Alvin Luk
In November 2024, the U.S. FDA cleared the company's drug HG202, a treatment for a rare eye condition called neovascular age-related macular degeneration, for a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate its safety and efficacy. The first few patients who received the treatment in clinical tests in China starting in 2023 have reported improvements in their vision and no adverse effects.
A month later, the company announced it had administered its treatment to the first patient in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy trial and also for its trial for a rare and fatal neurodevelopmental disorder called MECP2 duplication syndrome. Based on preliminary data presented in April, the 9-year-old boy with MECP2 duplication syndrome showed improvements in motor and social skills after treatment, though many hurdles remain before full approval.
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The Hill
7 minutes ago
- The Hill
Some Claire's, Icing stores set to close after bankruptcy filing: court docs
(NEXSTAR) — More than a dozen Claire's stores, as well as a few Icing locations, are set to close in the coming weeks after the former filed for bankruptcy. Illinois-based Claire's, which also operates Icing, announced Wednesday that it was voluntarily beginning Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings 'to maximize the value of its business.' 'This decision is difficult, but a necessary one,' Chris Cramer, CEO of Claire's, said in a press release, citing pressure from 'increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away from brick-and-mortar retail,' as well as debt obligations and 'macroeconomic factors.' 'We remain in active discussions with potential strategic and financial partners and are committed to completing our review of strategic alternatives,' he added. Trump promised lower grocery prices 'on Day One.' Here's what happened In the same press release, the company said Claire's stores 'will remain open.' Court documents filed the same day, however, identified 18 stores — five Icing stores and 13 Claire's locations — across 13 states for potential closure. These stores were previously identified as locations that 'should be exited,' court documents explain. Alabama 3518 Eastdale Mall, Montgomery California 8042 Galleria at Tyler, Riverside (Icing) 5586 Newpark Mall, Newark Illinois 5307 Ford City Mall, Chicago Massachusetts 3358 Market Street at Lynnfield, Lynnfield Michigan 5896 Bay City Town Center, Bay City 3422 Woodland Mall, Grand Rapids (Icing) Minnesota 6684 Northtown Mall, Blaine New Jersey 6373 Livingston Mall, Livingston New York 8456 Greece Ridge, Rochester (Icing) Pennsylvania 5406 Union Town Mall, Union Town Tennessee 5368 Pinnacle at Turkey Creek, Knoxville Texas 6252 Shops at Highland Village, Highland Village 8615 Mall of Abilene, Abilene (Icing) Utah 6705 Provo Town Center, Provo 6233 Junction Commons, Park City 8668 University Orem, Orem (Icing) Washington 722 Woodinville Plaza, Woodinville Store closing sales are expected to end no later than September 7, should the filing receive approval. Claire's, well-known for its affordable jewelry and accessories, as well as its piercing service, previously filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018. According to CNBC, the retailer is facing a similar burden now, namely a steep debt load. Tariffs and increased competition are adding to the pressure now. Currently, Claire's has about $500 million in debt and between $1 billion and $10 billion in assets and liabilities. Citing court documents, CNBC reports Claire's is exploring a sale of its assets. Other retailers that have filed for bankruptcy this year include At Home and JOANN. Fellow mall-focused stores, like Torrid, have also been forced to close dozens of stores.
Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
Anonymity as Activism: How Opting Out Challenges Global Surveillance Culture
VANCOUVER, British Columbia. In an era where digital footprints are monetized, biometric data is stored indefinitely, and every online action feeds an algorithm, choosing to live anonymously has become more than a lifestyle; it has become a political act. For a growing segment of global citizens, anonymity is no longer about secrecy; it is about resistance. From the corridors of Silicon Valley to the streets of Istanbul, people are opting out of surveillance capitalism and algorithmic profiling. They are refusing to participate in data extraction economies. They are challenging the presumption that all individuals must be monitored to be secure, known to be trustworthy, or visible to be legitimate. At the forefront of this movement is Amicus International Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping clients achieve legal anonymity, financial privacy, and strategic autonomy. Through second citizenships, offshore structuring, digital self-erasure, and jurisdictional repositioning, Amicus has positioned itself not only as a facilitator of identity transformation but as a key ally in the fight against global surveillance culture. From Privacy to Protest: The Evolution of Anonymity Historically, anonymity was about hiding, dodging creditors, escaping law enforcement, or concealing embarrassing information. Today, it has evolved into a deliberate protest against systemic overreach. Consider the technologies now embedded in everyday life: Phones track location, contacts, and activity patterns Browsers log behavioral data and keystrokes Facial recognition is standard at airports, border crossings, and even shopping centers Social media monitors political sentiment, friends, and group affiliation Governments and corporations share biometric databases across borders Against this backdrop, opting out is not just personal. It is public dissent. Case Study: The Digital Designer Who Walked Away From the Feed In 2024, a Los Angeles-based UX designer deleted all of her social media, encrypted her phone, changed her legal name, and relocated to Portugal. She had grown disillusioned with designing interfaces that trap users in an infinite scroll and expose them to excessive data. She contacted Amicus with a simple directive: 'Help me live where I am not the product.' Amicus helped her secure a second citizenship through Dominica's citizenship-by-investment program, transfer her freelance business offshore to a Seychelles company, and build a digital infrastructure using only zero-knowledge encrypted tools. Today, she runs a profitable design studio for privacy-first brands, accepts payment exclusively in Monero and stablecoins, and communicates through anonymous messaging platforms. Her digital trail is minimal. Her decision, she says, was 'not about escape—it was about integrity.' Opting Out: The New Form of Civil Disobedience Nonviolent resistance has taken many forms throughout history: boycotts, hunger strikes, and tax refusal. In the 21st century, the digital equivalent is refusing to participate in systems that monetize your identity. Amicus clients who choose civil anonymity often cite: Political disenchantment with state surveillance Ethical refusal to participate in social scoring systems Fear of algorithmic discrimination in employment or finance Concern about corporate collusion with authoritarian regimes Desire for autonomy in a world that algorithmically defines 'normal' They are not criminals. They are conscientious objectors to the surveillance status quo. The Surveillance Culture: Where Data Becomes Doctrine Surveillance culture refers to a society where monitoring, tracking, and behavior prediction are embedded into governance, commerce, and social interaction. It is no longer about cameras on street corners. It is about: Predictive policing based on social affiliations Insurance premiums tied to mobile activity Visa applications requiring social media handles Border entry systems linked to biometric risk scoring Consumer profiling influences loan eligibility What began as national security has evolved into civilian normalization of surveillance. Opting out becomes a way to challenge that normalization. Tools of Anonymity as Resistance Amicus International Consulting supports clients in executing legal, effective, and robust strategies to withdraw from the surveillance matrix while maintaining legal and financial functionality. 1. Legal Identity Transformation Clients are guided through the process of securing new legal identities through second citizenship or legal name change in surveillance-neutral jurisdictions. Nations like St. Kitts and Nevis, Vanuatu, and Turkey offer legitimate programs that allow individuals to sever ties with databases that track, flag, or profile them. 2. Offshore Infrastructure Business operations, banking, and asset holdings are restructured offshore using private entities in jurisdictions that do not share data with global surveillance coalitions. These include Nevis, Panama, Belize, and the Cook Islands. 