Latest news with #CSI
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco, US Sign New Container Security Initiative Agreement
Marrakech – Morocco and the United States took a further step forward in their customs cooperation with the signing of a new bilateral Container Security Initiative (CSI) arrangement in Rabat on Tuesday. The agreement aims to enhance cargo security and facilitate the high volume of trade between the two countries. 'Today's signing marks not just the expansion of the CSI program, but the strengthening of a partnership rooted in trust, innovation, and a shared responsibility to protect our global community,' said Donald Conroy, Executive Director of the Office of Field Operations International Operations and Advisory Directorate at US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during the event. The CSI arrangement will expand law enforcement efforts between Washington and Rabat, enhancing targeting and information sharing to identify and counter customs violations and other threats in the cargo environment. The agreement covers the vital ports of Casablanca and Tanger Med, with Casablanca being a crucial commercial hub and Tanger Med being the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. The signing ceremony was also attended by Abdellatif Amrani, General Director of the Customs and Excise Administration in Morocco and Aimee Cutrona, US Chargé d'Affaires in Rabat. Senior officials from Morocco Customs (ADII), CBP, and the US Embassy were also present. Amrani stressed Morocco's commitment to balancing security and trade facilitation, stating, 'With this accession, we reaffirm our commitment to harmonizing security with the seamless flow of trade, thereby consolidating Tanger Med's standing as a secure, world-class maritime hub.' The CSI program, launched in 2002 following the 9/11 attacks, is a proactive and strategic security initiative that aims to identify and inspect high-risk maritime cargo containers at foreign ports before they are shipped to the United States. The program partners with foreign customs administrations and other agencies to pre-screen, evaluate, and target potential threats using advanced technology, intelligence, and shared protocols. The new accord is based on the 2013 Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the two sides of the Atlantic, which provides the legal framework for the exchange of information and evidence to assist in the enforcement, prevention, detection, and investigation of customs offenses. With this new agreement, Tanger Med joins a network of CSI-certified Mediterranean ports, including Algeciras (Spain), Marseille (France), and Gioia Tauro (Italy). Chargé d'Affaires Cutrona shed light on the significance of the agreement, stating, 'Today's signing of the new Container Security Initiative arrangement between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco marks a significant milestone in our enduring partnership.' 'This agreement not only strengthens our collaborative efforts to secure global supply chains but also underscores our shared commitment to innovation, security, and economic prosperity,' she added. With the extension of the CSI network, the Moroccan and US customs administrations are reinforcing their efforts in targeting and predictive analysis of high-risk cargo before shipment, contributing to the effective fight against threats and ensuring the protection of consumers and citizens of both nations. Read also: Morocco's El Jadida to Host First International Port Ecosystem Salon in 2026 Tags: cargo handling MoroccoMorocco US Relations
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Upturn
Orchestra BioMed Showcases AVIM Therapy as Purpose-Built Solution for Hypertensive Heart Disease at CSI Frankfurt 2025
Presentation underscores unique potential for atrioventricular interval modulation ('AVIM') therapy to manage blood pressure in older, high-risk patients who have indicators of diastolic dysfunction and progression to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction ('HFpEF') Hypertensive heart disease represents over 7.7 million U.S. patients, the same population with hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risk cited in the recent FDA Breakthrough Device Designation ('BDD') for AVIM therapy NEW HOPE, Pa., June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orchestra BioMed Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OBIO, 'Orchestra BioMed' or the 'Company'), a biomedical company accelerating high-impact technologies to patients through risk-reward sharing partnerships, today announced the presentation of key clinical insights into the role of AVIM therapy for the treatment of high-risk hypertension at the Congenital, Structural, and Valvular Heart Disease Interventions ('CSI') 2025 Meeting. The data highlight AVIM therapy's unique potential to address hypertensive heart disease, a significant and under-recognized cardiovascular syndrome that affects a growing segment of the aging hypertension population. The talk, 'Atrioventricular Interval Modulation (AVIM) Therapy for Hypertension and HFpEF,' will be delivered by Daniel Burkhoff, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Heart Failure, Hemodynamics and Mechanical Circulatory Support Research at Cardiovascular Research Foundation and clinical advisor to Orchestra BioMed. Dr. Burkhoff will spotlight the clinical utility of AVIM therapy as a novel, device-based approach to blood pressure management designed specifically for patients with hypertensive heart disease. This population has increased risk for major adverse cardiac events and currently lacks sufficient therapeutic options. The presentation will take place on June 18, 2025, at 3:33pm CEST / 9:33am ET as part of the ' Interventions for Chronic Heart Failure ' session. Dr. Burkhoff commented, 'Hypertensive heart disease is not a singular diagnosis, but a high-risk cardiovascular syndrome driven by longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure which significantly increases the likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes such as stroke, myocardial infarction, diastolic dysfunction and progression to heart failure. The data I will review at CSI explore how AVIM therapy may offer a unique treatment specifically catered to this group of patients