Latest news with #Turku
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
First look as Royal Caribbean takes delivery of latest mega cruise ship Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is getting closer to welcoming passengers onto its newest cruise ship, Star of The Seas, after it was officially welcomed into the fleet last week. The latest Icon class ship was handed over to the cruise line after almost two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Construction started in February 2023 and the ship completed sea trails in May 2025. A ceremony was held at the shipyard last week with more than 1,250 crew members and partners to honour the team of engineers, designers and architects who built the ship and helped install key features such as the 327-ton glass-and-steel AquaDome and six record-breaking waterslides. Star of the Seas will now make its way from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will add the finishing touches before its August debut in Port Canaveral, Florida, when new godmother Diana Ross will christen it. With a gross tonnage of 248,633, Star of the Seas will be the same size as its sister ship, Icon of the Seas, making them the joint largest cruise ships in the world. The vessel will have similar features to Icon of the Seas, such as an ice rink, rock climbing wall, and the surfside neighbourhood, plus giant waterparks and slides on board. There are unique elements being introduced to Star of the Seas, including three new foodstands in its AquaDome Market, serving smoky pulled pork and beef brisket, Southeast Asian regional favourites such as pad thai and panang curry and South American staples including empañadas and arepas. The brand's speciality Lincoln Park Supper Club is also being refreshed, serving intimate meals with live entertainment in a 1930s Chicago-inspired setting. Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean, said: 'We're incredibly proud to welcome Star of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family as we continue to revolutionise how families and adventurers vacation. 'It's a true team effort with so many talented individuals coming together to make the new Icon Class vacation a reality, and we're excited to debut this incredible achievement with a star-studded celebration this August.'
National Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
With trade to Maple Leafs, Matias Maccelli confident he can rebound from down season
Matias Maccelli's mind started to race. Article content As he lined up to make a putt during a round of golf with pals on June 30, one of the group was scrolling on his phone. Article content Article content Suddenly, the friend started to yell with excitement. Article content Maccelli had been traded to the Maple Leafs. Article content 'I didn't make that putt, but still played a decent round,' Maccelli said with a smile on Monday during a Zoom call, his first availability with Leafs beat writers in Toronto since he became a Leaf. Article content Article content 'It was a pretty exciting round the rest (of the day). I was super-pumped and excited to be part of the Leafs.' Article content Article content Speaking from his off-season home in Turku, Finland, the 24-year-old forward said he has been hard at work for several weeks, eager to recover from what was a difficult 2024-25 season with Utah. Article content After piling up 106 points in the previous two seasons combined with the Arizona Coyotes, the move to Salt Lake City with the rest of the organization didn't add up to a smooth transition for Maccelli. He had 18 points in 55 games and was scratched for all but three of Utah's final 26 games. Article content The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Maccelli was adamant he can prove last season was an outlier. Article content 'It comes down to ice time and opportunity with the points,' Maccelli said. 'It wasn't the best year for me, but I know I'm a better player (like) I was back in Arizona. Article content 'I know I have it still in me. Now I just have to show people that again.' Article content The Leafs are optimistic that Maccelli — who will wear No. 63 — will rebound. General manager Brad Treliving said last week that the club had him on its radar for a while. Article content Article content Leafs advisor Shane Doan worked with Maccelli in Arizona and, when the opportunity came to acquire the latter, Treliving moved on it, sending a conditional draft pick to the Mammoth. Article content Article content For now, it's a third-round pick in 2027 that belongs to Utah; it becomes a second-round pick in 2029 if the Leafs make the playoffs in 2025-26 and Maccelli records at least 51 points during the regular season. Article content Along the way to earning a spot on the NHL's all-rookie team in 2022-23, Maccelli demonstrated his playmaking skills and the following year he built on that, recording 40 assists and 57 points. Article content 'I talked to my agent (Ian Pulver), so I knew there was a couple of teams who were showing interest and Toronto was one of the teams who showed the most,' Maccelli said. 'Right from the start, I told my agent that I would love to play for the Leafs.' Article content Toronto isn't going to completely fill the offensive hole created with the trade of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. With a bit of further financial creativity, Treliving, with close to $5 million under the salary cap now, would like to add a top-six forward during the off-season. There's different names linked the Leafs regularly, whether it's Nazem Kadri, Bryan Rust, Jared McCann or fill-in-the-blank.
