Latest news with #StephaniePhillips
Gizmodo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
What the Hell Just Happened to Spider-Gwen?
Marvel Comics is no stranger to a bit of brand synergy and consolidation. The more characters break out into the mainstream beyond the readership of comics, the more their comics counterparts are sanded down and chopped and changed to eventually better accommodate the potential for audiences who are aware of them through adaptation to go to the comics and find familiar fare. This has been especially true as the shadow of the MCU grew ever larger, reshaping characters and realigning destinies the closer someone came to elevation into a movie or TV show. But now the company is bringing that realignment to bear on one of its most successful characters in recent memory… and making it a whole weird mess in the current volume of Stephanie Phillips, Von Randal, and Matt Milla's Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider wrapped up with its 15th issue this week, ahead of an 'All-New' relaunch of the series next month. Over the course of the current volume, Gwen vacated her original home reality, Earth-65, after a variant of Loki, King Loki, came there in an attempt to steal a Cosmic Cube. Inadvertently fusing with the relic herself, Gwen has found herself now living in Marvel's prime reality, attempting to safeguard the Cube's existence while also reckoning with bonding with its cosmic, reality-warping power. Having dealt with those struggles after a conversation with Phoenix, the final issue sees Gwen duke it out with King Loki once and for all. But at the moment of her seeming defeat, Gwen finds herself inside a mindscape communicating with the Cosmic Cube itself… in the form of herself, looking awfully like Gwen's Earth-616 counterpart as she appeared in the iconic Amazing Spider-Man #121, the issue of her death at the hands of the Green Goblin. The Cube argues that Gwen should use its powers to rewrite her ending, and she does so, toppling Loki, leading to his arrest at the hands of the TVA, and even altering the fate of her rival-potential love interest Fabian LaMuerto, the latest Black Tarantula, saving him from certain death. Except Gwen argues that this is not an end for herself, but a new beginning. In a flash of light, the issue climaxes with a brief epilogue from incoming All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider artist Paolo Villanelli. Seemingly having separated herself from the Cosmic Cube in the process, Gwen wakes up in her bedroom, still in Earth-616: now, as Marvel had previously teased would be the case, her new status quo. From what little we can tell, she's been there for a while—and has seemingly had her original powers restored for good, having had symbiote-bonded powers for the best part of a decade after her original powers were stolen from her. But that's not all: now her father, Captain George Stacy, is living safe and sound in Earth-616 as well. Much like his 616 counterpart—who has been dead for over half a century, outside of a brief clone-induced resurrection during Clone Conspiracy—the Cube-reworked George is now once again a police officer, and whatever warping Gwen did has managed to handwave the fact that there did used to be a Gwen and George Stacy (however long ago they perished in Marvel's sliding timescale) who existed in this reality and have been very dead for a very long time. Well, mostly. Earlier this year Marvel announced that it would be resurrecting the original Gwen Stacy as the identity of a new, violent take on Gwenpool. Beginning back in May, the latest Gwenpool series revealed that Earth-616's Gwen had been resurrected as X-31, the latest agent of the Weapon X program, and had even seemingly killed the original Gwenpool (that's Gwendolyn Poole, before you get confused at the current Gwen-quotient). So with Spider-Gwen's cosmic retconning, now both she and her prime-earth self are running around in Earth-616 at the same time, still as separate people. It's a spectacularly weird reset for the character, one that brings her back in line with a version of Spider-Gwen that most of the public would be aware of—i.e., the version we know through the Spider-Verse movies, itself based on Spider-Gwen's earliest comic incarnations a decade ago—while also simultaneously effectively wiping part of that recognizable identity: that she is a character from across the multiverse and exists in a separate reality. Of course, this is far from the first time Marvel's done this, especially with Spider-characters. Miles Morales successfully jumped over to existing in Earth-616 after the destruction of the Ultimate Universe during Secret Wars—and even got to raise the question of whatever happened to the Miles Morales of Earth-616 during the 2017 series Spider-Men II (the answer is, of course, weird). Now largely removed from the multiversal concept, Spider-Gwen is just one Spider among the many wall-crawling their way through Earth-616. Just how Peter will react, or