Stock Markets
Putin ordered Novichok attack, double agent Skripal tells UK inquiry
By Michael Holden
SALISBURY, England (Reuters) – Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal believes Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his Novichok poisoning, an inquiry into the death of a woman who was unwittingly poisoned by the nerve agent was told on Monday.
Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury in March 2018 after Novichok was applied to the front door handle of his home.
Four months later, mother-of-three Dawn Sturgess died from exposure to the poison after her partner found a counterfeit perfume bottle which police believe had been used by Russian spies to smuggle the military-grade nerve agent into the country.
The Skripals, and a police officer who went to Skripal’s house, were left critically ill from its effects, but recovered.
Their poisoning led to the biggest East-West diplomatic expulsions since the Cold War. Russia has repeatedly rejected British accusations that it was involved.
Skripal has not spoken publicly since the attack, but in a statement to the public inquiry into Sturgess’s death, he said he blamed Putin, though he acknowledged he had no concrete evidence.
“I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself. I therefore think he must have at least given permission for the attack on Yulia and me,” Skripal said in the statement read out by Andrew O’Connor, the lawyer to the inquiry.
Skripal – who sold Russian secrets to Britain, went there after a 2010 spy swap and said he knew Putin personally – said he was aware of allegations that the Russian president had been involved in illegal activity to do with the disposal of rare metals.
“I have read that Putin is personal very interested in poison and likes reading books about it,” his statement said.
It was also the British government’s view that Russian agents carried out the attack in an operation authorised by Putin, lawyer Cathryn McGahey told the inquiry.
Adam Straw, a lawyer representing Sturgess’s family, called for Putin to appear himself.
“He should not cower behind the walls of the Kremlin. He should look Dawn’s family in the eyes and answer the evidence against him,” Straw said.
CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE
British police have charged three Russians in absentia who they say are GRU military intelligence officers, over the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter.
Two of the Russians accused by Britain of carrying out the poisoning later appeared on Russian TV to deny involvement, saying they had been innocent tourists visiting the city’s cathedral. All three have denied any involvement.
No one has been charged over Sturgess’s death.
Earlier the inquiry – which finally began on Monday following a police investigation and other lengthy legal steps – was told that Sturgess, 44, was caught in the “crossfire” of an international assassination attempt.
Evidence suggested the contaminated perfume bottle had contained enough poison to kill thousands, O’Connor said.
“You may conclude … that those who discarded the bottle in this way acted with a grotesque disregard for human life,” he told the inquiry chair, former Supreme Court judge Anthony Hughes.
The inquiry will hear some confidential evidence in secret from the UK security services, including details of Skripal’s relationship with British intelligence agencies, O’Connor said.
The Skripals will not give evidence in person because of fears for their safety.
The Russian embassy in London last week dismissed the British accusations about “the alleged use of the mythical Novichok” as quite preposterous. O’Connor said the inquiry would take full account of the Russian response.
(This story has been refiled to remove extraneous words in paragraph 5)
Stock Markets
SUBARU ANNOUNCES PRICING ON 2025 SOLTERRA ELECTRIC SUV WITH SIGNIFICANT PRICE REDUCTION
- Starting price at $38,495 MSRP, $6,500 less than 2024 version, with same features
- 2025 Solterra Touring price reduced $7,000 compared to 2024 version
- Debut of Solterra Touring Onyx Edition with gloss black wheels, exterior and interior trim accents
- Standard Subaru (OTC:) ® Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, best-in-class ground clearance of 8.3 inches
CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America, Inc. announced pricing today on the 2025 Subaru Solterra all-electric SUV. One year after significant upgrades to charging performance, interior enhancements, and driver-assist technologies, the Solterra adds a new trim level and lower starting price for 2025. The 2025 Subaru Solterra will start at $38,495 MSRP — $6,500 less than the 2024 model — before applicable federal, state, and local tax credits, and arrive at retailers nationwide early next year.
The 2025 Subaru Solterra is available in Premium, Limited, Touring, and new Touring Onyx Edition trim levels. The 2025 Solterra will qualify for applicable federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for some consumers.
New for 2025, the Subaru Solterra adds a Touring Onyx Edition trim level that adds 20-inch aluminum-alloy gloss black wheels, black exterior and interior accents, including black badging. The Subaru Solterra Touring Onyx Edition will cost $45,495 MSRP.
