Category: 3. Business

  • COD School Testing for the 2026–27 Award Year

    The FSA Partner and School Relations Center will allow for Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) school testing for the 2026–27 award year from Jan. 12, 2026, through Dec. 11, 2026.

    The purpose of COD school testing is to provide organizations (schools, third-party servicers, and software providers) with an opportunity to test Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) business processes and system software with the COD System prior to the transmission and processing of actual production data using COD Common Record XML Schema Version 5.0d. It also allows schools, third-party servicers, and software providers to make corrections or enhancements to software applications and processes prior to sending data to the “live” production environment.

    All organizations that wish to participate in COD school testing must submit the “COD School Testing 2026–27 Sign-Up Document” to the FSA Partner and School Relations Center.

    Complete testing information will be available in the School Testing Guide (Volume 5 of the 2026–27 COD Technical Reference) that we will post on the Knowledge Center by late January 2026. In this announcement, we provide useful high-level information about COD school testing for the 2026–27 award year.

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  • PM Highlights Comprehensive Reforms for Prosperous India

    PM Highlights Comprehensive Reforms for Prosperous India

    PM Highlights Comprehensive Reforms for Prosperous India

    India’s Reform Express continues to gain momentum: PM

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today reaffirmed that India’s Reform Express continues to gain momentum, powered by the Government’s comprehensive investment push and demand-led policies.

    The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government’s vision of a prosperous India is being realized through transformative initiatives across infrastructure, manufacturing, digital public goods, and the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ framework. These reforms are designed to strengthen India’s economic foundations, attract global investment, and ensure inclusive growth for all citizens.

    In a post on X, Shri Modi wrote:

    “India’s Reform Express continues to gain momentum. This is powered by the NDA Government’s comprehensive investment push and demand-led policies.

    Be it infrastructure, manufacturing incentives, digital public goods or ‘Ease of Doing Business’, we are working to realise our dream of a prosperous India.

    https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2212087&reg=3&lang=1


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  • Warner Bros rejects Paramount bid again, tells shareholders to support Netflix offer

    Warner Bros rejects Paramount bid again, tells shareholders to support Netflix offer

    NEW YORK (AP) — Warner Bros. again rejected a takeover bid from Paramount and told shareholders Wednesday to stick with a rival offer from Netflix.

    Warner’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Skydance-owned Paramount’s overtures — and urged shareholders just weeks ago to back its the sale of its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72 billion. Paramount, meanwhile, has made efforts to sweeten its $77.9 billion hostile offer for the entire company.

    WATCH: Proposed Warner Bros. sale prompts concerns among Hollywood’s creative community

    Warner Bros. Discovery said Wednesday that its board determined Paramount’s offer is not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders. It again recommended shareholders support the Netflix deal.

    “Paramount’s offer continues to provide insufficient value, including terms such as an extraordinary amount of debt financing that create risks to close and lack of protections for our shareholders if a transaction is not completed,” Warner Bros. Discovery Chair Samuel Di Piazza Jr. said in a statement. In contrast, he added, the company’s agreement with Netflix “will offer superior value at greater levels of certainty.”

    Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s hostile bid is still on the table. Warner shareholders currently have until Jan. 21 to “tender” their shares.

    Late last month, Paramount announced an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle founder Larry Ellison — who is the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison — to back $40.4 billion in equity financing for the company’s offer. Paramount also increased its promised payout to shareholders to $5.8 billion if the deal is blocked by regulators, matching Netflix’s breakup fee.

    In its Wednesday letter to shareholders, Warner expressed concerns about a potential deal with Paramount. Warner said it essentially considers the offer a leveraged buyout, which includes a lot of debt, and also pointed to operating restrictions that it said were imposed by Paramount’s offer and could “hamper WBD’s ability to perform” throughout a transaction.

    The battle for Warner and the value of each offer grows complicated because Netflix and Paramount want different things. Netflix’s proposed acquisition includes only Warner’s studio and streaming business, including its legacy TV and movie production arms and platforms like HBO Max. But Paramount wants the entire company — which, beyond studio and streaming, includes networks like CNN and Discovery.

    If Netflix is successful, Warner’s news and cable operations would be spun off into their own company, under a previously-announced separation.

    A merger with either company could take over a year to close — and will attract tremendous antitrust scrutiny along the way. Due to its size and potential impact, it will almost certainly trigger a review by the U.S. Justice Department, which could sue to block the transaction or request changes. Other countries and regulators overseas may also challenge the merger. And politics are expected to come into play under President Donald Trump, who has made unprecedented suggestions about his personal involvement on whether a deal will go through.