CBC
17-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Hammer thrower Rogers, runner DeBues-Stafford victorious for Canada at Paavo Nurmi Games
Social Sharing Canadians grabbed a share of the track and field spotlight Tuesday, with hammer thrower Camryn Rogers and middle-distance runner Gabriela DeBues-Stafford winning their competitions at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland. Rogers, the reigning world and Olympic champion, wasn't at her best but was victorious with a throw of 74.59 metres on the fifth of her six attempts. She also fouled three times. Hometown favourite Silja Kosonen was second (73.21) at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet. Rogers, 26, has a best throw of 78.14 this season and 78.62 personal best, a Canadian record. The Richmond, B.C., native has won two of her other three events this season and was second at the Trond Mohn Games on June 3 in Norway. Rogers won an Olympic gold medal last Aug. 6 in Paris and captured her first world championship title in 2023. The only Canadian woman to medal at the event in hammer throw also earned 2022 silver. B.C.'s Camryn Rogers places 1st in women's hammer throw competition in Turku 1 hour ago Duration 0:33 The Richmond, B.C. native scored 75.59-metres on her 5th throw to clinch the women's hammer throw competition at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet in Turku, Finland. DeBues-Stafford, 29, has regained her winning form early in the outdoor campaign following three injury-marred seasons. The Toronto native captured the women's 1,500 metres in Finland for her second straight win in the distance to start the season. DeBues-Stafford reached the finish line in four minutes two seconds, her fastest race in over three years since going 3:58.62 at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meet on May 28, 2022. DeBues-Stafford, who had a 2024 season best of 4:15.09, took nearly two seconds off her 4:03.81 effort from three weeks ago in Belgium. WATCH | Full replay coverage of Paavo Nurmi Games from Turku: World Athletics Continental Tour Turku 8 hours ago Duration 2:03:24 Hampered by injuries A two-time Olympian, DeBues ran 3:56.12 in the 2019 world final, one of her seven national indoor and outdoor records. She entered this season having spent much of the past three years dealing with stress fractures and troubles with her sacroiliac (SI) joint, which link the pelvis and lower spine. DeBues-Stafford, who was fifth in the 2021 Olympic final in Tokyo, will run the 1,500 on Sunday at the Troyes International Athletics Meeting in Aube, France. She is also scheduled to race the 1,500 in the country on July 4 at the Stanislas Nancy competition in Tomblaine. In the women's 100 on Tuesday, Audrey Leduc of Gatineau, Que., placed fourth in 11.16 seconds, 5-100ths of a second faster than her heat performance. New Zealand's Zoe Hobbs, who topped all runners in the heats with an 11.09 clocking, went 11.07 to capture the final over Hungary's Boglárka Takács (11.11). Leduc, 26, ran a Canadian record 10.95 to win her Olympic heat last summer before helping Canada's women's 100m relay team to gold last month at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China. WATCH | Leduc 4th in women's 100m, 9-100ths of a second behind winner Hobbs: New Zealand's Zoe Hobbs wins women's 100m race in Turku 47 minutes ago Duration 3:53 The 27-year-old Olympian clocked in at a time of 11.07 seconds to win the sprint during the World Athletics Continental Tour meet in Turku, Finland. Audrey Leduc of Gatineau, Que. placed 4th with a time of 11.16 seconds. In the men's 100 final, Jerome Blake of Kelowna delivered a 10.18 SB for fifth in his fourth race of the season, one spot in front of fellow Canadian Andre De Grasse (10.23). Blake, 29, won the first of two heats in 10.19 over South Africa's Benji Richardson, who was second in the final in 10.09, 1-100th behind Romell Glave of Great Britain. Blake was a member of the Canadian men's 100m relay squad, along with De Grasse, that won 2024 Olympic gold. WATCH | Blake runs season-best 10.18 seconds in men's 100m at Paavo Nurmi Games: B.C.'s Jerome Blake narrowly falls to Great Britain's Romell Glave in men's 100m final in Turku 27 minutes ago Duration 4:29 The 29-year-old Olympian finished 0.01 seconds behind Great Britain's Romell Glave for a score of 10.09 seconds to be the runner-up in the sprint at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet in Turku, Finland. Other Canadian results: Quebec's Jean-Simon Desgagnes was fifth in the men's 3,000m steeplechase on Tuesday. Racing for the third time in nine days, his eight-minute 14.40-second showing is a season best and a little over one second shy of his 8:13.11 SB last year. Germany's Frederik Ruppert won in 8:10.39. Desgagnes, a native of Saint-Ferreol-les-Neiges competed at his first Olympics in 2024, finishing 13th in the steeplechase final. Thomas Fafard of Repentigny, Que., was seventh of 15 finishers in the