— Phase 3 POD1UM-304 trial met primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) and all secondary endpoints in patients with previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
— Data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Asia Congress 2024 support the planned 2025 filing of a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) in the U.S. for retifanlimab in NSCLC
Since the overnight hours Damascus has been under the control of the Islamist militants led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and backed by Turkey. The country's President Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown, and his whereabouts are unknown, after the extremely rapid insurgent advance out of Idlib, where city after city fell starting with Aleppo in a matter of about a mere week. And just like that 50 years of Assad family rule has ended, and a new extremely unpredictable era of Syria begins.
Will the country hopelessly fracture as did Iraq and Libya for years after their strongman leaders were overthrown? Will there be mass reprisal killings? Will Christians, Alawites, and Shia be subject to mass persecution and extermination? Will the country, which has already been through over 13 years of horrific proxy war, descend into sectarian and factional chaos and hell? Will Sharia law be enforced by gunpoint? Or will some semblance of a stable transitional government emerge?
One thing is for sure, a US-designated terrorist has emerged as the current de facto ruler of Damascus and of Syria. At this very moment Washington has a $10 million bounty on his head, given his career as a jihadist began with al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) which was killing American troops in Iraq.
The jihadist factions entered Damascus overnight without a fight from the Syrian Army, and videos quickly emerged of armed fighters entering both the presidential palace (or office) as well as Assad's private residence in Malki neighborhood.
State television stations broadcast a message from HTS leaders urging calm and a stable transition of power. New rules for Damascus include a curfew imposed from 4pm to 5am local time, according to the local Al Watan newspaper.
Rule by 'Al Qaeda in suits'... technocratic jihad:
While the mood on the streets has been generally jubilant, gunfire has been heard - but more likely this is from anti-Assad fighters firing in celebration into the air. Western mainstream media has also been celebratory, generally ignoring HTS' obvious Al Qaeda links past and present.
But for every scene the media highlights of a few hundred people celebrating in a central square, there are many more thousands of families huddled and fearful in their homes, not knowing what entity or Islamist faction controls the checkpoint around the block.
So far at least one central building has gone up in flames - the former government's passport and immigration building. It remains unclear why or what the precise cause was.
Amid all of this Israel has continued to attack some locations in Syria, also with reports overnight that Israeli tanks pushed further into a strip of southern Syria in the Golan area. Other buildings are on fire elsewhere in the Damascus region.
Al Jazeera writes:
Images show a building on fire in Damascus after a suspected air attack. It’s believed that the Israelis may have struck what is believed to be a munitions depot close to the airport.
The Israeli media reported earlier on Sunday that the Israeli air force has bombed weapons depots in southern Syria and Damascus to prevent opposition groups from seizing them.
Syrian Prime Minister Ghazi al-Jalali might be installed to head of a transitional government amid promises of stability, based on a potential deal or 'security guarantees' involving Turkey, Russia, Iran, and the Gulf powers.
As for Assad's current whereabouts, The Wall Street Journal speculates as follows:
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was in Damascus on Saturday, fled the country early Sunday local time but his current whereabouts were still unknown, according to Syrian security officials and Arab officials. Russia's foreign ministry said later in the day that he had stepped down and left the country.
Assad had announced he would address the nation at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday, but the speech never occurred. The president’s wife and children left for Russia in late November, while his brothers-in-law left for the United Arab Emirates, Syrian security officials and Arab officials said.
Below: the breaching of the presidential palace, where Assad had conducted daily work in his office...
Will the transition from Assad to "al-Qaeda in suits" be stable? Will a 'Taliban-lite' emerge? Is Sharia law coming... implemented by a terror and Islamist iron fist?
Nothing is certain at this point, and there are likely more dark days ahead.
developing...
Igor Sechin, the head of Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft, on Saturday said he approved of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposals to defend domestic energy producers.
Speaking at a conference in Qatar, he said that Trump's promises during his election campaign involved "fitting" economic measures, including protecting domestic energy producers and the market.
Trump's return to the White House on Jan. 20 is viewed with cautious optimism by some in Russia, though others in Moscow think another U.S. president will change little.
Russia's ties with the United States under the Joe Biden administration tanked to a post-Cold War low over a number of issues, including the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump on winning the U.S. election, praising him for showing courage when a gunman tried to assassinate him, and said Moscow was ready for dialogue with the Republican president-elect.
Last month, Trump pledged big tariffs on the United States' three largest trading partners - Canada, Mexico and China - detailing how he will implement campaign promises, which many say could trigger trade wars.
"It's not surprising that Canada, Mexico, China and Europe will have to suffer. After all, Donald Trump is the president of the United States, not Mexico or Canada," Sechin said.
During his election campaign, Trump also pledged to boost domestic oil and natural gas output.
Sechin also said that Trump would likely lift all restrictions on hydrocarbons production, reduce taxes and divert investments to the "real" energy sector from "illusory" alternative sources.
Qatar has no concerns about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's promise to lift a cap on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said on Saturday, adding his country would cope with any competition.
