: In a significant breakthrough, the first-ever calf by embryo transfer (ET) was born -- in Jagannadhapuram- Arikathota area of Ramabhadrapuram mandal in coastal Vizianagaram. Dr Suresh, a veteran doctor at Arikathota, conducted the procedure on March 9. The embryo, identified as G-208 BL 7-1, resulted in the birth of a healthy female calf on Dec 15. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the region's veterinary science and animal husbandry efforts. Two veterinarians from the district have been trained in the ET/IVF procedure. This is as part of the efforts to explore this technology further. The goal is to produce more calves of high genetic merit, enhancing the quality and productivity of livestock in the area. Dr YV Ramana, joint director of animal husbandry, told Deccan Chronicle, “Under the IVF ET programme, all the most- demanded breed embryos are available. At the national Kamadenu Breeding Center and Chinthaladevi, more emphasis is given to desi breeders to encourage desi-breed farming and desi-breed population.” The GIR, Sahiwal and Ongole embryos are being produced as part of this procedure. Sex-sorted semen is used to produce Gir and Sahiwal breed embryos. This success story highlights the potential of advanced reproductive technologies to improve livestock breeding and contribute to the agricultural economy. The local veterinary community is optimistic about the prospects of ET/IVF in the region.
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Wheel of Fortune’s most prized tradition is the bonus round, where each episode’s winner is faced with one last puzzle and a mere 10 seconds to come away with an even bigger bundle of cash (or not). But fans want a word with host Ryan Seacrest about how he’s presenting the prizes after giving a puzzling amount of build-up to a player’s $40,000 win. On Friday, November 22’s episode, Brittany Brock, a kindergarten teacher from Chicago, Illinois, was the player to proceed to the coveted bonus round. By then she had won $17,300 in cash, a trip to Kauai, and selected “Living Thing” as her category. With the savvy additional letters of “DPBI” the two-word puzzle read as, “‘_ _ DDL_’ ‘P_PP_'”. Near-instantly, she correctly solved it as “Cuddly Puppy.” The broadcast cut to Seacrest and an excited Brock, and it was time to reveal how much she won from the prize wedge she picked. Seacrest opened the gold prize card and glanced at the figure. “And...” he told her with a surprised grin (below). After a few seconds he added, “Ready?” Broke clasped her hands over her mouth in anticipation as Seacrest then revealed she won an extra $40,000, the least one can win in the bonus round. “$40,000!” he exclaimed. This brought her to a grand total of $57,381 and she was overjoyed nonetheless, embraced her husband. On Social media, many fans celebrated the big win while left wondering why Seacrest presented the prize with such a prolonged rollout that it seemed like a bigger value and as if the confetti was about to overflow onto the Sony Pictures Studios parking lot. “Ryan acting like it’s $75,000 or $100,000 with the slow way he shows the amount,” one fan wrote when the game show shared the clip to YouTube. Over on the WoF Reddit, a fan dedicated a discussion thread to the moment titling it, “Bonus Reveal... lolz.” They continued, “I like Seacrest, but gotta admit, I’m not a fan of the dramatic 40K reveals lol.” “Agreed...” a second user wrote, arguing that a contestant in the future could be “disappointed” it’s not more. “The Mrs. and I commented on that last night. He presents it like it’s something more than the minimum prize amount! One of these days, the contestant is going to react disappointedly.” A third wrote, “He also contorts his body awkwardly and bounces around to just flip the card open. Then says ‘it was this much’ as if he can’t say the amount. Kind of weird. But the lack of higher amounts lately is noticed. I’m glad it’s been all cash so far. A lot of the cars prior were 30k, which is nice, but they were lowest prize.” “I agree, feels like he’s forcing it,” wrote a fourth. A fifth was even more critical, “I’m sorry I know a lot of people are going to get mad at me but I just don’t like him. There’s something about him, that I just don’t enjoy watching him in anything at all.” Meanwhile , Seacrest, of course, had huge shoes to fill replacing the legendary Pat Sajak alongside the iconic Vanna White after four decades for Season 42. His debut month was the strongest ratings month for WoF in the past three years, and viewers were already treated to a viral moment (via a round of sausage) . That said, there have been some other questionable moments according to fans. In September, Seacrest suffered what fans dubbed his “first blooper” , involving a prolonged reaction to rewarding a bonus round. Fans also called out the host for ruling against another player before the timer was up. There have also been a few on-screen “glitches,” and a minor spelling error in a Thanksgiving puzzle . Many fans also blamed a lack of experience on Seacrest’s mishandling of a contestant’s $1million wedge, which she instantly forfeited. Wheel of Fortune , Weeknights, Check your local listings More Headlines:By Jason Gale | Bloomberg As COVID swept across California in early 2020, pediatric infectious diseases physician Karin Nielsen grew alarmed by the crisis erupting in maternity wards. Pregnant women were placed on life support, undergoing emergency C-sections as the virus triggered severe complications. Some died. Nielsen had just finished a research project on how the emerging infectious disease Zika was causing severe birth defects. Concerned the new coronavirus might have a similar impact, she began recruiting expectant mothers who tested positive for a new study. Soon after the