Tag: Calif.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- California IVF Fertility Center has been awarded on the Newsweek list of America's Best Fertility Clinics 2024. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced on April 17, 2024, and can be viewed on Newsweek's website. In honor of Fertility Awareness, California IVF will give away a free IVF package.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- California Safe Schools (CSS) celebrates 7 Earth Day Champions for their extraordinary achievements and mindfulness of future generations. "California Safe Schools proudly honors these individuals whose dedication and resolve make the world a better place and inspire others," affirms Robina Suwol, Executive Director of California Safe Schools.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, proudly introduces a game-changing advancement: a Best Ex for Released and Retained all in one platform!

NAPA, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Adding to its multi-decade legacy of environmental stewardship, Domaine Carneros is pleased to share new initiatives that build upon its commitment to producing outstanding wine while continuously striving for best practices in sustainability. Installation of groundbreaking new microgrid technology in 2023 increased Domaine Carneros' commitment to renewable energy. In celebration, the winery is proud to release its first microgrid-powered wine, the 2023 Avant Garde Pinot Noir Rose, "Powered by The Sun."

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Introducing the new Cellular 2 Device, the latest addition to Soberlink's line of remote alcohol monitoring solutions. Designed with user convenience and global accessibility in mind, the Cellular 2 Device seamlessly combines a sleek design with comprehensive functionality, offering a dependable tool for individuals and professionals in Family Law, Addiction Recovery, and Workplace Compliance.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- DVDFab announced today that, with recent updates, UniFab All-In-One has increased the conversion speed of its enlarger, denoiser, and deinterlacer modules. Even the HDR upscaler module has introduced cinema mode (fast) to increase conversion speed while maintaining high-quality images.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Secured Signing, a pioneer in digital signatures and remote online notarization solutions, is thrilled to announce the release of a revolutionary new feature designed exclusively for Bullhorn users. Secured Signing integrates with Bullhorn and provides a one stop Digital Signature solution that delivers a full range of form completion and eSigning capabilities.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, announced today an increase of 15.36% in mortgage lock volume compared to the previous month. To gain comprehensive insights into the market dynamics, industry professionals and enthusiasts are invited to download the complete report.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Olea Kiosks, a visionary provider of self-service kiosk solutions, today announced its latest design, the Boulder Outdoor Kiosk. This new and innovative solution was created to address the growing number of outdoor self-service use cases such as food and beverage ordering, ticketing, parking, and EV charging payments.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- When veteran entertainment industry publicist Makeda Smith began pole dancing as a fitness hobby, over 12 years ago, she had no idea it would morph into a life changing journey. The 63-year-old grandmother, who has received international notoriety for her dance flow movement practice, Flying Over 50, has announced a brand expansion during Women's History Month.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On April 6, 2024, at 7 p.m. in El Segundo, CA, the South Bay Wind Ensemble will perform "Beethoven Ode to Joy at 200." The concert will take place at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center. Join the South Bay Wind Ensemble, the SoCAL Chorale, Maestro Steven Allen Fox, Chorale Director Marya Basaraba, and over 130 musicians on April 6 as we celebrate 200 years of the greatest symphony of all time!

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Nibav Home Lifts, a leading provider of innovative elevator solutions, proudly announces the launch of its new showroom in the heart of Mountain View. This marks a significant step for the company in its commitment to serving the community with cutting-edge mobility solutions.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Persian American Civic Action Network [PACAN] is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Iranian-Americans for civic engagement and activism for the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and a free, democratic, and secular Iran. PACAN is excited to announce their 3rd annual fundraising Gala to celebrate the Centennial of the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF).