    Trade groups across the entertainment industry have continued to sound the alarm about both deals.

    In a statement addressed to a Congressional antitrust subcommittee on Wednesday, Cinema United — which represents more than 60,000 movie screens worldwide — reiterated it was “deeply concerned” that Netflix’s acquisition could harm both moviegoers and people who work in theaters, pointing to the streaming giant’s past reliance on its online platform. The group said its concerns were “no less serious” for Paramount’s bid — warning of consequences of further consolidation overall, which it said could result in job losses and less diversity in filmmaking.

    A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

    Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue.


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  • Sobi to advance Gamifant® (emapalumab) in interferon-gamma-driven sepsis (IDS) based on EMBRACE topline data

    Sobi to advance Gamifant® (emapalumab) in interferon-gamma-driven sepsis (IDS) based on EMBRACE topline data

      

    Sobi® (STO: SOBI) today announced that topline results from the Phase 2a EMBRACE study evaluating Gamifant® (emapalumab) for interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-driven sepsis (IDS), showed proof-of-concept with observed improvement in organ dysfunction and survival.

     

    Based on the observed data from this research collaboration with the Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis (HISS), Sobi and HISS will advance emapalumab in IDS and discuss the next clinical development steps with regulatory authorities. An update on next steps will be provided in due course and data from the EMBRACE study will be published at an upcoming medical conference.

     

     

    About sepsis and IFNγ-driven sepsis (IDS)  

    Sepsis is a serious condition in response to an infection that can lead to organ failure and is a leading global cause of mortality. A recent large study, published in eBioMedicine in 20241 describes different sepsis endotypes, suggesting varying endotypes require differentiated treatment strategies. Approximately 20% of the patients studied are of the newly described IFNγ-driven sepsis (IDS) endotype. IDS is marked by elevated levels of CXCL9 and detection of IFNγ and poor clinical outcomes, with a 28-day mortality rate ranging from 40 to 43%. 

     

    About the EMBRACE study  
    The EMBRACE study (NCT06694701) was a Phase 2a, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 24 sites in Greece. The study was sponsored by the Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis (HISS) as part of a research collaboration with Sobi. The trial investigated whether Gamifant, an anti-IFNγ antibody, can improve clinical outcomes in patients with the interferon gamma-driven sepsis (IDS) endotype and absence of sepsis-induced immunoparalysis. IDS is characterized by elevated levels of CXCL9 and detectable IFNγ and is associated with poor patient outcomes. By targeting this inflammation pathway, the EMBRACE trial aims to reduce mortality, improve organ function, and accelerate recovery. The trial design includes three arms (a total of 75 patients enrolled), two groups receiving  Gamifant, (low and high doses) alongside standard-of-care treatment, and one group receiving placebo alongside standard-of-care treatment. The primary endpoint is a ≥1.4-point decrease in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score from baseline to the end of treatment (28 days). Secondary endpoints include 28-day mortality, safety, pharmacokinetics, and changes in key inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP, IL-6, ferritin, IFNγ, and CXCL9. 

     

    About Gamifant
    Gamifant® (emapalumab) is an anti-interferon gamma (IFNγ) monoclonal antibody that binds to and neutralises IFNγ. When IFNγ is secreted in an uncontrolled manner, hyperinflammation occurs within the body. Gamifant is indicated for administration through intravenous infusion over one hour twice per week until haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). 

    In the USA, Gamifant is indicated for the treatment of adult and paediatric (newborn and older) patients with primary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with refractory, recurrent or progressive disease or intolerance with conventional HLH therapy. Gamifant is also approved in the US for the treatment of adult and pediatric (newborn and older) patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in known or suspected Still’s disease with an inadequate response or intolerance to glucocorticoids, or with recurrent MAS. 

    Primary HLH is a rare syndrome of hyperinflammation that usually occurs within the first year of life and can rapidly become fatal unless diagnosed and treated. 

     

    About HISS   

    The Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis (HISS) is a non-profit, academic institute which fosters the activities of young researchers in the fields of systemic inflammation and sepsis. Since 2010, HISS has published 125 peer-reviewed publications including the publication of guidelines for sepsis in Greece, led the organization of 15 conferences, and of 35 clinical studies. HISS focuses on precision immunotherapy and is the Sponsor of the major randomized controlled trials SAVE-MORE and ImmunoSep. The data from these studies have been published in journals such as Nature Medicine and JAMA. 2,3. For more information, please visit https://sepsis.gr .

