Coherus BioSciences Announces Apexus Contract Agreement for 340B Hospitals and Clinics, and Q-Code Issuance from CMS

November 30, 2018, 7:03 am

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRS), today announced that the company has executed a 340B prime vendor program contract agreement with Apexus, LLC. Apexus is a recognized leader in the ambulatory hospital outpatient setting and the Health Resources and Services Administration prime vendor for the 340B drug pricing program, of which UDENYCA™ (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) is a part. Apexus contracts with more than 95% of the 340B eligible covered entities, and the 340B channel represents about 35% of the Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) units sold in the U.S.“Apexus is pleased to be one of Coherus BioSciences’ first partners in the launch of UDENYCA™, a pegfilgrastim biosimilar recently approved by the FDA,” said Chris Hatwig, President of Apexus. “We look forward to working with Coherus in optimizing biosimilar use with this new agreement for UDENYCA™ and to lowering drug pricing, while improving patient access.” 

In addition to entering into a UDENYCA™ contract agreement with Apexus, Coherus BioSciences has received Q-Code medical billing status for UDENYCA™ from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Q-Code enables broad and expansive access to patients and providers. Code Q5111 will be effective January 1, 2019, in time for the company’s planned first availability of UDENYCA™.

“We greatly appreciate CMS’ rapid issuance of our Q-Code in just 13 days,” said Denny Lanfear, Chairman, CEO and President of Coherus BioSciences. “We would like to thank CMS for its commitment in facilitating patients access to UDENYCA™ and for its support of biosimilars overall.” 

With the Q-Code in place, Coherus BioSciences is proceeding to apply to CMS for transitional pass-through payment status for hospital outpatient settings. “Successful approval of the Q-Code is good for everyone,” said Chris Thompson, Senior Vice President of Sales at Coherus BioSciences. “We look forward to UDENYCA™ providing more options for healthcare providers, while enabling all insured patients to have access to UDENYCA™.”

“We continue to progress toward achievement of a robust UDENYCA™ launch on January 3, 2019,” said Mr. Lanfear. “The Apexus agreement and Q-Code issuance are two important initial components for bringing choice and significant value to patients, payors and providers across the U.S.”

Neulasta® is a Registered Trademark of Amgen Inc.

*About Coherus BioSciences, Inc.*

Coherus is a leading biosimilar company that develops and commercializes high-quality therapeutics for major regulated markets. Biosimilars are intended for use in place of existing, branded biologics to treat a range of chronic and often life-threatening diseases, with the potential to reduce costs and expand patient access. Composed of a team of proven industry veterans with world-class expertise in process science, analytical characterization, protein production, sales and marketing and clinical-regulatory development, Coherus is positioned as a leader in the global biosimilar marketplace. Coherus has received regulatory approval for UDENYCA™ (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) in the U.S. and European Union and is advancing two late-stage clinical products towards commercialization, CHS-1420 (adalimumab biosimilar) and CHS-0214 (etanercept biosimilar), and developing a robust pipeline of future products in ophthalmology (including CHS-3351, a ranibizumab biosimilar, and CHS-2020, an aflibercept biosimilar), as well as CHS-131, a small molecule for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and multiple sclerosis.  For additional information, please visit www.coherus.com.

CONTACT:

David S. Arrington
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs
Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
darrington@coherus.com
+1 (650) 395-0196            

*About the Apexus 340B Prime Vendor Program
*Apexus serves as the government’s designated Prime Vendor for the 340B Drug Pricing Program. We provide access to discounted medications, education and compliance needs and manufacturer refund services to nearly 40,000 health care facilities serving vulnerable populations. More information about the Prime Vendor Program is available at www.340BPVP.com.*
*

CONTACT:

Steve Campanini
Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs
Apexus, LLC.
steve.campanini@apexus.com
+1 (469) 299-7305 Reported by GlobeNewswire 22 hours ago.

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Decoding the Wealth Mystery: IPDN to Host International Capital Forum on December 1st 2018

November 30, 2018, 10:26 am

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CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPDN), a global developer and operator of online and in-person networks that provide access to networking, training, educational and employment opportunities for diverse individuals, plan to host its second annual International Capital Forum at the Empark Grand Hotel in Beijing on December 1st, 2018. About 1,000 business professionals are expected to attend this year.The theme of the forum is “Decoding the Wealth Mystery”. Co-organized by IPDN and its partner China Fortune Media Group, this year’s forum will feature keynote speaker Michael Woods. Mr. Woods is the former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Rothschild & Co. Asset Management Inc. in North America, and he is now Chairman and Co-Founder of Monsoon Blockchain Storage Company. He will deliver a keynote speech on “Global Wealth Strategies in the New Economy”.

A group of government officials, leading scholars and business elites are also invited to speak and discuss trending topics, including cross-border investment, individual, family and business wealth management and asset allocation, blockchain technology, semiconductor strategy, and business opportunities offered by the changes in the financial industry around the globe.

Star Jones, U.S. TV personality and President of IPDN, along with Michael Wang, CEO of IPDN, will co-host a private reception and dinner on the evening of December 1 for China’s top business leaders, government officials, leading entrepreneurs and influential thought-leaders. James Song, Executive Chairman of IPDN, James Kirsch, Non-Executive Chairman of IPDN and Stephen A. Orlins, president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations will participate the event.

