blackjack death
Last December, doctors at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children saved two-year-old Mikayla Kassam’s life. On Monday, Mikayla’s grateful parents – Anson Funds founder Moez Kassam and his wife, Marissa, a former banker – donated $15-million to fund SickKids research aimed at helping children around the world get the same health care that saved their daughter. Mikayla Kassam had a relatively common ailment, pneumonia, that turned deadly serious. At one stage, with her parents at her bedside, her heart stopped beating. Doctors put her into a medically induced coma and kept her on a ventilator for several weeks. Emerging from the ordeal with a healthy child who has only fond memories of her time in hospital prompted the Kassams to establish two pediatric research positions and fund a new position at SickKids: a nurse responsible for following up with families after their children leave the intensive-care unit. “Our gift is meant to support research that improves outcomes for kids everywhere, including the hospital that did so much for our daughter,” Ms. Kassam said in an interview. “We were inspired by conversations with our doctors on what they would change to deliver health care better.” The family’s initial donation tripled in size and scope as SickKids Foundation chair Walied Soliman, the chair of law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, discussed the gift with Mr. Kassam. On Monday, SickKids announced the Kassam Family Chair and Fellowship in Neurocritical Care, which is meant to bring top talent from around the world to the hospital, and the Kassam Family Critical Care Award in Innovation, which is meant to fund early-stage research in pediatric medicine. “We hope this investment will help give other families the same hope and comfort we received during Mikayla’s time here,” Mr. Kassam said. The hospital also named its pediatric intensive-care unit – the largest in the country – the Kassam Family PICU. “It is an incredible experience when visionary philanthropists like the Kassams share our appreciation for the level of expertise at SickKids after a first-hand experience,” said Jennifer Bernard, the chief executive officer of SickKids Foundation. SickKids draws doctors and staff from around the world, and three physicians the Kassams credit with saving their daughter – the third of their four children – all trained outside Canada before coming to the Toronto hospital. Nicole McKinnon, a critical-care physician, returned to Canada in 2018 after earning her medical degree in New York. Barney Scholefield is a British critical-care physician who joined SickKids in 2023. And Briseida Mema received her medical training in Albania before arriving at SickKids in 2005. The Kassam family’s gift means “SickKids will be able to attract and retain top tier faculty and trainees and advance the field of pediatric critical care medicine,” said Steven Schwartz, the chief of SickKids’ department of critical care medicine, in a news release. After she went into cardiac arrest, doctors at SickKids operated on Mikayla in the cardiac critical-care unit, the first facility in the country dedicated to treating young people with heart disease. The unit sees more than 800 patients a year from around the world and performs 60 per cent of Canada’s heart transplants for children and 89 per cent of Ontario’s complex heart surgeries for infants. Mr. Kassam founded Toronto-based Anson in 2007, and over the past 17 years its flagship fund is up 1,140 per cent. The firm oversees more than $1-billion of investments for its clients. The gift to SickKids came from the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund, which currently has approximately $80-million in assets. It focuses on what the family calls “strategic philanthropy,” with data-driven research leading to results-oriented commitments to causes that can create systemic change. The couple branded it a fund rather than a foundation to demonstrate their goal of “maximizing return on investment – not just financially, but in terms of social progress and human potential.” Last week, the fund donated $5-million to Toronto Metropolitan University’s new medical school to help recruit deserving students by offering scholarships worth as much as $30,000 a year. Mr. Kassam and real estate executive Adrian Rocca, the founder of rental property developer Fitzrovia, teamed up to create a data-driven fundraiser for athletes with Olympic aspirations called Great to Gold. The program supported competitors who had shown they were in the top tier of low-profile sports and gave money to Canadian athletes who went on to win medals at last summer’s Paris Games in events such as the hammer throw, fencing and canoeing.A FORBIDDEN seat on a plane has sparked huge debate among flyers who have been left baffled by the bizarre rule. Croatia Airlines passenger Sven Wöste took to Facebook to share a picture of the unusual seat. He wrote: "I was sitting in the last aisle of a Croatia Airlines plane on the window seat (31F). "The seat next to me was free and had a notice stitched in the cushion that this seat has to stay unoccupied." The confused passenger added that when he asked a flight attendant why no one could sit in the seat, they told him that it had no seat belt. But, this "made no sense" to Wöste who argued that the mounting for a seat belt was there and surely replacing a seatbelt is easier than stitching into a cushion. Over 1,200 people in the Dull Men's Club Facebook group took part in a lively debate in the comments about the permanently empty. "Wonder if it's for an extra flight attendant they may have to put on the plane last min?" one suggested. "Probably like an extra emergency seat for an airline worker or someone that absolutely needs to be on the flight when it's booked full," another said. "A lot easier to keep people out of a seat with no seatbelt, and they probably do have the extra belt stored on the plane to install if someone needs the seat." It is the "ejector seat," a third joked. Others noted how they now might keep an eye out for the window seat next to the forbidden one so they could have more room. One wrote in the comments: "I would LOVE to have this seat next to me on most flights...I could finally sit without bumping elbows with the next person." But, none of these suggestions were correct. Many cabin crew workers who saw the post explained the real reason for the seat and it is all to do with health and safety regulations. One crewmember explained: "Aircrafts are certified considering many factors. "One of them is the capacity to evacuate all passengers, using 50% of the exits, within 90 seconds." This means that while there is a capacity for 150 passengers on the plane, it is only certified with just 149 as only this number of people can evacuate the aircraft within the time limit. If someone had taken the unoccupied seat, in order to fly following the regulations, there would have to be two more over-wing exits which is much more costly. This has also been explained by Avioradar who had the theory confirmed by Airbus. Meanwhile, a flight attendant has revealed why passengers should stop queuing for the plane bathroom even if they are desperate.
