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CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTOR), a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted oncology therapies, today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Financial Highlights "Reflecting on 2024, Citius Oncology has achieved pivotal milestones that underscore our commitment to advancing cancer therapeutics," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Oncology. "The FDA's approval of LYMPHIR for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma marks a significant advancement in providing new options for patients battling this challenging disease. It is the only targeted systemic therapy approved for CTCL patients since 2018 and the only therapy with a mechanism of action that targets the IL-2 receptor. Additionally, the successful merger forming Citius Oncology, now trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CTOR, strengthens our position in the oncology sector. We expect it to facilitate greater access to capital to fund LYMPHIR's launch and the Company's future growth. With a Phase I investigator-initiated clinical trial combining LYMPHIR with pembrolizumab demonstrating promising preliminary results, indicating potential for enhanced treatment efficacy in recurrent solid tumors, and preliminary results expected from a second investigator trial with CAR-T therapies in 2025, we remain excited about the potential of LYMPHIR as a combination immunotherapy." "These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our team and the trust of our investors. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to develop innovative therapies that improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $4.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $4.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase reflects development activities completed for the resubmission of the Biologics License Application of LYMPHIR in January 2024 , which were associated with the complete response letter remediation. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $8.1 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $5.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-commercial and commercial launch activities of LYMPHIR including market research, marketing, distribution and drug product reimbursement from health plans and payers. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $7.5 million as compared to $2.0 million for the prior year. The primary reason for the $5.5 million increase was due to the amounts being realized over 12 months in the year ended September 30, 2024 , as compared to three months post-plan adoption in the year ended September 30, 2023 . Net loss Net loss was $21.1 million , or ($0.31) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $12.7 million , or ($0.19) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 . The $8.5 million increase in net loss was primarily due to the increase in our operating expenses. About Citius Oncology, Inc. Citius Oncology specialty is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel targeted oncology therapies. In August 2024 , its primary asset, LYMPHIR, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory CTCL who had had at least one prior systemic therapy. Management estimates the initial market for LYMPHIR currently exceeds $400 million , is growing, and is underserved by existing therapies. Robust intellectual property protections that span orphan drug designation, complex technology, trade secrets and pending patents for immuno-oncology use as a combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors would further support Citius Oncology's competitive positioning. Citius Oncology is a publicly traded subsidiary of Citius Pharmaceuticals. For more information, please visit www.citiusonc.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Oncology. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Oncology are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Oncology's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 112 $ — Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,734,895 Total Current Assets 10,968,878 7,734,895 Other Assets: In-process research and development 73,400,000 40,000,000 Total Other Assets 73,400,000 40,000,000 Total Assets $ 84,368,878 $ 47,734,895 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 3,711,622 $ 1,289,045 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses — 259,071 Due to related party 588,806 19,499,119 Total Current Liabilities 32,700,429 21,047,235 Deferred tax liability 1,728,000 1,152,000 Note payable to related party 3,800,111 — Total Liabilities 38,228,540 22,199,235 Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized: no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000; 71,552,402 and 67,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,155 6,750 Additional paid-in capital 85,411,771 43,658,750 Accumulated deficit (39,278,587) (18,129,840) Total Stockholders' Equity 46,140,339 25,535,660 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 84,368,878 $ 47,734,895 CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 4,925,001 4,240,451 General and administrative 8,148,929 5,915,290 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 7,498,817 1,965,500 Total Operating Expenses 20,572,747 12,121,241 Loss before Income Taxes (20,572,747) (12,121,241) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss $ (21,148,747) $ (12,697,241) Net Loss Per Share – Basic and Diluted $ (0.31) $ (0.19) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted 68,053,607 67,500,000 CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net loss $ (21,148,747) $ (12,697,241) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 7,498,817 1,965,500 Deferred income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventory (2,133,871) - Prepaid expenses (1,100,000) (5,044,713) Accounts payable 2,422,577 1,196,734 Accrued expenses (259,071) (801,754) Due to related party 14,270,648 14,805,474 Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities 126,353 - Cash Flows From Investing Activities: License payment (5,000,000) - Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (5,000,000) - Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Cash contributed by parent 3,827,944 - Merger, net (2,754,296) - Proceeds from issuance of note payable to related party 3,800,111 - Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 4,873,759 - Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 112 - Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Year - - Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Year $ 112 $ - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activities: IPR&D Milestones included in License Payable $ 28,400,000 $
Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster has been delayedGeorgia's Dasha Vidmanova, Columbia's Michael Zheng win NCAA singles titles
First, the Russians, now this. Last month, a Russian judge fined Alphabet's ( GOOGL ) two undecillion rubles — say what ? — for restricting the country's state media channels on YouTube, which the search engine giant owns. Related: Analyst delivers startling Apple warning amid Google antitrust case The figure — a 2 with 34 zeros right behind it — is many times greater than the entire planet's GDP, which the International Monetary Fund pegs at about $110 trillion. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he "cannot even pronounce this number" but urged "Google management to pay attention." Google, by the way, is worth just over $2 trillion. While Russian officials have said the number is “filled with symbolism," the U.S. Department of Justice is playing for keeps. On Nov. 20, the DOJ said in a court filing that it wants Google to sell off its Chrome browser to level the competitive playing field for search engine rivals. A sale of Chrome “will permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet,” the DOJ lawyers said in the filing. 🐂 Don’t miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet’s FREE Daily newsletter 🐻 The government also asked for a divestment of Google's Android mobile operating system or a contingent Android divestment based on the effectiveness of other conduct-based remedies. picture alliance/Getty Images Google exec blasts proposal as 'wildly overboard' In addition, the DOJ wants to stop Google from making multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s ( AAPL ) iPhone and other devices. Alphabet’s “Search & Other” segment generated $49.4 billion, accounting for 56% of the company's total revenue for the quarter. Related: Analysts overhaul Alphabet stock price targets as Google parent soars In August, a federal judge ruled that Google held a monopoly in the search market. The government filed its case in 2020, charging that Google controlled the general search market by creating strong barriers to entry and a feedback loop that sustained its dominance. Kent Walker, Google’s chief legal officer, wrote in a blog post that the "DOJ’s approach would result in unprecedented government overreach that would harm American consumers, developers, and small businesses — and jeopardize America’s global economic and technological leadership at precisely the moment it’s needed most." "DOJ’s wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Court’s decision," Walker said. "It would break a range of Google products — even beyond Search — that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives." Alphabet is spending billions on AI development and infrastructure as it rolls out its Gemini technology over the whole of its product suite. The DOJ also wants to stop Google from favoring its own services, such as YouTube and Gemini. Last month, the company posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings and impressive gains in its cloud division. Alphabet shares fell about 6% in the days after the DOJ filed its motion. However, the company's stock, as of Nov. 22, is up 18% year-to-date, and it has risen nearly 21% from a year ago. The DOJ filing moved several investment firms to issue research notes about the implications of the government's proposal. Wells Fargo analyst Ken Gawrelski said the Department of Justice's proposed remedies in Google's search antitrust case is "close to worst-case scenario," according to The Fly. The Justice Department has made a "relatively dramatic ask," but the case is far from over, including a likely DOJ leadership change, Gawrelski said. DOJ plan is worst-case scenario for Alphabet Gawrelski said he views the DOJ's remedy filing as the likely worst-case scenario for Google and sees an opportunity for further negotiation in proposed remedies with the upcoming change in DOJ leadership. The analyst also said he sees "meaningful risk" to Google's competitive position due to the behavioral remedy proposal prohibiting the company from paying for search distribution. More Tech Stocks: The DOJ's structural remedy proposal of Chrome separation, if accepted by the judge, potentially puts at least 15% of Google search revenue at risk, Gawrelski contended. He kept an equal weight rating on Alphabet. JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth said the DOJs "very comprehensive set of remedies" includes parts that he believes are "more punitive than expected," including around consumer choice limitations and syndication of search data and ads. The DOJ seeks to "prohibit Google from offering anything of value" to Apple and other third-party distributors, which could disincentivize Apple from offering consumer choice and instead push Apple to explore other options, including shifting default search from Google to a competitor such as Microsoft ( MSFT ) , OpenAI, or some combination of those or other providers or to try building or buying search themselves. While the DOJ's final proposal should represent "the worst possible remedies," the analyst said that he expects Google's proposed final remedies due on December 20 to be "much more modest. " He ultimately believes the judge's final decision next summer will be more balanced between the DOJ and Google's remedies. JPMorgan has an overweight rating and $212 stock price target on shares of Alphabet. Evercore ISI analysts said they believe the government's proposed array of remedies was "mostly as expected" given press reports in recent days indicating that the government would propose forced divestiture of Chrome and a potential divestiture of Android. However, the firm said it views the government's proposed limitations on distribution agreements as "draconian" and given the roughly 6% downward move in Alphabet shares today calls this "likely a negative surprise vs. investor expectations." The firm's "quick checks with legal experts" suggest a near-term negotiated settlement is unlikely and that the case could continue to act as an overhang on shares until a final judgment on remedies is received, likely in August of next year. Evercore