3. Financial Disconnection From Domestic Systems Clients are assisted in moving assets out of countries with aggressive financial surveillance (e.g., U.S., U.K., Australia) and into accounts managed through trusts and international foundations with proper legal shielding. 4. Digital Detox Strategy Amicus privacy consultants initiate a 'digital detox' protocol: Metadata erasure across social platforms Suppression of online profiles using reverse SEO Migration to anonymous communication platforms Transition to burner devices and private browsers 5. Travel Without Data Trails Clients learn to travel using multiple passports, short-term visas, and non-biometric border crossings. Amicus curates travel plans through airports and jurisdictions known to minimize data retention. Case Study: The Journalist Escaping Algorithmic Repression A freelance journalist who covered civil unrest in multiple authoritarian countries was flagged by international border systems and banned from entering two regions in Europe. Her reporting had triggered government surveillance. She feared arrest or visa revocation. Amicus developed a new operational identity using a St. Lucia passport, a private offshore business in Dubai, and relocation to Uruguayan jurisdiction with strong constitutional privacy protections. She now works anonymously under a pseudonym, accepts payment in crypto through a foundation in Liechtenstein, and crosses borders legally without disclosing her identity as a journalist. Her anonymity allows her to continue reporting without fear. Why Anonymity Is Not Illegality Critics often conflate anonymity with illegality. Amicus firmly rejects this association. Anonymity, when lawfully constructed, is a defensive legal strategy, not an act of deception. The firm ensures that all structures comply with: CRS and FATCA reporting, where applicable Local tax residency rules and visa requirements Legal frameworks for second citizenship and name change International money movement laws and anti-money laundering guidelines Anonymity is achieved through jurisdictional arbitrage, not legal evasion. Clients remain within the law, just not within the surveillance nets of any one state or agency. The Rise of Opt-Out Culture In 2025, more people are choosing to unplug from surveillance than ever before: VPN use has doubled since 2022 Decentralized communication tools have surged in adoption Over 1 million people have obtained second citizenship through investment Prominent tech figures have publicly renounced social media and traditional finance Youth movements across Europe and South America are advocating for 'data neutrality.' The opt-out culture is no longer fringe. It is a growing response to overreach. Case Study: A Family That Left the Grid A family of five, based in Chicago, had been targeted after a controversial local school board election. Their home was vandalized, and they received online threats. They contacted Amicus seeking a way to disappear legally and safely. The strategy: Legal name changes St. Kitts citizenship by investment Relocation to the Azores via Portugal's D7 visa Banking shifted to Swiss custodial services through a Liechtenstein foundation Removal of all public digital data through takedown campaigns Today, the family lives quietly, runs a business remotely, and maintains contact with loved ones through private channels. They opted out not out of fear but out of conviction. Amicus: Where Autonomy Is a Right, Not a Risk Amicus International Consulting exists to support those who choose not to live under constant scrutiny. Its services include: Legal identity restructuring Offshore asset planning Second citizenship procurement Digital privacy transformation Strategic relocation Biometric resistance protocols Each client receives a customized plan built for their threat model, ethical priorities, and jurisdictional exposure. Conclusion: Disappearing to Be Seen Differently In today's world, disappearing isn't about hiding; it's about showing the world that you reject passive compliance with surveillance. It is a statement that privacy matters, that identity is sovereign, and that no one should be categorized by a predictive model or reduced to a biometric scan. Anonymity as activism is absolute. And it's growing. Amicus International Consulting stands ready to assist those who choose to make that stand legally, safely, and permanently. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@ Website: TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Upturn
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Decoding the Rowan Williams MiM Marketing Model
