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Israel launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with HezbollahNEW YORK (Reuters) - Facebook owner Meta Platforms will face trial in April over the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's allegations that the social media platform bought Instagram and WhatsApp to crush emerging competition, a judge in Washington said on Monday. The FTC sued in 2020, during the Trump administration, alleging the company acted illegally to maintain a monopoly on personal social networks. Meta, then known as Facebook, overpaid for Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 to eliminate nascent threats instead of competing on its own in the mobile ecosystem, the FTC claims. Judge James Boasberg set trial in the case for April 14. Boasberg earlier this month rejected Meta's argument that the case should be dismissed as it depends on an overly narrow view of social media markets. The lawsuit does not account for competition from ByteDance's TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube, X, and Microsoft's LinkedIn, Meta had argued. Boasberg said that while the case should go forward to trial, "time and technological change pose serious challenges" to the FTC's market definition. "The Commission faces hard questions about whether its claims can hold up in the crucible of trial. Indeed, its positions at times strain this country's creaking antitrust precedents to their limits," the judge said in the Nov. 13 ruling. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)Autry scores 16 as George Washington downs Illinois State 72-64

Buying a house in 2025: your how-to guideNoneA water taxi travels on the Fraser River past cargo containers stacked at Fraser Surrey Docks below houses on a hill, in Surrey, B.C., on Nov. 4. DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press Daniel Schwanen is senior vice-president at the C.D. Howe Institute. Ari Van Assche is a fellow-in-residence with the institute and co-director of the International Institute for Economic Diplomacy at HEC Montréal. They are the authors of the institute’s recent report “The Reconfiguration of Global Supply Chains.” The supply chains serving Canadian markets cannot seem to catch a break. Over the past five years, they have been battered by global economic uncertainties, due diligence legislations and domestic logistical bottlenecks. Now, with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump vowing to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on all imports from Canada as soon as he takes office, and our government poised to retaliate , these supply chain troubles are bound to persist. While countries such as the United States and Australia have already adopted national supply chain strategies to enhance the security and resilience of their supply chains, Canada remains behind. This lag is concerning and demands swift action. Our government must recognize the urgent need for a comprehensive supply chain strategy that recognizes the vital role of efficient supply chains in this country’s prosperity, de-risks chokepoints that may disrupt the supply of essential goods to Canadian markets and fortifies our position within the critical supply chains that serve our major trading partners. Canada’s supply chain woes have emerged from multiple fronts. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly exposed how breakdowns in distant parts of the supply chain can quickly lead to crippling goods shortages in the Canadian market. Geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S.-China trade war and Mr. Trump’s promise to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico have further complicated supply chain dynamics, compelling businesses to adapt and reconfigure their operations – sometimes through friendshoring and reshoring – to maintain efficiency and competitiveness. Domestically, infrastructure issues and due diligence legislations have compounded these supply chain challenges. Canada’s vast geography and reliance on a limited number of transportation corridors make the country particularly susceptible to disruptions. Rail blockades, port strikes and extreme weather events have all contributed to significant supply chain disruptions that have increased costs for Canadian businesses. Additionally, due diligence laws, such as Canada’s modern slavery act, while necessary, have added further complexity, mandating companies to take concrete steps to “know their suppliers” to prevent human rights and environmental violations within their supply chains. In the face of such persistent challenges, it is imperative for Canada to develop a comprehensive supply chain strategy that can strengthen the efficiency and resiliency of its supply chains. The stakes are high – Canada’s prosperity depends on it. Well-functioning supply chains are key for tackling issues such as affordability, productivity and security, which are essential for improving the standard of living for all Canadians. The cornerstone of Canada’s supply chain strategy must be to invest in and support the formation of open, diverse, reliable and socially responsible international supply chains. For most products, the globalized nature of supply chains is a boon for our prosperity. To further streamline them, we must take concrete actions to facilitate trade both within and across Canadian borders, invest in our aging transportation infrastructure and develop robust traceability standards that can improve our firms’ global supply chain mapping capabilities. De-risking supply chains is vital in strategic industries that are central to our economic stability. To safeguard these sectors from supply chain disruptions, Canada must present an integrated, data-driven approach to its supply chain strategy. The strategy needs to identify those strategic sectors that are vital to our national interests, monitor potential chokepoints within their associated supply chains and determine the preferred risk mitigation strategies. This could include diversifying our supplier base, investing in domestic production capabilities and forging stronger international partnerships. Canada’s supply chain strategy must employ a similar data-driven approach to pinpoint our strongpoints within the critical supply chains that support our major trading partners. By understanding the importance of Canadian products in the supply chains that serve the U.S., China and others such as critical minerals, energy resources, medical technology and automotive components, we can better withstand tariff pledges and shape our strategic engagements with these nations. Investing in these strongpoints not only boosts our economic resilience but also strengthens our position in the global market. Bottom-line: Canada’s supply chains are at a crossroads. They face challenges that are significant, but not insurmountable. By adopting a comprehensive supply chain strategy, the Canadian government can turn these challenges into opportunities. This proactive approach would not only stabilize the current trade environment but also position our country as a resilient and competitive player in the global market. The time for action is now, and with the right strategy Canada can boost its chances for a prosperous economic future.

