Latest news with #Switzerland
Independent Singapore
44 minutes ago
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Athletics: Here's what you need to know about the Wanda Diamond League Final
Photo: WELTKLASSE ZURICH: The Wanda Diamond League has been one of the significant events in the world of track and field since 2010. It is a series of one-day meetings that comprises 15 events in global track and field, held across four continents and 13 different countries to reach athletes and fans all around the world. How does the series work? Athletes from 32 disciplines will compete from April to September and will garner points at the 14 series meetings to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final event. By the end of each series meeting, participating athletes will be awarded 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 points, based on their ranking, from first to eighth, respectively. The top six in the field events, the top eight in the 100-m to 800-m categories, and the top 10 in the 1500-m and long-distance events will be eligible to continue and compete at the Final. Moreover, one athlete may also qualify as a national or global wildcard from each discipline. If there is a tiebreaker, the athlete with the best performance of the season is ranked higher and will be awarded a spot. In the case of throws and horizontal jumps, the 'Final 3' format will be used in all series meetings, excluding the Wanda Diamond League Final. Here is the qualification points for each series meeting: Place Points 1st 8 2nd 7 3rd 6 4th 5 5th 4 6th 3 7th 2 8th 1 What to expect from the Wanda Diamond League Final? The 2025 Wanda Diamond League Final will take place on August 27 and 28 at Weltklasse Zurich. Each champion will receive the iconic Diamond Trophy and a wildcard for the World Athletics Championships, given certain conditions. Furthermore, the league will have a total of US$9.24 million (S$12.47 million) prize money. In each of the 14 regular series meetings, the prize money will be US$500,000, and the prize money at the Wanda Diamond League Final will be US$2.24 million. Per discipline, the prize money would be between US$30,000 and US$50,000 at the series meetings and US$60,000 and US$100,000 at the Final. Here is the calendar of events for the 2025 Wanda Diamond League: April 26 Xiamen (CHN) May 3 Shanghai/Keqiao May 16 Doha (QAT) May 25 Rabat (MAR) June 6 Rome (ITA) June 12 Oslo (NOR) June 15 Stockholm (SWE) June 20 Paris (FRA) July 5 Eugene (USA) July 11 Monaco (MON) July 19 London (GBR) August 16 Silesia (POL) August 20 Lausanne (SIU) August 22 Brussels (BEL) August 27-28 Zurich (SUI) To know more about the current results, standings, disciplines per meeting, statistics of participating athletes, and ticket availability for the remaining events, you may visit Wanda Diamond League's website here.
TTG
2 hours ago
- Business
- TTG
Five facts you (probably) don't know about Railbookers
From short breaks to luxurious multi-centre adventures, Railbookers offers seamless rail holidays from any UK station, but there's more to the operator than you might think. Abigail Healy Travel writer If you think of Railbookers, it might be simple rail trips across Europe that immediately come to mind, but there is much more to the operator than meets the eye. A one-stop shop for travel agents, Railbookers' packages include hotels, sightseeing, transfers, flights, and of course, rail travel. Now with a two-strong trade team to support your marketing and bookings – the world really is your rail-loving clients' oyster. To ensure you are maximising on everything the operator has to offer, we've rounded up five facts that you may not know. Plus, you can also enter to win a £50 voucher of your choice – with five up for grabs – when you enter our new competition with Railbookers! 1. You can package holidays worldwide It's not just iconic rail journeys on offer, Railbookers sells independent tailormade holidays throughout the world. The operator's new head of trade sales and development, Raj Mistry says: 'Our top selling destinations for 2025 include Switzerland and Italy. These are the most popular ones that we always have but then we've had Norway and Scandinavia – which is phenomenal in terms of what it's offering – Portugal and Canada too. As you may appreciate, we are seeing a number of clients booking a lot later, so we can do last-minute bookings as well as booking out as far as 2027.' 2. You can book more than rail travel Railbookers offers much more than simple short journeys or experiences. It can package anything from a short stay or a multi-centre holiday to a coast to coast journey or a luxury trip of a lifetime. Mistry asserts: 'Think of us as a tour operator offering hotels, flights, sightseeing, with transfers and rail being the main component of the holiday.' What's more it can add rail from the UK travelling into continental Europe to ensure your customer's journey starts smoothly and provides an option for clients who don't want to fly. Mistry adds: 'What really makes the holiday is the experience on the ground. The sightseeing, which can be very immersive, can be either part of a group or individual and private to the client.' 3. You can book high-end holidays If you think of simple rail journeys in Europe, luxury travel may not immediately come to mind. However, alongside Railbookers' relationships with the national rail companies, it also features luxury rail operators, hotels and experiences. Customers might want to combine the Swiss railways with the Bernina and Glacier Express for example, or VIA Rail in Canada with the Rocky Mountaineer. In India they can pair the Indian railways with The Maharajas' Express or, if they are traveling in Italy, you can book Trenitalia with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. All these classic rail journeys can be packaged up with a great range of properties across the globe, with luxury options such as Fairmont, Intercontinental and Kimpton hotels. 4. You can get personal support from the UK trade team There is plenty of support for agents in the UK. Railbookers has recently added two new business development roles, Mistry and key account manager, Levi Barrett. The pair are on hand to support agents and are offering bespoke training to all of their travel partners. Mistry says: 'We're offering a lot of virtual training and the opportunity to meet at conferences as well. We are also seeing a number of our travel partners looking at doing virtual consumer events.' 5. You can access resources in an online portal Railbookers' travel agent portal is a brilliant resource if you are keen to find out more. It has a wealth of material including the Travel Agent Reference Card – a simple guide that agents can download and use as a day-to-day reference for all the destinations that Railbookers covers. There are also downloadable flyers and brochures for the likes of Switzerland, Italy, Australia, Canada, and customisable flyers if you want to feature specific itineraries too. Access to the portal is via the Railbookers' website at
