Intercept Pharma Continues Downtick

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ICPT) shares are sliding on Friday morning trade, continuing a bearish trend for the last several weeks. There were no corporate announcements from the company today to influence the stock movement.

Currently, shares are at $12.07, down 12.75 percent from the previous close of $13.84 on a volume of 801,743. The shares have traded in a range of $11.60-$50.75 on average volume of 866,154.

‘Ted Lasso’ Season 2, Episode 5 Recap: Rom-Communism

Nate has status anxiety, Roy is back where he belongs, and the spirit of Meg Ryan is everywhere.

By Christopher Orr

I-70 shut down in Denver due to serious crash

Interstate 70 westbound is closed just before Quebec Street in Denver.

A two-vehicle crash with serious injuries is the cause of the closure, according to Denver police.

The Colorado Department of Transportation first reported the crash around 8:30 a.m. Friday.

The best detour is to exit I-70 at Interstate 270 and then head down Interstate 25 south until rejoining I-70 west.

Pinduoduo Shares Up 8%

Shares of Pinduoduo Inc. (PDD) are currently trading at $80.72, up $6.03 or 8.07%, with trading volume of over 2.63 million versus an average volume of 7.78 million shares. The stock has been trading in the range of $69.89 – $212.60 for the past one year.

Pinduoduo announced partnership with Bayer Crop Science for annual Smart Agriculture Competition to develop “one-click planting” solutions. To be held from August 2021 to March 2022, the Smart Agriculture Competition’s objective is to boost the yield and nutritional content of tomatoes while ensuring the process is cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

Colorado Weather: Cooler temperatures, less smoke for Friday

After active weather on Thursday, the forecast for Friday is much quieter.

High temperatures for Friday in Denver will only reach the low to middle 80s.

Conditions will be dry and windy. Wind gusts could reach as high as 20 mph.

The storms that moved through the Denver area Thursday helped to clear out the smoke.

Mostly dry weather will be in the forecast for the rest of the weekend. Temperatures will rebound back into the 90s by Sunday.

U.S. Reports 116K New COVID Cases

About 116,545 new cases were reported in the United States on Thursday, August 12, taking total cases to 36.34 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Around 614 new deaths were reported, taking the total number of deaths to 619,250.

The 7-day average in the country is about 125,894 cases a day, about 102,342 more than a month ago. The Delta variant continues to wreak havoc as number of cases and death continue to climb in the country. Daily caseloads have increased tenfold since late June, while the number of death have doubled. Number of coronavirus patients being hospitalized have also increased significantly.

Meanwhile, the pace of vaccination has increased slowly in recent weeks as more corporate companies, firms and institutions have announced vaccine requirements. As of August 12, more than 167.4 million people have been fully vaccinated, i.e. 51% of the US population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Around 59.2% of all Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine.

The federal officials have also recommended indoor masking regardless of vaccination status.

Meanwhile, with the efficacy of vaccines demonstrated, the FDA on Thursday authorized an additional third dose to be administered to people with compromised immune systems.

Buckle, Inc. Q2 Net Income Rises – Quick Facts

The Buckle, Inc. (BKE) reported second quarter net income of $51.4 million, or $1.04 per share compared to $34.7 million, or $0.71 per share, a year ago. Net sales increased 36.6 percent to $295.1 million from $216.0 million, previous year. Online sales declined 5.5 percent to $43.4 million from $46.0 million.

The company noted that its results for prior year were significantly impacted by the closure of all brick and mortar stores due to the COVID19 pandemic beginning March 18, 2020. Also, the company does not plan to separately report comparable store sales
for the periods most affected by the store closures.

Fitch Solutions says 10-20% GDP collapse possible for Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

Aug 20 (Reuters) – A collapse in Afghanistan’s gross domestic product of 10% to 20% cannot be ruled out following the Taliban’s takeover of the country, the research and risk analysis arm of rating agency Fitch told Reuters.

“It is hard to see how the country will achieve any positive growth this year,” Anwita Basu, Head of Asia Country Risk, Fitch Solutions, said on Friday.

How to Make Dinner Without Cooking Anything

Follow a simple formula for colorful, satisfying dishes that don’t require turning on the oven or stove.

By Ali Slagle

Movers are seen at mansion as Cuomo prepares to leave office

ALBANY, N.Y. — A moving van was at the governor’s mansion in Albany on Friday and workers were seen carrying out boxes and artwork as Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepared for his last day in office.

The Democrat is scheduled to have a last full day as governor Monday, giving way to Lt. Kathy Hochul at the stroke of midnight.

Cuomo hasn’t said where he’ll be living once he leaves the Executive Mansion. He formerly had a residence in Mount Kisco, north of New York City, with the television personality Sandra Lee, but the former couple sold the home after they split up.

Office of General Services spokesperson Joe Brill told The Associated Press the governor will need to vacate the state mansion by the time he leaves office.

In addition to a U-Haul van on the mansion’s grounds, photographers snapped pictures of state workers loading items into into an SUV with Office of General Services plates.

Cuomo’s spokespeople and the Office of General Services didn’t immediately respond to questions Friday about whether the moving vans were there for Cuomo’s belongings or not.

Legislative leaders have yet to receive Cuomo’s resignation letter. He announced he would resign days after a report commissioned by the state attorney general concluded that he sexually harassed at least 11 women.