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SYDNEY – Australia has abandoned its controversial “golden visas” programme, which allowed wealthy investors to gain residency, as it shifts focus towards attracting more skilled, talented and entrepreneurial migrants.
The golden visas – offered to those willing to invest at least A$5 million (S$4.4 million) in Australia – were part of a set of visas targeting the wealthy, especially from China.
Those applying for golden visas – sometimes referred to as a “golden ticket” or “buy-a-visa” – did not need to speak English and could be of any age, unlike most other visa types.
The visas allowed applicants and their family members to live in Australia for up to five years and to potentially apply for residency.
But there have been growing calls to scrap the programme over concerns that wealthy investors are not as beneficial to the economy in the long term as skilled migrants, as well as concerns about the risk that the scheme allows applicants to use and transfer corrupt or laundered funds.
Following the election of the Labor government in May 2022, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, who oversees the scheme, had said she believed the visas were a way of “buying your way into the country”.
She confirmed on Jan 22 that the visas were being scrapped, saying in a statement: “It has been obvious for years that this visa is not delivering what our country and economy need from a migration system.”
Associate Professor Anna Boucher from the University of Sydney, an expert on Australia’s migration policy, told The Straits Times that the decision to scrap the visas was not an “attack on rich migrants” but an attempt to focus on the long-term benefits of migration.
While investors might deliver a short-term boost to the economy, she said, skilled migrants tend to be younger, well-educated and deliver longer-term benefits, such as reduced dependence on welfare or the medical system.
Of course, she noted, skilled migrants also help to address workforce and skills shortages.
“Golden ticket visas deliver a short-term investment, but what is the long-term benefit to the economy?” she added. “The government is starting to think about the contribution of migrants with a more long-term perspective.”
Between 2012, when the scheme began, and 2020, 2,349 golden visas were granted, with about 85 per cent going to applicants from China.
The remainder of the visa recipients came primarily from Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Africa and Vietnam.
Since 2012, the visas have brought in about A$12 billion.
But analysis by the Grattan Institute, a policy think-tank, found that those on golden visas end up costing taxpayers about A$120,000 each over their lifetime because their demand on public services outweighs their payments in taxes.
In contrast, the average skilled worker delivers a net benefit of A$198,000 during their lifetime.
The institute’s economic policy programme director, Mr Brendan Coates, said he supported the decision to scrap golden visas, adding that this would enable the government to bring in more skilled migrants.
“Compared to every other part of our skilled migration programme, this programme attracts older, less-skilled migrants who tend to contribute relatively little to Australia,” he told SBS News on Jan 23.
The golden visas have also raised concerns that they may be used by corrupt officials or criminals to gain residency in Australia and transfer funds there.
Prominent investor and international anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder has been a fierce critic of Australia’s scheme and welcomed the decision to scrap it.
The golden visas are being abandoned as part of a broader closure of a range of visas for investors and business owners, including a visa for those who can prove they run successful businesses and have at least A$1.25 million in assets.
According to the Investment Migration Insider website, most recipients of these investor and business visas – about 5,000 a year – came from China. From 2010 to 2021, about 622 Singaporeans received a business or investor visa.
The government is planning to replace these scrapped visas with a new type of visa focused more squarely on those bringing innovation and talent into the country, including entrepreneurs, major investors and researchers.
A government review, released on Dec 11, 2023, said that offering residency is “an important drawcard to attract these migrants as we compete with other nations in the global race for talent”.
Prof Boucher backed the plans to focus on innovation and talent, saying Australia should not merely try to bring in skilled migrants but should seek to attract talented entrepreneurs who have the potential to succeed through “risk taking, leadership and money to invest”.
“A skilled migrant can be really skilled but it is not the same as an entrepreneur,” she added. “We do need both. The challenge is knowing how to pick them.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australia-scraps-buy-a-visa-scheme-for-wealthy-foreigners-and-shifts-focus-to-skilled-migrants
| 2024-01-26T10:53:44Z
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Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests.
Myanmar’s economy grew only one per cent in fiscal 2023-2024, but its illicit economy - long a feature of its borderlands in particular - has been thriving. Recent crackdowns by China’s proxies indicate the level of concern in China as cybercrime syndicates in particular prey on Chinese people.
This parlous state which has possibly half the population of 53 million living just one step from disaster. It is being driven by poor policy as the military junta has been taking a command economy approach in order to survive, and is using the country’s foreign reserves, to survive and cling to power, contends Professor Sean Turnell, former economic advisor to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the former State Councillor, now in jail, who held office from 2016 until the military coup of February 2021.
Myanmar has however always had a tradition of transnational crime syndicates, initially in narcotics production and more recently in synthetic narcotics. Opium cultivation is also creeping back up, while new areas such as cybercrime have emerged. The military regime is not entirely to be blamed for this tradition, as many of the areas concerned have been controlled for decades by ethnic armies which essentially make a living from the informal or illicit economy.
Meanwhile Myanmar has seen an unprecedented coalescing of ethnic armed organizations into effective alliances, which is very different from the fragmented resistance to the military of the past. Yet while the military has lost ground, a total collapse and fragmentation of the country is not as imminent as some commentators may believe; before that occurs, there is quite likely to be a reshuffle at the top of the ranks of the regime.
Professor Turnell, alongside veteran journalist, author and broadcaster Dr Michael Vatikiotis, spoke to Asian Insider host Nirmal Ghosh on this episode to unravel the complexities of Myanmar’s crisis.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:33 Why is Myanmar’s economy performing poorly?
3:38 Recently, there has been an unprecedented coalescing of ethnic armed organisations into effective alliances, different from historic fragmented resistance to the military in the past
7:00 Recent crackdowns by China’s proxies indicate the level of concern about Myanmar’s transnational crime syndicates, as these prey especially on the Chinese
8:47 Can the military regime be completely blamed for this too? Many of the areas controlled by ethnic armies have essentially made a living from the informal or illicit economy
14:40 Tremendously deep, long lasting levels of mistrust between constituent elements; is the younger generation leading the revolution impressive?
Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) and Fa’izah Sani
Edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Follow Asian Insider with Nirmal Ghosh every fourth Friday of the month here:
Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8
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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r
Read Nirmal Ghosh’s articles: https://str.sg/JbxG
Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/myanmar-s-parlous-economy-rooted-in-ruinous-policies
| 2024-01-26T10:53:54Z
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SEOUL - North Korea is stepping up confrontation with the United States and its allies, but officials in Washington and Seoul say they have spotted no signs Pyongyang intends to take imminent military action.
Kim Jong Un's government is likely to continue or even increase provocative steps, officials and analysts say, after it made strides in ballistic missile development, bolstered cooperation with Russia and scrapped its decades-long goal of peacefully reuniting with South Korea.
Analysts at a prominent think tank said in a report this month that Kim "has made a strategic decision to go to war", just as his grandfather did in 1950, taking advantage of a U.S. distracted by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and doubts caused by its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
But U.S. and South Korean officials do not sense a looming war.
"While we are not seeing indications of a direct military threat at this time, we continue to monitor for the risk of (North Korea) military action against (South Korea) and Japan," a U.S. official said.