“Currently under meticulous preparations, this international forum will bring together world-class scholars, star entrepreneurs and seasoned investors,” said Michael Wang, CEO of IPDN. “With a special focus on family office and wealth management this year, we are expecting to bring fresh observations and insights of this heavily talked about topic. More importantly, in addition to helping our members of the Business Club on international M&A, investment, and financing, we are providing them resources on wealth management and preservation for family and business, which will bring in new revenue stream and profits to the company.”

“We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before. It will no doubt create a “new economy,” said Star Jones, President of IPDN. We are thrilled Michael Woods will bring his unique expertise to our international forum.

“The 4th Industrial Revolution impact on businesses has developed over the past few years from the corporate investment and research stage into an infrastructure implementation and revenue impact stage.  This implementation stage is already having a dramatic impact on society as a whole. I applaud IPDN’s management team and Star Jones’ focus during this international forum to shine a spotlight on the incredibly fast movement of technology enhancements which significantly impacts us all.”  Said Michael Woods, Chairman and Co-Founder of Monsoon Blockchain Storage Company.

Last year, IPDN successfully launched its first annual International Capital Forum in Beijing. Mr. Bruce Aust, Vice Chairman of Nasdaq and Mr. Stephen Orlins, President of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, were invited to give keynote addresses along with a group of Chinese business leaders. The Forum was well received and drew over 4000 paid participants both in person and online from around the globe.

*About Professional Diversity Network *
Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPDN) is a global developer and operator of online and in-person networks that provides access to networking, training, educational and employment opportunities for diverse professionals. We operate subsidiaries in the United States and China including International Association of Women (IAW), which is one of the largest, most recognized networking organizations of professional women in the country, spanning more than 200 industries and professions. Through an online platform and our relationship recruitment affinity groups, we provide our employer clients a means to identify and acquire diverse talent and assist them with their efforts to comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program. Our mission is to utilize the collective strength of our affiliate companies, members, partners and unique proprietary platform to be the standard in business diversity recruiting, networking and professional development for women, minorities, veterans, LGBT and disabled persons globally.

*IR Contact:*
Dragon Gate Investment Partners, LLC
Tel: +1 (646)-801-2803
Email: ipdn@dgipl.com Reported by GlobeNewswire 19 hours ago.

VA vows to fix GI benefits after 50-year-old computer system caused payment glitch

November 30, 2018, 10:09 am

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Vets who are getting smaller GI Bill benefit payments than they are due because of the Department of Veterans Affairs 50-year-old computer system will be made whole, VA officials said. Reported by FOXNews.com 19 hours ago.

Public Health Accreditation Board Awards Five-Year Accreditation to Nine Public Health Departments

November 30, 2018, 10:42 am

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USA MEDDAC Fort Riley Department of Public Health Becomes First U.S. Army Health Department to Achieve National Accreditation Through PHAB

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (PRWEB) November 30, 2018

Around the nation, public health departments are on the front lines of protecting and improving the health and safety of people and communities. Committed to achieving the highest standards of public health practice, a growing number of health departments are choosing to have their work reviewed against the rigorous national standards of the nonprofit, non-governmental Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This week, PHAB announced it has awarded national accreditation status to nine more health departments. Accreditation formally recognizes that a health department has demonstrated the capacity and commitment to improve the conditions in which the community can be healthy.

This week’s accreditation announcement means that 73 percent of the U.S. population is now served by a health department that meets PHAB’s national standards for delivering quality programs and services to its community. The decisions also herald the attainment of a major milestone for the 10-year-old national accrediting program, as USA MEDDAC Fort Riley Department of Public Health in Fort Riley, Kansas, is the U.S. Army’s first public health department to achieve national accreditation. Fort Riley is home to a daytime population of 25,000 people, and the health department’s commitment to improving and protecting the health of the people they serve – soldiers, their families, veterans, and the entire extended military community – is well-represented by their hard work.

“We started as an Army preventive medicine department and transformed into an Army department of public health,” said Dr. Donald W. Robinson, COL, FS, the department’s Director of Public Health. “Accreditation standards required us not only to rethink how we perform individual tasks, but how to look for new opportunities, how to make a greater health impact on the Fort Riley community, and how to integrate multiple disciplines while collaborating with organizations outside the walls of our installation. It changed us. We now have the awesome responsibility of maintaining public health accreditation standards through research, education, collaboration, and community involvement.”

Marking another significant accreditation milestone, Oneida Nation in Oneida, Wisconsin, this week became the second Tribal health department in the United States to achieve accreditation through PHAB. Cherokee Nation Health Services in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, achieved national accreditation in 2016.

“The Oneida Nation is truly honored to have obtained accreditation status from the Public Health Accreditation Board,” said Eric Krawczyk, MPH, MCHES, Community/Public Health Officer for the Oneida Comprehensive Health Division. “We hope that we can be an example for other Tribal Nations to continue to pursue accreditation status. As a Nation, we have seen the benefits that the accreditation process has already had on our programs, services and philosophies.”