study’s participants began giving birth, Nielsen’s colleagues at UCLA’s Mattel Children’s Hospital noticed an unusual number of their newborns requiring intensive care. Nielsen recalls another doctor stopping her to ask, “What’s wrong with the babies in your study?” NEXT PANDEMIC? How America lost control of the bird flu Sure enough, when researchers analyzed videos of the children lying on their backs in what’s called the General Movement Assessment, 14% of the infants showed signs of developmental problems. The test evaluates early motor functions and is often used to assess the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including cerebral palsy. Later, during in-clinic assessments, the findings proved equally troubling. At 6-8 months old, 13 of 109 infants born to infected mothers — almost 12% — had failed to reach developmental milestones. In stark contrast, all infants in a control group born before the pandemic showed normal development. As additional participants from LA and Rio were enrolled, more unsettling results emerged. Around 11.6% of toddlers born to mothers with lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy showed cognitive, motor, or language problems indicative of neurodevelopmental delays. By comparison, only two of 128 unexposed controls — 1.6% — showed such issues. When the eldest of the Covid-exposed babies reached 28 months, the study found another concerning pattern: 23 of 211 children — almost 11% — screened positive for autism spectrum disorder. The finding, presented in May at a medical conference in Copenhagen, compared with an expected prevalence of 1-2% at that age, when some children begin showing signs of the condition. Around one in 36 or under 3% of children are eventually diagnosed with autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “There’s something really going on,” Nielsen says. “We don’t want to alarm the world, but that’s what our data are showing.” The later findings, currently undergoing peer review ahead of publication, are a reminder that Covid’s long-term consequences, including higher risks for dementia and heart disease, continue to unravel almost five years after the pandemic began. While the virus is generally known to cause more severe symptoms in adults than in children, emerging research suggests that babies exposed to Covid in utero face elevated risks for preterm birth, congenital heart abnormalities and rare conditions, such as organs developing on the opposite side of the body. Greater odds of autism from in utero exposure to Covid would add another piece to the puzzle. The connection between the virus and autism remains inconclusive: some studies align with Nielsen’s findings, while others report little to no increased risk of developmental or behavioral issues. A limitation of Nielsen’s study is its relatively small sample size, with fewer than 250 mother-baby pairs. A robust understanding of the virus’ impact would likely require research involving more than 10,000 children, says Andrea Edlow, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital. Such large-scale research has been difficult, particularly during the most deadly waves of the pandemic when clinic restrictions and medical emergencies obstructed consistent testing. Nielsen herself is wary of raising unnecessary fears. Autism remains something of a mystery, with its exact triggers still unclear. Scientists suspect an intersection of genetic and environmental factors, but the condition comes in many forms: some children have intellectual disabilities, while others don’t but still struggle with significant behavioral problems, complicating diagnoses. Many individuals with autism also experience co-occurring health issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, seizures, or chronic gastrointestinal problems. In much of the world, an awareness of autism is only starting to catch on. Global autism prevalence was estimated at 1 in 127 as of 2021 in a study published last week, more than double the 1-in-271 ratio reported in 2019, and researchers say this is likely driven by increased awareness and better diagnostic practices. The lack of clear explanations has provided fertile ground for myths, including the debunked belief that vaccines cause autism.Still, scientists say Nielsen’s study warrants serious attention due to the consistency of its findings. It also stands out for its rigor: trained physicians used standardized assessment tools at multiple points in time to evaluate developmental progress rather than relying on electronic health records or parent-completed questionnaires. Children born during the Covid era are now reaching the average age for autism diagnoses. Identifying developmental issues early can open the door to speech and behavioral therapies, which are proven to support a child’s development. This makes it a critical moment to study the pandemic’s impact. Nielsen, born to a Danish father and Brazilian mother in Rio de Janeiro, where she attended medical school, has dedicated much of her career to studying how maternal infections, such as HIV and Zika, affect child health. The mosquito-borne Zika virus is known for causing cerebral palsy and microcephaly, a severe congenital brain malformation that often leads to profound intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other maternal infections such as rubella and certain herpesviruses, particularly during the first trimester, are also known to harm the fetus directly, resulting in issues such as hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and autism. From the pandemic’s onset, Nielsen sensed that Covid, too, would leave its mark. “We saw this as a new pathogen and an opportunity to investigate its impact on these babies,” Nielsen says. She soon saw parallels. In 2021, the WHO confirmed