Sarepta Therapeutics Provides Update On Elevidys

Sarepta Therapeutics (NASDAQ:SRPT) announced a temporary halt in recruitment and dosing for certain clinical studies of ELEVIDYS, their approved gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This follows a safety update on acute liver failure from March 18.

The independent data monitoring committee (DMC) reviewed the adverse event on April 3 and concluded that the overall benefit-risk profile remains favorable to continue dosing. The affected studies include SRP-9001-302 (ENVOL), SRP-9001-303 (ENVISION), and SRP-9001-104.

Sarepta and Roche will submit their response to EU regulators within a week. The company maintains that monitoring and data collection for already-enrolled participants continues, and they do not anticipate material impact on study timelines.

https://www.stocktitan.net/news/SRPT/sarepta-therapeutics-provides-update-on-9pzkc9bpw2g9.html

Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, Executive Orders March 25, 2025

 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose.  The continued use of paper-based payments by the Federal Government, including checks and money orders, flowing into and out of the United States General Fund, which might be thought of as America’s bank account, imposes unnecessary costs; delays; and risks of fraud, lost payments, theft, and inefficiencies.  Mail theft complaints have increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic.  Historically, Department of the Treasury checks are 16 times more likely to be reported lost or stolen, returned undeliverable, or altered than an electronic funds transfer (EFT).  Maintaining the physical infrastructure and specialized technology for digitizing paper records cost the American taxpayer over $657 million in Fiscal Year 2024 alone.

This order promotes operational efficiency by mandating the transition to electronic payments for all Federal disbursements and receipts by digitizing payments to the extent permissible under applicable law (but not, for avoidance of doubt, to establish a Central Bank Digital Currency).  

Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to defend against financial fraud and improper payments, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the security of Federal payments.

Sec. 3.  Phase Out of Paper Check Disbursements and Receipts.  (a)  Effective September 30, 2025, and to the extent permitted by law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall cease issuing paper checks for all Federal disbursements inclusive of intragovernmental payments, benefits payments, vendor payments, and tax refunds, except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(b)  All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall comply with this directive by transitioning to EFT methods, including direct deposit, prepaid card accounts, and other digital payment options, and take all steps necessary to enroll recipients in EFT payments, except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(c)  As soon as practicable, and to the extent permitted by law, all payments made to the Federal Government shall be processed electronically, except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(d)  The Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take appropriate action to eliminate the need for the Department of the Treasury’s physical lockbox services and expedite requirements to receive the payment of Federal receipts, including fees, fines, loans, and taxes, through electronic means except as specified in section 4 of this order.

(e)  The Secretary of the Treasury shall support agencies’ transition to digital payment methods, including by providing access through the Department of the Treasury’s centralized payment systems to:

(i)    direct deposits;

(ii)   debit and credit card payments;

(iii)  digital wallets and real-time payment systems; and

(iv)   other modern electronic payment options.

Sec. 4.  Exceptions and Accommodations for the Phase Out of Paper Check Disbursements and Receipts.  (a)  The Secretary of the Treasury, shall review and, as appropriate, revise procedures for granting limited exceptions where electronic payment and collection methods are not feasible, including exceptions for:

(i)    individuals who do not have access to banking services or electronic payment systems;

(ii)   certain emergency payments where electronic disbursement would cause undue hardship, as contemplated in 31 C.F.R. Part 208;

(iii)  national security- or law enforcement-related activities where non-EFT transactions are necessary or desirable; and

(iv)   other circumstances as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, as reflected in regulations or other guidance.

(b)  Individuals or entities qualifying for an exception under this section or other applicable law shall be provided alternative payment options.

Sec. 5.  Implementation and Compliance of Electronic Transactions.  (a)  The Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the heads of agencies, shall develop and implement a comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform Federal payment recipients of the transition to electronic payments, including guidance on accessing and setting up digital payment options.

(b)  Agencies shall coordinate with the Department of the Treasury to facilitate a smooth transition to digital payments, ensuring that affected individuals and entities receive adequate support.

