Latest news with #Cedar
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dog dies from toxic algae in Columbia River
Health officials in Washington and Oregon are warning pet owners about a new kind of algae that was discovered in the Columbia River. It's called benthic algae, and it typically grows on rocks. According to KATU News, officials began tracking the discovery it in October after a family's boat trip took a deadly turn. Elise Pang told the news station that her 2-year-old Cavapoo named Cedar fell ill after playing in the water. 'I pretty much immediately started doing CPR on him,' she said. The family rushed him to the vet, but he didn't survive. Test results later showed he died from the toxic algae – a shock to health officials. Cedar's death now serves as a cautionary tale. Health officials say that dogs can ingest the toxins produced by benthic algae if they eat pieces of algae mats, drink water that contains algae, or lick it off their fur. Symptoms include vomiting, foaming at the mouth or excessive salivation, stumbling, or loss of motor control. People can be exposed to algae toxins through skin contact, ingestion or even inhalation of contaminated water. Anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to contact poison control immediately or an emergency veterinarian in dog poisoning cases. Officials have also released a guide for spotting and avoiding benthic mats that can be viewed here.
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Aldi launches incredible Burberry fragrance dupe just in time for Father's Day – and it will save you £130
FORGET socks and ties - Aldi is releasing new men's fragrance dupes for Father's Day that could save you £130. The luxury Lacura scents are inspired by Burberry, Givenchy and Hugo Boss, and are priced at just £6.99 each. 4 Aldi is launching new dupes just in time for Father's Day 4 The Iconic Man fragrance is a Burberry dupe that could save you £130.01 4 The Ambition fragrance is similar to a Givenchy scent but £100.01 cheaper 4 Hugo Boss fans can save £33.01 with the Aldi version The German retailer is renowned for offering skincare, make-up and hair products that rival luxury competitors for a fraction of the price. And their recent announcement will have dupe fans racing to the middle aisles. The bargain supermarket's Eau de Parfums will allow shoppers to give dad a touch of luxury without the high-end price tag. So if you're looking for a Father's Day gift on a budget or just want to treat a loved one, you've come to the right place. Available in Aldi stores from June 1, the premium fragrances that rival designer brands all come in 100ml bottles. And this gives you plenty of time to track one down before Father's Day on June 15. First up, the supermarket's Iconic Man Eau de Parfum is a dupe for £137 Burberry Hero - meaning you could save £130.01. The Aldi team say this fragrance "embodies a bold and refined essence without a designer price tag". Most read in Fabulous It features key notes of Pine, Olibanum, Benzoin, and Incense, whilst the grounding trio of Cedar base notes adds depth and sophistication. Next, if your dad is a fan of Givenchy fragrances, you could pick up the Gentleman Society-inspured Ambition Eau de Parfum. Aldi hits the jackpot with £6.99 perfume dupe of Victoria Beckham's £170 one - as fans say it 'lasts all day' Priced at £100.01 cheaper than the designer version, it "redefines modern masculinity with an intriguing blend of fresh herbal and deep, musky notes". Invigorating Cardamom, Sage, and French Narcissus awaken the senses, while a rich base of Madagascan Vetiver, warm Vanilla, and earthy Cedar lingers, leaving a lasting impression of confidence and sophistication. Finally, a Hugo Boss dupe is also hitting the shelves in the form of a "refreshing and invigorating" Island Oasis Eau de Parfum that promises to "transport Dads to an island escape". Notes of Sea Salt, Ripe Coconut, and zesty Lemon Essence awaken the senses, while warm undertones of Cashmere Wood and Sandalwood linger on the skin, creating an unforgettable sensory experience. The best part? It's £33.01 cheaper than Hugo Boss Bottled Pacific which retails for £40. If this has inspired you to hit Aldi's middle aisles, you may also want to keep an eye out for their new The full coverage concealers are priced at just £3.99, while the setting powder is a bargain at £4.99. What are the best Aldi dupes? ALDI has become well-known for its affordable beauty dupes that often rival high-end brands in terms of quality and effectiveness. Here are some of the best Aldi beauty dupes that have garnered rave reviews: Lacura Healthy Glow Exfoliating Tonic Dupe for: Pixi Glow Tonic Price: £3.99 (compared to Pixi's £18) Description: This exfoliating tonic contains glycolic acid and works to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin. It's a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the popular Pixi Glow Tonic. Lacura Q10 Renew Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Dupe for: Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream Price: £1.45 (compared to Nivea's £10) Lacura Caviar Illumination Day Cream Dupe for: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Price: £6.99 (compared to La Prairie's £292) Lacura Hot Cloth Cleanser