New Statement from Doral Legal Counsel Matthew D. McGill Regarding Doral Negotiations with Hacienda

August 22, 2014

New Statement from Doral Legal Counsel Matthew D. McGill Regarding Doral Negotiations with Hacienda

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In response to recent developments in the negotiations between Doral Financial Corporation and the Puerto Rico Treasury Department, Matthew D. McGill of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher issued the following statement:

“Doral has not left the negotiations. The Treasury Department attempted on Thursday to introduce into the negotiations so-called “business points” conceived by its new outside counsel, Foley & Lardner, that were contrary to the provisions of the agreement reached and sworn to by the parties in front of Judge Perez-Perez of the Court of the First Instance. Foley & Lardner recently represented Doral in a related matter and that raises a conflict of interest. It has a duty of loyalty to its client, Doral, from acting adversely to Doral. For that reason, Doral sought guidance from Judge Perez-Perez as to how to proceed. Judge Perez-Perez ruled that the parties will continue negotiations today under her supervision, without the participation of Foley & Lardner, and according to the terms previously agreed by the parties.”

Doral Financial Corporation is a bank holding company engaged in banking, mortgage banking and insurance agency activities through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Doral Bank, with operations on the mainland U.S. (New York metropolitan area and northwest region of Florida) and Puerto Rico. Doral Financial Corporation’s common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DRL. Additional information about the case of Doral Financial Corporation against the Government of Puerto Rico can be found at www.DoralPuertoRicoFacts.com.

FPL customer bills expected to decrease in 2015

August 22, 2014

FPL customer bills expected to decrease in 2015

FPL’s typical, 1,000-kWh residential bill projected to remain:

– Lower than it was in 2009

– Lower than the national average

– Lowest in Florida for sixth year in a row

JUNO BEACH, Fla., Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today announced that, subject to approval by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC), it expects to reduce customer rates in 2015.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140822/138896
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120301/FL62738LOGO

Based on the company’s projections filed today, FPL’s typical 1,000-kilowatt-hour residential customer bill will decrease nearly $2 a month beginning in January 2015. At the same time, typical business customer bills are expected to decrease roughly 1 percent, depending on rate class and type of service.

“This is terrific news for our customers, particularly now as the cost of other essentials continues to rise,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “Our continued strategy of making smart, long-term investments is paying off for our customers not only with enhanced service reliability and cleaner power, but also lower rates.”

Today, FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is already lower than it was five years ago due largely to savings on fuel costs. After the anticipated reduction in January, FPL’s typical bill will be about 9 percent lower than it was in 2009.

Also, FPL’s typical residential bill remains approximately 25 percent lower than the U.S. average and is projected to continue to be the lowest in Florida for a sixth year in a row.

“Our customers are seeing lower electric rates while we’re also delivering them power that’s far cleaner,” added Silagy. “By investing in efficient, U.S.-produced natural gas and zero-emissions nuclear and solar energy, we have driven down our emissions rates year after year. Today, FPL is one of the cleanest electric utilities in the nation. Our carbon emissions rate is 35 percent cleaner than the U.S. average, and we’ve reduced our use of foreign oil by 99 percent – all while lowering customers’ bills. In particular, the investments we’ve made since 2001 in converting our old, oil-fired power plants to modern energy centers that run on clean, U.S.-produced natural gas have saved our customers $6.8 billion dollars and counting.”

Estimates released today reflect FPL’s projections for 2015 for the cost of fuel to generate power and other components of a customer’s electric bill. As investments in fuel-efficient power plants continue to benefit customers, FPL projects that its fuel charge will remain near its lowest levels in the past decade. In addition, the company expects to save customers on nuclear development, conservation, purchased power and other non-fuel costs compared with 2014.

FPL’s Typical 1,000-kWh Residential Customer Monthly Bill
2014	2014 to 2015 Change	2015
$101.51	– $1.86 *decrease* projected in monthly bill	$99.65
Notes: 2014 bill reflects approved rates in effect for December 2014. 2015 bill estimate includes projected 2015 rates for fuel, capacity, environmental and conservation; the current storm charge; and the state gross receipts tax. All rates are subject to change and must be approved by the PSC before implementation.

