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By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.Rxsight's co-president Ilya Goldshleger sells $143,078 in stock
Ancelotti says Bellingham is 'fine' after Real Madrid midfielder substituted with apparent leg issueThe iconic life simulation game, The Sims , is undergoing a revolutionary change that promises to redefine virtual storytelling. As EA Maxis explores the integration of cutting-edge AI technology, the game might soon allow its characters to develop unique personalities and relationships based on unscripted interactions, offering players a more immersive and unpredictable gameplay experience. Unpredictable Personalities Traditionally, The Sims has allowed players to control their Sims’ actions and destiny within pre-set boundaries. Now, with the potential inclusion of advanced machine learning algorithms, Sims could autonomously develop traits and behaviors based on real-time interactions, access to broader datasets, and even learning from the player’s previous decisions. This innovation would mark a significant leap from static character arcs to dynamic personality modeling. Social Evolution in Virtual Worlds The proposed AI advancements could revolutionize social interactions within the game. Imagine a Sim who unexpectedly develops an introverted trait due to past experiences, or two Sims who become friends because their virtual personalities genuinely align. This unpredictable social evolution could provide players with a fresh layer of complexity and surprise, making every new game a unique narrative. The Future of Gaming Experiences The incorporation of AI technology into The Sims isn’t just about character development; it hints at the broader future of gaming experiences. As game environments become more intelligent and capable of adapting to player behavior, they could evolve into spaces that offer not just entertainment, but genuine personal growth and exploration—a teasing glimpse into the future of gaming. The Sims: Unveiling the Future of AI-Driven Gameplay Overview: The Next Phase for The Sims As EA Maxis embarks on a journey to revolutionize its iconic life simulation game, The Sims , the integration of AI is set to redefine virtual storytelling. This innovation promises a new era where the game’s characters could develop distinct personalities and relationships through unscripted interactions, offering players an unprecedented level of immersion and surprise. Exploring AI-Driven Personalities The hallmark of The Sims has always been player control over their characters’ lives. However, with cutting-edge machine learning algorithms on the horizon, Sims may soon evolve autonomously. This means that characters could develop traits and behaviors based on real-time interactions, drawing from vast datasets and the player’s historical gameplay decisions. This dynamic personality modeling would transform the game from its traditional, static narratives to a more dynamic and realistic simulation. Social Dynamics: A New Layer of Complexity One of the most exciting potential shifts is the transformation of social interactions within the game. Sims might start developing unexpected traits, such as introversion from past negative social encounters. Additionally, relationships could form authentically based on actual personality alignment. This would not only inject complexity into gameplay but ensure that each player’s narrative is unique, adding a layer of personal investment and surprise. Predictions: The Future of Gaming and AI The implications of AI integration extend beyond character development, hinting at the broader evolution of gaming. By making game environments more intelligent and responsive to player behavior, gaming could become a platform for personal growth and exploration. The potential of these intelligent systems teases a future where interactive media becomes as much about enriching personal narratives as it is about entertainment. Market Analysis and Trends In terms of market trends, incorporating AI in gaming aligns with the broader industry move towards more personalized and adaptive gaming experiences. As players increasingly seek games that offer rich narratives and authenticity, games like The Sims that leverage AI could see significant growth in popularity and user engagement. Innovations and Compatibility One of the major areas of innovation is expected to be compatibility enhancements, allowing seamless integration across various devices and platforms. This could significantly broaden the game’s appeal, accommodating diverse player preferences and technological ecosystems. Conclusion: A New Era Awaits As The Sims explores these AI advancements, it sets a precedent for the future of gaming. By offering richly detailed, intelligent gameplay experiences, it could redefine player expectations and inspire a wave of innovation across the gaming industry. For more information, you can visit the official Electronic Arts website.
