern, from smolderingly sensuous to laugh-out-loud hilarious counting down to a midnight toast and downtown fireworks! 2025 Denver New Year's Eve (NYE) Bar Crawl Dec. 31, 2024 ; 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. , Various locations downtown From dance parties to DJs, live bands and the must-have midnight champagne cheers, the New Year's Eve Bar Crawl is the perfect place to wrap up 2024 and celebrate the kick-off of 2025 with those you care for the most. White Rose Gala Dec. 31, 2024 ; 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. , The Ritz-Carlton, Denver Kick off the New Year on a triumphant note by creating exceptional moments at the gala and carry that excellence into conquering 2025! Immerse yourself in the Roaring 20's theme, complete with art deco decor and a crowd dressed in the period's finest attire. Be enthralled by the live band, dynamic DJs and dramatic performances, all radiating the allure of the Roaring 20s. Denver NYE Black Tie Party Dec. 31, 2024 ; 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. , 1075 Park Ave. W. This NYE, ditch the couch and get fancy at Denver's biggest New Year's Eve party with an open bar, a DJ spinning everything from Top 40 to old-school hip hop and casino games where you can win sweet prizes. Plus, don't miss the epic balloon drop and confetti blast at midnight. 2024 New Year's Eve On Tap at Bierstadt Lagerhaus Dec. 31, 2024 ; 9:00 p.m. , 2875 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205 Ring in the new year with good friends, great beer and a lively atmosphere at New Year's Eve on Tap at Bierstadt Lagerhaus. NYE on Tap 2024 has a jam-packed schedule filled with excitement, from the moment you arrive to the final countdown with an open bar, food buffet and live music. Family-Friendly New Year's Events Larimer Lights Nov. 29–Dec. 31, 2024; Larimer Square Enjoy visits from Santa, live holiday carolers, unique shopping from local artisans at the Holiday BAZAAR and seasonal treats from top restaurants. Zoo Lights – Sensory-Friendly Night Dec. 31, 2024 ; Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance Enjoy a variety of accommodations including reduced crowds, low-volume music, quiet rooms and more, just for those who may feel overwhelmed by typical light experiences. Noon Year's Eve Dec. 31, 2024 ; Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus In conjunction with Snow Days, get all the glitz and glam of New York City's Times Square before bedtime. There will be ball drops at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. , plus music, tasty treats from The Teaching Kitchen and more. Music & Performing Arts Greensky Bluegrass Dec. 30–31, 2024; The Mission Ballroom Don't miss this eclectic bluegrass jam band to close out the year. Since their 2000 formation in Kalamazoo, MI , they have unassumingly progressed into a phenomenon on their own terms with the undying support of a devout audience. Rolling back and forth across North America on successive tours, they recently sold out 3 nights at Red Rocks, a feat unheard of in their genre. 'A Night in Vienna ' Dec. 31, 2024 ; Boettcher Concert Hall A Colorado cultural tradition returns featuring your symphony waltzing along with you into 2025! Start your celebration in style with the Colorado Symphony's presentation of "A Night in Vienna ," a rousing selection of polkas, waltzes and marches. New Year's Eve with the Jacob Larsen Band Dec. 31, 2024 ; Dazzle Join the Jacob Larsen Band for an evening filled with soulful tunes, heartfelt moments and an open dance floor. Whether you're sharing laughs with friends or enjoying a special night with someone close, this event will be the perfect way to ring in the new year. Museum & Gallery Exhibitions Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak Thru Feb. 17, 2025 ; Denver Art Museum One of the most versatile artists of the 20th century, Maurice Sendak is best known for award-winning titles Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There and Nutshell Library. He also designed theater sets and collaborated on films. Wild Things is titled after Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, the beloved children's book he authored in 1963 that became a cultural touchstone, signaling to all the beauty, whimsy and mischief that his art inspired over his 65-year career. Among many other highlights, the exhibition will feature the first presentation of all the original paintings for Where the Wild Things Are and significant additional loans from The Morgan Library & Museum in New York and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Danielle SeeWalker : But We Have Something to Say Thru Dec. 31, 2024 ; History Colorado Center Danielle SeeWalker is a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta citizen from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She is an artist, writer, activist and boy mom of two, based in Denver . This exhibition uses storytelling to explore a variety of issues important to Indigenous peoples and communities. Striking nineteenth-century hair ornaments, beaded spoons and moccasins are paired with SeeWalker's art in ways that illuminate censored and erased histories. The Power of Poison Thru Jan. 5, 2025; Denver Museum of Nature & Science Explore the captivating and often paradoxical world of nature's toxic arsenal in The Power of Poison. Find out how studying poison's effects on human cells can help scientists figure out how to protect, repair and heal our own bodies and improve our health. Whether used as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength or a lifesaving medical treatment, The Power of Poison is sure to surprise you at every turn! Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold Thru Jan. 5, 2025; Denver Botanic Gardens Explore a site-specific installation highlighting the ever-changing qualities of light and shadow. Created specifically for Denver Botanic Gardens, Shadow and Light is an immersive sculptural installation integrating the poetics of space with the luminosity of light. Discover an exhibition that changes with every visit, highlighting the shifting mood of light throughout the day and across the seasons. Dialogue and Defiance: Clyfford Still and the Abstract Expressionists Thru Jan. 12, 2025 ; Clyfford Still Museum Clyfford Still withdrew his paintings from the Betty Parsons Gallery in 1951, refusing to participate in a market prioritizing the fame of an artist and the price of their artworks. The following year, he surprised many by agreeing to participate in a group show at the Museum of Modern Art. This exhibition considers the nuanced ways in which Clyfford Still was part of an artists' community in the late 1940s and early 1950s, despite his protestations to the contrary, and how his paintings, through their scale and composition, promote ideas of community. Migrants, a Tale of Two Hearts Thru Jan. 26, 2025 ; Museo de las Americas The journey of migrants to the U.S. is full of internal changes taking place in the physical body and mental state. This exhibit will explore the internal and external experiences of the immigrant who leaves home in search of a new and better life. Sporting Events Denver Nuggets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Dec. 27, 2024 ; 7 p.m. ; Ball Arena Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons Dec. 28, 2024 ; 7 p.m. ; Ball Arena Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets Dec. 31, 2024 ; 6 p.m. ; Ball Arena Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Jan. 1, 2025 ; 7 p.m. ; Ball Arena About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrating 115 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Denver welcomed more than 37.4 million visitors in 2023, generating $10.3 billion in spending, while supporting tens of thousands of jobs and making Tourism one of the city's largest industries. Learn more about Denver at VISIT DENVER or Tourism Pays Denve r. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube and LinkedIn . With press or photo inquiries, please contact: Taylor Shields , Director of PR & Communications Caroline Campbell , PR & Communications Manager Natalie St. Hilaire, PR & Communcations Coordinator Press@visitdenver.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/denver-shines-brightly-this-new-years-eve-302330697.html SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors BureauMiddle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kidsAt stake for the 60-player field is a $4 million prize to the winner, the largest single-day payoff in women's golf. Nelly Korda already has won more than that during her sterling season of seven wins. Now she faces an eight-shot deficit over the next three days at Tiburon Golf Club if she wants to end her year in fitting fashion. Korda, coming off a victory last week, couldn't make amends for her three bogeys and had to settle for an even-par 72. She has come from behind in four of her victories, and still has 54 holes ahead of her. But it has made the task that much tougher. Everything felt easy for An, a 28-year-old from South Korea who has never won on the LPGA and has never cracked the top 10 in any of the 16 majors she has played. “Today my putt really good,” An said. “The speed was good and the shape was good. I just try to focus a little bit more.” She had a one-shot lead over Angel Yin, who shot 30 on the back nine, including an eagle on the par-5 17th hole that most players can easily reach in two. Former U.S. Women's Open champion Allisen Corpuz and Marina Alex were at 66, with Lydia Ko leading the group at 67. Despite the wind so typical along the Gulf Coast of Florida, 27 players — nearly half the field — shot in the 60s. “It's a good head start for the big ol' prize we get at the end of the week,” Yin said. Whoever wins this week is assured of breaking the 17-year-old LPGA record for most money earned in season. The record was set by Lorena Ochoa in 2007 at $4,364,994, back when the total prize money was about half of what it is now. Ochoa earned $1 million for winning the Tour Championship in 2007. The opening round followed a big night of awards for the LPGA Tour, where Korda officially picked up her first award as player of the year, which she clinched earlier this month . Ko was recognized for her big year, highlighted by an Olympic gold medal that put her into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She regained plenty of focus for the opening round on a course where she won just two years ago. “The course isn't easy,” Ko said. “I set a goal of shooting 3 under today, and somebody shot 8 under. I was like, ‘OK, maybe I need to make a few more birdies.’ It's a course that can get away from you as much as you can shoot some low scores, so I’m just trying to stick to my game plan and go from there.” Also in the group at 67 was Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland, already celebrating a big year with her debut in the Solheim Cup and her first appearance in the Tour Championship. She made a late run at her first LPGA title last week at Pelican Golf Club, and kept up her form. And she can see the finish line, which is appealing. “I everyone is looking at that $4 million price tag,” Valenzuela said. “I try not to look too much at the result. I feel like in the past I’ve always been stuck on results, and ultimately all I can do is control my own round, my own energy, my own commitment. “It's the last week of the year. It’s kind of the bonus week. No matter what, everyone is having a paycheck.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfNone

Percentages: FG .466, FT .692. 3-Point Goals: 9-25, .360 (Reilly 4-10, Timko 3-7, Lane 1-2, Camden 1-4, Allen 0-1, M.Emory 0-1). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (H.Emory 3, Lane). Turnovers: 5 (Lane 2, H.Emory, Pasha, Reilly). Steals: 3 (Jerome, Lane, Pasha). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .420, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 6-23, .261 (Alvarez 2-7, T.Weeks 2-9, Ty.Weeks 1-1, Young 1-2, Burton 0-1, Cruz 0-3). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 3 (Cruz 2, Ty.Weeks). Turnovers: 6 (Alvarez, Burton, Cruz, T.Weeks, Ty.Weeks, Young). Steals: 2 (T.Weeks 2). Technical Fouls: None. A_1,328 (1,950).Our computer model projects a win for the Los Angeles Chargers when they face the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. ET — for more information regarding the spread, over/under and final score, see below. Looking for NFL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live. The Chargers are totaling 322.6 yards per game on offense this season (21st in NFL), and they are allowing 323.6 yards per game (12th) on defense. The Falcons rank 16th in the NFL with 22.2 points per contest on offense, and they rank 25th with 24.9 points surrendered per game on defense. BetMGM is one of the most trusted Sportsbooks in the nation. Start with as little as $1 and place your bets today . Ready to make your pick? Head to BetMGM using our link and start betting today. Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply) Rep your favorite NFL players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more. Catch every NFL touchdown with NFL RedZone on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .

CEO Brian Thompson shooting: Experts say killer was 'meticulous,' maybe professionalX continues to roll out updates to its Grok AI chatbot, which it recently made available for free to all users . Grok is the showcase product of Elon Musk’s xAI initiative , which is separate from X, but comes under the X Corp. branding. And it heavily relies on X insights to power its responses, which intertwines both the X app and xAI. And with xAI recently raising an additional $6 billion in funding , and building a huge AI computing cluster in Memphis , X and Musk are keen to get more people using Grok, to show-off what it can do, and how it matches up to other generative AI chatbots on the market. First off, X has further integrated X and web search data to improve Grok’s answers. As you can see in this example, Grok’s responses now include reference links and citations to help clarify and contextualize its outputs. It’s also improved Grok’s image generation model , while it’s also added an updated Grok button on X posts, which will make it easy to get more context on any X post in-steam. You’ll also note the updated Grok icon for the new button. Grok’s switching from the box with a slash through it to a new logo design , further differentiating the function. X is also now testing audio queries for Grok , so you can vocally ask the app questions. That would bring it more into line with Meta AI, which is already available for voice queries in its Ray-Ban Meta glasses . Though Meta AI isn’t the true target of Musk’s gen AI initiative. Musk’s real focus is OpenAI, the organization that he helped to establish in its initial stages, before being ousted from the project due to his demands to be put in control. As the story goes, back in 2016, at the beginning of the OpenAI experiment, Musk pledged $100 million in funding to the OpenAI project , and its goal of developing AI in a safe and open manner. He then sought to be made CEO of the organization, and was rebuffed by the OpenAI board, which prompted Musk to leave the project, and partially withdraw his donation. Years later, OpenAI became a major company, and started making money from the project. And Elon, spurned by both the rejection, and having his initial donation to the project partially fund its for-profit status, became so incensed that he created his own AI project to essentially kill OpenAI. Which is part of the reason why Elon’s ramping up development of his AI projects, which are also linked to Tesla, and its work towards full self-driving technology. And Grok is what xAI currently has to show for this. I’m not convinced that AI chatbots add anything significant to the social media experience, and I don’t know that many X users are going to find much value in the tool, even with it now being made available to all of its 570 million users . But that may not be the key aim, as xAI continues to develop, and seek new use cases for its offerings. But Grok is also improving, and if you’re looking for an AI chatbot, its access to X’s real-time info could be of value.