Justice for Samuel Luiz: Convictions in Homophobic Murder Case Spark Nationwide Reflection
Cowboys win wild one vs. Commanders to halt five-game slideA range of independent TDs are contemplating the prospect of entering Ireland’s next coalition government as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael consider ways to secure a solid majority. Three long days of counting in the General Election finished late on Monday night when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail parliament’s 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Labour and the Social Democrats both won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. While the two centrist parties that have dominated Irish politics for a century could look to strike a deal with one of the Dail’s smaller centre-left parties, such as the Social Democrats or Labour, a more straightforward route to a majority could be achieved by securing the support of several independent TDs. For Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and current taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, wooing like-minded independents would be likely to involve fewer policy concessions, and financial commitments, than would be required to convince another party to join the government benches. Longford-Westmeath independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, who served in a Fine Gael-led minority government between 2017 and 2020, expressed his willingness to listen to offers to join the new coalition in Dublin. “Look, my door’s open,” he told RTE. “Someone knocks, I’m always there to open it.” Marian Harkin, an independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, expressed her desire to participate in government as she noted that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were within “shouting distance” of an overall majority. “That means they will be looking for support, and I certainly will be one of those people who will be speaking to them and talking to them and negotiating with them, and I’m looking forward to doing that, because that was the reason that I ran in the first place,” she said. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party both appear cautious about the prospect of an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They will no doubt be mindful of the experience of the Green Party, the junior partner in the last mandate. The Greens experienced near wipeout in the election, retaining only one of their 12 seats. Sinn Fein appears to currently have no realistic route to government, given Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s ongoing refusal to share power with the party. Despite the odds being stacked against her party, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the leaders of the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options. Earlier, Fianna Fail deputy leader and outgoing Finance Minister Jack Chambers predicted that a new coalition government would not be in place before Christmas. Mr Chambers said planned talks about forming an administration required “time and space” to ensure that any new government will be “coherent and stable”. After an inconclusive outcome to the 2020 election, it took five months for Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens to strike the last coalition deal. Mr Chambers said he did not believe it would take that long this time, as he noted the Covid-19 pandemic was a factor in 2020, but he also made clear it would not be a swift process. He said he agreed with analysis that there was no prospect of a deal before Christmas. “I don’t expect a government to be formed in mid-December, when the Dail is due to meet on December 18, probably a Ceann Comhairle (speaker) can be elected, and there’ll have to be time and space taken to make sure we can form a coherent, stable government,” he told RTE. “I don’t think it should take five months like it did the last time – Covid obviously complicated that. But I think all political parties need to take the time to see what’s possible and try and form a stable government for the Irish people.” Fine Gael minister of state Peter Burke said members of his parliamentary party would have to meet to consider their options before giving Mr Harris a mandate to negotiate a new programme for government with Fianna Fail. “It’s important that we have a strong, stable, viable government, whatever form that may be, to ensure that we can meet the challenges of our society, meet the challenges in terms of the economic changes that are potentially going to happen,” he told RTE. Despite being set to emerge with the most seats, it has not been all good news for Fianna Fail. The party’s outgoing Health Minister Stephen Donnelly became one of the biggest casualties of the election when he lost his seat in Wicklow in the early hours of Monday morning. Mr Donnelly was always predicted to face a fight in the constituency after boundary changes saw it reduced from five to four seats. If it is to be a reprise of the Fianna Fail/Fine Gael governing partnership of the last mandate, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the Irish premiership during the lifetime of the new government. The outcome in 2020 saw the parties enter a coalition on the basis that the holder of the premier position would be exchanged midway through the term. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Mr Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers is likely to draw focus on the rotating taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. On Sunday, Simon Coveney, a former deputy leader of Fine Gael, said a coalition that did not repeat the rotating taoiseach arrangement in some fashion would be a “difficult proposition” for his party. Meanwhile, Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe said he would be making the case for Mr Harris to have another opportunity to serve as taoiseach. On Monday, Mr Chambers said while his party would expect to lead the government it would approach the issue of rotating the taoiseach’s role on the basis of “mutual respect” with Fine Gael. “I think the context of discussions and negotiations will be driven by mutual respect, and that’s the glue that will drive a programme for government and that’s the context in which we’ll engage,” he said. On Monday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik reiterated her party’s determination to forge an alliance with fellow centre-left parties with the intention of having a unified approach to the prospect of entering government. Asked if Labour was prepared to go into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on its own, she told RTE: “No, not at this stage. We are absolutely not willing to do that. “We want to ensure there’s the largest number of TDs who share our vision and our values who want to deliver change on the same basis that we do.” The Social Democrats have been non-committal about any potential arrangement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and have restated a series of red lines they would need to achieve before considering taking a place in government. Leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a daughter on polling day on Friday, said in a statement: “The party is in a very strong position to play an important role in the next Dail. In what position, government or opposition, remains to be seen.” Fianna Fail secured the most first preference votes in Friday’s proportional representation election, taking 21.9% to Fine Gael’s 20.8%. Sinn Fein came in third on 19%. While Sinn Fein’s vote share represented a marked improvement on its disappointing showing in June’s local elections in Ireland, it is still significantly down on the 24.5% poll-topping share it secured in the 2020 general election. The final breakdown of first preferences also flipped the result of Friday night’s exit poll, which suggested Sinn Fein was in front on 21.1%, with Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fail on 19.5%.Canadian facing ‘exponential’ rise in fraud as holidays, mail strike collideNorth Korean troops have been deployed to a new Russian frontline region, a Ukrainian official said Friday. On October 23, U.S. officials confirmed that North Korea had sent troops to Russia to aid the country in its ongoing war against Ukraine, which began when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Kyiv in February 2022. Meanwhile, a North Korean representative to the United Nations (U.N.) said last month that reports that Pyongyang is sending soldiers to Moscow were "groundless rumors." On Monday, Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that it is likely that roughly 11,000 North Korean troops have entered Russia's Kursk region. The Kursk region, located along Russia's border with Ukraine, was the site of Kyiv's surprise incursion in August. Singh added that the North Korean troops are "moving into Kursk for a reason. We have every expectation that they would be engaged in combat operations." Andrii Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram on Friday that some North Korean troops have moved into the Belgorod region. "Part of the military from the DPRK was transferred to the border area of the Belgorod region," he wrote, using North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "There are none in the Kharkiv region." The Belgorod Oblast is south of the Kursk Oblast and directly across from the Kharkiv Oblast in Ukraine, which holds Kyiv's second-largest city, Kharkiv. The Russian city of Belgorod has been a target of Ukrainian strikes in the past. Newsweek reached out to the Russian government via online form and Ukraine's foreign affairs ministry via email for comment on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian military source told Reuters in an article published on Saturday that Ukraine has lost more than 40 percent of the territory that it seized in its surprise attack in the Kursk region late this summer. "At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometres [roughly 531 square miles], now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its counterattacks," said the unnamed source, who is on the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The source added: "Now we control approximately 800 square kilometres [roughly 309 square miles]. We will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate." President Joe Biden , meanwhile, recently authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles deeper inside Russia , granting a months-long request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky . The decision to allow Ukraine to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMs) farther into Russian territory came amid the deployment of North Korean troops along Ukraine's northern border. North Korean troops in Russia signal growing ties between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un following the signing of a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" between the two countries in June. The treaty, which was signed when Putin visited North Korea over the summer, states that Moscow and Pyongyang must immediately provide military aid using "all means" if either is attacked. In exchange for thousands of North Korean soldiers, Russia has provided Pyongyang with air defense missiles and military equipment, according to South Korea's national security adviser. Shin Won-sik revealed on Friday during a broadcast on SBS TV that Russia has supplied North Korea with advanced military technologies to enhance the regime's defense capabilities, particularly around Pyongyang.
