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Uveitis Treatment Market Is Booming So Rapidly with Novartis, Pfizer, AbbVieBy Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.234u 。

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Link Labs integrates its cutting-edge, real-time asset tracking system into EasyVote's Election Management Platform for streamlining election processes ANNAPOLIS, Md. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Link Labs , a global leader in IoT location services technology that provides visibility of distributed assets in real time, today announced a new strategic partnership with EasyVote Solutions , a provider of software-as-a-service applications that streamline the processes behind running successful elections. By integrating Link Labs' cutting-edge asset tracking system for election equipment and personnel into EasyVote's election management platform that is trusted by 27 states, election officials can now manage tasks, poll workers, campaign finance and more with unprecedented precision and efficiency. "Our partnership with EasyVote Solutions promises to make the entire election process smoother, faster and more secure than ever before," said Jennifer Halstead , President & COO of Link Labs. "We are addressing a fundamental need for greater security, efficiency and transparency in elections. This partnership means that election officials can confidently monitor and manage every aspect of the process, from equipment to personnel, ultimately protecting the democratic process in the 27 states where EasyVote's platform is used." "Our partnership with Link Labs offers elections jurisdictions a robust process-oriented asset management system coupled with a best-in-class GPS tracking solution," said Ron Davis , Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer with EasyVote Solutions. "There has never been a greater need for a complete software and hardware chain of custody solution that ensures security of voting equipment. We are excited about the opportunity to work together and deliver this to our customers." Link Labs' asset tracking system enhances the transparency and accountability of in-person and mail-in voting processes. It makes every step of the electoral process secure and transparent by providing real-time visibility and comprehensive audit trails that ensure the traceability of equipment and personnel for any election size. Designed for county and local governments, the comprehensive system integrates Link Labs' Supertag and AirFinder Ultra technologies. The scalable system, proven to streamline operations, minimize errors and reduce lawsuits, has been successfully deployed to more than 10 U.S. counties since Dec. 2021 . With seamless indoor/outdoor tracking, Link Labs' system aids voting processes through tracking election equipment, tracking the workflow of sensitive data, and monitoring permanent drop boxes. The platform offers several enhancements that further bolster trust and operational efficiency in the electoral process, including measuring workflows and identifying problems early, proving processes are being followed, and reducing risk of litigation. For more information about Link Labs' asset tracking system for elections, visit https://www.link-labs.com/elections-asset-tracking-solutions . About Link Labs Link Labs is the global leader in IoT location services technology, providing real-time enterprise asset visibility for distributed assets. With over 30 patents in the United States alone, we track over 2 billion unique IoT location, condition, and behavior monitoring events per month. Our solutions are designed to be both affordable and impactful, providing real-time visibility for each entity's unique asset tracking needs. For more information, visit https://www.link-labs.com/ . About EasyVote Solutions EasyVote Solutions provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications that streamline the processes behind running successful elections. Our customers are city, county and state elections offices currently located in 27 states across the US. Our customers find that the EasyVote Election Management Platform excels at the following; reducing the time to perform election tasks, improving communication and accuracy between election officials and workers; and providing data, enabling election officials to make intelligent, informed decisions. For more information, visit https://www.easyvotesolutions.com . Media Contact Jennifer Halstead , President & COO, Link Labs (443) 561-3888 [email protected] SOURCE Link LabsBlack Friday 2024 is right around the corner, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most competitive shopping events of the year. Top retailers and carriers are vying to bring you the best phone deals. Whether you're starting your holiday shopping early or making up for missing last month's Prime Day, there are incredible offers from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now The phone deals below will save you a significant amount of money on some of the best handsets we've tested and recommend at ZDNET. For example, carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile are offering " On Us " promotions that can get you the latest iPhone, Samsung, or Google Pixel for free with a qualifying trade-in. You'll also find links to the retailer with the best offer for various phones below, whether that's Best Buy , Amazon , or AT&T . Keep an eye out, as we'll be continuously updating the list with new deals this week. Our favorite smartphone deals for Black Friday 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : $1,300 (save $120 at Samsung): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 : $1,600 (save $300 at Samsung): If you opt for one of the special edition colors (Crafted