- UN Development Programme welcomes historic agreement on sustainable development even amidst global turmoil ReliefWeb
- Finance Minister Aurangzeb attends key global development financing conference in Spain Ptv.com.pk
- UN chief seeks aid surge to check ‘climate chaos’ Dawn
- Invest in aid to build peace in troubled world: UN Geo.tv
- The world is overcharging Africa — and paying the price in lost growth TheBanker.com
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UN Development Programme welcomes historic agreement on sustainable development even amidst global turmoil – ReliefWeb
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Pakistan: Flash floods, rains kill 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in five days – ANI News
- Pakistan: Flash floods, rains kill 22 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in five days ANI News
- 22 killed, 11 injured in KP rain and floods since June 25: PDMA Dawn
- Widespread Rain, thunderstorms forecast across Pakistan; Flash flood warning issued for upper Regions Ptv.com.pk
- Civic infrastructure caves in to single rain spell The Express Tribune
- KE field teams up to task as monsoon hits Karachi Business Recorder
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Emma Meesseman, Belgian Cats rewrite history with EuroBasket victory
Emma Meesseman produces magic
At the heart of it all was Meesseman. The 32-year-old forward delivered another complete performance in the final: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. She was everywhere, orchestrating the offence, anchoring the defence and leading with the calm authority of a veteran who has seen – and done – it all. Her efforts earned her a second consecutive EuroBasket MVP award, adding to a glittering resume that includes a WNBA championship, WNBA FInals MVP award, six EuroLeague titles and three EuroLeague MVP awards, further cementing her legacy as one of the all-time greats in women’s basketball.
“It’s still hard to believe,” Meeseman told FIBA after the game. “I have had a lot of games in my career but not one like that before and especially not in a final. It’s a good reminder to never give up – in sport or in life.”
When asked about becoming the first woman to receive back-to-back EuroBasket MVP awards, the 6ft 4in (1.93m) superstar was typically humble in her response.
“If individual awards come along then I am fine with that, but I will always be most proud of this trophy and the team that I did it with,” she said.
“Especially where we came from. It’s not like we ever had a history like France or Spain. We just did it with this group. This [MVP award] might be catching some dust, but this [the gold medal] will always be on show. It’s the thing I will remember always.”
“I do like writing history, though.”
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MRD-Guided Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax Effective in R/R CLL
Minimal residual disease (MRD)-guided cessation and reinitiation of ibrutinib (Imbruvica; Johnson & Johnson) plus venetoclax (Venclexta; Genentech, Abbvie) is a safe treatment approach for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a new report suggests.1 The study, which was published in Blood Advances, suggests that MRD-guided therapy offers a way to balance the risks of cessation with those of cumulative toxicity.
The combination of the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib and the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax has become a transformative therapeutic option for people with relapsed or refractory CLL, the authors noted. It is sometimes combined with CD20-targeting monoclonal antibodies. Yet, it is not curative, and it comes with significant concerns.
“While continuous treatment may lead to cumulative toxicity or resistance, fixed-duration treatment may lead to undertreatment and early relapse,” they wrote.
The combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax has become a transformative therapeutic option for people with relapsed or refractory CLL. | Image Credit: © CLL cells – sovova
One possible solution, the authors wrote, is the use of MRD to guide therapy. Previous research has shown that undetectable MRD following treatment is an independent prognostic indicator of progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS, respectively) in patients with CLL.2 However, at the time the investigators initiated their trial, there had not been any studies specifically examining response-guided, time-limited use of ibrutinib plus venetoclax in relapsed or refractory CLL.1
In the phase 2 VISION/HOVON141 trial (NCT03226301), a subset of patients had undetectable MRD (sensitivity < 10-4 assessed by flow cytometry; abbreviated as uMRD4) in the bone marrow and peripheral blood after 15 cycles of venetoclax plus ibrutinib.3 Those patients could safely stop therapy, the authors found. The new report expands on those findings with updated 4-year follow-up data.1
A total of 225 patients, treated at 47 sites across 6 European countries, were initially enrolled in the trial. Patients who achieved uMRD4 after 15 cycles (n = 72) were randomized on a 1:2 basis to continue on ibrutinib until toxicity or progression (n = 24) or to stop treatment after the 15th cycle (n = 48). In the cessation cohort, patients were reinitiated on ibrutinib and venetoclax if they met the threshold of detectable MRD (≥ 10-2; abbreviated as dMRD2). Patients who were MRD4 positive (dMRD4) after cycle 15 remained on ibrutinib.