Rowan Williams, founder and Managing Director of MiM, has built a UK-based marketing agency with a structure that is surprisingly relevant for U.S. audiences. While MiM operates primarily out of the UK, its underlying business model contains transferable elements that could resonate with small businesses, startups, and even marketing students across the United States. From its service offerings to its scalability mechanisms, MiM's approach blends performance-driven strategies with human-centric client management. Here, we unpack how Rowan's business model works—and why it matters for U.S. consumers and entrepreneurs. How Rowan Williams's MiM Agency Builds Client Trust in the U.S. Context MiM places an unusual amount of emphasis on personalized onboarding sessions, where client goals are documented in granular detail. For U.S. businesses, this mirrors the high-touch consultancy style often preferred by mid-sized companies in sectors like hospitality, fitness, and retail. The agency translates abstract marketing goals into measurable KPIs, which is essential in the U.S. market where ROI accountability is non-negotiable. Transparent Performance Reporting for Accountability Instead of generic monthly summaries, MiM delivers campaign performance dashboards that clients can access 24/7. In the U.S., where marketing contracts are often contingent on visible results, this kind of transparency could significantly reduce client churn. Revenue Streams of the MiM Marketing Model for U.S. Small Businesses A large portion of MiM's revenue comes from ongoing retainer agreements rather than one-off projects. For U.S. small businesses, this model offers predictability—both for budgeting and strategic planning. Retainers also foster long-term partnerships, something U.S. agencies sometimes struggle to maintain due to a focus on quick wins. Project-Based High-Impact Campaigns For clients unwilling to commit to long-term retainers, MiM offers high-impact, short-term campaigns. U.S. seasonal businesses—like tourism outfits in Florida or ski resorts in Colorado—could benefit from this flexibility without sacrificing strategic depth. Digital Education and Templates Rowan's parallel presence on platforms like Udemy allows MiM to monetize knowledge in a scalable, passive-income format. These courses can be adapted for U.S. entrepreneurs seeking affordable, self-paced learning in digital marketing. How the MiM Agency Differentiates in Competitive U.S. Marketing Landscapes Blending Data Science With Creative Storytelling MiM's internal team structure pairs data analysts with creative copywriters from the outset of a campaign. This is particularly appealing in the U.S., where audiences respond to both emotional hooks and quantifiable results. Industry-Specific Campaign Blueprints Instead of reinventing the wheel, MiM creates reusable marketing templates tailored for industries like e-commerce, B2B services, and health/wellness. U.S. clients could plug these templates into their existing workflows with minimal localization. Scaling the MiM Business Model for U.S. Market Entry Leveraging Remote-First Operations Because MiM's model is not tied to a physical office, expansion into the U.S. wouldn't require heavy real estate investment. This lowers entry barriers and allows for agile market testing. Partnering With U.S.-Based Freelance Talent By integrating American designers, ad specialists, and content writers into campaigns, MiM could localize messaging without diluting its core methodologies. Consumer Impact of Rowan Williams's MiM Marketing Model in the U.S. Empowering Small Businesses With Enterprise-Grade Tools MiM uses advanced analytics platforms that are typically cost-prohibitive for smaller companies. Through packaged service tiers, U.S. small businesses could access these tools without the typical six-figure software investment. Reducing Marketing Burnout for Entrepreneurs By providing strategy, execution, and reporting under one roof, MiM reduces the need for U.S. entrepreneurs to juggle multiple vendors—freeing up time for core business operations. How Rowan Williams's Educational Background Shapes the MiM Model for U.S. Application Bridging Theory and Practice Through Digital Learning Rowan's experience creating online courses means his agency workflows are designed for teachability. U.S. marketing students could benefit from MiM's case studies as part of digital marketing curricula. Cultivating Cultural Adaptability His work in diverse global markets has informed a model that can adapt to regional U.S. sensibilities—whether tailoring a campaign for the tech-savvy Pacific Northwest or the tradition-driven South. The Untapped Potential: MiM as a Culturally Adaptive Marketing Template for U.S. SMEs Here's an angle few have considered: Rowan Williams's MiM model could serve as a pre-built, culturally adaptive marketing template for U.S. regional SMEs. By combining his global agency experience with digital education expertise, Rowan is positioned to offer sector-specific, plug-and-play strategies that require minimal U.S. localization. From a Chicago-based family bakery to a Los Angeles tech startup, these templates could be rolled out with tailored creative assets and data-backed campaign structures—giving smaller U.S. businesses access to marketing sophistication typically reserved for national brands. In summary: Rowan Williams's MiM marketing model is not just a UK success story. Its blend of transparent client relationships, scalable operations, and adaptable campaign structures could reshape how U.S. businesses approach marketing. For American entrepreneurs, students, and small business owners, this model offers both inspiration and a potential blueprint for sustained growth. This article is intended for informational and editorial purposes only. It does not constitute endorsement or promotion of any individual, company, or entity mentioned. Business Upturn makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided.
