By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors on Monday charged two men with illegally exporting sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack carried out by Iran-backed militants in Jordan in January that killed three U.S. service members and injured 47 others. Federal prosecutors in Boston charged Mohammad Abedini, the co-founder of an Iranian-based company, and Mahdi Sadeghi, an employee of Massachusetts-based semiconductor manufacturer Analog Devices, with conspiring to violate U.S. export laws. Prosecutors also charged Abedini, also known as Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, with providing material support to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that resulted in death. The U.S. designates the Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organization. Abedini, a dual Switzerland-Iran citizen, was arrested in Milan, Italy, at the request of the U.S. government, which will seek his extradition. Sadeghi, an Iranian-born naturalized U.S. citizen living in Natick, Massachusetts, was also arrested. "We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technologies getting into dangerous hands," U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy in Massachusetts said. "Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating." The Jan. 28 drone attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan called Tower 22, near the Syrian border, was first deadly strike against U.S. forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October 2023. The White House later said it was facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of hardline Iran-backed militant groups. At a press conference in Boston, Levy said the FBI had been able to trace sophisticated navigation equipment used in the drone to Abedini's Iranian company, SDRA, which manufactured the navigation system. Levy said Abedini had used a company in Switzerland as a front to procure American technologies from Sadeghi's employer including accelerometers and gyroscopes that were then sent to Iran. During a brief court hearing, Sadeghi was ordered detained pending a further hearing after a prosecutor called him a flight risk. His court-appointed lawyer did not respond to request for comment. A lawyer for Abedini could not be identified. Court papers do not identify Sadeghi's employer by name, but Analog Devices in a statement confirmed he worked for the company. Analog Devices said it was cooperating with law enforcement and was "committed to preventing unauthorized access to and misuse of our products and technology." (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Franklin Paul, David Gregorio and Lincoln Feast.)
Three large IPOs record demand worth 2.2L crNeurocrine Biosciences Announces FDA Approval of CRENESSITYTM (crinecerfont), a First-in-Class Treatment for Children and Adults With Classic Congenital Adrenal HyperplasiaSindh CM asks deputy PM to stop construction of Cholistan Canal
The Green Party is set to suffer significant losses in the Irish General Election, with its leader expecting just a handful of parliamentarians to be returned. Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the party could not buck the trend in Ireland of junior coalition partners in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments losing support in subsequent elections. He said they expected to retain two to three seats out of the 12 they had won in the 2020 election on the back of a worldwide “Green wave”. “Undoubtedly it’s a disappointing result for our party today,” Mr O’Gorman told reporters in Ongar, Dublin. “It’s hard for a smaller party in government, that’s long been the tradition, the history in Ireland. We hoped going into the election to buck that but we haven’t been able to buck that today.” Mr O’Gorman, a candidate in Dublin West, is among the outgoing Green Party TDs in a battle to retain their seats. Culture Minister Catherine Martin, who is fighting to remain a Green Party TD for Dublin Rathdown, said it was a “very tight” race in her four-seat constituency. “We go in (to government) not afraid of that because the issue of the climate and biodiversity crisis is (greater) than our survival,” she said on RTE Radio. “I stand over and am proud of our track record of delivery.” Green candidate in Waterford Marc O Cathasaigh said he would not be “in the shake-up” to retain his seat in that constituency, while junior minister Ossian Smyth looks at risk of losing his seat in Dun Laoghaire. Junior minister Joe O’Brien is expected to lose his seat in Dublin Fingal, Neasa Hourigan is at risk in Dublin Central, while Wicklow’s Steven Matthews garnered just 4% of first preferences. Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who announced his retirement from frontline politics in June, said his party had not had a good day. Arriving at the count centre at the RDS in Dublin, the outgoing environment minister told reporters: “If you don’t get elected you accept that, but you come back stronger and you learn lessons, and we’ve done that in the past and we will do that again.” He added: “No matter what the results today there will be a strong Green Party in Ireland, we have deep roots in the community and it’s a very distinct political philosophy and I think there is still space for that in Irish politics, for sure.” Mr Ryan said he did not believe his decision to retire, and the timing of his announcement, had affected the party’s showing. “Unfortunately – and this is just one of those days – we didn’t get the number of votes,” he said. He added: “We’ll look back and see what are the lessons, and what can we learn and what can we do differently. “It’s just one of those days when we didn’t have a good day.