Rates are not final until approved by the PSC. As part of the annual regulatory process, the PSC is expected to review electric utilities’ projections later this fall in order for new rates to take effect in January 2015.

FPL Energy Dashboard and Integrated Online Home Energy Survey can help customers save even more

FPL’s Online Home Energy Survey can help customers fast-forward to lower bills with personalized energy-savings plans, tips and recommendations that can save a typical household up to $250 a year. The survey is integrated with a customer’s individual FPL Energy Dashboard – which is updated automatically with hourly, daily and monthly energy usage data, monthly bill amounts, local temperature readings and more – so tracking and managing energy costs is easier than ever. Customers can visit FPL.com/easytosave to learn more.

Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 4.7 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. As of year-end 2013, FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 25 percent lower than the national average and the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2014 as the most trusted U.S. electric utility by Market Strategies International, and has earned the national ServiceOne Award for outstanding customer service for an unprecedented 10 consecutive years. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,900 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.FPL.com.

Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but instead represent the current expectations of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NextEra Energy) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) regarding future operating results and other future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s control. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “will,” “may result,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “aim,” “potential,” “projection,” “forecast,” “predict,” “goals,” “target,” “outlook,” “should,” “would” or similar words or expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. The future results of NextEra Energy and FPL and their business and financial condition are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause their actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or may require them to limit or eliminate certain operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: effects of extensive regulation of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s business operations; inability of NextEra Energy and FPL to recover in a timely manner any significant amount of costs, a return on certain assets or an appropriate return on capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise; impact of political, regulatory and economic factors on regulatory decisions important to NextEra Energy and FPL; disallowance of cost recovery by FPL based on a finding of imprudent use of derivative instruments; effect of any reductions to or elimination of governmental incentives that support renewable energy projects of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and its affiliated entities (NextEra Energy Resources) or the imposition of additional taxes or assessments on renewable energy; impact of new or revised laws, regulations or interpretations or other regulatory initiatives on NextEra Energy and FPL; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of potential regulatory action to broaden the scope of regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) financial derivatives and to apply such regulation to NextEra Energy and FPL; capital expenditures, increased operating costs and various liabilities attributable to environmental laws, regulations and other standards applicable to NextEra Energy and FPL; effects on NextEra Energy and FPL of federal or state laws or regulations mandating new or additional limits on the production of greenhouse gas emissions; exposure of NextEra Energy and FPL to significant and increasing compliance costs and substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions as a result of extensive federal regulation of their operations; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of changes in tax laws and in judgments and estimates used to determine tax-related asset and liability amounts; impact on NextEra Energy and FPL of adverse results of litigation; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of failure to proceed with projects under development or inability to complete the construction of (or capital improvements to) electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities or other facilities on schedule or within budget; impact on development and operating activities of NextEra Energy and FPL resulting from risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements; risks involved in the operation and maintenance of electric generation, transmission and distribution facilities, gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities; effect on NextEra Energy and FPL of a lack of growth or slower growth in the number of customers or in customer usage; impact on NextEra Energy and FPL of severe weather and other weather conditions; threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber attacks or other attempts to disrupt NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s business or the businesses of third parties; inability to obtain adequate insurance coverage for protection of NextEra Energy and FPL against significant losses and risk that insurance coverage does not provide protection against all significant losses; risk to NextEra Energy Resources of increased operating costs resulting from unfavorable supply costs necessary to provide NextEra Energy Resources’ full energy and capacity requirement services; inability or failure by NextEra Energy Resources to manage properly or hedge effectively the commodity risk within its portfolio; potential volatility of NextEra Energy’s results of operations caused by sales of power on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis; effect of reductions in the liquidity of energy markets on NextEra Energy’s ability to manage operational risks; effectiveness of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s risk management tools associated with their hedging and trading procedures to protect against significant losses, including the effect of unforeseen price variances from historical behavior; impact of unavailability or disruption of power transmission or commodity transportation facilities on sale and delivery of power or natural gas by FPL and NextEra Energy Resources; exposure of NextEra Energy and FPL to credit and performance risk from customers, hedging counterparties and vendors; failure of NextEra Energy or FPL counterparties to perform under derivative contracts or of requirement for NextEra Energy or FPL to post margin cash collateral under derivative contracts; failure or breach of NextEra Energy’s or FPL’s information technology systems; risks to NextEra Energy and FPL’s retail businesses from compromise of sensitive customer data; losses from volatility in the market values of derivative instruments and limited liquidity in OTC markets; impact of negative publicity; inability of NextEra Energy and FPL to maintain, negotiate or renegotiate acceptable franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida; increasing costs of health care plans; lack of a qualified workforce or the loss or retirement of key employees; occurrence of work strikes or stoppages and increasing personnel costs; NextEra Energy’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions, including the effect of increased competition for acquisitions; environmental, health and financial risks associated with NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s ownership and operation of nuclear generation facilities; liability of NextEra Energy and FPL for significant retrospective assessments and/or retrospective insurance premiums in the event of an incident at certain nuclear generation facilities; increased operating and capital expenditures at nuclear generation facilities of NextEra Energy or FPL resulting from orders or new regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; inability to operate any of NextEra Energy Resources’ or FPL’s owned nuclear generation units through the end of their respective operating licenses; liability of NextEra Energy and FPL for increased nuclear licensing or compliance costs resulting from hazards, and increased public attention to hazards, posed to their owned nuclear generation facilities; risks associated with outages of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s owned nuclear units; effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets on NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s ability to fund their liquidity and capital needs and meet their growth objectives; inability of NextEra Energy, FPL and NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. to maintain their current credit ratings; impairment of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s liquidity from inability of creditors to fund their credit commitments or to maintain their current credit ratings; poor market performance and other economic factors that could affect NextEra Energy’s defined benefit pension plan’s funded status; poor market performance and other risks to the asset values of NextEra Energy’s and FPL’s nuclear decommissioning funds; changes in market value and other risks to certain of NextEra Energy’s investments; effect of inability of NextEra Energy subsidiaries to pay upstream dividends or repay funds to NextEra Energy or of NextEra Energy’s performance under guarantees of subsidiary obligations on NextEra Energy’s ability to meet its financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock; and effect of disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit and capital markets of the market price of NextEra Energy’s common stock. NextEra Energy and FPL discuss these and other risks and uncertainties in their annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and other SEC filings, and this press release should be read in conjunction with such SEC filings made through the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release and NextEra Energy and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

