Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’Vistra's Rally Has Been Overly Fast - Downgrade To HoldThe holidays are often about indulgence — relaxed time with loved ones, good food and delicious beverages. If you are looking for indulgence without alcohol this year, mocktails are a tasty and festive way to drink soberly. Here’s how to plan and prepare festive non-alcoholic or NA drinks for the holidays. Sipping a creative mocktail is a great way to enjoy some festive cheer, whether for a Christmas party or a quiet night during a busy holiday season. Mocktails will be the drink of choice this year at many holiday gatherings. With drinks that taste great, look festive and let you have a chug without the challenges of alcohol, mocktails are the perfect way to liven up the season. Alcohol has traditionally been a part of the holiday season. Drinking at parties, enjoying a glass of wine at a dinner, giving gifts of wine or spirits and seasonal drinks have made alcohol a quintessential part of the holidays for some. But it isn’t for everyone. More and more people are avoiding alcohol entirely or cutting back. Lifestyle changes or health concerns inspire some to go sober. Others are simply curious or looking to support sober family and friends. Particularly during the holidays, limiting alcohol can prevent overindulgence and help you stay fully present for holiday memories. Mocktails — mixed drinks made without alcohol — are the perfect answer for those embracing sobriety at this time of year. Non-alcoholic alternatives have been growing in popularity in recent years. The market for non-alcoholic beverages increased by 33% last year, topping out at over $300 million, according to Greenbook. As people embrace NA beers, wine and spirits, mocktails have become more creative and the options more varied. Mocktails have fun and festive ingredients without using any liquor, making them a delicious addition to any holiday drink menu. They are also a great way to experiment with seasonal flavors and mixology in a way everyone can partake of. Stock your bar with the essentials as you plan a holiday mocktail menu. Your favorite ingredients and flavors are a great place to start. From there, you can add traditional winter flavors and garnishes or use the holidays to experiment with new flavors. The base of your mocktails will likely be a non-alcoholic spirit or other cocktail basics. The number of NA spirits has exploded in recent years and you will find non-alcoholic gin, whiskey, vodka, tequila and more. Botanical spirits also bring unique flavors that can mix well with winter ingredients. You may also want to stock up on sparkling water, ginger beer, simple syrup, kombucha and other mixers. You can purchase them or make your own. Infused simple syrup is easy to make and adds seasonal flavors to mocktails. For winter flavors, you can’t go wrong with seasonal fruits or warm spices. Apple, citrus, pumpkin, cranberry and pomegranate are bright and sweet for holiday mocktails. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are more savory and comforting. Having a variety on hand will let you make different kinds of mocktails. For restaurant-quality mocktails, finish your drinks off with a beautiful garnish. Cinnamon sugar rims, rosemary sprigs, citrus peels and candy canes are cute and festive. Shaped ice cubes or adding garnishes like cranberries before freezing are a nice touch. With any mixology, having the right tools will improve the experience of preparing and serving drinks. A cocktail shaker is a must, while a long-handled bar spoon, jigger, strainer, juicer and muddler will be helpful depending on the types of drinks you’ll be making. The right glassware will also elevate your mocktails. Fancy glassware makes mocktails more fun. If you will be drinking hot drinks, festive mugs are a great way to serve them. This year, explore non-alcoholic versions of classic drinks and try inventive new mocktails highlighting seasonal flavor. All of your favorite drinks can be made with NA spirits. Hot drinks like mulled wine or a hot toddy are warming on cold nights. For a party, try an orange cranberry sangria mocktail. For new mocktails, lean on seasonal flavors like cranberry or blood orange. A Christmas gin mocktail brings both together with NA gin for a beautiful ruby drink that will put you instantly in the Christmas spirit. If you are hosting any holiday parties this year, adding some non-alcoholic options to your cooler or bar cart will help make all of your guests feel included. Start by stocking up on NA spirits, wine and beers. Also get the ingredients for your favorite mocktails, such as sparkling water, simple syrup and festive flavors and garnishes. You can also prepare a menu of themed mocktails. This is an exciting way for guests to choose their drinks and can help sober-curious guests explore NA options. Pick flavors that will complement any food you serve to create the perfect menu. A mix of sweet, savory and refreshing drinks ensures you have something for every taste. For a more interactive experience, set up a mocktail bar and let guests mix their own drinks. Include essential ingredients and tools on your mocktail bar, as well as recipe cards. Exploring DIY mixology will likely be a highlight of your party. Pulling the focus of a party away from drinking will also create a more inclusive gathering. Plenty of appetizers let people keep their hands busy during cocktail hour. Try festive snacks like spiced nuts or Christmas bruschetta. Games or other activities provide laughter and entertainment without drinking. Delectable mocktails with seasonal flavors and festive garnishes are the best way to welcome the holidays. Whether you are staying sober this year or just want a tasty drink without imbibing, stock up your mocktail bar cart with your favorite ingredients and enjoy the holiday cheer with every sip. Ksenia Prints is a food writer, blogger, photographer and recipe developer from Montreal, Canada. She blogs at My Mocktail Forest, a blog focused on fun, flirty non-alcoholic drinks and recipes for entertaining.80jili.ph 。

