Connect with us
  • tg

Stock Markets

Hamas official says it has received new proposal for three-stage truce

letizo News

Published

on

Hamas official says it has received new proposal for three-stage truce
© Reuters. Satellite view of the U.S. military outpost known as Tower 22, in Rukban, Rwaished District, Jordan October 12, 2023 in this handout image. Planet Labs PBC/Handout via REUTERS

By Raneen Sawafta, Fadi Shana and Nidal al-Mughrabi

WEST BANK/GAZA/DOHA (Reuters) -Hamas said on Tuesday it had received and was studying a new proposal for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza, presented by mediators after talks with Israel, in what appeared to be the most serious peace initiative for months.

A senior Hamas official said the proposal involved a three-stage truce, during which the group would first release remaining civilians among hostages it captured on Oct. 7, then soldiers, and finally the bodies of hostages that were killed.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not indicate how long the three stages would last or what was envisioned to follow the final stage.

But it was the first time since the collapse of the only brief truce of the war so far, in late November, that details were released of a new proposal being considered by both sides.

The ceasefire proposal followed talks in Paris involving CIA Director William Burns, Qatar’s prime minister, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service and the head of Egyptian intelligence.

In a mark of the seriousness of the negotiations, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said he was going to Cairo to discuss it, his first public trip there for more than a month.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his vow not to pull troops out of Gaza until “total victory”, a reminder of the huge gap in the public stances of the warring sides about what it would take to halt combat even temporarily.

Hamas, whose fighters precipitated the war by storming into Israeli towns on Oct. 7 killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, says it will release its remaining captives only as part of a wider deal to end the war permanently.

Israel, which has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians so far in a war that has devastated the enclave, says it will not stop fighting until the militant group which has ruled Gaza since 2007 is entirely eradicated.

Netanyahu is under pressure from Israel’s closest ally the United States to chart a clear path towards ending the war, and domestically from relatives of hostages who worry that negotiations are the only way to bring them home. But far-right parties in his ruling coalition say they will quit rather than endorse a deal to free hostages that left Hamas intact.

HOSPITAL RAID

The diplomatic advances were announced hours after Israeli commandos, disguised as medical workers and Muslim women, stormed into a hospital in the West Bank in an undercover raid. They killed three Palestinian militants, including a paralysed fighter shot dead on the bed where he was being treated.

In Gaza itself, there was intense fighting in both the northern and southern halves of the enclave, with battle resuming in the north even as Israeli forces are trying to storm the main southern city Khan Younis.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli troops advancing in Khan Younis stormed the hospital where the rescue service has its headquarters, and ordered staff and displaced civilians out at gunpoint. Israel denied this.

Reuters could not independently verify either account.

Fighting intensified around Gaza’s largest hospital still in service, the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which is surrounded by Israeli troops, the World Health Organization said.

Hamas leader Haniyeh said he was studying the ceasefire proposal. The priority for Hamas was to end the Israeli offensive – now in its fourth month – and secure a full pull-out of Israeli forces from Gaza, Haniyeh said.

Netanyahu, speaking during a visit to an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, said: “We will not compromise on anything less than total victory.”

“That means eliminating Hamas, returning all of our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”

Until then no Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails, Netanyahu said.

Sami Abu Zuhri, another senior Hamas official, said Netanyahu’s comments “prove he isn’t interested in the success of the Paris meeting and doesn’t care about (Israeli) prisoners’ lives”.

DRESSED AS MEDICS

In the raid at the Ibn Sina (BitStamp:) hospital in the West Bank city of Jenin, about a dozen troops, including three in women’s garb and two dressed as Palestinian medical staff, paced through a corridor with rifles, CCTV footage showed.

Hamas said one of the men killed was a Hamas member. Islamic Jihad said the other two killed were brothers who belonged to it. Ibn Sina said one of the brothers had been receiving treatment for an injury that paralysed his legs.

The Israeli military said one of the men was armed, and one was planning an attack on Israel similar to Oct. 7 from inside the hospital. It said the incident showed militants were using civilian areas and hospitals as shelters and “human shields”.

But Palestinian officials said the three were not engaged in fighting, and called the raid a violation of humanitarian law which protects hospitals treating wounded combatants.

The Israeli undercover squad broke into the hospital, headed to the third floor and killed them using silenced pistols, hospital sources said.

“They executed the three men as they slept in the room… in cold blood, by firing bullets directly into their heads inside the room, where they were being treated,” hospital director Najy Nazzal said.

In Rafah, on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials held a mass burial on Tuesday for around 100 unidentified bodies handed over by Israel, including some believed to have been dug up from cemeteries by advancing Israel troops.

Issa Abu Sarhan had come to look for his son among the corpses.