South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik this month rejected as an "excessive exaggeration" claims by some U.S. experts that the likelihood of war on the Korean Peninsula was the highest since the Korean War, which ended in an armistice in 1953 - leaving the North and South still technically at war.
Such arguments play into the hands of North Korea's psychological warfare, Shin told a radio station.
Japan is closely following Pyongyang's rhetoric and actions, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, declining to specify whether Tokyo believed North Korea was planning some kind of military action.
'NOT LOOKING AT WAR'
"I can rest pretty darn assured we're not looking at war," said Sydney Seiler, who retired as national intelligence officer for North Korea at the U.S. National Intelligence Council last year. "North Korea just is not ready for it. It's not postured for it."
Adding uncertainty to the outlook, Donald Trump is polling strongly against U.S. President Joe Biden ahead of a likely rematch in November's election. As president, Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea and engaged in both fiery brinkmanship and unprecedented diplomacy with Kim, at one point saying "we fell in love" after the two exchanged letters.
Trump has denied a report that, if elected again, he would consider a deal with Kim that would let North Korea keep its nuclear weapons while offering it financial incentives to stop making bombs.
Whoever occupies the White House next year will face a Pyongyang emboldened by its unchecked ballistic missile and nuclear weapons arsenal, and increased backing from Russia and China that has fractured a tenuous international sanctions regime against Pyongyang.
North Korea could further increase pressure on the allies around South Korean parliamentary elections in April, as well as the U.S. vote, Shin acknowledged.
"Before the U.S. presidential election, the North could try to tip the strategic environment in its favour with high-intensity provocations such as the launch of spy satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles or a seventh nuclear test, aimed at influencing the withdrawal of hard-line North Korea policies," the defence minister told Yonhap news agency.
'MILITARY SOLUTION'?
The report stirring the war debate was by two longtime Korea watchers: U.S. former intelligence analyst Robert Carlin and nuclear scientist Siegfried Hecker. They warned of "wreckage, boundless and bare" if Washington, Seoul and Tokyo failed to heed warning signs.
"The North’s view that the global tides were running in its favour probably fed into decisions in Pyongyang about both the need and opportunity - and perhaps the timing - toward a military solution to the Korean question," they wrote in an article for the 38 North project at the Stimson Center think tank in Washington.
North Korea has fundamentally changed its strategic thinking, abandoning the goal of eventually improving ties with Washington after failed Kim-Trump summits, improving ties with China and Russia, and drastically hardening its stance toward the South, they argued.
But many other observers say the greater risk is border clashes or other small if deadly incidents.
North Korea could take an "adventurous act" such as firing artillery near a disputed maritime border, as it did this month, or sinking a South Korean warship, as it did in 2010, said a Japanese former government security adviser.
From Kim's perspective, he is responding in a "very rational and understandable" way to changes such as heightened cooperation by the U.S., South Korea and Japan to check North Korea, he said.
Seiler, the U.S. former intelligence official who now works with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Kim's near-term domestic priority seems to be addressing economic disparities in the provinces.
"We know that Kim is looking at economic objectives," he said. "This is not a country that is going to a war footing."
An Atlantic Council report in November concluded that allied deterrence was "crumbling", and while all-out war was very unlikely, North Korea might feel emboldened to make more active military moves to improve its leverage or weaken connections between the United States and its Asian allies.
"Pyongyang’s regime almost certainly knows it cannot survive if it triggers an all-out nuclear exchange, but it will probably see greater viability for limited nuclear employment in the next five to ten years," the report said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/north-korea-signals-confrontation-no-signs-of-war-preparation
| 2024-01-26T10:54:05Z
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PATTAYA - A woman who claimed to own a lion cub that appeared in a viral video shot in Pattaya has been charged with failure to report its possession.
Mr Kongkiat Temtomnan, chief of the Protected Area Regional Office 2, said on Jan 25 that Sawangjit Kosungnoen was charged with violating the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act.
Failure to report possession of a lion, considered a controlled and fierce animal under the law, is liable to a maximum jail term of a year, a fine of up to 100,000 baht (S$3,760), or both.
Lions are considered a controlled animal under the law, which requires that their place of stay must be safe and secure, and their movement is prohibited without permission.
The regional office, which is part of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), is based in Chonburi’s Sriracha district and has jurisdiction over Pattaya City.
Police and DNP officials on Jan 24 evening examined the lion at the woman’s house in Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district. They looked for a microchip inserted in the lion’s right shoulder while examining relevant documents regarding possession of the animal. Following their 30-minute examination, the officials reported that the lion cub weighed about 30kg and was in good health.
Mr Kongkiat said that data from the microchip corresponded with the information on the lion’s registration with the DNP’s Ban Pong regional office in Ratchaburi province.
He said the woman’s alleged offence involved her possession of the lion without permission after it was moved from its original registered location.
“The person who is currently in possession of the lion is not the owner. In principle, the animal should be returned to the original location,” the official said.
He added that the procedures call for DNP officials to inspect a new location where controlled animals like lions will be placed to determine if the place is proper as per the law and relevant regulations before the animals can be moved there.
The woman, describing herself as someone in the property business, said her foreign friend had bought the nine-month-old female lion as a gift for her from an unidentified farm. She was raising it as her pet, along with dogs and cats at her house.
She said that on the day the viral video was shot, her foreign friend took the lion to a veterinarian when it did not look well, as she was too busy to do so.
“I didn’t expect him to drive the lion in a convertible like that,” the woman said, adding that she had scolded him for “making trouble”.
Her foreign friend, a 53-year-old Sri Lankan businessman, reportedly left Thailand on Jan 22 and flew back to his country.
The video in question, posted on Facebook on Jan 23, showed a foreigner driving his white convertible Bentley with the lion cub wearing a chained collar in the back seat.
The woman explained that she was doing paperwork regarding her possession of the lion. She said the process was delayed because the farm’s document identified the cub by the wrong sex.
“I have completely got all the required documents now, so I should get the permit soon,” she added. THE NATION / ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/lion-cub-in-bentley-thai-owner-charged-over-possessing-controlled-animal
| 2024-01-26T10:54:15Z
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The High Commission of India has proudly brought a special supplement on India’s 75th Republic Day, celebrated on Jan 26, 2024, in collaboration with The Straits Times.
The supplement brought to the readers provides details of India’s achievements in crucial sectors such as Digital Public Infrastructure, Space technology, the Start-up sector, the tourism sector, and climate change.
The articles also highlight the big strides taken by the bilateral relationship between India and Singapore in recent times.
Find all this in the Special supplement.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/high-commission-of-india-75th-republic-day
| 2024-01-26T10:54:25Z
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LUCKNOW, India - The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found that a 17th century mosque in one of Hinduism's holiest cities was built after destroying a Hindu temple that existed there, a lawyer for Hindu petitioners said, a possible new flashpoint in a decades-long dispute.
Muslim lawyers in the legal case being heard in the city of Varanasi disputed the comments by the lawyer for the Hindu petitioners but did not give details.
The Gyanvapi mosque is in Varanasi, which is also Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency.
Reuters has not seen the full ASI report, copies of which were shared only with the petitioners in the case. The regional office of the ASI in Uttar Pradesh state, where Varanasi is located, declined comment.