SAN FRANCISCO , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidTranslate.org announces the strategic integration of three leading language resource platforms into its comprehensive translation services ecosystem. The company has partnered with Languages Without Limits ( www.languageswithoutlimits.co.uk ), Workshop on Immigrant Languages ( www.workshoponimmigrantlanguages.org ), and Arctic Languages ( www.arcticlanguages.com ) to enhance its educational and research offerings while maintaining these platforms' valuable existing resources. This integration coincides with RapidTranslate.org 's significant expansion into the European market, where the company now provides certified translations in over 60 languages across Germany , France , Spain , Italy , and the United Kingdom . This dual focus on educational resources and certified translations reinforces RapidTranslate.org 's position as a trusted global language services provider. Key Highlights of RapidTranslate.org 's Offerings: Comprehensive Language Support: Enhanced educational and research resources through the integration of three respected language platforms, serving educators, researchers, and language enthusiasts worldwide. Certified Translations: Professional translation services for official and legal documents, backed by a 100% USCIS acceptance guarantee. Global Reach: Expanded European presence supporting individuals, families, businesses, and professionals across key markets. A Leader in Certified Translations RapidTranslate.org delivers professional translations for immigration documentation, legal submissions, business contracts, and academic records. Every document is processed by experienced human translators to ensure linguistic and cultural accuracy. Services include: "By creating a centralized hub for both language resources and certified translation services, we're meeting the evolving needs of our increasingly connected world," says CEO and founder of RapidTranslate.org . "Our expansion into Europe represents our commitment to providing accessible, professional language services to a global audience." Supporting a Multilingual World RapidTranslate.org continues to advance its mission of fostering global communication through its combination of advanced technology and professional human expertise. With over 350,000 successfully translated documents and a growing repository of language learning resources, RapidTranslate.org remains dedicated to quality, security, and accessibility in language services. About RapidTranslate.org Founded in 2020, RapidTranslate.org has grown from a specialized translation service to a comprehensive language solutions provider. The company serves clients ranging from individual immigrants to Fortune 500 companies, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and security in document translation while advancing language education and research. Connect with RapidTranslate.org : Website: www.rapidtranslate.org View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rapidtranslateorg-centralizes-language-resources-and-expands-certified-translation-services-globally-302314613.html SOURCE Rapid Translate
Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the move aims to drive “real improvements” for disabled people, whom the ministers will be encouraged to engage with on a regular basis. He told the Commons: “I am very pleased to be able to announce today the appointment of new lead ministers for disability in each Government department, they will represent the interests of disabled people, champion disability inclusion and accessibility within their departments. “I’m going to chair regular meetings with them and will encourage them to engage directly with disabled people and their representative organisations, as they take forward their departmental priorities. “And I look forward to this new group of lead ministers for disability together driving real improvements across Government for disabled people.” This came during an adjournment debate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling raised concerns about “floating bus stops”, which have a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement. Intervening, the MP for Torbay, who is registered blind, said: “The Government needs to ban floating bus stops.” Sir Stephen said: “I do think this issue about floating bus stops is an important issue which we need to work across Government to reflect on.” Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who led the debate, had earlier criticised the lack of accessibility for disabled people on trains. The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP said: “Our train network does not have level access, and we heard Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson from the other place make this plea back in the summer, absolutely outrageous what she was put through. “But I was absolutely shocked to find, when I had a presentation of the TransPennine route upgrade, that the rolling stock yet to be commissioned is not going to provide that level access. “It’s absolute nonsense, it’s not even in the design of that procurement, so we must do better than this.”In a statement on their social media pages, the Premier League club wrote: "West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident. "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time. The Club will issue an update in due course." No details of the player's condition or further information about the incident have yet been given. Club Statement West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time. The Club will issue an update in due course. Several clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have replied to West Ham's statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), sending their best wishes to Antonio, . The Premier League also replied adding the "thoughts and prayers" of everyone at the organisation are with "Antonio, his family, friends and all at West Ham". West Ham were not involved in a Premier League match today (Saturday, December 7) and are currently scheduled to host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening (December 9). Antonion, 34, joined the London club in 2015 and is West Ham's top scorer in the Premier League with 68 goals. He began his career with non-league Tooting and Mitcham, before moving into the professional ranks with Reading. After stints at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, he then made the move to West Ham.3 Monster Stocks to Hold for the Next 10 Years
