Latest news with #CEP
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
ScanTech AI Secures ECAC Allocation to Complete European Certification for Advanced AI-Powered Explosive Detection in Aviation
Atlanta, GA, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ScanTech AI Systems Inc. (the 'Company' or 'ScanTech AI') (Nasdaq: STAI ), a leading innovator in advanced security screening technologies, today announced that it has secured a formal allocation to complete the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) certification process for its advanced Sentinel Fixed-Gantry CT system, designed for high-accuracy explosive detection in aviation environments. This allocation positions the Company to undergo additional Phase testing under ECAC's Common Evaluation Process of Security Equipment (CEP), a critical step toward achieving European approval for deployment at airports across the European Union and beyond. About ScanTech AI ScanTech AI Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: STAI) has developed one of the world's most advanced non-intrusive 'fixed-gantry' CT screening technologies. Utilizing proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, ScanTech AI's state-of-the-art scanners accurately and quickly detect hazardous materials and contraband. Engineered to automatically locate, discriminate, and identify threat materials and items of interest, ScanTech AI's solutions are designed for use in airports, seaports, borders, embassies, corporate headquarters, government and commercial buildings, factories, processing plants, and other facilities where security is a priority. For more information, visit and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act'), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ('Exchange Act'), including statements regarding ScanTech AI's management team's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects or strategies regarding the future, including possible business combinations, revenue growth and financial performance, product expansion and services. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Additionally, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'would,' 'should,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'ongoing,' 'target,' 'seek' or the negative or plural of these words, or other similar expressions that are predictions or indicate future events or prospects, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the current expectations and beliefs made by the management of ScanTech AI, in light of their respective experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and their potential effect on ScanTech AI, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ScanTech AI will be those that it has anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including product and service acceptance, regulatory oversights, research and development success, and that ScanTech AI will have sufficient capital to operate as anticipated. Should one or more of these risks of uncertainties materialize, or should any of the assumptions of ScanTech AI prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading 'Risk Factors' and in other sections of the filings of ScanTech AI (and its predecessor, Mars) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), and in the current and periodic reports filed or furnished by ScanTech AI (and its predecessor, Mars) from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on the information available to ScanTech AI as of the date hereof, and ScanTech AI assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may otherwise be required under applicable securities laws. Contact: ScanTech AI Systems Inc. James White, CFO [email protected] Investor & Media Relations Contact: International Elite Capital Inc. Annabelle Zhang +1(646) 866-7928 [email protected]
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Treasury Firm Twenty One Capital Brings Total Fundraise to $685M
Bitcoin BTC treasury firm Twenty One has raised an additional $100 million through convertible senior secured notes, pushing its total capital raised to $685 million as it advances toward a planned merger with Nasdaq-listed Cantor Equity Partners (CEP), a Thursday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shows. The fresh financing comes from existing investors and sponsors who exercised their option to buy more of the notes, originally granted during the April fundraising round, the regulatory filing said. The new notes carry a 1% coupon and are due in 2030. The $100 million boost adds to the $385 million initially committed, bringing the total note financing to $485 million. That's on top of $200 million in private investment in public equity (PIPE) disclosed last month. CEP is lower by 1.5% in morning U.S. trade as bitcoin slips below $107,000. Twenty One is the latest example of firms with a crypto treasury strategy, following Michael Saylor's Startegy (MSTR). The firm is being launched by Brandon Lutnick—the son of U.S. Commerce Secretary and former Cantor Fitzgerald chairman Howard Lutnick—via a a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) structure using Cantor Equity Partners. Owners include iFinex—the parent company of Bitfinex—and Tether, the issuer of the $150 billion USDT. The company will be led by Strike CEO Jack Mallers. The company recently disclosed a $458 million BTC acquisition earlier this month. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
28-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Florida's school districts cite funding cuts for meal option changes