Season 5 of Tyler Perry’s “Assisted Living” continues with a new episode on BET starting at 9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Those without cable can watch the new episodes for free through either Philo , FuboTV or DirecTV Stream , each of which offer a free trial to new users. “After losing his job, Jeremy decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to help his grandfather, who has purchased a rundown home for the elderly,” a FuboTV description for the series stated. The new episode is titled “The Spark” and in a description FuboTV said “Sandra utilizes her social media skills to help Anastasia launch a PR campaign to rehab her image, but they find out Anastasia’s longtime actress rival is fueling a smear campaign against her.” How can I watch Tyler Perry’s “Assisted Living” for free without cable? Those without cable can watch the new episodes for free through either Philo , FuboTV or DirecTV Stream , each of which offer a free trial to new users. What is Philo ? Philo is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service that offers 60+ entertainment and lifestyle channels, like AMC, BET, MTV, Comedy Central and more, for the budget-friendly price of $25/month. What is FuboTV ? RECOMMENDED • masslive .com 2024 Field Hockey Championship: How to watch Northwestern vs. Saint Joseph’s for free Nov. 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m. How to buy tickets to Post Malone’s ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour’ stop at Gillette Stadium Nov. 20, 2024, 3:59 p.m. FuboTV is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service that offers more than 100 channels, like sports, news, entertainment and local channels. It offers DVR storage space, and is designed for people who want to cut the cord, but don’t want to miss out on their favorite live TV and sports. What is DirecTV Stream ? The streaming platform offers a plethora of content including streaming the best of live and On Demand, starting with more than 75 live TV channels.BIG TEN THIS WEEKNANOBIOTIX to Introduce Vision for Transforming Drug Design and Development with Next Nanotherapeutic Platform on 19 December 2024

The long-awaited approval of an XRP ETF could ignite a new wave of bullish momentum for Ripple (XRP), sending its value soaring and drawing attention from institutional investors. The growing excitement surrounding this potential spot ETF approval promises significant growth for XRP. It creates a fertile environment for emerging decentralized finance (DeFi) projects like RCO Finance (RCOF) , which could ride this wave of interest. With massive investments already being placed in both XRP and RCOF, insiders are positioning themselves for what could be a monumental rally. WisdomTree Joins the List of Firms Seeking for a Spot XRP ETF Approval On December 2, WisdomTree submitted its Form S-1 filing for a spot XRP ETF to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In submitting its S-1 for a spot XRP fund, WisdomTree joins three other ETF issuers: crypto asset manager Bitwise, Canary Capital, and 21Shares. Bitwise, which already operates an approved Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), was among the first to file for a spot XRP ETF, submitting its Form S-1 for the Bitwise XRP ETF on October 2. On October 9, Canary Capital followed Bitwise’s lead, filing an S-1 for the Canary XRP ETF with the SEC. 21Shares, co-issuer of the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF in partnership with Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest, filed its Form S-1 for the Core XRP Trust on November 1. Contrary to the WisdomTree, Bitwise, and Canary Capital XRP ETF, the 21Shares XRP trust will not provide direct exposure to XRP but offers an indirect way for investors to access the market. A spot XRP ETF approval would allow investors to gain exposure to XRP without directly purchasing the digital asset, making it easier for institutional and retail investors to buy into Ripple’s potential. XRP’s price has experienced explosive growth, and the anticipation surrounding an ETF approval is creating a perfect storm for a more significant rally. Integrating Ripple into mainstream investment products like an ETF further validates its utility and increases its visibility, which could ultimately attract a broader user base. As XRP continues developing as a bridge asset in cross-border payments, the ETF approval would enhance its credibility, attracting more institutional investors seeking cryptocurrency exposure through regulated channels. The RCO Finance (RCOF) Poised to Rally Alongside XRP Amid ETF Approval Prospects As XRP’s value rises, emerging platforms such as RCO Finance (RCOF) are well-positioned to capitalize on the broader market optimism. RCO Finance’s presale is already gaining significant attention, especially as it enters its final stages. The RCOF token has surged by 509%, moving from a starting price of $0.01275 to $0.07770 in the fourth presale stage. The price is expected to climb even higher, potentially reaching as much as $0.21420 during the next stage, which will be the final stage before the much-awaited public listing at $0.4 and $0.6. Given the explosive growth seen during the presale, RCO Finance (RCOF) appears poised for tremendous post-launch success, especially if XRP continues its rally after an ETF approval. Besides the RCOF value proposition, RCO Finance distinguishes itself by offering cutting-edge features that make it a candidate for massive growth, particularly in the wake of a positive XRP market trend. Its AI-powered Robo Advisor is a prime example of the technological edge that RCO Finance brings to the table. By providing personalized investment strategies tailored to individual financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions, the AI-powered Robo Advisor will allow users to access sophisticated investment strategies without intermediaries. This fully automated system will allow both seasoned investors and beginners to benefit from real-time portfolio adjustments, ensuring that their investments are optimized for maximum