CNN
2 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Analysis: Western diplomats welcome two-week breather to ‘explore what is possible' on Iran's nuclear program
European negotiators are welcoming US President Donald Trump's announcement that he will make a decision on US military action in Iran within two weeks, telling CNN it offers 'breathing space' and 'a diplomatic window' that could get Iran back to the negotiating table. Speaking ahead of nuclear talks between top European and Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, one Western European diplomat told CNN that 'ideas' would be presented to Iran 'to see if there is room for maneuver and to explore what is possible.' The diplomat refused to be drawn on specifics but reiterated that the crux of the matter remained Iran's controversial uranium enrichment program and that the talks would focus on 'what kind of compromise would be feasible' on that issue. But enrichment — which Iran says it needs for peaceful purposes, while also manufacturing large quantities of near-weapons-grade material — is a major sticking point, with the Trump administration vowing that any agreement with Iran would have to entirely prohibit the country from enriching any nuclear material. For decades, Iran, which denies it intends to build a nuclear weapon, has categorically refused to give up its capabilities — instead plowing billions of dollars into refining the technology and constructing vast enrichment facilities, like the secretive Fordow installation, which is built deep underground inside a mountain. After launching its first wave of strikes on Iran, Israel pointed to a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which acknowledged Iran is enriching uranium to a higher level than other countries without nuclear weapons programs, in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. But after more than a week of intensive Israeli airstrikes, which has seen Iran lose large parts of its enrichment program, the Islamic Republic's hardline calculations may eventually change, the Western European diplomat told CNN. 'Because Iran is now under immense military pressure, it might run out of options, and their nuclear capability is being degraded,' the diplomat said. Until Trump's decision to allow diplomacy another shot, the Geneva talks had looked like a European sideshow, with the US seemingly poised to join with Israel in the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities. The meeting, between the EU's foreign policy chief, alongside the British, French and German foreign ministers and their Iranian counterpart, is now taking on greater significance, setting the stage for next steps and possibly acting as a bridge between Iran and the United States. But there is an underlying fear in Geneva that the reinvigorated talks here, the first formal meetings with Iranian representatives since the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, will still go nowhere. Even Trump's announcement of a two-week window may be a ploy by the mercurial American president to play for time, the Western European diplomat told CNN, while US military forces are assembled and readied for the 'big gamble' of a military intervention that 'could inflame the region.' 'It's impossible to read anything Trump says because there is a daily barrage of statements,' the diplomat added.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Addex Therapeutics Ltd (ADXN) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Advances and ...
Cash Balance: CHF2.8 million as of March 31, 2025. Cash Runway: Expected to last through mid-2026. Continuing R&D Expenses: CHF0.1 million, primarily related to the GABAB PAM program. Continuing G&A Expenses: CHF0.5 million, primarily related to corporate loan activities. Net Loss from Discontinued Operations: Specific line item due to divested business. Current Liabilities: CHF1.1 million as of March 31, 2025. Non-Current Liabilities: CHF0.1 million as of March 31, 2025. Equity Interest: 20% equity interest in a divested business, recorded under non-current assets. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with ADXN. Release Date: June 19, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Addex Therapeutics Ltd (NASDAQ:ADXN) has made significant progress in its GABAB positive allosteric modulator program with partner Indivior, completing IND-enabling studies for substance use disorders. The company regained rights to its mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator program from Johnson & Johnson, opening new therapeutic opportunities. Addex Therapeutics Ltd (NASDAQ:ADXN) has repositioned its mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator program for brain injury recovery, with promising preclinical data supporting its potential. The company has a strong cash position with CHF2.8 million, providing a runway through mid-2026, and has reduced cash burn following the Neurosterix spinout. Addex Therapeutics Ltd (NASDAQ:ADXN) has a robust pipeline with multiple programs advancing, including a promising candidate for chronic cough with favorable preclinical efficacy and tolerability. The current cash position does not fund the progression of unpartnered programs into the clinic, indicating potential future financing needs. Revenue decreased compared to the previous year due to the completion of the funded research phase with Indivior, impacting financial performance. The company faces competition in the chronic cough market, with existing compounds showing promising efficacy but challenging