Baseus 240W, 5-port smart USB-C GaN desktop charger. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET What's the deal? You can pick up the Baseus 240W at a bargain price this Black Friday -- there's 20% off the regular price and a further $20 thanks to an on-page coupon, brining the total down to $140. ZDNET's key takeaways Baseus 240W, 5-port smart USB-C GaN desktop charger, available from Amazon Powerful, offers USB-C, USB-A, and DC outputs, and can charge two laptops simultaneously. Big, heavy, and the four-foot power cord means this charger isn't well suited to travel use. Gallium nitride technology (GaN) has revolutionized chargers, allowing them to be smaller, more powerful, and to run cooler. Top-tier manufacturers are using this technology in their latest chargers, equipping them with a variety of ports and features. Also: I went hands-on with Apple's M3 MacBook Air and 3 features stood out the most One such charger is the Baseus 240W, 5-port smart USB-C GaN desktop charger with LED display. This is a beast of a charger that is perfect on any gamer or professional's desk. Baseus 240W, 5-port smart USB-C GaN desktop charger features Charge two laptops simultaneous with a maximum power of 140W for one laptop and 100W for the other 3 x USB-C (140W max), 1 x USB-A (30W max), 1 x DC port (240W max) Immersive, edge-to-edge LCD display Advanced cooling technology that makes use of glue-fill techniques and graphene Bluetooth control using Baseus smart app 4-foot power cord Includes 240W USB-C to... Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Cooper Rush passed for two touchdowns, Dallas returned two kicks for scores and the visiting Cowboys held off the Washington Commanders in a wild fourth quarter for a 34-26 win. Dallas led 10-9 after three quarters. With Washington trailing 27-26, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left, but Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. Juanyeh Thomas of the Cowboys then returned the onside kick 43 yards for a touchdown. Rush completed 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards for Dallas (4-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards and CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards. Jayden Daniels was 25-of-38 passing for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for reeling Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. He ran for 74 yards and one score. McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards. Trailing 20-9 late in the fourth quarter, Daniels drove Washington 69 yards in nine plays and hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown. Daniels ran for two points and Washington trailed 20-17 with 3:02 remaining. KaVontae Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff, picked it up at the one, and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-17. Austin Seibert's 51-yard field goal pulled the Commanders within 27-20 with 1:40 left, With the score tied 3-3, Washington took the second half kick and went 60 yards in 10 plays. On third-and-three from the Dallas 17, Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Seibert missed the point after and Washington led 9-3. Dallas answered with an 80-yard drive. A 23-yard pass interference penalty gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 4. Two plays later Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the end zone and the extra point made it 10-9. Brandon Aubrey's 48-yard field goal made it 13-9 with 8:11 remaining in the game. On the next play, Daniels hit John Bates for 14 yards, but Donovan Wilson forced a fumble and Dallas recovered at the Washington 44. Five plays later, Rush found Luke Schoonmaker down the middle for a 22-yard touchdown and Dallas led 20-9 with 5:16 left. The first quarter was all about field goals. Aubrey's field goal attempt was blocked on the opening drive and Michael Davis returned it to the Dallas 40. Washington later settled for Seibert's 41-yard field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aubrey hit the right upright from 42 yards out, and then Seibert missed from 51 yards. With 14 seconds left in the half, Rush found Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard gain to the Washington 28. On the next play Aubrey connected from 46 yards to tie it. --Field Level MediaA key figure in a trucker protest that jammed Canada's capital and sparked a global movement against Covid mandates was found guilty Friday for his role in the blockade. The self-styled "Freedom Convoy" of big rig drivers and protesters rolled into Ottawa in early 2022 from across Canada to express anger at government protocols imposed to contain Covid-19. After three weeks of turmoil, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked rarely used emergency powers to dislodge the protesters. Pat King was among hundreds of people arrested, and the first of the protest leaders to be convicted. Two other organizers, Tamara Lich and Chris Barber faced a separate criminal trial but those verdicts are not expected until 2025. King faces up to 10 years in prison after being convicted on five charges, including mischief, counselling others to commit mischief and disobeying a court order. Acquitted of more serious charges, he smiled at a packed courtroom of supporters as the judge read the verdict. "Mr King was not merely engaging in political speech," Justice Charles Hackland said. "Rather, he was inciting the protesters to continue their ongoing blockade of downtown Ottawa." King led hundreds of big rigs and thousands of protestors to Ottawa, bringing the capital to a standstill for more than three weeks. Residents and business owners complained of incessant honking and harassment. As the demonstrators' demands expanded to a broader anti-establishment agenda, solidarity rallies popped up at Canada-US trade corridors and various places abroad. Most of the evidence at trial consisted of videos King posted on social media in which he urged his nearly 300,000 followers to rail against government overreach. "Hold the line," he said in video posts, appearing also to delight in the gridlock and misery of locals: "Pretty hilarious that people haven't been able to sleep for 10 days." Trudeau faced strong criticisms from civil liberties groups and the opposition Conservatives for invoking the Emergencies Act to dislodge the protestors. But a commission of inquiry ruled it had been "appropriate," calling it "a drastic move, but... not a dictatorial one." amc/bs/bfmThree years after opening, X Denver residents say the party is over