All Solterras are equipped with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and Subaru StarDrive ® Technology, which delivers smooth, linear output from dual electric motors placed on the front and rear axles that deliver 249 pound-feet of torque. All models feature Dual-Function X-MODE ® with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes with Grip Control and Downhill Assist Control for confidence in low-grip or off-road capability. Every Solterra includes 8.3 inches of ground clearance for genuine off-road capability “ a Subaru hallmark and best in class among small electric SUVs “ and standard Active Cornering Assist and Vehicle Stability Control for better on-road handling.
The Solterra’s high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack includes ample usable daily range and can charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 35 minutes. New for 2024, an uprated battery conditioning system improved cold-weather charging performance in colder temperatures. With thousands of available public charging stations and DC-fast charging, replenishing the Solterra’s battery away from home can be quick and easy. At home, the Solterra offers affordable Level 1 or Level 2 charging compatibility.
All Subaru Solterras are equipped with a suite of standard EyeSight ® driver-assist technologies including Emergency Steering Assist, Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, Pre-Collision Brake Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist, Hands-Free Low Speed Driving, DriverFocus ® Distraction Mitigation System, Emergency Driving Stop System, and more. In 2024, the Subaru Solterra was named a TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, its highest honor, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gave the Solterra a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score.
For added convenience, the Solterra is available with a 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen for infotainment with wireless Apple (NASDAQ:) CarPlay ® and Android Auto™ compatibility. The 2025 Solterra includes five USB charge points: one USB-A and two USB-C connectors for front-seat occupants and two USB-C charge points for rear-seat riders. A wireless phone charger is included on Solterra Limited and higher trim levels.
2025 Subaru Solterra Premium
Starting at $38,495 MSRP, which is $6,500 less than the 2024 model, the 2025 Subaru Solterra Premium is well equipped with an impressive list of standard features for convenience and comfort. The Subaru Solterra Premium is equipped with standard roof rails with a 700-pound static load capacity (176 pounds dynamic load capacity), 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with black and silver aerodynamic wheel covers, an 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay ® and Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio (4-month free trial included), Bluetooth ® connectivity, and SUBARU SOLTERRA CONNECT™ vehicle services for safety, remote access, service, available cloud-based navigation, and Wi-Fi (30-day free trial or 3GB). The connected-vehicle services also include Remote Climate Control, Remote Lock/Unlock via smartphone, and more.
Inside, the Subaru Solterra Premium features heated front seats with auto setting, Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, rear seat reminder, S-Pedal Drive, electronic parking brake, a 7.0-inch LCD combination meter, windshield wiper de-icer, heated sideview mirrors, and LED headlights (multi-beam low and single-beam high).
2025 Subaru Solterra Limited
The 2025 Subaru Solterra Limited adds more comfort and convenience features to the Premium trim level’s roster of standard equipment and starts at $41,995 MSRP, which is $6,500 less than the outgoing version. Those include standard 20-inch alloy wheels with gray machine finish, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 8-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, heated rear seats, power rear gate, rain-sensing wipers, wireless smartphone charger, LED fog lights, heated steering wheel, and StarTex ® trimmed interior upholstery.
A 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen with Apple CarPlay ® and Android Auto™ compatibility is standard and paired to a Harman Kardon ® 576 watt-equivalent premium audio system with 11 speakers. A 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor provides an overhead view for better maneuverability, and Advanced Park helps further with perpendicular or parallel parking assistance using the EV’s sensors and cameras.
2025 Subaru Solterra Touring
Building on the Solterra Limited’s impressive standard features, the 2025 Subaru Solterra Touring adds more comfort and convenience features for $44,995 MSRP, $7,000 lower than the 2024 model.
The Solterra Touring adds a panoramic glass moonroof with power sunshade, front and rear LED footwell lighting, standard heated and ventilated front seats, a digital rearview mirror with view position adjustment with Homelink ® and camera washer, and smart key access on all five doors.
2025 Subaru Solterra Touring Onyx Edition
New for 2025, the Subaru Solterra Touring Onyx Edition adds dynamic stylish features inside and out and starts at $45,495 MSRP.
On the exterior, the Subaru Solterra Touring Onyx Edition adds a high gloss black front underguard; 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels finished in black; black roof pillars, shoulder line trim, door frame, rear quarter window and roof spoiler; and black badging. Two-tone exterior color options are exclusive to Touring Onyx Edition as well.
Inside, the Touring Onyx Edition features black trim accents on the front and rear doors, and black StarTex ® trimmed upholstery.
