Featured Stories
Premier Issues Statement on CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule/Medicare Shared Savings Program Proposed Rule
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, July 16 [Category: BizHealth Care] -- Premier, a healthcare improvement company, issued the following statement on July 14, 2026, by Vice President on Advocacy John Knapp:
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Statement on the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule/Medicare Shared Savings Program Proposed Rule
Premier applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for incorporating feedback from accountable care organizations (ACOs) and advancing proposals in the CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule that are aligned with many of Premier's longstanding recommendations to strengthen the Medicare
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, July 16 [Category: BizHealth Care] -- Premier, a healthcare improvement company, issued the following statement on July 14, 2026, by Vice President on Advocacy John Knapp:
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Statement on the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule/Medicare Shared Savings Program Proposed Rule
Premier applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for incorporating feedback from accountable care organizations (ACOs) and advancing proposals in the CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule that are aligned with many of Premier's longstanding recommendations to strengthen the MedicareShared Savings Program. These changes reflect a clear commitment to strengthening value-based care by improving financial predictability, reducing reporting burden, and better aligning incentives to support high-quality, coordinated care.
By enhancing shared savings opportunities, refining benchmarking policies, modernizing quality measurement, and advancing more flexible participation requirements, CMS is taking important steps to make the program more sustainable and attractive for providers. Premier is particularly encouraged by policies that support rural participation and recognize the need for more practical, streamlined approaches to compliance.
Premier looks forward to working with the agency to ensure these policies are finalized in a way that drives long-term success for providers and better outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries.
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Original text here: https://premierinc.com/newsroom/policy/statement-cy2027-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-mssp-proposed-rule
Newmark Arranges Sale of 1,736-Acre Master-Planned Community Near Niederwald, Texas
NEW YORK, July 16 -- Newmark Group, a commercial real estate company that says they offer comprehensive suite of services and products, posted the following news release:
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Newmark Arranges Sale of 1,736-Acre Master-Planned Community Near Niederwald, Texas
Newmark announces the Company has arranged the sale of The Ridge, a 1,736-acre master-planned development site near Niederwald, Texas. Newmark Director Steven Boice brokered the transaction between Walton Global and Wilson Capital.
Planned as one of Central Texas' largest mixed-use residential communities, The Ridge will ultimately feature
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, July 16 -- Newmark Group, a commercial real estate company that says they offer comprehensive suite of services and products, posted the following news release:
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Newmark Arranges Sale of 1,736-Acre Master-Planned Community Near Niederwald, Texas
Newmark announces the Company has arranged the sale of The Ridge, a 1,736-acre master-planned development site near Niederwald, Texas. Newmark Director Steven Boice brokered the transaction between Walton Global and Wilson Capital.
Planned as one of Central Texas' largest mixed-use residential communities, The Ridge will ultimately featuremore than 6,200 single-family homes, a 13-acre amenity center and approximately 60 acres designated for future commercial and multifamily development. Construction on the residential component is expected to begin in late 2026, with homebuilders including First America Homes and Hakes Brothers already committed to the project.
"The Ridge will be a defining master-planned community for Central Texas," said Boice. "Its thoughtful layout will meet the needs of homebuilders, retailers and residents for years to come."
Designed to serve the region's rapidly expanding population, the community will feature 119 acres of parks and open space, including nature trails, a community hall and a fishing camp. An additional 57 acres have been reserved for future educational facilities within Hays Consolidated Independent School District, including sites for an elementary, middle and high school.
Strategically located near State Highway 21 and State Highway 130, The Ridge offers convenient access to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, downtown Austin and major employment hubs, including Tesla's Gigafactory Texas and the rapidly expanding manufacturing corridor in eastern Travis County.
According to Newmark Research, the Austin metropolitan area continues to benefit from strong economic fundamentals. The region ranked first among the nation's top 50 metropolitan areas for job growth in 2025, adding approximately 27,200 jobs - a 2.0% annual increase[1]. This sustained economic expansion continues to support population growth and long-term housing demand.
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[1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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About Newmark
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries ("Newmark"), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark's comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform's global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, Newmark generated revenues of more than $3.4 billion. As of March 31, 2026, Newmark and its business partners together operated from over 185 offices with more than 9,600 professionals across four continents. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.