maintained an outperform rating and $205 price target on Alphabet shares. Related: Veteran fund manager sees world of pain coming for stocksIt's long been my view that the United Nations buildings in New York City should be transformed into Trump hotels and a giant Chick-fil-A, and the more Antonio Guterres talks the stronger my opinion on that gets. First off though I'll share one of my favorite quotes, and you might have seen it before, but Michael Crichton had the best rebuttal to anybody who talks about "a consensus of scientists" like the climate cultists do: I want to pause here and talk about this notion of consensus, and the rise of what has been called consensus science. I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you’re being had. Let’s be clear: the work of science has nothing whatever to do with consensus. Consensus is the business of politics. Science, on the contrary, requires only one investigator who happens to be right, which means that he or she has results that are verifiable by reference to the real world. In science consensus is irrelevant. What is relevant is reproducible results. The greatest scientists in history are great precisely because they broke with the consensus. There is no such thing as consensus science. If it’s consensus, it isn’t science. If it’s science, it isn’t consensus. Period. And yet "consensus of scientists" is considered a scientific argument from the Left, but last year John Stossel pointed out how that "consensus" is manufactured and meaningless: World leaders gather in Dubai for #COP28 , the UN climate summit. Expect the usual doom and gloom. It would be more productive if they all watched this video with climate scientist Judith Curry. She reveals the “manufactured consensus” about climate change: pic.twitter.com/D8OSQYsjxn Earlier this month the election of Donald Trump caused a panic on the Left, not just in the U.S. but around the world. Among those who's afraid the money spigot is going to be turned off is U.N. Secretary General Guterres, who laughably calls the transfer of wealth ostensibly to fight man-made global warming "climate finance." It couldn't get more Orwellian. Climate finance is not a hand-out. It’s an investment against the devastation that unchecked climate chaos will inflict on us all. It’s a downpayment on a safer, more prosperous future for every nation on Earth. #COP29 "Give us all your money and we'll make the weather better" is as culty as it can get. The fact that so many people fall for it is disturbing, but at least the U.S. woke up on election day. "A surge in climate finance is essential": We need a major push to get discussions at the climate conference in Baku over the finishing line. We need #COP29 to deliver an ambitious and balanced package on all pending issues, with a new finance goal at its heart. A surge in climate finance is essential. This guy needs to be told to eff off in the strongest possible terms. Some European countries and maybe some in the Western Hemisphere will agree to be fleeced as usual but at least the U.S. has an incoming president who won't perpetuate the scam. Honest question. Does anyone at all trust this guy? https://t.co/iS4Yyc0mzQ The only people who do are already in on the sham or clueless dupes. This is pretty much my view as well: Ha, good one DEFUND THESE BITCHES https://t.co/rhbj7kbl9h When they're not focused on giving aid and comfort to terrorists, the U.N. is pushing climate change shams.Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona
Shock moment TODDLER is freed from jail by Syria’s rebels as thousands walk free from ousted Assad’s notorious prisons
Greg Gumbel dies at 78: Sports world reacts to death of CBS Sports broadcaster, voice of Selection Sunday | Sporting NewsPep Guardiola admits Man City looking to ‘survive the season’
Trump's casting call as he builds out his administration: TV experience preferredA recent bushfire in Kadnook, western Victoria, which destroyed at least one property and burned more than 1,000 hectares of land, is being investigated due to suspicion it was deliberately lit . This is not an isolated example. About 28% of bushfires in south-east Australia are deliberately lit . The figure rises to 40% if we’re only talking about fires with a known cause. These figures are consistent with international trends and tell us preventing arson and unsafe fire behaviour alone could significantly reduce the number of bushfires. Despite this, prevention of deliberately lit bushfires is mostly absent from emergency, public health and climate action plans. These fires are devastating Deliberately lit bushfires can spread rapidly and have devastating consequences. They often occur on the edge of urban areas close to populated places, where there are both dense vegetation and flammable structures. We see a peak in bushfires during summer when hot temperatures, low rainfall, and dry conditions make fire a more potent threat. Climate change, land management practices, and increased interaction between people and rural areas increase our vulnerability to fire and the risks associated with deliberate fires. The royal commission into Victoria’s devastating Black Saturday fires in 2009 reported 173 people died and an additional 414 were injured . The commission concluded at least three of the 15 fires that caused (or had the potential to cause) the greatest harm were deliberately lit. The commission concluded we need to better understand arson. It recommended research to improve how best to prevent arson and how to detect who’s at risk of offending. Nearly 15 years on from Black Saturday, these recommendations have not been implemented. There is also very limited evidence globally about how to prevent both bushfire arson and deliberately lit fires more broadly (for instance, fires set to structures or vehicles). Who lights these fires? We know little about the characteristics and psychology of people who light bushfires or how to intervene to prevent these fires. The little research we have suggests there is no one “profile” or “mindset” associated with deliberately lighting bushfires. But there are some risk factors or vulnerabilities we see more commonly in people who light them. These include: an interest or fascination with fire or fire paraphernalia. This could include an interest in watching fire, or a fascination with matches or the fire service experiences of social isolation, including a lack of friends or intimate relationships increased impulsivity general