State and federal budget cuts — plus the end of pandemic-era relief funds — are changing how school districts across Florida are feeding public school students. Why it matters: Research has long suggested that free meals in schools increase positive outcomes for students. Doing away with programs that support universal free lunches could negatively impact the millions of Florida's public school students who rely on them. Depending on the district, some families will have to pay for lunch for the first time in years. By the numbers: More than 50% of Florida's public school students last year received free or reduced meals while at school, according to the Florida Department of Health. In Miami-Dade, more than 78,600 students, or more than 55%, were eligible. In the Tampa Bay region, there were more than 72,700 students. More than 50% of students qualified in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, per the state. The latest: In recent weeks, school districts across Florida have announced they are no longer offering free lunches for all students in the 2025-26 school year and are returning to a previously used application process. Other districts have raised the cost of lunches for students. Case in point: In Broward County, officials in a news release said the district will no longer offer free lunches for all students in the 2025-26 school year, citing "changes in program funding." It's also increasing lunch prices by $1. Duval County Public Schools said it was doing away with free universal lunches for 37 schools, reported News4Jax. Pasco County schools announced it was increasing prices for elementary and middle school lunches by 15 cents and high school prices by 20 cents, WUSF reported. A spokesperson for Hillsborough County schools told WUSF it was not raising lunch prices. How it works: Federal funding is available to schools that qualify for the Community Eligibility Program, which provides free lunches for all students at schools if 40% or more students qualify for free or reduced meals. In recent years, districts have provided free lunches in schools that don't meet the CEP criteria, but budget cuts and the end of stimulus funds have made those alternatives harder to sustain. Miami-Dade County schools still qualify for CEP and will continue offering universal free lunches for the 2025-26 year, but officials told Axios they "are evaluating all options for future years." State of play: Both the Broward and Duval districts had used excess federal relief dollars to offer free lunches for all students at schools that no longer qualified for CEP. Those programs, officials said, can't be supported without the additional federal dollars. In Broward County, free school lunches cost about $9 million annually, according to the Miami Herald. Yes, but: That doesn't mean free meals won't be available. Beginning July 14, families who qualify can apply for their student to receive free or reduced lunches, officials said. And all students can still receive free breakfasts through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Universal Free Breakfast Program.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Shaping doctors who listen
With soft skills now crucial in modern medicine, experts urge medical schools to embed community-based learning into training AS healthcare continues to shift from doctor-centred to patient-centred practices, soft skills are becoming increasingly vital for future doctors. From communication and medical ethics to empathy and cultural sensitivity, these skills play a crucial role in ensuring the overall quality of care patients receive – beyond just clinical treatment. ALSO READ: UM medical students use music for healing Experts say the way forward is to embed community-based learning into medical training, enabling future practitioners to strengthen and apply these competencies. One such approach, according to Universiti Malaya (UM) Faculty of Medicine Service Learning Malaysia-University for Society (Sulam) coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Nur Amani @ Natasha Ahmad Tajuddin, is to make service learning a mandatory component of the medical curriculum. 'Unlike generic community service activities – such as a group of medical students planting trees in a garden, which is not part of the medical syllabus – service learning requires students to integrate knowledge from their curriculum, along with both soft and hard skills, into the community. 'It also provides solutions to issues identified within the community,' she told StarEdu. Dr Nur Amani This approach, she said, equips medical students with more relevant and up-to-date skills. 'It empowers and strengthens their knowledge, offering more benefits upon graduation, as they will be able to plan similar or other relevant community-based programmes in the future,' she explained. Citing UM's 'Henti! Elak! Basmi Asap Tembakau!' (HEBAT) Sulam programme as an example, Dr Nur Amani said it trains medical students to plan and implement health-related community projects, such as smoking prevention, mental health, child safety, and healthy lifestyle campaigns. 'After learning about smoking and vaping in the syllabus, they apply that knowledge to help prevent teenagers from becoming smokers or vapers, and provide tips or solutions for managing cravings and withdrawals during the process of quitting tobacco products. 'Through these projects, students develop essential soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, adaptability, problem-solving and financial management – while balancing academics, gaining feedback and critically analysing their work so they can apply their experiences to serve wider communities beyond the university,' she shared. She added that to build rapport and trust in multicultural communities, UM medical students adapt by learning the local language, dressing appropriately to avoid hierarchical barriers, and pushing themselves to communicate effectively, fostering stronger engagement and preparing them for real-world patient interactions. Weighing in, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)-Merican Community Engagement Programme (CEP) chairperson Prof Dr Aziah Daud said medical students often face challenges in developing essential soft skills needed for effective and compassionate care. Prof Aziah 'Some students focus more on diagnosing than actively listening to patients, which can lead to missed concerns and non-verbal cues, resulting in miscommunication. Others struggle with respecting cultural beliefs, especially in rural areas where traditional practices are common. 'Additionally, many students find it difficult to remain patient, resilient and effective in teamwork, particularly in high-pressure, community-based healthcare environments,' she said. Community-based learning programmes, Prof Aziah noted, are transformative encounters that reshape medical students' perspectives. 