(Español) Se reportan dos muertes con sillones puff de Ace Bayou; se anuncia retiro por peligros de sofocación y ahogamiento

August 22, 2014

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Governor Mike Huckabee, Preview Efforts to Champion Equality in American Classrooms

August 22, 2014

National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Governor Mike Huckabee, Preview Efforts to Champion Equality in American Classrooms

More than 50 Faith Leaders Participate in Conference Emphasizing High Academic Standards, Biblical Principles to Create Greater Opportunity among Minority Students

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Former Governor Mike Huckabee joined Dr. Carlos Campo and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) today to call on the Christian community to join efforts to help close inequality gaps in the U.S. education system. Speaking to over 50 Hispanic pastors from across the United States, Huckabee and Campo underscored the need for high education standards and conservative values to reach underserved minority students.

“The Bible teaches us that we are all children of God and equal in his sight, and as Americans, we are united in the principle that every person deserves an equal opportunity,” Governor Huckabee said. “Yet because of a persistent disparity, too many children – particularly in economically disadvantaged communities – are graduating without the requisite skills needed to succeed. I agree with NHCLC’s leadership and their 40,000 Hispanic evangelical congregations that as Christians we have a responsibility to set our expectations high for children and educators, and to insist that policymakers do the same.”

Despite significant academic gains in recent years, Latino and African-American students face uphill challenges in the classroom. Hispanic and black students are less likely than white students to graduate high school on time, and only slightly more than a third will enroll in college. About 45 percent of college-bound Hispanic students require remediation in English or math courses, which significantly decreases their chances of obtaining a degree on time.

In time for the new school year, the NHCLC has launched a website, http://www.FaithandEducation.com, where pastors and parents can access tools and information supporting their education initiatives. Resources at the site include Raising the Standards videos, a new Parent Toolkit, resources for National Hispanic Education Sunday (September 7, 2014), and a call for Education Liaisons in each congregation.