leveraging a mechanism of action designed to reduce cardiac preload and modulate autonomic nervous system responses to reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function. This represents a potential paradigm shift in how we approach blood pressure management using tailored interventions designed to directly impact the complex pathophysiology of high-risk hypertension.' The presentation will cover: The clinical burden and therapeutic gaps in managing patients with high-risk hypertension and increased risk of heart failure; in managing patients with high-risk hypertension and increased risk of heart failure; The growing body of clinical and mechanistic evidence demonstrating AVIM therapy's potential to lower blood pressure and improve cardiac function; and demonstrating AVIM therapy's potential to lower blood pressure and improve cardiac function; and Details on the BACKBEAT global pivotal study, currently enrolling patients with uncontrolled hypertension who are indicated for a dual-chamber pacemaker. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Medtronic, the global leader in cardiac pacing therapy. 'AVIM therapy was purpose-built to address the complex and underserved needs of patients with hypertensive heart disease, a subgroup often overlooked by conventional therapy,' said Avi Fischer, M.D., Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Innovation at Orchestra BioMed. 'As a programmable, pacemaker-integrated solution, AVIM therapy has the potential to fit seamlessly into existing electrophysiology practices while opening the door to better outcomes in a large, underserved population. Dr. Burkhoff's presentation at CSI Frankfurt further reinforces the growing clinical interest in AVIM therapy and highlights the significant opportunity to transform care of hypertensive heart disease, especially given our recently granted BDD status, which applies directly to this patient profile.' About Orchestra BioMed Orchestra BioMed (Nasdaq: OBIO) is a biomedical innovation company accelerating high-impact technologies to patients through risk-reward sharing partnerships with leading medical device companies. Orchestra BioMed's partnership-enabled business model focuses on forging strategic collaborations with leading medical device companies to drive successful global commercialization of products it develops. Orchestra BioMed's lead product candidate is AVIM therapy for the treatment of hypertension, the leading risk factor for death worldwide. Orchestra BioMed is also developing Virtue SAB for the treatment of atherosclerotic artery disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Orchestra BioMed has a strategic collaboration with Medtronic, one of the largest medical device companies in the world, for development and commercialization of AVIM therapy for the treatment of hypertension in pacemaker-indicated patients, and a strategic partnership with Terumo, a global leader in medical technology, for development and commercialization of Virtue SAB for the treatment of artery disease. The Company has received four Breakthrough Device Designations from the U.S. FDA across these two core programs, reflecting the significant potential of its technologies to address high unmet needs in cardiovascular care. For further information about Orchestra BioMed, please visit , and follow us on LinkedIn . References to Websites and Social Media Platforms References to information included on, or accessible through, websites and social media platforms do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through such websites or social media platforms, and you should not consider such information to be part of this press release. About AVIM Therapy AVIM therapy is an investigational therapy compatible with standard dual-chamber pacemakers designed to substantially and persistently lower blood pressure. It has been evaluated in pilot studies in patients with hypertension who are also indicated for a pacemaker. MODERATO II, a double-blind, randomized pilot study, showed that patients treated with AVIM therapy experienced net reductions of 8.1 mmHg in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (aSBP) and 12.3 mmHg in office systolic blood pressure (oSBP) at six months when compared to control patients. In addition to reducing blood pressure, clinical results using AVIM therapy demonstrate improvements in cardiac function and hemodynamics. The BACKBEAT (BradycArdia paCemaKer with atrioventricular interval modulation for Blood prEssure treAtmenT) global pivotal study will further evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVIM therapy in lowering blood pressure in patients who have systolic blood pressure above target despite anti-hypertensive medication and who are indicated for or have recently received a dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker. AVIM therapy has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in patients who have increased cardiovascular risk. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as 'believe,' 'may,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'continue,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'should,' 'would,' 'plan,' 'predict,' 'potential,' 'seem,' 'seek,' 'future,' 'outlook' and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the enrollment, implementation and design of the Company's planned and ongoing pivotal trials, realizing the clinical and commercial value of the Company's product candidates, the potential safety and efficacy of the Company's product candidates, and the ability of the Company's partnerships to accelerate clinical development. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the Company's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, and legal conditions; risks related to regulatory approval of the Company's commercial product candidates and ongoing regulation of the Company's product candidates, if approved; the timing of, and the Company's ability to achieve expected regulatory and business milestones; the impact of competitive products and product candidates; and the risk factors discussed under the heading 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 31, 2025 and the risk factor discussed under the heading 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC on May 12, 2025. The Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, the Company cautions against placing undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date of this press release. The Company does not plan and undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law. Investor ContactSilas NewcombOrchestra BioMed [email protected]