The ASI headquarters in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a public holiday. The district court registrar in Varanasi city could not be reached for comment.
"Remnants of the statues of Hindu gods have been found in the basements during the court-ordered survey," Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing Hindu petitioners, told reporters on Thursday.
He said the 800-page ASI report had found that based on the survey and the study of architectural remains, artefacts, arts and scriptures, "it can be said that there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure."
The report also said the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure, Jain said.
He told the ANI news agency later that the Hindu petitioners will now approach the Supreme Court to demand that an area of the mosque be opened for Hindus.
Advocates representing Muslim groups said they would respond after studying the survey report. "Whatever the Hindu side is saying is false reporting," said Akhlaq Ahmad, an advocate representing Muslim petitioners, without giving details.
The development comes days after Modi opened a grand temple to Hinduism's Lord Ram in the northern city of Ayodhya, built on the site of a 16th century mosque that was destroyed by a Hindu mob in 1992 claiming that the site marked the birthplace of the god-king.
At least 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots across India after the 1992 razing of the Ayodhya mosque.
The temple inauguration, months before Modi seeks a rare third term in national elections, has been portrayed by his party and its affiliates as a Hindu reawakening.
Muslims are the largest minority group in Hindu majority India. Hindu hardline groups, including those linked to Modi's party, have for decades said that Mughal rulers during their conquest of the region built monuments and places of worship after destroying ancient Hindu structures or temples.
Communal violence arising from such disputes has flared periodically, and Muslim and Hindu devotees offer prayers cheek by jowl in places like Varanasi amid tight security.
Indian law bars conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of religious character of places of worship as they existed on India's independence day on August 15, 1947, with the exception of the Ayodhya shrine. However, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments on challenges to the law. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/survey-finds-mosque-in-indias-varanasi-was-built-over-temple-hindu-petitioners
| 2024-01-26T10:54:35Z
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SINGAPORE – A new online service that started on Jan 26 allows workers on lower wages to check if they are being paid correctly.
Workers can use the Progressive Wage Portal (PW Portal) to see if their wages are in line with the relevant Progressive Wage Model (PWM) or Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) requirements. Workers can also see the PWM job levels their employers have assigned them.
The PWM is a wage ladder with pay rises pegged to training and productivity, while the LQS is a wage threshold imposed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on companies that hire foreign workers.
Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad said the portal will apply to workers covered under the PWM and LQS schemes, which include 234,000 full-time employees on lower wages.
Mr Zaqy added that more significant wage increases are expected in the next few years: “For example, the basic wage requirements for general cleaners will increase by 85 per cent over just six years, from $1,312 in 2022, to $2,420 in 2028.”
The Government disbursed about $1 billion of Progressive Wage Credit Scheme funding for wage increases given in 2022, noted the MOM. This amount co-funded pay rises given by around 70,000 employers to 345,000 or so employees.
The median monthly wage increase supported by the scheme was about $300, the ministry stated.
The new portal – which can be found at go.gov.sg/pw-portal – will also provide the relevant wage requirements, based on a worker’s PWM job role or LQS coverage. Workers can check if their tagged job role matches their actual job responsibilities, and if their employer is paying them correctly.
Workers who find they are not being paid the correct wages or are wrongly tagged to job roles should ask their employers to resolve the inaccuracy. They can also contact MOM if they need more help.
Reminders will also be sent out to workers when the annual PWM wage increases take effect for their sector and occupation. Workers can also check the portal to find out these new wage requirements and whether they are being paid correctly.
Mr Zaqy noted at a fireside chat at the event with NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Tan and deputy honorary secretary of the Singapore National Employers Federation Felix Loh: “The income gap between lower-wage workers and the median worker is narrowing, but the reality is that it’s going to get harder to continue narrowing this gap.
“Because the median worker is more skilled, they have more propensity for career growth, so it’s easier to bring up their wages as compared to lower-wage workers... So tripartism needs to continue, and we need to continue working to narrow this gap.”
Mr Tan added: “Beyond tripartism, consumers must also do our part. Nobody disagrees that lower-wage workers should be better supported, but are we prepared to pay a little more for services so that lower-wage workers can receive better remuneration?
“In all facets of the tripartism process, society must chip to make PWN work.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/new-portal-enables-lower-wage-workers-to-check-their-pay-job-levels
| 2024-01-26T10:54:46Z
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BENGALURU - Salesforce is laying off about 700 employees, or roughly 1 per cent of its global workforce, the Wall Street Journal reported on Jan 26, in the latest round of job cuts to hit the tech industry.
However, the report added that Salesforce still has 1,000 jobs open across the company, implying that the move could be more of a routine adjusting of the company’s workforce, the report said, citing a source.
The job cuts follow a wave of US tech layoffs after the industry hired heavily during the pandemic, including among behemoths such as Amazon and Google.
Salesforce did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report.
Earlier this week, eBay announced it would cut about 1,000 roles, or an estimated 9 per cent of its current workforce, while Microsoft said it would let go of 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox.
Salesforce has already trimmed its workforce in 2023, when it cut jobs by 10 per cent and closed some offices, after rapid pandemic hiring left it with a bloated workforce.
The workforce trimming helped the company’s earnings leading it to report a rise in second and third quarter revenue and raising its annual profit forecast.
Salesforce also said in September that it would hire more than 3,000 people after cutting jobs in January 2023 to drive up margins. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/salesforce-laying-off-700-workers-in-latest-tech-industry-downsizing-wsj
| 2024-01-26T10:54:56Z
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Long Covid symptoms are debilitating, and Sammi Cheng can attest to that.
The Cantopop superstar, who went offline for seven months, returned to Instagram on Jan 25 with an update that she is finally on the road to recovery after contracting the virus in May 2023.
Clad in a baby blue cloud-print sweatsuit, the 51-year-old Hong Kong actress-singer said her outfit reflected her mood.
“Looking back at last year, there were times when I was really physically and emotionally numbed. Sometimes I was okay, sometimes not. Sometimes high, sometimes low... that’s life,” Cheng wrote in her post in Cantonese.
She added: “By 2024, the dirty clouds have dissipated, and my body and mind will be like the blue sky and white clouds.”
Cheng, who won Best Actress at the 2023 Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) for her performance in the drama Lost Love, also shared snapshots of herselfexercising.
Known for her strict diets and fitness regimen, she said it felt great to finally be able to get active again, even if she had to start slow and keep her workout simple and non-strenuous.
Cheng also offered glimpses of how she spent her time at home, including taking make-up lessons, watching make-up tutorials on YouTube and clearing out her wardrobe.
Known for songs such as Beautiful Life (2001) and Love is… 2.0 (2023), she had to postpone her You & Mi Sammi Cheng World Tour for a year as she was still suffering from Covid-19 symptoms. She had planned to hold 13 concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum from July 14, 2023.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/cantopop-star-sammi-cheng-on-road-to-recovery-after-seven-months-of-recuperation
| 2024-01-26T10:55:07Z
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SINGAPORE – While on tour, Coldplay’s bass player Guy Berryman used to take the towels from hotel rooms and turn them into bags.