“Just as Paul wrote, ‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice,’ Hispanic churches place a high value on education,” said Dr. Campo. “But even though Latino high school graduation rates are on the rise, too often a high school diploma does not adequately prepare the graduate for college or a career. The NHCLC’s goal is to organize the 16 million American Hispanic Evangelical Christians to demand a public school system that equips all students with the skills they need to succeed – including adoption and application of the Common Core State Standards across the country.”

About the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
NHCLC/Conela is the largest Hispanic Christian organization serving millions of Evangelicals, 40,118 U.S. churches and more than 500,000 churches across the globe. Seeking to reconcile evangelist Billy Graham’s message of salvation with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s march of prophetic activism, the NHCLC/Conela emphasizes “7 Directives” of Life, Family, Compassionate Evangelism, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.

Catholic Relief Services Commits $1 Million to help Persecuted Iraqis

August 22, 2014

Catholic Relief Services Commits $1 Million to help Persecuted Iraqis

BALTIMORE, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has committed an initial $1 million in private funding to help victims of the escalating violence in northern Iraq. With the help of our partners in Iraq, CRS is currently providing food, water and essential living supplies to families in desperate need of the essentials. Over the next six months, CRS hopes to more than double our initial $1 million commitment and help an additional 30,000 people with social support and trauma counseling, education for children and preparation for longer-term resettlement.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140821/138714
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140821/138716
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140821/138717

The situation is horrific, said Kris Ozar, CRS emergency response coordinator in Iraq. People are completely traumatized after being forced to flee their homes under threat of death. Many have nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Some who tried to pack their belongings were stripped of everything–even the rings off their fingers–at mandatory checkpoints,” he said.

With support from our Catholic Church partners in Iraq, CRS has provided immediate, life-saving assistance to almost 4,000 families forced to flee their homes by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Religious minorities including Christians, Yazidis, Turkmen and Shia Muslims have been singled out for attack. Many are living in empty houses, schools, clinics, church compounds and abandoned buildings, with living conditions deteriorating.

“Every day, I meet brave but frightened people who have no idea what the future holds. Recently I met a young mother with a three-week-old baby living in a school. Then, I met a man who took in 20 orphaned children from Mt. Sinjar. Another day, I met a former humanitarian aid worker from Caritas Iraq huddled with his family under the shade of a lone tree in the desert. This man, who used to help people, now needs help himself,” said Ozar.

Pope Francis launched an appeal for unity, calling for “security, peace and a future of reconciliation and justice, where all Iraqis, whatever their religion, could build their nation together, creating a model of coexistence.” For more information about how CRS is assisting persecuted minorities in Iraq, visit crs.org.

CRS staff is available for interviews.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS eases suffering and provides assistance to people in need in 93 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Our programs touch nearly 100 million lives. CRS has been helping people in need for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.

Online Resources for Journalists

CRS NewsWire for up-to-date information on CRS’ work and emergency relief as it happens.
Twitter @CRSNews
YouTube Catholic Relief Channel
Facebook

The Home Depot Names Craig Menear CEO, Effective November 1, 2014

August 21, 2014

The Home Depot Names Craig Menear CEO, Effective November 1, 2014

ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced that Craig Menear, currently president, U.S. retail, has been named CEO and president, effective November 1, 2014, and has been elected to the company’s board of directors, effectively immediately. Current chairman and CEO Frank Blake will remain chairman.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO

Menear, who was named president, U.S. retail in February of this year, is a 34-year retail veteran and a key leader in the company’s success. In addition to his role as chief merchant, Menear has overseen the company’s supply chain efforts, its rapidly growing online and private brand businesses and the company’s marketing and global sourcing.

“Craig has taken on increasing leadership responsibility over the last several years and has excelled in all his roles,” said Blake. “As a long-time Home Depot veteran, Craig lives our values and embodies our culture. He’ll do an outstanding job leading our company in the years ahead.”

Blake has been Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot since 2007.

“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Frank for the job he has done over the last seven years,” said Greg Brenneman, the board’s lead director. “Among his many accomplishments, Frank has built a world-class leadership team. We are fortunate to have a leader of Craig’s capabilities as our new CEO.”