that the coronavirus could cross the placental barrier via the maternal bloodstream, placing it in the same category as viruses like rubella and Zika. Some researchers believe the damage stems from inflammation triggered by the virus or viral components crossing the placenta. But Covid also appeared to affect fetuses in a unique way. One of the earliest signs emerged in early 2021 in County Cork, Ireland, during a surge of the alpha variant. A cluster of stillbirths in the first three months of that year prompted doctors to investigate. They discovered that the placentas linked to the fetal deaths were infected with the coronavirus, describing them as riddled with lesions likely caused by viral transmission through the maternal bloodstream. Similar cases began to surface in the US and at least 10 other countries, prompting David Schwartz, an Atlanta-based epidemiologist and perinatal pathologist, to lead an investigation. The findings were startling: on average, more than three-quarters of the tissue in infected placentas had been damaged, cutting off oxygen and nutrients essential for fetal survival. Alarmingly, this damage could occur silently, even in mothers without acute Covid symptoms, offering no warning signs. “We’ve never seen anything like this with an infectious disease,” said Schwartz, a medical anthropologist and pathologist with 45 years of experience studying placentas affected by pathogens such as HIV, Ebola, yellow fever, and Zika. “So far, I feel very confident in saying this is unique to this virus.” Studies by Schwartz and Nielsen highlighted that vaccination protects mothers against Covid’s obstetric complications, particularly during waves driven by variants more likely to cause severe disease. One possible clue to explaining the higher risks of neurodevelopmental issues seen in Nielsen’s study is that Covid, particularly in unvaccinated mothers, increases the risk of preterm delivery. In the US in 2021, the rate of preterm births rose by 4% to 10.5%, the highest since at least 2007. The likelihood of stillbirths nearly doubled for American mothers with Covid compared to those who avoided infection during the pandemic’s first year and a half. Similarly, a study in England found that mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 at delivery were more than twice as likely to experience fetal death or preterm birth. Another explanation is that prolonged fevers triggered by illnesses like the flu can impair neural development indirectly by activating the maternal immune system. This creates an inflammatory environment in the uterus that can disrupt fetal brain development. Nielsen suspects that maternal immune activation might explain the high rates of neurodevelopmental delays observed among the infants in her study. Among at least four toddlers with severe delays, blood tests taken at birth revealed biomarkers of activated microglia – the brain’s immune cells – attacking neurons. “When you see microglial activation and neuronal signaling pathways traditionally associated with autism showing up in this cohort, it suggests there’s something behind it,” she says. Scientists say the full consequences of in utero exposure to the coronavirus may take decades to uncover and understand. Even if a link is established, genetics are likely to play a crucial role, according to Mady Hornig, a physician-scientist in New York. She is also an investigator on the Autism Birth Cohort project, a collaboration between the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Columbia University studying the development of the condition for more than 20 years. Understanding the interplay of genetics with immune activity, inflammation, and stress might help unravel why some infants may face developmental challenges, she said. Identifying the various risks “requires additional rigorous study,” Hornig said. If Nielsen’s findings do reflect broader population trends the implications could be profound. “Early neurodevelopmental disturbances have potential implications for disability throughout a lifetime,” she said.Even small increases in risk could substantially add to the global burden of chronic disease, given the sheer number of pregnancies affected. Nielsen continues to analyze stored blood and other specimens from the babies in her study. “It’s a new pathogen. We don’t know how it behaves,” she said. “Things might appear down the road that we were not expecting.”Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A Plus and MP-elect, has taken aim at senior police officer Christian Yohonu, accusing him of lobbying to replace Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare following the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s electoral victory. A Plus alleged that Yohonu, who was promoted to Deputy IGP by President Akufo-Addo, had been strategically positioned to undermine Dr. Dampare due to the latter’s firm stance on maintaining fairness during elections, as reported by 3News. He expressed concern that Yohonu is now aligning with the NDC to secure the IGP position. In a social media post on December 27, 2024, A Plus suggested that such political maneuvering within the police force undermines its integrity and professionalism. He highlighted the Ghana Police Service’s critical role in ensuring peaceful elections and cautioned against appointing individuals who prioritize party loyalty over national development. “The Ghana Police Service is arguably one of the best in Africa when it comes to elections. The institution’s efforts are commendable and worthy of praise,” A Plus noted. However, he warned that the presence of a few “bad apples” could tarnish its reputation. He further criticized Yohonu’s alleged involvement in election-related schemes, accusing him of aligning with political agendas that could compromise the independence of the police service. The allegations have triggered public discussions, with many calling for transparency and fairness in the selection of the next IGP. A Plus’s remarks have added to the growing scrutiny surrounding the leadership of Ghana’s law enforcement institutions during this political transition.