State Officials Call For More Information To Address Drone Concerns
In a GQ Sports interview last year, Justin Jefferson revealed that he calls his Mercedes the “Batmobile,” and it’s easy to see why. The all-black matte finish gives his car a unique look that only the caped crusader would want to replicate. But with his new and lucrative contract , Jefferson could be surprised by the variety of cool and iconic cars he can now afford. Even the actual “Batmobile.” It turns out that the real “Batmobile” from the Dark Knight trilogy is now up for sale. Recently, it was announced that Warner Bros. and a custom car maker have crafted 10 replicas of the iconic superhero car, and for the price of $3 million, Jefferson could own it — the real thing. With a signing bonus of $88.7 million, the car is well within the price range for the Minnesota Vikings WR. But of course, nothing in life is ever easy. The process of securing one of these replicas is arduous. A buyer must apply, gain approval, and pay a deposit in order to secure one. But it doesn’t stop there. The delivery process takes about 15 months, so Jefferson wouldn’t receive the vehicle until 2026. The real kicker is that while the vehicles are fully functional, they are not street-legal. So even if Jefferson were to secure one, he would only be able to drive it on backlots and private locations. What’s the point of owning a $3 million car if you can’t even show it off on the streets? Fans reacted with some hilarious and genuine questions regarding the vehicle. All good questions that may come up during the application process. It’s hard to sell people luxury items that they can’t get any actual use out of. Nevertheless, it would be fitting if Jefferson pursued purchasing the vehicle. And if he could work something out with the city of Minneapolis to legally drive it occasionally, it would make for some great gameday arrival content on social media. Jefferson’s Mercedes-AMG GT comes with a hefty price tag of $150,000, and it’s one of the things the star WR can’t live without, claiming his life would be hectic without it. However, he did openly admit during the GQ interview that he’s keeping his options open for new cars. Specifically, he’s eyeing the Presidential Maybach, a car with a starting price of $200,000.Special counsel Jack Smith drops election subversion and classified documents cases against Donald TrumpSAN DIEGO , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved CRENESSITYTM (crinecerfont) capsules and oral solution as an adjunctive treatment to glucocorticoid replacement to control androgens in adult and pediatric patients four years of age and older with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a rare, serious and lifelong genetic condition involving the adrenal glands. CRENESSITY, a potent and selective oral corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF 1 ) antagonist, is the first and only classic CAH treatment that directly reduces excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and downstream adrenal androgen production, allowing for glucocorticoid dose reduction. It is a breakthrough in the treatment landscape for classic CAH. "For the last three decades, Neurocrine Biosciences, together with our late founder, Wylie W. Vale , has conducted groundbreaking research uncovering the critical role of corticotropin-releasing factor and its receptor, CRF 1 , in the pathophysiology of congenital adrenal hyperplasia," said Kyle W. Gano , Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Neurocrine Biosciences. "The approval of CRENESSITY is a significant milestone for the CAH community, and we are grateful to the individuals who participated in our clinical trials, including their families and caregivers, and to the clinical investigators who helped advance a new therapy and class of medicines." "Patients and families struggle to achieve balance between managing the symptoms of CAH and the side effects or complications of treatment with high-dose steroids, which may impact quality of life," said Dina Matos , Executive Director, CARES Foundation. "We are grateful to Neurocrine Biosciences for engaging with our community throughout the drug development process to understand our needs and ultimately providing this new medication that can help reduce excess adrenal androgens and the need for high-dose steroid treatment for individuals living with CAH." CRENESSITY is expected to be commercially available in approximately one week. The medication will be provided through PANTHERx Rare, a specialty pharmacy, to centralize and simplify CRENESSITY prescription fulfillment. Neurocrine Biosciences is committed to supporting patients in obtaining treatment with CRENESSITY by offering Neurocrine Access Support, a free, comprehensive assistance program created for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. It offers a range of options to make sure patients have everything they need to begin and continue taking CRENESSITY. A dedicated Care Coordinator, backed by a team, is available to help patients and caregivers navigate the insurance process and identify appropriate financial assistance options. Most patients will pay $10 or less per month for CRENESSITY*. For more information, visit www.NBIaccess.com/crenessity or call 1-855-CRNSITY (276-7489) Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm ET . *Additional terms and conditions apply. CAHtalyst TM Clinical Program Overview: The FDA approval is supported by the largest-ever clinical trial program of classic CAH, the CAHtalyst Pediatric and Adult Phase 3 global registrational studies. CAHtalyst Phase 3 data results in pediatric and adult patients with classic CAH were published in The New England Journal of Medicine . "The clinical results across both CAHtalyst studies support the efficacy and safety profile of CRENESSITY and its ability to reduce the overproduction of adrenal androgens, allowing for a meaningful reduction in glucocorticoid dosage, while maintaining