Since the national accreditation program launched in 2011 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than 240 health departments have achieved the prestigious designation. Among them is the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), which this week became the 33rd state health department to achieve national accreditation. IDPH Director Gerd W. Clabaugh expressed pride in the health department’s accomplishment.

“As a department, our pursuit of accreditation was focused on encouraging staff to think about our work through a quality improvement lens,” Clabaugh said. “IDPH's policy-making board, the Iowa State Board of Health, has been very supportive of these efforts. For Iowa, accreditation means the department is a qualified leader on the subject of population health, and is committed to protecting and improving the health of all Iowans as we work toward our vision of healthy Iowans in healthy communities. I’m pleased IDPH has received the recognition that this accreditation brings, and anxious for us to use this as a platform to advance our quality improvement journey.”

The number of local health departments awarded accreditation this week also increased, bringing the total number to 209, with hundreds more in the process. Among the newly accredited local health departments is Harris County Public Health Department in Houston, Texas. Commenting on the health department’s achievement, Executive Director Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, thanked the department’s dedicated staff for their tireless work.

“Achieving accreditation status demonstrates our commitment to excellence while providing an additional lever to drive our cornerstone values – innovation, engagement, and equity,” Shah said. “This important journey has enhanced our work to serve Harris County residents by strengthening our community engagement and corresponding activities. We look forward to maintaining this new level of excellence.”

Reflecting on this group of newly accredited health departments, PHAB President and CEO Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN, said this cohort reflects the diversity of health departments that PHAB seeks to serve.

“Our accreditation process was developed to be applicable to all types of governmental public health departments, regardless of their organizational structure,” Bender said. “In this group, we are so pleased to see the first U.S. Army local installation’s public health department achieve accreditation; the second Tribal Nation public health department receive accreditation; as well as one state health department and a total of seven local health departments. We congratulate all of them for their hard work and their mutual commitment to meeting national standards.”

National accreditation status was awarded November 20, 2018 to:· Greene County Public Health, Xenia, Ohio
· Harris County Public Health, Houston, Texas
· Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, Iowa
· Oneida Nation, Oneida, Wisconsin
· Princeton Health Department, Princeton, New Jersey
· Richland County Health Department, Sidney, Montana
· USA MEDDAC Fort Riley Department of Public Health, Fort Riley, Kansas
· Sandusky County Health Department, Fremont, Ohio
· Scott County Health Department, Davenport, Iowa

For more information, contact Teddi Nicolaus at (703) 778-4549, ext. 118, or email tnicolaus@phaboard.org. Learn more about PHAB and accreditation at http://www.phaboard.org. Subscribe to PHAB's e-newsletter by clicking here.

About the Public Health Accreditation Board
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The development of national public health accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, Tribal, state, local, and territorial levels. For more information, contact Teddi Nicolaus at (703) 778-4549 ext. 118, or email tnicolaus@phaboard.org. Learn more about PHAB and accreditation at http://www.phaboard.org, and by signing up for the PHAB e-newsletter. Reported by PRWeb 18 hours ago.

The Greatest Show, Cruise Planners, Launches New Marketing and Technology at its 25th Anniversary Convention

November 30, 2018, 12:16 pm

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The nation’s largest home-based travel franchise defines why they are the greatest in the industry with a theatrical annual convention

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (PRWEB) November 30, 2018

This year, Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, kick-started its 25th anniversary celebration at its annual conference, which was themed The Greatest Show, a play off of the popular movie The Greatest Showman, but with the brand’s signature Cruisitude® carried throughout.

In front of 600 travel advisors and hundreds of travel partners, Cruise Planners founder and CEO, Michelle Fee highlighted how the company got started well before being a home-based travel agent was en vogue and even celebrated one of the agents who was the first-ever Cruise Planners travel agent nearly 25 years ago. It’s clear that Cruise Planners has a leg over the competition on a variety of points, and the driving visionary behind it all is Fee.

“Our difference is we don’t wait for opportunity, we create it,” Fee said, donning a “CP Green” dress. “It is never enough for Cruise Planners. Our 25th anniversary lets us reflect on where we came from, but more importantly, celebrate the passionate, dedicated group of travel advisors that make up the Cruise Planners family who are truly the heart of what makes Cruise Planners the greatest show in travel.”

The “Never Enough” Mantra was echoed throughout the Convention as the company stressed its dedication to continued innovation of the tools needed to drive travel advisor success which are working, as evident by the following sales growth numbers for 2018 over 2017:· Total sales growth for 2018 over 2017: 20%
· River cruise sales growth: 55%
· Luxury travel sales growth: 19%
· Land travel sales growth: 21%

Cruise Planners is already seeing a strong growth of 28% in total sales for 2019 departures versus same time last year. Travel partners praised Cruise Planners throughout the convention, citing this sales growth coupled with the commitment of Cruise Planners travel advisors and executive team for their eagerness to continue growing their partnerships.

The company even proudly played a new custom anthem with lyrics such as; “We are proud to be different. We are proud to be green. We are CP.”

