Latest news with #SilverSpring
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
FDA approves Moderna's new lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration campus in Silver Spring, Md., is photographed on Oct. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The U.S. approved a new COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna late Friday but with limits on who can use it — not a replacement for the company's existing shot, but a second option. The new vaccine, mNexspike, is a step toward next-generation coronavirus vaccines. It's made in a way that allows for a lower dose — a fifth of the dose of its current COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax — by refining its immune target. The approval 'adds an important new tool to help protect people at high risk of severe disease from COVID-19,' Stephane Bancel, Moderna's CEO, said in a statement Saturday. The Food and Drug Administration approved the new vaccine for use in all adults 65 and older, and for people age 12 to 64 who have a least one health condition that puts them at increased risk from the coronavirus. That's the same limit that the FDA set in licensing another COVID-19 vaccine option from competitor Novavax. Those restrictions are a departure from how the U.S. has handled COVID-19 vaccines until now, reflecting skepticism about vaccines from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump officials. Moderna's existing vaccine doesn't face those limits and has long been used for anyone ages 6 months and older. The company said it expected to offer both options this fall. The FDA's approval was based on a study of 11,400 people age 12 and older that compared the new low-dose vaccine with Moderna's existing vaccine. It found the new vaccine was safe and was at least as effective — and more by some measures — than the original shot, the company said. The news came just days after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising early study results. The Associated Press
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Silver Spring man pleads guilty to 'sextortion' of more than 100 young girls
The Brief A Silver Spring man pleaded guilty to 'sextorting' more than 100 young girls. Federal agents say he met young girls on social media apps and convinced them to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves. When they wanted to stop, he would threaten them by saying he would post the images online or come to their house. The suspect targeted kids from all over the country and even had international victims. SILVER SPRING, Md. - The FBI is issuing a warning to parents after a man from Silver Spring just pleaded guilty to victimizing more than 100 young girls on social media sites like Instagram, Snapchat, Discord and Roblox, convincing them to send him naked photos and videos. The feds call it 'sextortion' and said this is one of the most egregious instances of it they have ever seen, with victims ranging in age from 5 to 17 years old. "We've seen a huge rise in these cases and the average age is 10 to 17, which even that blows my mind," said Leslie Adamczyk, who heads up the Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force for the FBI in Maryland. What we know Chase William Mulligan, 28, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of producing child sexual abuse material. It's in connection to a multi-year investigation into Mulligan where federal agents say he met young girls on social media apps or in chat rooms and 'sextorted' them. That means he convinced at least 108 victims—mostly girls, some boys—to send him sexually explicit photos and videos of themselves. When they wanted to stop, he would threaten them by saying he would post the images online or come to their house. Authorities say from 2019 to 2023, Mulligan targeted kids from all over the country and even had international victims. One detail in court documents that is incredibly disturbing is that he convinced multiple minors to insert objects into their private parts or take part in sexual acts with dogs, taking photos and videos of it all to send to him. Big picture view Even scarier is the fact that cases like this are rapidly on the rise, according to data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2023, the NCMEC's cyber tipline received more than 186,000 reports of 'online enticement.' Then in 2024, with data just through October, they had already received more than 450,000 reports. Adamczyk wants parents to hear their message loud and clear: communicate with your kids, make sure you know what they're seeing and sending. "I don't think there is anything wrong with a parent looking at a kid's phone, clicking into apps they're using to make sure they are what they are," Adamczyk said. "There are some things you can hide. For instance, we've seen an app that appears to be a calculator but when you open it, it's an app that you can send pictures in." What's next Mulligan is set to be sentenced in August. His charges require a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years behind bars and a max of 60 years. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BTCS Inc. to Participate in Fireside Chat at Benchmark Digital Assets Virtual Seminar
Silver Spring, Maryland--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2025) - BTCS Inc. (NASDAQ: BTCS) ('BTCS' or the 'Company'), a blockchain technology-focused company, announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Charles Allen, will be participating in The Benchmark Company's inaugural Virtual Digital Assets Seminar on Tuesday, May 20th. Details of the Fireside Chat: The event features virtual Fireside Chats with dynamic public and private Digital Assets companies, moderated by Mark Palmer, Benchmark's Fintech & Digital Assets Senior Analyst. These interactive conversations offer a platform for companies to share their growth strategies, market insights, and leadership perspectives in a format that encourages thoughtful dialogue and deeper investor engagement. 'I'm excited to take part in this fireside chat and talk about BTCS's incredible start to 2025,' said Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS. 'I'm looking forward to sharing the progress we've made—from scaling our validator operations to launching new strategic initiatives—and exploring how these efforts are driving revenue growth and shareholder value.' About The Benchmark Company: The Benchmark Company is an institutionally focused, research driven, sales trading and investment banking firm. We were founded in 1988 and are headquartered in New York City. Our focus is on fostering the long-term success of our corporate clients through raising capital, providing strategic advisory services, generating insightful research, and developing institutional sponsorship by leveraging the firm's sales, trading, and equity research capabilities. For more information visit: About BTCS: BTCS Inc. (NASDAQ: BTCS) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in blockchain network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting For more information follow us on: Twitter: LinkedIn: Facebook: Investor Relations: Charles Allen - CEO X (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCS Email: [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