Investment Corner: Election Thoughts
Shares of eLong Power Holding Limited are anticipated to begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “ELPW” on November 22, 2024 Ganzhou, China, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eLong Power Holding Limited (“eLong Power” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ELPW), a provider of high power battery technologies for commercial and specialty alternative energy vehicles and energy storage systems, today announced the completion of its business combination with TMT Acquisition Corp (“TMTC”) (Nasdaq: TMTCU, TMTC, and TMTCR), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. The combined entity is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “ELPW” on November 22, 2024. The business combination is expected to provide eLong Power with access to the U.S. public equity markets and thereby accelerate its business expansion and position eLong Power to explore additional growth and value creating opportunities. Ms. Xiaodan Liu, eLong Power’s Chairwoman and CEO, commented: “We are thrilled to complete our business combination with TMTC, resulting in a pivotal milestone for eLong Power. We expect this strategic move to accelerate our growth and position us to meet the rising demand in the EV and energy storage industry with our innovative solutions. We believe being traded on Nasdaq is crucial for our growth and expansion plan to position eLong Power as a global player. We look forward to leveraging this opportunity to drive innovation and growth while delivering long-term values for our shareholders.” Advisors The Crone Law Group, P.C. acted as U.S. legal advisor to TMTC and Ogier Global acted as the Cayman Islands legal advisor to TMTC. Graubard Miller acted as U.S. legal advisor to eLong Power, Harneys acted as Cayman Islands legal advisor to eLong Power and Han Kun Law Offices acted as China legal advisor to eLong Power. About eLong Power eLong Power Holding Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company, is committed to the research and development, manufacturing, sales and service of high-power lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and construction machinery, as well as large-capacity, long-cycle lithium-ion batteries for energy storage systems. eLong Power is led by Ms. Xiaodan Liu, eLong Power’s Chairwoman and CEO. eLong Power has a comprehensive product and technology system that includes battery cells, modules, system integration, and battery management system development, based on high-power lithium-ion batteries and battery system products for long-cycle energy storage devices. eLong Power offers advanced energy applications and full life cycle services. Its product portfolio includes products utilizing lithium manganese oxide and lithium iron phosphate, among others, to meet the needs of high-power applications and energy storage applications in various scenarios. Forward-looking Statements This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the products offered by eLong Power and the markets in which it operates, and eLong Power’s projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including, but not limited to: the effect of the transaction on eLong Power’s business relationships, performance, and business generally; risks that the business combination disrupts current plans or operations of eLong Power; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against eLong Power related to the business combination agreement or the business combination; the ability of eLong Power to maintain the listing of its securities on Nasdaq; the fact that the price of eLong Power’s securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which eLong Power operates; variations in performance across competitors; changes in laws and regulations affecting eLong Power’s business and changes in its capital structure; the ability to implement business plans, meet forecasts and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities provided by the business combination; its need for substantial additional funds; the parties’ dependence on third-party suppliers; risks relating to the results of research and development activities, market and other conditions; its ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; risks related to its growth strategy; risks related to patent and intellectual property matters; and the ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding eLong Power’s business are described in detail in eLong Power’s SEC filings which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov , including in eLong Power’s registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-280512) and eLong Power’s subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and eLong Power expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. eLong Power Investor Contact: Shilin Xun Email: xunshilin@elongpower.com TMTC Contact: TMT Acquisition Corp Email: dguo@tmtacquisitioncorp.com Ascent Investor Relations LLC Tina Xiao Phone: +1-646-932-7242 Email: investors@ascent-ir.comJasper Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1b/2a ETESIAN Clinical Study of Briquilimab in AsthmaVitaGraft KidneyTM quantifies the amount of DNA fragments in transplant patients' blood that originate from the donor organ, a key biomarker for assessing graft health. This process is commonly referred to as donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) testing and is widely used in clinical practice today. In this latest study, Oncocyte's proprietary diagnostic dd-cfDNA test using digital PCR was able to diagnose antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients nearly a year ahead of standard protocols 1 . "We are excited to see our dd-cfDNA technology demonstrate strong predictive value for AMR, supporting clinicians in identifying AMR