The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,265 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2013, The Home Depot had sales of $78.8 billion and earnings of $5.4 billion. The company employs more than 300,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

It’s a New Day for Unlimited Data

August 21, 2014

It’s a New Day for Unlimited Data

Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan – Unlimited Talk, Text and Data –The Best Value on Unlimited Data

$20 Cheaper than T-Mobile; Not Offered by AT&T and Verizon Wireless

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — It’s a new day for unlimited data in the wireless industry as Sprint (NYSE: S) announces the best unlimited wireless plan available from a national carrier with the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan. This plan provides consumers unlimited talk, text and data while on America’s Newest Network for just $60 per month, a $20 savings compared to T-Mobile’s $80 per month unlimited plan. Simple, easy, affordable – the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan is available to both new and existing Sprint customers starting tomorrow, August 22. To qualify for the plan, customers must purchase their device through Sprint Easy Pay, pay full retail price or bring their own compatible device.

Whether communicating via email or text, socializing via picture-sharing or tweeting, or navigating with GPS, consumers rely on their smartphones for all of their daily needs. Last year U.S. wireless consumers devoured 3.23 trillion MB of data, according to CTIA’s annual survey¹, which equates to watching more than 153 billion five minute cat videos on YouTube, or streaming more than 53.8 billion hours of music on Spotify. Meanwhile, millions of American consumers restrict their usage, fearful of data limits with overage charges. With the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan, consumers no longer have to worry about high bills based on how much data they are using. Enjoying daily life with the unlimited support of a smartphone has never been so easy.

“People know Sprint for Unlimited,” said Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO. “We have long been the leader in offering customers unlimited data and that leadership continues today with our new $60 unlimited plan. Unlimited talk, text and data for $60 is the best unlimited postpaid plan available. And, we’ve listened to our loyal customers; we’re making the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan available to both new and existing customers.”

Just days ago, Sprint declared a new day for data and announced the Sprint Family Share Pack – a new shared-data plan that can give customers double the high-speed data at a lower price than AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Whether consumers prefer to share or have unlimited data, with Sprint, they can find just the plan they need to get the most out of their smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices.

“With the new Sprint Family Share pack and now the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan, Sprint is giving consumers what they want: choice, simplicity and value,” Claure said.

The Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan also is an ideal fit for small businesses, enabling their employees to be more productive in more places and providing the ability to stay on top of what matters most.

Competitive Comparison

Sprint continues its long history of offering consumers an unlimited data option. The Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan is the best value unlimited plan among national carriers available in the market today, providing significant savings over competitor plans. The Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan saves customers $20 a month compared to T-Mobile’s $80 unlimited plan. And AT&T and Verizon Wireless don’t even offer unlimited data plans. With the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan, consumers can talk, text and use data, knowing that their market-leading plan is one low price of $60 without surprising overage charges. (All prices exclude taxes and surcharges.)

Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan Competitive Comparison

	Sprint	T-Mobile	AT&T	Verizon

1 Line	$60	$80	These guys don’t even offer Unlimited!

America’s Newest Network

The Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan comes as Sprint already has built its 4G LTE network to serve more than 255 million people, with more on the way.

But that’s not all. In addition to Sprint’s all new 3G network and its 4G LTE network, Sprint is deploying Sprint Spark, a technology designed to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications, including new generations of online gaming, virtual reality and advanced cloud services. It enables stutter-free video chat on-the-go and mobile gaming that leaves lag behind.

Available today in 27 markets across the country, Sprint Spark is an enhanced LTE service that’s built for data and designed to deliver average wireless speeds of 6-15Mbps and peak wireless speeds of 50-60Mbps today on capable devices, with increasing speed potential over time. Sprint plans to reach 100 million Americans by year-end with the service.²

About Sprint

Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 54 million customers as of June 30, 2014 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved U.S. company in customer satisfaction, across all 43 industries, over the last six years. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America in 2011, 2012 and 2013. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

¹Information from “Year-End U.S. Figures from CTIA’s Annual Survey Report,” CTIA – The Wireless Association.
²To improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network.