For 25 years, Cruise Planners has been leading the pack in marketing, technology and training in the travel industry. Launches and advancements announced at the convention by Fee, Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner and Brian Shultz, CIO include:

· More Automation for its Network of Travel Advisors:

1. Triggered Emails: Consistent refresh of Triggered Emails, a proactive series of automatic emails, which allow agents to stay in contact with their clients after booking and is completely automated for them with additional Post-Voyage offers sent through automated Triggered Emails reminding clients of exclusive past-guest, limited-time offers they can take advantage of.
2. Hot Lists: A list of hot sales opportunities which identifies clients who have milestone birthdays, anniversaries, clients who haven’t make a booking in the last 12 months and clients who have an open onboard future cruise deposit, will now be automated.· CP Marketing Hub: A better way to track and set goals through an enhanced CP Marketing Hub – all things marketing. With data being a bigger trend and Cruise Planners leading the way in leveraging consumer data to track and market to their clients, it’s now even easier for advisors to measure their goals and increase sales.
· New Websites for Travel Advisors: New travel agent sites with options for customization for land or luxury specialty – two areas that the brand continues to grow in.
· Focus on Additional Video Content: CP Video Network already offers 20 different modern, fresh videos focusing on popular destinations, travel styles such as family, solo travelers, adults-only travel, luxury, land and much more. Cruise Planners announced adding new customization as video marketing continues to be an impactful way for travel advisors to drive sales.
· Data-Driven Travel Insight to Drive Marketing: Through the brand’s “Travel Styles” advisors are able to find out more about what their customers’ desires are for upcoming travel and better market to them. By focusing on top-performing niches including foodies, millennials, adventure travelers and solo travelers, the brand will help agents close more sales.

“Our agents are the envy of the travel industry and we give them the tools they need to be the Greatest Show,” Garcia said. “After 25 years in business supporting travel advisors, we are always delivering the best tools designed for travel advisors to increase their sales and positively change the travel world.”

The group is among the first travel advisors to sail on the “edgiest” ship at sea, the Celebrity Edge, as travel advisors take part on the ship’s inaugural sailing out of Port Everglades.

About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative:

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a network of more than 2,000 franchise owners who independently book vacation and travel experiences for their clients. Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. since 1994, Cruise Planners supports its network of franchise owners with innovative marketing, booking and technology tools, professional development and training with the industry’s top executives. Cruise Planners and has been named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 15 consecutive years and was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology. Consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, Cruise Planners is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has been ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Franchise Business Review for 6 years and is recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel.

Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line including Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Viking Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as well as many land vendors such as Travel Impressions and Sandals and Beaches Resorts. As an American Express Travel Representative, Cruise Planners maintains a reputation for quality and offers exclusive American Express Travel benefits such as Pay with Points. Cruise Planners has earned the American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award since 2004, as well as numerous marketing, technology, franchise and philanthropy awards including an International Franchise Association FranTech award for innovation, Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly and Travvy Awards from travAlliance media. Cruise Planners celebrates diversity and supports are troops as one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according to GI magazine, the Top Franchise Brand for Veterans according to Franchise Business Review, one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by Black Enterprise magazine and a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. Visit our website, http://www.cruiseplanners.com, for more information or to view the complete list of awards and honors.

Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room or Socially Yours page for social media updates and handles. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit the Cruise Planners franchise website. Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

MediaPlatform Positioned as a Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Video Content Management for Second Consecutive Time

November 30, 2018, 12:39 pm

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Company Recognized for Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute in Research Report

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) November 30, 2018

For the second time in a row, Gartner has positioned MediaPlatform as a Leader in its 2018 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Video Content Management*, published this week.

According to Gartner, "Leaders in this market have developed flexible, extensible products that are effective in a variety of use cases. We expect these vendors to have strong and viable futures. Leaders are in a solid financial position."* MediaPlatform has made the report available for download here https://bit.ly/2rcGAw1.

"We work very hard to support our customers’ success and we are very grateful to them for helping us rise over the last four years,” said Mike Newman, CEO of MediaPlatform. “We believe that Gartner is trusted by the IT innovators and decision-makers who evaluate solutions like ours, so it is especially gratifying to be recognized as a Leader in this report,” Newman said.

MediaPlatform has enjoyed exceptional growth with more than 150 global multinational customers in North America, the UK, Australia and the Middle East that have adopted MediaPlatform’s purpose-driven business broadcasting solutions as a significant upgrade from ‘best effort’ desktop web conferencing or meeting solutions. MediaPlatform’s technology lets these companies deliver premium-quality content – securely – to tens of thousands of live viewers over the corporate network that viewers can watch regardless of device, OS, browser or network connection.

The growth is the result of an expanded global sales and marketing focus lead by streaming video pioneer and Accordent Technologies founder Mike Newman, adding industry veterans Craig Myers, VP Worldwide Sales, Paul Reeves, Head of EMEA Sales, and Darian Germain, VP Marketing to his leadership team. The moves have accelerated the company’s direct sales efforts and extended its reach via a growing partner network spanning the U.K., Germany, France, Eastern Europe, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

MediaPlatform continues to invest in the technology that has fueled its customer success, retention and growth. In addition to its live webcasting and video-on-demand platform, MediaPlatform’s analytics suite delivers unique, 360-degree insights that help webcasting teams understand and measure how their video is performing. Its analytics suite includes a Network QOS Dashboard – which lets network operations teams drill down into live webcasts to identify and correct issues down to the subnet and individual user level; a Management Dashboard – which lets companies assess and track the ‘long tail’ value of their recorded video content; and a new Event Success Dashboard that provides real-time insights into how audiences are responding to and engaging with presented content and intuitive video quality indicators.