[Source: Reuters] At tea on day one of the first test in Perth, India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah would have been ruing his decision to bat first after his side were skittled for 150 by Australia’s experienced seam attack. But in a fiery display of fast bowling in the final session, Bumrah (4-17) managed to turn the game on its head, sending three of Australia’s top-four packing in the first seven overs. The home team reached 67-7 at stumps on a frenetic 17-wicket day, still trailing by 83 and in danger of falling short of their lowest-ever total against India — 83, recorded in 1981. Debutant Nathan McSweeney (10) was his first victim, judged lbw on review, while Usman Khawaja was next, caught-behind for eight. Steve Smith was beaten for speed one ball later, trapped leg-before for nought. The 30-year-old held himself back, picking up a fourth wicket just before stumps by inducing an edge from counterpart Pat Cummins, allowing first-gamer Harshit Rana to unleash pace which resulted in Travis Head (11) being castled. Bumrah could have had a fifth in the session, had Virat Kohli held on to a regulation catch in the slips when Marnus Labuschagne was on zero. The drop did not prove costly, as Labuschagne laboured to two off 52 balls before paceman Mohammed Siraj (2-17) trapped him lbw. The Perth test marks Bumrah’s second stint as a stand-in captain, having also led his country against England in 2022, and he could not have been dealt a tougher hand. Permanent skipper Rohit Sharma, who recently welcomed his second child, opted not to travel to Perth ahead of the series opener. Furthermore, top-order batsman Shubman Gill sustained a hand injury in the lead-up to the test, ruling him out, and the selectors decided to leave out the experience provided by spin-duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin due to the seam-friendly conditions. Reddy was complimentary of Bumrah’s wisdom though, saying his messaging was simple after India were rolled cheaply just before the tea break. Alex Carey (19) and Mitchell Starc (six) are Australia’s not out batsmen overnight.
Trump brushes off Ontario threat to pull U.S. energy plug as booze ban ponderedHyderabad: Kancha Ilaiah’s support for women’s college new name stirs controversyThe University of Asia and Pacific (UA&P) – vivo Inter-Collegiate Futsal Tournament 2024 came to an exciting close on November 16, with Rizal Technological University (RTU) clinching the championship title in a hard-fought final match. The thrilling finale and the heartfelt awarding ceremony capped off weeks of intense competition and camaraderie at the UA&P gymnasium, leaving a lasting impression on athletes, organizers, and fans alike. The final game between UA&P and RTU was a showcase of grit, teamwork, and sheer determination. Both teams battled fiercely, keeping the crowd energized and engaged until the final whistle. RTU ultimately emerged victorious with a score of 4, securing their place as champions of this year’s tournament, while UA&P gave a valiant effort, finishing with a score of 3. Following the game, the spotlight turned to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The awarding ceremony recognized the project and committee heads whose dedication ensured the tournament’s success. These individuals were instrumental in fostering a sense of camaraderie and excellence throughout the league. Next, UA&P extended its appreciation to its valued partners, including vivo, whose support has been pivotal in bringing the tournament to life. This was followed by the awarding of teams, acknowledging their commitment and sportsmanship throughout the competition. UA&P Men’s Futsal Team Manager Angelica Ysabelle Ang expressed her gratitude for vivo’s partnership, emphasizing its impact on the tournament. “vivo played a huge role in making the UA&P – vivo Inter-Collegiate Futsal Tournament a success. Their phones upgraded our streaming platform, making it easier to share the games in better quality with everyone watching online. Most importantly, their trust in the players gave everyone an extra push to do their best,” she shared. vivo Philippines’ Brand Marketing Department Head, Liu Lu, shared her thoughts on the collaboration. “At vivo, we are committed to creating meaningful connections through sports. Supporting the UA&P Inter-Collegiate Futsal Tournament resonates deeply with our mission to promote active lifestyles and inspire excellence. Seeing the passion and unity fostered by this event reaffirms our belief in the power of sports to bring communities together,” she remarked. As the tournament concluded, the partnership between UA&P and vivo stood as a shining example of how sports can inspire, unite, and empower. This season of the UA&P vivo Inter-Collegiate Futsal Tournament will be remembered not only for its thrilling matches but also for the shared vision and commitment that made it possible. For those who missed the action, highlights and recaps are available on the UA&P Men’s Futsal Varsity Facebook page and follow vivo on Facebook , X , Instagram , TikTok , and YouTube . As vivo continues to support local sports, this collaboration serves as a testament to its dedication to uplifting communities and fostering a love for active lifestyles. Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.