These results were presented today after market close at an AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research. The company will also hold a webinar on December 10 at 6:30 AM MT / 8:30 AM ET / 1:30 PM GMT to present the preliminary data broadcast from Recursion's X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube accounts with an opportunity to submit questions here . "Cell cycle dysregulation and transcriptional 'addiction' are both hallmarks of many aggressive cancers," said David Hallett, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Recursion. "By inhibiting CDK7, we have the potential to target both mechanisms while fine tuning the therapeutic index. Using our precision design platform, we created a molecule with rapid oral absorption to reduce GI tissue exposure, a suitable half life to manage side effects, and target engagement covering the IC80 level." ELUCIDATE is an ongoing Phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of REC-617 in patients with advanced solid tumors. As of the November 15, 2024 data cutoff, preliminary findings include 18 patients with advanced solid tumors who were response evaluable in the monotherapy dose-escalation phase. Doses ranged from 2 mg to 20 mg once daily (QD) and 1 mg twice daily (BID). REC-617 was generally well-tolerated across all dose levels, with no discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs). Adverse events to date were predominately Grade 1-2, on-target, and reversible. An MTD has not yet been reached. While efficacy was not an endpoint in this Phase 1 study, or anticipated in monotherapy, a confirmed durable partial response (PR) by RECIST on REC-617 monotherapy was achieved in a patient with metastatic, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The response is on-going after more than 6 months of treatment. This patient had progressed following 4 lines of prior therapy in the advanced setting. In addition, four patients achieved a best response of stable disease (SD) across multiple dose levels for up to 6 months of treatment. "These initial findings for REC-617 represent an exciting step forward in the development of CDK7 inhibitors, with a favorable PK/PD profile and a durable confirmed partial response observed in dose escalation in a highly pre-treated patient population," said Najat Khan, Ph.D., Chief R&D Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Recursion. "Designed using our AI-powered OS platform, REC-617 reflects our focus on enhancing the therapeutic index to deliver more effective and safer treatment options for patients. We are eager to continue this momentum in dose escalation and to initiate the next phase of the program next year." In parallel to the ongoing monotherapy dose escalation (QD and BID), combination studies are expected to initiate for ELUCIDATE in H1, 2025. The company expects to present additional ELUCIDATE as well as preclinical REC-617 data at future medical meetings. Summary of Interim REC-617 Monotherapy Dose Escalation Results Study Design & Demographics REC-617 is a potential best-in-class CDK7 inhibitor, precision designed using AI-led approaches, with only 136 novel molecule synthesized from hit to candidate identification in less than 12 months. The molecule is designed to maximize its therapeutic index by enabling the tight control of both the extent and duration of target inhibition. CDK7 inhibition combines many potential benefits such as transcription inhibition, reduction of aberrant kinome activation, cell cycle inhibition, and modulation of estrogen receptor activity. This makes it an attractive target to overcome common resistance pathways associated with CDK4/6 inhibition, which only targets the cell cycle. About ELUCIDATE REC-617 is currently being evaluated as a monotherapy in the ELUCIDATE trial. ELUCIDATE is a multicenter, open-label, two-stage clinical trial to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of REC-617 in advanced solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, head and neck cancer. Both the monotherapy and combination therapy dose escalation portion of the trial will enroll patients across multiple dose levels to determine the optimal biological dose (OBD). The dose expansion phase of the trial will commence upon identification of the OBD. The primary efficacy endpoint of the expansion phase is objective response rate (ORR). About Recursion Recursion (NASDAQ: RXRX) is a clinical stage TechBio company leading the space by decoding biology to radically improve lives. Enabling its mission is the Recursion OS, a platform built across diverse technologies that continuously generate one of the world's largest proprietary biological and chemical datasets. Recursion leverages sophisticated machine-learning algorithms to distill from its dataset a collection of trillions of searchable relationships across biology and chemistry unconstrained by human bias. By commanding massive experimental scale - up to millions of wet lab experiments weekly - and massive computational scale - owning and operating one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, Recursion is uniting technology, biology and chemistry to advance the future of medicine. Recursion is headquartered in Salt Lake City, where it is a founding member of BioHive, the Utah life sciences industry collective. Recursion also has offices in Toronto, Montréal, New York, London, Oxford area, and the San Francisco Bay area. Learn more at www.Recursion.com , or connect on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. Media Contact [email protected] Investor Contact [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This document contains information that includes or is based upon "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, those regarding the potential efficacy of REC-617; timing of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of REC-617; early and late stage discovery, preclinical, and clinical programs; licenses and collaborations; prospective products and their potential future indications and market opportunities; Recursion OS and other technologies; business and financial plans and performance; and all other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may or may not include identifying words such as "plan,” "will,” "expect,” "anticipate,” "intend,” "believe,” "potential,” "continue,” and similar terms. These statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements, including but not limited to: challenges inherent in pharmaceutical research and