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 as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk 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 is filing its response 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.French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962

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Comedian Conan O'Brien's Parents Die 3 Days Apart from One AnotherHannah Murphy , John Burn-Murdoch

Carlsbad, CA, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palisade Bio, Inc, (Nasdaq: PALI) (“Palisade,” “Palisade Bio” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics for autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases, today announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering for gross proceeds of approximately $5 million prior to deducting underwriting commissions and offering expenses. The offering is comprised of (i) 158,000 Class A Units with each unit consisting of (a) one share of common stock and (b) one common warrant to purchase one share of common stock (the “Common Warrants”), and (ii) 3,120,688 Class B Units with each unit consisting of (a) one prefunded common stock purchase warrant to purchase one share of common stock (“Prefunded Warrants”) and (b) one Common Warrant. The price per Class A Unit is $1.525 and the price per Class B Unit is $1.5249 (collectively, the “Offering”). The Common Warrants have an exercise price of $1.40 per share, are exercisable at issuance, and have a term expiring five years from issuance. Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. acted as sole bookrunning manager in connection with this Offering. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 491,803 additional shares of common stock and/or Common Warrants, solely to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions. In connection with the Offering, the Company has elected to reprice approximately one million previously issued warrants to $1.40 per share. The gross proceeds from the Offering to the Company, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other Offering expenses and excluding any proceeds that may be received upon the exercise of the Common Warrants and the exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares of common stock and/or Common Warrants, were approximately $5 million. The Company currently intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering primarily to fund our Phase 1 clinical trial of PALI-2108, pre-clinical studies, research and development, and working capital. The securities were offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282883), which was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 12, 2024. The securities may be offered only by means of a prospectus which forms part of the effective registration statement. A preliminary prospectus describing the terms of the Offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov . A final prospectus relating to this Offering was filed by the Company with the SEC. Electronic copies of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, when available, may also be obtained by contacting Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Prospectus Department, 640 Fifth Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10019 or by email at prospectus@ladenburg.com . This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sales of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. About Palisade Bio Palisade Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and advancing novel therapeutics for patients living with autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases. The Company believes that by using a targeted approach with its novel therapeutics it will transform the treatment landscape. For more information, please go to www.palisadebio.com . Forward Looking Statements This communication contains “forward-looking” statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the over-allotment option. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, the intended use of net proceeds from the Offering, the extent of our cash runway; our ability to successfully develop our licensed technologies; the timing and outcome of our current and anticipated applications and studies related to our product candidates; estimates about the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates, and our ability to serve those markets, including any potential revenue generated; future regulatory, judicial, and legislative changes or developments in the United States (U.S.) and foreign countries and the impact of these changes; our ability to maintain the Nasdaq listing of our securities; our ability to build a commercial infrastructure in the U.S. and other markets; our ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; our ability to identify and qualify manufacturers to provide API and manufacture drug product; our ability to enter into commercial supply agreements; the success of competing technologies that are or may become available; our ability to attract and retain key scientific or management personnel; the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; our ability to obtain funding for our operations; our ability to attract collaborators and strategic partnerships; and the impact of any global event on our business, and operations, and supply. Any statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to advance its nonclinical and clinical programs, the uncertain and time-consuming regulatory approval process; and the Company’s ability to secure additional financing to fund future operations and development of its product candidates. Additional risks and uncertainties can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 26, 2024, and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other SEC filings that are filed thereafter, including the Registration Statement on Form S-1. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company 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 the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. Investor Relations Contact JTC Team, LLC Jenene Thomas 908-824-0775 PALI@jtcir.comBrookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms market