(c)  The Secretary of the Treasury shall work with financial institutions, consumer groups, and other stakeholders to address financial access for unbanked and underbanked populations.

(d)  The Secretary of the Treasury and the heads of agencies shall take all necessary steps to protect classified information and systems, as well as personally identifiable information and tax return information, through the implementation of this order.

Sec. 6.  Reporting Requirements.  (a)  The heads of agencies shall submit a compliance plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget within 90 days of the date of this order detailing their strategy for eliminating paper-based transactions.

(b)  The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit an implementation report to the President through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy within 180 days of the date of this order detailing progress on the matters set forth in this order.

Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

 

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/modernizing-payments-to-and-from-americas-bank-account/

Carney: 'If the United States does not want to lead, Canada will'

 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a speech on Thursday following the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs and an additional 25% auto tariff on Canada. The recently-elected Prime Minister declared that Canada is implementing 25% tariffs on all vehicles and non-Canadian vehicle content imported from the U.S. that are not compliant with the CUSMA (USMCA) trade pact.

Trump said on Wednesday that the U.S. will impose reciprocal tariffs of 10% on all imported goods, with higher reciprocal rates for some nations that will be half of the rate they charge on U.S. exports. The 10% tariffs will go into effect on April 5, while the higher "half" tariffs will begin on April 9.

The U.S. administration also confirmed previously announced 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts. Additionally, Trump implemented a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada that are not compliant with the USMCA deal. There is already a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum in place.

n answering, Carney said, "We are responding today with carefully calibrated and targeted counter-tariffs." He confirmed that Trump has been aware of this after their call last week.

He then announced that Canada will match the U.S.' approach with 25% tariffs on all vehicles imported from the U.S. that are not in compliance with the USMCA deal. Carney went on to verify that auto parts will not be affected by these tariffs, and that no tariffs would affect vehicles or vehicle content from Mexico.

Carney alleged that total funds raised from Canada's tariffs could reach CAD$8 billion, and all funds will go to the autoworkers and companies affected. This excludes a CAD$2 billion fund announced last week to bolster Canada's auto sector, which would be applied if Carney and the Liberal Party win the upcoming April 28 election.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the tariffs will remain in effect, though they are imposed reluctantly. He underscored that goods chosen are meant to have maximum impact on the U.S. and minimal impact on Canada.

"As President Trump and I agreed last week, he and the Prime Minister of Canada will sit down immediately following the election to find areas of common ground and agreement in a new economic and security partnership," he said regarding the future of U.S. and Canada's trade relations.

The U.S.' exemption of Mexico and Canada from those reciprocal tariffs, as well as the USMCA goods exemption, have been seen by many to be a positive break for the two countries. Carney acknowledged this, calling the sparing of Canada "progress."

However, Carney pointed out that tariffs will still impose serious problems for Canadian workers and businesses, calling them "unjustified, unwarranted, and misguided." He addressed the already-yielded consequences, pointing to a Windsor assembly plant that told UNIFOR union workers that it would be shutting down for at least the next two weeks, costing some 3,600 employees work.

In his repudiation of the U.S.' trade policy, Carney stated that there was a 97% drop in fentanyl seizures on the U.S.-Canada border in January compared to December. Fentanyl and other drug-trafficking have been cited by Trump as one of his chief objections with Canada.

Furthermore, Carney looked to the U.S. Senate to bolster his claims, as U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Maria Cantwell introduced a bill to curtail the President's authority to impose tariffs unilaterally.

Carney reiterated previous statements criticizing the U.S. for violating the USMCA agreement with its tariffs, saying that Canada is fighting in courts, filing disputes, and has approached the World Trade Organization in efforts to halt the tariffs.

The Prime Minister spoke of the previous relationship between the U.S. and Canada in automotive trade, citing the Canada-United States Auto Pact, an agreement that ran from 1965 to 2001. The pact removed duties on most automotive parts traded between the two countries. Carney expressed that the same trade symbolized under the pact is "over," unless a new approach is found.