No. 1 College Basketball Recruit's Father Almost Brought to Tears by Kentucky's Mark Pope
The college basketball season wrapped up in early April after an exciting Final Four. Houston edged out Duke, while Florida defeated Auburn. Todd Golden and the Florida Gators emerged as NCAA Tournament champions. It was a proud moment for the SEC, which sent 14 teams to the Big Dance. One team expected to contend again in the 2025-26 season is the Kentucky Wildcats. They have been active this offseason, working the transfer portal and recruiting trail under head coach Mark Pope. Advertisement Jacob Polacheck of On3 Sports shared an update Saturday on one recruit Pope is pursuing: Baba Oladotun, the top-ranked player in the class of 2027. In a recent conversation, his father was nearly moved to tears by Pope's approach: 'Everything that's happening to him is very historic.' Oladotun, a 6-foot-8 forward from James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the No. 1 recruit in ESPN's class of 2027 rankings. While several programs have shown strong interest, Kentucky and Pope appear to be making the biggest impression. Oladotun and his father, Ibrahim, recently traveled to Memphis for a Nike EYBL event, where the elder Oladotun shared his thoughts on Pope's recruitment. Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images© Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images 'I was blown away. It almost brought me to tears,' Ibrahim Oladotun said. 'Everything that's happening to him is very historic. That's just remarkable. Kentucky basketball, bluegrass and all of that stuff are a big deal. It's living the dream.' Advertisement Playing for Team Durant at the Nike EYBL, Baba Oladotun scored 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, adding four rebounds and four assists. His team lost a tight 74-71 contest, but his performance in front of Pope was noteworthy. Ibrahim continued to praise Kentucky and its coaching staff. 'It's a great program. It's probably one of the best in the country,' he said. 'To match that with Coach Pope, that's incredible. I like his energy. He also has NBA experience. It's a very good program. It doesn't get better. They're the blue bloods.' Starting June 15, coaches will be permitted to directly contact players in the class of 2027. However, Ibrahim doesn't expect much to change in how their family handles the recruiting process. Advertisement 'I definitely want to handle all the calls,' he explained. 'I want him to focus on just being a kid and keep working. I'm going to handle that. We're going to tell everyone the same thing. I mean, he's 16. Remember, he's 16. Some of these kids are 18. "We're going to listen to what everybody has to say and let them know what we're looking for. Then, we'll go from there.' The Wildcats are coming off a 24-12 season, including a 10-8 mark in SEC play. Their season ended with a 78-65 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Related: No. 1 College Basketball Recruit Makes Decision Before Senior Season Related: Duke's Cedric Coward Sends Strong Message on Jon Scheyer At NBA Draft Combine
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
'A miracle': 2-year-old recovering after falling from 15th floor apartment balcony
SILVER SPRING, Md. - It's the story making headlines around the world — a two-year-old survived a 15-story fall in Montgomery County. It happened at a high-rise apartment community in Silver Spring. FOX 5 went to The Enclave apartment complex in Silver Spring and visited a family on the 15th floor — the same floor the child fell from to get a perspective of the fall the 2-year-old had taken. "Just look over there. I don't know if he landed on the bushes. I don't know. He landed on the bushes. That's a miracle. A miracle man," said Mohamed Koroma, who allowed FOX 5 into his home. "It's really sad." These are the bushes that apparently broke the little boy's fall. they're not much. The authorities say the boy was on the 15th floor. It's a 20-story building and around 2 p.m. on Thursday, the boy fell from the balcony. We're told he suffered a broken leg and multiple internal injuries but nothing life-threatening. Adults were at home at the time but police say they're still investigating how the boy got over the protective glass that surrounds the balconies there. "They must have some chairs here. The kid might've climbed over because there's no way. There must be some equipment right on the floor that the kid used to flip over," Koroma said. Another neighbor who lives on the fifth floor of the building, says the toddler should never have been outside unsupervised. "I feel like the children shouldn't be on the balcony, especially unattended because why are they outside? I have four children and they are not allowed on the balcony and we live on the fifth floor. So the 15th floor? That's crazy to me," mom Ty Powers said. "It's definitely a tragedy but people have got to watch their children. The baby should not have been outside on the balcony." We're all wondering how it is possible to survive a fall of that distance. FOX 5 reached out to Children's National Hospital to ask that of a physician, who doesn't know this case but does know the laws of physics. "I want to stress first that this is really miraculous," said Dr. Katie Donnelly, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor with Children's National. "Falls from this height are usually pretty devas Montgomery County police say there are no charges being filed against the parents or guardians of the boy who fell at this time.