*Source: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Video Content Management, Stephen Emmott, Adam Preset, November 28 2018.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About MediaPlatform
MediaPlatform is a leading enterprise video platform enabling large-scale live streaming and on-demand video that companies use to engage remote employees, empower and motivate workers by giving them the power to rapidly self-educate and share knowledge, and attract and keep top talent. MediaPlatform gives customers an end-to-end solution and world-class services so they can use their networks for business broadcasts, consolidate disconnected video systems, accelerate their digital workplace transition, and gain insights into the reach and impact of their video communications. Reported by PRWeb 17 hours ago.

VA Admits It Has A Problem Funding Veteran Benefits

November 30, 2018, 2:47 pm

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Watch VideoWhen our nation's veterans return from war, they're supposed to get a package of education and housing benefits. But a growing number of veterans are complaining -- their benefits are being unexpectedly and inappropriately cut.

The Department of Veterans Affairs admits there is a problem and is promising a fix sometime in the next 14 months. That fix, the VA promises, will include backpay. But it admits: it doesn't yet have a solution or an idea of how to fix the issue.

The problems began soon after President Trump signed an updated GI Bill in July 2017. It re-calibrated housing allowances and education stipends. The VA brought in a contractor to get its systems updated, but that update didn't work. Quickly, a backlog built up. The backlog still exists. An unknown number of veterans are not getting the benefits they deserve. And, in some cases, veterans who depend on their benefits to pay for higher education, say their benefits were severely cut.

The VA promises to give everyone affected the backpay they're owed. However, tuition payments and rent checks are due now. And some veterans say they are struggling. Reported by Newsy 14 hours ago.

MATE Inspiration for Innovation Received Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant

November 30, 2018, 2:34 pm

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MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II) announced it received a grant for $30,000 from Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc., to further expand its reach of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

MONTEREY BAY, Calif. (PRWEB) November 30, 2018

MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II) announced it received a grant for $30,000 from Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc., to further expand its reach of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

MATE II is a nonprofit organization that challenges students to apply STEM skills in an underwater robotics competition called the MATE ROV (remotely operated vehicle) Competition. Through these dedicated grant funds, MATE II will target underrepresented populations in specific locations in Alabama, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Maryland and Washington with the goal of providing resources to get them involved in the competition and expose them to careers that they might not have otherwise considered. Motorola Solutions Foundation awards grants each year to organizations, such as MATE II, which support and advance public safety programs and technology and engineering education initiatives.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to receive this grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation,” said Jill Zande, president and executive director of MATE II. “These funds will allow us to reach out to and support students who might not otherwise participate in STEM, giving them access to a program that we know has the potential to be life-changing. We have seen it positively impact students’ education and career choices, not to mention their self-confidence and determination to succeed.”

The MATE ROV Competition requires students to brainstorm and engineer solutions to problems based on real world scenarios, from monitoring water quality to maintain healthy waterways to ensuring public safety. The competition challenges students from K through 12, community colleges and universities throughout four levels (EXPLORER, RANGER, NAVIGATOR and SCOUT) to design, build and test underwater robots to complete specified, simulated, real-life missions. Students also must organize themselves into mock companies, which encourages them to develop entrepreneurial thinking, innovate and work together to essentially manufacture, market and sell their product (a.k.a. the ROV).

Competition consists of a network of more than 30 regional contests that take place around the world each spring with the winning teams advancing to the international championship. The 2019 MATE International ROV Competition, June 20-22, is expected to bring together more than 1,000 students as they descend in Kingsport, Tennessee.

This year, Motorola grants will support programs that help more than three million students, teachers, first responders and community members around the globe. They have a specific focus on providing grants to programs that impact underrepresented populations, including females, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans and others.

“The Motorola Solutions Foundation is honored to and privileged to support the work of MATE II,” said Matt Blakely, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We believe in organizations that are fostering innovation, building partnerships and driving change, and we’re proud to be part of the positive impact they’re making in communities.”

For additional information on Motorola Solutions Foundation grants program, visit motorolasolutions.com/foundation. For more information on MATE II, visit https://matii.org.

About MATE II:
MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to inspire and challenge students to learn and apply scientific, engineering and technical skills. By providing real-world underwater problems to solve, MATE II inspires creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship and innovation. MATE II, along with its sister organization the MATE Center, organizes the MATE International Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) competition and manages the network of 32 (and growing) regional competitions that take place around the world and feed into the international event. For more information on MATE II, the MATE ROV Competitions and annual giving campaign, visit https://mateii.org.

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The foundation achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships and fostering innovation. Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its funding on public safety, disaster relief, employee programs and education, especially in science, technology, engineering and math. For more information on Motorola Solutions Corporate and Foundation giving, visit http://www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation Reported by PRWeb 15 hours ago.