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- When Heidi McNulty sat down to write "Buying Time" (ISBN: 978-1956955941 [ebook]; 978-1-956955958 [paperback]; 978-1956955965 [hardcover]), a finance book for young people for publisher Legacy Launch Pad, based on going from living paycheck-to-paycheck to building a real estate empire for passive income generation - her life seemed set. At 35, she appeared to have it all-she was a successful real estate mogul, tech advisor, wife, mother and had just sold one of her businesses for seven figures.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- In this ever-growing virtual world, how to express yourself better, close distance with others, and light up atmosphere is getting important. As a smart software company that has been exploring the possibility of AI voices, Fineshare presents a new AI voice changer & soundboard tool VoiceTrans to help everyone create personalized voice identities in the virtual world, bringing joy to gamers, streamers, and chat users.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- James Cha, a CPA and a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist from Ace Plus Tax Resolution, alerts that the IRS is ramping up collections and tax audits in 2024, and urges taxpayers to act with tax relief strategies. If you haven't received IRS notices recently about unfiled returns or unpaid taxes, expect that to change. The IRS is hiring more auditors and resuming collection notices aggressively. Be prepared for stepped-up IRS collections efforts in 2024.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, has reported a 20.9% increase in mortgage lock volume in February compared to the previous month. To gain comprehensive insights into the market dynamics, industry professionals and enthusiasts are invited to download the complete report.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is proud to present the 14th Annual Youth Diversity Film Festival (YDFF) Saturday, March 23rd (in-person) at Regal L.A. Live, 1000 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015. Films can also be viewed (virtually) online at www.BHERC.TV through Sunday, March 24, 2024.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, today announced the release of pricing indications for the to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities (TBAs) used by mortgage lenders to hedge their open mortgage pipelines. TBA indications improve transparency in illiquid market segments and act as a key reference point on lenders' unique executions - critical data for generating accurate front-end borrower pricing.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Secured Signing, a leading provider of digital signature solutions, today announced the release of its latest version, featuring a range of innovative features and enhancements designed to make the signing process smoother and more efficient than ever. These updates benefit users of the We Sign, Form Filler templates, and Remote Online Notarization (RON) platforms.

IRVINE, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- CDF Labor Law LLP is proud to announce the promotion of two attorneys to Partner and four to Senior Counsel, all of whom are talented women employment defense litigators. These promotions reflect our commitment to cultivating an inclusive environment that values and advances our team members' diverse skills and contributions. These individuals, part of our nearly 50-strong legal team, exemplify CDF's dedication to guiding and defending employers in California's complex labor and employment legal terrain.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, was announced as a 2024 HousingWire Tech100 Mortgage Winner for the 5th consecutive year. For more than a decade, HousingWire's Tech100 program has identified and recognized the most innovative technology companies serving the mortgage and real estate industries.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The LA Sports Council, the region's premier sports trade association, is proud to announce the hiring of a new President and CEO of the organization, Matthew Cacciato. As President, Cacciato's first initiative will be the organization's 19th Annual LA Sports Awards, a flagship celebration honoring the best in LA sports and top moments of the year.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), the de facto leader in innovative mortgage capital markets technology, announced today an increase of 13.96% in mortgage lock volume compared to the previous month. To gain comprehensive insights into the market dynamics, industry professionals and enthusiasts are invited to download the complete report.

PASADENA, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- KROST CPAs and Consultants has been named one of the Top 150 Firms for 2023-2024 by CalCPA. This award recognizes the firm, with 100% membership. The company is ranked 33rd on the list. The recognition reflects KROST's dedication to professional development and the CalCPA organization.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Dink Productions launches a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for their upcoming movie "In a Pickle." By engaging the vibrant pickleball community in this campaign, Dink Productions aims to showcase the massive audience awaiting to see this movie come to life.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation announced that their annual "Cursive is Cool"® contest is now open to North American students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The contest dates are January 23 through April 15, 2024. Students are encouraged to enter early. Prizes will be awarded for First Place, Second Place, and Third Place based on legibility and neatness.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is pleased to announce the 29th Annual S. E. Manly African American Short Film Showcase (SEMAASFS) closing event, the weekend of January 19-21st, it will include 50 short films. BHERC is also hosting students to see the must-see film Origin, by talented and prolific filmmaker, Ava DuVernay, the first weekend of its release nationally. "We must go out and support our filmmakers and help make their films a success at the box office," noted BHERC President Sandra Evers-Manly.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), a leading mortgage hedge advisory and secondary marketing software firm, revealed today a 13.71% decline in mortgage lock volume compared to the previous month. To gain comprehensive insights into the market dynamics, industry professionals and enthusiasts are invited to download the complete report.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Quadro Acquisition One Corp., a NASDAQ-listed Special Purpose Acquisition Company ("Quadro SPAC") has agreed to acquire a group of seven companies in the sports collectibles, software, cloud-based IT and healthcare services segments with an estimated pro-forma enterprise value of $3 billion (referred to as the "Global Growth Companies"). These companies are affiliated with Global Growth, a private equity firm founded by Greg Lindberg. The name and the symbol under which Quadro SPAC will trade upon the completion of its business combination with Global Growth Companies will be determined at a later date.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Nibav Lifts USA, a leading home elevator company, is thrilled to announce its expansion into the vibrant city of San Francisco, California. This strategic move signifies a momentous leap for the company as it extends its presence into one of the most dynamic and architecturally significant cities in the United States.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The usage of audio is in-depth in different areas. However, making voiceovers takes lots of time and is highly skilled. Creators who tried dub can't always get satisfying results and creators with speech difficulty cannot dub. Moreover, hiring voice actors is expensive. As an intelligent software company, Fineshare brings a major update to FineVoice after a deep dive inside AI voice area. Now, FineVoice is on its way to becoming a versatile AI voice studio.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Soberlink, the leader in remote alcohol monitoring technology, is proud to announce its partnership with divorce experts worldwide in support of International Child-Centered Divorce Month. As families navigate the complexities of divorce, Soberlink is dedicated to providing family law professionals and parents with discreet, convenient, and court-admissible alcohol testing technology.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- 101 BBQ Hut, formerly known as Willy's Smokehouse and Rib Ticklers BBQ, announces its grand opening on January 13, 2024. This exciting event will showcase their award-winning BBQ and Blue Ribbon Sauces to the local community. The venture, helmed by Marco Gonzalez and Dennis Ofsthun, traces its roots back to a 30-year history rooted in a serendipitous encounter over a sauce recipe at Marco's taco place in Saticoy, California.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Dink Productions today announced the upcoming production of "In a Pickle: A Comedy. With Balls," the first ever full-length feature film about the fastest growing sport in the U.S., pickleball. The brainchild of former tennis player turned pickleball enthusiast, Dan Brooks, and Jason Reid, one of the leading builders of tennis and pickleball courts across Florida, the film promises to captivate audiences with its unique blend of humor, heart, and sportsmanship.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Last week a trial court in Alameda County entered an order permitting Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. to recover nearly $125,000 in costs from the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA). Hobby Lobby incurred these costs during six years of hard-fought litigation involving claims brought under California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), CDF Labor Law LLP announced today.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA) debuted in 2010 and has been going strong since. February 1, 2024 at the Alameda Comedy Club CWDA will make its SF Sketchfest debut. CWDA is a collection of comedians with disabilities, both seen and unseen. It was the brainchild of comedian Michael O'Connell. Michael passed away in 2016, but his comedy troupe lives on. Michael's legacy allows comedians with disabilities to develop their voices to receptive audiences across the country.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Digitl Mediums, a bi-coastal boutique full services consulting, marketing and branding company, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with MYM Organics, an Eco-Lifestyle brand encompassing healthy living through organic fashion.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ --

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- On Monday, December 4, 2023 at the California Endowment in historic downtown Los Angeles, California Safe Schools, a celebrated children's environmental health and environmental justice non-profit celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an event called "Your Life is Now" honoring seven trailblazing health and safety heroes and organizations.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network serving the mortgage industry, has wrapped up its fourth annual 12 Days of TMC, a virtual conference running from November 30 to December 15, 2023. The online event, spread over three weeks, featured several keynote speakers.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and leading remote online notarization (RON) provider for real estate and legal transactions, announced today it will support remote online notarial acts in California beginning in 2024 following the passage of CA Senate Bill 696, which was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2023. Stage 1 of the bill takes effect on January 1, 2024.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), a leading mortgage hedge advisory and secondary marketing software firm, today announced a 10.7% decrease in mortgage lock volume in November compared to the previous month. This revelation comes as part of MCT's monthly Lock Volume Indices report, offering valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of the residential mortgage industry.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mark your calendars for Dec. 15, 2023, as Laemmle in Town Center 5 Encino is proud to present a film that is set to be nothing less than awe-inspiring. "The Next Big Hit" is a masterpiece that promises to inspire you to think outside the box and embrace originality, says director Zak Lee Guarnaccia, and founder of production company LightRow Productions, LLC. It is a diverse cross-genre marvel that combines martial arts, music, and comedy into a unique and spectacular experience.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Artists' Addiction Records and Tavola Productions have teamed up for the release of the "LIDIA'S KITCHEN: ORIGINAL TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK," on December 15, 2023; available on all digital platforms. The album is the musical backdrop to the beloved public television show "Lidia's Kitchen" hosted by world-renowned chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, television host, and Italian food ambassador Lidia Bastianich.

ONTARIO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Empire Strykers of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), have announced the signing of former Mexican International Marco Fabian to a two-year contract. The monetary terms of the deal were not disclosed as per policy of the MASL. The contract is a landmark deal in the MASL, North America's premier indoor soccer league, now playing in their 10th anniversary season.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is thrilled to announce the grant winners of their inaugural 2023 Female Entrepreneurship Grant and Mentorship program: Stephanie de la Cruz of De La Creamery in Oakland and Wendy Lieu of Socola Chocolatier in San Francisco.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Professionals Guild and the Society of Single Professionals announced a Bay Area New Year's Eve Party for singles and couples at the Chicken Pie Shop and bar in Walnut Creek on Dec. 31, 2023. This East Bay New Year's Eve party includes an optional New Year's Eve Dinner, DJ dancing, a Balloon Drop, and a Champagne Toast followed by more dancing.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Gemoo, the developer of FocuSee, announced the launch of Wordance, a revolutionary AI-powered tool designed to empower users to create captivating music-synced videos and GIFs from plain text effortlessly. Whether for an indie hacker, startup team member, digital marketer, or content creator, Wordance is the go-to solution for generating attention-catching promo videos that resonate with the target audience. What's better, it's completely free for everyone to use.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network serving the mortgage industry, today announced four additions to its 2024 Management Board of Directors.