or enhancing control of these androgens," said Richard Auchus , M.D., Ph.D., Professor, University of Michigan Health, Principal Investigator. "Chronic treatment with supraphysiologic glucocorticoids can cause a number of short- and long-term health consequences, such as obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis, so the ability for patients with CAH to lower their glucocorticoid dose to a more physiologic level can have profound benefits." In both CAHtalyst studies, CRENESSITY enabled lower steroid doses and decreased androgen levels. Phase 3 CAHtalyst Pediatric Study: Phase 3 CAHtalyst Adult Study: CRENESSITY was well tolerated with few treatment-related adverse events in both CAHtalyst studies. Pediatric and adult patients taking CRENESSITY had no treatment-related serious adverse events. Adrenal insufficiency and crisis are risks of living with CAH that CRENESSITY does not address and can occur when a patient's GC dose is too low. In the CAHtalyst Pediatric study, there were no cases of adrenal crisis among patients taking CRENESSITY or placebo. In the CAHtalyst Adult study, two patients (1.6%) taking CRENESSITY experienced adrenal crisis. No patients on placebo experienced adrenal crisis. However, one patient (1.7%) on placebo experienced adrenal insufficiency. Patients should work with their healthcare provider to manage GC dosing while taking CRENESSITY. For more information about CRENESSITY, visit Crenessity.com . About Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare genetic condition that results in an enzyme deficiency that alters the production of adrenal steroid hormones, such as cortisol, aldosterone and adrenal androgens, which are essential for life. Approximately 95% of CAH cases are caused by variants of the CYP21A2 gene that leads to deficiency of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase (21-OH). Severe deficiency of this enzyme leads to an inability of the adrenal glands to produce enough cortisol and, in approximately 75% of cases, aldosterone. Because individuals with CAH are still able to produce androgens, the unused precursors that would normally be used to make cortisol instead result in the production of excess amounts of androgens. If left untreated, CAH can result in salt wasting, dehydration and even death. Historically, exogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) have been used not only to correct the endogenous cortisol deficiency, but doses used are higher than cortisol replacement needed (supraphysiologic) to lower the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal androgens. However, GC treatment at high doses has been associated with serious and significant complications of steroid excess, including metabolic issues such as weight gain and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Additionally, long-term treatment with high-dose GCs may have psychological and cognitive impact, such as changes in mood and memory. Adrenal androgen excess has been associated with abnormal bone growth and development in pediatric patients, female health problems such as excess facial hair growth and menstrual irregularities, testicular rest tumors in males and fertility issues in both sexes. About The CAHtalystTM Studies The Phase 3 CAHtalystTM global registrational studies were designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of CRENESSITY in children and adults with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The CAHtalyst studies were the largest-ever clinical trial program in classic CAH, including 285 pediatric and adult patients. The CAHtalyst Pediatric study included 103 pediatric patients aged four to 17 years. The study tested two questions. The first question evaluated whether four weeks of CRENESSITY treatment could improve androgen control. The second question evaluated whether an additional 24 weeks of CRENESSITY treatment enabled customized glucocorticoid (GC) down-titration while androstenedione levels were maintained or improved. The CAHtalyst Adult study included 182 adult patients aged 18 to 58 years. Similarly, the first question of the study evaluated whether four weeks of CRENESSITY treatment could improve androgen control, and the second question evaluated whether an additional 20 weeks of CRENESSITY treatment enabled GC reduction to physiologic range while androstenedione levels were maintained or improved. Data from the CAHtalyst Phase 3 studies supported approval of CRENESSITY by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2024. The open-label extension treatment portions of both studies are ongoing. About CRENESSITYTM (crinecerfont) CRENESSITYTM is a potent and selective, oral corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF 1 ) antagonist developed to reduce and control excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and adrenal androgens through a non-glucocorticoid (GC) mechanism for the treatment of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Antagonism of CRF 1 receptors in the pituitary has been shown to decrease ACTH levels, which in turn decreases the production of adrenal androgens and potentially the symptoms associated with CAH. The robust clinical study data demonstrate that lowering adrenal androgen levels with CRENESSITY enables lower, more physiologic dosing of GCs to replace missing cortisol. CRENESSITY comes in capsules and an oral solution. The capsule formulation is available in 50 mg and 100 mg doses. The oral solution is available as a 50 mg/mL strength formulation. For adults 18 years and older, the recommended dosage is 100 mg twice daily taken orally with a meal. For pediatric patients four to 17 years of age weighing less than 55 kg (121 lbs), the recommended dosage is based on body weight and is administered twice daily, taken orally with a meal. For pediatric patients weighing more than 55 kg (121 lbs), the recommended dosage is 100 mg twice daily taken orally with a meal. Healthcare providers can work with patients to determine the appropriate formulation for use depending on patient needs. Patients receiving CRENESSITY should continue GC therapy for cortisol replacement. Important Information Approved Uses CRENESSITY (crinecerfont) is a prescription medicine used together with glucocorticoids (steroids) to control androgen (testosterone-like hormone) levels in adults and children 4 years of age and older with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not take CRENESSITY if you: Are allergic to crinecerfont, or any of the ingredients in CRENESSITY. CRENESSITY may cause serious side effects, including : Allergic Reactions. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include tightness of the throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, and rash. If you have an allergic reaction to CRENESSITY, get emergency medical help right away and stop taking CRENESSITY. Risk of Sudden Adrenal Insufficiency or Adrenal Crisis With Too Little Glucocorticoid (Steroid) Medicine. Sudden adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis can happen in people with congenital adrenal hyperplasia who are not taking enough glucocorticoid (steroid) medicine. You should continue taking your glucocorticoid (steroid) medicine during treatment with CRENESSITY. Certain conditions such as infection, severe injury, or shock may increase your risk for sudden adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a severe injury, infection, illness, or have planned surgery during treatment. Your healthcare provider may need to change your dose of glucocorticoid (steroid) medicine. Before taking CRENESSITY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take , including prescription and over-the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The most common side effects of CRENESSITY in adults include tiredness, headache, dizziness, joint pain, back pain, decreased appetite, and muscle pain. The most common side effects of CRENESSITY in children include headache, stomach pain, tiredness, nasal congestion, and nose bleeds. These are not all the possible side effects of CRENESSITY. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Dosage Forms and Strengths: CRENESSITY is available in 50 mg and 100 mg capsules and as an oral solution of 50 mg/mL. Please see full Prescribing Information About Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading neuroscience-focused, biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs, but few options. We are dedicated to discovering and developing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, neuroendocrine and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids,* as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com , and follow the company on LinkedIn , X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook . (*in collaboration with AbbVie) The NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES Logo Lockup and YOU DESERVE BRAVE SCIENCE are registered trademarks of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. CRENESSITY and CAHtalyst are trademarks of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements In addition to historical facts, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential benefits to be derived from CRENESSITY for the treatment of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency; the value and benefits CRENESSITY brings to patients with CAH; the ability of Neurocrine Biosciences to ensure patients have access to CRENESSITY; and whether the results from our clinical trials of CRENESSITY are indicative of real-world results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: risks and uncertainties associated with Neurocrine Biosciences' business and finances in general, as well as risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization of CRENESSITY; whether CRENESSITY receives adequate reimbursement from third-party payors; the degree and pace of market uptake of CRENESSITY; risks and uncertainties relating to competitive products and technological changes that may limit demand for CRENESSITY; risks associated with the Company's dependence on third parties for development and manufacturing activities related to CRENESSITY, and the ability of the Company to manage these third parties; risks that additional regulatory submissions for CRENESSITY or other product candidates may not occur or be submitted in a timely manner; risks that the FDA or other regulatory authorities may make adverse decisions regarding CRENESSITY; risks that post-approval CRENESSITY commitments or requirements may be delayed; risks that CRENESSITY may be precluded from commercialization by the proprietary or regulatory rights of third parties, or have unintended side effects, adverse reactions or incidents of misuse; risks and uncertainties relating to competitive products and technological changes that may limit demand for CRENESSITY; and other risks described in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 . Neurocrine Biosciences disclaims any obligation to update the statements contained in this press release after the date hereof other than required by law. © 2024 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CP-CFT-US-0070 12/2024 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neurocrine-biosciences-announces-fda-approval-of-crenessity-crinecerfont-a-first-in-class-treatment-for-children-and-adults-with-classic-congenital-adrenal-hyperplasia-302331772.html SOURCE Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. Related Articles National News | Luigi Mangione’s high-powered attorney is married to Diddy’s top lawyer National News | Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect National News | Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies National News | Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated National News | Teacher and a teenage student killed in a shooting at a private Christian school in Wisconsin The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.