A thing of beauty may be said to be a joy forever, but it is not one hundred percent true. A thing of beauty may fade, deteriorate, decay and the beauty then begins to decline and vanish. But still, something beautiful is worth hailing while we see it or feel it. Adetshina Ms Chidimma Vanesa Adetshina is the reason for this little homily on beauty today. The 23 year-old law student has beauty and a complicated identity. Her father is a Nigerian of Enugu extraction. Her mother is a Mozambican and she was born in Soweto in South Africa. Soweto has a history that neither South Africans nor the world can afford to forget. The pretty lady who has been living in South Africa was trying to compete for the Miss Universe South Africa in the hope that if she won she would represent that country of her birth in the global Miss Universe competition. But the country that went through hell due to apartheid but which got liberated by the weight of Nigeria’s voice and resources treated her very shabbily. I think the apartheid struggle taught South Africans the wrong lesson, namely that xenophobia was and is an admirable quality. South Africa has treated Nigerians several times as if Nigeria is their enemy, not their enabler. The two countries may be competing politically and economically but that should not deprive them of their humanity or their spirit of brotherhood and adorable co-existence. As two prominent countries in the same continent they have a lot to live for. But that is a story for another day. To cut a long story short South Africa did not let Chidimma to contest in their country. Nigeria invited her to come and contest under the Nigerian flag. She came, she contested, she won. That gave her the opportunity to contest at the global level a couple of weeks ago in Mexico. She did not get the top prize. That went to a 21-year old girl from Denmark, Viktoria Kjaer Theivlig who is a multi-talented beauty, an entrepreneur, a dancer and an animal activist. Our girl Chidimma emerged as the first runner up and the winner for the Africa and Oceania Regions. This is a feat when you realize that there were contestants from 130 countries, a sharp increase from 94 beauties that competed in 2018. This is the second time that Nigeria would win a major beauty pageant. In 2001 Miss Agbani Darego won the Miss World contest. That remains a record for which Nigeria must be proud. Before then no one in Nigeria thought that it was possible for a Nigerian to win a major international beauty contest because there are actually no universally accepted criteria for beauty in the world. Most African women have big buttocks. Most white women have flat buttocks. Most African women are of medium height. Most white women are higher in height. So it can be said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whether the beholder is white or black, tall or short, fat or slim. It is instructive that the white lady who represented South Africa in the competition Mia Le Roux suddenly withdrew from the competition based on alleged “health challenges.” Some online irritants described it as “karma at work.” So South Africa that lost the opportunity of giving Chidimma the chance to feature for them lost out completely because of its xenophobic tendencies. The craze for ethnicity and xenophobia in Africa must be something to agitate the minds of African leaders. While our leaders make grand speeches on African unity at their major conferences they are not interested in working on policies that can cement that unity among Africans. The recent very primitive treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles players and officials in Libya is an ugly example. And on top of the ill-treatment they had the temerity to defend it as something that was done by their government and not their football organization. And to add insult to injury they said their sovereignty must be respected. That would never happen in any of the developed countries some of whom are opening their doors to educated immigrants from other countries to gain the benefits of globalization and universal education. Despite the problem of racism in America, it has produced a Black American President Barack Obama and a non-white Vice President Kamala Harris. Britain has also produced Rishi Sunak who is not a regular British citizen. And even a Nigerian woman Kemi Badenock is now leading a major political party, the Conservative Party in the UK. When will African leaders grow up and accept the fact that the world is becoming a global village with universality of values. The Governor of Enugu State where Chidimma comes from Dr Peter Mbah has made the girl the State’s Brand Ambassador. A good decision because as Mbah said “Chidimma’s story will serve as a beacon of hope to our young people particularly young women.” For me the real beauty apart from the physical beauty of this girl is her perseverance, her tenacity and her resilience. Even as the competition was on some South Africans were writing petitions to the organisers to disqualify our girl. She kept pushing on relentlessly to her goal. She is a determined and focused person. She says to other young people through the BBC. “Don’t give up on your dreams, set those goals for yourself. It might seem too scary, but set them. Always do anything in your power to make you achieve them.” Those words indicate that the real beauty in her is from within. So she is not a peacock with external beauty only. She has complete beauty which will last forever. That complete beauty is made up of her tenacity, perseverance, grace under pressure, resilience and the knowledge that you cannot be a pretty woman without being a source of trouble to the world because every pretty person is a source of envy. And, often, it is not her fault.

NoneOn International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women , President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted that her government is implementing a range of “actions” and making various law changes in favor of gender equality and the protection and strengthening of women’s rights. Speaking at her Monday morning press conference, Sheinbaum also said that her administration is committed to “eradicating” violence against women. The two main tenets of the government’s strategy are “prevention” of violence against women and “zero impunity” for crimes committed, she said. “In the face of any femicide: zero impunity. In the face of sexual violence against women: zero impunity,” Sheinbaum said. Sheinbaum told her morning presser that the government’s women’s rights pamphlet is currently being drawn up and will be unveiled soon. “The pamphlet has to do with the rights enshrined in the constitution, in laws,” she said, adding that it will explain “what equality means” and expose societal prejudices that have an adverse impact on equality. Sheinbaum spoke about some prejudices that remain prevalent in Mexico, such as that women and girls should clear the table at meal times and do the dishes. “Contributing to household chores is a task for everyone,” she said. Sheinbaum also said there is no reason why girls can’t play with cars and marbles and boys can’t play with dolls. “Something as simple” as telling a girl she can’t play with cars can have an impact on her future life, the president said. “Saying ‘you can’t play with this’ or ‘you can’t play with marbles’ ... limits the dreams a girl can have,” she said. Sheinbaum said last month that the government’s women’s rights pamphlet should be distributed to men as well as women because everyone needs to know about women’s rights. One reporter asked Sheinbaum