Dupe for: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Price: £3.99 (compared to Liz Earle's £17.50) Lacura Snapshot Ready Foundation Primer Dupe for: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Price: £5.99 (compared to Smashbox's £26) Lacura Miracle Cream Dupe for: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Price: £3.99 (compared to Elizabeth Arden's £28) Lacura Ebony Rose Face Mask Dupe for: Fresh Rose Face Mask Price: £6.99 (compared to Fresh's £52) Lacura Charcoal Clearing Mudmask Dupe for: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Price: £5.99 (compared to GlamGlow's £42) Lacura Velvet Touch Foundation Dupe for: Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation Price: £5.99 (compared to Estée Lauder's £34) Lacura Tinted Lip Oils Dupe for: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Oil Price: £3.99 (compared to Rare Beauty's £20)
Daily Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
3,000 entrepreneurs targeted for capacity-building: Ewon
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 Text Size: Ewon (center, front row) posing with entrepreneurs. TAWAU: A total of 47 Sabah entrepreneurs under the guidance of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop) through SME Bank received certificates of appreciation and RM100 e-wallet incentives. Kuskop Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick said this year, the Centre for Entrepreneur Development and Research Sdn. Bhd. (Cedar) is targeting 3,000 entrepreneurs to participate in its entrepreneurial training and mentorship programs. 'To complete the Madani Entrepreneur Advancement Programme 2025, Cedar, a subsidiary of SME Bank, is responsible for providing entrepreneurial training and guidance to entrepreneurs under SME Bank. 'This year, Cedar aims to guide 3,000 entrepreneurs, and so far, we've successfully mentored 1,062 entrepreneurs, including 47 from Sabah who took part in today's event held in conjunction with the Madani Rakyat Programme (PMR) in Tawau. 'I'd like to extend my appreciation to Cedar and SME Bank for this contribution, and I hope the programme achieves its target by continuing to provide various training and mentoring initiatives for other entrepreneurs,' he told reporters during the Entrepreneur Engagement Session with Kuskop held at the Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) Conference Hall. According to Ewon, a total of RM5 million has been allocated to achieve the programme's targets. 'Kuskop has allocated RM2 million, while SME Bank has provided RM3 million. These funds cover various training schemes, including financial literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), environmental, social, and governance (ESG) training, and the Halal Hub initiative, as I mentioned in my speech earlier. 'That's why we constantly monitor the implementation of our ongoing programmes,' he added. He also highlighted that there are special financing programmes for entrepreneurs from the disabled (OKU) community and military veterans, though the response has been underwhelming. 'We do have special financing programmes for OKU entrepreneurs, but we're also observing the level of participation. 'This is the challenge. I know there are many OKU entrepreneurs out there. Perhaps they are unaware or feel reluctant. I need to look into the exact reasons why the response has been low, especially when compared to the amount allocated for other more popular programmes. 'The same goes for the Armed Forces Veteran Financing Scheme. It's available for those who have completed their military service, but it hasn't met its target either. We need more participation and ask the media to help spread the word. 'Otherwise, the funds allocated might be redirected to schemes that receive better reception. In any case, we want OKU individuals and other special groups to be involved in entrepreneurship, just as we support others, because we aim to ease their burdens too,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Springfield woman arrested, found driving stolen car in Cedar County
CEDAR COUNTY, Mo. — A Springfield woman was arrested for multiple charges after she was found driving a stolen car. According to online court records, Brianna Howser, 19, faces charges of tampering with a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license. According to the probable cause statement, on May 10, around 6 p.m., the Cedar County Missouri Sheriff's Office (CCMSO) was dispatched to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Second Swimming Beach for a report of a stolen vehicle. A deputy was able to locate the stolen vehicle in the Bearcreek area and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Howser. During the arrest, when Howser stepped out of the vehicle, a glass pipe with white and black residue was allegedly found under her leg. Investigators also found a scale with white crystalline residue, and several small baggies were found in Howser's bag. During a post-Miranda conversation, Howser admitted she did not have the owner's permission to drive the vehicle, and admitted the glass pipe was hers. Howser was transported to the Cedar County Detention Center with a bond set to $10,000 cash only. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cedar Unveils Agentic AI Purpose-Built for Healthcare Billing, Aiming to Help Providers Cut Costs with a 30% Reduction in Patient Billing Calls