     

    Sobi

    Sobi® is a global biopharma company unlocking the potential of breakthrough innovations, transforming everyday life for people living with rare diseases. Sobi has approximately 1,900 employees across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. In 2024, revenue amounted to SEK 26 billion. Sobi’s share (STO:SOBI) is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More about Sobi at sobi.com and LinkedIn.

     

    Contacts

    For details on how to contact the Sobi Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Sobi Media contacts, click here.

     

    This information is information that Sobi is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 6 PM CET on 7 January 2026. 

     

    Reference 

    1: Interferon-gamma-driven elevation of CXCL9: a new sepsis endotype independently associated with mortality. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Evangelos J. et al. eBioMedicine, Volume 109, 105414 

    2: Early treatment of COVID-19 with anakinra guided by soluble urokinase plasminogen receptor plasma levels: a double-blind, randomized controlled phase 3 trial. Kyriazopoulou, Evdoxia et al. Nature Medicine 2021 Oct;27(10):1752-1760. 

    3: Precision Immunotherapy to Improve Sepsis Outcomes. The ImmunoSep Randomized Clinical Trial. Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, et al. JAMA, DOI: 10.1001/jama.2025.24175. 

     

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  • Update to recall of specific batches of SMA Alfamino infant Formula (Update 1)

    Update to recall of specific batches of SMA Alfamino infant Formula (Update 1)


    Update to recall of specific batches of SMA Alfamino infant formula due to the possible presence of cereulide (Update 1)


    Wednesday, 07 January 2026








    Alert Summary
    Category 1: For Action
    Alert Notification: 2026.01 (Update 1)
    Product Identification: SMA Nutrition Alfamino infant formula; pack size 400g
    Batch Code 51210017Y1; expiry date: May-27 and
    51700017Y1; expiry date: Jun-27


    Message:

    Further to food alert 2026.01, batch 51700017Y1 of SMA Nutrition Alfamino infant formula is also subject to recall.

    Furthermore, the correct expiry date of batch 51210017Y1 is May-27. 

    Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

    Questions and answers. 

    Nestlé is advising its customers that have purchased any of these batches to contact them: 

    Via its online form, sharing a photo of the product and the batch code: www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/getintouch

    By calling its careline on 1800 931 832. 



    Nature Of Danger:
    Cereulide toxin is produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus. The toxin may be pre-formed in a food and is extremely heat resistant. Consumption of foods containing cereulide toxin can lead to nausea and severe vomiting. Symptoms can appear within five hours. The duration of illness is usually 6 to 24 hours.



    Action Required:

    Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:
    Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. 

    Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers. 

    Consumers:
    Parents, guardians and caregivers are advised not to feed the implicated batches to infants or young children. 










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  • Spot the scams when fixing your credit

    Spot the scams when fixing your credit

    If there’s information on your credit report that’s correct but not so great, it can make it harder to get credit with good terms. But there are things you can do yourself for free to help fix your credit. Credit repair companies also charge to do the same things. Before you consider paying, though, know the rules these companies have to follow — rules dishonest companies and scammers often break.

    Before they do any work for you, credit repair companies have to write up a detailed contract that explains your legal rights (like your three-day right to cancel without any charge) and the total cost of their services. It’s illegal for credit repair companies to lie about what they can do for you, charge you before they help you, or ask you to lie on credit applications. Credit repair companies also can’t legally remove negative information from your credit report that’s correct and up to date.

    Here are some ways to help fix your credit:

    • Fix mistakes in your credit reports. Get your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. If you see a mistake, write to the credit bureau and the business that reported the information. For more information, read Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports.
    • Pay your bills on time, pay off debt, and don’t take on new debt. It takes time to improve your credit. If there’s accurate negative information in your credit report, credit repair companies can’t remove it for you legally. It’ll go away with time.
    • Find real help. Your local credit union, university, or military personal financial manager might be able to recommend a non-profit credit counseling program that can help.

    Read Fixing Your Credit FAQs to learn more about credit, credit repair, and how to help improve your credit. 