"And you know even if you open up LNG and say we're going to export another 300 million tons from the U.S. or 500 million from the U.S., all these projects are driven by private enterprises that look at the commercial viability of projects," Kaabi, who is also the chief executive of state-owned QatarEnergy, said during the Doha Forum.
Asked about the impact of Trump's return to the White House on Qatar-U.S. relations, particularly in energy, Kaabi said oil and gas projects were multi-decade plans and "survive governments", but later added he thought Trump was "good for business".
Kaabi said the European Union should thoroughly review the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which will require larger companies operating in the bloc to check if their supply chains use forced labour or cause environmental damage and act to take action if they do.
Kaabi said the penalty can be up to 5% of a company's total worldwide revenue, adding it would have far-reaching complications and harm companies in the bloc as well as firms operating there.
"So to me, my message to Europe and to the EU Commission is that: are you telling us I don't want your LNG into the EU? Because I sure am not going to supply EU with LNG to support their requirements for energy and then be penalized with my total revenue worldwide going to EU. So there's something wrong there," he said.
He also said the Qatar Investment Authority, the estimated $510 billion sovereign fund, and other institutional investors would consider investing elsewhere to avoid penalties.
EU "economies are not doing great, so they need foreign direct investments and they need support," he said.
President-elect Trump early Sunday called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the fighting between Ukraine and Russia following the fall of the Assad government in Syria and after a meeting in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever,” Trump added.
Trump asserted that Zelensky “would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” citing the loss of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians since Russia first invaded in early 2022.
“There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin,” Trump posted. “Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
Trump’s post came hours after he met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris during his trip to the country to see the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral.
It also came amid a tumultuous time in Syria, where President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday amid a rapid advance of rebel forces in Damascus.
A White House spokesperson said late Saturday that President Biden was “closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners.”
The Biden administration has rallied international allies to support Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid and military equipment to fight invading Russian forces since the war began in 2022. But Trump and his allies have voiced skepticism at continued U.S. support, with Trump pushing for peace talks, even as critics warn it would mean Ukraine ceding territory to Russia.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5028906-trump-calls-immediate-ceasefire-ukraine/
Health-care companies fell amid concerns about rising discontent with the U.S. health-care system.
UnitedHealth Group shares slid after reports that the brutal killing of insurance unit chief executive Brian Thompson may have been inspired by critiques of the health-insurance industry's coverage practices.
In one response to an apparent backlash, Elevance Health's Anthem reversed a decision to change limits on reimbursing customers for the cost of anesthesia in several states following opposition from a medical group.
Coffee, one of the world's most beloved beverages, offers more than just a comforting warmth and an energizing caffeine kick.
Increasingly, scientific research has begun to uncover the health benefits associated with coffee consumption, particularly due to its rich content of polyphenols like chlorogenic acid (CGA), which reduce inflammation and help prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
As The Epoch Times' Amber Young reports, Dr. Chang Chin-Chien, a renowned Taiwanese breast cancer specialist and author of “A Cup of Coffee Fights All Diseases,” outlined the health benefits of coffee and shared the best ways to drink it.
Coffee improves or fights the following 11 conditions.
Research has found a strong correlation between habitual coffee consumption and a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. Researchers explain that regularly drinking coffee can help protect liver and beta-cell function during the chronic metabolic stress phase that occurs before the onset of overt diabetes, thereby lowering the risk of developing it.
Dr. Chang noted that initially, drinking coffee may lead to higher blood pressure. However, with habitual consumption, it can actually lower it.
A meta-analysis published in 2023 involving 25 studies with 463,973 participants found a negative association between coffee consumption and the risk of high blood pressure. One of the studies indicated that nonsmoking men and women who drank three to four cups of coffee per day had a lower risk of developing high blood pressure, while no significant association was found among smokers.
Coffee is beneficial for cardiovascular health. A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology conducted a 12 1/2-year follow-up on 449,563 participants with a median age of 58. The results showed that compared to noncoffee drinkers, individuals who consumed ground, instant, or decaffeinated coffee had a reduced risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, with the greatest effects seen in those who drank two to three cups of coffee per day. Additionally, the researchers found that both ground coffee and instant coffee were associated with a reduced risk of arrhythmias, while decaffeinated coffee showed no such association.
Chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues can lead to gum recession, alveolar bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss. A systematic review highlighted that daily coffee consumption may help prevent alveolar bone loss. Coffee contains various components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid. Furthermore, chlorogenic acid acts as an antimicrobial agent, which plays a role in combating periodontal disease. However, some studies have indicated a negative correlation between coffee consumption and periodontal health.
The researchers concluded that because of coffee’s complex composition, regularly drinking an appropriate amount may benefit periodontal health. However, excessive consumption may have a negative impact. The study suggested a daily coffee intake of two to five cups is considered safe.