With the purchase or lease of a new 2025 Subaru Solterra, customers will also receive up to 10 days of Subaru Just Drive Rental at no charge from their participating Subaru retailer. The program allows owners to rent various Subaru vehicles through those retailers.
2025 Subaru Solterra | ||
Model/Trim | MSRP | MSRP plus Destination |
Solterra Premium | $38,495 | $39,915 |
Solterra Limited | $41,995 | $43,415 |
Solterra Touring | $44,995 | $46,415 |
Solterra Touring Onyx Edition | $45,495 | $46,915 |
i Destination & Delivery is $1,420 for Solterra and may vary in the following states: CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT. D&D is | ||
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company ® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook (NASDAQ:), Instagram, <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4329519-1&h=2088501060&u=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2Fhttps%3A%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fsubaru-of-america%2F%3B!!P1uQfTJRew!RITC1tICLlR8tTdygLlH6eiHENIniru8XHdUVy0VTgQgkhmXIrEhDmg0rHqzgny7ey_ys_IlZvCI1TBBwUQ%24&a=LinkedIn” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.
Dominick Infante
Director, Corporate Communications
856.488.8615
dinfante@subaru.com
Aaron Cole
Product Communications Manager
720.231.0809
acole1@subaru.com
Stock Markets
PBF Energy to Participate in the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:) today announced that members of its management team will participate in the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference on January 6-8, 2025.
Any company presentation materials will be made available on the Investor Relations section of the PBF Energy website at www.pbfenergy.com.
About PBF Energy Inc.
PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF) is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating, through its subsidiaries, oil refineries and related facilities in California, Delaware, Louisiana, New Jersey and Ohio. Our mission is to operate our facilities in a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible manner, provide employees with a safe and rewarding workplace, become a positive influence in the communities where we do business, and provide superior returns to our investors.
PBF Energy is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture focused on the production of next generation sustainable fuels.
Contacts:Colin Murray (investors)
ir@pbfenergy.com
Tel: 973.455.7578
Michael C. Karlovich (media)
mediarelations@pbfenergy.com
Tel: 973.455.8981
Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. (INTS) stock has reached a new 52-week low, trading at $1.76, marking a steep 80% decline from its 52-week high of $8.79. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains a positive cash position despite challenging market conditions. This latest price point marks a significant downturn for the company, which has seen its stock value decrease by 69.09% over the past year. Investors are closely monitoring the biotech firm, known for its innovative cancer treatments, as it navigates through a challenging period. While analyst price targets range from $4 to $16, suggesting potential upside, InvestingPro data reveals weak financial health scores and unprofitable operations over the last twelve months. The 52-week low serves as a critical juncture for Intensity Therapeutics, as market watchers consider the company’s future prospects and potential for recovery.
In other recent news, Intensity Therapeutics secured approximately $3 million in gross proceeds from a stock offering and concurrent private placement. The company also reported promising results from its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of INT230-6, a treatment for various sarcomas, showcasing an improved median overall survival rate and a favorable safety profile. A global Phase 3 trial is currently underway to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of INT230-6.
In addition, Intensity Therapeutics granted stock options to its Chief Financial Officer, Joseph Talamo, and the Principal Accounting Officer, John Wesolowski, as part of the company’s 2021 Stock Incentive Plan. The company has also initiated a $15 million At-The-Market offering, facilitated by H.C. Wainwright & Co.
Furthermore, Brookline Capital Markets has given Intensity Therapeutics a Buy rating, highlighting the potential of their intratumoral drug delivery technology. The company is also preparing for a Phase 2/3 trial focusing on breast cancer.
Lastly, Intensity Therapeutics has elected two Class I directors and ratified EisnerAmper LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. The company is expecting the pathological complete response data from a partnered Phase 2 clinical trial in Europe in the second half of 2025. These are the recent developments concerning Intensity Therapeutics.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Forex2 years agoForex Today: the dollar is gaining strength amid gloomy sentiment at the start of the Fed’s week
- Forex2 years ago
How is the Australian dollar doing today?
- Forex2 years ago
Unbiased review of Pocket Option broker
- Forex2 years ago
Dollar to pound sterling exchange rate today: Pound plummeted to its lowest since 1985
- Cryptocurrency2 years ago
What happened in the crypto market – current events today
- World2 years ago
Why are modern video games an art form?
- Commodities2 years ago
Copper continues to fall in price on expectations of lower demand in China
- Forex2 years ago
The dollar is down again against major world currencies