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Decatur man arrested after allegedly shooting mother in buttocks
Jun. 18—A Decatur man was charged with second-degree domestic violence last week after shooting his mother in the buttocks with a pistol, according to a Morgan County sheriff's investigator's affidavit filed Monday. According to the affidavit, deputies responded to a shooting call on June 10 at 424 Aday Road N.W. The caller told deputies that her son, 38-year-old Matthew Ryan Martinez, had shot her. Martinez's mother had not seen him in three months and he "randomly" showed up at her residence. "(The caller) advised that when Matthew came in her residence, she gave him a hug and Matthew did not show much affection and just patted her on the back," the affidavit said. The affidavit said Martinez's mother then went to sit on her couch and told him he could sit as well, but instead, he just stood by the front door and was not acting normally. He became hostile when his mother asked about his eBay business and began mumbling incoherently. After looking back at her TV, she heard Martinez say something like "Bye, Mom," and she heard gunshots shortly after. "(The caller) advised that she felt a burning pain in her buttocks and realized that Matthew had shot her," the affidavit said. "She said that as she was getting up, she heard Matthew leaving her property in his truck at a high rate of speed." Morgan County 911 then issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for Martinez and his vehicle, a white Nissan Titan four-door truck. The affidavit said Decatur police officers were able to stop Martinez in his truck a short time later. As they were searching the truck, officers located two handguns on the passenger side of the vehicle. "CSI recovered three spent 9mm casings at the scene," the affidavit said. Martinez was booked into Morgan County Jail at approximately 9:36 p.m. and released Monday after posting a $75,000 bond, according to court documents. — or 256-340-2442.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Can AI-driven tech make heart diseases preventable?
New Delhi: As cardiovascular disease continues to top the global chart of chronic illnesses, technology is emerging as the most powerful ally in combating it. In a conversation with Dr. Ethan Korngold , Divisional Vice President Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer for Abbott's vascular business, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI), minimally invasive devices , and digital health are reshaping cardiovascular care—from high-tech cath labs to underserved rural India. The Rise of Smart Heart Care 'Heart care is moving fast—and we're moving with it,' says Dr. Korngold. Abbott's Ultreon 2.0, an AI-enhanced imaging platform that uses Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to offer 20 times magnification over standard angiograms. This ultra-HD view lets cardiologists measure artery size, assess blockages, and determine plaque composition—rapidly and accurately. 'With Ultreon, decision-making in the cath lab is more precise and faster,' explains Dr. Korngold. 'It's like shifting from blurry black-and-white to crystal-clear, color-rich imaging. The AI processes data in real-time, helping doctors place stents with pinpoint precision and improve patient outcomes.' The promise of AI in cardiovascular care isn't limited to imaging. Abbott is already piloting Virtual Flow Reserve (VFR), a cutting-edge technology that will use AI to estimate the severity of blockages by analyzing blood flow dynamics—non-invasively. This could significantly reduce unnecessary procedures by helping physicians target the most critical lesions. Abbott's MitraClip has revolutionized how leaky heart valves are treated. Delivered via a vein rather than through open-heart surgery, MitraClip is a lifeline for patients deemed too high-risk for traditional operations. 'It restores quality of life with minimal recovery time,' Dr. Korngold notes. Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder—a device no larger than a pea that helps close a life-threatening heart defect (patent ductus arteriosus) in premature infants weighing as little as 700 grams. 'This is one of the tiniest devices with one of the biggest impacts,' he says. Tackling Complex Heart Cases Dr. Korngold sees a future where AI can predict blockages before they form, allowing doctors to prevent heart attacks before patients feel a single symptom. Abbott's XIENCE Sierra , part of its flagship drug-eluting stent family, is built for complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. Its adaptive design and unique fluoropolymer coating make it easier to navigate tortuous arteries and reduce risks of clotting and restenosis. 'XIENCE Sierra gives doctors the flexibility and control they need in difficult cases, with long-term performance,' explains Dr. Korngold. For heavily calcified arteries, Abbott's acquisition of Cardiovascular Systems Inc. (CSI) brought in the Diamondback 360 Orbital Atherectomy System. Using a diamond-coated crown, this system gently sands away hardened plaque, making vessels more compliant and easier to treat with stents or balloons. 'It's a key tool in our arsenal for treating high-risk patients who need precision and safety,' he adds. Reaching Rural India One of the most exciting opportunities lies beyond hospitals. In remote and underserved areas, virtual care is bridging the healthcare divide. The smart implantable devices—pacemakers and heart monitors—can now transmit data wirelessly to physicians, enabling remote monitoring and treatment adjustments. 'Patients no longer need to travel miles for routine follow-ups,' says Dr. Korngold. 'We're building scalable, connected care ecosystems that empower both patients and providers—especially in resource-constrained settings.' AI and digital health are set to redefine every stage of cardiovascular care—from early risk detection to remote patient monitoring and precision-guided interventions.