IRVINE, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Nibav Home Lifts, a leader in home mobility solutions, is thrilled to unveil the grand opening of its inaugural Experience Center located in the heart of California. This significant milestone marks a substantial stride for the company as it expands its footprint in the United States, bringing a blend of innovation and luxury to the realm of residential elevators.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) raised $21,949 at the 12th Anniversary Celebration and Scholarship Auction with the San Francisco Wine School on November 11. A lively event with a signature Somm Olympics component featuring past scholarship winner Tonya Pitts.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneer in providing remote online notarization and identity verification/authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, announced today the Illinois Department of Secretary of State has approved the company to provide both eNotary and remote online notarization (RON) services to notaries public registered in the state.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- The NGPA is thrilled to announce another captivating series of events set to take place in the sunny city of Palm Springs. The NGPA Palm Springs Events will encompass a wide range of activities, including a career fair, industry expo, networking socials, a weekend fly-in, member socials, hiring sessions, and LGBTQ+ advocacy breakout sessions.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Olea Kiosks®, a visionary provider of self-service kiosk solutions, announced a redesign of its popular Geneva kiosk as it debuts this new model at International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAPPA) in Orlando November 14 to 17, 2023.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Digitl Mediums, a bi-coastal boutique full services consulting, marketing and branding company, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with SureThing Productions, a renowned name in the entertainment industry.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Today, the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA), a consortium of six non-profit veteran service providers, released its 2023 California Veterans Community Report, providing data and analysis on the current challenges faced by California veterans, highlighting the strides made in the past year, and presenting their advocacy strategy for 2024 and beyond-with a focus on behavioral health and housing initiatives.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Real estate veteran Mitchell Bradford has joined the talented team at Diversified Pacific. His 35 years of experience and leadership in the industry as a homebuilder and multi-family investor/owner will play a key role in the company as it seeks to grow and expand its reach and focus.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Mortgage Capital Trading, Inc. (MCT®), a leading mortgage hedge advisory and secondary marketing software firm, reported today a drop of 17.76% in mortgage lock volume over the prior month.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Legacy Launch Pad Publishing proudly presents "Sustainability in the Air: The Innovators Helping the Aviation Industry Take Climate Action" (ISBN: 978-1-956955-80-4 [ebook]; 978-1-956955-81-1 [paperback]), co-authored by Shashank Nigam and Dirk Singer, respectively the Founder & CEO and the Head of Sustainability of aviation consulting firm SimpliFlying.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Neurotech Reports, the publisher of the Neurotech Business Report newsletter, announced that several promising neurotechnology startups and early-stage firms will present at the 2023 Neurotech Leaders Forum in San Francisco, November 6-7. The 23rd annual event-the most established in the industry-will also feature presentations and panel discussions on important issues confronting the neurotechnology industry.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Financial Women of San Francisco (FWSF) today announced that Nandita Bakhshi, Special Advisor and Board Member at BMO Financial Group and Former CEO of Bank of the West, will be the guest moderator as FWSF honors Teresa Bryce Bazemore, President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, at the 2023 Financial Woman of the Year luncheon in San Francisco, CA on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Gemoo, an innovative startup team aiming to simplify the workflow of video creation, editing, and sharing, has launched FocuSee, a groundbreaking screen recording application with auto-editing features designed to empower users without video editing skills to craft stunning tutorial, promotional, sales, and demo videos in minutes.

STUDIO CITY, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- For decades, Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Ventura Blvd. have been a crossroad for some of Studio City's most dynamic restaurant ventures. Now, two proven restaurateurs, Brian Lenzo (Blue Palms Brewhouse and many others) and Dick Raskin (Shanghai Rose) have teamed up to launch a brand new 144-seat eatery, The Daily Outpost, on the second level of the sprawling space located on the intersection's southeast corner.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Massachusetts Newswire - National News/ -- Culture Wine Co. launches today as the sole importer, wholesaler, e-commerce retailer and wine club in the United States dedicated exclusively to the wines of South Africa. The goal? To drastically increase the representation and import-value of South African wine in the United States.