in patients sooner, thereby enhancing the opportunity for better outcomes,” said Oncocyte Chief Science Officer Dr. Ekkehard Schuetz. "The trial's results further validate dd-cfDNA as a critical biomarker that can bridge diagnostic gaps for transplant patients.” For further context, de-novo donor specific antibody (dnDSA) is a routine biomarker used in kidney transplant management. The appearance of dnDSA in a patient -- that is, the patient is found to be dnDSA-positive (dnDSA+) -- signals an increased risk of AMR. This latest study shows that compared to standard of care, VitaGraft Kidney can significantly reduce the time to diagnosis of AMR in dnDSA+ patients. It is also the first randomized interventional study to validate any dd-cfDNA technology as a rule-in test for biopsy in a high-risk population. Catching AMR early, when kidney graft loss can be minimized, is becoming increasingly important as physicians explore the use of drugs, including the anti-CD38 drugs felzartamab and daratumumab, to manage rejection. Monitoring with VitaGraft in this high-risk patient population could support early intervention with these new therapeutic options. Once patients are on therapy, monitoring for therapeutic efficacy is also important to manage potential unwanted side effects. Publications using VitaGraft to monitor for efficacy for both aforementioned drugs can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine and Transplant International . In addition, earlier this year, Oncocyte signed an agreement with a European biotechnology company to be the provider of dd-cfDNA testing for a Phase II clinical trial for a separate therapeutic in AMR. Oncocyte expects to submit for claims expansion to its payor, MolDX 2 , to support the use of VitaGraft for these high-risk patients in the clinic. If granted, it would expand the use case beyond the current for-cause claim, opening significant new revenue opportunities. In sum, this clinical trial provides compelling evidence for dd-cfDNA monitoring as a tool for enhancing early intervention and improving outcomes for patients at increased risk of transplant rejection. Oncocyte scientists and inventors of the technology, Dr. Schuetz, Julia Beck and Kirsten Bornemann-Kolatzki, co-authored the study, which was initiated by researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin under the leadership of Prof. Klemens Budde. The study was published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: Oxford Academic and may be found by accessing this link. Additional study details: Highlighting potential for improved patient outcomes, as well as implications for broader clinical applications and future therapies The interventional randomized trial, conducted between June 2021 and July 2023, involved 40 kidney transplant recipients with dnDSA, assessing longitudinal dd-cfDNA monitoring as a guiding tool for diagnostic biopsy compared to standard clinical practices. Oncocyte's proprietary dd-cfDNA technology was able to detect the onset of AMR significantly earlier in patients by guiding the indication for biopsy (median time from inclusion to diagnosis: 2.8 months) compared to the control group using standard of care (14.5 months). As noted above, this early intervention could offer a valuable advantage in transplant care by enabling prompt treatment before irreversible damage occurs. "This study underscores the impact of dd-cfDNA as a critical biomarker for early AMR detection, providing healthcare teams with timely data enabling them to initiate treatments sooner," said Dr. Aylin Akifova, first author from Charité. This study also suggests that dd-cfDNA monitoring could also be instrumental in identifying subclinical AMR-a silent condition that, if undiagnosed, can lead to significant graft damage. Additionally, the findings come at a crucial time, as mentioned above, as promising new treatments, including CD38-targeted therapies, are showing unprecedented efficacy in treating AMR. Early diagnosis with dd-cfDNA could provide the earliest window for intervention, offering an advantage for patients suffering from AMR, a disease with historically very limited treatment options. "We congratulate Charité's research teams on these compelling findings, which further underscore our mission to empower clinicians with tools for precision diagnostics while also democratizing access to novel molecular diagnostic testing to improve patient outcomes,” said Josh Riggs, CEO of Oncocyte. "We look forward to expanding the clinical applications of dd-cfDNA technology and supporting transplant communities worldwide with our innovative diagnostic solutions.” About Oncocyte Oncocyte is a diagnostics technology company. The Company's tests are designed to help provide clarity and confidence to physicians and their patients. VitaGraftTM is a clinical blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. GraftAssureTM is a research use only (RUO) blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. DetermaIOTM is a gene expression test that assesses the tumor microenvironment to predict response to immunotherapies. DetermaCNITM is a blood-based monitoring tool for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. For more information about Oncocyte, please visit https://oncocyte.com/ . For more information about our products, please visit the following web pages: VitaGraft KidneyTM - https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-kidney/ VitaGraft LiverTM - https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-liver/ GraftAssureTM - https://oncocyte.com/graftassure/ DetermaIOTM - https://oncocyte.com/determa-io/ DetermaCNITM - https://oncocyte.com/determa-cni/ VitaGraftTM, GraftAssureTM, DetermaIOTM, and DetermaCNITM are trademarks of Oncocyte Corporation. CONTACT: Jeff Ramson PCG Advisory (646) 863-6893 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Any statements that are not historical fact (including but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will,” "believes,” "plans,” "anticipates,” "expects,” "estimates,” "may,” and similar expressions) are forward-looking statements. These statements include those pertaining to, among other things, the expectation