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Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about Newmark
Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company's business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.
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Original text here: https://www.nmrk.com/insights/press-releases/newmark-arranges-sale-of-1-736-acre-master-planned-community-near-niederwald-texas
[Category: BizReal Estate]
K&L Gates Names New Regional Managing Partner for Europe
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, July 16 -- K&L Gates, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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K&L Gates Names New Regional Managing Partner for Europe
Global law firm K&L Gates has appointed London partner Sean Crosky as Regional Managing Partner, Europe, succeeding Tony Griffiths, who returns to full time fee earning after 22 years of management and leadership in London, Europe, and the Middle East. Crosky also joins the firm's Management Committee.
In his new role, Crosky will work with the firm's leadership to help drive the firm's operations and strategic direction across Europe
... Show Full Article
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, July 16 -- K&L Gates, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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K&L Gates Names New Regional Managing Partner for Europe
Global law firm K&L Gates has appointed London partner Sean Crosky as Regional Managing Partner, Europe, succeeding Tony Griffiths, who returns to full time fee earning after 22 years of management and leadership in London, Europe, and the Middle East. Crosky also joins the firm's Management Committee.
In his new role, Crosky will work with the firm's leadership to help drive the firm's operations and strategic direction across Europewhile working closely with colleagues across the firm to support clients' evolving business needs. His appointment reflects the firm's continued focus on supporting clients across key markets throughout Europe and beyond.
Crosky is a partner in the firm's Finance practice and served as a practice group coordinator for its Restructuring and Insolvency practice. A structured finance lawyer, he advises clients on a broad range of financing transactions and has extensive experience supporting cross-border matters across Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Australia, and Asia.
Global Managing Partner Stacy Ackermann said: "Sean brings deep experience, sound judgment, and a proven ability to lead. Through his work advising clients and helping lead one of our core practices, he has earned the trust and respect of colleagues across the firm. We are confident Sean will build on the firm's momentum and continue advancing client service across Europe. We are also grateful to Tony for his leadership and many contributions to the firm, which have helped build a strong foundation for continued growth and opportunity across Europe."
"It is a privilege to serve as Regional Managing Partner for Europe," Crosky remarked. "Europe remains a dynamic and important market for many of our clients, and I look forward to working with colleagues across our offices to continue strengthening our capabilities, deepening client relationships, and supporting growth across key markets. We have exceptional talent throughout Europe, and in my new role I will work very closely with our Co-Managing Partners for Germany on the continued growth of our platform in Europe, building on the strong foundation we already have in place."
Griffiths will continue with the firm, focusing on clients and supporting the continued development of the European platform.
Griffiths added: "It has been a privilege to serve as Regional Managing Partner for Europe and the Middle East and to work alongside such talented colleagues across the firm. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the relationships we have built with our clients and one another. Sean is an outstanding leader, and I am confident he will continue to build on the firm's momentum across Europe and guide it into its next chapter."
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K&L Gates is a globally integrated law firm trusted by sophisticated clients to deliver market leading legal counsel across jurisdictions and industries. Operating as one firm worldwide, K&L Gates combines deep local insight with seamless global coordination to address clients' most complex legal and business challenges. Guided by a relentless focus on client service, the firm delivers practical, high impact solutions with consistency, efficiency, and a clear emphasis on results.
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Original text here: https://www.klgates.com/KL-Gates-Names-New-Regional-Managing-Partner-for-Europe-7-15-2026
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Advises Syndicate of Lenders on the Financing of 11 BESS Projects Across Germany
NEW YORK, July 16 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises syndicate of lenders on the financing of 11 BESS projects across Germany
Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised a syndicate of 11 lenders on the c.Euros440 million financing of a portfolio of 11 battery energy storage system (BESS) projects under construction with a capacity of 790 MW located across various parts of Germany.
The transaction represents a significant milestone in the continued development and scaling of battery
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, July 16 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises syndicate of lenders on the financing of 11 BESS projects across Germany
Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised a syndicate of 11 lenders on the c.Euros440 million financing of a portfolio of 11 battery energy storage system (BESS) projects under construction with a capacity of 790 MW located across various parts of Germany.