“I had buried my son in Al-Nimsawi cemetery in Khan Younis, and I heard that the Jews took the bodies from the cemetery, so I came here when I heard that bodies had been received to search for my son,” he said.

Stock Markets

Avient Corp Announces Senior VP retirement and agreement

letizo News

Published

on

Avient Corporation (NYSE:AVNT), a specialist in plastics and advanced polymer materials, today disclosed the retirement of a key executive and the related compensatory arrangements. Michael Garratt, Senior Vice President and President of Color, Additives & Inks – EMEA, has decided to retire. The company’s Board of Directors has agreed to continue the vesting of Mr. Garratt’s outstanding long-term incentive awards post-retirement, as per the terms of those awards.

The arrangement, which includes an extension of Mr. Garratt’s post-employment non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for an additional year, comes in exchange for a release of claims from Mr. Garratt. Additionally, he has committed to providing support during the transition period following his departure.

Avient, formerly known as PolyOne Corp, has its headquarters in Avon Lake, Ohio, and operates under the Industrial Applications and Services organization. The company ended the fiscal year on December 31, and as of the latest report, continues to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Avient’s announcement does not detail the reasons for Mr. Garratt’s retirement nor the specifics of the transition plan. The company’s business address and contact information remain unchanged, and it continues to operate in the SIC category of Plastics, Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers.

In other recent news, Avient Corporation has made significant strides, with its first-quarter earnings surpassing expectations and an increased outlook for the rest of 2024. The company’s adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.76, outperforming guidance by $0.08, mainly due to robust sales in Defense applications and the advantage of raw material deflation. Despite a slight 1.5% dip in organic sales and challenges in Europe, Avient’s leadership remains optimistic about demand improvements across all regions.

In addition to its earnings report, Avient announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2575 per share, underscoring its ongoing commitment to shareholder value. The dividend is scheduled to be paid to shareholders who are on record as of June 21, 2024.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of the executive transition at Avient Corporation, investors may find additional context in the company’s financial metrics and market performance valuable. Avient boasts a solid track record of raising dividends, having done so for 13 consecutive years, which aligns with its reputation for maintaining dividend payments over 14 years. This consistency is a testament to the company’s financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns, even as it undergoes strategic management changes.

InvestingPro data reveals that Avient has a market capitalization of $4.07 billion and is currently trading at a P/E ratio of 23.1, reflecting investor confidence in its earnings potential. Additionally, the company’s stock is trading near its 52-week high, which could indicate market optimism about its growth prospects. With a dividend yield of 2.31%, Avient offers an attractive return for income-focused investors. It’s also noteworthy that analysts expect net income growth this year, which may be an encouraging signal for potential investors considering the company’s future performance post-executive transition.

For those seeking deeper insights, InvestingPro provides further tips on Avient, including an analysis of its earnings multiple and stock volatility. To explore these additional InvestingPro Tips and make informed investment decisions, use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

Castor Maritime expands fleet with Ultramax vessel purchase

letizo News

Published

on

Castor Maritime Inc., a global shipping company specializing in the transportation of freight, announced today the acquisition of an Ultramax dry bulk vessel. This strategic move is part of the company’s ongoing effort to enhance its fleet amid the evolving demands of the maritime freight industry.

The acquisition was formalized on Thursday, with Castor Maritime revealing the agreement details in a press release, which is now incorporated by reference into the company’s registration statements on Form F-3. Although the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in the press release, the purchase aligns with Castor Maritime’s growth strategy and its commitment to increasing shareholder value through fleet expansion.

The Ultramax vessel, a type of dry bulk carrier, is designed for the efficient transport of commodities such as grains, coal, and iron ore. These vessels are favored for their size and versatility, which allow them to access a wide range of global ports, enhancing their operational flexibility.

The announcement follows a series of fleet expansions by Castor Maritime, which is listed under the deep sea foreign transportation of freight industry (SIC 4412). The company’s proactive approach to fleet development signifies its responsiveness to the market’s dynamic conditions and its pursuit of opportunities to bolster its service offerings.

Castor Maritime’s executive leadership, including Chairman, CEO, and CFO Petros Panagiotidis, has expressed confidence in this strategic direction, emphasizing the importance of adapting to industry trends and customer needs. The purchase of the Ultramax vessel is expected to contribute to the company’s competitive positioning in the international shipping sector.

Investors and stakeholders of Castor Maritime can refer to the company’s Form 6-K filing for further details on the transaction. The information based on the SEC filing highlights the company’s transparent communication with the market and its adherence to regulatory requirements.

As Castor Maritime continues to navigate the global shipping landscape, this latest acquisition marks another step in its mission to maintain a modern and diverse fleet, capable of meeting the varied demands of its international clientele.

