Latest news with #DavidCooper
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Calgary to break ground on long-awaited Green Line LRT project
After years of discussions and planning, city officials will break ground on Calgary's Green Line LRT project on Thursday. A ground-breaking ceremony will be held at the future Shepard LRT station in the city's southeast, kicking off Phase 1 of the project. This first phase is Calgary's largest-ever infrastructure investment, with $6.248 billion in funding from the City of Calgary and both the provincial and federal governments. However, city officials say they've identified at least $1.3 billion in additional costs the city will have to cover. The southeast segment, from Shepard to the future Grand Central Station, will build the first 10 stations and 16 kilometres of track, before connecting with the future downtown segment. It will also deliver 28 new modern low-floor light rail vehicles. 'I think when Calgarians start seeing the rails in the ground, the power lines going up and the stations starting to get built, we will get the momentum to get the job done,' said David Cooper, a transit expert and mobility consultant. 'It's actually pretty significant that it's actually happening, and I think people need to see that for the project to progress.' The design of the downtown segment is expected to be completed by next year, with construction starting in 2027. The provincial government's preferred alignment for a train through downtown is on an elevated track. Calgary's mayor still questions the impact this will have, saying property values, downtown vibrancy and public safety are still on the line. Despite not always agreeing on the project design and funding arrangements, all three levels of government are expected to be at the ground-breaking ceremony. 'Transit has pretty broad support across the political spectrum,' Cooper said. 'At the end of the day, people want to get people to work, and it doesn't matter what side of the political equation you're on – this has been a project that all three funders have said that they want this project to happen.'
CBC
09-06-2025
- CBC
Fredericton police to add more security cameras, including at 2 high schools
Fredericton police plan to have eyes on two city high schools, but the force and school district insist it's not because of a specific incident or trend. Fredericton High School and Leo Hayes High School will each get two security cameras, to be installed on school grounds as part of a plan by police to add a total of 14 cameras across the city this summer. "These schools are communities, small communities in and amongst themselves," Fredericton police Insp. David Cooper said. "And we figured, hey, here's an opportunity to ask the school board to jump on board with this. And they certainly agreed, and they're participating in the program." WATCH | Additional eyes on Fredericton high school students starting this fall: Police security cameras coming to Fredericton high schools 41 minutes ago Duration 1:58 Fredericton police will install security cameras at two high schools in the city in an attempt to deter crime and more easily solve investigations. The 14 new cameras will be an addition to the 28 security cameras set up across Fredericton over the past two years. The program was started in response to concerns about downtown crime, with 12 cameras installed in 2022. Of those, five are described as "community cameras," with their footage viewable by the public on the city's website. The other seven can only be viewed by police and city staff. Another 16 cameras have since been installed, all only viewable by police and city staff. Adding even more security cameras was one of 47 recommendations put forward by a group asked to come up with ways to reduce crime in Fredericton. In addition to the four cameras to be installed at the high schools, 10 will be installed along the Northside Trail, Crosstown Trail, the roundabout at Woodstock Road and Smythe Street, and in the downtown business district. Cooper said the idea to put security cameras at the two schools wasn't prompted by a specific incident. Rather, he said, the move is a proactive measure in light of the number of people who visit and occupy the schools on a regular school day. "When you have an area, a building where there's a thousand people in it, that's a lot of people," Cooper said. "And public safety is always a concern when you have that many people in one small area, which is why we offered the opportunity to the school board." District paying for high school cameras The beefed-up surveillance on Fredericton's two anglophone schools isn't coming free of charge. The four new cameras will cost Anglophone West School District $7,000 each, said superintendent David McTimoney. Police "explained the initiative and how it works with other partners, with the business community here in the city," he said. "And I thought that that we as a school system might also benefit from that partnership." McTimoney also said there hasn't been one single incident or trend that prompted the district to adopt the cameras. He said the schools already have their own security cameras inside, and that the additional cameras will add another layer of security for staff and students while they're on and around school grounds. "Proactively, it can certainly provide a sense of security for those who who are on the grounds," he said. "And then of course, after the fact, if there is an incident that occurs, it could certainly help with any type of investigation that might be required as well." Cameras have proved useful, says officer Since security cameras were installed nearly three years ago, they've helped with investigations into a handful of cases, Cooper said. Those include a fatal crash between a truck and cyclist at King and Westmorland streets, which didn't end with charges against the driver. The cameras "made the investigation simple because it all played out on camera," he said. Footage was also captured from the night André Bourgeois was assaulted in the Tannery last fall. He died five days later, and a 19-year old and three youth now face manslaughter charges. Other incidents caught on camera include arson af two downtown buildings and an incident where the downtown library was broken into and vandalized. Cooper said the cameras' footage can be viewed in real time by dispatchers, as well as by police officers if they want to monitor an event. The footage is kept for 14 days, with only supervising officers allowed to go back and review past footage.