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Race, retrain, recover: driving in the lifesaving Race of Remembrance

November 30, 2018, 10:07 pm

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Jones, Frankel, Dwyer and their MX-5 racer

After risking it all to protect other people’s lives, racing helped save theirs. This is when motorsport really matters

"There is not a doubt in my mind that racing saved my life.” As statements go it’s pretty bold, but when it comes from a US Marine who’s lost one leg above the knee and who bears all over his remaining limbs the scars of both his catastrophic injuries and more than 50 operations required to rebuild his shattered body, he can be believed. He is Liam Dwyer. 

Today he is sharing a Mazda MX-5 Global Cup racer in the 12-hour Race of Remembrance, at a wind-torn, rain-soaked Anglesey circuit with two other military men, all sharing the unenviable distinction of being in the wrong part of Afghanistan at the wrong time and being blown up by improvised explosive devices. 

One is a British paratrooper called Andy Jones. Andy is built like one of the larger Alps. Because he was merely near the IED and because he was frankly bloody lucky, he kept his legs. The shrapnel passed right through him, so hot it conveniently cauterised the wounds on the way, missing every major blood vessel. But he still remembers looking at his thigh and noting there was now an exhaust manifold sticking out of it. “They pack ’em with anything they can find,” he says flatly. 

And then there’s Paul Vice, Vicey to one and all. If you heard his story, you’d make a film out of it, except someone already did. He’d already won the Military Cross when he trod on the IED. His most immediate problem was not a leg so mangled it would later be removed, but a broken neck with a 90% severed carotid artery – a British record among survivors, he proudly assures me. He lived only because a fellow Marine thoughtfully stuck his knee into the wound. But he still had a stroke, resulting in brain damage, and lost part of his sight and hearing. His heart stopped twice on the Chinook flying hospital which ran out of blood trying to save his life. Once stabilised, more than 400 lumps of metal were pulled out of his body. He’s described as the most injured man to survive Afghanistan. If you fancy losing an hour on YouTube, I’d commend The Commando who Refused to Die. 

There was a fourth driver too. His name is Andrew Frankel and, given the company he was keeping, that’s enough about him. 

The Race of Remembrance is an event like no other. Organised by Forces charity Mission Motorsport, it is part fundraiser, part opportunity to pursue its aim of helping injured veterans and their dependants ‘race, retrain and recover’. This year, we were racing for its Canadian/US counterpart Operation Motorsport (hence Liam), and dozens of beneficiaries from both organisations were dotted up and down the pit lane – some driving, many more working in the pits spannering cars, changing tyres and refuelling. 

Mission Motorsport is only six years old but has provided more than 4000 training days for almost 1300 beneficiaries, leading to over 200 placements and more than 100 jobs. Run by veterans for veterans, it is an organisation fuelled by compassion, determination, love and, above all, banter. No one escapes and when it starts between Marines from either side of the Atlantic, stand clear. At the Heroes’ Dinner the night before the race, all four of us were on stage when Vicey rolled up the trousers of Liam’s rather battered remaining lower limb and said “call that a leg?” in front of the 450-strong crowd. To which Liam replied: “Great, coming from a man with a paper cut.” 

The race itself goes into the night on Saturday, then restarts again on Sunday morning, stopping for an 11am remembrance service in the pit lane before ending that afternoon. Mission Motorsport boss Major Jim Cameron describes the whole weekend “as a remembrance service with a motor race built around it”, and he’s right. When we fell silent, 100 years to the minute after the end of World War I, well, it was just about the most moving thing I’ve done. 

Really, we shouldn’t have been on the grid at all. Our car only arrived in the UK the day before qualifying, had to be fitted with a Sadev sequential gearbox overnight (clutch work is not easy for an above-knee amputee like Liam) and was then almost nicked off its trailer on its way to Anglesey. It had never turned a wheel in anger and therefore arrived with no set-up and on quasi-slick tyres that would doubtless work beautifully on a warm, dry track. Anglesey is rarely either in November. 

We fiddled with roll bars, damper rates and tyre pressures through practice and qualifying and could see there was a superb race car in there somewhere, but on the wrong tyres in the wrong conditions the quicker we made it go, the more it wanted to throw us into the scenery. Our choice was fast and twitchy or slow and (relatively) stable. For a 12-hour race, the latter was the only viable option. 

Vicey started because he’s rarely happier than when duking it out on the opening laps. These days, he races in the British GT Championship and is extremely useful at the wheel. Fairly unambiguous hand gestures every lap told us how he thought the car was handling in the appalling conditions but, just over an hour later, he handed over to me without drama. I then spent 90 minutes slithering around in the half light, dusk and finally dark, wishing we were on the right tyres. The MX-5 felt caged and, had we the means to let it loose, I expect it would have raised a lot of eyebrows. This is no street car with a roll-cage, but a properly developed racer. 

Then Andy climbed in and had an equally uneventful time before handing over to Liam, who was halfway into his stint when the propshaft broke. We were already using our spare and as it is a unique prototype part due to its need to connect to the Sadev, that was it. We were out less than five hours into a 12-hour race. So we did what race drivers used to do in such circumstances and retired to the bar. 