CR-Z Sport Hybrid Gets Supercharged with HPD Street Performance

August 21, 2014

American Honda Motor — HPD Supercharger Kit for the Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid

CR-Z Sport Hybrid Gets Supercharged with HPD Street Performance

– Accessory supercharger kit boosts powertrain output to 197 hp

– Full range of CR-Z street performance parts from HPD now on sale

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Supercharged performance for the street is now available in the Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe through a new dealer-installed Honda Performance Development (HPD) supercharger kit. Best known as Honda’s North American racing company, HPD developed a full line of street performance accessories for the CR-Z and first revealed them at the 2013 SEMA Show. With the debut of the supercharger kit this month, all of the HPD street performance components for the CR-Z are now available at Honda dealers in the United States.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140820/138311

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73520

“The CR-Z was the first hybrid to prove that efficiency doesn’t have to come at the cost of sportiness and fun,” said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development. “With HPD street performance accessories, including the new supercharger kit, the CR-Z will surprise everyone again with even higher levels of performance directly inspired by our on-track racing efforts.”

Available for the 2013 and 2014 CR-Z, the HPD supercharger kit boosts total powertrain output to 197 hp¹ (vs. 130 hp in the stock 2013 and 2014 CR-Z with manual transmission) and includes the HPD air-to-air intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, an ECU calibrated to meet CARB AT-PZEV regulations with 91 octane fuel and the HPD air filter system. Honda’s Suggested Retail Price of the kit is $5,495, not including dealer installation, which is priced similarly to popular aftermarket supercharger kits but is engineered and backed by Honda. The HPD supercharger kit maintains the balance of customer’s 5 year/ 60,000 mile Honda limited powertrain warranty when installed by a Honda dealer. The HPD supercharger kit is available exclusively for CR-Z manual transmission models and HPD has developed an optional limited slip differential and HPD sport clutch for those customers looking for an even higher level of performance.

When equipped with available HPD street performance accessories, the CR-Z (automobiles.honda.com/cr-z/hpd.aspx) can feature a variety of track-proven, street-reliable performance upgrades. HPD-developed powertrain modifications – tested on-track – include a high-efficiency centrifugal supercharger; HPD air-to-air intercooler; high-flow fuel injectors; an ECU calibrated to meet CARB AT-PZEV regulations with 91 octane fuel; HPD air filter system; and HPD sport exhaust. Chassis improvements include HPD sport dampers, coil springs with reduced ride height, 300mm diameter disc brakes and HPD 18-inch wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. The CR-Z is completed by a graphics package including front lip and tail spoilers, rear diffuser and HPD badge.

¹ 2013 and 2014 CR-Z estimated SAE Net horsepower. Output will vary by individual vehicle.

GE Hispanic Forum Hosts Back-to-School Event for Norton Park Elementary School

August 21, 2014

ATLANTA, Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, GE’s Hispanic Forum hosted a back-to-school community service event to support local students in need. More than 75 GE employees assembled back-to-school backpacks, which will be donated to North Park Elementary School. The backpacks are filled with supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks and healthy snacks.

The event is part of the GE Hispanic Forum’s ongoing initiative to promote academic achievement and healthy living amongst Hispanic students.

During the event, GE Hispanic Forum members also set a goal to raise $8,000 for scholarships to support its partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. GE launched the partnership in 2011 to provide financial resources to assist outstanding Hispanic college students. Within two years, the Hispanic Forum has successfully raised over $200,000, which has provided college scholarships to 58 Hispanic students, some of whom are first-generation college attendees.

“A solid education will open limitless opportunities for Hispanic students in Atlanta and around the country,” said Hernando Madronero, Senior Vice President of Nuclear Engineering at GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy. “Our goal is to inspire the next generation of Hispanic leaders and cultivate lasting interest in STEM careers among Hispanics across the country. These backpacks and school supplies will help local students on their journey to gain an education that will prepare them for the jobs of the future.”

Jeffrey Mosley, Norton Park Elementary Assistant School Principal, attended the event and thanked GE for its gift and support.

“On behalf of Norton Park Elementary School, I would like to thank GE for its generous gift of 250 school backpacks including healthy snacks and meals for our students. The backpacks and their content will provide critical support to our students who work hard each day to succeed. As a Title-I school we are often faced with the challenge of meeting basic needs before we can focus on academic readiness and achievement. In some cases, access to food during non-school hours is a challenge. Your support and generosity will support families that otherwise may be unable to provide adequate and nutritious food for their children,” said Assistant Principal Mosley.

The GE Hispanic Forum was established in 1996 as an employee-based affinity group created to attract, retain and develop Hispanic talent within GE. GEHF currently has over 3,100 members in the U.S. and globally who work to engage and support Hispanic communities around the country.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com.