about the impact her ascension to Mexico’s top political position has had on the country. At the conclusion of her question, the journalist noted that a young girl in Chiapas impersonated Mexico’s first female president, or presidenta , at a Revolution Day parade last week. (A video of the girl’s performance went viral on social media.) “Las niñas incorporan a su discurso la nueva visión de la importancia de las mujeres en la vida pública”, resaltó la presidenta @Claudiashein sobre video grabado durante un desfile de la Revolución mexicana en Chiapas. pic.twitter.com/eVe1FMxzyO — Gobierno de México (@GobiernoMX) November 22, 2024 A female president “is a symbol that transforms mindsets,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s not enough [just] with the symbol, we have to develop policy, change the constitution , change legislation and develop actions for the protection and promotion of women’s rights,” she said. “But ... [a female president] is a symbol, when a girl sees a presidenta obviously she can imagine that she too can be a presidenta ,” Sheinbaum said. “... And that represents a change in mindset, and not just in girls, in boys as well, in men as well, it’s a cultural transformation,” she said. Sheinbaum noted that she will attend Rocío Nahle’s inauguration as governor of Veracruz this Sunday. Nahle, federal energy minister during most of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s six-year term, is “a woman of character with many convictions, who loves Veracruz, who loves its people,” the president said. “And I know that she will do a great job. And we’ll be there supporting her with everything she needs,” Sheinbaum said. She also highlighted that the incoming governor, while energy minister “was able to build a refinery” — the new Pemex facility on the Gulf coast of Tabasco . Nahle, a native of the state of Zacatecas, was the ruling Morena party’s candidate in the June 2 gubernatorial election in Veracruz, and won the contest easily with close to 60% of the vote . By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ( [email protected] )

Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban

Ruben Amorim impressed with Arsenal’s corners after first defeat as Man Utd bossThis study evaluated factors affecting the duration of the infusion appointment times for 392 clinical trial patients. We found no significant correlations, although further research is needed. This study identified variables significantly affecting the duration of appointment times for oncology clinical trial patients. Additionally, researchers sought to differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic delays to determine areas needing optimization. Conducted as a single-center, retrospective quality improvement initiative, the study looked at data from adult patients enrolled in oncology clinical trials at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California, from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2022. The analysis involved descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to evaluate factors affecting infusion appointment duration and arrival-to-chair time. Variables included patient age, number of investigational products administered, appointment time (morning vs afternoon), type and phase of the study, pharmacokinetics at chair time, and the use of interactive response technology kit assignment. The study examined 392 individuals and found no significant correlations between the analyzed variables and infusion appointment duration ( = .085-.53) or arrival-to-chair time ( = .085-.93). Although this analysis did not yield definitive results, it highlights the complexity of delays in oncology infusion chair times. The lack of significant correlations suggests intricate interactions among various factors, emphasizing the need for further research to uncover these complexities and optimize appointment efficiency for patients in clinical trials. Image credit: Seventyfour | stock.adobe.com The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC) in Sacramento, California, is a National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center that conducts early-phase clinical trial research, operating hundreds of oncology clinical trials annually. UCDCCC is the main hub for cancer treatment in the Central Valley region. High patient volume has affected the infusion center schedule, leading to a long wait list. Patients who travel long distances, such as from Southern California or out of state, need to complete multiple care-related activities in a single day, including obtaining laboratory tests and seeing their provider, all on top of receiving their cancer treatment. This is especially the case for clinical trial patients seeking care at UCDCCC because their local institution may not conduct clinical trials or be permitted to conduct study-related activities for the trial on which they are enrolled. Typical reasons for extended infusion appointments, from a patient scheduling perspective, include satisfying trial requirements. Examples include accommodating predose and up to 10 hours postdose pharmacokinetic (PK) blood samples, infusions with durations of several hours, extensive postdose observation and monitoring periods, and numerous infusions. Examples of extenuating circumstances faced by many sites, which are not specific to clinical trials themselves, include patients arriving late, clinic providers experiencing delays in starting at the scheduled time, and other infusion patients utilizing a chair longer than expected. Although some of these reasons are consistent with challenges faced by standard of care, several are unique to clinical trials. Irrespective of the reason for prolonged treatment days, it is important to reduce patient chair time and improve care experiences at UCDCCC. Many US and international institutions have experienced similar challenges with infusion center efficiency and attempted to create tools to shorten infusion chair wait times and improve patient satisfaction. Examples include developing simulation models, process mapping, and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. In 2023, a quality improvement (QI) study was performed at UC Davis Health to identify areas of intervention for increased workflow efficiency and decreased infusion chair time for clinical trial patients. This QI project was completed through EPIC (electronic health record software)-generated reports and examined the current workflow by calculating the time intervals for the following: comprehensive metabolic panel and complete blood count laboratory processing, clinical trial medication orders signed by physician to medication verification by pharmacist, patient arrival to study medication dispense, patient arrival to administration of study medication, and the time of appointment (morning [am] or afternoon [pm]). No significant findings were identified, aside from the fact that patients with am appointments waited, on average, 10 minutes longer than patients with pm appointments. It is unclear whether am appointments happened to be generally longer, or because of the complexity of treatment (eg, the patient had multiple study medications administered at the same visit, multiple PK blood draws), these patients were scheduled in the am to ensure treatment could be completed during operating infusion hours. These follow-up study results extend the insights gained from the aforementioned 2023 UC Davis Health study that noted a significant difference between am and pm appointment delays, confirming trends identified in a 2019 study by the Infusion