Liam was clearly pained the car had quit on his watch, so Andy and Vicey did what any caring team-mate would and ratcheted up the banter to ever higher levels. To most it would seem pretty heartless, kicking a man when he’s clearly down, but it’s nothing of the sort. It’s how these battle-hardened veterans actually support each other. It is their code, and it works. Soon Liam was once more giving as good as he got. 

Nor were we quite done racing, after all. The next day, Mission Motorsport made sure we were all slotted into other cars; I ended up in an automatic, diesel Honda CR-V. 

And as I was sliding around, getting in everyone’s way, it occurred to me that, although I’ve been racing for a quarter of a century, the Race of Remembrance is the only actually important race I have ever done or will ever do, and I hope I’d feel the same way if I was a Formula 1 driver. Like Liam said, racing saved his life and I know that, to one extent or another, the others feel the same way. From what I can see and for most of these veterans, the injuries you can see are as nothing compared with those you cannot. 

Put it this way, Andy went from being a member of one of the most elite regiments on earth to living rough, his entire life packed into six bin bags. Last year, he did the Race of Remembrance, his first ever race. He is now settled with a wonderful family and a new job using his unique qualifications to help civilians cope with their mental health problems. So I’ll leave the last words to him. 

“Without the Race of Remembrance, I probably wouldn’t be here.” An important race? A life-saver, no less. 

If you are interested in the work of Mission Motorsport, visit www.missionmotorsport.org

*The Mazda MX-5 Global Cup car*

MX-5s have been racing since they were launched nearly 30 years ago, and as an official series since 2003. The fourth-generation race car is designed to compete all over the world, hence ‘Global’. It is a 2.0-litre MX-5 with its interior and windows removed and fitted with all the necessary safety systems including a Nascar-standard roll-cage.

Its engine is showroom specification save a different ECU and exhaust, but the suspension and brakes are to full race spec. It felt so inherently quick that if we’d had a day’s testing and some appropriate tyres, it could have done shockingly well. Maybe next year…

*Read more*

*The £2 million roadsign business run by veterans​*

*Behind the wheel of Jaguar's I-Pace eTrophy race car​*

*Mazda MX-5 Skyactiv-G 2.0 2018 review​* Reported by Autocar 7 hours ago.

Biryani by Kilo to Raise USD 6-8 Million in its Series A funding Eyeing 100+ Outlets Pan-India and Abroad

November 30, 2018, 11:18 pm

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*Biryani by Kilo (BBK)*, a premium Biryani chain founded in 2015 by two veterans of industry *Mr. Kaushik Roy *and* Mr. Vishal Jindal* is now gearing up to raise around *USD* *6-8 Million* for the second time this year. This Series A funding will give a major boost to BBK's expansion plan across India and join the *Rs. 100 Crs+ *topline club by 2020 with its coffers showing healthy profits.

 
*Celebration Package Mutton*

 

BBK has a strategic plan to establish a strong pan-India footprint and expand into select international markets like UAE & UK in the next 3 to 5 years. They aim to build a network of 120+ outlets generating a collective revenue of Rs. 450 cr.+ by FY 2022-23. Both Vishal and Kaushik are passionate about the brand and possess ingrained expertise and experience in hospitality operations, strategy & finance. With the support of 450+ team members currently, BBK has already clocked a monthly revenue run rate of Rs. 3 crs+ from 14 outlets in Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. Their aim is to achieve Rs. 40 cr.+ in sales by the close of this financial year.

 
*L-R: Mr. Vishal Jindal & Mr. Kaushik Roy - Founders BBK*

 

Earlier in June this year, BBK raised a Pre Series A investment led by *Mr. Ajay Relan*, Founder & Chairman CX Partners and *Mr. Vinay Mittal* who has had senior Strategy/Finance roles from HT Media, EXL & Max India. In the past, BBK has received funds from investors, including Chandigarh Angels Network, ex-Evalueserve Chief operating officer *Ashish Gupta*, GlobalLogic's *Sunil Singh*, Thapars and senior executives from leading Financial & Legal Firms. BBK was launched with an intent to preserve the Khansama style of cooking, wherein each meal/biryani is freshly cooked with rich ingredients, unlike other brands where the food is cooked in bulk and repackaged & sold. BBK is a premium delivery brand with 100% focus on delivering every order on time and offers rich customer experience which the patron would have received at a fine dining restaurant by paying an exorbitant price. BBK also plans to open select Dine in outlets in Tier I & II cities for customers to experience the brand even better.

 

Both Biryani category and Food Delivery have enormous potential and BBK is at the vantage point to expand both and create a worldwide Food Services Company from India. Zomato and Swiggy are Unicorns now & doing close to 1M Food deliveries each daily, and India Food Delivery market is going to further expand exponentially. Biryani is expected to be the largest category in food delivery space in India as during FIFA World Cup, 2018, Biryani was the most frequently ordered dish and had surpassed pizza. Biryani Category caters itself especially very well for delivery by retaining its freshness, aromas & flavors after delivery and being wholesome and balanced meal makes Biryani the prime category for food delivery.