the currently alive-again original Gwen, remains to be seen. Status quos are ephemeral in comics; when death is a revolving door, it's hard to ever really definitively say what will be a 'new normal' for longer than a few years. There's every chance that, at some point again, Gwen could go back to her home reality (maybe in time for, say, Beyond the Spider-Verse in 2027). Time will tell just what the point of this status quo shift was really for. Marvel is heralding next month's All-New relaunch as Spider-Gwen's 'Brand New Day.' Given the Peter Parker of the MCU is on the precipice of his own, perhaps it wouldn't be too surprising if the MCU was preparing its own way to introduce another Spider-hero, and the comics were just laying the groundwork a little early. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Gizmodo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Spider-Gwen's Twisty 2025 Continues in New Comic Relaunch
She's gonna be in the next 'Spider-Verse' movie, which means it's time for Spider-Gwen to star in a new comics run. Ever since she first debuted as a superheroic variant of Gwen Stacy in 2014, Spider-Gwen has become a semi-staple of Spider-Man media. If she's not swinging on her own with Miles or Peter, she's caught up in her own situations. While the original Gwen is being revived and turned into Gwenpool in a few months, the wallcrawling Stacy is getting another solo comic that help keep her in the orbit of other Spider-heroes. So in All-New Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider from returning writer and artist duo Stephanie Phillips and Paolo Villanelli, Gwen continues to be a full-time resident of Earth-616. Like her fellow Spiders before her, she's in her 'brand new' era: a new costume, a new place to live, and she's even looking to start up a new rock band. Those plans of hers get thrown into disarray when she's got new threats to tangle with, at least one of which Phillips teased 'might be her own fault.' Previous Spider-Gwen runs explored how she made the most of her new lease on life, either in 616 or her home dimension of Earth-65, and the same's true with this All-New series. Philips said the book's core theme is about 'possibility. […] She's finally in a place where she can build something new—new allies, new purpose, and maybe even a new sense of self.' Of course, with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse possibly hitting theaters in June 2027, it also doesn't hurt to have Gwen headlining a new comic and maybe being a key part of whatever the next major Spider-book crossover is whenever that hits in the next few years. All-New Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider begins on August 20 following the end of the current Spider-Gwen: The Ghost Spider run wrapping with Issue 15 on July 2. [via Collider]
Business Mayor
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
How college savers can manage 529 plans in a turbulent market
Stephanie Phillips | Getty Images Here's a look at other stories impacting the financial advisor business. 'Markets go up and down, but students' goals remain the same,' said Chris McGee, chair of the College Savings Foundation. 529 plan popularity has soared In 2024, the number of 529 plan accounts increased to 17 million, up more than 3% percent from the year before, according to Investment Company Institute. Total investments in 529s rose to $525 billion as of December, up 11% from a year earlier, while the average 529 plan account balance hit a record of $30,961, data from the College Savings Plans Network, a network of state-administered college savings programs, also showed. 'The industry is coming off its best year ever in terms of new inflows,' said Richard Polimeni, head of education savings at Merrill Lynch. However, 'in terms of the current market volatility, that creates some concern,' he added. Even as concerns over college costs are driving more would-be college students to rethink their plans, college savings accounts are still as vital as ever. Roughly 42% of students are pivoting to technical and career training or credentialing, or are opting to enroll in a local and less-expensive community college or in-state public school, according to a recent survey of 1,000 high schoolers by the College Savings Foundation. That's up from 37% last year. As a result of those shifting education choices, 69% of students are expecting to live at home during their studies, the highest percentage in three years. Despite those adjustments, some recent changes have helped make 529 plans even more worthwhile: As of 2024, families can roll over unused 529 funds to the account beneficiary's Roth individual retirement account, without triggering income taxes or penalties, so long as they meet certain requirements. Restrictions have also loosened to allow 529 plan funds to be used for continuing education classes, apprenticeship programs and student loan payments. For grandparents, there is also a new 'loophole,' which allows them to fund a grandchild's college without impacting that student's financial aid eligibility. Managing 529 allocations in a volatile market For parents worried about their account's recent performance, Mary Morris, CEO of Commonwealth Savers, advises checking the asset allocation. 