“Don’t tell the hotel I cut the towel up,” he said, discussing how he would take along a sewing machine when travelling the world with the massively popular British pop-rock band, which also comprise frontman Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland and drummer Will Champion.
“I’m a very hands-on person. And I think sometimes when you’re on tour, and you’re sitting in hotel rooms for long amounts of time, it’s really good to be able to have something like a sewing machine so you can give yourself challenges and just be able to make something.”
While many know the 45-year-old Scotsman as a musician, few know he is also a noted designer who started his own fashion label, Applied Art Forms, in 2020.
The brand was soft-launched in Singapore on Jan 16 at retail concept store Dover Street Market (DSM) Singapore in Dempsey Road.
Fans can get up close with Berryman – who will be holding a meet-and-greet there on Jan 28 from 3 to 5pm – by purchasing an Applied Art Forms item. These include an exclusive Love Is The Drug T-shirt ($220) that is available only at DSM Singapore.
Looking relaxed in loose-fitting white tops and dark pants from his label, the rocker spoke to The Straits Times at the store on Jan 25, a day after playing two nights – Jan 23 and 24 – at the National Stadium as part of Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres world tour.
The group will resume performing on Jan 26, 27, 30 and 31. All six shows at the arena, which has a capacity of 55,000, are sold out.
The fans at the packed stadium were “incredible”, he gushed. “It’s always surprising (to) us when we go to a different country, and we get such a warm reception and just the level to which people sing along to the songs.”
“I was surprised by the heat and humidity on stage, that was different from what we’ve been used to, but it was just wonderful. We’re so lucky we can come here (and) play so many shows in Singapore,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to eating local cuisine like chilli crab.
And even though Berryman is the resident fashionista, he has no interest in styling the band’s stage outfits.
“Some of the guys, they do like to wear the Applied Art Forms collection. Chris wears a T-shirt and Jonny wears the pants. They do like what I’m doing here, but I’ve never tried to force my clothes on them.”
Berryman traces the roots of his interest in fashion and design to his days at University College London, where he studied engineering and architecture, and met his bandmates.
“I combined my interest with engineering and architectural skill sets into a new-found passion for collecting vintage work, military garments and denims and these kinds of utility clothing, which I’m drawn to so much.”
He is inspired by the principle of form following function. “One of my heroes from a design point of view is (German industrial designer) Dieter Rams, who designed a lot of the products for Braun in the 1950s and 1960s. And his ethos was really all about reducing everything to its simplest form.”
Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Applied Art Forms’ unisex collection spans outerwear, pants and accessories. Most are made in small batches by manufacturers in the Netherlands, Italy and Japan. Some are handmade at the Amsterdam studio.
The items available at DSM Singapore include Applied Art Forms x Hannah Martin A Vanitas, a jewellery collaboration with London jeweller Hannah Martin.
The tie-up, which includes rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings based on the themes of a 16th-century Dutch painting style called Vanitas, came about after a serendipitous meeting with Martin.
“I was travelling through Heathrow Airport (in London) a couple of years ago and this lady walked up to me and was looking at my ear, and she said, ‘Excuse me, your earring. Have you had it a long time?’
“And I was a bit surprised by this line of questioning. And I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’ve had it for so long, I don’t remember when I got it.’ And she said, ‘I designed that.’”
The duo kept in touch and eventually started working together on the jewellery line.
Besides clothes, Berryman is also a keen collector of vintage automobiles and is the founder of car magazine The Road Rat. He was surprised when told about the high cost of car ownership in Singapore. A compact car, for example, would cost three times as much in Singapore compared with in Britain.
He is starting to reduce his reliance on motor-powered vehicles though, as Coldplay is famous for their eco-conscious stance.
“I’ve just moved to Amsterdam, which is a city where everybody cycles. So I’m kind of leaving cars behind me for a while, and I’m getting a bike.”
Those who purchase Applied Art Forms items are entitled to attend a meet-and-greet session with Guy Berryman at Dover Street Market Singapore (18 Dempsey Road) on Jan 28, 3 to 5pm.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/coldplay-bassist-guy-berryman-launches-fashion-label-in-singapore
| 2024-01-26T10:55:17Z
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SINGAPORE – Lexus’ tagline used to be “Relentless Pursuit of Perfection”. But in recent years, the Toyota luxury brand seems to be pursuing something else. With the launch of smaller and smaller models, that something may well be sales volume.
In 2014, it introduced the NX compact crossover, which is substantially smaller than the RX sport utility vehicle (SUV) it has had since 1997. In 2019, it launched the UX, which is an even smaller crossover which shares a platform with the Toyota RAV4.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/car-review-lexus-lbx-small-in-stature-big-on-fun-and-features
| 2024-01-26T10:55:27Z
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SINGAPORE – Some 130 journalists, from as far as Brazil, the United States and Norway, flew into Singapore this week for an international launch of the new Porsche Macan.
The unveiling took place at Gardens by the Bay on Jan 25, hosted by Volkswagen Group and Porsche chief executive Oliver Blume. Most international car launches are done at major motor shows in places such as Europe and China.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/will-porsche-s-electric-macan-electrify
| 2024-01-26T10:55:38Z
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“If he felt pressure, it was self-generated; it was not imposed on him.” That was the response of Goldman Sachs Group to an employee suing the firm for damages over a stressful working environment. The statement, as quoted in legal documents filed by the firm, continues: “If he did work excessive hours, this was not because it was required or expected of him.”
The former employee bringing the suit is no newcomer to office life, but a 55-year-old London-based executive who headed the firm’s global recruiting office between 2018 and 2021.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/drowning-in-work-but-whose-fault-is-that
| 2024-01-26T10:55:48Z
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You are reading the Evening Update newsletter. Get up to speed with the important stories from the day. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Early childhood programme KidStart to expand nationwide by 2025
The revised model offers support at the pre-natal stage and focuses on home visitations.
HDB resale prices rise 4.9% in 2023, lowest increase since 0.1% rise in 2019
Prices rose by less than half of the 10.4 per cent increase seen in 2022, in a sign that they are moderating.
Growth in Singapore private home prices and rentals slows in 2023
PM Lee attends Kissinger’s memorial service in US, calling late diplomat a ‘great statesman’
S’pore must innovate and be connected to global economy as resources become more scarce: Tan See Leng
Dr Tan also noted that Singapore’s resource constraints are being heightened by geopolitical tensions.
Israel braces itself for World Court ruling, focuses attack on south Gaza
The court will issue its ruling at 1pm (8pm Singapore time) in a hearing expected to last about an hour.
Samlit Moneychanger in Singapore sued after China police freeze cash
Samlit said it can’t be responsible for what happens after money reaches accounts in China.
10 years’ jail for stepfather who sexually abused teen after she gave birth
The perpetrator told the victim that he wanted to teach her how to protect herself against men.
Landslide in Cameron Highlands kills 2, another 3 feared buried alive
‘Permanent’ jewellery a hit among more Singaporeans
With no clasps, these “forever” bracelets are not meant to be removed.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/evening-update-today-s-headlines-from-the-straits-times-on-jan-26-2024
| 2024-01-26T10:55:59Z
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Amir Abdou may be a little-known name in the world of coaching but has now masterminded two improbable feats in successive Africa Cup of Nations finals after leading tiny Comoros Islands and Mauritania to the knockout rounds.