returns. In addition to the revolutionary AI tool, RCO Finance will provide access to over 120,000 assets across a wide range of asset classes, including cryptocurrencies, stocks, bonds, and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) like real estate and commodities. This expansive selection allows users to build highly diversified portfolios, balancing risk and reward with greater ease. Furthermore, RCO Finance features a KYC-free ecosystem, giving investors privacy and streamlined access to decentralized finance (DeFi) products without requiring lengthy identity verification processes. The platform’s audited smart contract is another factor contributing to investor confidence. With the smart contract already meticulously audited for vulnerabilities by SolidProof, RCO Finance ensures that its infrastructure is robust and secure. With these features, RCO Finance is poised to become a formidable player in the emerging DeFi space, offering real-world investment opportunities while keeping risk in check. XRP and RCOF Could Be Great Additions to Your Portfolio With the XRP ETF potentially on the horizon and the highly anticipated launch of the RCO Finance platform, there are significant reasons why both XRP and RCOF tokens could be valuable additions to any investment portfolio. XRP stands to benefit tremendously from the market-wide excitement generated by the ETF approval, offering investors a chance to profit from the growing institutional interest in Ripple. As XRP’s price soars, early investors will likely reap substantial rewards, with the potential for further growth as Ripple cements its place in the global financial system. Meanwhile, RCO Finance is shaping up to be a major player in the DeFi space. The platform’s unique features, including an AI-powered investment tool, KYC-free access, and diverse asset offerings, position it well for exponential growth post-launch. The RCOF tokenomics emphasize sustainable growth with a deflationary model, community-driven governance, and rewards for long-term holders. With tokens locked for 3 years and carefully designed presale stages, RCOF is set up to avoid volatility and support long-term growth, especially once the platform is fully operational. With the XRP ETF approval convergence and the RCO Finance platform’s imminent launch, both assets offer promising growth prospects that could yield significant returns in the coming months. For more information about the RCO Finance Presale: Visit RCO Finance Presale Join The RCO Finance CommunityInvesting in the emerging tech leaders of Canada is a strategy many may be looking to implement. Of course, the Canadian market is much smaller than the U.S. in terms of providing the kind of breadth of options investors are typically used to seeing. However, that’s not to say there aren’t great opportunities out there — quite the opposite. In fact, I think many emerging tech leaders may be better long-term picks for many investors due to the fact that they’re simply more overlooked. In my view, the following two companies are among the best potential growth stocks, and investors may want to do some research on them heading into 2025. These are companies I think have the potential to outperform over the long term, and here’s why. WELL Health Technologies ( ) is Canada’s leading digital health services and technology solutions provider. The company focuses on enhancing patient care through its innovative healthcare platforms through the integration of telehealth, electronic medical records (EMR), and patient engagement tools. With increasing demand for accessible healthcare solutions in Canada, WELL is perfectly positioned to grab a major share in the growing telehealth market. The company focuses on digital solutions to align with the broader trend of healthcare digitization. In addition, WELL has achieved impressive financial performance in the third quarter of 2024, reaching a record revenue of $251.7 million. Notably, this number came in 23% higher than the same quarter the year prior, driven by massive organic growth. Investing in WELL stock provides investors with exposure to a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. As demand for telehealth and digital health solutions continues to rise, WELL’s innovative approach positions it as a leader in this space. Its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility through technology makes this company a compelling investment opportunity for those looking to capitalize on long-term trends in health tech. Celestica ( ) presents another compelling opportunity for investors seeking long-term gains, driven by the company’s strategic positioning in the rapidly evolving technology and manufacturing sectors. The company has demonstrated robust financial growth, with revenues increasing significantly over recent years. In 2023, the company reported revenues of approximately $9.24 billion, marking a notable rise from previous years. Celestica operates through two main segments: Advanced Technology Solutions and Connectivity & Cloud Solutions. The company is well-positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for advanced manufacturing solutions, particularly as industries pivot towards automation and smart technologies. Celestica’s focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing aligns with broader market trends, positioning it favourably for future growth. The ongoing digital transformation across various industries drives demand for Celestica’s supply chain solutions. With the rise of AI applications and data centers, Celestica’s expertise in providing tailored manufacturing solutions is becoming increasingly valuable. The company’s ability to integrate advanced technologies into its operations not only enhances efficiency but also meets the evolving needs of its clients.Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:CNP – Free Report ) by 1,158.