Category: 3. Business

A chemotherapy-free combination treatment outperformed a combination of targeted therapy and chemotherapy among patients with Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a new study. The phase III trial, which included adult patients with no upper age limit, is the first formal comparison of the efficacy and safety of these two approaches in newly diagnosed patients with Ph+ ALL.

Researchers say the findings offer reassurance that chemotherapy can be omitted without detrimental effects and suggest that a chemo-free targeted agent and immunotherapy combination could become the new standard of care for this patient group.

The chemo-free approach significantly reduced the rate of death in addition to increasing the rate of complete remission. The significance was very impressive, a more than 20% difference in terms of molecular response achievement [a sensitive test for residual cancer cells following treatment], so this approach truly is better.”

Sabina Chiaretti, MD, lead study author, associate professor, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

ALL is a fast-growing type of leukemia affecting white blood cells, while Ph+ ALL is a genetic subtype characterized by the causal genetic abnormality in the Philadelphia chromosome. Patients with Ph+ ALL have historically faced a poor prognosis and increased resistance to chemotherapy, pointing to a need for improved treatments. In recent years, targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immunotherapies have brought promising results, with good efficacy and fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Researchers have sought to identify the optimal combination of therapies among TKIs, immunotherapies, and chemotherapy. 

For the trial, researchers enrolled 236 adult patients with Ph+ ALL, ranging in age from 19 to 84 years. Two-thirds of participants were randomly assigned to the experimental arm and received a TKI plus immunotherapy; one-third were assigned to the control arm and received a TKI plus chemotherapy. Patients in the experimental group received an initial course of steroids, a 70-day induction with the TKI ponatinib, and two to five cycles of the immunotherapy blinatumomab. Patients in the control group received the TKI imatinib along with either four or six cycles of chemotherapy for patients older or younger than age 65, respectively.

Patients in the chemo-free experimental arm had a significantly higher rate of event-free survival and a better response to treatment. At a median follow-up of 23 months, event-free survival was 87% in the experimental arm and 71% in the control arm, while the rate of death was 3.5% in the experimental arm and 10% in the control arm. The relapse rate was similar among arms (6% in the experimental group and 8% in the control group), although about half of the relapses in the experimental group occurred in patients who had discontinued their treatment.

Complete remission was achieved in 94% of those in the experimental arm and 79% of those in the control group. The chemo-free treatment regimen also resulted in a higher rate of negative measurable residual disease (MRD) status, an indicator that all or nearly all cancer cells have been eradicated. While only 49% of those in the control group achieved MRD-negative status, 71% of those in the experimental group achieved MRD-negative status after two cycles of blinatumomab, and 80% reached this status after five cycles. 

“The more cycles with blinatumomab, the more the molecular remission rate increased,” said Dr. Chiaretti. “This suggests that patients really should receive the planned five cycles. This is important because we have been working with blinatumomab for years, but we did not yet know how many cycles should be recommended.”

Participants randomized to the control group were offered the option to cross over to the experimental arm if their disease was MRD-positive. About 37% of patients in the control arm eventually received the experimental treatment regimen, and 62% of these patients subsequently achieved MRD-negative status.

Most of the deaths occurred in older patients, and infections were a primary cause of death among those that occurred in the experimental arm. The safety profiles were consistent with those expected for each therapy involved in the study, and researchers said that most adverse events were successfully addressed by reducing dosage.

While the study was conducted exclusively in Italy, Dr. Chiaretti noted that the results should be applicable in any country. She added that a chemo-free treatment approach can bring economic benefits by reducing the need for hospitalization and allowing patients to continue working while undergoing cancer treatment.

A separate study is now underway to determine whether patients with sustained MRD-negative status can discontinue TKI treatment without raising the risk of a relapse.

Sabina Chiaretti, MD, of Sapienza University of Rome, will present this study on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time in W224A-F of the Orange County Convention Center.

Stock Futures Little Changed. Markets Await Fed’s Decision.

On Wednesday, the Fed will announce its interest rate decision and release the latest Summary of Economic Projections, followed by remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

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Five Reasons Investors Are Feeling Good About Stocks Again

Recent gains reflect more than just optimism about artificial intelligence.

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Japan’s Economy Shrinks at Faster Pace Than Initially Estimated

Real gross domestic product shrank 2.3% on an annualized basis in the third quarter, compared with preliminary estimates of a 1.8% fall.

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The Fed’s biggest decision this week could have nothing to do with interest rates

Any hints of Fed plans for asset purchases could aid the rally in stocks and other risk assets more than a rate cut

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Trump Tasks Top Advisers With Finding Way to Lower Soaring Beef Prices

The Trump administration is prodding ranchers and meatpackers to do something about soaring beef prices, while looking at increasing imports from Mexico and South America.