Time Out
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The world's biggest queer culture museum is in Australia — and it shines during Pride Month
It's here, it's queer… it's Pride Month! And there's no better place to celebrate than at Qtopia Sydney – the world's largest centre for LGBTQIA+ history and culture, right here in Australia. This colourful museum and cultural hub in the heart of Sydney's Rainbow Precinct dazzles in June with more than 150 events spotlighting the nation's top queer artists. Down here in Australia, our Pride celebrations generally take place earlier in the year when the weather is warmer, with the world-famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade taking over Oxford Street in late February or early March. However, with growing awareness around International Pride Month happening in June, Qtopia's Pride Fest is spreading the love and creating more opportunities for connection and community (which is especially important when LGBTQIA+ rights are under threat globally). And the sparkle isn't just seasonal – it shines year-round as a proud beacon of identity, creativity and inclusion for Australia's LGBTQIA+ community. Despite only opening recently in February 2024, Qtopia Sydney has been a long time in the making. It was born from the vision of the late Professor David Cooper, a pioneering HIV/AIDS researcher who dreamed of building a space to honour those impacted by the disease. His dream was brought to life by David Polson AM, one of the first Australians to be diagnosed with HIV, who participated in 28 drug trials under Professor Cooper's care, helping pave the way for the life-saving medications we have today. Although Polson sadly passed away earlier this year, his legacy – and the legacy of those who stood loud and proud before him – lives on at Qtopia. At Qtopia, LGBTQIA+ stories aren't just recorded, but are vibrantly told and celebrated. The cultural centre hosts up to 17 thought-provoking exhibitions at any one time – all guided by five major themes: Human Rights, Sexuality and Identity, Media Representation, First Nations stories, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Throughout the year, Qtopia also comes alive with a dazzling program of theatre, cabaret, visual art, music, comedy, drag, literature events and burlesque shows. Qtopia's Artistic and Programs Director Carly Fisher describes it as "a place where stories come to life and where we strive to amplify voices that deserve to be heard. Pride Fest is one of our most powerful expressions of that mission. In just one year, it's grown by more than 180 per cent, with over 150 events and 400 artists taking part. We've built a festival that elevates bold voices, showcases emerging talent and invites audiences into a space that's vibrant, inclusive and unapologetically proud." Headlining this year's Sydney Pride Fest are three of the most awarded Queer acts on the Fringe circuit, including A Friend of Dorothy: Anthems of Pride, Skank Sinatra and The Platonic Human Centipede. Headliner artist Jens Radda (Skank Sinatra) reflects: 'Pride Fest is a fabulous reminder that while we revel in joy and glitter now, the fight for equality is ongoing and spaces like Qtopia Sydney help keep that fire alive with every show, story and sequin. I'm proud to be headlining Pride Fest and even prouder to be part of the Qtopia family, a place that honours our past while lighting the way forward.' Beyond the glitter of Pride Fest, Qtopia's doors – and arms – are open year-round. We asked some local people who identify as LGBTQIA+ what the space means to them, and here's what they had to say: Steve Spencer, LGBTQIA+ advocate and Qtopia Sydney ambassador, says: "As a proud bi man, it took me years to find my voice – but places like Qtopia Sydney give us all a place to find our voice and make a difference. It is here, where we come together to activate and celebrate, where I am reminded just how vital and joyful our stories are. Having a Queer home in the heart of the city where we connect, learn and celebrate together is life-changing for so many people." Rebbell Barnes, activist, Qtopia Sydney ambassador and the youngest person to participate in the first Mardi Gras protest in 1978, says: "As the youngest 78er and a proud ambassador for Qtopia Sydney, I'm thrilled to celebrate Sydney's vibrant Pride Month and the incredible space Qtopia Sydney has created in the heart of Taylor Square. It's a welcoming hub where artists and the community are coming together to host over 150 diverse events this Pride Month. Qtopia Sydney's mission to educate, honour our history and share stories ensures our community's rich history is celebrated and preserved. Given the global attack on gay and trans rights, it is more important than ever to stand proud and stand together. Here's to a month of pride, remembrance and unity!" You can check out our top picks for Sydney Pride Fest 2025 here, or plan your visit to Qtopia here. 🌳