Efficiency Workgroup under the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The study further investigated the variances in infusion chair time optimization for oncology clinical trial patients by comparing the duration of the appointment vs examined variables and arrival-to-chair time vs examined variables to ascertain their impact on the chair time duration. This study was a single-center, retrospective, continuous quality improvement study. An EPIC report was generated for all adult patients with a scheduled infusion clinic appointment between July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2022, who were enrolled in a clinical trial that involved infusion treatment. From the report, the following variables were collected and examined per patient and infusion appointment encounter, with up to the first 3 encounters included for each patient: age, am or pm appointment, type of study, phase of the study, requiring PK blood draw at chair time, requiring investigational product (IP) supply allocated by interactive response technology (IRT) kit assignment, and number of IPs administered. The primary objective was to determine any variable(s) that significantly affects the duration of the appointment time for oncology clinical trial patients. The secondary objective was to determine whether the intrinsic delay from the variable(s) differs from the extrinsic delay that needs optimization. Examples of intrinsic variables include type of study (industry, national, investigator-initiated), phase of study (eg, phase 1, 2, 3, 4), requiring PK blood draw at chair time, requiring IP IRT kit assignment, and number of IPs administered; these are inherent to the clinical trial process and not directly controllable by the clinical team and are not changeable (as is age). Extrinsic variables are am/pm appointment times and arrival-to-chair time, which reflect elements that may require external optimization. To compare the 2 types of delays, we examined arrival-to-chair time (extrinsic variable) to all mentioned intrinsic variables. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. This included calculating continuous variables’ mean, median, SD, and range. Frequency and percentage were used for categorical variables. These descriptive analyses helped to understand the general characteristics of the data set and the distribution of appointment durations. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the dependent variable (duration of appointment time) and the independent variables (am/pm appointment, type of study, phase of study, requiring PK blood draw at chair time, requiring IP IRT kit assignment, number of IP administered, and age). This model helped to determine which variables were statistically significant predictors of appointment duration and the extent of their impact. A separate regression analysis focused on intrinsic vs extrinsic variables to help identify factors needing optimization through policy changes or additional resources. For this study, data from the 392 participants included in the final 2023 study analysis were examined. Most patients (59.4%) received 1 IP during their encounter, did not get PK blood draw done at chair time (62.7%), did not get IRT assignment for IP (82.7%), had equal occurrence of industry study (41.4%) vs federal study (41.3%), and participated in a phase 1 or phase 1/2 study (41.2%). Additionally, 77.9% of appointments were in am vs pm (22.1%) ( ). IP, investigational product; IIT, investigator-initiated trial; IRT, interactive response technology, PK, pharmacokinetics. For the primary objective, For the primary objective, the appointment time (am/pm) was not significantly associated with the appointment duration ( = .2776). The model showed that pm appointments were, on average, 41 minutes shorter, although this difference is not statistically significant. The type of study (ie, industry, investigator-initiated trials [IITs], national) was also not significantly associated with appointment duration (overall model = .4475). Each type of study showed no significant impact on the duration compared with the intercept. The phase of the study showed some indication trending toward association with the duration of the appointment (overall model = .0555), with phase 3 studies being associated with a significant increase in appointment duration by 98.4 minutes ( = .0433) ( ). Whether requiring PK at chair time was performed (Yes [Y]/No [N]) was not significantly associated with the duration of the appointment ( = .5344), and whether requiring IP IRT kit was assigned (Y/N) also did not significantly affect the duration of the appointment ( = .254). Age was significantly associated with the duration of the appointment ( = .0443), with each year increase in age reducing the appointment duration by 2.79 minutes. The number of IPs administered showed some indication of association with appointment duration (overall model = .085), particularly for category 3, which significantly increased the duration by 151.21 minutes ( = .0127) ( ). For the secondary objective, the time of the scheduled appointment (am/pm) showed no significant association with arrival-to-chair time ( = .2961). The pm appointments were associated with increased arrival-to-chair time by 5.41 minutes, which was not statistically significant. The type of study (ie, industry, IIT, national) did not significantly affect arrival-to-chair time (overall model = .2747), with no significant differences observed across the types of study mentioned. The phase of the study had a suggestive, yet not universally significant, association with arrival-to-chair time (overall model = .0851). Specifically, phase 2 and phase 3 studies showed a significant increase in arrival-to-chair time by 20.15 minutes ( = .0322), indicating some variability based on the study phase. Whether requiring PK at chair time did not significantly influence arrival-to-chair time ( = .267), indicating no significant impact of this variable. Requiring IP IRT kit assignment also showed no significant effect on arrival-to-chair time ( = .6808). Age was not significantly associated with arrival-to-chair time ( = .8127), with a coefficient indicating a negligible change in arrival-to-chair time per year of age. The number of IPs administered did not show a significant association with arrival-to-chair time (overall model = .9305), indicating no significant impact on arrival-to-chair time delay ( ). IP, investigational product; IRT, interactive response technology; PK, pharmacokinetics. IP, investigational product; IRT, interactive response technology; PK, pharmacokinetic. The findings from our comprehensive analysis underscore the complexity of optimizing infusion chair time for patients with cancer enrolled in clinical trials. Despite initial assumptions about the potential impact of various intrinsic and extrinsic variables, our results suggest that few factors significantly influence the duration of patient appointments and arrival to chair time. One noteworthy result involved the phase of the clinical trial. Phase 3 studies were associated with significantly longer appointment durations, with an increase of approximately 98.4 minutes. This finding was unexpected because phase 1 studies usually have many more checks and more extensive data collection with PKs, etc. Furthermore, phase 2 and phase 3 studies showed a significant increase in arrival-to-chair time, particularly reflecting the complexity and resource allocation necessary at these stages. These results highlight the need for targeted strategies to manage the higher demands of advanced trial