Kora, Cedar's AI voice agent - now live with ApolloMD - enables Revenue Cycle teams to resolve billing inquiries instantly, reducing costs and manual workload for provider organizations NEW YORK, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cedar, the leading patient financial platform for healthcare providers, announced the launch of Kora, its AI voice agent, to automate patient billing calls at leading providers, such as ApolloMD. Developed in collaboration with Twilio, the solution is unique in that it's trained on Cedar's proprietary healthcare billing data, seamlessly merging advanced technology with deep healthcare expertise. Kora represents a major leap forward in delivering high-quality, efficient, and empathetic call resolution at scale. Kora is at the heart of Cedar's modern solution for patient collections and call center operations. Available 24/7, the agent can autonomously resolve common billing inquiries on the first interaction, going beyond traditional IVR tools by clearly explaining charges, identifying payment options, and connecting patients with financial assistance. Kora understands natural language, identifies underlying issues, and responds conversationally, much like a human agent. It's designed to be compliant from the ground up, including HIPAA privacy and security safeguards. The agent will be able to detect sentiment and tone, support multiple languages, and provide empathetic, real-time support without hold times, escalating to a live agent whenever necessary. Cedar projects that Kora will automate 30% of inbound calls by the end of 2025, helping providers lower costs while allowing skilled operators to focus on complex interactions that benefit from a human touch. 'From spiraling costs and resource shortages to escalating patient expectations, clinicians are facing immense pressure from all directions,' said Dr. Yogin Patel, CEO of ApolloMD, a longstanding partner of Cedar. 'The integrated voice agent is an incredible technology already creating a meaningful, measurable impact for our support staff and our patients. By providing fast, comprehensive responses without long wait times, Kora enables our teams to dedicate more time to complex patient needs. This powerful blend of efficiency and empathy is transforming the way we deliver care.' Kora addresses urgent challenges facing health systems: rising labor costs, staffing shortages, and pressure to improve patient experience while managing operational overhead. Purpose-built for healthcare billing, the agent leverages Cedar's healthcare ecosystem and real-time data integrations to comprehensively and securely answer patient questions and offer personalized financial pathways. Kora will deliver intelligent outcomes and trust at every step while deflecting a significant portion of inbound calls, reducing the reliance on call center staff while improving access to customer support, particularly outside business hours. 'We've heard enough about AI promises. What matters now is delivering real outcomes,' said Florian Otto, CEO and Co-Founder of Cedar. 'By leveraging Cedar's deep revenue cycle and patient billing expertise, we've built AI that patients trust and that works for providers. We've been deliberate in emphasizing privacy, safety, and empathy, so talking to our AI agent feels as reassuring as talking to a skilled billing specialist.' Kora runs on Twilio's ConversationRelay service, which enables developers to create robust natural voice AI agents by seamlessly integrating real-time streaming, speech recognition, and interruption handling. And, because empathy is crucial in patient communications, Cedar selected a warm, natural-sounding voice for the agent, enabled by advanced speech synthesis technology. 'Conversational AI, especially when leveraging contextual data, is revolutionizing the way organizations and their end users can communicate across channels – making the experience better for all parties,' said Andy O'Dower, Vice President of Product Voice and Video at Twilio. 'Cedar's solution combines Twilio's leading communications platform, data, and AI to enable providers to offer personalized, efficient, and empathetic patient experiences at scale.' This launch of Kora reflects the next evolution in Cedar's broader AI strategy to transform the patient financial experience through intelligent, action-oriented technology. About Cedar Cedar helps healthcare providers connect patients with the financial resources they need to access and afford care. Our complete patient financial platform combines AI-powered technology with human-centered design to create personalized financial journeys for every patient. With deep revenue cycle expertise and a focus on intuitive user experiences, Cedar has served more than 50 million patients nationwide and processed over $10 billion in payments. Our solutions have proven to increase collections, maximize reimbursement, and improve efficiency—all while improving patient satisfaction. To learn more, visit and join us on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. Contact Kara Spak [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cedar