men's 5,000m, stopping the clock in 13 minutes 18.74 seconds for a season best. Belgium's John Heymans was victorious in 13:03.87, also a SB. This was Fafard's second attempt at the 13:01 automatic qualifying standard for the world championships. The 2024 Olympian 13:55.85 on May 24 in Los Angeles. Quebec City's Charles-Philibert-Thiboutot, the other member of Canadian track's "Three Musketeers" with Desgagnes and Fafard, finished 12th of 13 finishers in the men's 1,500 in 3:38.17. Ermiyas Girma of Ethiopia prevailed in a 3.33.49 PB. Philibert-Thiboutot is still seeking the 3:33 world standard (his PB is 3:32.94) but is top Canadian in the world rankings quota at 43 among the 56 to be selected. For more information on athletics events streaming live on CBC Sports this season, click here to see the full broadcast schedule.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Faron Pharmaceuticals presents updated Phase II data from BEXMAB Study at EHA 2025
TURKU, FI / / June 12, 2025 / Faron Pharmaceuticals (HEL:FARON)(LSE:FARN) - Strong efficacy and survival outcomes with bexmarilimab in high-risk MDS support Phase III advancement Median overall survival (mOS) of 13.4 months in r/r HR-MDS patients (n=32) treated with bexmarilimab + azacitidine; mOS of 9.3 months in TP53 mutated patients (n=13) ORR of 85% and cCR of 50% in patients with frontline MDS (n=20) Deep bone marrow responses demonstrated at all dose levels in frontline MDS and based on the safety and efficacy data of the trial, the recommended phase III bexmarilimab dose is 3 mg/kg Turku, Finland- Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing next-generation immunotherapies, presents detailed phase II data from its ongoing BEXMAB study evaluating bexmarilimab in high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) as an oral presentation at the 30th European Hematology Association's (EHA) Congress, taking place in Milan from 12-15 June 2025. The presentation will be led by Dr. Mika Kontro, Associate Professor at University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Hematology, and will contain detailed results from the study of bexmarilimab, Faron's investigational anti-Clever-1 antibody, in combination with azacitidine for patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) and frontline or treatment-naïve HR-MDS. These results expand upon those presented at ASCO 2025 and reaffirm the efficacy and safety of bexmarilimab in this difficult-to-treat population. Strong efficacy data in both r/r HR-MDS and frontline MDS, support advancement into phase III The BEXMAB study evaluated bexmarilimab (1, 3, or 6 mg/kg weekly in 28-day cycles), a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the Clever-1 receptor, in combination with azacitidine, a standard-of-care hypomethylating agent (HMA). By blocking Clever-1, bexmarilimab reprograms macrophages in the bone marrow, enhancing anti-tumor immunity. With 80% of patients with r/r HR-MDS (n=32) falling in the very high/high risk category at baseline, the phase II BEXMAB data demonstrated an estimated median overall survival (mOS) of approximately 13.4 months, significantly surpassing historical outcomes of 5-6 months expected under standard of care. A mOS of 9.3 months was observed in patients with the aggressive mTP53 mutation (n=13). Five patients in the r/r HR-MDS group proceeded to stem cell transplant (SCT), the only curative option. Of the non-mTP53 mutated patients mOS has not yet been reached and 15 out of 19 patients are still alive. Dr. Mika Kontro, MD, PhD, also the principal investigator of the BEXMAB study, said, "The consistent and durable responses observed with bexmarilimab are notable in this patient population. The survival data with bexmarilimab are encouraging for r/r HR-MDS patients, who have limited treatment options after failing HMA therapy." In an updated analysis compared to the ASCO data, patients with frontline MDS (n=20; 45% with the TP53 mutation), the combination of bexmarilimab with azacitidine demonstrated an ORR of 85% and a cCR of 50%. In those with TP53, the ORR and cCR were 78% and 44%, respectively. In this group too, 7(35%) patients proceeded to SCT (n=5) or are in planning for transplant (n=2). Though bone marrow responses were observed across all dose levels in these patients, the 3 mg/kg appeared to be more favourable at this early stage, indicating the use of this dose for further trials. Dr. Petri Bono, Chief Medical Officer of Faron, said, "Achieving this milestone underscores our commitment to addressing the urgent needs of MDS patients. These results support ongoing positive and pivotal discussions with regulatory authorities. We are dedicated to advancing bexmarilimab through clinical development into phase III, with the goal of offering new hope to patients suffering from HR-MDS." Favourable immune activation with 3 mg/kg bexmarilimab dose According to new data to be presented at EHA, bexmarilimab showed CLEVER-1 target engagement in