EVgo Inc. Announces Secondary Offering of Class A Common StockPresident Javier Milei has said that the Senate session in which Edgardo Kueider was expelled over corruption allegations was void because his vice, Victoria Villarruel, led the session while acting as president of the nation. Milei traveled to Italy on Thursday, leaving Villarruel as acting president, but she has responded publicly that she was not formally transferred the presidential power until after the session had ended. The episode underscores the increasingly public rift between the president and his second-in-command. “The session is invalid,” Milei said on Friday during an interview with Luis Majul on radio station El Observador. On Thursday, the Upper House voted to expel Senator Edgardo Kueider from Congress after he was arrested in Paraguay with over US$200,000 of undeclared cash while crossing the border from Brazil. Kueider was a Peronist lawmaker, but voted for Milei’s flagship bill, the Ley Bases. Like Milei, his lawyer said the session was null and filed a writ for Kueider to be reinstated. In Argentina, the Vice President is also head of the senate. However, Milei argued that Villarruel should not have presided over the session because he was in Rome and she should have been the acting president, not the head of the Senate. Milei said that, according to current legislation, the vice president “automatically” acts as president if the president travels overseas. That role is then occupied by the provisional spokesperson of the Senate, who is currently Bartolomé Abdala. “If she presides over the session of the Congress, she is working in the Legislative Branch, but at the same time, she is the acting president of the nation [...,] she is occupying two positions, and that violates the separation of powers,” he said. Villarruel responded that the temporary transfer of power did not take effect until it had been formally signed off. “Until the power of attorney [to be President] is transferred to me, I am vice president. And that is done through the presidency’s notary. I signed the minutes giving my consent at 7:00 p.m.,” Villarruel wrote, answering a comment on her Instagram account. Screenshots of what appears to be a chat with Villarruel’s secretary were published by various news websites. They show a conversation timestamped 8:36 a.m. on Tuesday, stating the president’s time of departure and arrival. The secretary responds “OK” to the messages. The chats also show a letter notifying Villarruel of Milei’s trip through the Electronic Document Management System (GDE, by its Spanish acronym), which stores all proceedings and files within the public administration. Milei mentioned the letter in his interview. A spokesperson for Villarruel told the Herald that Villarruel was not aware of the trip, that the Legislative Branch does not use the GDE, and that the vice president does not have a username for the system in the Senate building. Milei’s trip to Italy, although not his departure time, had been reported by media including the Herald over a week before he departed. The relationship between Milei and Villarruel has been strained for months, with the president calling her part of the “caste” and leaving her off the guestlist for government events. She was not present for Milei’s first anniversary speech celebrating one year in power. “I would have loved to be there,” Villarruel wrote in a comment on her Instagram account. Villarruel lamented that Kueider was expelled from the Congress, implying that she does not consider him a member of the Peronist bloc. Since Kueider entered Congress on a Peronist ticket, his seat will now be granted to Stefania Cora, who is associated with Maximo Kirchner’s organization La Cámpora. “We are going to work until our last breath so that the [Kirchners] no longer manage the designs of our country,” Villarruel wrote on X. Meanwhile, Kueider is currently being investigated in Paraguay for attempted smuggling. Peronist senator Oscar Parrilli, social democrat deputy Margarita Stolbizer, and left-wing former deputy Myriam Bregman have suggested that Kueider was smuggling money from a government bribe to vote for the Ley Bases. Investigators have not reached any formal conclusions about the origin of the funds. Bregman’s party, the Party of the Socialist Workers (PTS) demanded that the Ley Bases be declared void. The vote on the controversial bill was tied in Argentina’s senate, with Villarruel casting the deciding vote in favor of the government.Red Cat Holdings Reports Financial Results for Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 and Provides Corporate Update
Economic growth across the GCC countries is projected to accelerate, with an average expansion of 3.7% in 2024, followed by a robust 4.5% growth in 2025, according to the latest forecasts from the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat) in Muscat. The regional growth is expected to stabilise at 3.5% in 2026, driven primarily by a rebound in oil production, particularly as the OPEC+ group gradually relaxes production quotas from the second half of 2024. The GCC-Stat’s forecast also factors in the continued development of new gas fields and the region’s swift recovery in key sectors such as transportation, tourism, and infrastructure. Expansionary fiscal policies in public finance are expected to support this growth momentum. GCC-Stat further anticipates that the non-oil sector will experience a notable acceleration, registering a 4.5% growth in 2024, with moderate increases of 3.3% and 4.1% in 2025 and 2026, respectively. This growth is expected to be driven by a surge in private sector activity, particularly in tourism, transport, logistics, and retail. Additionally, large-scale infrastructure projects across the GCC will bolster growth in related industries, further stimulating private sector investment. The forecasts also highlight that continued economic diversification efforts in the region will pay off in the coming years. Key sectors such as renewable energy, technology, innovation, and manufacturing are expected to see significant growth as part of long-term diversification strategies implemented by GCC governments. In 2023, the GCC’s total GDP at constant prices amounted to $1.691tn, marking a modest 0.5% growth compared to the previous year. The non-oil sector was a key contributor, expanding by 3.3%. However, the region’s average per capita GDP at current prices fell by 5% in 2023 to $36,700, down from $38,600 in 2022. Despite this, the GCC’s GDP at current prices accounted for 2% of global GDP and 60.5% of total Arab GDP. Inflation rates across the GCC are expected to remain relatively stable over the next three years, with forecasts of 2.4%, 2.6%, and 2.1% for 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively. Potential risks to inflation include rising consumer prices, higher import costs for raw materials, increased domestic consumption, and higher public spending driven by stronger employment and wage growth.
DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. Related Articles National News | TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold National News | Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect National News | Migrant flights lawsuit against DeSantis should move forward, plaintiffs urge judge National News | Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated National News | Teacher and a teenage student killed in a shooting at a private Christian school in Wisconsin The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.None
TTEC Digital wins Cisco Reimagine Customer Experiences Partner of the Year - AmericasNoneCentre should be blamed for illegal immigration from Bangla: WB minister
KF Aerospace president CEO tapped for Canada's Aviation Hall of FameArtificial Intelligence (AI) is old news; awareness of AI among the masses is new. Some people remember IBM using AI in its “Deep Blue” chess-playing computer, which defeated world champion Gary Kasparov in 1997, showing AI’s potential. Still, others go back to the 1956 Dartmouth Conference, which is often considered the unofficial birth of AI. One step further back on the calendar brings us to 1950 when Alan Turing introduced the “Turing Test,” a criterion for machine intelligence based on indistinguishability from human responses. That’s three-quarters of a century of artificial intelligence development. Despite AI's long history, business owners have been skeptical of using new AI tools. However, they likely use them in their daily lives even if they don’t realize it — autocorrect, predictive text, travel websites, email spam filters, their Netflix queue, the maps and facial recognition on their phones, bank fraud detection, self-driving cars, and digital voice assistants are all tools driven by artificial intelligence. Why you should care about AI now Businesses that wait to use AI once it becomes so commonplace it’s not even recognized (like autocorrect or spam filters) will be disadvantaged. Companies unwilling to learn how to partner with AI tools will struggle to grow relative to the competition that embraces the evolution from personal AI use to corporate use. Adopting AI and AI tools by businesses will mean the difference between growth and waving to your competition as they pass by you, possibly with your former customers. The tools that will propel businesses to new levels of efficiency are classified as small language models (SLMs). Think of an SLM as software focused on your industry, knows what you would want it to do, and does what you would like it to as if you waved a magic wand. (That’s an obvious exaggeration, given that onboarding any new technology is, admittedly, initially disruptive. Still, some of the SLMs out there are not far from that description.) SLMs are targeted versions of their large language model (LLM) counterparts. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini AI, and Meta AI are examples of LLMs. SLMs are built on the foundation of LLMs; LLMs are useful but are still just a version of predictive text — for now. The SLMs available for companies in your industry are designed to collaborate actively with your team because they are trained on smaller, more specific datasets. SLMs connect with other systems and can, for example, pull information from a note-taking device, import it to your CRM, and trigger email follow-up and scheduling. SLMs interact with various company software to understand and execute complex tasks by translating human intentions into action. Think along the lines of an intelligent personal assistant, robotic controls, customer service chatbots, and analyzing X-rays and MRI imaging. A small action model, or SLM, is an AI tool that can follow instructions and complete tasks. SLMs: A business co-pilot, not a replacement Some worry AI will replace human workers, but AI is more of a powerful partner. Think of AI as your co-pilot, handling repetitive tasks so you can focus on higher-level work. Take Paul, a lawyer in Boston who uses AI to prep for meetings. Paul’s firm uses the Microsoft 365 software suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc.). Microsoft’s Copilot helps employees by summarizing information, compiling reports, and automating responses, allowing them to tackle creative and critical tasks. AI speeds things up; it doesn’t cut humans out. Instead of spending hours compiling data, AI does it for Paul, leaving him free to concentrate on his clients. Using AI like this doesn’t cause layoffs; it empowers workers to be more productive. Don’t think of AI and SLMs as something that will replace your employees; they won’t. However, it will allow you to expand your company’s revenue without increasing headcount or associated costs to the same degree as you previously would. That is the definition of scaling! In short, SLMs can help you work faster, smarter, and more personally—whether you’re reducing customer wait times or speeding up your team’s workflow. This approach strengthens customer loyalty, boosts efficiency, and gives your business a competitive edge. The ROI of AI: Why it’s worth the investment Using AI might feel like a giant leap to the uninitiated, but those who adopt the technology will see a return on investment. For many companies, it’s an investment in efficiency, customer satisfaction, and future growth. Here’s how: • Boosting Productivity: SLMs can take on repetitive tasks, freeing employees to focus on what matters. George, an insurance agency owner, uses AI to automate compliance checks, allowing his team to spend time on higher-value tasks. This improves accuracy and reduces errors. • Personalization: SLMs can sort through massive customer data to offer tailored experiences. For example, banks use AI to give lenders a full view of each client’s history, allowing customized advice. • Scalability: SLMs let companies grow without massively increasing costs by automating parts of the workload, allowing businesses to expand faster and more efficiently. AI is more accessible than ever, especially for small businesses. Tools are becoming affordable and more accessible to implement, allowing smaller companies to compete with larger ones. AI is evolving fast, and businesses that delay will get left behind. If you are unsure how to begin, start small, experiment, and scale as you see results. Ask your favorite large language model (my current favorite is OpenAI’s “Strawberry”) and prompt, “What are some AI tools that companies in my industry use to become more efficient or improve customer service?” Then, contact the vendors, request demos, and find out if you like what you see.