The transaction represents a significant milestone in the continued development and scaling of batterystorage infrastructure in Germany, supporting the integration of renewable energy and enhancing grid stability.
The projects are being developed by Kyon Energy, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. Following financial close, Allianz Global Investors has acquired a 50% stake in the portfolio from TotalEnergies.
The Herbert Smith Freehills team was led by partners Matthew Job and Charlotte Whight together with senior associate Nicholas Gerovasilis from London, and Dr Hannes Jacobi from Frankfurt. The wider team included partners Nick May, Stefanie Herkert, Prof Dr Silke Goldberg, Dr Christoph Nawroth, Dr Marius Boewe, Dr Steffen Horner and Michael Armandou, of counsel Dr Sebastian Schurer, Artem Soloshchenkov and Hannes Riedel, senior associates Tim Abendschein, David Rasche, Jannis Bille and Eva Juergens, and associates Kimia Famil Dardeshti, Laura Boustani, Miriam Stamm, Jan Diedrichs, Alexandre Rakotovao and Sophia Kronis, from across the firm's London, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Paris offices.
Partners Matthew Job and Charlotte Whight commented: "We are delighted to have advised the lenders on this landmark transaction in the German BESS sector. Financing the construction of 11 projects under a single portfolio financing demonstrates the bankability of BESS in Germany, a technology that is vital to balancing the grid alongside the increased use of intermittent renewable energy sources."
Partner Dr Hannes Jacobi added: "As battery storage projects continue to grow in scale, lenders and sponsors are increasingly looking for portfolio financing structures that can support the next phase of the energy transition. This transaction builds on our extensive experience advising on pioneering energy storage financings and demonstrates our ability to draw on our European network to carry out complex cross-border transactions seamlessly."
Societe Generale Corporate & Investment Banking acted as financial adviser.
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Original text here: https://www.hsfkramer.com/news/2026-07/hsf-kramer-advises-syndicate-of-lenders-on-the-financing-of-11-bess-projects-across-germany
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath Issues Commentary: U.S. Treasury Releases Life Insurance Reportable Policy Sale Final Regulations
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, July 16 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on July 15, 2026, by counsel Jacquelyn N. Gordon:
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US Treasury Releases Life Insurance Reportable Policy Sale Final Regulations
Some key changes from the proposed regulations
At a Glance
* Life insurance companies, despite the simplification of the reporting rules, should continue to track reportable policy sales (both old and new issuers) to ensure proper reporting.
* Old issuers need to have all of the necessary information of a contract, including investment in the contract,
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, July 16 -- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, a law firm, issued the following commentary on July 15, 2026, by counsel Jacquelyn N. Gordon:
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US Treasury Releases Life Insurance Reportable Policy Sale Final Regulations
Some key changes from the proposed regulations
At a Glance
* Life insurance companies, despite the simplification of the reporting rules, should continue to track reportable policy sales (both old and new issuers) to ensure proper reporting.
* Old issuers need to have all of the necessary information of a contract, including investment in the contract,to be able to properly report to the new issuer in a Section 1035 exchange.
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On July 8, 2026, the US Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final regulations under the life insurance policy transfer rules. The final rules generally adopt the proposed regulations that were released in May 2023 with some changes discussed below.
The new regulations are meant to address concerns with regard to changes made by Treasury regulations issued in 2019 under Section 101 for reportable policy sales that caused new contracts issued with respect to a Section 1035 transaction to be subject to the transfer-for-value rules even though no reportable policy sale was involved.
The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) modified Section 101 of the Internal Revenue Code, which generally provides that death benefits received from life insurance are not taxable, unless the transfer-for-value rules cause some or all of the death benefits to be taxable. The modification eliminates the exception to the transfer-for-value rules for carryover basis transactions and transfers to the insured or another qualifying person in the case of a reportable policy sale.
A reportable policy sale is "the acquisition of an interest in a life insurance contract, directly or indirectly, if the acquirer has no substantial family, business, or financial relationship with the insured apart from the acquirer's interest in such life insurance contract." The Treasury regulations finalized in 2019 defined a "transfer of an interest in a life insurance contract" to include "the issuance of a policy in an exchange pursuant to section 1035". The TCJA also added Section 6050Y, which established information reporting requirements for reportable policy sales.