Neither minnow nation had come close before the 51-year-old took charge, but his ability to form a cohesive unit and tap into the countries' respective diasporas to improve their fortunes has made the little heralded French-born tactician something of a Cup of Nations icon.
On both occasions his teams have beaten continental giants to advance – in Cameroon two years ago Comoros defeated Ghana 3-2 and at the current tournament in the Ivory Coast, Mauritania edged Algeria 1-0. In each instance the more fancied teams were dumped out.
His next assignment with Mauritania is a last-16 clash with Cape Verde Islands in Abidjan on Sunday, a fixture he will view as a chance to advance even further in the competition.
"It’s extraordinary what we are experiencing," Abdou told Canal+ after the Algeria win. "I told the players that they wrote the history of Mauritania.
"We achieved a victory against a very great football nation, we managed to win against this Algerian team which is far superior to us individually.
"But collectively the team showed a lot of desire and were very disciplined. Our victory is well deserved, we will enjoy it."
Abdou’s greatest attribute is the ability to take a group of underdogs and mould them into a team that is at the very least competitive.
He did it with Comoros in their tournament debut two years ago, where they were the third lowest ranked side in the 24-team competition but reached the last-16, only to lose 2-1 to hosts Cameroon.
And he has brought that same spirit to Mauritania, who had never even led in a game at the Cup of Nations, let alone won, before they beat 2019 winners Algeria on Tuesday.
Abdou's path to coaching has been a less travelled one. He started mentoring children as part of a youth employment scheme when his own playing career was prematurely ended by two cruciate knee ligament injuries.
He rose quietly up the ranks of French amateur football, first in Agen and then at Golfech, where he led the local team to a famous French Cup win in 2013 over third division Luzenac.
After taking over Comoros a year later, Abdou spent as much time coaching and preparing for internationals, as he did organising travel and even the team’s kit.
He sometimes had to dip into his own pocket to help with the logistics and was still part-time until 2017 when the offer of a monthly salary of 2000 euros gave him enough leeway to leave his job working in the youth services in Agen. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/abdou-s-midas-touch-takes-mauritania-on-history-making-run
| 2024-01-26T10:56:09Z
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A bid by Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast to get former coach Herve Renard back on their bench to take charge of the rest of their campaign at the tournament has been turned down, French media reports said on Friday.
Renard is the coach of the French women’s team and permission had been sought of the French football federation by the Ivorians to "loan" the 55-year-coach for the tournament.
Frenchman Renard is a two-time Cup of Nations winner, coaching outsiders Zambia to the title in 2012 when they edged the Ivorians on post-match penalties in the final, and the Ivory Coast in 2015 when they beat Ghana in the decider.
He is the only coach to win the African championship with two different countries and had been in Abidjan watching the early stages of this year’s tournament as a guest of the Ivorian government.
Ivory Coast, who many had expected to be a force at the tournament, limped into the last-16 as one of four best third-placed finishers despite a humiliating 4-0 loss to tiny Equatorial Guinea in the heaviest defeat suffered by a host nation in the tournament's history.
They fired coach Jean-Louis Gasset, a former France assistant under Laurent Blanc, and put ex-international Emerse Fae in charge in the interim but were hoping Renard would ride to their rescue.
According to L'Equipe, the Ivorian federation had approach Renard and while he was "not insensitive to this call from the Ivorians" he needed the agreement of the French federation, who refused.
Neither the Ivorian nor French federation made any public statement on the matter.
Ivory Coast met holders Senegal in the last-16 at Yamoussoukro on Monday. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/ivory-coast-bid-to-loan-renard-turned-down-reports
| 2024-01-26T10:56:19Z
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Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has joined West Ham United on loan until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Friday.
Details of the deal were not disclosed by either club but British media reported that there is no option to buy clause included for the 28-year-old, who had four years remaining in his contract with City.
"I'm really pleased to be here," Phillips said.
"There's always been a lot of speculation about me moving to West Ham, so I'm really excited to get going now."
The England international joined City from Leeds United in the 2022 close-season for around 45 million pounds ($57.20 million) but was sidelined due to a shoulder injury.
Phillips fell down the pecking order after being criticized by manager Pep Guardiola for returning overweight from the World Cup, making only four league appearances as a substitute this season.
The defensive midfielder is vying for a spot in the final England squad for the Euros in five months, and regular playing time at West Ham could help him stay on manager Gareth Southgate's radar. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/man-citys-phillips-joins-west-ham-on-loan-until-end-of-season
| 2024-01-26T10:56:30Z
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MELBOURNE - Order of play on the main court on the 14th day of the Australian Open on Saturday (times local, prefix number denotes seeding):
* Day session: From 12 p.m. (0100 GMT)
* Night session: From 7:30 p.m. (0830 GMT)
ROD LAVER ARENA
Junior Girls' Singles final
1-Renata Jamrichova (Slovakia) v 6-Emerson Jones (Australia)
Junior Boys' Singles final
Jan Kumstat (Czech Republic) v 4-Rei Sakamoto (Japan)
Night session
Women's Singles final
12- Zheng Qinwen (China) v 2-Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
Men's Doubles final
Simone Bolelli (Italy)/Andrea Vavassori (Italy) v 2-Rohan Bopanna (India)/Matthew Ebden (Australia) REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/australian-open-order-of-play-on-saturday-0
| 2024-01-26T10:56:40Z
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MELBOURNE - A stunned Novak Djokovic said his performance in the loss to Jannik Sinner in Friday's Australian Open semi-final was one of the worst he had produced in more than 400 Grand Slam matches.
The 24-times Grand Slam champion said he still had high hopes of more success over the rest of the season and warned off pundits who might be tempted to call time on his glorious career.
"He outplayed me completely today," the Serbian said of the 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6) 6-3 loss to Sinner, a 22-year-old Italian.
"I was shocked at my level in a bad way. There was not much I was doing right in the first two sets. I guess this is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I've ever played. At least that I remember.
"To be honest, the whole tournament I haven't really played close to my best. I didn't feel really myself on the court during this tournament. One can say semi-finals is a great result, of course, but I always expect the highest of myself."
Those expectations came of the results he has achieved on Melbourne's blue hardcourts, where he has won 10 titles and 94 of the 103 matches he has played over his 19 campaigns.
Sinner's victory snapped Djokovic's winning streak of 33 matches at the Australian Open going back to 2018 and was the world number one's first loss in 11 Melbourne semi-finals.
"I definitely have a lot to be very proud of in terms of what I have achieved here," said Djokovic.
"The streak was going to end one day. It was going to happen, and at least I gave everything I possibly can under circumstances where I didn't play well.
"I just hope that I'll get a chance to come back to play at least another time and go through the emotions once more."
Sunday's Australian Open final will be the first since 2005 not involving Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal - the greatest players in a golden era of men's tennis.
With Federer retired and Nadal looking close to joining him, Djokovic was asked whether he was starting to feel his 36 years.
"Let's see what happens in the rest of the season," he added.