BEIRUT (AP) — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 12 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials said they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. No casualties were reported after many residents fled the targeted sites. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel had issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatieh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Monday that at least 12 people were killed in the strikes in the Tyre province, adding to the more than 3,700 people in Lebanon who have been killed since Israel launched its invasion two months ago. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians , and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. The latest round of airstrikes came weeks after Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military had previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding U.S.-led ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment in order to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because “we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire.” Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were “close to a deal." “It can happen within days,” he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. Two Israeli officials told The Associated Press that Netanyahu’s security Cabinet had scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, but they said it remained unclear whether the Cabinet would vote to approve the deal. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations. Danny Danon, Israel’s U.N. ambassador, told reporters Monday that he expected a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah to have stages and to be discussed by leaders Monday or Tuesday. Still, he warned, “it’s not going to happen overnight.” After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force . Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel is demanding the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government has said that such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. A ceasefire could mark a step toward ending the regionwide war that ballooned after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . The lack of a ceasefire has emerged as a political liability for Israeli leaders including Netanyahu, particularly while 60,000 Israelis remain away from their homes in the country's north after more than a year of cross-border violence. Hezbollah rockets have reached as far south into Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers died fighting in the ground offensive in Lebanon. The Israeli military said about 250 projectiles were fired Sunday, with some intercepted. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the strongest of Iran’s armed proxies , is expected to significantly calm regional tensions that have led to fears of a direct, all-out war between Israel and Iran. It’s not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Hezbollah had long insisted that it would not agree to a ceasefire until the war in Gaza ends, but it dropped that condition. While the proposal is expected to be approved if Netanyahu brings it to a vote in his security Cabinet, one hard-line member, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said he would oppose it. He said on X that a deal with Lebanon would be a “big mistake” and a “missed historic opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah.” If the ceasefire talks fail, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, “it will mean more destruction and more and more animosity and more dehumanization and more hatred and more bitterness.” Speaking at a G7 meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, the last summit of its kind before U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office, Safadi said such a failure "will doom the future of the region to more conflict and more killing and more destruction.” Federman reported from Jerusalem and Metz from Rabat, Morocco. Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Nicole Winfield in Fiuggi, Italy, and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report. Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-warOSAKA, Japan & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Takeda ( TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK ) will host an investor R&D Day today beginning at 8:30 a.m. JST in Tokyo. The meeting will focus on programs in the company’s late-stage pipeline, the transformative value they could deliver to patients, and the market opportunities they represent. “We are focused on advancing our innovative pipeline and accelerating late-stage programs to deliver sustainable revenue growth to 2030 and beyond, building upon the strong momentum of our Growth and Launch Products,” said Christophe Weber, Takeda chief executive officer. “The first three Phase 3 programs will read out in 2025, initiating a cadence of potential filings across multiple indications over the next several years.” Eight Regulatory Filings in FY2025 – FY2029 The late-stage pipeline includes oveporexton (TAK-861), zasocitinib (TAK-279), rusfertide (TAK-121), mezagitamab (TAK-079), fazirsiran (TAK-999) and elritercept (TAK-226). Combined these programs have potential peak revenue 1 of $10B - $20B. Data from three Phase 3 programs is expected to read out in 2025: Filings for these three indications are expected in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Five additional indication filings for late-stage programs are on pace for fiscal years 2027 through 2029: “Takeda has established an exciting, late-stage pipeline of transformative therapies that we believe will deliver value to our company and, most importantly, to the patients we serve around the world,” said Andy Plump, president of R&D at Takeda. “As we continue scaling our capabilities and maximizing R&D investment to deliver the late-stage pipeline, we are also progressing an exciting early-stage pipeline, supporting a cutting-edge research organization, and focusing on creative business development across our therapeutic areas to sustain Takeda’s future and continue to meet significant unmet patient needs.” 