both blood and bone marrow across all doses with no indication of accumulation with repeated dosing. Favourable activation of both the adaptive and innate immune system indicators was seen in r/r HR-MDS and frontline MDS with 3 mg/kg bexmarilimab and azacitidine. The combination was well-tolerated in all patients with HR-MDS. The details of the oral presentation are as follows: Presentation title: Efficacy of Macrophage Checkpoint Clever-1 Inhibition with bexmarilimab plus Azacitidine in Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Results from the Ph1/2 BEXMAB Study Session: Oral presentation Presenter: Dr. Mika Kontro, MD, PhD Date and Time: 15 June 2025 11:00 - 12:15 CEST Location: Milan, Italy Abstract no: S178 Faron Pharmaceuticals remains committed to accelerating the clinical development of bexmarilimab for patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies and anticipates initiating preparations for a Phase III registrational trial in the second half of 2025, following discussions with the FDA. For more information, please contact: IR Partners, Finland(Media)Riina TuominenKare Laukkanen +358 44 313 50 553 9535 / +44 7 469 766 FINN Partners, US(Media) Alyssa Paldo +1 847 791-8085 Cairn Financial Advisers LLP(Nominated Adviser and Broker)Sandy Jamieson, Jo Turner +44 (0) 207 213 0880 Sisu Partners Oy(Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North)Juha KarttunenJukka Järvelä +358 (0)40 555 4727+358 (0)50 553 8990 About BEXMABThe BEXMAB study is an open-label Phase I/II clinical trial investigating bexmarilimab in combination with standard of care (SoC) in the aggressive hematological malignancies of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The primary objective is to determine the safety and tolerability of bexmarilimab in combination with SoC (azacitidine) treatment. Directly targeting Clever-1 could limit the replication capacity of cancer cells, increase antigen presentation, ignite an immune response, and allow current treatments to be more effective. Clever-1 is highly expressed in both AML and MDS and associated with therapy resistance, limited T cell activation and poor outcomes. About bexmarilimabBexmarilimab is Faron's wholly owned, investigational immunotherapy designed to overcome resistance to existing treatments and optimize clinical outcomes, by targeting myeloid cell function and igniting the immune system. Bexmarilimab binds to Clever-1, an immunosuppressive receptor found on macrophages leading to tumor growth and metastases (i.e. helps cancer evade the immune system). By targeting the Clever-1 receptor on macrophages, bexmarilimab alters the tumor microenvironment, reprogramming macrophages from an immunosuppressive (M2) state to an immunostimulatory (M1) one, upregulating interferon production and priming the immune system to attack tumors and sensitizing cancer cells to standard of care. About Faron Pharmaceuticals LtdFaron (AIM: FARN, First North: FARON) is a global, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on tackling cancers via novel immunotherapies. Its mission is to bring the promise of immunotherapy to a broader population by uncovering novel ways to control and harness the power of the immune system. The Company's lead asset is bexmarilimab, a novel anti-Clever-1 humanized antibody, with the potential to remove immunosuppression of cancers through reprogramming myeloid cell function. Bexmarilimab is being investigated in Phase I/II clinical trials as a potential therapy for patients with hematological cancers in combination with other standard treatments. Further information is available at XXXX SOURCE: Faron Pharmaceuticals View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- The Sun
My family train journey in Europe that made me realise how awful British rail services are
WHEN I told my kids the train we were taking had a play area, they had to see it to believe it. We were on the platform at Central Station in Finland's capital city, Helsinki, ready for our two-hour journey to Turku to reach the seaside town of Naantali. 7 We had seats booked, but the carriage we couldn't wait to board was easy to spot as it displayed a picture of a large cartoon cat on the side. Climbing the small staircase up to the top deck, there it was - as enticing as it looked in the pictures, and as clean too. Plus, both the front and back entrances to the carriage were protected by gates that were easy to push and pull open, but sturdy enough to keep a toddler in. Play while you travel - screen-free At the end of the carriage, which had around 40 standard seats, the play area featured a slide with cubby area at the top, plus a bookshelf next to a cosy area with several low stools lined up by the window. There was also a brightly-painted wooden train structure, big enough for four or so kids to sit in and pretend they were driving. Before the train had even left, our boys, aged six and two, had been up and down the slide about 20 times, shrieking with