A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets
Dastgir laments unable to meet Nawaz in a yearWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars' worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC's antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC's efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump's orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan's scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.A user manual for yeast's genetic switches December 19, 2024 Kobe University When introducing genes into yeast to make it produce drugs and other useful substances, it is also necessary to reliably switch the production on or off. Researchers have found three gene regulation design principles that provide a flexible guideline for the effective control of microbiological production. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email When introducing genes into yeast to make it produce drugs and other useful substances, it is also necessary to reliably switch the production on or off. A Kobe University team found three gene regulation design principles that provide a flexible guideline for the effective control of microbiological production. It's said that DNA is the blueprint of life, telling our cells what to produce. But DNA also contains the switches telling those cells when to produce something and how much of it. Therefore, when introducing new genes into cells to produce useful chemicals such as drugs or raw materials for chemical production, it is also necessary to include a genetic switch, a piece of DNA called a "promoter," that tells the cells to start production as needed. Kobe University bioengineer TOMINAGA Masahiro says: "The problem is that these promoters cannot be used in a plug-and-play manner unless researchers deeply understand how they interact with other genetic elements. Indeed, there are not so many cases in which researchers use artificial promoters to precisely control the cellular production and achieve their research purpose." Sometimes the production is too low, sometimes it is "leaky," meaning that it cannot be turned off at will. This is especially true for bioengineering yeast, which is more complex in its genetic regulation compared to bacteria. But this increased complexity also enables its use to produce many useful chemicals. As experts in modifying yeast cells, Tominaga and colleagues from the team led by ISHII Jun took a systematic approach to working out how to design effective promoters. "We came up with the idea that by carefully describing our process of improving a prototype promoter, we could prepare a 'user manual' for how to achieve high-performance and precise control so that these genetic systems could be more widely used," Tominaga explains. In a paper now published in the journal Nature Communications , they describe three design principles for yeast promoters. First, if researchers not only need large amounts of the product but also the ability to switch the production on or off at will, they should introduce multiple copies of the regulatory elements enabling this within the promoter. This reduces leakiness and increases the productivity. Second, the distance between promoter elements should be as small as possible to enhance the productivity even more. And third, the promoter should be insulated from surrounding DNA by including extra DNA before it to further reduce leakiness. Tominaga says: "We showed that a promoter's performance can be improved more than 100-fold by simply modifying its surrounding sequence. This is the first study to clearly propose a solution to the problem why potent yeast promoters work in some environments and not in others." The Kobe University bioengineers demonstrated the usefulness of their system by showcasing the production of two pharmaceutically useful proteins, so-called "biologics." Not only could they produce these two biologics in separate yeast strains but also in the same strain and with the ability to independently control which biologic is produced at any time. The latter is important because it has potential applications in hospitals, as the team explains in the study: "In addition to the conventional fermentation of single biologics, the rapid and single-dose production of multiple biologics with a single yeast strain at the point of care is crucial for emergencies that require production speed and flexibility rather than purity and productivity." They also achieved the notoriously difficult production of a coronavirus protein that can be used for the production of treatments, further showcasing both the usefulness and the flexibility of their design principles. Tominaga explains his wider outlook on the implications of this study: "Synthetic biology advocates creating new biological functions by rewriting genome sequences. The reality is however that we are often confused by unexpected changes resulting from our edits. We hope that our study is the first step towards the ability to design every single base in the genome with clear intentions." This research was funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (grants JP21ae0121002, JP21ae0121005, JP21ae0121006, JP21ae0121007, JP20ae0101055 and JP20ae0101060), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (grants JPMJCR21N2 and JPMJGX23B4) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grants JP23K26469, JP23H01776 and JP18K14374). It was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Pharma Foods International Co. Ltd and National Institute of Health Sciences. Story Source: Materials provided by Kobe University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :
Ottawa’s homeless population more than doubles since 2021