phases effectively. Age also emerged as a significant factor, albeit in a somewhat unexpected direction. With each incremental year in age, appointment durations decreased slightly by approximately 2.79 minutes. This counterintuitive finding might be explained by more streamlined or less intensive treatment regimens often prescribed for older patients or perhaps more experienced patient handling by clinical staff. Moreover, this reduction could be reflective of an adjustment in clinical trial protocols or the health care team’s more efficiently adapting to older adults. Interestingly, most other intrinsic variables—including the type of study, requiring PK blood draw at chair time, and requiring IP IRT kit assignment—showed no significant association with either the duration of the appointments or the arrival-to-chair time; this was a surprise. Time is added to the appointment for IRT kit assignment because it requires the pharmacy to wait on the assignment. These findings suggest that such intrinsic factors might be well managed within current clinical workflows or that their impact is minimal compared with other elements. As for extrinsic variables, the timing of appointments (am/pm) was anticipated to influence efficiency potentially, but the data did not support this hypothesis. Although pm appointments were, on average, shorter by 41 minutes, this difference was not statistically significant. It is unclear whether am appointments happened to be generally longer, or because of the complexity of treatment (eg, the patient had multiple study medications administered at the same visit, multiple PK blood draws, etc), these patients were scheduled in the am to ensure treatment could be completed during operating infusion hours. Therefore, scheduling adjustments alone might not yield substantial improvements in chair-time efficiency. The discovery that the number of IPs administered during a visit also significantly extended appointment times by approximately 151.21 minutes when a patient receives 3 IPs underscores the logistical and procedural burdens associated with multi-drug protocols. This insight points to the need for specialized processes or additional support for handling multi-IP sessions to reduce inefficiencies. Although the current study results provide valuable insights into the factors influencing infusion chair time for oncology clinical trial patients, several limitations must be acknowledged. First, the study duration of approximately 3 years might not be sufficient to capture longer-term trends and variations in clinical trial workflows and infusion times. Seasonal variations, periodic protocol changes, and other temporal factors could play a role in influencing appointment durations, which might not be fully encapsulated within this relatively short time frame. Second, as a single-center study conducted within the UC Davis Health System, the findings may have limited generalizability to other institutions. The workflows, resources, and patient demographics at our center may differ from those at other comprehensive cancer centers or community treatment facilities. Consequently, the results might not be entirely applicable to different clinical settings with varying operational protocols or patient populations. Last, the study involved nurses manually inputting time from the patient’s arrival to the end of the appointment, which introduced a potential for human error and variability in data accuracy. Relying on manual recording can lead to inconsistencies in time documentation, which may have affected the precision of our findings. Automated data collection systems could yield more reliable and consistent data, minimizing the risk of inaccuracies in manual entry. Considering these limitations, future research should aim for longer study durations to better capture temporal variability, multicenter collaborations to enhance generalizability, and the implementation of automated time-tracking systems to improve data accuracy. Addressing these areas will help refine our understanding of infusion chair time optimization and lead to more robust and widely applicable conclusions. into the factors influencing infusion chair time among patients with cancer participating in clinical trials. Although the patient’s age and the phase of the study were significantly associated with changes in appointment duration, most other intrinsic variables examined, including the type of study, PK at chair time, and IRT kit assignment, did not have a statistically significant impact. Moreover, extrinsic variables such as the time of the appointment (am/pm) also showed no significant effect on either the overall appointment duration or arrival-to-chair time. The significant increases in duration for phase 3 studies and appointments involving multiple IPs suggest specific areas where targeted interventions could be effective. For example, additional staffing or dedicated resources during phase 3 trials might help to manage the increased complexity and requirements associated with treatments for these types of trials. Likewise, optimizing processes for multi-drug administrations could reduce procedural delays. is a clinical oncology pharmacist in the Department of Pharmacy and Investigational Drugs Services at Samuel Oschin Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, California, and a former PGY-2 investigational drugs and research pharmacy resident at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California. is a senior pharmacist in the Oncology & Investigational Drug Service at UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California. The findings emphasize that although certain intrinsic factors are inherent to treatments associated with clinical trial protocols and may require tailored management strategies, many current workflow components are already optimized to a degree that limits further improvements through changes in those areas alone. Future efforts might focus on refining a standardization for clinical trials to ensure consistent care and remove the risk of error caused by different workflows specific to more complex trial phases, and administration of multi-agent regimens to achieve more noticeable enhancements in efficiency and reduction in appointment duration. This study serves as a foundation for further research and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing the experience and care of oncology trial patients. Continuous assessment and incremental adjustments, particularly focused on the identified significant factors, will be essential in moving toward more efficient and patient-friendly clinical trial processes.Point Spread For This Year's Ohio State vs. Michigan Game Is StaggeringLive updates: High school football state championships