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Stock Funds Up 12.6% as Year Nears an End

Late-November rally put markets back on their feet. Plus: A Financial Flashback to 60 years ago, when LBJ clashed with the Fed.

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China’s Growth Is Coming at the Rest of the World’s Expense

China is swallowing up a growing share of the world’s market for manufactured goods, revealing an uncomfortable truth: Beijing is pursuing a “beggar thy neighbor” growth model at everyone else’s expense.

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The Score: Warner, Boeing, Dollar General, American Eagle and More Stocks That Defined the Week

Here are some of the major companies whose stocks moved on the week’s news.

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Week Ahead for FX, Bonds: Fed Expected to Cut Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve’s decision will take center stage in the coming week, with the central bank widely expected to cut interest rates after recent weak U.S. jobs data.

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Fed’s Favored Inflation Gauge Shows Moderate September Trend

The Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation held below 3% in September, and indicated a moderate month-over-month increase in prices unlikely to block consideration of an interest-rate cut at the central bank’s meeting next week.

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Consumer Sentiment Improves Slightly in December

Monthly index of consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan rose slightly versus November, but remained much lower than where it began the year.

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Canada’s Carney Says Trump, Sheinbaum Pledge to Work on USMCA

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held constructive talks with President Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on the margins of Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington, his spokeswoman said.

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Regulators Relax Rules on High-Risk Lending for Banks

Banking regulators end an Obama-era limit on risk-taking in corporate lending by banks, which spurred the private credit boom.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires

  December 07, 2025 21:15 ET (02:15 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

Ad Spend to Grow More Than Expected in 2025 as Tariffs Sting Less and AI Gives a Leg Up

A new report from WPP Media says global ad revenue will reach $1.14 trillion this year.

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Trump Says Netflix-Warner Deal ‘Could be a Problem’

The president adds, “I’ll be involved in the decision” on the $72 billion agreement.

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Sephora Is the Biggest Name in Beauty. Can It Hold the Crown?

In the $450 billion global beauty market, there is no business with as much cultural impact as the LVMH-owned retailer. Executives have a plan to make sure it stays on top.

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Trump Administration Waives Biden-Era Fine Against Southwest Airlines

The carrier won’t have to pay $11 million related to its 2022 meltdown during the holiday season.

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Brookfield, GIC Agree $4.5 Billion Deal for Australia’s National Storage

The consortium entered into a takeover agreement for the largest self-storage provider in Australia and New Zealand after almost two weeks of exclusive due diligence.

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Why Nvidia and Other AI Stocks Have Lost Their ‘Quality’ Status

A popular ETF dropped Big Tech stocks, which gets at an important issue: Is the bet on artificial intelligence a vast potential profit pool, or a money pit?

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The Surprising Strategies Small Businesses Are Employing to Juice Holiday Shopping

Local retailers say early results have been surprisingly good with more lower-priced gifts, fewer holiday items and an emphasis on joy.

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Arc’teryx Won Over China With a $1,000 Jacket. Now It’s Popping Up Everywhere.

The upscale outdoor brand is using its experience to power global expansion-and keep finance bros everywhere warm

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Why Netflix Shareholders Aren’t Thrilled to Acquire Warner Bros.

Taking over Hollywood’s biggest studio would transform the streaming giant’s business model, at a steep price.

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Should Walmart Really Be Trading Like a Tech Company?

America’s biggest retailer is growing quickly in e-commerce, and it might advance more as it moves to Nasdaq.

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SpaceX in Talks for $800 Billion Valuation Ahead of Potential 2026 IPO

The company’s CFO told investors about the transaction in recent days, say people familiar with the matter.

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Carvana, CRH, and Comfort Systems USA to Join S&P 500

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Meta Platforms Buys AI Device Maker Limitless

The acquisition means Limitless, a maker of wearable artificial-intelligence devices, would stop selling many of its existing products. The deal comes as Meta has shown increased interest in AI investment.

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Magnum Ice Cream CEO Backs RFK Jr.’s ‘Healthy America’ Push

New chief executive Peter ter Kulve said he is aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement, endorsing the push for higher-quality foods despite selling high-calorie products.

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Tesla Launches Low-Cost Model 3 in Europe. Investors Care About This More.