For more information, contact:
Dan Nelson
GE
Digital Energy
+1 678 742 1462
[email protected]

Rancho Mirage, California Physician Saves Casino Worker from Deadly ‘Flesh Eating Disease’

August 20, 2014

Rancho Mirage, California Physician Saves Casino Worker from Deadly ‘Flesh Eating Disease’

Working at the Eisenhower Medical Center, Dr. Anibal R. Gauto saves a patient using a groundbreaking new treatment: NovaBay’s NeutroPhase Wound Cleanser

RANCHO MIRAGE, California, Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NNFF) today announced that a patient named Fernando Davila has been successfully treated for a life threatening form of necrotizing fasciitis, or “flesh eating disease”, by Dr, Anibal R. Gauto, Medical Director of Inpatient Wound Care and founder of The Wound Care Center, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California.

Video – http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/Fernando_Davila_Necrotizing_Fasciitis.mp4

Dr. Gauto used a new treatment pioneered by Dr. John Crew at Seton Hospital in Daly City, California. “Without this treatment Mr. Davila could have had both legs amputated or even lost his life. This is a significant advancement in treatment and I believe we will be able to significantly improve the care of patients suffering from this disease”, said Dr. Gauto.

Despite suffering from diabetes, chronic kidney failure and being on dialysis, Mr. Davila had led an active life working full time as a casino employee. He enjoyed his family life and taking his grandchildren to the park and swimming. He developed small discolored darkened lesions on both lower legs that became painful and infected. He was admitted to the hospital, treated with antibiotics, and a surgeon took him to the operating room to debride his wounds. The real nature of the infection was not initially recognized and he was discharged and sent home to be cared for by visiting nurses. He became progressively worse, his wounds enlarged, and the infection extended to his left foot. He was readmitted to the hospital once again, but this time Dr. Anibal R. Gauto was consulted.

Dr. Gauto treated his first severe case of necrotizing fasciitis in 1971, while in training at the University of Cincinnati’s General Hospital. This hospital was a major tertiary referral center for all kinds of severe “surgical infections”. In the ensuing 43 years of general surgery, vascular surgery and wound care practice, Dr. Gauto operated upon close to one hundred cases of necrotizing soft tissues infections.

“Many victims of necrotizing fasciitis lose limbs and about 20-70% lose their lives, even with aggressive treatment because doctors often don’t diagnose the disease early enough, failing to recognize its biological behavior and severity,” said Dr. Gauto. “Many physicians believe that antibiotics alone can stop the infection and cure the disease. That is wrong and far from reality. Infections such as these require early surgery and antibiotics,” explains Dr. Gauto. “What makes necrotizing fasciitis especially deadly is that the invading bacteria in the wound produce toxins that kill tissue but they also diffuse away from the dead tissue and soak surrounding live tissues. These areas of tissue soaked in toxins, not visible to surgeons’ eyes, are frequently left behind during surgeries. They go on killing more tissues and are responsible for the subsequent progression of infection and the repeated surgeries frequently necessary to ultimately control this disease. Also when bacteria die, killed by antibiotics, and their cell membranes rupture, they release more toxins into the wound.”

In the traditional treatment, surgeons treat the disease by cutting away all dead infected tissue, with reasonable margins to stop the damage from toxins. The tissue that is alive looks viable, but it is soaked in invisible toxins and if left, will later die and the patient will have to return to surgery to cut more tissue out. Dr. Gauto had patients that have had 4, 5, and 6 operations over a period of 8 to 10 days.

The earlier surgeons start the surgical treatment, the greater the chance that more lives and limbs will be saved. But too often the correct treatment is not started soon enough. “I have been terribly frustrated for years and years,” said Dr. Gauto. “When doctors don’t quickly recognize the disease, the consequences are devastating and terrible: multiple surgeries, amputations and/or death. The suffering of patients and their families is absolutely atrocious.”