Salesforce , a leading global player in customer relationship management This article provides an in-depth analysis of Salesforce stock price, key financial metrics, market performance, and future outlook (CRM) software, has shown a significant upward trajectory in its stock performance, capturing the attention of investors and market analysts alike. With a current stock price of $335.78 , reflecting a +3.09% (+$10.08) increase, the stock demonstrates robust momentum as it approaches the end of 2024. This article provides an in-depth analysis of Salesforce stock price, key financial metrics, market performance, and future outlook. Salesforce stock price has been steadily climbing in 2024, bolstered by strong earnings, strategic investments, and market confidence in its business model. Current Price : $335.78 52-Week Range : High: $348.86 (achieved on November 12, 2024) Low: $212.00 (recorded on May 30, 2024) Market Cap : $321.006 billion 10-Day Average Volume : 7.36 million shares The stock is trading close to its 52-week high, indicating strong investor confidence. The year-to-date (YTD) price change of +27.61% showcases impressive growth, outperforming many peers in the tech sector. Earnings Per Share (EPS) : 5.75 (TTM) Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E) : Trailing P/E: 58.43 Forward P/E: 32.10 The trailing P/E ratio of 58.43 reflects Salesforce's premium valuation, common for high-growth tech stocks . The forward P/E ratio of 32.10 suggests expectations of robust earnings growth, indicating that the market remains optimistic about its future performance. Revenue (TTM) : $36.465 billion EBITDA (TTM) : $10.551 billion Gross Margin (TTM) : 76.35% Net Margin (TTM) : 15.44% Return on Equity (ROE) : 9.73% Salesforce’s gross margin of 76.35% highlights its operational efficiency and ability to generate substantial profit from its revenues. A net margin of 15.44% further underscores its profitability in a competitive tech landscape. Dividend : $1.60 annually (quarterly $0.40) Dividend Yield : 0.48% The introduction of dividends underscores Salesforce’s financial strength and its intent to return value to shareholders, balancing growth with income generation. Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) : 14.63% A relatively low debt-to-equity ratio highlights Salesforce’s prudent capital management, ensuring a healthy balance sheet while investing in innovation and expansion. Market Sentiment and Performance Indicators Beta : 1.30 A beta of 1.30 indicates that Salesforce’s stock is moderately volatile, moving more than the broader market but within a predictable range. This aligns with the tech sector's typical behavior, which often experiences heightened market sensitivity. The 10-day average volume of 7.36 million shares signifies strong trading activity, reflecting sustained investor interest and liquidity in the stock. The recent increase of 3.09% reflects positive sentiment, likely driven by upcoming events, including Salesforce’s earnings report scheduled for December 3, 2024. Investors are anticipating robust results based on the company’s performance trajectory. Key Growth Drivers Salesforce continues to dominate the CRM market, driven by its innovative platform and AI-powered tools like Einstein AI. The company’s ability to integrate AI, analytics, and customer insights has helped it maintain its leadership position in the industry. Salesforce has diversified its offerings beyond CRM software, including data analytics ( Tableau ), cloud integration (MuleSoft), and productivity tools (Slack). These acquisitions have not only expanded its product portfolio but also contributed significantly to its revenue growth. The accelerated adoption of cloud technology across industries has boosted Salesforce’s demand. As businesses continue to digitize, Salesforce’s cloud-based solutions remain integral to enterprise workflows. Salesforce’s investment in generative AI and automation technologies further cements its position as a tech innovator. These advancements are expected to enhance customer retention and attract new clients, driving future growth. Upcoming Events and Catalysts Date : December 3, 2024 The upcoming earnings report is expected to shed light on Salesforce’s financial performance in Q3 FY2025. Analysts anticipate strong revenue growth and guidance updates, which could further influence the stock price. Date : September 18, 2024 Dividend Amount : $0.40 per share The dividend payout reflects Salesforce’s focus on creating long-term value for shareholders, a strategy that appeals to both growth and income-focused investors. While Salesforce’s performance is impressive, certain challenges and risks could impact its future growth: High Valuation : The current P/E ratio of 58.43 indicates that Salesforce’s stock is priced for perfection. Any earnings miss or guidance downgrade could result in a significant price correction. Intense Competition : The CRM space faces growing competition from Microsoft, Oracle, and emerging startups. Maintaining market share requires continuous innovation and customer retention efforts. Economic Uncertainty : Macroeconomic factors, including inflation and interest rate fluctuations, could impact Salesforce’s enterprise spending and growth trajectory. Market analysts maintain an optimistic outlook on Salesforce, citing its strong fundamentals, leadership in CRM, and strategic focus on AI and cloud technologies. Many have set price targets above $350, indicating potential for continued upside. Comparison with Competitors Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 is a direct competitor in the CRM space. While Salesforce leads in market share, Microsoft leverages its broader ecosystem (Office, Azure) to attract clients. Oracle’s customer experience (CX) suite focuses on integrated data solutions, posing a challenge to Salesforce in enterprise-level CRM deployments. HubSpot targets small and medium businesses, an area where Salesforce has recently expanded. Competition in this segment remains fierce. Salesforce’s stock is poised for continued growth, supported by its diversified product portfolio, leadership in CRM, and investments in AI and cloud technologies. The company’s ability to adapt to evolving market trends and deliver consistent results will be critical to sustaining its momentum. Salesforce’s current stock price of $335.78 reflects the company’s strong performance and market confidence. With a year-to-date gain of 27.61%, the stock has significantly outperformed many of its peers. Robust financial metrics, strategic investments, and a leadership position in CRM make Salesforce an attractive option for long-term investors. However, potential risks from high valuations and macroeconomic uncertainties warrant careful monitoring. As Salesforce gears up for its earnings report in December 2024, the market will closely watch its performance and guidance for the coming quarters. With strong fundamentals and promising growth drivers, Salesforce remains a key player in the tech sector and an exciting stock to watch.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96
Ottawa police officers take children on Christmas shopping spree