antisocial behaviour, such as contact with the police, truanting or property damage difficulties managing and expressing emotions problems with being assertive. However, most people with these vulnerabilities will never light a fire. Research shows rates of mental illness are higher in people who set fires (including schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, personality dysfunction, and substance use disorders). However, mental health symptoms are rarely a direct cause of firesetting . Instead, they appear to worsen existing vulnerabilities. Why do people light these fires? There are many, complex reasons why people light fires. Commonly reported drivers include : relieving boredom or creating excitement, gaining positive recognition for putting out a fire (they want to be seen as a hero), as a cry for help, or because they’re angry. However, not everyone who lights a fire intends to cause serious damage or harm. In some cases, people may not be aware of the possible consequences of lighting a fire or that the fire may spread into a bushfire. Knowing these kinds of facts about people who light bushfires is important. However, they don’t help us prevent people from lighting fires in the first place. This is because authorities don’t always know who sets the fires. So how can we prevent this? First, we can learn more about why people set fires more generally, particularly those who do not attract attention from authorities. Research in the United States , United Kingdom and New Zealand has started to investigate those who set fires but don’t attract police attention. The aim is to identify ways to prevent people lighting fires in the first place, and support them so they don’t light more. There is almost no research in Australia or internationally into the effects of community awareness, and prevention campaigns or targeted strategies to prevent firesetting, including bushfire arson, in higher risk groups. We know slightly more about interventions to reduce repeat firesetting. Fire safety education programs delivered by fire and rescue services show some promise as an early intervention for children and adolescents who have already set a fire, particularly those motivated by curiosity, experimentation, or who are not aware of the consequences. There is also some evidence suggesting specialist psychological interventions can be effective in reducing vulnerabilities associated with adult firesetting. Forensic or clinical psychologists typically deliver a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy (a type of talking therapy), skills building (such as building coping skills, emotion and impulse control, and reducing their interest in fire), and fire safety education. However, availability of firesetting interventions is patchy both in Australia and internationally. Interventions that are available are also not always tailored to people with complex needs , such as those with significant emotional or behavioural problems or mental health needs. We also don’t know if these interventions lead to a long-term change in behaviour. Climate change is making this urgent The continued and escalating effects of climate change makes it more urgent than ever to address the problem of deliberate firesetting, including bushfire arson . Failing to address deliberate firesetting will have significant long-term consequences for public health, human life and the environment. But until funding is available for Australian arson research, identifying and helping people who are more likely to set fires will continue to be based on guesswork rather than evidence. As we enter another summer of high fire danger, our failure to fund arson research should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds."why is he quiet now over Ekpa's arrest?: Reno Omokri blasts Peter Obi
The recent federal conviction and sentence of a man who tried to run over an FBI agent while driving a stolen truck into Mexico highlights a growing trend plaguing South Texas. Multiple cities are seeing a rise in the thefts of four-door SUVs and pickups that are taken into Mexico at the request of the Gulf Cartel. The criminal organization uses the trucks in their ongoing turf wars. This week, 23-year-old Damian Evans Lopez went before U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera, who sentenced him to almost ten years in prison on the charge of assaulting a federal officer. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Evans pleaded guilty to the charge in September. According to authorities, on June 28, an FBI agent was at one of the international ports of entry in Brownsville, Texas, checking for stolen vehicles when he spotted Evans in a stolen Chevrolet truck. They agent attempted to get the driver to come out of the truck. Evens drove straight at the FBI agent, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Evans tried to drive away and led authorities on a high-speed chase that ended in the city of San Benito, Texas. In recent months, cities like Brownsville, Harlingen, and Pharr, Texas, have been plagued with a wave of vehicle thefts focused on four-door SUVs and pickups. As Breitbart Texas reported, these vehicles are crossed into Mexico and turned over to the Gulf Cartel. The criminal organization favors these vehicles due to their high clearance and powerful engines. The trucks allow the cartels to move at least four gunmen. In some cases, the stolen trucks are outfitted with makeshift armor plating. The vehicle theft wave has, at times, turned violent. In late November, a gunman held two women at gunpoint outside of a restaurant in Brownsville and took their late model SUV. According to Brownsville police, one of the suspects is believed to be hiding in Mexico. Mexican authorities have largely been ineffective in stopping the car thieves as they cross into Mexico. In the few times that they have tried, the suspects can drive past the security checkpoints on the Mexican side of the border. This week, one of the factions of the Gulf Cartel shared a video on social media where they questioned a young man who claimed to have been sent to Reynosa to steal vehicles for a rival faction of the Gulf Cartel. The fate of the young man remains unknown. In the past, people in similar videos have been tortured and killed. Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook . He can be contacted at Iortiz@breitbart.com . Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook . He can be contacted at bdarby@breitbart.com .