development, including the timing and results of preclinical and clinical programs, where the risk of failure is high and failure can occur at any stage prior to or after regulatory approval due to lack of sufficient efficacy, safety considerations, or other factors; our ability to leverage and enhance our drug discovery platform; our ability to obtain financing for development activities and other corporate purposes; the success of our collaboration activities; our ability to obtain regulatory approval of, and ultimately commercialize, drug candidates; our ability to obtain, maintain, and enforce intellectual property protections; cyberattacks or other disruptions to our technology systems; our ability to attract, motivate, and retain key employees and manage our growth; inflation and other macroeconomic issues; and other risks and uncertainties such as those described under the heading "Risk Factors” in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements are based on management's current estimates, projections, and assumptions, and Recursion undertakes no obligation to correct or update any such statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Nvidia almost produced an x86 CPU to rival AMD and Intel, but was forced to move to Arm due to 'certain legal issues'
Terns pharmaceuticals CEO Amy Burroughs acquires $110,467 in stockWorld's First Voice-Activated Platform That Books and Manages Trips- Hotels and restaurants -With Cultural Finesse SHIBUYA, Japan, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BeyondBrain, a visionary force in travel technology, proudly introduces Lumi AI Travel Agent , the world's first voice-activated platform designed to fully secure hotels worldwide, and reserve tables at select restaurants in Thailand and Japan-all through a simple, natural conversation. Lumi doesn't just make recommendations; it executes them. With this groundbreaking solution, the era of juggling multiple websites or struggling with foreign-language bookings is over. "Lumi is a genuine industry first,” says the BeyondBrain Marketing Team. "It does more than streamline travel-it humanizes it. By speaking naturally, travelers tap into a global concierge that not only handles bookings and itinerary changes, but also respects cultural nuances, transforming every trip into a more meaningful, personal experience.” Global Convenience with Local Nuance Lumi signals a new era in global exploration. Perfect for cultural enthusiasts seeking authenticity, efficiency-driven professionals with complex schedules, and spontaneous adventurers hungry for their next thrill, Lumi's immersive and intuitive approach fundamentally redefines travel. Beta Opportunity for Early Adopters: BeyondBrain is currently welcoming beta testers to experience Lumi before its public launch. The first 1,000 users who sign up will gain early access on a first-come, first-served basis, enjoying exclusive features and the chance to help shape Lumi's future enhancements. For more information, visit www.lum-i.com . Media Contact: BeyondBrain Marketing Team [email protected] About BeyondBrain Founded in 2023, BeyondBrain is a cutting-edge technology solutions company reshaping the travel landscape through AI innovation. With Lumi-its pioneering AI travel platform-BeyondBrain sets new standards for planning, managing, and experiencing journeys worldwide. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8a056a9-ab18-4da4-8efc-2c39c10a7b99
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( ) shares are under pressure on Tuesday morning. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 stock is down 10% to $19.78. Why is this ASX 200 stock tumbling? Investors have been selling the financial services company's shares today after a from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) cast doubts on the $2.175 billion sale of its Wealth Management and Corporate Trust businesses to KKR. According to the release, following ongoing and extensive engagement with the ATO, Perpetual has now received written views from the tax office. This is in relation to the tax treatment of the transaction that inform Perpetual's updated assessment of the estimated net cash proceeds to shareholders, if the scheme is implemented. The ATO has informed Perpetual that section 45B of the Income Tax Assessment Act of 1936 would apply to the scheme. This would mean that the entire cash return would be deemed to be an assessable unfranked dividend for shareholders and taxed at the applicable rate for each shareholder. In addition, the Commissioner has declined to provide Perpetual with a binding ruling that Part IVA will not apply and has also indicated that it cannot rule out that it will apply Part IVA. What's the damage? The ASX 200 stock notes that if the above were to apply, the assessed primary tax liability for Perpetual is estimated to be $488 million, without including any additional penalties and interest. This is significantly more than its previous estimate of $106 million to $227 million. As a result, the estimated cash proceeds to shareholders for the transaction would reduce from between $8.38 and $9.82 per share, as previously announced, to just $5.74 to $6.42 per share. Extremely disappointed In response to the news, the company said: Perpetual is extremely disappointed and disagrees with the Commissioner's views. Based on strong advice from relevant tax experts, including Senior Counsel, and following extensive Board testing and consideration, Perpetual continues to be of the view that the provisions should not apply. In Perpetual's assessment of the Scheme, it noted numerous previous scheme transactions that had been undertaken in a similar manner. However, it concedes that it may not be able to appeal the ruling given the impact it could have on the transaction and capital return. It adds: Perpetual considers it has strong grounds to dispute this position. However, to do so, Perpetual would need to withhold sufficient funds to cover the ATO's asserted corporate tax liability amount from any shareholder proceeds under the Scheme until completion of that process, which would be protracted, would only commence once Perpetual was assessed and there would be no certainty of the outcome. Perpetual and KKR are now engaging to consider the potential impact on the transaction. Is the transaction in danger? In recent days, Bell Potter suggested that this tax ruling could put the transaction at risk if it were not favourable. Though, it doesn't necessarily see this as a bad outcome. It