The investigators found that, at a median follow-up of 51.7 months, the estimated 4-year OS rate was 88%, the 4-year PFS rate was 81%, and 14% of participants required another line of therapy. Within the cessation cohort, 40% of participants reinstated therapy due to dMRD2.
However, there was no statistically significant gap between the different cohorts. Within the ibrutinib maintenance arm, the OS was 95%, PFS was 90%, and next-therapy rate was 14%. For those in the cessation arm, the OS was 91%, PFS was 85%, and the next-therapy rate was 12%. Among those who continued on ibrutinib because they did not achieve uMRD4 after 15 weeks, the OS was 86%, PFS was 76%, and next-therapy rate was 19%.
“Importantly, PFS rates were equally high in patients randomized to MRD-guided treatment cessation and reinitiation, emphasizing the potential to reduce treatment exposure and toxicity by MRD-guided treatment in the R/R CLL setting,” the authors wrote.
They concluded that the cessation and reinitiation of ibrutinib plus venetoclax for relapsed or refractory CLL is feasible and results in lower toxicity compared to indefinite therapy with a BTK inhibitor.
“The MRD-guided approach may also allow for improved patient compliance, thus offering an alternative to the high discontinuation rate reported outside clinical trials for continuous BTK inhibitors,” they concluded.
References
1. Niemann CU, Dubois J, Nasserinejad K, et al. Long-term follow-up of MRD-guided treatment of ibrutinib plus venetoclax for relapsed CLL: phase 2 VISION/HO141 trial. Blood Adv. Published online April 18, 2025. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015180
2. Wierda WG, Rawstron A, Cymbalista F, et al. Measurable residual disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: expert review and consensus recommendations. Leukemia. 2021;35(11):3059-3072. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01241-1
3. Kater AP, Levin MD, Dubois J, et al. Minimal residual disease-guided stop and start of venetoclax plus ibrutinib for patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (HOVON141/VISION): primary analysis of an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2022;23(6):818-828. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00220-0
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Xiaomi is developing a universal XRING O2 chip • Mezha.Media
Xiaomi has made a second attempt to release its own processor. The first attempt was back in 2017, the Xiaomi Mi 5c smartphone used Xiaomi’s own SoC Surge S1. In May, the company released a new XRING 01 processor , which in some synthetic tests turned out to be more powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It is used in the Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone, as well as the Xiaomi Pad 7S Pro 12.5, Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra tablets. Sources report that Xiaomi is already working on the new XRING O2. The processor is expected to be used in smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and the company’s cars.
The XRING O2 is expected to be manufactured by TSMC using the 3nm N3E process. The previous XRING 01 was also manufactured by TSMC, but using the 4nm process. Future flagship processors from Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Apple will also be manufactured using the N3E process. Details on the processor configuration and operating frequencies are currently unavailable, as is the official announcement date.
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‘I don’t know how I survived it’ – Liam Lawson feared race was over in Kimi Antonelli incident as he secures F1-best P6 in Austria
Liam Lawson was in an ecstatic mood after recording his best-ever F1 finish with sixth in the Austrian Grand Prix, though his race was nearly over before it started on the opening lap.
The Racing Bulls driver came close to being taken out by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli in Turn 3, with the two banging wheels as the Italian locked up and sailed straight on.
While Lawson narrowly avoided a race-ending crash, it was his former Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen instead that took the brunt of the collision, with both he and Antonelli forced to retire from the Grand Prix then and there.
Lawson put that bit of luck to good use as he went on to secure sixth, one of just two drivers to make a one-stop strategy work in Spielberg. With track temperatures passing 50C, making a set of tyres last was tricky – but Lawson was aided by having Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso on his tail.
Alonso was the second driver on a one-stop, and he was able to provide a buffer to some quicker two-stopping cars behind – even if the sight of the Spaniard in his wing mirrors all afternoon did nothing for Lawson’s heart rate.
“I’m a bit lost to be honest, it was a very tough race,” Lawson told Sky Sports F1. “Especially after Lap 1, I don’t know how I survived it to be honest.
“I thought – when I saw Kimi coming I was like, okay, this is over. But somehow, we got out of it. And then the speed was good, we made the one-stop work which was key for us. With the temperatures I wasn’t sure about it, but the team knew, so very, very happy.