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
AviadoBio Announces ASPIRE-FTD Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in the UK at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, and University College London
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AviadoBio, a pioneering gene therapy company dedicated to developing and delivering potentially transformative medicines for neurodegenerative disorders, today announced that its Phase 1/2 ASPIRE-FTD clinical trial is now open in the UK. The trial is evaluating AVB-101, an investigational gene therapy, in people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with GRN gene mutations (FTD-GRN). Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), which hosts an internationally renowned center of excellence in providing support and care for families affected by FTD, is now recruiting patients. University College London (UCL) is also expected to open for patient recruitment shortly. The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, one of the first surgical centers in Europe currently able to perform MRI-guided infusions of gene therapies, will provide the capability to dose clinical trial participants from the UK and beyond in the ASPIRE-FTD study. FTD is a devastating form of early-onset dementia that varies in each individual. Symptoms of FTD can include changes in personality or uncharacteristic behaviors, progressive loss of language, loss of executive function and cognitive abilities, apathy, and reduced mobility. 1-3 People with FTD who have disease-causing GRN mutations produce a reduced amount of progranulin protein. AVB-101 is an investigational one-time therapy designed to deliver a functional copy of the GRN gene directly to the brain, thereby potentially restoring progranulin levels and stopping disease progression in patients with FTD-GRN. 'Launching ASPIRE-FTD and treating our first patients with AVB-101 have been significant milestones in FTD-GRN research and gene therapy development,' said David Cooper, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of AviadoBio. 'AviadoBio was built on pioneering research from King's College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute. The opening of our UK clinical trial sites reflects this strong research heritage, and we're proud to bring this clinical trial to the UK to make it more accessible to people living with familial FTD in the region.' 'We are delighted to be able to surgically deliver AVB-101 in the ASPIRE-FTD trial in Cardiff, offering hope to patients living with FTD in the UK and beyond. The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre is funded by Health and Care Research Wales and is currently the only center in the UK, and one of two European centers, conducting these groundbreaking first in human clinical trials, delivering advanced gene and cell therapies directly to the brain for neurodegenerative diseases. This trial represents a major step forward in the search for a treatment in FTD, potentially bringing a new therapy to reality for patients,' commented Professor William Gray, Local PI and Neurosurgeon at Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. 'The potential to halt FTD-GRN with a single procedure could be truly transformative for patients and their families,' said Professor James Rowe, Consultant Neurologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital and Professor of Cognitive Neurology at the Cambridge Centre for Frontotemporal Dementia. 'Combining excellence in clinical care with cutting-edge research is vital to driving progress in this extremely challenging field. Through studies like this we hope to one day be able to provide a potential cure for FTD.' 'UCL is a leader in the Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative, a group of research centers across Europe and Canada with expertise in familial frontotemporal dementia. We are proud to be included in this groundbreaking trial where targeted delivery of a single low dose of AAV gene therapy to the thalamus could be potentially disease-modifying for FTD,' said Jonathan Rohrer, Professor of Neurology at the UCL Dementia Research Centre. AVB-101 is delivered as a one-time-only treatment using a minimally invasive stereotactic neurosurgical procedure directly to the part of the brain called the thalamus. The thalamus is a key hub for connectivity in the brain with widespread projections across the brain including the cortex – a key area affected in FTD-GRN. The neurosurgery procedure to deliver AVB-101 bypasses the blood-brain barrier, thereby limiting it to only the brain itself, where it is needed the most. At the same time, this potentially reduces the amount of dose required and systemic exposure in other