The Wire
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Drones Pose Tremendous Danger to Military and Other Targets
On June 1, Ukraine executed one of the most shocking military operations of the strategic air assets in one coordinated strike. The drones weren't hypersonic or guided by AI – they were small, cheap, quadro-copters made from commercially available parts, piloted by open-source software and deployed from inside Russia using civilian trucks. Drones provide precision and deniability, enabling both state and non-state actors to conduct operations with reduced logistical costs and risks to human infiltrators. FPV or 'first person view' drones, where the operators get a cockpit view of the terrain and target, can carry small explosives like an RPG warhead capable of taking out a tank. Operation Spiders Web marks the second time in recent years when an operation at this scale has featured an 'attack from within.' The first was the Israeli operation that rigged communications pagers used by Hezbollah with explosives and caused mayhem in the organisation prior to the outbreak of open Israel-Hezbollah hostilities. Such attacks have changed the calculus of security raising vulnerabilities in areas hitherto considered safe. Now there are worries that a range of military facilities could be targeted in similar attacks. There have been worries expressed as to how US ports could be vulnerable to Chinese ships carrying similar drones. In a similar manner, some 60 Indian air bases, and many hundreds Indian Army stations and facilities could similarly be vulnerable. The situation calls for a redesigning of the defences of many of these places. Recall in 2021, the first ever drone attack on a military facility in India was carried out when two drones dropped explosives on the Jammu air force station damaging a building. No one claimed responsibility for the attack. The Pakistan border is less than 20 kms from the station. The Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan borders are already 'active' where hundreds of drones come across to drop drugs, and often weapons and explosives. Protection begins with the periphery. In 2002, the US inaugurated the Container Security Initiative to enhance maritime security by preventing the use of cargo containers for terrorist activities such as smuggling weapons of mass destruction. The first line of defence for this were foreign ports which loaded cargo for the US where high risk containers were screened prior to departure using X-Ray, gamma ray machines and radiation detectors. As of now CSI is operational in 58 foreign ports covering 85% of the traffic to the US India is not a member of the CSI though it has had discussions with the US on the issue. New Delhi is concerned about its own security since posting of US officials in Indian ports could provide the US a means of tracking India 's sensitive imports . There are also issues with costs associated with the specialised equipment that would have to be set up. In 2004, 10 workers were killed in a private steel company near Delhi when they were handling scrap iron which was mixed with live shells and rockets from an unspecified foreign war zone. In 2005, the authorities in Mumbai found a container shipment containing some 34 revolvers, 1,000 live cartridges, 3 pistols and a silencer in a container which was imported from Bangkok and was supposed to have 27 drums of grease. The shipment was attributed to local gang members in the city. India of course has its own system of port security which does use scanners on a risk-based screening for cargo at JNPT, Mumbai and Chennai. But these are not deployed universally across India 's dozen or so major ports. New Delhi has also proposed this year to create a new state-backed Bharat Container Line to reduce reliance on foreign operators, This is of course a commercial initiatives, but it will also integrate security protocols. After the security of the periphery, India will have to think of protecting its inland sensitive areas. Little is known as yet about the manner in which the Ukrainian drones were guided. In all likelihood some were piloted remotely, others used AI to go along pre-programmed paths. In any case, they penetrated the perimeter defences to reach their targets. In India , some, though not all the bases are walled up along with a layer of barbed wire. They are policed by watch-towers and active patrols. Now it will be important to incorporate a drone-response team to the guard system. This will not be just a guard who will sound the alarm, but given the short time in which the threat is activated, it will require teams aided by sensors and anti-drone guns capable of immediate reaction to neutralise drones. Defences will have to be layered. While at the first level radar provides air bases with the ability to track some drones, smaller ones can still get through. Radio-Frequency (RF) detectors that track autonomous drones may not be sufficient. What will be needed at the second level is integrated over-lapping sensors – optical, thermal, auditory, along with radars to cover threats at all altitudes and paths. Third level counter-drone systems will again have to be a mix of kinetic guns and pellet firing systems, directed energy weapons, as well as electronic jamming and spoofing equipment. In addition there can be drone interceptors that can be launched quickly to fight attacking drones. In Ukraine drone vs drone has become an important means of defence. A final layer of action is to shut down 5G and 4G networks adjacent to the bases which the drones can be riding on to execute their attacks. Given the threat India faces from non-state as well as state actors, the number of vulnerable areas is even greater if you count the various government offices, economic targets, railway stations, power grids and so on. All this requires a changed way in looking at security given the rise of the FPV threat. Manoj Joshi is a distinguished fellow with the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi. This piece was first published on The India Cable – a premium newsletter from The Wire & Galileo Ideas – and has been updated and republished here. To subscribe to The India Cable, click here. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