2024 R&D Day Agenda The meeting includes the following presentations and speakers: A Global, Innovation-Driven Biopharmaceutical Company Christophe Weber, President & CEO R&D Strategy and Pipeline Highlights Andy Plump, President, Research and Development Neuroscience: Deep-Dive on Orexin Franchise Sarah Sheikh, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit and Head of Global Development Ramona Sequeira, President of Global Portfolio Division Gastrointestinal and Inflammation: Deep-Dive on Zasocitinib, Rusfertide, Mezagitamab, Fazirsiran Chinwe Ukomadu, Head of Gastrointestinal and Inflammation Therapeutic Area Unit Ramona Sequeira, President of Global Portfolio Division Oncology: Deep-Dive on Elritercept – Newly Announced Business Development Deal Teresa Bitetti, President Global Oncology Business Unit P.K. Morrow, Head of Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit Webcast Details A live webcast of the meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. JST December 13 (6:30 p.m. EST December 12). Presentations are available on the Investor Relations section of Takeda’s website where a video replay will be available following the meeting. About Takeda Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com . Important Notice For the purposes of this notice, “press release” means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. 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These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda’s future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “ensures”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda’s global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takeda’s operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takeda’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda’s other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda’s website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at www.sec.gov . Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda’s future results. Peak Sales and PTRS Estimates References in this press release to peak revenue potential ranges are estimates that have not been adjusted for probability of technical and regulatory success (PTRS) and should not be considered a forecast or target. These peak revenue potential ranges represent Takeda’s assessments of various possible future commercial scenarios that may or may not occur. References in this press release to PTRS are to internal estimates of Takeda regarding the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval for a particular product in a particular indication. These estimates reflect the subjective judgment of responsible Takeda personnel and have been approved by Takeda’s Portfolio Review Committee for use in internal planning. Medical Information This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development. Elritercept license agreement Elritercept is included for reference only. Takeda entered into an exclusive license agreement with Keros for global rights, in all territories outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, to Elritercept. The closing of the transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approval(s), expected in the first calendar quarter of 2025. Takeda does not currently have rights to Elritercept. ___________________________ 1 References in this presentation to peak revenue potential are estimates that have not been adjusted for probability of technical and regulatory success (PTRS) and should not be considered a forecast or target. These peak revenue ranges represent Takeda’s assessments of various possible future commercial scenarios that may or may not occur. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211148492/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations Christopher O’Reilly Christopher.oreilly@takeda.com +81 (0) 90-6481-3412 Takeda Media Relations media_relations@takeda.com KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES JAPAN NORTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ONCOLOGY HEALTH NEUROLOGY CLINICAL TRIALS PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:30 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211148492/enAnni Wahlroos appointed Innofactor’s Deputy CEOIRS recovers $4.7B in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Ben Davies is the latest to fall into that category, with the Welsh international initially primed to return for Sunday’s visit of Wolves but no longer available. Davies suffered a setback in training this week, which means Spurs could be without a fit centre-back after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the latter stages of Thursday’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest with an ankle issue. Ange with a team news update ahead of Wolves on Sunday 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/0EiYh4TP8j — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 27, 2024 Postecoglou is already without first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after both failed to make it through their comeback fixture against Chelsea on December 7. “Yeah, that’s been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such,” Postecoglou said. “We’re looking at those things and why they’re happening. It’s certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they’re the ones who are missing. “I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury. “Even with Romero, it was a different injury but it’s still a guy coming back, so it’s something we’re looking