"I still have high hopes for other slams, Olympics, and whatever tournaments that I'll play. This tournament hasn't been up to my standard but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's beginning of the end." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/one-of-my-worst-djokovic-shocked-by-display-in-sinner-loss
| 2024-01-26T10:56:51Z
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BEIJING – China said on Jan 26 it had sentenced a British national in 2022 to five years in jail for spying, in its official confirmation of a case that had gone unreported until this week.
The Wall Street Journal first broke news of the case of British businessman Ian Stones on Jan 25. Citing his family and other sources, it reported that he had disappeared in 2018 after decades of work in China.
Asked about the report on Jan 26, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said a Beijing court in 2022 “sentenced in first instance the British defendant... to five years in prison for the crime of illegally obtaining intelligence for overseas actors”.
After an appeal, he added, the case was upheld in September 2023.
Mr Wang, referring to Stones by a Chinese name, said the “court tried the case strictly in accordance with the law”.
Beijing, he said, “fully guaranteed the various legitimate rights” of the prisoner and had arranged for British officials to visit him and attend his trial.
“China is a country governed by the rule of law,” Mr Wang said.
“The judicial organs strictly promote the handling of cases in accordance with the law, safeguarding the rights and legitimate interests of both Chinese nationals and foreigners,” he added.
China and Britain have traded barbs in recent months over allegations of perceived espionage and its resulting impact on national security.
This month, Beijing said the head of a foreign consultancy had been found to be spying for Britain’s MI6 intelligence service.
The Ministry of State Security (MSS) said in a WeChat post that Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service – also known as MI6 – used a foreign national with the surname Huang to establish an “intelligence cooperation relationship”.
And Britain has in turn warned that Chinese spies are increasingly targeting officials, allegations that Beijing has denied.
A researcher at the British Parliament was arrested in 2023 under the Official Secrets Act and subsequently denied spying for Beijing.
China, which has a broad definition of state secrets, has publicised several other alleged spying cases.
In May 2023, the authorities sentenced 78-year-old American citizen John Shing-wan Leung to life in prison for espionage.
And in October 2023, the MSS published the story of another alleged spy, surnamed Hou, who was accused of sending several secret and classified documents to the US.
China in 2023 also conducted raids on a string of big-name consulting, research and due diligence firms.
In May 2023, China said it had raided the offices of US consultancy firm Capvision in order to safeguard its “national security and development interests”.
Beijing also questioned staff at the Shanghai branch of another American consultancy, Bain, in April 2023.
And the authorities detained workers and shuttered a Beijing office belonging to US-based due diligence firm Mintz Group in March 2023.
The US government and its chambers of commerce warned that the raids damage investor confidence and the operations of foreign businesses in China. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/china-says-jailed-british-national-in-2022-for-spying
| 2024-01-26T10:57:01Z
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PARIS - Farmers blocked one of France’s main motorways linking Paris with the northern city of Lille, the Benelux and Britain on Jan 26, causing kilometres of traffic jams, the first major traffic disruption caused by the protest movement in the French capital.
Local farming unions have called for roadblocks in and around Paris on Jan 26 to step up the pressure on the government which the farmers accuse of not helping them enough to cope with what they say are low food prices and excessive regulation.
The roadblock on the A1 north of Paris lead to traffic jams of around 4km in the morning, according to the transport ministry's online service Bison Fute.
French media reported that farmers had also set up first roadblocks on traffic axes in the Essonne department south of Paris in the early morning hours, while most protests were expected to start in the early afternoon.
The government said it would announce first immediate measures aimed at taming the farmer outrage later on Jan 26 with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expected to speak in the afternoon.
So far, the government has not specified when and where Mr Attal is due to speak or what measures could be announced. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/french-farmers-block-highways-around-paris-as-protest-reach-capital
| 2024-01-26T10:57:12Z
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MOSCOW - The Kremlin on Friday denied a Bloomberg report that President Vladimir Putin was "putting out feelers" to the United States for possible talks on ending the war in Ukraine and might consider dropping key demands on Ukraine's security status.
The Bloomberg report said Putin was "testing the waters" on whether Washington was ready to engage in talks, and had reached out to the United States via indirect channels.
It cited two people close to the Kremlin as saying Putin "may be willing to consider dropping an insistence on neutral status for Ukraine and even ultimately abandon opposition to eventual NATO membership - the threat of which has been a central Russian justification for the invasion".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked by reporters about the story, and specifically whether Moscow was really ready to give up its demands on neutrality and NATO.
"No, this is a wrong report. It absolutely does not correspond to reality," Peskov said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/kremlin-denies-report-that-putin-reaching-out-to-us-might-drop-key-demands-on-ukraine
| 2024-01-26T10:57:22Z
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BRUSSELS - Freight going through the Suez Canal has dropped by 45% in the two months since attacks by Yemen's Houthis led shipping groups to divert freight, disrupting already strained maritime trading routes, according to UN agency UNCTAD.
UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which supports developing countries in global trade, warned of risks of higher inflation, uncertainty of food security and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Shipping companies have diverted ships from the Red Sea since the Iran-alighned Houthi movement, which controls most of the populated parts of Yemen, began attacking vessels in what it says is support of Palestinians in Gaza. The United States and Britain have responded with air strikes against the Houthis.
The agency said 39% fewer ships than at the start of December transited the canal, leading to a 45% decline in freight tonnage.
Jan Hoffmann, UNCTAD's head of trade logistics, said there were now three key global trade routes disrupted, also including flows of grain and oils since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the Panama Canal, where low water levels from drought meant shipping last month was down 36% year-on-year and 62% from two years ago.
"We are very concerned," he told a briefing late on Thursday. "We are seeing delays, higher costs, higher greenhouse gas emissions."
Emissions were rising, he said, because ships were opting for longer routes and also travelling faster to compensate for detours.
The Suez Canal handles 12-15% of global trade and 25-30% of container traffic. Container shipments through the canal were down 82% in the week to Jan 19 from early December, while for LNG, the decline was even greater. The drop-off for dry bulk was smaller and crude oil tanker traffic was very slightly higher.
Spot container rates recorded their sharpest weekly increase of $500, affecting not just Asia-to-Europe shipments but also the non-Suez route to the U.S west coast, which has more than doubled. However, rates were still only about half of the peak hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hoffmann said food prices could feel the impact, adding about half of the increases seen since the war in Ukraine were due to higher transport costs, although end-consumers in developed countries may take some time to see an effect.
"Passing on these higher freight rates to consumers takes time, up to a year until... we would really see them in the shop, whatever shop - Ikea, Walmart or something," he said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/freight-through-suez-canal-down-45-since-houthi-attacks-unctad
| 2024-01-26T10:57:32Z
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JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s genocide case against Israel may have ruffled feathers in the capitals of vital Western trading partners, but it has boosted the country’s standing as a champion of the downtrodden Global South.
That gamble is likely to pay off, thanks to renewed rivalry for Africa’s minerals and United Nations votes between the West, China and Russia, turbocharged by Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Regardless of what the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules on Jan 26, the case is clearly embarrassing for Israel and its allies in Washington, Brussels and London.
And grumble they might, but they can scarcely afford to alienate Africa’s industrial and diplomatic heavyweight – especially with the United States’ main superpower rival, China, wooing the continent with money, railways and tech transfers.