“It is always Fernando who is behind, I think he was within DRS for 70 laps today! And you try not to make a mistake. I thought he was quicker, but I just spoke to him and he thought I was quicker, and he was using me to keep DRS!”
Lawson managed to make his hard tyres last 38 laps on Sunday, two longer than Alonso. But his team mate had an even tougher ask – Isack Hadjar made to do a 41-lap stint on his hard tyre.
That was despite the rookie two-stopping, the Frenchman forced into a very early opening stop after running wide twice on the opening lap to avoid contact. He did fight his way back up into the points, only to drop down the order late on.
At first it looked like his tyres had finally run out of life, but later Hadjar confirmed it was floor damage that prevented him scoring in Austria.
“We did a very good race,” Hadjar said. “We were comfortably in the points, and 15 laps towards the end of the race we got floor damage.
“I mean I thought P8 was secure, and then I was losing more than a second per lap. And yeah, that was a tough end to the race.”
The Racing Bulls rookie was told the damage was acquired through Turn 1, “probably the sausage kerb,” and reflected that all in all, it was a “shame.” This was the first time since Lawson returned to the team that he has managed to beat Hadjar on a Sunday, as he recorded just his second top 10 of the season.
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How Princess Kate makes Prince Louis feel included with older siblings
Kate Middleton knows just how to make her son Prince Louis part of the fun.
While Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10, have attended Wimbledon matches with their parents, seven-year-old Louis has yet to make his debut. But that hasn’t stopped the youngest Wales child from getting involved.
According to the Daily Mail, Princess Kate revealed during a 2023 Wimbledon appearance that Louis had been practicing his ball boy skills at home. “Louis was very upset he was coming today,” she revealed. “It’s Charlotte’s first time, George came last year. They’ve been eagerly watching.”
Kate reportedly shared with a young ball boy, Joel, that Louis had taken a special interest in copying the professionals on court.
“He tries to practise the standing and staying serious, like us,” Joel told PA News.
While they’ve taken on their father Prince Wiliam’s love for football, the Wales children share their mother’s passion for tennis. In 2019, Princess Catherine even arranged for private tennis lessons for Prince George with none other than Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.
As the prestigious tennis championship kicks off on Monday, June 30, it is yet to be confirmed whether the Prince and Princess of Wales will attend, or which of their children will join.
However, one member of the royal family made her return to the courtside after more than 20 years: Sarah Ferguson.
The Duchess of York was joined by her daughter Princess Beatrice as they watched the action from the Royal Box at SW19 on opening day.
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Erdem Hospital Launches New Pre-Surgery Education Program
Photo: Erdem Hospital via FL Communications
ISTANBUL, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Erdem Hospital in Istanbul has announced the launch of a new pre-operative education program tailored specifically for bariatric patients. This initiative marks another step in the hospital’s ongoing commitment to compassionate, informed, and individualized care. By preparing patients more thoroughly emotionally, physically, and mentally before surgery, the program reinforces the hospital’s philosophy that true healing begins long before the operation itself.
Amid rising interest in weight management drugs like Ozempic, with their promise of rapid results, a growing number of people are turning to a more enduring path: gastric sleeve surgery. While pharmacological options may appeal for their convenience, many healthcare professionals emphasize that true, sustainable transformation often requires medical intervention rooted in both science and empathy.
The Promise of Permanent Change
Gastric sleeve, or sleeve gastrectomy, does more than restrict portions; it fundamentally reshapes hunger-regulating hormones and supports lasting metabolic adjustment. For patients seeking genuine change, not just a temporary shift, this surgery offers a lifelong solution rather than a short-term treatment.
In Istanbul, a prominent hospital has quietly achieved consistent success: performing thousands of gastric sleeve procedures with strong outcomes and patient satisfaction. With nearly 37 years of healthcare experience, Erdem Hospital has built a formidable reputation in bariatric care.
Patient Stories That Speak Volumes
Statistics tell one part of the story but it’s the voices of patients that truly capture the transformation:
“I can’t think of better care from the beginning to my discharge home… My only regret is not having my gastric sleeve surgery performed before. … Now I’m happy and have already lost 30 kg in four months.”
This testimonial underscores how life-changing the procedure can be, and that emotional reassurance is just as crucial as surgical skill.
Another article described the philosophy at Erdem Hospital, noting they treat patients “not as ‘cases’ or ‘surgeries,’ but as guests, companions, and… individuals navigating one of the most courageous decisions of their lives.” This ethos is woven into every interaction from multilingual coordinators helping arrange travel to personalized nutrition and mental wellness support.