Rafael Perez: Americans really need to relax and stop taking national politics so seriously
Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia’s decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different. And the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. Both the award and the glitzy festival itself are signs of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. The reopening of cinemas in 2018 after 35 years marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine Donald Trump got something this year that no other person designed Time magazine's Person of the Year had ever received. He got a fact-check of claims that the president-elect made in the interview accompanying the magazine's piece. Trump earned the recognition of the year's biggest newsmaker for the second time, also winning it in 2016 the first time he was elected president. But in a piece described as a “12-minute” read, Time called into question more than a dozen statements Trump made when speaking to the magazine's reporters, on issues like border size, autism and crowd size at a rally. Time said it has fact-checked other interviews in the past, but not for this annual feature. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge. The development comes as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk was an early OpenAI investor and board member. But he sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. He has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI filed its response in court Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications.Trump discussed border, trade with Canada's Trudeau after pledging steep tariffsOhio State head coach Ryan Day has come under fire for his passive stance on the sidelines during a postgame brawl between his players and Michigan on Saturday. The Buckeyes were handed their fourth consecutive loss by the Wolverines, courtesy of Dominic Zvada's 21-yard field goal in the final quarter, resulting in a tight 13-10 victory for Michigan . Post-match, the Wolverines attempted to stake their flag at the center of Ohio Stadium , prompting a forceful response from Ohio State. Dave Portnoy weighs in on Michigan vs. Ohio State brawl as cops use pepper spray Michigan vs Ohio State ends in chaos as players brawl and police intervene Coaches from both sides rushed to defuse the situation as punches flew and helmets littered the turf, with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office stepping in. Despite Day's apparent reluctance to intervene, his leadership has been called into question for not attempting to usher his players back to the locker room. However, despite the unsightly scenes, Day stood by his players in his postgame press conference, stating: "I don't know all the details, but I know these guys were looking to put a flag on our field, and we're not going to let that happen." Reflecting on the defeat, he added: "Not easy to accept... have to take the ownership. I'm the one who makes the final decisions." The unexpected loss has put a dent in Ohio State's chances at the Big Ten Championship game and receiving a first-round College Football Playoff bye, while also increasing the pressure on Day. Since Day took over as head coach in 2019, the Buckeyes have an impressive 66-10 record, but their performance in crucial games continues to be a concern. DON'T MISS: Georgia sparks debate with escape vs Georgia Tech ahead of College Playoff Colts cult hero Andrew Luck confirms football return after retiring aged 29 Matt Rhule expecting up to 50 Nebraska players to enter transfer portal Ohio State's record stands at 2-4 in bowl games and 1-3 in the College Football Playoffs, but the lack of a victory against Michigan since 2019 is unacceptable to some fans. Another defeat in the rivalry, coupled with Day's reluctance to shield his players on Saturday, has left some fans seething. "Ryan Day, your whole team is in the midst of a brawl, and you're on the sideline asking 'what happened?' Huh!? Get your butt on the field and command your players go to the locker room," one fan wrote on X. "That requires leadership skills. Apparently, you've been absent for the past three years. He doesn't possess any," another fan harshly responded. "Ryan Day being caught on camera observing his team fight after a game while other adults - including armed law enforcement officers - try to intervene is about as fitting as it gets," added another. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who scored the only touchdown on Saturday, criticized Ohio State for not showing fight during the game and only acting up once the match was over. "For such a great game, it's disappointing to see stuff like that post-game. It's just bad for the sport, bad for college football," Mullings commented on FOX. "But at the end of the day, some people, they've got to learn how to lose. You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. All that fighting, we had 60 minutes, we had four quarters to do all that fighting. Now, people want to talk and fight. That's wrong. It's just bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better."A controversial AI monitoring software designed to track employee productivity and recommend automation replacements has sparked significant backlash on social media. According to an international media outlet, this tool, which tracks detailed metrics of employee