Lower-cost models are designed to help Tesla arrest recent sales declines. Investors are far more focused on Tesla’s AI opportunities these days.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires

  December 07, 2025 21:15 ET (02:15 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) – Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY,OTC:LKYRF) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) announced the successful completion of a heavily oversubscribed capital raising (“Placement”), securing firm commitments to raise approximately A$17 million via a placement of new shares at A$0.24 per share to domestic and international professional and institutional investors.

HIGHLIGHTS

– A$17 million raised at A$0.24 per share through an oversubscribed placement to domestic and international institutional and sophisticated investors

– Cornerstone U.S. institutional support provides strong strategic validation of Locksley’s role in advancing onshore supply of antimony and rare earths for U.S. national security and industrial supply chains

– Strengthened balance sheet enables rapid progression of Locksley’s U.S. Mine to Market strategy while complementing ongoing engagement with federal funding and grant programs

– Funding accelerates drilling, downstream technology development, and project execution, while deepening engagement with U.S. institutional partners and key government agencies

– Locksley Investor Webinar – See link below

The Placement was led by well established U.S. institutional investors, providing a strong endorsement of Locksley’s strategy to deliver a fully integrated U.S. based ‘Mine to Market’ critical minerals supply chain. Their participation brings not only capital but aligned sector expertise and ongoing engagement that supports the Company’s downstream development objectives within the United States.

The raise was conducted under the Company’s refreshed placement capacity pursuant to ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A, following shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting held on 28 November 2025.
Strategic Execution Enabled by the Placement

Proceeds from the Placement will accelerate execution across the following:

– Rapid Advancement of drilling, assay programs and structural mapping to define mineralisation across the Mojave Project

– Acceleration of downstream processing and American-made conversion planning for antimony products

– Enhanced positioning for engagement with federal level funding initiatives, supporting Locksley’s role within the U.S. critical minerals ecosystem

– Accelerated progression toward first-mover status in restoring domestic U.S antimony supply, aligned with national security and industrial demand

– Continuous parallel execution of permitting, stakeholder engagement, engineering and project scheduling

Locksley Managing Director, Kerrie Matthews, commented:

“The depth of support across both international and Australian institutional markets represents a strong validation of our strategic pathway. In particular, the strong level of U.S. participation aligns directly with our downstream ambitions and reinforces the commercial relevance of our development plan.

The involvement of leading U.S. institutional investors is more than capital allocation; it is a strategic endorsement of Locksley’s emerging role within the domestic U.S critical minerals sector. This support comes at a time when the U.S administration is emphasising critical minerals as a national security priority and seeking to reduce reliance on foreign-controlled processing capacity.

With this institutional backing, Locksley is positioned to advance its contribution to a U.S. based supply chain for antimony and rare earths.

Importantly, this funding allows us to execute at pace while continuing to progress federal engagement initiatives. The capital secures our ability to accelerate exploration, development planning, and downstream partnerships, unlocking the full potential of the Mojave Project.

We are delighted to welcome these new investors to the register and look forward to working with partners who can support our long-term growth agenda.”

Investor Webinar – U.S Development Progression & Execution Strategy

Locksley invites shareholders and investors to attend a live Investor Webinar to discuss recent milestones and provide an update on the advancement of its U.S Mine to Market execution pathway and upcoming development milestones.

ZOOM WEBINAR: TUESDAY, 9th DECEMBER 2025 at 1:00pm AEDT / 10:00am AWST
REGISTRATION LINK:
https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/85LT5VD6

Placement Details:

The Placement was managed by Alpine Capital Pty Ltd and Titan Partners Group, a division of American Capital Partners, acting as Joint Lead Managers.

Settlement of the Placement is expected to occur on or around 11 December 2025, with new shares to rank equally with existing fully paid ordinary shares. An Appendix 2A and cleansing notice will be released to the ASX in due course.

The Placement is structured under a single tranche comprising 70,833,334 new Securities to raise approximately A$17,000,000, conducted under the placement capacity of the Offer in accordance with ASX LR 7.1 & LR 7.1A.

About Locksley Resources Limited:

Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY,OTC:LKYRF) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region.

Mojave Project

Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials’ claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area.

In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic “Desert Antimony Mine”, which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S.

Locksley’s North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security.

Tottenham Project

Locksley’s Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation

Source:
Locksley Resources Limited

Contact:
Kerrie Matthews
Chief Executive Officer
Locksley Resources Limited
T: +61 8 9481 0389
Kerrie@locksleyresources.com.au

Jane Morgan
Investor and Media Relations
T: +61 (0) 405 555 618
jm@janemorganmanagement.com.au

MENA startup funding falls to $228 million in November 2025, down 71% MoM

Nesma Abdel Azim

• 08 December, 2025

Edit

Investment activity across the MENA startup ecosystem slowed sharply in November 2025, with 35 startups raising a combined $227.8 million. That marks a steep drop from the $784.9 million recorded in October and a 12% decline compared to November last year. The pullback reflects a market in consolidation mode as funds rebalance portfolios after an unusually active year.