The following were adopted from the 2023 proposed regulations without substantial change:
1. The definition of "transfer" no longer includes the language added above about the issuance of a policy under a Section 1035 exchange. This ensures that the exchange of a policy (not already subject to the transfer-for-value rules) will not inadvertently be pulled in.
2. The characteristics of the original policy in a Section 1035 exchange carry over to the new policy. Meaning that if the proceeds from the original policy would have been excluded from gross income under Section 101, then the entire proceeds of the new policy will be excludable.
3. If the original policy in a Section 1035 exchange is subject to the reportable policy sale rules, then the new policy will be subject to those rules.
The key changes in the final regulations include:
1. The amount of "boot" received tax-free in a section 1035 exchange will reduce the amount of proceeds attributable to the old interest that is excludable from gross income.
2. "Section 1035 exchange" is expanded to include certain Section 1031 exchanges that include Section 1035(a) property.
3. The final regulations no longer require: (a) both old and new issuers to file information returns, (b) using Form 1099-SB for reporting requirements, (c) a statement sent to the policyholder, and (c) a 30-day deadline to exchange information between old and new issuers.
4. Old issuers will now be required to report on Form 1099-R for applicable exchanges, potentially using a new distribution code 7. Reporting will not be required until the IRS publishes a new final Form 1099-R reflecting this requirement.
What This Means for Insurers
Life insurance companies, despite the simplification of the reporting rules, should continue to track reportable policy sales (both old and new issuers) to ensure proper reporting; and old issuers need to have all of the necessary information of a contract, including investment in the contract, to be able to properly report to the new issuer in a Section 1035 exchange.
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.
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Meet the Authors
Jacquelyn N. Gordon
Counsel
Philadelphia
+1 215 988 2558
jacquelyn.gordon@faegredrinker.com
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Original text here: https://www.faegredrinker.com/en/insights/publications/2026/7/us-treasury-releases-life-insurance-reportable-policy-sale-final-regulations
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Dean Mead Attorneys Earn Recognition in the 2026 Super Lawyers Rankings
ORLANDO, Florida, July 16 -- Dean Mead, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Dean Mead Attorneys Earn Recognition in the 2026 Super Lawyers Rankings
Dean Mead is pleased to announce that 19 attorneys, representing a broad range of the firm's Practice Areas and Industry Groups, have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers identifies outstanding attorneys through a multiphase selection process that combines independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. The resulting lists are recognized
... Show Full Article
ORLANDO, Florida, July 16 -- Dean Mead, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Dean Mead Attorneys Earn Recognition in the 2026 Super Lawyers Rankings
Dean Mead is pleased to announce that 19 attorneys, representing a broad range of the firm's Practice Areas and Industry Groups, have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.
Published by Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers identifies outstanding attorneys through a multiphase selection process that combines independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. The resulting lists are recognizedas a trusted resource for individuals and businesses seeking highly regarded legal counsel.
The recognition reflects the depth of experience and collaborative approach that define Dean Mead's legal services. From advising businesses through complex transactions to guiding families, landowners, developers, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations, the firm's attorneys are recognized for delivering thoughtful counsel and practical solutions across Florida.
Bankruptcy, Business Litigation
James Timko
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Business Litigation
Joseph Crawford - Rising Star
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Business Litigation, Bankruptcy, Real Estate
Felipe Guerrero
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Business Litigation, General Litigation, Bankruptcy, Estate & Trust Litigation, Real Estate
Marc Chapman
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Construction Litigation, Business Litigation
Thomas Wert
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Employment & Labor, Business Litigation
Nichole Mooney
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Environmental, Business & Corporate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax
Michael Minton
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Estate Planning & Probate
Joseph Percopo
Miranda Weiss - Rising Star
Ryan Cook - Rising Star
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Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Tax
Matt Ahearn
David Akins
Lauren Detzel
Brian Malec
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Intellectual Property, Business Litigation
David Hathaway
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Land Use, Zoning
Austin Alderman - Rising Star
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Real Estate
Kathleen Hugo - Rising Star
Laura Minton Young
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Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, Healthcare
Stephen Looney
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According to Super Lawyers, no more than five percent of attorneys in each state are selected to the Super Lawyers list, while no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list, which recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement early in their careers.