Michael Villella, 'The Slumber Party Massacre' Star, Dead at 84LDF Triumphs in Kerala Bypolls Despite UDF's Challenges
Robotic arm a big help for wounded Bangladesh protestersThe police may stop using lethal weapons and lead pellets for crowd control as their widespread use during the July mass uprising led to massive casualties and global criticism. The process is underway to make time-befitting regulations on the use of firearms, said Enamul Haque Sagor, assistant inspector general (media) at the Police Headquarters. The Police Headquarters has already formed a committee, led by a deputy inspector general, to recommend non-lethal methods for controlling crowds and unlawful assemblies. "We have been discussing banning long barrel firearms even in case of rowdy protests," said an additional inspector general seeking anonymity. Police will use small arms like in developed countries in extreme cases of necessity in line with the UN guidelines to which Bangladesh is a signatory, he added. The committee's recommendations will be given to the IGP for review and then to the ministry for finalisation, said another committee member. Around 1,500 people lost their lives during the July uprising, while 19,931 others got injured, said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus while addressing the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government on November 17. Members of the police, Rab, Border Guard Bangladesh and other forces fired on the protesters during demonstrations that began on July 14. Many victims suffered permanent disabilities, with more than 400 losing eyesight due to lead pellet injuries. The Daily Star analysed the pattern of injuries of 204 people who died as of August 1 and found that 95 percent of them were killed by bullets, including live rounds and shotgun pellets. Of them, 113 were shot in the head, chest, stomach and abdomen. Lawyers for Energy, Environment and Development analysed 100 cases filed with 22 police stations in Dhaka and Chattogram. The analysis showed that lethal weapons like 7.62mm semiautomatic rifles, submachine guns, BD08 assault rifles, Taurus 9mm revolvers and Type 54 pistols were used on the protesters. The law enforcement agencies gave priority to using lethal weapons over other methods of riot control, the analysis showed. During the 1971 Liberation War, the police put up resistance against the Pakistan Army at Rajarbagh Police Lines with .303 rifles. Those rifles have become outdated, and police have periodically modernised their arsenal, introducing advanced lethal weapons like 7.62mm sniper firearms, LMG (Light Machine Gun) and SMG (Submachine Gun) along with Chinese rifles. In October 2014, a meeting involving various stakeholders, including representatives from the home ministry and Police Headquarters, was held to discuss the procurement of lethal firearms including 7.62mm rifles. Senior officials then justified the procurement saying such weapons are necessary for combating criminals equipped with sophisticated firearms, especially in the diverse geographical landscapes of Bangladesh's hilly and plain regions and dreaded militants. However, during the recent protests, police and other forces used these military-grade weapons widely against unarmed demonstrators. "Police actions deviated from the existing domestic laws, which themselves fall short of UN standards," said a committee member, criticising the continued reliance on colonial-era legislation designed to suppress dissent. The UN guidelines on the use of force by law enforcement state that public assemblies may be deemed unlawful under domestic laws for various reasons, such as failing to meet procedural requirements or violating restrictions. However, many such reasons, like procedural noncompliance, do not render an assembly unlawful under international human rights law. "...In any case, the mere fact that an assembly is considered unlawful under domestic legislation does not justify the use of force by law enforcement officials," reads the guidelines. The committee will also recommend what extent of force can be used when and in what situation. Before using any force to disperse unlawful assembly, police have to take into consideration the reasons for their assembly and take peaceful means to settle their problems, the official said, while referring to an incident in an African country in 2006 that led to the ban of shotgun use in crowd control. PROCUREMENT AND USE OF ADVANCED WEAPONRY A number of police officers said the force has had SMG and LMG for many years and those assault rifles were to guard police stations in war-like situations or any other emergency. However, using weapons in crowd control began on a limited scale in 2012 and 2013 and it continued to increase during Awami League's rule as people became hostile against the government and police for issues like holding farcical elections and taking hardline on political opponents, they added. A meeting in October 2014, including representatives from the home ministry and Police Headquarters, decided to procure lethal firearms including 7.62mm rifles. The decision to acquire the weapons was influenced by the events surrounding a Hefajat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013 and protests by Jamaat-Shibir men against the trial of war criminals, an official who was in the meeting told The Daily Star recently. The government also considered their potential use to suppress dissent, if necessary. The first batch of weapons arrived in 2015 from Italy. The weapons were intended for specialised units to tackle special situations but not for use against unarmed people, a retired additional inspector general of police who attended the home ministry meeting. "Such actions are unacceptable and the responsibility lies with those who misuse their authority," he added. The issue of using lethal weapons indiscriminately came to the fore after the fall of the AL government on August 5 when former Home Affairs Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain on several occasions questioned how such "military grade" weapons were given to police. Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy made several Facebook posts claiming that Bangladesh police did not use 7.62mm rifles and claimed outsiders opened fire with 7.62 firearms on the students. But, purchase documents on the Bangladesh Police's website show police have long been using 7.62 sniper rifles and 7.62mm bullets. The latest such move was taken in March when the Police Headquarters floated a tender inviting bids for buying 50 7.62mm sniper rifles. Earlier in March 2023, the Police Headquarters purchased 30 7.62 sniper rifles. Officials said the weapons were purchased keeping the January 2024 general elections in mind. Besides, police authorities procured a large consignment of 15,000 pieces of 7.62mm semi-automatic rifles in September 2019 and August 2018, according to the website of Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority.
Shares of Albemarle Corp. .css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} .css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} ALB slipped 0.96% to $88.29 Friday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 1.11% to 5,970.84 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.77% to 42,992.21. This was the stock's second consecutive day of losses.Purpose Investments Announces Termination of Purpose Marijuana Opportunities Fund“Ora et Labora” – Pray and Work (St. Benedict) Nigeria, a nation brimming with vibrant cultures and traditions, is also known for its deep religiosity. Faith plays a central role in the lives of many Nigerians, influencing everything from daily routines to political discourse. But is there a line between genuine devotion and being “over-religious”? The signs are often debated: public displays of piety, fervent pronouncements, and a tendency to attribute both success and failure to divine intervention. Critics argue this fosters a culture of blind faith, stifling critical thinking and enabling exploitation by religious leaders. They point to the proliferation of prosperity gospel churches and the rise in religiously motivated violence as evidence of faith gone astray. However, proponents argue that faith provides a moral compass, community support, and hope in a challenging environment. They see expressions of faith as a natural outpouring of deep-seated beliefs and a source of strength in the face of adversity. The reality is likely more nuanced. Nigeria’s religious landscape is diverse, with Christianity, Islam, and traditional beliefs coexisting, sometimes harmoniously, sometimes in tension. While some may indeed use religion for personal gain or to justify harmful actions, many others find solace, guidance, and a sense of belonging in their faith. So, in 2016, I originally wrote this essay titled...When we ate rice once in a while. Over the week my friend Ohonusi Samuel shared the story which forms my admonition for this week...he tells a narrative about his friend...I have made a few additions. My CEO friend runs a successful Nigerian mining concern, and operates a quarry in a remote part of Ogun state, Nigeria. He had taken me there in the early phases of prospecting and investment analysis. The site was motorable up to a point. Along the way, we saw primary schools that had been established by the late visionary, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, way back... Give it to him, Awolowo did try for his people! (In those days, they all tried for their people, whether it was Ahmadu Bello, or Azikiwe...the question still remain till date where did we get it wrong? or maybe we were never right...but I recall very well then we ate rice only during Christmas, and special occasions). We parked his SUV up to the motorable limits and waded through thick tropical brushes, bamboo forests and rough slopes to the project site. We were dressed for the occasion. I took time to give you this detail because you cannot describe my disbelief to get there to find a Chinese company operating a massive quarry in that extrasolar environment! They worked and sweated 24/7. There were heaps of finished stones waiting to be evacuated to customer sites. The Chinese, by design, have abnormal testosterone levels! As we made it back to the bustling city of Lagos, we stopped by a ‘mamaput’ restaurant close to the massive Redeemed Camp, a religious camping facility stretching several kilometers length and breadth. Nothing yet invented by man compares to a hot-pounded yam with egusi soup decorated with assorted ‘obstacles,’ after a bush trip. In between swallows, I said to my colleague, “I still haven’t gotten over the shock of seeing the Chinese in those god-forsaken bushes!” That was when he blurted out a marble-worthy quote I won’t forget in my entrepreneurial lifetime. Said he, “While the Chinese and Lebanese are in our bushes picking millions of dollars every day, fellow Nigerians are in religious camps shouting, ‘Oluwa dide, Oluwa gbo, Oluwa gba ogo!’ Meaning: God arise...God listen... And I wondered which “god” we were talking about, is it the god on the Plateau that we keep fighting for and on behalf of while the same stones are moved out of the Wase axis of the state by the same Chinese? We are a nation where the government has to explain the rationale of giving or not giving concessions to persons going to pray to “their gods” and citizens are bothered that if it was done for faith A, then why the noise of faith B? This is the country of plenty parties, the sweet life, loud music, order in disorder, we cry about of dollars expended on getting us rice to eat, like that is the only staple or cheapest food...alas the truth remains that while wealth abounds all around us, we are either Boko-ing ourselves or avenging some haram done to the Niger Delta region. Things were better when we ate rice with those eye-popping beef on Sallah, it was the era when Christians could not wait for the Eid to come because we would see the Ram-fights, and partake of the ‘kaza’ (meat). They were the good times, no one thought or was afraid of Islamization. I dare remind us that then China was a pariah nation. We suddenly started killing ourselves, we got it all messed up, or maybe we never even got it right, the years rolled by, and Nigeria, the nation where the problem wasn’t the money but how to spend it, could not even produce a light bulb, was importing pencils and pens with which her leaders stole them dry in all sort of manners. It was the days of Nigeria Airways, the good old Nigerian Railways that owed salaries only compared to its equally old Daily Times, then we ate rice only once in a while but what happened, the Chinese came and if they were not repairing or building new railroads for us, they were now bringing made by prisoners in China ‘adire’ (Yoruba fabric) for us. We even started teaching Chinese in some of our schools, everyone was and is leaving Nigeria and we are still shouting and asking God to arise and let His enemies to scatter when indeed we are our enemies, we are the same people denying ourselves greatness by both our actions and inactions. We have taken religion to a new nauseating high, while we are a people bent on self-destruction, and ever-increasing hate ratio. We are only united by our mutual desire for rice, and ‘god’, but divided on who wants to work for it, who should work, whether we should be working. We still are dependent on everyone but ourselves for everything and most things, the sad reality is we remain the goldmine; we remain the great potential that could have been great. We remain unsure what we want whether regionalism, tax reforms, restructuring, we do not know whether state and religion are one and the same of differently the same, when stealing is not corruption, padding is neither, we keep soldiering on, praying with the same lips we lie with, until we know that there is no food for lazy man and resort to working out the true Nigerian spirit, will prayers without work achieve anything? Only time will tell, and may Nigeria work, may Nigeria win.
Albanese struggles to offload Sydney investment propertyTV presenters Emma and Matt Willis have expressed their concerns for their children, admitting they are "worried and scared" about the need for increased safeguards for children using smartphones. This comes after their involvement in a groundbreaking social experiment featured in their new Channel 4 documentary 'Swiped', which delves into the effects of smartphone usage on young people's behaviour. The couple teamed up with The Stanway School in Colchester, challenging a group of Year 8 students—and themselves—to go without their smartphones for three weeks. The kids, some of whom used their phones for up to five hours daily, initially found it tough to cope without the gadgets they're hooked on. However, as the experiment progressed, improvements were noted; the youngsters slept better, appeared more attentive in class, and some experienced reduced anxiety. The documentary also explores the disturbing content that young children can access on their phones, including violent footage and explicit adult material, leaving Emma and Matt shocked. Read more Rebekah Vardy branded 'jealous' and 'desperate' by ex-husband in savage rant Emma and Matt, posing as 13 year olds on TikTok with new phones, were shocked to receive content related to suicide and violence against women within just four hours of scrolling on a fresh account, reports the Mirror . Emma expressed her shock, saying: "It's just not what I thought it would was. I know you hear stories about what can be found on there but finding and searching for something is very different from it being served to you the first time you go on there as a 13 year old." Matt later described the content accessible to children on their phones as "terrifying". Prior to the experiment, Matt voiced his concerns: "It's how much time our kids spend on their smart phones that got us worried. I think we've signed up to this experiment because we're living it. We're going through it with our kids and we have no idea how to navigate this. We're worried, we're scared, everything we're seeing is negative, but we don't know how to stop it." He also shared his personal experience: "Our daughter was 11 when she got a smart phone, it's been the biggest disruptor between us and her, I feel like I lose her to it quite a bit. I miss her. I remember sitting on the couch once, the TV was playing and we were all on our phone. I was like, 'This is not good'." The couple, parents to Isabelle, 15, Ace, 13, and Trixie, 8, have now implemented changes in their own home following the experiment. Emma, the presenter of The Voice, aged 48, has shared details about her family's tech habits, revealing that mobile phones are now charged downstairs and not in bedrooms. The children also hand over their devices to ensure some quality time together after 8pm. Interestingly, Emma has