Meta Platforms Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms marketJ.K. Dobbins and Alohi Gilman are placed on injured reserve by Chargers EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — J.K. Dobbins will miss at least the next four games after the Los Angeles Chargers placed the running back on injured reserve Saturday. Canadian Press Nov 30, 2024 1:32 PM Nov 30, 2024 1:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — J.K. Dobbins will miss at least the next four games after the Los Angeles Chargers placed the running back on injured reserve Saturday. The team also placed safety Alohi Gilman on injured reserve and signed safety Tony Jefferson to the active roster. Dobbins sprained the MCL in his left knee late in the first half of the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday. Dobbins is fourth in the AFC in rushing with 766 yards and averages 4.8 yards per carry, third highest among AFC running backs with at least 100 carries. He has been considered among the candidates for AP Comeback Player of the Year after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in last season’s opener. Gus Edwards will be counted on to be the lead back in Dobbins' absence. Edwards missed four games during the middle of the season because of an ankle injury and has 25 carries for 93 yards in three games since returning to the lineup. The Chargers are 7-4 and hold the sixth seed in the AFC going into Sunday's game at NFC South leader Atlanta (6-5). Los Angeles is at Kansas City (10-1) in a prime-time game on Dec. 8, hosts Tampa Bay (5-6) on Dec. 15 and Denver (7-5) on Dec. 19. Gilman suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to the Ravens. He has 47 tackles, which is fifth on the team, along with one sack. Los Angeles also elevated cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Bills activate linebacker Matt Milano ahead of their game against 49ers Nov 30, 2024 1:22 PM Chiefs keep winning despite an O-line problem that has wreaked havoc with their offense Nov 30, 2024 10:00 AM Bucs QB Baker Mayfield looks to remain unbeaten against the Panthers, who cut him in 2022 Nov 30, 2024 9:30 AM

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) Price Target Raised to $133.00

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Wynn Resorts, Limited ( NASDAQ:WYNN – Free Report ) by 13.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,058 shares of the casino operator’s stock after buying an additional 1,416 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.’s holdings in Wynn Resorts were worth $1,156,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Wynn Resorts in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Wynn Resorts by 556.0% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 551 shares of the casino operator’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 467 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in Wynn Resorts in the second quarter valued at approximately $51,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Wynn Resorts by 25.1% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 828 shares of the casino operator’s stock valued at $74,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Wynn Resorts by 17.5% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 895 shares of the casino operator’s stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. 68.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Transactions at Wynn Resorts In other Wynn Resorts news, Director Patricia Mulroy sold 2,650 shares of Wynn Resorts stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.73, for a total value of $208,634.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 5,689 shares in the company, valued at $447,894.97. The trade was a 31.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . 0.52% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wynn Resorts Stock Performance Wynn Resorts ( NASDAQ:WYNN – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The casino operator reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.01 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.73 billion. Wynn Resorts had a negative return on equity of 61.16% and a net margin of 13.37%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.99 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Wynn Resorts, Limited will post 4.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wynn Resorts Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.06%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 15th. Wynn Resorts’s dividend payout ratio is presently 12.33%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have weighed in on WYNN. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Wynn Resorts from $112.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on shares of Wynn Resorts from $122.00 to $118.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Wynn Resorts from $92.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Macquarie reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $120.00 target price on shares of Wynn Resorts in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Wynn Resorts from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $115.71. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WYNN Wynn Resorts Profile ( Free Report ) Wynn Resorts, Limited designs, develops, and operates integrated resorts. The company operates through four segments: Wynn Palace, Wynn Macau, Las Vegas Operations, and Encore Boston Harbor. The Wynn Palace segment operates private gaming salons and sky casinos; a luxury hotel tower with suites, and villas, including a health club, spa, salon, and pool; food and beverage outlets; retail space; meeting and convention space; and performance lake and floral art displays. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Wynn Resorts Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wynn Resorts and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Senators Ron Wyden and Eric Schmitt are putting pressure on the Department of Defense (DoD) over what they’re calling a major security blunder: failing to protect its phone communications from foreign spies. In , they didn’t hold back, pointing to the recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack by Chinese hackers as a glaring wake-up call. “Despite repeated warnings from experts and Congress,” the letter reads, “this successful espionage campaign should finally serve as a wake-up call to officials across the federal government who failed to shore up the government’s communications security”. If you haven’t been following, Salt Typhoon swiping sensitive call records and even private communications involving big political figures like President-elect Trump and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The DoD is pouring billions into its Spiral 4 wireless services contract, but the same carriers it relies on—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile—were hacked during the Salt Typhoon breach. The senators argue that the DoD isn’t leveraging its massive buying power to demand better security from these companies, and worse, it hasn’t fully audited the carriers’ cybersecurity measures. A big part of this comes down to SS7, an . SS7 is notoriously easy to exploit. Bad actors can use it to intercept calls, track phone locations, or steal text messages—all without ever touching the target’s phone. Fixing SS7 vulnerabilities depends on telecom companies taking action, but the DoD doesn't appear to be pressuring them to do so. This isn’t the first time spy games have targeted U.S. military communications. Past breaches exploited weak telecom protocols to . The DoD has tried encryption and other tech workarounds, but location tracking through SS7 remains an Achilles’ heel, according to the senators’ findings. The letter also highlights how other nations, like the UK and Ukraine, are taking proactive steps to secure their networks. Yet the DoD remains cautious, saying that mandating these measures across U.S. carriers might not yield significant improvements. The senators also criticized the DoD for still using insecure landlines and platforms like Microsoft Teams that aren’t encrypted by default. While some parts of the military are testing out more secure systems like Matrix, , those efforts are limited, leaving most people stuck with potentially insecure tools.