Continuing, Carney conceded that despite the U.S. not targeting Canada in yesterday's announcements, the tariffs will "rupture the global economy and adversely affect global economic growth." He stated that the world's trade, previously anchored under the U.S., is also "over," saying, "The 80-year period where the United States embraced the mantle of global economic leadership is over."

He further emphasized the importance of Canada's individual growth through expanding trade elsewhere, building the economy, and protecting their sovereignty. Carney contended that Canada is ready to bear a leadership role in the world, saying, "If the United States does not want to lead, Canada will."

To conclude, the campaigning Prime Minister implored Canadians to "draw strength" from each other, calling for economic unification across the 13 Canadian provinces.

Regarding the future of the U.S., Carney expects Trump to change his course, pointing to the pain that this potential trade war may cause on Americans and saying, "Until that pain becomes impossible to ignore, I do not believe they will change direction," but, "They should eventually change course."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/carney-united-states-does-not-175005520.html

Polish President Blasts Hate-Speech Law, Bemoans Push For 'Communist'-Style EU

 Via Remix news,

As Polish presidential elections near and the term of current President Andrzej Duda comes to an end, the head of state gave an interview to Telewizja Trwam and Radio Maryja. During the segment, Duda covered many topics, including the Sejm’s new so-called hate speech law, which he said he would not sign, saying it is built on lies about “well-established” concepts. 

The president also called out the left for being hypocritical. 

According to wPolityce, Duda said it is very characteristic that these left-liberal trends, which shout so loudly about tolerance and diversity, are the first to block free speech,” defining language “as they wish” while also “punishing any deviation” from what they say is correct.  

“This is an ongoing attempt to build a world, a language, on lies, on giving new meaning to concepts that are established,” Duda told the show. 

Claiming Poland is still a fully democratic country upholding the will of the majority, despite many being afraid of certain developments around them, Duda still cautioned against an erosion of democratic norms. He specifically cited St. John Paul II, who warned that democracy without values ​​easily turns into open or camouflaged totalitarianism.

“We have clear and obvious examples of the deception that the current situation in Poland brings us, especially the media situation – manipulation, lies, silence, giving new meaning to words, denying events that took place (…). We must firmly defend ourselves against this and I hope that society will be able to defend itself against this at the ballot box, while expressing its real expectations,” he said. 

On his party’s (PiS) proposed judicial reform, Duda blamed its failure on those who have “enormous influence” at home and abroad.

“These people are very often people who smoothly transitioned from the communist system and from being members of the communist party, very quickly whitewashed themselves, painted themselves in other colors and started pretending to be great democrats. Before, they served the communists, and then they started pretending to be great libertarians,” he said. 

On the federalization of the European Union, Duda told listeners that “nation states must be preserved, the EU should be a union of nation states. All cultural and identity traditions in nation states should be respected and recognized within the framework of diversity that they talk about, and which in this case they are trying to absolutely deny, forcing us into one uniform as in the most negatively associated communist regimes.”

Duda made a “farewell visit” to Italy last week, during which Italian PM Georgia Meloni gave him a copy of the Italian Anthem to signify “the profound historical bond that has united the histories of our nations.”

“I wanted to reiterate the importance of bilateral relations and the continuous strengthening of economic and cultural ties between Italy and Poland,” Meloni posted on X.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/polish-president-blasts-hate-speech-law-bemoans-push-communist-style-eu

Col. Democrats Want 'Misgendering' And 'Deadnaming' To Be Considered Child Abuse

 by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,

Democrats in Colorado have introduced legislation that would recognise ‘misgendering’ and ‘deadnaming’ as forms of abuse of children who have decided to identify as transgender.

Colorado Newsline reports that the bill, called “The Kelly Loving Act” after a transgender-identifying individual killed in a 2022 club shooting in Colorado Springs, would ensure such ‘abuse’ be considered in child custody disputes.

The legislation defines ‘deadnaming’ as “to purposefully, and with the intent to disregard the individual’s gender identity or gender expression, refer to an individual by their birth name rather than their chosen name.”

It identifies ‘misgendering’ as “to purposefully, and with the intent to disregard the individual’s gender identity or gender expression, refer to an individual using an honorific or pronoun that conflicts with the individual’s gender identity or gender expression.”