tolerability profiles. There is uncertainty regarding the clinical development pathway and competitive landscape for the chronic cough program, which could impact future success. Addex Therapeutics Ltd (NASDAQ:ADXN) needs to conduct further studies to optimize the use of dipraglurant in post-stroke rehabilitation, indicating a longer timeline before potential market entry. Q: Can you provide your updated thoughts on the current competitive landscape in chronic cough and the relevance of proceeding programs for your clinical development pathway? A: Mikhail Kalinichev, Head of Translational Science, explained that there are several compounds in development, such as now roofing, which has shown promising efficacy but with tolerability challenges. Addex aims to deliver similar efficacy with improved tolerability, targeting both IPF-related and refractory chronic cough. The development plan includes studies in healthy volunteers and a challenge study in chronic cough patients, followed by a Phase 2 study with advanced monitoring technologies. Q: Can you comment on the potential applicability of your agent for chronic painful cough in indications outside of IPF, like pulmonary sarcoidosis? A: Mikhail Kalinichev noted that chronic painful cough could be a suitable indication due to the sustained activation of GABAB across multiple conditions, including chronic cough. Tim Dyer, CEO, added that they are considering this indication for Phase 2 development. Q: Regarding dipraglurant in post-stroke rehabilitation, what would an appropriate control arm look like in a registration-quality study, and what is the efficacy bar in this indication? A: Mikhail Kalinichev stated that dipraglurant would be used alongside physiotherapy due to its short half-life and good tolerability. They plan to conduct clinical pharmacology studies to understand its modulation effects better, which will inform the design of a Phase 2 study. The efficacy bar is challenging as no pharmacotherapies are currently approved in this context. Q: Can you elaborate on the strategic importance of your GABAB positive allosteric modulator program with Indivior? A: Tim Dyer highlighted the program's potential to deliver a better baclofen for substance use disorders, with a longer half-life and improved side effect profile. The partnership with Indivior is crucial, as it allows Addex to advance its own independent GABAB PAM program for chronic cough, leveraging the strong rationale for GABAB PAMs in this area. Q: What are the financial implications of your recent achievements and strategic partnerships? A: Tim Dyer reported that Addex completed Q1 2025 with CHF2.8 million in cash, providing a runway through mid-2026. The cash burn has been reduced following the Neurosterix spinout, and the company is well-positioned to deliver on strategic objectives, including advancing their pipeline and exploring new partnerships. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
CNN
3 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Analysis: Western diplomats welcome two-week breather to ‘explore what is possible' on Iran's nuclear program
European negotiators are welcoming US President Donald Trump's announcement that he will make a decision on US military action in Iran within two weeks, telling CNN it offers 'breathing space' and 'a diplomatic window' that could get Iran back to the negotiating table. Speaking ahead of nuclear talks between top European and Iranian officials in Geneva, Switzerland, one Western European diplomat told CNN that 'ideas' would be presented to Iran 'to see if there is room for maneuver and to explore what is possible.' The diplomat refused to be drawn on specifics but reiterated that the crux of the matter remained Iran's controversial uranium enrichment program and that the talks would focus on 'what kind of compromise would be feasible' on that issue. But enrichment — which Iran says it needs for peaceful purposes, while also manufacturing large quantities of near-weapons-grade material — is a major sticking point, with the Trump administration vowing that any agreement with Iran would have to entirely prohibit the country from enriching any nuclear material. For decades, Iran, which denies it intends to build a nuclear weapon, has categorically refused to give up its capabilities — instead plowing billions of dollars into refining the technology and constructing vast enrichment facilities, like the secretive Fordow installation, which is built deep underground inside a mountain. After launching its first wave of strikes on Iran, Israel pointed to a recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which acknowledged Iran is enriching uranium to a higher level than other countries without nuclear weapons programs, in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. But after more than a week of intensive Israeli airstrikes, which has seen Iran lose large parts of its enrichment program, the Islamic Republic's hardline calculations may eventually change, the Western European diplomat told CNN. 'Because Iran is now under immense military pressure, it might run out of options, and their nuclear capability is being degraded,' the diplomat said. Until Trump's decision to allow diplomacy another shot, the Geneva talks had looked like a European sideshow, with the US seemingly poised to join with Israel in the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities. The meeting, between the EU's foreign policy chief, alongside the British, French and German foreign ministers and their Iranian counterpart, is now taking on greater significance, setting the stage for next steps and possibly acting as a bridge between Iran and the United States. But there is an underlying fear in Geneva that the reinvigorated talks here, the first formal meetings with Iranian representatives since the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, will still go nowhere. Even Trump's announcement of a two-week window may be a ploy by the mercurial American president to play for time, the Western European diplomat told CNN, while US military forces are assembled and readied for the 'big gamble' of a military intervention that 'could inflame the region.' 'It's impossible to read anything Trump says because there is a daily barrage of statements,' the diplomat added.