Coffee can help alleviate gout caused by excessive uric acid. A systematic review found that coffee significantly reduces serum uric acid levels. Specifically, men must drink one to three cups of coffee daily, while women require four to six cups daily to achieve this reduction. The review suggests that moderate coffee consumption could serve as a primary prevention strategy for hyperuricemia and gout in both men and women.
The caffeine in coffee can stimulate metabolism. One study showed that caffeine can counteract the detrimental effects of inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially lowering the risk of various metabolic diseases. Additionally, caffeine intake through coffee benefits metabolism, cognitive function, physical performance, and hormone regulation.
A study in Nutrients indicates that the bioactive compounds in coffee, such as caffeine, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, and magnesium, exhibit anti-obesity effects. The researchers noted that drinking coffee can help reduce obesity, particularly for men. However, while coffee can help with weight management, it isn’t as crucial as a balanced diet and physical activity. Given coffee’s protective effects against chronic diseases, the researchers recommend including it as part of a healthy lifestyle to promote overall well-being.
While some people believe that coffee acts as a diuretic and excessive consumption may lead to drier skin, Dr. Chang suggests that the antioxidants in coffee promote microcirculation in the skin, benefiting skin health.
A study published in May analyzed the potential causal relationship between beverage consumption and facial skin aging. The results showed that higher coffee intake can reduce the risk of this type of aging. Another study showed that caffeine protects the skin from aging induced by oxidative stress by activating autophagy (cell turnover), demonstrating the potential of caffeine in preventing skin diseases.
A review of studies found that caffeine can stimulate hair growth in male pattern baldness, potentially aiding in hair loss treatment. It may also help prevent the risks of rosacea and both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers.
Dr. Chang noted that while coffee provides some benefits for neurological conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, he remains cautious about its efficacy in treating depression. However, he highlighted that some analyses suggest coffee consumption can enhance beneficial gut bacteria, which may affect the brain through the gut-brain axis, alleviating anxiety and depression.
According to a study involving more than 145,000 participants, those who consumed two to three cups of ground coffee, milk-coffee, or unsweetened coffee per day had the lowest risk of developing mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Dr. Chang also highlighted the benefits of coffee consumption for specific cancer conditions, including liver, colorectal, oral, and certain types of breast cancers, as well as adult leukemia.
A meta-analysis published in the BMJ showed that high coffee consumption was associated with an 18 percent reduction in cancer risk compared to low coffee consumption. Additionally, drinking coffee was linked to a lower risk of several specific cancers, as well as neurological, metabolic, and liver diseases. The researchers concluded that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily can maximize the reduction of various health risks and that the health benefits likely outweigh the harm.
People have long advocated drinking black coffee. However, a 2023 study found that when caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid in coffee form adducts with cysteine, an amino acid found in milk, their anti-inflammatory activity is greatly enhanced. This suggests that combining coffee with milk can significantly boost its anti-inflammatory effects.
Dr. Chang stated that adding milk to coffee not only supplements calcium but also enhances its anti-inflammatory effects. The polyphenols in coffee form complexes with the milk, making compounds more effective at reducing inflammation than black coffee alone.
Regardless, Dr. Chang still recommends black coffee as the preferred option, but he believes it is worthwhile to experiment with adding cinnamon, lemon, oats, or other ingredients to enhance both the flavor and enjoyment of coffee.
As for the best time to drink coffee? Dr. Chang recommends having it at 10 a.m. and during afternoon tea. Consuming coffee immediately after waking up for an energy boost is unnecessary. Instead, drinking coffee around 10 a.m. after working for some time and feeling drowsy can help enhance alertness. For those with a faster metabolism, drinking coffee at 3 or 4 p.m. is fine, as it shouldn’t affect nighttime sleep.
The European Food Safety Authority stated that a daily intake of 400 milligrams of caffeine does not pose a safety concern for healthy adults, excluding pregnant women. Similarly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlighted that consuming 400 milligrams of caffeine per day (equivalent to four to five cups of coffee) generally does not cause dangerous adverse effects in healthy adults. However, it is essential to note that people may vary greatly in their sensitivity to caffeine and how quickly they metabolize it.
Dr. Chang recommends drinking three 3.38-fluid-ounce cups (a little less than half a cup) of coffee daily, each containing about 60 to 200 milligrams of caffeine.
He stated that professor Hsiu-Hsi Chen’s research team from the College of Public Health at National Taiwan University conducted a follow-up study involving more than 150,000 adults. The results revealed that those who drank coffee lived approximately 2.1 years longer than those who didn’t. Additionally, the coffee-drinking group had lower incidences of diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and colorectal cancer.
In conclusion, coffee's health benefits, especially through its polyphenols like CGA, are substantial, supporting heart health, metabolic regulation, and antioxidant defense.
Daily moderate coffee consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer-related mortality, combats depression and anxiety, and aids the body in resisting COVID-19 infection, studies have found.
However, these benefits can vary based on the coffee type, preparation method, and individual health conditions.
Enjoying coffee in moderation can thus be seen as part of a healthy lifestyle, offering more than just a moment of enjoyment but also a cup of health benefits.