Black or White), the Korean giant will discount a total of $800 with no trade-in required. iPhone 16 On Us : $25/month (save up to $3,200 at T-Mobile): The carrier will sell you four iPhone 16 models for free when you trade in eligible devices, start 4 new lines at $25 per line, and agree to 24 months of bill credits. Apple iPhone 16 : $0.00/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 series : $139 (save $20 at Best Buy): A snap-on case that'll bring you back to the glory days of physical phone keyboards and quick dial. The Clicks Keyboard can also be programmable to fire up shortcuts, apps, and more. Nomad USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey : $19 (save $6 at Nomad): One of my essential travel accessories is this keychain with two USB-C connectors that can pump out up to 60W of power. Google Pixel 9 : $649 (save $150 at Amazon): Possibly the best Android phone for most people in 2024, the comfortably sized, very capable Pixel 9 is selling at close to its all-time low price. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold : $1,500 (save $300 at Amazon): In content for best foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an improved, more ergonomic design, a massive 8-inch display, and support for the latest Google AI tools. Google Pixel 8a : $400 (save $100 at Amazon): A fantastic, compact, and AI-ready Android that's priced to compete, the Pixel 8a is 20% off right now. OnePlus Open : $1,200 (save $500 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $500 discount for Black Friday. OnePlus 12 : $550 (save $250 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the US, with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. Motorola Razr+ 2024 : $750 (save $250 at Best Buy): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $250 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Current price: $950 Original price: $1,420 While the year hasn't ended yet, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains ZDNET's top pick for best phone of 2024. The big selling point with the Ultra model is its maximalist approach to being a smartphone, giving you all the features you could need, including a built-in S Pen stylus, upwards of 1TB of storage, and a quad-camera system. For a limited time, you can pick up the 512GB of storage variant for the same price as the 256GB. Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Google Pixel 9 Current price: $649 Original price: $799 The Google Pixel 9 is the phone I recommend to most people in 2024. It doesn't have the flashiest features, like a dedicated telephoto lens or LTPO display, but it's a well-rounded package that holds up against phones that cost hundreds of dollars more. With seven years of software support, Google AI features, and a very capable camera system, you've got one of the safest, best-value phones on sale for Black Friday. Review: Google Pixel 9 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Current price: $772 Original price: $1,100 One of the best flip phones on the market, you can buy Samsung's latest foldable for $300 off for Black Friday. For the money, you get a compact handset with dual cameras, dual screens, and up to seven years of software features, operating system, and security updates. The new Z Flip 6 model is also Samsung's most durable one yet. Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Current price: $65 a month Original price: $999 Carrier deals are almost always too good to be true, but if you meet all the right requirements and are willing to exchange loyalty for a discounted iPhone, things may just work out. Case in point, this Boost Mobile deal will cover the cost of the latest iPhone 16 Pro, with the requirement being to enroll in the brand's wireless plan ($65 a month over 36 months). If you were already considering switching carrier plans or starting a new one, this deal is worth considering. Review: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Motorola Razr (2023) Current price: $350 Original price: $700 The Motorola Razr (2023) is one of the more accessible foldable phones on the market, and this Black Friday deal makes it even more so. While the outer display is not as large as the flagship flip phones, its inner display is the same size as Razr's more expensive sibling, Razr Plus. Right now, you can buy the Razr at a $350 mark-down. Review: Motorola Razr (2023) Best Black Friday Samsung phone deals Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : $1,300 (save $120 at Samsung): The best phone we've tested so far, the Galaxy S24 Ultra packs the best specs across key categories, including display, performance, battery life, and camera. It also has a built-in S-Pen for precision inputs. Samsung Galaxy S24 : $700 (save $100 at Amazon): The base model of the Galaxy S24 series has also been discounted by $100. It's a more compact option if you're not a fan of big phones. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 : $1,600 (save $300 at Samsung): If you opt for one of the special edition colors (Crafted Black or White), the Korean giant will discount a total of $700 with no trade-in required. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 : $772 (save $328 at Amazon): For a flagship foldable that won't break the bank, consider Samsung's latest Z Flip 6, which is selling for a record-low price, so long as you opt for the green color. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G : $300 (save $100 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with a 120Hz display and triple camera setup. Best Black Friday iPhone deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Apple iPhone 16 : $0/month (save $830 at Verizon): The carrier will credit you the cost of Apple's base-model iPhone when you open a new line and are under an Unlimited Ultimate plan. Apple iPhone 16 Pro : $65/month (save $1,000 at Boost): Want a Pro iPhone that's actually comfortable to hold and use? Consider the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. Apple iPhone 16 Plus : $65/month (save $930 at Boost): Apple also offers the standard iPhone 16 in a Plus size, with a 6.7-inch display. Apple iPhone 16 On Us : $25/month (save up to $3,200 at T-Mobile): The uncarrier will sell you four iPhone 16 models for free when you trade in eligible devices, start 4 new lines at $25 per line, and agree to 24 months of bill credits. Best Black Friday Motorola phone deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Motorola Razr+ 2024 : $750 (save $250 at Best Buy): The best flip phone you can buy right now is $250 off and comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Razr+ 2023 : $550 (save $450 at Amazon): Another foldable phone contender, the higher-end Razr+ model is also discounted and is arguably a better flip phone than Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip thanks to a more customizable and functional outer screen. Motorola Razr 2024 : $450 (save $250 at Best Buy): It's not as big of a discount, but if you want a Motorola Razr with more future-proofed specs, consider the 2024 model. Motorola Razr 2023 : $350 (save $350 at Motorola): The most affordable foldable phone on the market right now just got cheaper, with the 2023 Motorola Razr marked even lower at $350. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 : $237 (save $263 at Motorola): For a budget phone with stylus support, consider Motorola's G Stylus model, which comes with 256GB of storage. Motorola Moto G Power 2024 : $200 (save $100 at Best Buy): Motorola's G Power line doesn't have the flashiest features, but its large battery and efficient processor make it a fantastic pick-up for kids, students, elders, or a secondary device. Best Black Friday Google Pixel deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET Google Pixel 9 : $649 (save $150 at Amazon): Possibly the best Android phone for most people in 2024, the comfortably sized, very capable Pixel 9 is selling at close to its all-time low price. Google Pixel Fold : $1,120 (save $680 at Walmart): The brand's first foldable phone has a compact 5.8-inch display on the outside and an expansive 7.6-inch screen on the inside. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold : $1,500 (save $300 at Amazon): In content for best foldable phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an improved, more ergonomic design, a massive 8-inch display, and support for the latest Google AI tools. Google Pixel 8a : $400 (save $100 at Amazon): A fantastic, compact, and AI-ready Android that's priced to compete, the Pixel 8a is 20% off right now. Google Pixel 9 Pro : $0.00/month (save $999 at T-Mobile): When you trade in an eligible device, are on a Go5G Plus or Go5G Next plan, and agree to a 24-month installment plan. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL : $5.55/month (save $1,200 at Verizon): When you trade in an eligible device, are on an eligible Unlimited plan, and agree to a 36-month installment plan. Google Pixel 7a : $350 (save $150 at Amazon): One of the best budget phones on the market, with Google AI features and a 90Hz display. Google Pixel 8 : $450 (save $250 at Amazon): Coming with 128GB of storage, the year-old Pixel 8 is still a fantastic mid-range option if you value camera quality above all else. Best Black Friday OnePlus deals Kerry Wan/ZDNET OnePlus Open : $1,200 (save $500 at Amazon): One of the best foldable phones we've tested is selling at a $500 discount for Black Friday. OnePlus Nord N30 5G : $230 (save $70 at Amazon): This is a great budget option with a large 6.7-inch screen, a 5,000mAh battery, and 50W wired charging. OnePlus 12 : $550 (save $250 at Best Buy): The OnePlus flagship is the fastest-charging phone you can buy in the U.S., with a beefy 5,400mAh battery that should last you well into a second day. OnePlus 12R : $400 (save $100 at OnePlus): A sleeper pick for the best mid-range Android phone this year, the OnePlus 12R is currently being sold at its lowest price in 30 days. Best Black Friday phone accessories deals Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 series : $139 (save $20 at Best Buy): A snap-on case that'll bring you back to the glory days of physical phone keyboards and quick dial. The Clicks Keyboard can also be programmable to fire up shortcuts, apps, and more. Nomad USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey : $19 (save $6 at Nomad): One of my essential travel accessories is this keychain with two USB-C connectors that can pump out up to 60W of power. Nomad Magnetic Leather Back : $36 (save $4 at Nomad): If you're not a case guy, consider this magnetic leather back cover, which gives you the texture, look, and smell of the material without adding much bulk to your phone. Spigen Tough Armor MagFit Case : $20 (save $40 at Amazon): For a protective phone case that's soft to the touch, highly functional (thanks to its magnetic ring mount and kickstand), and won't break the bank, consider the Spigen Tough Armor. Apple AirPods Pro 2 : $154 (save $95 at Amazon): You can now use your AirPods with your Apple Watch and as hearing aids , and this is a great deal on one of our favorite AirPod models. Torras MiniMag 5,000mAh MagSafe Battery Pack : $40 (save $13 at Amazon): ZDNET's favorite thin MagSafe battery pack is on sale right now. It's lightweight, powerful, and perfect for topping off your phone's battery on the go. FAQs Black Friday takes place on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. However, expect retailers to begin early discounts and sales weeks before. Cyber Monday is happening