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  • Arlington EDC Empowers Entrepreneurs Through Cohort Program

    Arlington EDC Empowers Entrepreneurs Through Cohort Program

    Published on January 07, 2026



    By Office of Communication

    The Arlington Economic Development Corporation (EDC) supports small businesses through various innovative programming. The industry-specific small business cohort, the latest free offering from the Arlington EDC, connects Arlington-based small businesses to subject matter experts through programming that directly addresses the challenges and opportunities in their sector. 

    Since September 2025, there have been two cohorts — professional services and construction — serving 20 Arlington businesses. The program is geared towards established companies who are looking to take their business to the next level through scaling, sustainability and strategy refinement. 

    “We strive to offer a range of programs for different levels of entrepreneurship, and thought it was especially important to provide tangible, industry-specific insights as well as information beyond just startup basics,” said Kay Brown-Patrick, assistant executive director of the Arlington EDC. 

    “In addition to class content, the program gives participants access to networking with like-minded professionals, potential clients and key industry experts,” she said.  

    Bwana Thurman, CEO of financial education and technology company BluPrint Worldwide, is a graduate of the professional services cohort. 

    “My experience was informative and enlightening. One piece that has been extremely useful to me was how to improve my client experience and do a deep dive into my analytics,” Thurman said. 

    For Juan F. De Leon, CEO of De Leon’s Designs and graduate of the construction cohort, the experience went a step beyond the useful information provided in sessions — it made him feel seen. 

    “There are a lot of programs and services for more white-collar professions, but construction folks are not often well-represented. This is something that I’ve been looking for, and it felt so good that it catered to our community,” said De Leon. 

    “I’m proud to have the certificate hanging in my office.” 

    The cohorts received a proclamation from Mayor Jim Ross on Jan. 6, 2026 to recognize their work in the community and commitment to entrepreneurship. 

    The next cohort, geared toward the Food & Beverage industry, will take place in March 2026. To learn more about the program, visit the Business Resources page at ArlingtonTxEDC.com or join our newsletter list for the most up-to-date information.  

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  • ECU Health earns 2025 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award®

    ECU Health earns 2025 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award®

    The Press Ganey Human Experience Awards honor health care organizations that consistently lead in patient experience, employee and physician engagement, clinical quality and safety. As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award® ECU Health is in the top one percent of health care providers in consumer experience in the last year.

    “As a mission-driven rural health care system, ECU Health is uniquely positioned to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to communities that often face barriers to access,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer at ECU Health. “This recognition from Press Ganey reflects the extraordinary commitment of our team members who work tirelessly to create meaningful patient experiences while advancing health equity across eastern North Carolina. It is a powerful testament to our work to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”

    Press Ganey reviews third-party ratings on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, WebMD, Sharecare and Vitals, and reviews the health care organization’s responsiveness to patient reviews addressing concerns. The 2025 awards are based on performance from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025.

    “ECU Health is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”

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  • Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group Meeting

    The Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DACAG) to the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will meet at the date and time listed. Please note that the DACAG aims to begin promptly at the start time, and the end time is an estimate based on the agenda proposed. The meeting may end sooner or later than the posted end time depending on various factors. A majority of CEC or CPUC Commissioners may attend, but no CEC or CPUC votes will be taken.

    DACAG members may attend remotely. The meeting may be recorded. See notice for information on when, where and how to join the meeting.

    Notice and Agenda

    Documents

    Remote Attendance

    Attendance and Commenting Instructions for Webex

    • Attend Meeting via Webex
      Meeting ID (Webinar Number): 2492 320 0478
      Password: DACAG (32224 from phones and video systems)
    • To Participate by Telephone: 1-855-282-6330 United States Toll Free or +1-415-655-0002 United States Toll. Access code: 2492 320 0478.

    Webex’s closed captioning service will be enabled for the meeting. Attendees can use the service by pressing Ctrl + Shift + A or clicking on the bottom left CC icon. Once captions are turned on, attendees can click the three dots (…) “more” option at the bottom right of the caption box to view Captions & Highlights.

    Webex Difficulty: If you are experiencing difficulties accessing the DACAG meeting using the link or call-in information appearing above please contact the CPUC at (415) 703-5263.

    Commenting at the Meeting. If you join by the Webex platform, use the “raise hand” feature to get in the queue to speak and a moderator will call on you. If you join by phone, press *3 to raise your hand and *6 to unmute/mute. If you are in-person, you will be called upon.

    In-Person Attendance

     

    California Public Utilities Commission – San Francisco Office
    1st Floor Courtyard Room
    505 Van Ness Ave
    San Francisco, CA 94102

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