More than half of last month’s total was driven by a single debt-backed transaction from erad, which alone propelled Saudi Arabia to the top of the regional leaderboard. Across 14 deals, the Kingdom attracted $176.3 million, accounting for over three-quarters of all capital deployed in November.

Capital narrows to five markets

Despite activity spanning 35 startups, funding was tightly concentrated in just five countries. After Saudi Arabia’s dominant lead, the UAE followed with $49 million across 14 deals. Egypt saw a muted month with just $1.12 million across four transactions, while Morocco recorded $1.1 million through two deals. Oman logged one deal with an undisclosed value. Outside these markets, investment activity was largely absent.

This concentration signals growing selectivity rather than a broad-based acceleration, particularly as the year approaches its close.

Fintech rebounds on the back of debt

Sector-wise, fintech regained its lead in November, pulling in $142.9 million across nine deals, largely driven by the same debt-heavy transaction that shaped the month. At a distant second, e-commerce secured $24.5 million across six rounds. Proptech, which topped the charts in October, slipped to third with $18.9 million raised by three startups.

This mix points to a market still prioritising revenue-linked and utility-driven models over long-horizon bets, with fintech retaining its structural appeal while consumer-facing sectors continue to grow at a more measured pace.

Early-stage equity, zero late-stage appetite

Debt dominated the month, accounting for more than $125 million through one transaction alone. The remaining capital was almost entirely channelled into early-stage startups. Notably, no later-stage rounds were recorded in November, underlining investor caution as valuations reset and deployment slows.

From a business model perspective, B2B startups captured the vast majority of capital, with 20 companies raising $197.1 million. B2C startups lagged far behind, with nine companies raising just $22.2 million. The rest was split across hybrid business models.

Gender gap continues to widen

The gender funding gap showed no signs of narrowing. Male-led startups absorbed 97% of the capital raised in November, with only the residual share allocated to female-led and mixed-gender founding teams. The disparity remains structural rather than cyclical.

What is this really signalling?

While the slowdown marks the quietest month of the quarter, it does not point to structural weakness. Instead, it reflects a pause for recalibration after a year dominated by large sovereign-backed and foreign-led investments. The absence of late-stage equity, the dominance of debt, and the concentration around a single market all suggest that investors are preserving firepower for 2026.

The coming year is increasingly expected to be shaped by mega rounds in AI and the industries built around it. November looks less like a warning sign and more like the breath before another acceleration cycle.

 

Darren Yuen believes purpose only comes alive when people take responsibility and feel proud of their work. He explains that ‘LOVE’ — Learning, Ownership, Visibility, and Experience — is the framework that brings this to life. When lived with intention, it fuels growth and channels passion, turning everyday work into something meaningful.

Being named the gold winner for ‘Most People-Focused CEO’ at the HR Excellence Award 2025, Malaysia was a moment of quiet pride for Darren Yuen, Chief Executive Officer – not for the title itself, but for what it represents. For him, this recognition reflects a year shaped by intention, compassion, and a shared commitment to nurturing IPG Mediabrands’ people.

What began as his personal vision became a collective effort, carried forward by many who embraced it with heart. This award, he believes, is a testament to that unity. It affirms the path they’ve taken and fuels their resolve to keep building a workplace where their people continue to grow, belong, and thrive together.

This strength and collective spirit have also led Darren and his team to win numerous other accolades at the awards:

• Gold for Excellence in Business Transformation
• Gold for Excellence in Hybrid Working,
• Gold for Excellence in Recovery & Rebound Strategy,
• Gold for Excellence in Agile Talent Mobility, and 
• Silver for Excellence in Work-Life Harmony. 

Reflecting on this recognition with HRO, Yuen shares what people-first leadership truly means to him.

Q Congratulations on being named the People-Focused CEO of the Year! What does this recognition mean to you?

It’s a deeply fulfilling achievement, and one that holds a lot of meaning for me. 

Nurturing our people has been a core focus this year. It has been a vision of mine, and supporting me, there have been many people who have helped cascade this vision with a lot of heart. This recognition validates that dedication. It has also given us renewed energy, knowing that we’re on the right path this year. That collective commitment towards our people is what’s reflected in this award, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. 