'What you need to think about is assessing your risk appetite,' she said. Generally, 529 plans offer age-based portfolios, which start off with more equity exposure early on in a child's life and then become more conservative as college nears. By the time high school graduation is around the corner, families likely have very little invested in stocks and more in investments like bonds and cash. That can help blunt their losses. Pay attention to your fund's approach toward shifting from stocks to bonds, Morris said. 'If you are in a total stock portfolio, you may not want that ride,' she said: 'You don't want to get seasick.' If the market volatility is still too much to bear, consider adjusting your allocation. 'One strategy is to start de-risking a portion of their portfolio and reallocate a portion into cash equivalent, which will provide a protection of principle while also proving a competitive return and peace of mind,' Polimeni said. Still, financial experts strongly caution against shifting your entire 529 balance to cash. 'The worst thing an investor can do in a down market is panic and sell investments prematurely and lock in losses,' Polimeni said. Often that is the last resort. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, only 10% of investors liquidated their entire 529 accounts, and 20% switched to less risky assets, according to an earlier survey by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. How to help 529 assets recover For those who must make a hefty withdrawal for tuition payments now due, Polimeni suggests considering using income or savings outside the 529 to cover immediate college expenses, and requesting a reimbursement later. You can get reimbursed from your 529 plan for any eligible out-of-pocket expenses within the same calendar year. 'Using that strategy gives another six to seven months for the market to recover,' Polimeni said. Another option is to tap a federal student loan and take a qualified distribution from the 529 plan to pay off the debt down the road. However, if you're thinking of taking out private student loans or a personal loan that starts incurring interest immediately, you may want to spend 529 funds first in that case, and defer that borrowing until later. Once you have a withdrawal plan, you can — and should — keep contributing to your 529, experts say. Not only can you get a tax deduction or credit for contributions, but earnings will grow on a tax-advantaged basis, whether over 18 years or just a few. 'The major advantage is the tax-deferred growth, so the longer you are invested, the more tax-deferred growth you will have,' Polimeni said. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
The Australian
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Australian
ASX health stocks deliver March quarter progress
Special Report: ASX quarterly season is upon us again, with listed companies opening a window to their performance and key activities over the three months to March 31. It's a key time for investors to zero in on the finer details of ASX-listed firms and get a sense of what is on the horizon. Here, we wrap up report highlights from four standout stocks in the ASX health sector. Revenue for Control Bionics' US business over six months to end of March highest since FY23 Best quarter of revenue in Australia since 2022, driven by improved NDIS approval times Completes investment in Neuro Elite Athletics, the company behind NeuroBounce program for athletes The assistive technology medical device company reported revenue for its US business over the six months to end of March was the highest since FY23, up 20% over the previous corresponding period (pcp). Control Bionics attributed the growth to a code approval under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the US for its key product Neuronode, a watch-like device to assist cognitive people with physical disabilities. The company said it also achieved a $700,000 in cost savings in North America with margin expansion. Control Bionics said two well-established US operators now have its NeuroNode devices with their sales team and were actively marketing in the US. The company also reported its best quarter of revenue in Australia since 2022 with improved NDIS approval times and a strong sales pipeline driving the success. While the backlog continues to be cleared Control Bionics said it has almost $1 million in applications awaiting NDIS approval. During the quarter it completed its investment in Neuro Elite Athletics, which is the company behind the NeuroBounce program for athletes. During the quarter its launch customer Utah Prep Academy in the US delivered strong results, measurably improving explosive power and vertical leap for elite athletes with Control