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,378 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,189 shares during the quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in CenterPoint Energy were worth $70,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pitcairn Co. lifted its position in shares of CenterPoint Energy by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Pitcairn Co. now owns 20,789 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $612,000 after buying an additional 602 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in CenterPoint Energy by 29.5% during the third quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 309,964 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $9,119,000 after acquiring an additional 70,688 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its position in CenterPoint Energy by 17.6% during the third quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 32,273 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $949,000 after acquiring an additional 4,832 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in CenterPoint Energy by 2.9% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,956,432 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $116,398,000 after purchasing an additional 110,905 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. grew its position in shares of CenterPoint Energy by 115.0% in the third quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 87,213 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $2,566,000 after purchasing an additional 46,653 shares during the period. 91.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. CenterPoint Energy Price Performance Shares of CNP stock opened at $32.65 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The company has a market capitalization of $21.28 billion, a PE ratio of 21.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.92. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $30.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.25. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $25.41 and a 12 month high of $32.86. CenterPoint Energy Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 21st. This is a boost from CenterPoint Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.57%. CenterPoint Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 55.63%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. KeyCorp lowered shares of CenterPoint Energy from an “overweight” rating to a “sector weight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. StockNews.com lowered CenterPoint Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $28.00 price objective on shares of CenterPoint Energy in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of CenterPoint Energy in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $29.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of CenterPoint Energy from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $32.00 to $29.00 in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, CenterPoint Energy has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $30.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CenterPoint Energy CenterPoint Energy Profile ( Free Report ) CenterPoint Energy, Inc operates as a public utility holding company in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Electric and Natural Gas. The Electric segment includes electric transmission and distribution services to electric customers and electric generation assets, as well as optimizes assets in the wholesale power market. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:CNP – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for CenterPoint Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CenterPoint Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

WOBURN, Mass., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeuroMetrix, Inc. ("NeuroMetrix" or the "Company") NURO today announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby electroCore, Inc. ("electroCore") ECOR , a commercial stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company, will acquire NeuroMetrix. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close late in the first quarter of 2025. Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of electroCore will merge with NeuroMetrix and NeuroMetrix will become a wholly owned subsidiary of electroCore. The shareholders of NeuroMetrix will be entitled to receive the equivalent of the balance of NeuroMetrix's net cash at the closing of the transaction, subject to certain adjustments and deductions. Assuming the transaction closes on March 31, 2025, NeuroMetrix estimates that the balance of net cash to be paid to its shareholders, after deduction of, among other things, transaction expenses, severance costs, and accrued liabilities, will be approximately $9M in the aggregate. The final balance of net cash will be determined at the time of closing and will be based on a formula set out in the merger agreement. NeuroMetrix shareholders will also receive one non-tradeable contingent value right (a "CVR") per share of NeuroMetrix common stock. Each CVR will represent the right to receive (i) certain future net proceeds from any divestiture of the Company's DPNCheck ® platform that is consummated prior to the closing of the transaction with electroCore and (ii) certain royalties, up to an aggregate maximum of $500,000, on net sales of prescription Quell ® products over the first two years following the closing of the transaction. "This announcement represents the culmination of our strategic review process announced in February 2024, and marks a positive outcome for the Company's shareholders. Through this transaction, we will efficiently return balance sheet cash to our shareholders while providing potential upside through the CVR," said Shai N. Gozani, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of NeuroMetrix. "A further advantage of this transaction is that we expect patients with chronic pain to have expanded access to our novel and proprietary Quell wearable neuromodulation technology through the commercial channel that electroCore has built. Although the DPNCheck platform is not included in the acquisition, we expect to divest this business such that patients and physicians