said: If the ATO are pushing for more than $227m, then this should be put to shareholders, who could potentially vote against the Scheme. This might sound bad, but the equity market is now around 10% higher than it was in May, when KKR's price of $2,175m was agreed. These are good businesses and given the market, should be worth more now. Retaining them, and the Perpetual brand may be a preferable outcome to paying more than $227m in tax to the ATO.Terns pharmaceuticals CEO Amy Burroughs acquires $110,467 in stockKash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI director, unofficially begins his confirmation process with a firm footing as some Republican senators already support him, and others are expressing an open mind. The Allbritton Journalism Insitute (NOTUS) reported Monday night that all GOP Senators appear to be headed into Patel’s confirmation process with an open mind at a minimum. Establishment centrist Republican Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) indicated on Monday that they would head into hearings impartially, which is a contrast to their public opposition to former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) when he was the nominee for attorney general weeks ago. “I don’t know his background,” Collins remarked of Patel, per NOTUS. “He is the nominee that I will have to do a lot of work on.” Murkowski did not rule out supporting Patel in her statement to reporters. “I’ve said I’m not going to comment about any of these nominees,” Murkowski said. “Because when one has not slept, it’s really not wise to speak.” For reference, both women seemed aghast when speaking about Gaetz as the attorney general nominee. “I was shocked that he has been nominated,” Collins said of Gaetz, per CNN. “If the nomination proceeds, I’m sure that there will be an extensive background check by the FBI and public hearings and a lot of questions asked.” “I don’t think it is a serious nomination for the attorney general,” Murkowski told reporters, the Daily Beast noted. “We need to have a serious attorney general, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. This one was not on my bingo card.” While some senators expressed open-mindedness regarding Patel, others are already backing him or predicting he will get confirmed. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) fully supports Patel, per NOTUS, while Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) during an appearance on CBS News’s Face the Nation on Sunday forecast Patel, “a very strong nominee,” will “be confirmed by the Senate” With a 52-seat majority until Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) appoints a successor for president-elect JD Vance (R-OH), Republicans can only afford to lose the support of two senators for a particular nominee, assuming all Democrats vote against him or her. In addition to support among senators, Patel also has strong support among many FBI agents, according to retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jeff Danik. Danik told Just the News’s John Solomon Reports podcast on Monday that Patel “is completely and 100% qualified to run that organization” and is the choice needed to lead the bureau. Patel boasts a robust resume. He has served as senior adviser to the Director of National Intelligence, chief of staff at the Pentagon, and leading attorney for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). He also headed up counter-terrorism activities for the White House in Trump’s first term and previously worked as a public defender and prosecutor.
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New Delhi : The US denied the Bharatiya Janata Party’s allegations accusing the country over recent controversies about Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani, on Saturday, December 7. The BJP had blamed that organisations funded by the US State Department and elements in the American “deep state” were behind attempts to destabilise India through targeted attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani, on Saturday, . A spokesperson at the US embassy described the allegations as “disappointing” and asserted that the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world. “It’s disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations,” the US embassy spokesperson said. “The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations,” the official said. The OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a media platform that largely focuses on stories relating to crime and corruption. The BJP had referred to a French media report and said it revealed that OCCRP is funded by the US State Department’s USAID, along with other “deep state figures” like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation. “The United States has long been a champion of media freedom around the world. A free and independent press is an essential component of any democracy, enabling informed and constructive debate and holding those in power accountable,” the US embassy official said. The BJP alleged on Thursday that the US deep state colluded with the media portal OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to “damage” India’s image. The BJP had cited Gandhi’s use of reports by OCCRP to attack the Adani Group and to accuse it of having closeness with the government. Last month, US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar and other defendants for paying over USD 250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than USD 2 billion in profit. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as “baseless”. The opposition Congress demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations and accused the government of shielding the businessman. In an unprecedented criticism of the the US State Department, the BJP said on Thursday, “French investigative media group Mediapart revealed that OCCRP is funded by the U.S. State Department’s USAID, as well as other deep state figures like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation.” “In fact, 50% of OCCRP’s funding comes directly from the U.S. State Department. OCCRP, therefore, functions as a media tool for carrying out deep state agendas,” the party said in a series of posts on X. “A French investigative journalist has revealed that the US govt controls the media organization OCCRP, dictating that any story it ran was influenced & lacked genuine backing. But what is its connection with Congress?” one of the posts said.
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