“If you’re going to start punishing South Africa for going to the International Court of Justice, then you’re going to have to start punishing a lot of other African countries (for supporting the Palestinians),” Mr Steven Friedman, director of South Africa’s Centre for the Study of Democracy, said.
“If you do that, then you might as well send (Chinese President) Xi Jinping a letter saying ‘you’ve won’.”
Underscoring the point, on a visit to Angola on Jan 25, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said of South Africa’s ICJ case, “whether or not we have a disagreement, one particular matter doesn’t take away from the important work that we’re doing together in so many other areas”.
South African officials often compare their erstwhile struggle against white minority rule to the Palestinian cause – a comparison Israel strongly disputes.
‘Point of pride’
South Africa projects itself as critic of a world order it sees as serving the interests of mainly the United States and its rich-country allies, which promote international norms they enforce on foes but often not on friends or even on themselves.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa who denounced the rich world for hogging all the vaccines, notes Mr Chris Ogunmodede, analyst and editor of World Politics Review.
South Africa was instrumental in marketing Brics – the forum led by Brazil, Russia, India, China and itself – as an alternative to Western hegemony, with 40 nations queuing to join in 2023.
“(The ICJ case) is... another indication of the important place South Africa seeks to occupy as (one of) the continent’s leading voices on global affairs,” Mr Ogunmodede said.
This aim will be enhanced by taking a firm stand on the Gaza war, which has displaced some 1.9 million Palestinians and killed at least 26,000, according to Gaza officials, and inspired global outrage.
That South Africa took no such unequivocal moral stance on Russia has raised eyebrows. In 2023, the government unsuccessfully sought a waiver from its obligation to arrest President Vladamir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine so he could attend a Brics summit.
“(An) elementary principle of morality is that it can’t be selective. South Africa did not do right by the Ukrainian people,” author and columnist Ferial Haffajee wrote in the national Daily Maverick in January, but she praised South Africa for picking a first-rate legal team to fight the ICJ case.
South Africans are proud of the strong rule of law that emerged from their anti-apartheid struggle, which often resolves rancorous domestic political disputes.
“Seeing their judges on the bench of the ICJ wearing South African scarves is like watching the Springboks (national rugby team) win the world cup,” Mr Chris Vandome, a senior Southern Africa researcher at Chatham House, said.
“It’s a point of pride.” REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T10:57:43Z
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GENEVA - The United Nations human rights chief on Friday condemned the execution of a prisoner in the U.S. state of Alabama by nitrogen gas, saying the method could amount to torture.
Kenneth Smith, convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, was executed on Thursday with nitrogen gas, the first use of a new method of capital punishment since lethal injections began in the U.S. four decades ago.
"I deeply regret the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama despite serious concerns this novel and untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said.
"The death penalty is inconsistent with the fundamental right to life. I urge all states to put in place a moratorium on its use, as a step towards universal abolition."
Smith had survived one execution attempt. In November 2022, Alabama officials aborted his execution by lethal injection after struggling for hours to insert an intravenous line's needle in his body. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T10:57:53Z
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On the night of January 26, 2024, Russian forces launched missile strikes on Myrnohrad and Kherson, causing significant casualties and damage. The strikes resulted in seven injuries, including children, and damaged a school, a shopping center, and a kindergarten. The information about these attacks and the resulting destruction was confirmed by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, and Dmytro Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration.
The strikes come at a time when Russia is markedly intensifying its missile attacks on civilian infrastructure this winter. This increase in attacks underlines the growing need for enhanced air defense.
Prokudin detailed that Kherson was hit by S-300 missile systems, leading to two strikes in the city. These attacks damaged a kindergarten, an apartment building, and a shopping center. A 54-year-old woman in her home suffered leg injuries and a blast wound but received immediate medical attention.
In Myrnohrad, as Filashkin reported, the nighttime strike injured six people, including two children. All injured received necessary medical care, with one individual needing hospitalization. The missile strike destroyed an administrative building and damaged seven residential buildings, a store, a business, a school, and 29 vehicles. The full extent of the damage, especially to private homes, is still being assessed.
Read more:
- Russian unprecedented air attack kills 53, injures 170, hits
- Russia attacks ten Ukrainian regions over last 24 hours
- Russia’s attack kills one, injures three in Kherson Oblast
- Poland activates its air defenses amid Russia’s morning missile attack
- Russia’s massive missile attack on Ukraine kills at least
- Russian missile attack on Donetsk’s Pokrovsk district kills
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/26/russian-missile-strikes-on-myrnohrad-and-kherson-injure-seven-including-children/
| 2024-01-26T11:51:53Z
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The construction is planned as the expansion of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant in western Ukraine, the energy minister German Galushchenko told Reuters.
It is intended to replace energy capacity lost due to Russia’s occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, in 2022.
Galushchenko said Ukraine expects to import equipment for two Soviet-era VVER-1000 reactors from Bulgaria to complete reactors 3 and 4 at Khmelnytskyi, construction of which began in the 1980s but was never finished. Simultaneously, Ukraine wants to construct two entirely new modern AP1000 reactors in cooperation with American company Westinghouse, which would become units 5 and 6 at Khmelnytskyi.
“If we received the reactor vessels today, I think it would be 2.5 years, and we would have a third reactor on line,” Galushchenko told Reuters.
Ukraine’s three nuclear plants in government-controlled territory currently supply over 55% of the country’s electricity. Expanding nuclear power generation will help replace the lost capacity from Zaporizhzhia as the war with Russia continues.
In December 2023, Ukraine’s nuclear power firm Energoatom and Westinghouse signed an agreement to purchase equipment for Khmelnytskyi’s 5th power unit. Galushchenko said that the construction plan could be completed within a few years if legislation is approved in time.
Read more:
- Russian forces attack thermal power plant, injuring five energy workers
- Germany allocates additional € 88.5 mn for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
- Russia used over 1,200 missiles and kamikaze drones to destroy Ukraine’s energy system – Ukrenergo
- Ukraine’s state company opened 58 new gas wells in 2023, making Ukraine independent from gas imports
- Over 40 European energy firms turn to Ukrainian facilities to store gas for winter
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| 2024-01-26T11:51:53Z
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MOSCOW - Russia will use alternative routes and supplies of sea-borne liquefied natural gas in case Ukraine does not extend the deal on Russian gas transit to Europe, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
The current five-year agreement between Moscow and Kyiv about Russian gas transit to Europe expires in the end of 2024.
Speaking to reporters at a daily conference call, Peskov also said that the logistic chains for Russian gas exports would be overhauled in case the deal was not extended.
Various media outlets have cited Ukrainian government as saying that Kyiv will not seek talks with Moscow on the possibility of a gas transit deal extension.
"The question is how this gas will get there (to Europe). Of course, there are existing routes related to Turkey, there are supplies of liquefied gas, which are in demand now," Peskov said.
"That is, there are alternative routes. But firstly, they are all already booked ... and of course, this will lead to changes in all logistics chains."
Ukraine used to be Russia's main route for gas exports to Europe. However, the supplies of gas via the country have dwindled as Russia built the now damaged and idle undersea Nord Stream pipeline via the Baltic Sea to Germany and TurkStream link on the bed of the Black Sea to Turkey.