It is no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are actively seeking to bolster their frontcourt depth behind Anthony Davis. In the recent few weeks, rumors have swirled around Jonas Valanciunas , who has emerged as a primary target. Despite having two years remaining on his contract, Valanciunas is a highly sought-after player. More recently another option has surfaced in the rumor mill. The Chicago Bulls are rumored to be open to all offers on 34-year-old center Nikola Vucevic and the Lakers are a team that has been interested in making an offer for him. Lakers Targeting Valancuiunas and Vucevic Valanciunas has averaged 20 minutes off the bench and in that time he averages 12 points, 2.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game. He also adds 5.3 defensive rebounds per game while on the court. The defensive rebounding fills a large gulf that exists between Davis (9) and James (7.1) and the next best rebounder, Rui Hachimura (3.3). While Valanciunas would be a solid option for the Lakers, Vucevic is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 21 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 58.7% from the field and 47.4% from three-point range. While both can help on offense, they don’t move the needle on defense, with both posting defensive ratings toward the bottom of their respective position. While a scoring bench center is sorely needed, the Lakers’ defense is rated 26th among the 30 teams. League sources suggest the Lakers are prepared to explore trade options involving D’Angelo Russell and multiple second-round picks to acquire a bench center. While the specifics of any potential deal remain uncertain, it’s clear that the Lakers are actively pursuing avenues to improve this position and contend for a championship. This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.TOKYO, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: MRM) announces that its subsidiary MEDIROM MOTHER Labs Inc. raised to date an aggregate total of 260.3 million yen (approximtaely USD $ [1.7] million calculated at an exchange rate of JPY[153.64] to US$1) at a pre-money equity valuation of JPY9 billion (approximately USD $ [58.6] million calculated at an exchange rate of JPY[153.64] to US$1) in its Series A equity financing. NFES Technologies Inc. is the lead investor in the financing round, and several public companies in Japan, including M3, Inc. (TOKYO PRIME: 2413) and Elematec Corporation (TOKYO PRIME: 2715), as well as certain individual investors are also participating. The Series A equity financing round is still ongoing. MEDIROM MOTHER Labs has closed financings with six investors to date and intends to conclude the financing round by December 31, 2024. “We are very excited that our MEDIROM MOTHER Labs subsidiary has received such significant validation from strategic partners as our lead investor NFES Technologies Inc. as well as M3,Inc and Elematec Corporation. The pre money valuation of 9 billion yen is approximately multiples of MEDIROM’s current NASDAQ listing market capitalization which I believe further validates our technology, business model and growth potential.” said Kouji. The MOTHER Bracelet® is currently in commercialization. From July 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024, MEDIROM MOTHER Labs received purchase orders for an aggregate of over 25,000 units from its B2B sales channel. “We believe the MOTHER Bracelet® to be the world’s first fitness tracker that requires no electric charging by utilizing an innovative technology that enables the user’s body heat to generate electricity. We co-developed it with Matrix Industries, based in Silicon Valley and believe its features are cutting-edge technology with rich features and ease of use to track fitness levels, sleep patterns, pulse and body temperature We will continue to target markets such as hospitals, nursing homes and gyms, where such data is vital,” said Yoshio Uekusa, CEO of MEDIROM MOTHER Labs. ABOUT MEDIROM MOTHER Labs Inc. A subsidiary of MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: MRM) (“MEDIROM”), MEDIROM Mother Labs Inc. focuses on the health-tech sector. The company’s core activities include the "Specific Health Guidance Program" offered through the "Lav" health application and development and sales of the 24/7 recharge-free MOTHER Bracelet®︎ smart tracker. By leveraging the features of the recharge-free MOTHER Bracelet®︎, MOTHER Labs offers customizable health management solutions across diverse sectors, including caregiving, logistics, manufacturing, and similar industries. Forward-Looking Statements Regarding MEDIROM and MOTHER Labs Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates or expectations about MEDIROM’s possible or assumed operational results, financial condition, business strategies and plans, market opportunities, competitive position, industry environment, and potential growth opportunities. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “design,” “target,” “aim,” “hope,” “expect,” “could,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “goal,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements relate to future events or to MEDIROM’s future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause MEDIROM’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond MEDIROM’s control and which could, and likely will, affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects MEDIROM’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MEDIROM’s operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release include: More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect MEDIROM’s business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price is included in MEDIROM’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” sections of MEDIROM’s most recently filed periodic report on Form 20-F and subsequent filings, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . MEDIROM assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. NASDAQ Symbol: MRM Tradepia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan Web https://medirom.co.jp/en Contact: ir@medirom.co.jp MEDIROM MOTHER Labs Inc. Tradepia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan For more information visit: https://mother-bracelet.com

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