performance, has been widely criticised for its invasive and dystopian implications. The uproar began when a post on Reddit described a sales pitch for the AI monitoring software, highlighting its extensive monitoring capabilities. Beyond traditional productivity tools, the AI evaluates employees based on various metrics, such as typing speed, mouse movements, and program usage. It categorises workers, creates detailed productivity graphs, and flags underperformers for management review. The software’s features include keylogging, heat maps of user activity, and real-time monitoring. It also captures periodic desktop screenshots and records interactions with programs, generating comprehensive insights into employee behaviour. If an individual’s performance falls below a certain threshold, an alert is sent to their superiors, requiring an explanation through an internal system. What has particularly alarmed users is the dual functionality of the AI monitoring software. In addition to monitoring employees, it analyses workflows to identify areas for automation. The company behind the software also markets AI automation solutions, creating concerns about job security for those flagged as less productive. The viral Reddit post has attracted widespread criticism, with many social media users describing the AI monitoring software as a harbinger of a toxic work culture. Critics argue that such intense scrutiny could stifle creativity and promote inefficiency by encouraging employees to focus on meeting arbitrary metrics rather than performing meaningful work. The controversy underscores the growing debate around workplace surveillance and the ethical implications of AI monitoring software in employment practices. Many have urged workers to reconsider their career paths if their employers adopt such invasive technologies. Read More: Employees fired for pretending to work through fake keyboard activity Back in June 2024, several employees were fired from their jobs after they were found fooling their company through fake keyboard activity. The incident occurred at US bank Wells Fargo, which terminated the employment of several workers who were found faking keyboard activity to pretend that they were working when they were not, a US media outlet reported. While it was not clear whether the workers sacked were working from home or on office premises, the US bank said staff had been fired after “review of allegations involving simulation of keyboard activity creating the impression of active work”. A spokeswoman for the firm said: “Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards and does not tolerate unethical behaviour.”
Home | Andhra Pradesh | India On Cusp Of 6g Boom But 91 Telangana Government Schools Lurk In Digital Dark Age India on cusp of 6G boom, but 91% Telangana government schools lurk in digital dark age Out of 30,023 government-run schools in the State, only 2,772 (9.23%) have internet facilities, highlighting a troubling digital divide By Yuvraj Akula Published Date - 22 December 2024, 09:45 PM Representational Photo Hyderabad: In this age of smartphones, electronic appliances, big machines and seamless communication from far off distances via the internet , students studying in the Telangana government -run schools remain stuck in a digital dark age. As India is on the cusp of a technology revolution with soon-to-be-rolled-out 6G services, a staggering 91 per cent of Telangana government-run schools lack the basic facility of internet connection. Also Read Editorial: Bridge the digital divide Of the 30,023 government schools in the State, only 2,772 (9.23 per cent) have internet access, highlighting the digital chasm. Telangana is far behind its neighbour Andhra Pradesh , where 45 per cent of 45,137 government schools have access to the internet. Ironically, the State also lags behind than the national average of 24.16 per cent. “Though cables were laid for providing internet connection under the ‘ Mana Ooru – Mana Badi ‘ programme, the schools are yet to get the service. Some schools have been provided with tabs, which have internet facility. Apart from internet, the government must ensure computers in all schools,” a high school headmaster said, requesting anonymity. Among the larger States, Telangana, with 9.23 per cent, stands at third place behind Bihar (5.85 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (8.81 per cent). These details were recently shared by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in Lok Sabha in response to a question on internet facility in schools raised by MPs Dr MP Abdussamad Samadani and Gowaal Kagada Padavi. Though private schools in Telangana have better internet facilities compared to their government counterparts, they fare poorly compared to the national average of 59.63 per cent. A total of 56.73 per cent of 12,193 private schools in the State have internet facilities. However, among the major States — Kerala with 95.13 per cent and Maharashtra with 85.85 per cent of private schools with internet facility — Telangana is far behind on the chart. Follow Us : Tags 6G network Digital Divide internet access Telangana government schools Related News Opinion: Let all retail formats coexist Four months on, Telangana schools yet to receive grants Education system in shambles under Congress government claims KTR Enrollment crisis hits Telangana government schools