removed Instagram from her phone, only accessing it via an iPad. While their youngest child has steered clear of owning a smartphone for now, this looks unlikely to change for several years. Emma expressed her mixed feelings on the matter: "Our kids first had a phone when they were at secondary school, it feels like everyone has one and they want one. There are times when I definitely feel like I've lost them. Personally for me, I wished I'd never given them a smart phone. Our eldest, even now, and we're a bit scared of her on this subject, which is terrible really because she's a lovely kid. We never allow them to have social media. Then when she was 14 she had been begging for a long time and we were like, you can have Snapchat. And she's literally on it all the time." She continues with hopes for the future: "The one thing that we really want to get out of this experiment is that we really hope that it will get the ball rolling and change will begin. Because I think what we all want is that for our kids to be able to be in the tech world from the right age, but be absolutely safe within it. If we can all kind of put that pressure on, hopefully we can make positive change." Musician Matt, 41, who is a recovering drug addict and no stranger to battling addiction, shared his personal struggle with technology dependency. He confessed: "I used to belittle it in my head. But when I think about it, I am addicted to my phone. When I'm without it I crave it. I act the same way about this device as I have about substances in the past." He also expressed strong support for age restrictions on smartphone use, saying: "When I think about the idea of a smartphone ban to the age of 14, I think that's a very wise decision. We are exposing them to so much stuff that they can't process or they shouldn't be seeing, and we are allowing that to happen. The Government can't turn a blind eye to this anymore. You've got to look at this and go, this is a massive problem." They discuss potential reforms with Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, considering measures such as a ban on smartphones for under-14s on the documentary.The cost of building a home in NSW and Victoria has jumped by more than 25 per cent in four years, after completion times blew out during the pandemic. The national average construction cost for a home – including houses, townhouses and apartments – rose from $345,410 to $443,828 between 2019-20 and 2023-24, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data published last week. The cost of building a home in Australia has increased by almost $100,000 in four years. Credit: Louie Douvis Costs surged across all states during the period, rising by 25.5 per cent in Victoria and 30.2 per cent in NSW. The biggest leap took place in Queensland, with a 44 per cent rise. The cost of building a home soared during the pandemic due to higher demand, boosted by record low interest rates and government grants such as HomeBuilder. At the same time, disruptions to global supply chains pushed up material and freight costs, and worsened labour shortages. Housing Industry Australia chief economist Tim Reardon said construction costs grew at the fastest rate in June 2022 as supply chain disruptions filtered through to the building process. “You only need one disruption to disrupt everything else and the whole dynamic,” Reardon said. “If you’re missing one component, like the glue for a benchtop, you can’t manufacture that product, you can’t complete the kitchen, and you can’t sell the house.” Reardon said timber prices have fallen about 20 per cent over the past year as global supply chains improve, but other costs – particularly for energy-intensive materials such as aluminium, glass and cement – continue to rise. “The further we get away from the pandemic, the more settled those price changes will be,” he said. AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina said construction costs were among the fastest rising components of inflation. “It has moderated a lot over the past six to nine months, but it’s still growing faster compared to headline inflation,” she said. “It started off as a supply issue, but the problem became worse because people were demanding materials to do renovations or to build their home.” The influx has created a bottleneck: the number of houses under construction nearly doubled from 56,000 in June 2020 to 104,315 in March 2023, a number 48 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic record of 70,000 six years ago. This figure dropped to 87,149 in June 2024, but building times remain long, increasing from six months and three weeks in September 2019 to nine months and four weeks in June 2024, the ABS reported. Reardon said the ABS data was likely coming in with a lag. “Build times are now less than what they were pre-pandemic, though only by a week or two,” he said. However, labour shortages would remain constant for at least the next two years, Reardon said, because of the large volume of government construction work under way that is taking up any excess capacity in the labour market. Mousina said construction cost inflation, while down from its peak, could remain higher than overall inflation for some time, partly due to competing government infrastructure projects. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Construction Housing crisis Property development Millie Muroi is the economics writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Canberra. She was formerly the banking writer based in Sydney. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in National Loading
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