at.” There could be good news on the horizon with attackers Mikey Moore and Richarlison expected to return to training next week. A post shared by Richarlison (@richarlison) Richarlison suffered his own setback in November when his short-lived return after a calf issue was cut short when he injured the same area against Aston Villa. Moore, meanwhile, has been sidelined by a virus for the best part of two months but the 17-year-old could provide a much-needed spark in the new year when Newcastle visit on January 4. Postecoglou said: “Him and Richy are in the final phases. Next week they can start training. We’ve got a bit of a gap before the Newcastle game. “The plan is Mikey and Richy come back into first-team training next week.” Anticipated returns for Moore and Richarlison will fail to help Postecoglou against Wolves, with makeshift centre-back Archie Gray potentially set to partner up with fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma if Dragusin cannot recover. Pressed on the issue of fixture scheduling, with Spurs definitely missing eight players for Sunday’s fixture, Postecoglou said: “It is challenging. “All clubs are going to have to get their heads around it and authorities are going to have to get their heads around it. “One of two things need to happen: either you somehow change the fixture schedule, which doesn’t seem feasible, or you allow clubs bigger squads. Then you have other issues with that, as well. “The attrition rate you’re seeing and it’s not just us. We’re going through a particularly badly moment. Newcastle went through it last year and it affected them pretty badly. They were obviously in the Champions League as well and probably didn’t have the squad to cope with it. “It hits certain clubs at different times and is probably becoming more prevalent, and for all of us it’s a challenge as to how we navigate this process to keep our players healthy. “It’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing. For us it’s been constant since August and we’re not even halfway through the year. And they’re not going to get a break now, so these things we’re constantly assessing.”Egyptian-Gulf alliance launches Mahawer Developments with EGP 7bn investment
Signals Market Expansion in the State of Texas ADDISON, Texas , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Solis Mammography , the nation's largest independent provider of specialized breast health services, has announced its entry into the third largest metropolitan area in Texas with its most recent acquisition of Avestēe Women's Imaging Centers in San Antonio . Avestēe is known for its state-of-the-art imaging expertise and its beautiful and calming patient environment. With Avestēe's six imaging locations, Solis Mammography now has a presence in the major metropolitan areas of Texas , including Dallas-Fort Worth , Houston , San Antonio and Austin . "Growth provides access and access changes lives," said Grant Davies , CEO of Solis Mammography. "Our goal with every market and every community we enter is to advance our mission of early breast cancer detection, and we never want to lose sight of that. We know that when we change the way mammography is experienced through innovative practices, improved technology and patient-centered care, we can make a difference. We hope to build on Avestēe's more than 10-year history of providing an expert and personalized approach to women's imaging." Founded in 2013 by Suzanne Dabbous , MD, Avestēe has provided patients with expert radiologic interpretations in a compassionate, non-clinical environment. The practice has six locations in San Antonio , Boerne and Spring Branch, Texas . "Avestēe Women's Imaging Centers' commitment to expert, compassionate care aligns perfectly with Solis Mammography's mission and vision for the future. We are excited to continue growing by joining the Solis family, a national leader in breast imaging and women's health innovation," said Dr. Dabbous. Solis Mammography combines clinical excellence with cutting-edge AI-screening technology to deliver exceptional patient-centered care – a tradition maintained for 40 years. The acquisition of Avestēe Women's Imaging Centers expands the company's footprint into its 19 th major market. About Solis Mammography Solis Mammography, a premier women's health company and the nation's largest independent provider of specialized breast health services, has been dedicated to elevating mammography services and maintaining breast health and peace of mind for 40 years. Headquartered in Addison, Texas , Solis Mammography operates more than 141 centers in 19 major markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth , Houston , Austin , San Antonio , South Louisiana , Utah , Denver , Phoenix , Tucson , the greater Philadelphia area, Columbus , Nashville, North Carolina , Virginia , Miami , Ft. Lauderdale , and Gainesville, Florida . Its affiliated brand, Washington Radiology, operates centers in Washington, D.C. , Maryland , and Virginia . Solis Mammography is pioneering a boutique-style retail healthcare experience. The company operates both wholly owned centers and multiple successful joint venture partnerships with large hospital systems and prominent medical and academic institutions. SOURCE Solis MammographyA recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. Generally, how do I know a product is harmful? It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. How can I find out if black plastic food trays are made with recycled contaminated plastic? Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. When did recycled e-waste begin contaminating black plastic products? There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. What are safer alternatives? The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!