Birmingham's mayor has a plan to provide better streets, sidewalks, and support education. According to a news release, Mayor Randall Woodfin presented his budget amendment recommendations to the council's budget and finance committee Nov. 25. Mayor Woodfin's plan prioritizes street resurfacing, sidewalks, traffic calming and blight reduction measures. “The spending plan presented to the council highlights our shared priorities,” Mayor Woodfin said. “I am proud of the more than $20 million dedicated specifically to neighborhood revitalization in this plan.” The plan also proposes a three percent cost of living adjustment for all city workers. The news release also stated $2 million is proposed for Birmingham Promise, which provides assistance to graduates to attend colleges or universities in Alabama, and $1 million for the city's school system. All of the mayor's recommendations now move on to the city council for consideration. The latest: WVTM 13 coverage on PoliticsGlobal Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country’s president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. The situation in South Korea arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he described as “anti-state” forces from the opposition that controls parliament. Yoon’s declaration triggered tense political drama, as troops surrounded the parliament while 190 lawmakers gathered inside to vote to lift the martial law shortly after it was imposed. Global Affairs Canada has not raised the risk level for Canadians in South Korea but did ask those in the country to monitor local media for the latest information, while following authorities’ instructions, such as curfew orders. A Vancouver-based travel agent says the chaos in Seoul is not likely to have a major effect on Canadian visitor numbers to South Korea. Glynnis Chan, owner of Happy Times Travel, says the martial law dissolved quickly and will likely have minimal impact on people’s travel plans, which tend to be made at least two months in advance. “There’s always some sort of impact, but it really depends on what happens with the situation over the long term,” Chan says. “If nothing more happens, people forget after a week or so about what took place.” Chan says she is not expecting any impact on her business, since Japan is a more popular destination among her customers. Several Korean-Canadian travel agencies in Metro Vancouver declined to comment on the political situation in Seoul. After Yoon’s declaration of martial law, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the national assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment, while others scuffled with military troops. The South Korean parliamentary members eventually voted to lift the declaration, with national assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it “invalid.” Police and military personnel were then seen leaving the assembly’s grounds after Woo’s call for their withdrawal. Jae-Yeon Lim, vice-president of the Canada Korea Business Association, says seeing military personnel clash with protesters and lawmakers brought back “harrowing” memories of the 1980 student-led demonstrations in Gwangju that were violently suppressed. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987, and South Korea’s last previous martial law was in October 1979. “It has been a very difficult experience to see that,” Lim says of the latest martial law declaration. “But that said, I’m really happy to see that ... the national assembly managed to get the majority vote to repeal this, and they managed to do that at the risk of their own lives, even though military was there. “This is a country that will stand up for democracy.” Lim also says there would likely be little impact on bilateral relations or trade between the two countries stemming from the sudden onset of political drama, given how quickly martial law was lifted. “It’s not going to stop business from seeking to expand in Canada,” Lim says. “There’s still a very strong interest to do so from many businesses (in South Korea). “We have yet to see what will happen next, but I think that I’m a little bit reassured in seeing what has transpired ... that people are ready to defend their country and democratic rule-of-law.” — With files from The Associated PressAP Business SummaryBrief at 5:43 p.m. ESTKey details to know about the arrest of a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO

After a recount in House District 57 was finalized earlier this week, Democrat Scott Rosenzweig maintained his lead over incumbent Rep. Marty Malone, R-Pray, ultimately winning with three fewer votes than originally tallied. The initial vote tally had Rosenzweig ahead by 20 votes. After the recount, Malone gained two votes in Park County while Rosenzweig lost one, making the final difference a mere 17 votes. The Gallatin vote counts remained the same. The final vote count was 3,802 to 3,785 in favor of Rosenzweig. House District 57 occupies parts of Gallatin and Park Counties, stretching from east Bozeman, up past Clyde Park and all the way out to Cooke City, but excluding downtown Livingston. The district was redrawn as a part of the once-in-a-decade redistricting process to account for population changes and this was the first time the new district was on the ballot. After a recount in House District 57 was finalized earlier this week, Democrat Scott Rosenzweig, pictured, maintained his lead over incumbent Rep. Marty Malone, R-Pray, ultimately winning with three fewer votes than originally tallied. This was the only recount in the state this cycle and they are generally rare for legislative races in Montana. State code stipulates that the state will pay for the recount if the margin of victory is equal to or less than 0.25%. Candidates can request a recount if the margin is between 0.25% and 0.5%, but they have to fund the effort. If the original margin following Election Day was 19 instead of 20 votes, the state would have had to pay, but that singular vote pushed the margin to 0.26%, requiring the candidate to foot the bill. Malone said he has not yet received a final cost for the effort, but believes it will come out to roughly $5,200. He had supporters and other legislators contribute money to help pay for the effort which included hiring an attorney. Marty Malone Both men won in their home counties, but Rosenzweig's lead in Gallatin proved too wide for Malone to overcome. Rosenzweig is a resident of East downtown Bozeman and received roughly 2.5 votes in Gallatin County for Malone's one. Malone, a resident of Pray, received 2,891 votes compared to Rosenzweig's 1,766 in Park County. "I intend to represent everyone who did or did not vote for me or did not vote [at all]," Rosenzweig said following the recount. The Associated Press originally called the race the morning after election day for Malone, but later retracted its call. Roughly 99.9% of the race calls AP issued were accurate in 2024. "Accuracy is paramount to everything we do at AP and we regret the error," a spokesperson for the outlet said in an email. This race was always projected to be one of the closest of the cycle, something that Rosenzweig, a former satellite communications executive, told residents while door knocking. Many residents that Rosenzweig spoke to were not aware of the deep purple hue of their home district or that the boundaries had changed. The Democrat, who had a paid staffer from the Montana Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee assigned to his race, said he knocked over 2,000 doors. Montana legislative candidates burn shoe leather to reach voters Residents of Bridger Canyon, the road that connects downtown Bozeman to the Bridger Bowl ski resort, said they had not had any political canvassers come by that cycle, even in a year when door knocking appeared to reach a fever pitch in Montana . "It's the short strokes," Rosenzweig said between doors on a bright summer evening. "It still actually seems to matter." When Rosenzweig told him he was a Democrat canvassing, one resident said "Cool! Like Baucus," referring to Montana's longest serving Senator, Democrat Max Baucus. Another resident thanked him for showing up. What residents in House District 57 were acutely aware of was skyrocketing property taxes. Rosenzweig said property taxes was the topic he heard about most on the doors. Voters cast their ballots inside the Gallatin County Courthouse Bozeman, Mont., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino) Rosenzweig