continue to benefit from its unique and important diagnostic capabilities." Consummation of the transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of NeuroMetrix, NeuroMetrix having at least $8 million of net cash at closing, and the filing of NeuroMetrix's Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, in addition to certain customary closing conditions. About NeuroMetrix NeuroMetrix is a commercial stage healthcare company that develops and commercializes neurotechnology devices to address unmet needs in the chronic pain and diabetes markets. The Company's products are wearable or hand-held medical devices enabled by proprietary consumables and software solutions that include mobile apps, enterprise software and cloud-based systems. The Company has two commercial brands. Quell ® is a wearable neuromodulation platform. DPNCheck ® is a point-of-care screening test for peripheral neuropathy. For more information, visit www.neurometrix.com . About electroCore electroCore is a commercial stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company dedicated to improving health through its non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation ("nVNS") technology platform. Its focus is the commercialization of medical devices for the management and treatment of certain medical conditions and consumer product offerings utilizing nVNS to promote general wellbeing and human performance in the United States and select overseas markets. Safe Harbor Statement The statements contained in this press release include 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. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company, the expected completion and timing of the transaction and other information relating to the transaction. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "forecasts," "should," "estimates," "contemplate," "future," "goal," "potential," "predict," "project," "projection," "may," "will," "could," "should," "would," "assuming" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should read statements that contain these words carefully. They discuss the Company's future expectations or state other forward-looking information and may involve known and unknown risks over which the Company has no control. While the company believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the Company's business and the price of the common stock of the combined company following the merger, (ii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the adoption of the merger agreement by the stockholders of the Company and the receipt of any required regulatory approvals from various governmental entities (including any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on these approvals) and the risk that one or more governmental entities may deny approval, (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (iv) the risk that the merger agreement may be terminated in circumstances that require the Company to pay a termination fee; (v) risks regarding the failure to obtain the necessary financing to complete the merger, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on the Company's business relationships, operating results and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations, (viii) risks related to diverting management's attention from the Company's ongoing business operations, and (ix) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company related to the merger agreement or the transaction. . There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that the company has anticipated. Further risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements are described in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that may be filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or otherwise made public. The company is providing the information in this press release only as of the date hereof, and expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update the information included in this press release or revise any forward-looking statements. Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the transaction, the Company intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a proxy statement on Schedule 14A. Promptly after filing its definitive proxy statement with the SEC, the Company will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each stockholder entitled to vote at the special meeting relating to the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION THAT THE COMPANY OR ELECTROCORE WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTIES AND THE TRANSACTION. The definitive proxy statement, the preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction (when they become available), and any other documents filed by the Company or electroCore with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website ( http://www.sec.gov ). In addition, materials filed by the Company may be obtained on the Company's website neurometrix.com, and materials filed by electroCore may be obtained on electroCore's website at www.electroCore.com . Participants in the Solicitation The Company and each of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's stockholders with respect to the merger. Information about the Company's directors and executive officers and their ownership of the Company's common stock is set forth in the proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024 and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024. To the extent that such individual's holdings of the Company's common stock have changed since the amounts included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2024, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests in the merger, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with SEC in connection with the merger. Source: NeuroMetrix, Inc. Thomas T. Higgins SVP and Chief Financial Officer neurometrix.ir@neurometrix.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

NXP Semiconductors: Don't Get Fooled By The Low MultipleNoneWisconsin targeting Kansas' Jeff Grimes as Badgers' next offensive coordinator