Bionics' NeuroStrip. A new cloud-deployed version of NeuroStrip has been launched, providing access to a new SaaS revenue stream along with hardware sales. Cash receipts for the quarter were the highest in 12 months, exceeding $1.6m and up from $1.4m in Q2 FY25, driven by improved sales in the US and Australia. During the quarter founder Peter Ford stepped down from the board and was replaced by Dr Stephanie Phillips, who has more than three decades of clinical, academic and leadership experience in anaesthesia and critical care. Control Bionics finished the quarter with cash of $1.7m. "We are delivering strong sales, cash collection and meaningful progress on our growth initiatives," CEO Jeremy Steele said. "We've found strong commercial appetite for our core IP, the NeuroNode, through our NeuroNode Only strategy. We've rolled out this technology now to multiple distributors (both in pilot and contract phases) in multiple geographies.' Developer of a nasal spray-mist erectile dysfunction treatment LTR Pharma successfully holds pre-IND meeting with US FDA Chief scientific & clinical adviser Professor Eric Chung receives prestigious award for his presentation on SPONTAN LTR announces in quarter new ED nasal spray targeting the US personalised healthcare sector called ROXUS The developer of a nasal spray-mist erectile dysfunction treatment said it delivered significant progress across its regulatory, commercial and scientific objectives during the March quarter. In March, LTR Pharma held a successful pre-IND meeting with the US Food & Drug Administration. Key outcomes included: Endorsement of its non-clinical (toxicology) and chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) development plans Agreement on a pivotal efficacy/safety study and a multi-dose pharmacokinetic study; and Clear guidance on the pathway to market through the 505(b)(2) regulatory process. Following the meeting LTRPharma has initiated CMC studies with Aptar Pharma, started extractables and leachables studies required for regulatory documentation and developed specific protocols for the upcoming clinical studies. During the quarter the company's novel intranasal formulation of vardenafil for ED SPONTAN was recognised at the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand's (USANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting. Chief scientific and clinical adviser Professor Eric Chung was awarded the BAUS Trophy — the event's highest honour — for his presentation of SPONTAN's clinical results. LTR Pharma said the scientific recognition, voted on by a panel of leading urologists, reinforces SPONTAN as a best-in-class, fast-acting ED therapy, while also attracting strong international interest from urologists and key opinion leaders. During the quarter the company announced a new ED nasal spray targeting the US personalised healthcare sector called ROXUS, representing a expansion of the company's product portfolio. LTR Pharma also continued to expanded its Australian commercial operations during the quarter through several initiatives and partnerships. Key expenditure for the quarter was continued investment in the joint venture with Restorative Sexual Health for a new online healthcare platform, providing comprehensive men's health services through telehealth. The company ended the March quarter with cash position of $32.8m. Lumos revenue of US$3.5 million for Q3 FY25, up 21% compared to the prior quarter Hologic foetal fibronectin project scope of work expansion was signed and forecast to generate additional fee revenue FebriDx CLIA Waiver Study continues with around 351 patients tested to-date, including 37 bacterial-positive patients The developer of rapid point-of-care diagnostic technologies reported revenue of US$3.5m for the quarter, up 21% compared to the prior quarter as it works to build sustainable growth. Revenue generated during the quarter from the services business was US$2.8m. Lumos said its foetal fibronectin (fFN) development agreement with leading women's health company Hologic (NASDAQ: HOLX) and the intellectual property licensing revenue associated with the Hologic IP deal generated the majority of revenue. During the quarter the Hologic fFN project scope of work expansion was signed and is forecast to generate an additional US$600,000 to US$800,000 in fee revenue. Revenue from its products business was US$700,000 for Q3, up 17% on Q2 revenue. Following additional sales in the UK and growing adoption in the US, FebriDx sales continue to grow with revenue increasing 48% on pcp. Additional FebriDx distribution partnership agreements completed in the US with MedPro Associates and the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) during the quarter. FebriDx CLIA Waiver Study continues with around 351 patients tested to-date, including 37 bacterial-positive patients. Completion of the the study and an application for CLIA waiver labelling for FebriDx with the FDA is forecast by calendar year end. In late March, Lumos completed and lodged an