  Reported by NewsVoir 6 hours ago.

Biryani by Kilo to raise USD 6-8Mn in its series A funding

December 1, 2018, 6:36 am

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[India], Dec 1 (NewsVoir): Biryani by Kilo (BBK), a premium Biryani chain founded in 2015 by two veterans of industry Kaushik Roy and Vishal Jindal is now gearing up to raise around USD 6-8 million Reported by Sify 23 hours ago.

How can Arizona get more production and stability from its cornerbacks?

December 1, 2018, 10:51 am

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At one point in time in 2018, the Wildcats’ top three cornerbacks were projected to be Jace Whittaker, Lorenzo Burns and Tony Wallace. Possible reserves included veterans Sammy Morrison and Malcolm Holland. Reported by Harrison Daily 19 hours ago.

Wreath-laying ceremony for fallen veterans: 'Remembering is not enough' (PHOTOS)

December 1, 2018, 3:07 pm

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Wreaths Across America held a wreath laying ceremony for U.S. veterans and fallen soldiers. Reported by NJ.com 14 hours ago.

Report: Mariners to Trade Second Baseman Robinson Cano, Closer Edwin Diaz to Mets

December 1, 2018, 7:25 pm

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The Mariners will send Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz and $20 million to New York in exchange for a group of prospects and veterans. Reported by SI.com 10 hours ago.

CarBlip to Unveil New Concierge App at LA Auto Show

December 2, 2018, 4:04 am

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First Car Concierge App to Exhibit at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) December 02, 2018

CarBlip, the California-based car buying platform, today announced their new mobile app debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show). The app is the first car concierge service to exhibit at the show, currently taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center through to Dec. 9. The CarBlip booth can be found at ST-15, across from Hall K entrance near Compass Café.

When CarBlip launched earlier this May, the platform was focused on its in-app negotiation feature but, due to high demand for its concierge feature, CarBlip has transitioned to a 360º car buying service. The app allows users to select their make and model, color preferences, and preferred options. CarBlip will then locate the vehicle, negotiate the price on the customer's behalf, and deliver it to their door. The service is completely free to customers.

“As we unveil our new platform, we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the LA Auto Show,” said Brian Johnson, CEO of CarBlip. “At CarBlip, we are providing an innovative service that allows customers to complete the car buying process without ever having to visit a dealership. Our goal is to provide a seamless and exclusive experience for customers purchasing a car at any price point.”

CarBlip has been backed by Science Inc., the Santa Monica-based incubator and investment firm as well as Nordic Eye Venture Capital, a venture capital firm based in Copenhagen and Los Angeles.

Currently available for iOS only, the CarBlip app is currently focused on the California market but available to users nationwide. Click the following link to download CarBlip’s app: https://lnkd.in/gYG_cJr

About CarBlip
CarBlip is a mobile app-based platform that provides customers with an automotive concierge service. Users can select the make and model they want, followed by their color preferences and preferred options, then CarBlip will locate the vehicle on the customer's behalf. CarBlip has a vast network of dealer relationships to ensure the best value possible to its customers. Once the deal is finalized, CarBlip will deliver the car directly to the customer's door. CarBlip was founded by a multi-generational team of industry veterans and digital natives alongside a network of strategic alliance partners. Headquartered in Santa Monica, CarBlip is currently available throughout California and will soon be expanding nationwide. For more information about CarBlip, visit http://www.carblip.com. Available on the App Store, https://lnkd.in/gYG_cJr . Reported by PRWeb 1 hour ago.

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‘Proven Veterans’: Mercenaries Taking Over US-Afghan War as DoD Eyes Retreat

December 2, 2018, 2:06 pm

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Reported by RIA Nov. 16 hours ago.

Grand Junction veterans advocate announces Democratic bid for Sen. Cory Gardner’s seat

December 2, 2018, 3:07 pm

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A veterans advocate from Grand Junction announced Sunday that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Sen. Cory Gardner's seat in the 2020 election, the second person with no political experience to challenge the Republican senator. Reported by Denver Post 15 hours ago.

South Korean president greets war vets on New Zealand visit

December 2, 2018, 5:50 pm

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — South Korean President Moon Jae-in has greeted Korean War veterans in Auckland during a two-day visit to New Zealand.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the visit is a chance to reaffirm the strong... Reported by New Zealand Herald 12 hours ago.

Brett Favre tricked into recording anti-Semitic video

December 2, 2018, 10:51 pm

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FILE: Brett Favre, the mythical QB, mentioned he’s “sickened by way of what those teams stand for and all for their position in fueling these days’s destructive political local weather.” Brett Favre says he used to be duped into recording an anti-Semitic video by way of a bunch posing as a veterans group. The Corridor … Reported by The News Articles 7 hours ago.

British veterans in their 80s could be tried over allegations of abuse, ex MoD legal chief warns

December 3, 2018, 2:40 am

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Soldiers who served during military operations in the 1950s could face legal action after a recent court case involving claims of alleged abuse by Brits during the Kenyan Emergency. (pictured) Reported by MailOnline 3 hours ago.