parts of the body. More information about the ASPIRE-FTD study can be found at About ASPIRE-FTD ASPIRE-FTD is a Phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center study designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of AVB-101 in patients with FTD-GRN. In the study, eligible patients receive a one-time administration of AVB-101 delivered as a set of MRI-guided infusions into the thalamus during a minimally invasive stereotactic neurosurgical procedure at an expert neurosurgical center in the US, UK, or EU. More information about the ASPIRE-FTD study can be found at or About AviadoBio At AviadoBio, we are relentlessly chasing cures by translating groundbreaking science and precision delivery into life-changing medicines for people living with neurological conditions. With our deep understanding of the brain and suite of proprietary gene therapy platforms and delivery technologies, AviadoBio is working to overcome the challenges of delivering the right drug to the right place. Its innovative, neuroanatomy-led approach is designed to maximize the therapeutic potential of gene therapy to halt or potentially reverse neurodegenerative diseases. AviadoBio was founded on pioneering research from King's College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute and has a leadership team with extensive gene therapy development, delivery, and commercialization experience which uniquely positions the company for success in bringing transformative medicines to patients. AviadoBio's investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Monograph Capital, F-Prime Capital, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., SV Health Investor's Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), Advent Life Sciences, EQT Life Sciences (Dementia Fund), LifeArc Ventures, and Astellas Pharma. For more information, please visit and follow us on X @AviadoBio and LinkedIn at AviadoBio. References: Pressman PS and Miller BL. Biol Psychiatry 2014;75:574–81; Young JJ et al. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2018;8:33–48; Hogan DB et al. Can J Neurol Sci 2016;43 Suppl 1:S96–109. Notes to editors: The Advanced Neurotherapies Centre, formerly known as the BRAIN Unit, is funded by the Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales. About GENFI The Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI) is a group of research centers across Europe and Canada with expertise in familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and is coordinated by Professor Jonathan Rohrer at University College London. GENFI collaborates closely with other similar studies around the world through the FTD Prevention Initiative, which is helping to design clinical trials for genetic FTD.
South Wales Argus
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
How to add value to your house by building a garage
For those planning to sell up, there is one often-overlooked area of their home they may want to spruce up, in order to get the best sale price. According to new research by the garage door experts at Garolla, most house hunters (57%) consider a garage to be a 'must-have' for any new property they move to. The survey of 2,000 Brits also found that many 23% would even prefer to have a home with a garage than one with an en-suite in the master bedroom. A garage was also considered to be more important than a big garden (for 15%), a utility room (for 14%), a dining room (for 12%), off-street parking (for 11%) and a spare bedroom (for 8% ). And one in 20 said they'd pick a home that had a garage over one that didn't, even if it meant compromising on property location. Garolla also consulted David Cooper, a valuations expert and director at estate agency Redbrik. Mr Cooper said: 'The benefits of a garage vary depending on the property, but typically a single garage adds around £10,000 to a property's value, while a double garage can add around £20,000. 'The exact increase depends on the property's overall value, location, and type. For example, garages are in higher demand in urban areas, or where parking is limited, which will be sure to add more value to your home. ' Tips for first-time buyers Mr Cooper also said that the look of a garage matters, so tidying the exterior up or adding a new door can make a big difference. 'When looking at what makes a garage attractive, the door style and colour is important to consider,' he continued. Recommended reading: 'A modern, well-maintained, and complementary garage door can enhance curb appeal, whereas an outdated or clashing design may detract from the overall value to buyers. 'Similarly, high-quality security features such as reinforced doors, smart locks, and automated systems can make a garage more appealing. 'Buyers often value added security, which can contribute to the overall desirability and potential price of the property.'