that Oncocyte will submit for claims expansion to MolDX to support the use of VitaGraft for high-risk patients in the clinic, which may expand the use case and open significant new revenue opportunities, the company's anticipated expansion of clinical applications of dd-cfDNA technology, the company's goal to support transplant communities worldwide with its innovative diagnostic solutions, and other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of diagnostic tests or products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, the capacity of Oncocyte's third-party supplied blood sample analytic system to provide consistent and precise analytic results on a commercial scale, potential interruptions to supply chains, the need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights in all applicable jurisdictions, obligations to third parties with respect to licensed or acquired technology and products, the need to obtain third party reimbursement for patients' use of any diagnostic tests Oncocyte or its subsidiaries commercialize in applicable jurisdictions, and risks inherent in strategic transactions such as the potential failure to realize anticipated benefits, legal, regulatory or political changes in the applicable jurisdictions, accounting and quality controls, potential greater than estimated allocations of resources to develop and commercialize technologies, or potential failure to maintain any laboratory accreditation or certification. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and accordingly such statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of Oncocyte, particularly those mentioned in the "Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements found in Oncocyte's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, which are available from the SEC's website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Oncocyte undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.
Advertisement The Times is one of several media organizations that have sued OpenAI for copyright infringement. A judge denied OpenAI's request for information on how the Times uses AI. The judge used an analogy to a video game company to explain her decision. The New York Times sued OpenAI in December, arguing that the company used its articles without permission to train ChatGPT. The case is now in the discovery phase, where both sides gather and exchange evidence before the trial. As part of that, OpenAI requested to know more about how the Times uses generative AI, including its use of generative AI tools from other companies, any AI tools it's developing for its reporting, and its views on the technology. Advertisement Judge Ona T. Wang rejected that request on Friday, calling it irrelevant. She then offered an analogy to explain her decision, comparing OpenAI to a video game manufacturer and the Times to a copyright holder. If a copyright holder sued a video game manufacturer for copyright infringement, the copyright holder might be required to produce documents relating to their interactions with that video game manufacturer, but the video game manufacturer would not be entitled to wide-ranging discovery concerning the copyright holder's employees' gaming history, statements about video games generally, or even their licensing of different content to other video game Manufacturers. In the same case, legal filings revealed earlier this month that OpenAI engineers accidentally deleted evidence that Times lawyers had gathered from their servers. Lawyers for the outlet spent over 150 hours searching through OpenAI's training data for instances of infringement, which they stored on virtual machines the company created. The majority of the data has been recovered, and the Times lawyer said there is no reason to believe it was "intentional." The case is one among dozens of copyright cases filed against OpenAI, including by media organizations like the New York Daily News, the Denver Post, and The Intercept. Some of these cases have already been dismissed. Earlier this month a federal judge dismissed cases from Raw Story and AlterNet, because the outlets did not demonstrate "concrete" harm from OpenAI's actions. Advertisement OpenAI is also facing lawsuits from authors, including one involving comedian Sarah Silverman . Silverman and over a dozen authors filed an initial complaint against OpenAI in 2023, saying the tech company illegally used their books to train ChatGPT. "Much of the material in OpenAI's training datasets, however, comes from copyrighted works — including books written by Plaintiffs — that were copied by OpenAI without consent, without credit, and without compensation," the complaint says. OpenAI's website says the company develops ChatGPT and its other services using three sources: publicly available information online, information accessed by partnering with third parties, and information provided or generated by its users, researchers, or human trainers. Advertisement Silverman, who authored "The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee," discussed the ongoing legal dispute with actor Rob Lowe on his SiriusXM podcast. She said taking on OpenAI will be "tough." "They are the richest entities in the world, and we live in a country where that's considered a person that can influence, practically create policy, let alone influence it," she said. Some media organizations, including Axel Springer, the parent company of Business Insider, have chosen to partner with OpenAI, licensing their content in deals worth tens of millions of dollars. Advertisement OpenAI and the Times did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.Australia ditches plans to fine social media firmsThe standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.By MICHAEL R. SISAK and JENNIFER PELTZ NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” Related Articles National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National Politics | About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won’t include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn’t sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump” who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.
NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities, including call options, of Five9, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVN) between June 4, 2024 and August 8, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important February 3, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Five9 securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Five9 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32046 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Five9’s net new business was not “strong irrespective of the macro” and was, in fact, hampered by macroeconomic issues such as constrained and scrutinized customer budgets; (2) Five9 was in the midst of a challenging bookings quarter due, in part, to sales execution and efficiency issues, and Five9 was not “seeing very strong bookings momentum”; and (3) defendants did not have “enough information in terms of [their] existing customers that are going live” such that the statements that Five9 would see a positive inflection in its dollar-based retention rate lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Five9 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32046 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.comRarely are new cars everything they're promised. It's even rarer that those vehicles truly draw a line in the sand for the future of the brand. It's no exaggeration to say that the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sedan is well on its way to doing both of those things. Everything about it is new, even the double-spoke steering wheel that looks familiar but features a host of revised haptic areas that hopefully address the issues with errant touches the current wheel has. Mercedes-Benz invited Newsweek to Austria to be among the first in the world outside the company to experience the car. There, I rode passenger side to an experienced driver who just happened to be the project lead for the car, Axel Heix, the director of development for Mercedes-Benz's compact cars. As he deftly steered the battery-electric version of the CLA through the drifting, blowing snow on the icy roads of the Timmelsjoch mountain pass, he answered some of my questions while allowing me enough time to look and feel around the car. Getting in, I immediately noticed the two-tone seats, covered in leather or a like-leather synthetic material. The main charcoal-colored upholstery was accented by lime green inserts along the edge and contrast stitching. That stitching and material continued onto the doors, which were well-appointed and cushioned on the top near the window and below on the edge of the shallow door pocked that was closest to my leg. Even the headliner was premium looking and feeling. Seat adjustment hardware is new and elegant, offering smooth, curved representation of the fixtures that have been a staple in Mercedes vehicles for a decade. Tiny bits of piano black plastic surrounded the window controls, creating depth and adding character. These are all small touches that are easy to cut from the roster in favor of cheaper, less finger-friendly materials and parts bin bits to eliminate costs. Mercedes hasn't and it is most welcome. The look is richer than the C-Class by a "metric mile" as my grandmother would say. Granted, this wasn't a production model, but the CLA didn't creak and groan like the C-Class I had been in earlier that day either. The dashboard was mostly covered by a fabric disguise. Under that disguise is a flat-facing infotainment touchscreen that is new to the company's lineup. This setup is a departure from what other automakers are doing, including Nio, Polestar and BYD who have tablet-like screens mounted to their dashboards. Mercedes has installed a fresh version of the company's operating software (MB.OS) on the screen. It has evolved to take on a new, Apple-like appearance, full of rich color, eye-pleasing screens, nested buttons and layered visuals. That screen controls the company's auditory component for the EV, offering three types of sound, less cartoon spaceship-like than what other automakers offer, that the car can make when being propelled. It also serves as the touchpoint for the in-car camera, single-zone climate control and device connectivity. The company's Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schäfer told Newsweek last month that Will.i.am's co-developed Sound Drive would be installed in vehicles across the lineup via an over-the-air update soon, and the CLA is no exception an engineer told me. In front of the passenger is an entertainment screen straight out of the E-Class playbook. A fresh driver information screen with crisp graphics flows seamlessly into the other two. Buttons are kept to a minimum in the CLA. If you are a student of the current-generation Mercedes models, you have an idea of what to expect here. Unlike other reviewers who were treated to a ride in the CLA the week before in less treacherous weather conditions, I didn't have the opportunity to be propelled up the mountain pass at speed or get to experience the car under wet conditions. Instead, Heix drove the car through whiteout conditions that never caused confidence in the car nor driver to be lost. More than once the car was nearly beached on deep snow but by using the torque allocation of its rear and front motors, and a bit of know-how, it kept moving when others, including the GLE leading the way, were stuck. Sitting in the front and back of the CLA was easy for someone of average size, and though it was tight in the second row for those closer to 6'5" than 6'0", it was able to be done with the glass roof featured in the car. There wasn't a lot of legroom back there, but it was do-able even with taller adults up front. That said, it was quite the comfortable place to spend an hour. The stylish and refined CLA takes full advantage of its lack of transmission tunnel to present console area storage possibilities and thankfully leaves circular air vents mostly in the past. The CLA will debut a few months from now and come to market with powertrain options - hybrid and battery-electric. When it arrives, the battle lines will have been drawn with its premium and luxury automaker rivals all taking notes. Mercedes hasn't just shown up to play. They've shown up to dominate.
Stock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another recordTrudeau told Trump Americans would also suffer if tariffs are imposed, a Canadian minister says