had a permanent smile plastered across his face, even as he tells voters about his plan to lower their property taxes. "We need to balance things so that property tax homeowners only experience relatively minor increases," Rosenzweig said. He wants to see the Legislature do this by not shifting the tax burden too heavily on any one class of property whether its residential, commercial, agricultural or otherwise. "Everyone should handle a reasonable increase," Rosenzweig added. "What happened last year was not reasonable." He has been assigned to the House appropriations committee. Malone served two terms in the statehouse and was vice chairman of the agriculture committee in the 2023 session. Before that he worked as an MSU extension agent. He blamed his loss on redistricting and late night new voter registration in Gallatin County. "I didn't make the district, I'm just running in it," Rosenzweig said earlier this year. ‘Rock bottom’: Where do Montana Democrats go from here? In a year where Democrats lost resoundingly statewide, often by double digit margins, the party hung their hat on some key legislative wins. Rosenzweig's victory in House District 57 is another big win for the party. "As Mr. Tester said, he's gonna go home and farm and I guess I'll go home and ranch," Malone said. Victoria Eavis is a reporter for the Montana State News Bureau. She previously worked for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming, covering state politics and Liz Cheney's fall from power. She can be reached at victoria.eavis@helenair.com . Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. State Bureau Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Published 4:55 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Daily Herald Photo provided Photo provided Photo provided Photo provided By Tim Ruzek John Hulet heard his calling in 1933 while throwing horseshoes near the Cedar River in Horace Austin State Park. A man standing on the iron bridge that once extended North Main Street over the Cedar saw a 3-year-old boy fall into the river upstream. The man yelled to the 18-year-old Hulet, who ran to the river and pulled the boy out of about 5 feet of water. On the shore, Hulet gave CPR or “artificial respiration” to the boy – Roland Zook – for a few minutes until Zook showed signs of life, the Austin Daily Herald wrote Sept. 18, 1933. “(Hulet) then carried the boy to the Zook home, where he was worked on for about an hour,” the Herald wrote, adding that Zook was placed between warm blankets because he was blue from the river’s cold water. By the next day, however, Zook had “completely recovered from the narrow escape from drowning.” Zook went on to live until age 88, passing away in 2019 in northern California. After moving with his family to California, Zook served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War; married his wife in Los Angeles; and raised two children while working as an iron worker and insurance agent. Nearly 30 years after Zook was saved, Hulet —now an Austin police officer since 1945 — heard another scream for help from the Cedar River at Austin Mill Pond. Hulet was fishing in Austin Mill Pond’s southwest corner on the Sunday afternoon of June 23, 1963. Four boys — ages 8 to 10 — had formed a chain while swimming in the river when one broke loose and went underwater where there was a steep drop. Hulet dove into the river, which was deep enough to go over his head, and pulled the boy out. Hulet told the Herald the boy appeared uninjured but was so scared he ran home before he could be identified. A woman at the scene verified the rescue. Hulet the hero In the early 1930s, Hulet and Zook lived a block apart along Lansing Avenue — today’s First Drive Northwest — with their backyards overlooking Austin Mill Pond and the state park. Their homes later were removed for building Austin’s first YMCA and the Red Cedar Inn (today’s Cedars of Austin complex). About 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 1933, the 3-year-old Zook joined a 4-year-old girl in walking to the state park near the Rayman boat house on a sharp river bend that curved around the property that today hosts Bremer Bank. Zook and the girl were playing near the river when something got Zook’s attention. “The Zook boy thought he saw a fish in the water and reached down to seize it,” the Herald wrote. “He lost his balance and tumbled in. The water was about 5 feet deep.” A man never identified was standing on the Charles Fox Bridge (installed just two years earlier and removed in 1961). He saw the boy fall in the river and he called out to Hulet, who graduated four months earlier from Austin High School. “At this time of the year, there are very few people near the state park along the Cedar River,” the Herald wrote. “The only persons at the park at the time the boy fell in the water were the man on the bridge and Hulet.” Hulet’s “quick action” in pulling the boy from the river and use of CPR were credited by Zook’s father with saving his son’s life. The father said he wished he also could find the unknown man on the bridge to thank him. Life of service At the time of his death in 1989 at age 74, Hulet was described in a Herald obituary as an avid fisherman who “spent many pleasant hours on the shores of many a river and lake.” “A well-known and well-respected man in the community, he always had a ‘word of greeting’ to anyone who crossed his path,” the obituary stated April 2, 1989. “He was a kind and loving husband, a caring and dependable father, a protective grandpa and a faithful friend.” Hulet worked for 12 years at the Hormel plant after high school. During that time, Hulet also played on many amateur sports teams for baseball, basketball, bowling and even hockey – a rarity in the 1930s in southern Minnesota. Known as the “big Austin third baseman,” Hulet was named in 1937 as the “most valuable player” at the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament, receiving the Governor’s Trophy. In 1945, Hulet left Hormel to start a 24-year career as an Austin police patrol officer. The father of five was highlighted for his police work numerous times in the Herald. Hulet then chose to work as a custodian for Austin Public Schools until 1977, when he retired for good.

Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after they say a Pennsylvania McDonald's worker alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the investigation: Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death , said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a sound suppressor, or silencer, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione took a software programming internship after high school at Maryland-based video game studio Firaxis, where he fixed bugs on the hit strategy game Civilization 6, according to a LinkedIn profile. Firaxis parent company Take-Two Interactive said Monday it would not comment on former employees. He more recently worked at the car-buying website TrueCar, according to the head of the Santa Monica, California-based company. “While we generally don’t comment on personnel matters, we confirm that Luigi Mangione has not been an employee of our company since 2023,” TrueCar CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. Reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to the grandfather's obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed Monday. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspect exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore, Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report.