In other recent news, Castor Maritime Inc., a global shipping company, has been active in adjusting its fleet. The company announced the acquisition of an Ultramax dry bulk carrier vessel for $25.5 million, marking its entry into the Ultramax segment. The transaction is expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2024, further augmenting Castor Maritime’s fleet to 11 vessels.

On the flip side, the company has also finalized the sale of the M/V Magic Vela, a Panamax bulk carrier, for $16.4 million. This transaction is projected to bring a net gain of about $2.7 million to the company’s financial results for the second quarter of 2024, excluding any transaction-related expenses.

These recent developments reflect Castor Maritime’s strategy to optimize its operations and adjust its fleet size and composition in response to market conditions and operational needs. The company is actively seeking opportunities to modernize its fleet while also making strategic sales, as evidenced by the sale of the M/V Magic Vela and the earlier sale of the M/V Magic Horizon.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Castor Maritime Inc.’s recent strategic acquisition, key financial metrics and market performance data from InvestingPro provide valuable context for investors. The company currently holds a market capitalization of $45.99 million and boasts an impressive gross profit margin of 54.22% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. This indicates a strong ability to manage costs relative to revenues, a crucial factor in the capital-intensive shipping industry.

Additionally, Castor Maritime trades at a low Price / Book multiple of 0.1, suggesting that the stock may be undervalued compared to the company’s book value. This, coupled with the fact that the company’s liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, presents a picture of financial stability and potential for growth.

Investors may also take note of Castor Maritime’s performance over the last three months, which has seen a robust return of 47.37%, reflecting positive market sentiment following strategic moves like the recent vessel acquisition. For those looking for more in-depth analysis, InvestingPro offers a comprehensive set of InvestingPro Tips, including two particularly relevant to Castor Maritime: the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet and has been profitable over the last twelve months.

To explore all the tips available, including six additional insights, visit https://www.investing.com/pro/CTRM and consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

BioSig Technologies Improves Balance Sheet, Announces Reduction in Outstanding Payables during Q2 2024

letizo News

Published

on

Los Angeles, CA 90025, July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BioSig Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: OTC:) or (BioSig or “Company”), a medical technology company delivering unprecedented accuracy and precision to intra-cardiac signal visualization, is pleased to announce that it has successfully negotiated with multiple vendors an initial reduction in accounts payable of approximately $1.5 million during the second quarter of 2024 since new management has taken leadership.

One substantial savings recognized is for the successful termination of the office lease expense for the former headquarters in Westport, Connecticut as of July 15, 2024 which was set to end on December 31, 2024.

The Company also plans to work with additional vendors to continue this reduction going forward and will update shareholders appropriately. The reduction will profoundly impact the Company’s financial standing and improve its balance sheet substantially.

BioSig’s CEO, Anthony Amato stated, Maintaining a strong and flexible balance sheet is a priority for our new management team. In a difficult market for companies like ours, we look for other ways to help our company and its shareholders. This reduction will provide more flexibility in evaluating opportunities that arise. We appreciate the time and patience of our vendors and acknowledge their help in putting BioSig in a much better financial position.”

About BioSig Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: BSGM)

BioSig Technologies is a medical technology company focused on deciphering the body’s electrical signals, starting with heart rhythms. By leveraging a first of its kind combination of hardware and software, we deliver unprecedented cardiac signal clarity, ending the reliance on ˜mixed signals’ and ˜reading between the lines.’ Our platform technology is addressing some of healthcare’s biggest challenges”saving time, saving costs, and saving lives.

The Company’s product, the PURE EP™ Platform, an FDA 510(k) cleared non-invasive class II device, provides superior, real-time signal visualization allowing physicians to perform highly targeted cardiac ablation procedures with increased procedural efficiency and efficacy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our cost reduction plan and associated workforce reduction or other cost-saving measures not reaching the targeted reduction of cash burn by 50%; (ii) the geographic, social, and economic impact of pandemics or worldwide health issues on BioSig’s ability to conduct its business and raise capital in the future when needed; (iii) BioSig’s inability to manufacture its products and product candidates on a commercial scale on its own, or in collaboration with third parties; (iv) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (v) changes in the size and nature of BioSig’s competition; (vi) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; and (vii) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market BioSig’s products and product candidates. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause BioSig’s actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, see BioSig’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the section titled Risk Factors in BioSig’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 16, 2024. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Todd AdlerBioSig Technologies, Inc.Investor Relations12424 Wilshire Blvd Ste 745Los Angeles, CA 90025tadler@biosigtech.com      203-409-5444, x104Anthony AmatoChief Executive Officeraamato@biosigtech.com203-409-5444 ext. 102

Source: BioSig Technologies, Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending

©2021-2024 Letizo All Rights Reserved