'These programmes expose students to real-world challenges – from early disease detection in underserved villages and addressing patients' reluctance towards modern care, to managing emergencies in resource-limited settings and tackling health issues rooted in social determinants,' she said. Highlighting the USM-Merican CEP, she said the experience deepens students' commitment to compassionate, patient-centred medicine while sharpening their clinical, communication and problem-solving skills. 'One future surgeon, initially focused solely on procedures, embraced holistic care after treating a diabetic patient with limited nutritional knowledge, shifting towards educating and empowering patients to manage their own health. 'Another student who initially struggled with patient interaction gained confidence after learning the value of active listening and culturally sensitive communication while helping an elderly woman reluctant to take her medication,' she shared. Skills for life Dr Nur Amani said good communication is crucial as it ensures effective collaboration with colleagues and superiors, accurate patient case presentations, clinical diagnosis and quality care for individuals from diverse backgrounds. 'Time management, critical thinking and strong work ethics are also vital for doctors to handle high patient loads efficiently while ensuring accurate documentation and honest communication, as even small mistakes can have serious consequences,' she added. She also stressed that adaptability is just as essential in the ever-changing medical environment, as it helps doctors navigate new teams and responsibilities with professionalism and resilience. Adding on, Prof Aziah said empathy is a fundamental soft skill for medical students. 'Medical students must understand and connect with patients' experiences, emotions and challenges to provide compassionate and patient-centred care. 'By developing empathy, medical students can foster trust, enhance communication, improve diagnostic accuracy, and deliver holistic care that addresses patients' physical, emotional and social needs,' she said. Prof Aziah emphasised that soft skills training in medical education must be practical, continuous, and reinforced through real-world exposure, feedback and reflection. She added that soft skills such as empathy training should also include patient shadowing, storytelling, role-playing, and ethical discussions, allowing students to experience patient perspectives, reflect on real narratives, practise difficult conversations, and explore diverse viewpoints in complex care situations. 'To achieve this, outreach programmes like the USM-Merican CEP provide medical students with exposure to community service, supported by ongoing assessment, reflective journaling, and recognition of excellence in patient-centred care,' she shared. Breaking down barriers Given the demanding day-to-day schedule of the medical curriculum, Dr Nur Amani noted that some students may initially resist participating in service-learning programmes, often viewing them as unimportant. 'Balancing curriculum demands with service learning poses significant challenges for medical students, who must plan and execute programmes amid full-day clinical attachments and academic classes, often requiring ad hoc meetings during lunch or after hours,' she said. She added that other hurdles include navigating limited budgets, securing transportation, obtaining official permissions, building community trust on sensitive topics, handling logistical issues, maintaining consent and confidentiality, supporting students' emotional preparedness, and ensuring project sustainability despite rotating student schedules and shifting locations. 'As a clinical lecturer, I stand firm in guiding students through Sulam, reminding them that their future may extend beyond clinical work and that this is their only opportunity to serve as part of the UM team while embracing the core principles of family medicine – comprehensiveness, person-centred care, continuity, coordination and holistic care,' she shared. Describing the world ahead as unpredictable and tough, Dr Nur Amani urged medical schools to equip students with skills, ethics, empathy and resilience through dedicated clinical and pre-clinical training – shaping them into holistic doctors who not only survive challenges but also give back meaningfully to the community, honour the knowledge gained, and practise kindness towards themselves and others. Prof Aziah acknowledged that balancing academics and community service is challenging, but emphasised that such programmes offer invaluable real-world experiences that enhance clinical skills, empathy, communication and adaptability – all qualities essential for becoming a competent and compassionate doctor. 'Volunteering not only strengthens time management and enriches learning beyond textbooks but also boosts your portfolio for future opportunities, potentially sparking interest in public health or rural medicine. 'You don't have to sacrifice academics for community service, as both go hand in hand. Start small – join a weekend outreach event – and you'll see how much you can learn beyond the classroom,' she concluded. Dr Wong, a recent medical graduate from Universiti Malaya, is a former participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. Lessons in compassion Eng An incident that has left an indelible mark on me was during my paediatric posting, when doctors had to break the news to parents about their child's terminal condition. The professionalism, compassion and psychosocial maturity shown by the paediatric team were admirable as they explained the disease's progression, listened actively and offered comfort in response to the family's concerns. This experience underscored the importance of compassion and the integration of soft skills in clinical practice. As Sir William Osler said, 'The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.' I aspire to carry the mantle of the humanities throughout my clinical training and future practice, ensuring care that is both competent and deeply human. Universiti Malaya fourth-year medical student Eng Pink Huey Oon It was during my ENT rotation that I encountered a lesson in medicine no textbook could teach. A 70-year-old man with end-stage cancer lay before me. His family surrounded his bed – his eldest daughter gently wiping his forehead, another daughter adjusting his pillow, and his wife caressing his hands. They reminded me that I wasn't dealing with a textbook case, but a human being in need of my attention and empathy. When the nurses arrived for his feeding, they weren't just completing a task; they were connecting with his humanity. Soon after, the doctors arrived to discuss his care plan. They asked not only about his pain levels but also about his comfort, wishes and fears. I watched as the family spoke with the doctors, their familiarity creating a sense of comfort. In that moment, I understood that medicine at its finest is not just science – it's love in action. Universiti Sains Malaysia fourth-year medical student Oon Jun Jie