In addition to the need to diagnose and properly treat the disease sooner it is obvious, what has been badly needed is a way to neutralize these deadly toxins. “We never had a toxin neutralizer,” said Dr. Gauto. But now, doctors have that crucial toxin-neutralizing weapon in the fight against this disease. A few years ago, Dr. Gauto learned that Dr. John Crew, an old friend and colleague who directs the San Francisco Center for Advanced Wound Care at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, California, has been working with an Emeryville, California biopharmaceutical company, NovaBay^® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT: NBY), to develop a wound cleanser named NeutroPhase. The active ingredient in NeutroPhase is a substance called hypochlorous solution (HOCl), which mimics a natural chemical produced by white blood cells as a first defense against microbial invaders. Laboratory studies have shown that in addition to killing bacteria, hypochlorous solution neutralizes the toxins and appears to stop the spread of the dying tissue. Dr. Crew developed a method of irrigating wounds with NeutroPhase in combination with a common vacuum technique called negative pressure wound therapy. He has now used the treatment for more than 20 patients, saving the lives and limbs of every patient treated, as he has reported in journals like WOUNDS.

When Dr. Gauto learned of the new method he said “In theory sounds great, if it works it will be extraordinary and I would love to be part of it”. The first patient Dr. Gauto treated with NeutroPhase in 2012 had a spectacular recovery. So when Fernando Davila came back to Eisenhower Medical Center in danger of losing his legs – and even his life – and Dr. Gauto took over his care. He applied the new treatment method. By then 50% of the soft tissue of the back of Mr. Davila’s right lower leg including his Achilles tendons, two thirds of the anterior surface of his left lower leg and the dorsum of his left forefoot including tendons and two toes were infected, dead or dying. Davila felt very sick and was in excruciating pain. He and his wife knew that the situation was grim.

Dr. Gauto performed extensive surgical removal off all dead soft tissues, including his right Achilles tendon and also, the dorsum of his left foot, tendons and the left 4th and 5th toes. His wounds were treated with NeutroPhase instillations and negative pressure wound therapy as recommended by Dr. Crew, stopping the potential spread of the disease. All of his wounds were eventually skin grafted successfully. His legs and foot were saved. He was discharged from Eisenhower Medical Center to go home. Mr. Davila’s wife, his children and grandchildren were very happy to have him back home.

“I am now able to stand up on my own legs and feet and I am very excited to get back into life and do things I was not able to do” said Mr. Davila.

After seeing the results from the use of NeutroPhase, Dr. Gauto is now eager to work with the National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation and other doctors and hospitals on a national awareness campaign to spread the work about the dangers of the disease and the benefits of new NeutroPhase – based treatment. “I think this has the potential to be really big and if we can continue with these types of results we not only minimize deaths and amputations but we will significantly decrease the number of operations we will need to do on these patients,” said Dr. Gauto.

The NNFF is equally eager to publicize the efforts and successful results of doctors like Dr. Gauto who are bringing new hope to patients like Mr. Davila. “For years I could only offer emotional support to those struggling with this devastating disease” said Jacqueline Roemmele, Executive Director of the NNFF (herself a survivor of the disease). “But now, we can direct them to a new life –saving treatment and to a growing number of doctors like Dr. Gauto who are experienced at using this treatment.

Dr. Gauto also personally knows the pain and suffering of necrotizing fasciitis patients. As Jacqueline Roemmele, executive director of the NNFF describes in her new book, “Surviving the Flesh-eating Bacteria: Understanding, Preventing, Treating and Living with Necrotizing Fasciitis”. Dr. Gauto contracted the disease himself in his right shoulder two days after operating on a patient with a highly virulent infection. He was urgently hospitalized, underwent three operations in four days, spent 16 days in the hospital and took four months to heal his wound and to recover.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL NECROTIZING FASCIITIS FOUNDATION

The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation (NNFF) is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 1997 by two survivors of the disease. Since that time, NNFF has evolved to become the world’s leading resource for information regarding necrotizing fasciitis, as well as repository of cases reported worldwide. Its mission is to educate for public awareness regarding recognition of symptoms and preventative measures; to advocate research; to offer resources; and to offer support for those affected by necrotizing fasciitis, so that it may help save lives. The two founders of the organization, Jacqueline A. Roemmele and Donna Batdorff, have a second edition of their top-selling non-fiction book “Surviving the Flesh-eating Bacteria” being released this summer.

Jacqueline Roemmele

Executive Director

National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation

[email protected]

908-422-7744

1...3,1023,1033,104...3,139 Page 3,103 of 3,139