That’s right, calling little Jimmy ‘he/him’ after he’s decided he wants to be little Janey would be classed as child abuse.

The bill outlines that courts overseeing child custody decisions would have to consider ‘misgendering,’ and ‘deadnaming,’ as “coercive control” on behalf of a parent.

Imagine the scenario. The kid sees something on social media and decides he’s a girl now. Dad, let’s call him Chad, thinks it’s just a phase or an example of social contagion, but Mom, Karen, is adamant it’s not and wants to give the kid puberty blockers.

Who do you think is gonna get custody if the parents are separated?

The report also notes that the legislation would prohibit Colorado courts from enforcing orders or laws from other states that require a child to be removed from parents who allow them to undergo ‘transition’ procedures.

The bill would also ensure that ‘misgendering’ and ‘deadnaming’ are recognised as discrimination under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. 

The report also highlights that the proposed law would mandate schools to adopt policies regarding “chosen names” and prohibit school dress codes based on “gender.”

The legislation has passed the House committee on its way to a vote.

When President Trump took office, he signed an Executive Order outlining that there are only two genders. Trump’s order also defunds any schools or clinics supporting transitioning procedures or self identifying when it comes to sex.

*  *  *

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democrats-want-misgendering-and-deadnaming-be-considered-child-abuse

Russia Warns Against US Strikes On Iran Nuclear Sites: 'Catastrophic & Illegal'

 Via The Cradle

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned on Thursday that US threats of attack against Iran are "unacceptable" and could result in a "catastrophe".

"The use of military force by Iran's opponents in the context of the settlement is illegal and unacceptable. Threats from outside to bomb Iran's nuclear infrastructure facilities will inevitably lead to an irreversible global catastrophe. These threats are simply unacceptable," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also told Life magazine that the "consequences of this, especially if there are strikes on the nuclear infrastructure, could be catastrophic for the entire region."

Kremlin Pool via AP

Russia and the US have recently held talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Ryabkov said these talks have not resulted in a breakthrough. 

Regarding tension between Tehran and Washington, Ryabkov said Russia "condemns US threats." The Russian Foreign Ministry comes after US President Donald Trump renewed his threat to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. 

"If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing. But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago," the president said on Sunday. Iran issued a formal complaint to the UN Security Council and said it would respond to any threat.

Trump had sent a letter to Iranian leadership in early March, threatening an attack if Tehran did not come to the negotiating table. Iranian officials said they would not negotiate under threats and economic sanctions, which Trump has imposed with full force as part of his "maximum pressure" policy. 

This week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has officially responded to Trump’s letter signaling a willingness for indirect talks, which the US is reportedly considering. 

However, Washington is simultaneously beefing up its forces in the region in preparation for a potential attack. This follows several reports over the past two months that Israel is planning to strike at the Iranian nuclear program. 

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravachi held talks on the nuclear issue with Ryabkov on Wednesday. 

"The sides stressed the illegality and inadmissibility of the use of military force by Iran's opponents to resolve disagreements and the unacceptability of threats from the outside to bomb Iran's nuclear energy infrastructure, as this will inevitably lead to large-scale and irreversible radiological and humanitarian consequences for the entire Middle East region and the world as a whole," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. 

China, Russia, and Iran released a joint statement on March 14 demanding an end to "unlawful" US sanctions against the Islamic Republic after meetings in Beijing between the three countries. 

Tehran insists that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, in line with a religious fatwa against weapons of mass destruction, as well as the fact that it is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russia-warns-against-us-strikes-iran-nuclear-sites-catastrophic-illegal

US economy added jobs at a faster pace in March

 The U.S. economy continued to add jobs in March and the pace of job gains picked up at a faster pace than a month ago despite economic uncertainty.

The Labor Department on Friday announced that employers added 228,000 jobs in March, above the estimate of LSEG economists who anticipated 135,000 jobs gained.

The unemployment rate was 4.2%, slightly higher than a month ago and above economists' expectations.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/us-jobs-report-march-2025