on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, following Black Friday. Yes, phones, including recent iPhone models, are often cheaper on Black Friday, matching (if not beating) the level of discount you'd find during any other major shopping event. This is partly because Black Friday happens months after most manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, Google, and Apple have launched new devices. With the amount of time that has passed, you'll often see the more recent phones discounted by a good amount at this time. iPhones are cheaper during this time because carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer competitive trade-in and sign-on promotions. As long as you read the fine print about the qualifications, most of these deals will cover the retail cost of the new iPhone. You'll just have to agree to a long-term installment plan that ranges between 24 months to 36 months. While Amazon has traditionally been the most competitive with its Black Friday smartphone deals, other retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target have caught up in recent years. In fact, we're seeing top offers available across a variety of stores versus just one, which is a good thing for the retail landscape. That said, I'd highly advise scanning the catalogs of the manufacturers themselves, such as Samsung , Motorola , Google , and Apple . Beyond discounts to the retail cost, manufacturers often bundle free wireless earbuds, chargers, and other accessories with your purchase. Since you're purchasing directly from the manufacturer, you'll also have a direct line with their customer support, should any problems with the product arise. While Black Friday's online presence has risen exponentially over the past decade, Cyber Monday was the original "online only" commerce event. Still, you'll find deals in-store and online for both occasions. In some cases, retailers will list new deals during Cyber Monday, especially for products or inventory that didn't sell as much during Black Friday a few days earlier. ZDNET chooses Black Friday deals based on the percentage of discount compared to the original price ($5 off a $20 item is just as good as $250 off a $1,000 item), how significant the discount is compared to pricing history, and whether our experts have tested and recommended the product. We also look at deals from a wider scope, considering better alternatives, unique use cases, stock, and existing customer reviews on websites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit. The best deals will save you a decent amount of money while giving you a truly worthwhile product. There's no beating in-person shopping that begins on the eve of Black Friday, and retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have made it a point to reward those who do. However, you can still find similar discounts online -- and with a higher chance of securing a product before it's snatched by someone else. Besides big-box retailers, most carriers and e-commerce brands will also host some form of Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion; simply visit your preferred destinations and see what's available. It won't hurt to try. ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category: Black Friday TV deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday laptop deals Black Friday gaming PC deals Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Black Friday Amazon deals Black Friday Best Buy deals Black Friday Walmart deals Black Friday Sam's Club deals Black Friday Apple deals Black Friday iPad deals Black Friday AirPods deals Black Friday Apple Watch deals Black Friday Kindle deals Black Friday streaming deals Black Friday soundbar and speaker deals Black Friday robot vacuum deals Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals Black Friday PlayStation deals And more Black Friday deals: Black Friday deals under $25 Black Friday deals under $100 Black Friday Samsung deals Black Friday Verizon deals Black Friday headphone deals Black Friday tablet deals Black Friday monitor deals Black Friday gaming deals Black Friday security camera deals Black Friday storage and SSD deals Black Friday portable power station deals Black Friday VPN deals Black Friday Chromebook deals Black Friday HP deals Black Friday Dell deals Black Friday Roku deals Black Friday Roborock deals Best Black Friday deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday TV deals Black Friday laptop deals

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FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign at the end of Biden's term in JanuaryCHARLOTTE, N.C. — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. “Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them,” Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR’s “take-it-or-leave-it” final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as “open” teams that don’t have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was “primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR,” Freeze said. “NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit,” Freeze said. “NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved.” A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing “new circumstances” in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a “coordinated effort behind the scenes.” “This is completely false,” Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. “23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing,” Lauletta said. “Our efforts to expand — purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track — are integral to achieving this goal. “It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships,” he continued. “It is a necessity because NASCAR’s monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level.”