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How MacKenzie Scott's Giving Strategy Differs From Other Billionaires — and Why It Works
While her billionaire ex-husband has been making headlines for organizing the recent all-female Blue Origin space trip, his controversial position as proprietor of The Washington Post and his impending wedding, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, has been quietly making a difference in the future of organizations and nonprofits in the form of unrestrictive charitable gifts. I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: Learn More: According to a three-year study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), Scott has donated $19 billion of her wealth earned through her divorce from Bezos. However, the real story is how Scott's giving has had a 'transformational effect' on over 2,000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the size and scale of her grants, which the CEP described as being 'unmatched' among fellow philanthropists. 'I needn't ask those I care about what to say to them, or what to do for them,' said Scott of her charitable mission. 'I can share what I have with them to stand behind them as they speak and act for themselves.' Of course, Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez are no strangers to the world of philanthropy. In fact, Sanchez will be bestowed the prestigious 2025 Global Gift Women Empowerment Award at Cannes Film Festival's Global Gift Gala on May 19 for her work with the Bezos Earth Fund and This Is About Humanity organizations, according to Vanity Fair. However, Scott's charitable work differs from other billionaires in that there are no-strings attached. In addition to being bigger than most large foundations or megadonors (median size of $5 million, according to Entrepreneur), Scott's grants have no spending deadlines and minimal reporting requirements. Initial skepticism centered on the absence of checks, the concern that companies wouldn't manage the grant money efficiently and the fear that other donors would stop funding groups that received grants from Scott, thinking they don't need the money. There was also the worry that Scott's donations would create funding 'cliffs,' or large gaps in revenue once grant money had been spent. Read Next: However, through Scott's discreet vetting process, recipient organizations are getting the financial bump they need to make the biggest impact, and very few anticipate a financial cliff. The CEP report found little negative results in their research to date, and noted that 88% of grant recipient leaders reported no negative consequences for their organization or work. 'After five years of giving, the reported effects of her gifts on recipient organizations…remain overwhelmingly positive,' the report stated. The donations have helped many nonprofits not only succeed to reach their goals, but to grow their communities by creating program initiatives and expanding existing programs to new populations and geographies. Grants have helped groups build their financial reserves and their investment assets. Additionally, recipient leaders reported renewed confidence, improved internal morale and decreased burnout and stress levels. According to the CEP report, the majority of NGO executives (93%) said that Scott's gift somewhat or significantly improved their ability to carry out their goal, per Entrepreneur. The majority (90%) claimed the gift improved their financial situation, while more than 60% said they used the money to develop credibility with other donors. 'There is much to learn from the experiences of nonprofits who received grants using Scott's approach,' said Elisha Smith Arrillaga, vice president, Research, at CEP. 'These organizations have managed large gifts in strategic ways that have impacted thousands of lives — whether doubling or tripling the number of individuals receiving food from food banks, or increasing the number of houses being built in towns across the country, or countless other examples.' After divorcing Bezos in 2019, Scott joined the Bill Gates and Warren Buffett co-founded Giving Pledge, making a public commitment to donate her 'disproportionate amount of money' in a caring and thoughtful manner 'until the safe is empty.' 'Breaking the Mold: The Transformative Effect of MacKenzie Scott's Big Gifts,' was the third and final installment of CEP's three-year research study examining the experiences of nonprofit organizations that received contributions through Scott's initiatives. More From GOBankingRates 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025 Sources Vanity Fair, 'Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos's Fiancee, to Receive Award at Cannes Film Festival' Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), 'Research Shows MacKenzie Scott's Large, Unrestricted Gifts Create Sustained Impact for Nonprofits and Communities' CEP, 'Breaking the Mold: The Transformative Effect of MacKenzie Scott's Big Gifts' Entrepreneur, 'MacKenzie Scott's Nearly $20 Billion in Donations Has Had a 'Transformative Effect,' According to a New Study. Here's How' The Giving Pledge, MacKenzie Scott Pledge Letter This article originally appeared on How MacKenzie Scott's Giving Strategy Differs From Other Billionaires — and Why It Works Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