application with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care for the inclusion of FebriDx on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Operating cashflow improved, with an operating cash outflow of US$1.3m, compared with US$3.7m in Q2 FY25. Lumos ended the quarter with a cash balance of US$4m. Post quarter Lumos has made significant progress with US Medicare payor coverage for FebriDx, with reimbursement secured with four of the seven Medicare Administration Contractors, and discussions ongoing with the remaining three. EMvision kicks off pivotal clinical trial for emu bedside brain scanner Trial will support US FDA de novo clearance for emu device EMvision undertakes proof-of-concept testing for First Responder scanner Neuro-diagnostics medical devices company EMvision started its pivotal clinical trial for its first commercial device the emu bedside brain scanner during the March quarter. The trial is designed to support US FDA de novo (new device) clearance for the emu device, with Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) the first of six sites to be activated. The RMH is a world-class comprehensive stroke centre and home to the Melbourne Brain Centre – the largest brain research collaboration in the southern hemisphere. An emu device has also been shipped to the first US site, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (TMC). After quarter-end, EMvision shipped an emu to the Mayo Clinic in the US, with site initiation and training set for early May. During the quarter EMvision also undertook proof-of-concept testing of its portable device First Responder to detect strokes and traumatic brain injury. Under an existing ethics approval, the First Responder device wastested in remote locations, in collaboration with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA). EMvision plans to attend several leading industry event to showcase its technology. The company finished the quarter with cash reserves of $12.58m with activities over the remainder of FY25 to be supported by $800,000 of payments under a ASA grant program. Control Bionics, LTR Pharma, Lumos Diagnostics and EMvision Medical Devices are Stockhead advertisers at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Newsweek
Heartbreak as Woman Caught on Camera Dumping 4 Small Dogs Outside Shelter
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A troubling incident unfolded outside a Texas shelter last Saturday when four dogs were abandoned on the property—three left inside the fenced yard, and one outside near a busy highway. The Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) shelter captured the moment on a security camera and the footage has since been shared on social media. The video revealed a woman arriving in a silver Jeep and releasing the dogs without seeking assistance, despite the shelter's open bay doors and visible staff presence. Stephanie Phillips, president of DAWG, told Newsweek: "The shelter is an old fire station, so we have extra large bay doors that were open, and staff was present. She did not attempt to ask for assistance." "When we saw the camera footage, we came out and collected the animals. One had immediately gotten loose next to a busy highway, and staff members laid down in the driveway to catch her," she explained. Pictures from the video of the moment the dogs were abandoned outside the Texas shelter. Pictures from the video of the moment the dogs were abandoned outside the Texas shelter. The Denison Animal Welfare Group DAWG Following the incident, the woman later identified herself and left a voicemail admitting to the abandonment. Phillips contacted her, and she agreed to sign owner surrender forms and provide information about the dogs. "The dogs range in age from 1 year old to 6, and they were in general good health," Phillips said. "They have some minor medical issues that need to be addressed, and once those are taken care of, they will be spayed and neutered and offered for adoption." No criminal charges will be filed. Denison Animal Services Officers identified the woman, but the shelter chose not to pursue legal action, citing the best interests of the animals involved. Despite this, the shelter shared the video on Facebook to raise awareness and remind people that it is important to surrender animals through the proper channels. "Our staff was present, and the garage door was open, making this act unnecessary," they said on Facebook. Since the post, the shelter has closed the comments to prevent "rude" and "hateful" comments, but hope that the story will serve as a warning for people who may be thinking about surrendering an animal. In the first half of 2024, 3,118,000 animals entered U.S. shelters, including 1,533,000 dogs and 1,565,000 cats. Shelters often share stories of abandonments where previous pet owners have dumped animals without speaking to shelter workers, who iterate the importance of giving information when handing over animals. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