UK ready for ‘all eventualities’ if Trump launches trade war, says Reynolds

UN Resolution 1701 is at the heart of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal. What is it?Barcelona have won their fourth consecutive League Phase match in this season’s UEFA Champions League to solidify their spot in the Top 8 thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Brest on Tuesday night at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Barça were by far the better team throughout the night but needed to wait 65 minutes to finally establish a comfortable lead, but Hansi Flick’s troops eventually cruised to a quality win at home to end their mini-slump and get a little closer to an automatic spot in the Round of 16. FIRST HALF Barça needed only 10 minutes to establish their advantage as Robert Lewandowski was fouled inside the box by Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot, and scored the 100th Champions League goal of his career from the penalty spot to put the Blaugrana in front. The home team was far superior from the get-go, not allowing the visitors any joy on the counter and showing excellent intensity out of possession to recover the ball while also playing with good pace and precision with their passing. The only issue for the last 35 minutes was in the final third: Barça always missed the last pass to truly unlock the Brest defense, and often failed to capitalize on really good chances by making poor decisions or not executing easy passes that would have surealy led to more goals. Brest also managed to avoid conceding a second goal with a couple of crucial interventions by their defenders and one or two big saves by Bizot, and the visitors were somehow still alive as we reached the end of the period. The halftime whistle came to end a half in which Barça took an early lead and controlled the rest of the period, but failed to capitalize on that dominance and only took a one-goal advantage into the break. They were playing quite well after 45 minutes, but needed to be better in the final third to make sure of the three points in the second half. SECOND HALF It was more of the same to start the second half as Barça retained their territorial advantage and continued to play some beautiful stuff up until the final third, but they either wasted promising attacks with silly mistakes or missed big chances — including an effort by Dani Olmo inside the box that was cleared off the line — and the score stayed 1-0 as we reached the hour mark. But the Catalans kept pressing and not allowing Brest any space or time to breathe, and their pressure eventually paid off as Gerard Martín played a gorgeous ball into the box to find Dani Olmo, who weaved his way through a couple of defenders and beat the keeper to finally double Barça’s lead. The final 25 minutes were fully dominated by the Blaugrana , who managed the game very well and didn’t allow Brest any chances. They eventually scored a third in added time when Alejandro Balde assisted Lewandowski who doubled his tally with a gorgeous finish, and Barça cruised to the finish as the final whistle came to secure all three points and a clean sheet. The score doesn’t tell the full story of the game as Barça fully dominated from start to finish and could have easily scored five or six on another night, but they weren’t efficient enough in the box to make this a bigger score. But this was still a quality victory and an excellent performance, and Barça get a little closer to an automatic spot in the Champions League Round of 16. The two-game winless streak is over, and Barça now have another home game at the weekend to return to winning ways in La Liga and fully restore the good vibes. Well done, boys! Barcelona : Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Martín (Balde 78’); Casadó, Pedri (De Jong 88’); Raphinha, Olmo (Gavi 68’), Fermín (Torre 78’); Lewandowski Goals: Lewandowski (pen 10’, 90+2’), Olmo (66’) Brest : Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Haidara; Camara (Faivre 70’), Fernandes (Martin 78’), Magnetti; Doumbia (Pereira-Lage 70’), Ajorque (Del Castillo 78’), Sima (Baldé 59’) Goals: None

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