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Original text here: https://www.deanmead.com/dean-mead-attorneys-earn-recognition-in-the-2026-super-lawyers-rankings/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Accenture Helps European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships to Scale AI Across Global Operations
NEW YORK, July 16 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release:
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Accenture Helps European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships to Scale AI Across Global Operations
BRUSSELS - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has worked with the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) to design, build and scale an AI Assistant that is transforming how thousands of staff work across its headquarters and delegations worldwide.
Since September 2025, Accenture has supported DG INTPA's transition to AI-powered
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, July 16 -- Accenture, a global professional services company, presented the following news release:
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Accenture Helps European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships to Scale AI Across Global Operations
BRUSSELS - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has worked with the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) to design, build and scale an AI Assistant that is transforming how thousands of staff work across its headquarters and delegations worldwide.
Since September 2025, Accenture has supported DG INTPA's transition to AI-poweredways of working, developing a production-level capability that helps staff move faster on complex policy and funding decisions by unlocking institutional knowledge and freeing up capacity for judgement, policy analysis and strategic work. Launched in March 2026, the platform has already attracted more than 2,000 regular users generating upward of 400,000 queries across a broad range of topics.
Unlike off-the-shelf AI tools, the Assistant is tailored to DG INTPA's specific terminology, procedures, policy priorities and working methods of the European Commission's international partnerships function. It combines advanced language models with secure access to internal knowledge and documents, as well as internet connectivity, to deliver contextually relevant support to teams operating across more than 100 countries. helping to streamline routine activities and free up capacity for judgement, policy analysis and strategic work.
"Bringing together the European Commission's policy leadership in international partnerships with Accenture's technical expertise and delivery experience is a strong example of how AI can be deployed responsibly and at scale in complex public-sector environments," said Gabriel Bellenger, Lead for Government Transformation at Accenture. "The real value lies not in the technology itself, but in embedding it into complex policy environments, governance frameworks and daily workflows. This is what turns AI into a practical capability for how organizations deliver outcomes."
The program was developed with support from Accenture's Brussels AI Lab, a dedicated facility opened in 2023 where public-sector clients can test and evaluate AI and generative AI solutions in a controlled environment before scaling to production. Security, resilience, normative alignment and responsible use were built into the platform from the outset. A people-centered approach has been central to the program's design and rollout. As access expands, the focus is on training staff to use the Assistant responsibly, critically assess its outputs and apply appropriate human review.
This reflects a broader challenge facing public-sector organizations globally. Accenture research shows that while 70% of agencies surveyed have deployed advanced AI tools, only 35% are significantly upskilling their workforce to use them effectively. The DG INTPA program is designed to close that gap, creating more space for human analysis, policy reflection and strategic decision-making.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the program will introduce agentic AI to support defined workflows--moving beyond information retrieval into structured task execution. A structured end-user feedback mechanism will enable Directorate's staff to rate responses and provide free-text comments, creating a clear feedback loop to keep improving the system. DG INTPA has identified a broad set of use cases to embed the Assistant more directly into core business processes, helping to streamline routine activities and free up capacity for judgement, policy analysis and strategic work.
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About Accenture
Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed for organizations across industries. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and lead in the safe, widespread adoption of AI, and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. We bring together the talent of our approximately 799,000 people with proprietary assets and platforms, deep process and industry expertise, and leading ecosystem relationships to deliver end-to-end solutions and measurable outcomes at scale. Through our Reinvention Services, we offer broad expertise across Cybersecurity, Digital Core, Finance, Industry and Enterprise, Song, Supply Chain and Engineering, and Talent, with advanced capabilities in AI and Data, Industry and Process, and Technology. We serve approximately 9,000 clients and generated approximately $70 billion in FY25 revenue. Visit us at accenture.com.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2026/accenture-helps-european-commission-s-directorate-general-for-international-partnerships-to-scale-ai-across-global-operations
[Category: BizConsulting]