Q You’ve spoken about leading with a people-first mindset. Could you share one top initiative you have championed at IPG Mediabrands that you believe contributed most to this award?

The mystery getaway series. With nearly 450 people in the organisation, expecting everyone to build relationships organically is unrealistic, especially with our daily demands.  

The team-building getaways allowed us to see each other beyond job our titles. We weren’t just media planners or creative directors. We were just real people with interests, humour, and stories to share. We laughed together. We played together. We rode a bus together. And the camaraderie truly built through that process.  

This has made a world of difference in our daily interactions. We now get to work with people we truly know, not just colleagues we sit across from. Our business has grown not just because we worked harder, but because we worked as one. In this industry, and in life, success is never a solo act. Strength grows when we lift each other up.  

That’s the heart of people-first leadership. 

Q You pioneered the concept of ‘LOVE’ – Learning, Ownership, Visibility, and Experience. Tell us about this philosophy has reshaped employee engagement across the network?

Our priority has been creating a strong sense of purpose. Everyone needs to know that they truly fit and matter. And each of us has an important role to play.  Purpose only works when people take responsibility and feel proud of their work. LOVE (Learning, Ownership, Visibility, Experience) brings that to life.   

“When lived intentionally, it fuels growth and channels that burning passion, making the everyday experience of work meaningful. That sense of belonging is the key. It inspires momentum and a genuine devotion for us to keep going with pride.”

Q One of the things you believe in is the importance of asking “How can we help?”. How has this simple question influenced client relationships and internal culture?

This seemingly very simple question has been a real gamechanger. It shows initiative. Instead of selling campaigns or packages, we take ownership of our clients’ challenges, building trust and creating lasting partnerships.

Internally, asking “How can we help?” has done wonders as it has cultivated synergy through a sincere desire to help. It can be daunting to approach a senior leader for support, but when the question comes from them, it opens a door. And suddenly, support flows both ways.

We’ve managed to foster a sense of togetherness like no other, where everyone is looking out for one another, and it has been amazing to see the ripple effects of this.

Q What advice would you give to other leaders who aspire to build a people-powered organisation that drives both culture and commercial success?

Acknowledge that we don’t know everything. To be truly people-focused, we need to learn and listen before we direct. That’s how you understand what drives your teams, what they care about, and what they aspire to become.

Then, it simply comes down to motivating the teams toward small wins that support the long-term goals. These little victories guide us towards building a habit of success over time.

Lastly, like anything meaningful, it takes practice. I keep saying: The more we practice, the luckier we get!

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Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices – head over to our Winning Secrets section!

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Photo / Provided

[Johannesburg, South Africa, December 8, 2025] South Africa’s national broadband infrastructure company Broadband Infraco (BBI) has partnered with Huawei to build a national intelligent all-optical backbone network. The network directly supports the goals of South Africa’s national broadband strategy, SA Connect, and will bring affordable, stable, and high-quality broadband to all people in South Africa.

As a state-owned enterprise mandated by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to expand South Africa’s broadband infrastructure, BBI is implementing the upgrade as part of its Backbone Network Expansion Strategy. The collaboration aims to extend ICT infrastructure nationwide and make connectivity more affordable, closing gaps between urban and rural areas as well as between South Africa and industrialized nations.

BBI has utilized Huawei’s Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) technology to deliver high-speed, flexible transmission with 800G wavelengths across its network—a leap that will support the vast expansion of broadband access networks envisioned under SA Connect. It also enables massive volumes of data to be transferred between cities or data centers in real time, powering applications in healthcare, education, e-commerce, and e-government, as well as fueling South Africa’s digital economy.

To date, through its intelligent all-optical backbone and partnerships with local service providers, BBI has connected over 13,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots and more than 2 million homes in rural areas nationwide and regions with underdeveloped network services. The network will also support South Africa’s new optical fibre route, which connects Johannesburg to the Kopfontein border, thereby strengthening high-speed cross-border connectivity across the SADC region. The full backbone will span all nine provinces of South Africa and extend to the borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, providing broad regional access.

Gift Zowa, CEO of Broadband Infraco, summarized the mission by saying, “We are bridging the digital divide on two fronts, closing the digital inequality gap at home and narrowing the gap between South Africa and the world’s most industrialized nations. We are addressing one of SA Connect’s primary goals, the DCDT’s flagship broadband connectivity project, to make connectivity inclusive and bring stable, high-capacity broadband to all South African communities and government facilities by 2030.”

Huawei will continue to collaborate with Broadband Infraco to expand South Africa’s national broadband infrastructure, building a connected, intelligent, and prosperous society, where every South African can benefit from a digital future.