As the world embraces the era of energy transition, Pakistan stands at a critical juncture where adopting a Just Energy Transition mechanism is not just a choice but an imperative to safeguard the environment. Among the technologies driving this change, photovoltaic (PV) solar energy has emerged as a disruptive force, offering the promise of greener and more affordable energy. However, this rapid shift is not without challenges, as it has triggered what some experts term the “utility death spiral.” Contrary to popular belief, the grid remains indispensable, even in an age dominated by renewable energy sources. While solar energy is transformative, the grid plays a crucial role in interconnecting diverse generation technologies; such as hydropower, nuclear, wind, solar, and thermal—to complement each other for grid stability while serving an entire eco-system of consumers while the distributed energy resources (DER) serve only a handful. The notion that we can fully replace the grid is premature; rather, its evolution is essential to sustain the energy transition. While PV solar energy is a game-changer it is not without limitations. It struggles to support base load demand and lacks the attributes of a dispatchable resource, which are critical for ensuring a stable and reliable power supply. Technologies that provide frequency and voltage regulation, as well as the capacity to absorb the starting current of heavy equipment, are vital to complement solar energy’s intermittent nature. Grid-forming technologies, such as grid forming inverters and battery energy storage systems (BESS), hold significant promise for enhancing grid stability. However, in Pakistan, the absence of a comprehensive BESS policy keeps this solution out of reach for the foreseeable future. Until these policies are implemented, the full potential of renewable energy integration will remain untapped. Research highlights a pressing concern: the rapid pace of solar penetration during daylight hours, driven by falling solar prices, is accelerating Pakistan’s central grid toward the Duck Curve phenomenon. This phenomenon refers to the mismatch between peak solar generation during the day and peak electricity demand in the evening, creating a “duck-shaped” graph of energy demand versus supply. The resulting surplus energy during the day and steep ramp-up in evening demand strain the grid, jeopardizing its stability. The challenges become particularly pronounced during Pakistan’s foggy and smog-filled winters, when flexibility in the grid is crucial to maintain stability. Without adaptive measures these seasonal challenges could intensify. In this context, Pakistan must act swiftly to develop policies and technologies that ensure a balanced and resilient energy ecosystem. Only by embracing a multi-faceted approach that includes renewable energy, grid enhancements, and innovative storage solutions can the nation navigate the complexities of energy transition effectively. Globally, many countries have encountered the challenges posed by the Duck Curve and have adjusted their energy policies to address this phenomenon. The Duck Curve, characterized by a surplus of solar generation during the day and a sharp ramp-up in demand as the sun sets, has driven policy innovations worldwide. However, the realities of energy demand remain persistent; no country has enough rooftop solar or battery storage to completely eliminate grid dependency, particularly for nighttime energy needs. Our research highlights a significant shift in Pakistan’s grid dynamics. Two years ago, the peak demand occurred between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, but it has now shifted near midnight, coinciding with the end of peak hours at 11:00 PM or later. This shift necessitates re-evaluation of Time-of-Use (TOU) policies and rate designs. Pakistan must implement policies that address these changes both technically and economically, such as leveraging Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for grid stability, peak shaving, and integrating them with slow-ramping central power plants during nighttime demand surges. To navigate these challenges, Pakistan urgently needs robust rules and regulations for DERs. This includes revisiting Distribution Code to ensure all DERs—particularly behind-the-meter solar installations—are controllable and do not compromise grid stability. Issues such as reactive power support and higher voltage levels must be managed to avoid potential grid collapse. Properly regulating DERs will ensure they complement rather than disrupt the grid. The need for energy equity The rapid adoption of PV solar as a disruptive technology has raised critical questions about energy equity. While rooftop solar and net-metering systems provide substantial benefits, such as lower electricity bills and energy independence, they also create disparities. Customers without rooftop solar, particularly those in underserved or rural areas, continue to rely solely on grid power and may face higher costs due to the shifting burden of grid maintenance onto non-net-metered consumers. Moreover, higher buyback rates for solar energy have compounded these inequities. For instance, as more consumers adopt distributed solar systems, grid-fixed costs are increasingly borne by fewer, often less-privileged, consumers. This dynamic raises serious concerns about fairness and accessibility, particularly in regions that already endure poor power quality and extended load shedding. Energy equity is a multidimensional challenge, requiring a balance between innovation and inclusivity. It is structured around four foundational pillars: Distributional equity: Ensuring the fair allocation of benefits and costs across all demographics; Procedural equity: Involving all stakeholders in decision-making processes; Recognitional equity: Acknowledging and addressing the unique needs of marginalized groups; Restorative equity: Rectifying past injustices in energy access and resource allocation. For Pakistan, achieving comprehensive energy equity demands systemic reforms that address these pillars. Policies must ensure the benefits of cleaner and more resilient energy systems reach all communities, including rural and underserved populations. Without proactive measures, the energy transition risks exacerbating existing social inequities. As Pakistan continues to transition its energy systems, it is essential to prioritize both technical innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that all citizens benefit from a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. A Distributional Equity Assessment (DEA) is a critical tool for advancing fairness in the energy transition, with a primary focus on distributional equity, ensuring that the benefits and burdens of the energy system are shared equitably among various customer groups. While DEA emphasizes distributional aspects, it often intersects with other equity dimensions to provide a holistic perspective. The DEA framework evaluates how costs and benefits are distributed across customers with differing characteristics, offering insights that complement benefit-cost analyses for utility investments in DERs. It addresses pivotal questions, such as: should a new DER programme be initiated or funded? Is an existing programme viable, or does it need adjustments? How should investments be prioritized across multiple DER initiatives to maximize equity and impact? By providing a structured approach, DEA helps utilities and policymakers design programmes that balance customer needs with systemic equity considerations, ensuring that investments in DERs do not exacerbate existing disparities but instead foster inclusive growth and access to sustainable energy. As Pakistan navigates its energy transition, embracing frameworks like DEA and implementing robust policies for DERs and grid stability are essential to achieving both sustainability and equity. By prioritizing inclusivity and proactive planning, Pakistan can ensure that the journey towards a greener future benefits every segment of society, leaving no one behind. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday’s targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company’s face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company’s shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. “He did not have a security detail.” ___ AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Related From Our Partner

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Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.NonePlayers must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. 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(AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!