delight each time. They had also already had multiple arguments about who would get to be the train driver. While my husband and I did remind them to be gentle, we didn't tell them off for being noisy or feel bad about the ruckus they were making, as surely, that was the whole point of having a play area on a train. A number of Finnish children joined them throughout the journey, happily taking turns across each area. I worried that when the train was at its fastest or bumpiest, the play area wouldn't be safe as the kids would be more inclined to fall and hit their heads, but the train was so smooth it wasn't an issue at all. Our seats were the closest to the play area, so we tried to take a leaf out of the book of the Finnish mum next to us, literally, as she was relaxing in her seat reading a book while her daughter occupied herself in the play area. The carriage remained about half full throughout the whole journey, including with passengers who didn't have kids, who opted to sit there. Cleanliness is king When our youngest, who is 2.5 and not yet potty trained (that's a whole other story), decided that a good time to do a poo would be at the beginning of the journey, I had a slight feeling of dread as neither of us had changed him on a moving train before. I quickly found the toilet downstairs, which, to my relief, was not just spacious and clean, but also featured a large, pull-down changing table above the toilet - plenty of room and plenty strong enough for my large toddler. 7 I also spotted a potty in the corner, should we (he) be inclined to use it. This was something we noticed frequently in public toilets across Finland, which is a much better alternative to finding a potty with a lid and dragging that across the country. There was also a shelf next to the sink with a bottle warmer. I've never seen a potty in a public toilet in the UK, as I can't imagine people would remember to clean it. I also noticed that at the wall next to each row of seats was a pile of detachable plastic bags for rubbish, rather than trying to stuff your trash in an overflowing bin at the end of the carriage like we have to in the UK. 7 They haven't forgotten food and relaxation either We found a fully-functioning cafe car in the next carriage over, where passengers were relaxing over a beer, or working on their laptops with a coffee. The menu included hot meals like meatballs and mash and salmon pasta, as well as kids meals like sausage and chips, or nuggets and chips. They also offered a Finnish meat pie, which is kind of like fried bread with a fragrant mince meat filling. On our return journey, we opted for a private family compartment as our journey was later in the day. I haven't seen anything like this on offer in the UK. The compartment, featuring four seats facing the window, plus luggage rack and coat hooks and mini play area at one end, was on the lower level of the carriage, meaning you had to go up the stairs to play in the play carriage. We let our older son go up and down as he pleased, but he soon got tired and came back to join us in our private compartment, where our toddler had already dozed off while sprawled out across his seat. While we were proud of our fully screen-free first journey, as we'd had a busy morning we were happy for our oldest to watch a show on the iPad. 7 As we were in a private compartment, he didn't have to use headphones or worry about the volume. The cafe car wasn't open on this train, but a trolley came round with sandwiches, muffins and drinks. My husband and I managed to have a short doze, too. We couldn't believe our first long train journey as a family had gone so smoothly, thanks to the Finnish train system thinking so clearly about kids. My husband and I joked that in the UK, a play area on a train carriage would quickly fill up with empty beer cans and be defaced by teenagers. Finnish trains offer great value Prices vary depending how far in advance you book and how many tickets have already been sold, but we also couldn't believe what amazing value our journeys were. Our first leg from Helsinki to Turku in the play carriage cost around €19.80 for both of us, and €6 for our six year old, with our toddler travelling free - a total of €25.80, or around £22. Our return journey didn't cost much more - two adult tickets were around €6 each, with our six-year-old's ticket being €3.60, plus a €14.70 surcharge for the private family compartment, so a total of €30.10, or around £25.50. 7 That's basically how much it costs me to commute on my own from our town into London, which is less than an hour's journey. The way the Finns accommodate families with children in their public services is truly inspiring and makes it really appealing as a family holiday destination. You can see why Finland is the happiest country in the world. Days can also last three months in Finland. Plus, the best holiday parks, hotels and pubs in England 2025 revealed – with soft play, safari lodges and floating pods. 7