A Caregiver-Driven Philosophy
Photo: Erdem Hospital
What sets this hospital apart is its caregiver model, a deeply human approach that sees each patient as a partner. The moment they arrive, every effort is made to provide comfort, clarity, and confidence.
Rather than delivering a pre-packaged service, the team offers guidance tailored to each individual’s story: family inclusion, culturally sensitive care, and remote follow-ups to make sure no one is left to navigate recovery alone. After all, healing isn’t complete at discharge; it lasts a lifetime.
A New Chapter in Compassionate Healthcare
In Istanbul, Erdem Hospital is laying the foundation for a new medical facility that reflects both its long-standing values and a modern understanding of patient care. Designed to meet the needs of international patients, the hospital will combine nearly four decades of clinical experience with thoughtful architectural choices and personalized support systems. Rather than focusing on luxury or high patient turnover, this new center is being built around trust, clarity, and comfort offering a calm, reliable space for those seeking not just treatment, but genuine healing.
Hope Returned, One Life at a Time
Photo: Erdem Hospital
In a world where fast fixes dominate headlines, this Istanbul hospital’s success reminds us of a simple truth: lasting impact requires deep care. Through thousands of gastric sleeve surgeries, they haven’t just impacted waistlines, they’ve restored ambition, renewed mobility, and reignited hope.
For patients wary of temporary solutions, this proves a powerful alternative: surgery rooted not in transaction, but in human trust and support.
Why This Matters Now
With obesity-related health issues soaring worldwide, they’re not the whole answer. Sales of weight-loss drugs may surge, but they come with questions about sustainability and side effects.
Here, the combination of proven surgical technique and a compassionate care framework offers a comprehensive pathway to health. It’s a reminder that behind every life-changing procedure is a story of vulnerability and a team dedicated to guiding healing.
Compassion + Expertise = Confidence to Heal
For anyone weighing their options be it medication or surgery what truly matters isn’t just efficacy, but the ecosystem of care around them. This Istanbul hospital is a testament to that model: extensive expertise supported by a caregiver philosophy that values human connection as much as clinical outcome.
In giving thousands of patients not just weight loss, but confidence and renewed purpose, they aren’t just performing surgeries, they’re seeding hope, one life at a time.
About Erdem Hospital
Photo: Erdem Hospital
Established in Istanbul in 1988, Erdem Hospital is one of Türkiye’s leading private healthcare networks, with three facilities specializing in bariatric surgery, organ transplantation, advanced diagnostics, and robotic systems.
More information: https://erdemhospital.comMedia Contact:
FL PR and Communications
Mail: info@erdemhospital.com
Web: https://erdemhospital.com/
asset@flcommunications.co.uk
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c513658-5f08-4625-8399-749fb6e44859
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/488c58ff-8c0a-4693-8bf4-1a30ad29df13
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51cb2243-c70f-4360-a51a-9ecf972fec98
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c3cd4a3-bc41-4b3f-b585-c5dac4ba19bf
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Protecting Mental Health and Preventing Burnout in Health and Care Workers
The fifth in this year’s Working for Health 2030 webinar series co-hosted by WHO and NHS England, this seminar examines the prevalence of mental health issues and burnout among health and care workers, focusing on organisational and systemic drivers. We will explore how employers and health systems can address these issues and prioritise staff well-being, leading to improved retention and productivity. The discussion, led by Shriti Pattani National Clinical Expert in Occupational Health and Wellbeing for NHS England and the Clinical Director, Consultant in Occupational Medicine and Head of Service of an Occupational Health and Wellbeing service for a large Acute Trust in London, will include:
✅ What burnout looks like — and why health and care workers are especially at risk
✅ Evidence-based interventions to support mental health and well-being
✅ How data and digital tools can help us tackle burnout
✅ Innovative, low-cost strategies to improve staff experience, well-being, retention and productivityDon’t miss this opportunity to reflect, engage, and be a part of the solution. Our duty of care begins with protecting those who care for us.
Register now
Additional information: NHS England
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Independent disciplinary process update: Randall Baker (New Zealand) and George Timmins (England) – World Rugby
- Independent disciplinary process update: Randall Baker (New Zealand) and George Timmins (England) World Rugby
- Independent disciplinary process update: George Timmins (England) and Randall Baker (New Zealand) World Rugby
- England player ruled out of U20 Championship Rugbypass.com
- England suffers big blow ahead of Baby Bok face-off Rugby365
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