Russian gas exports to Europe also plummeted amid the political fallout over the conflict in Ukraine. Russia has lost top spot of natural gas provider for Europe to Norway. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/kremlin-russia-will-use-alternative-routes-if-no-gas-transit-deal-extension-with-ukraine
| 2024-01-26T12:26:24Z
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NEW DELHI – Rampant overuse of antibiotics in India, one of the world’s leading producers of the medication, is increasing the threat of the population developing resistance to the life-saving drugs.
Now, the Health Ministry has directed doctors to write down the reasons for prescribing antibiotics to their patients, in an effort to curb the dangerous trend.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/doctors-told-to-write-reasons-for-prescribing-antibiotics-in-india-s-fight-against-overuse
| 2024-01-26T12:26:34Z
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TAIPEI - Taiwan's defence ministry said it detected 23 Chinese air force planes operating around Taiwan and carrying out "joint combat readiness patrols" with Chinese warships on Friday, ahead of high-level China-U.S. talks in Thailand.
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has over the past four years regularly sent warplanes and warships into the skies and waters around the island as it seeks to assert sovereignty claims that the Taipei government rejects.
Taiwan's defence ministry said that starting around 4 p.m. (0800 GMT) on Friday it had detected 23 Chinese aircraft including Su-30 fighters and drones operating off northern and central Taiwan and to the island's southwest.
Thirteen of those aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, or areas close by, working with Chinese warships to carry out "joint combat readiness patrols", the ministry added.
The strait's median line once served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, but Chinese planes now regularly fly over it. China says it does not recognise the line's existence.
Taiwan sent its own forces to monitor, its defence ministry said.
There was no immediate response from China's defence ministry.
The activity comes as U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi prepare to meet in Bangkok, building on a pledge by the leaders of the world's two largest economies to deepen dialogue.
The officials will meet on Friday and Saturday, a little more than two months after U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for about four hours on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.
Biden and Xi agreed to open a presidential hotline, resume military-to-military communications, and work to curb fentanyl production, but remained at odds over Taiwan, which enjoys strong U.S. backing despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
China's foreign ministry said earlier on Friday that Taiwan would be a subject for discussion.
Taiwan elected a new president earlier this month, Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. China views Lai, who takes office on May 20, as a dangerous separatist and has rebuffed his offers of talks.
Taiwan's government says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/taiwan-reports-chinese-combat-patrols-ahead-of-china-us-talks
| 2024-01-26T12:26:44Z
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SINGAPORE – Local shares ended in the black on the last trading day of the week amid a mixed showing by regional bourses.
Investors may have had Wall Street’s positive session overnight in mind as they pushed the Straits Times Index (STI) up 0.4 per cent or 11.89 points to 3,159.53 on Jan 26. Gainers just outnumbered losers 297 to 279 on robust trade of 1.5 billion shares worth $1.2 billion.
Casino operator Genting Singapore led the index gainers, rising 3.6 per cent to $1.01.
The counter rose as strong growth in casino revenue by rival Marina Bay Sands, which is run by parent company Las Vegas Sands, boosted investor sentiment in the gaming sector.
The local banks were also among the gainers, with DBS Bank, OCBC Bank and UOB rising between 0.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent.
With the banks due to report fourth-quarter earnings in coming weeks, IG market analyst Yeap Jun Rong said that while DBS continued to see an expansion in its net margin interests in the third quarter, OCBC and UOB did not.
Mr Yeap attributed the divergence to the banks’ abilities to balance loan repricing and funding costs. He added that Refinitiv estimates are looking for contractions in net interest income from UOB and OCBC this time.
“While year-on-year growth in net interest income for the banks has already been slowing for three straight quarters due to a higher base effect from last year, this may mark the first time we see a contraction,” he said.
Tech company Venture was at the bottom of STI, falling 1.9 per cent to $13.48.
Seatrium was again the most actively traded, with 128.1 million shares changing hands. The counter was down 1 per cent to 10.4 cents.
Elsewhere, key indexes in Shanghai, South Korea and Malaysia rose, but the Nikkei 225 in Japan and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell. The Australian bourse was closed for a public holiday. THE BUSINESS TIMES
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https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/singapore-shares-end-friday-higher-as-regional-markets-trade-mixed
| 2024-01-26T12:26:56Z
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SINGAPORE - A 15-year-old student was one of nearly 70 suspects arrested in an islandwide drug bust in which about $63,000 worth of narcotics were seized.
The raids, which took place over six days from Jan 21 to Jan 26, covered areas like Ang Mo Kio, MacPherson, Pasir Ris and Woodlands, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in a statement on Jan 26.
The drugs - seized from a total of 68 suspects - included about 144g of heroin, 112g of Ice, 348g of cannabis, 13 Ecstasy tablets and two Erimin-5 tablets, it added.
On the first day of the raids, CNB officers had to force their way into a home near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 when the occupants refused to open the door.
They found about 154g of cannabis, 5g of Ice, 0.5g of ketamine, fragments of Ecstasy and drug-related equipment in the unit, the statement said.
Two Singaporeans - a 32-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman - were arrested for suspected drug offences.
On Jan 23, CNB officers raided a home near Pasir Ris Drive 4 after getting a tip-off. They found about 109g of cannabis, 1g of Ice and drug-related equipment, among other things.
A 42-year-old Singaporean man, suspected of trafficking drugs, and his 39-year-old wife were both arrested.
Two days later, a 59-year-old Singaporean man was arrested at the void deck of a block near Bedok North Street 3 for suspected drug trafficking offences.
The man put up a violent struggle and officers had to use “necessary force” to subdue him. About 109g of heroin, 32g of Ice, two Ecstasy tablets and drug-related equipment were seized, the statement said.
CNB said anyone found trafficking more than 15g of diamorphine or pure heroin can face the mandatory death penalty.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/15-year-old-teen-among-68-suspects-arrested-in-islandwide-drug-bust-over-60k-in-narcotics-seized
| 2024-01-26T12:27:06Z
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SINGAPORE – Looking to adopt a fur baby from another social media user?
If you are told that you must pay an advance deposit before you get to see your future pet, stay clear, said Purely Meow, a cat rescue and rehoming collective.
Pet adoption scams are on the rise, Ms Jenny Cheong, head of Purely Meow, told The Straits Times.
She added that some scammers have made use of Purely Meow’s logo in their social media profiles in a bid to look like an affiliate of the collective.
Scammers always “make use of people’s love for animals to make money and use cute, well-groomed and pure-bred kittens as their selling point”, Ms Cheong said.
They often state that no adoption fees are required in their public notice, but when interested parties contact them through private messages, they would ask for a deposit ranging from $200 to $250, and then disappear with the money.
Ms Cheong was first alerted to such a ruse in November 2023, when she noticed a Facebook user impersonating a woman who had adopted a cat from Purely Meow.
The scammer, who went with the name Della Nor, stole a photo from Purely Meow’s Facebook page, which is watermarked with the collective’s logo.
The scammer also created a group called Singapore Cats For Adoptions, posting listings of kittens and asked for upfront payment from interested parties before providing an address for cat viewing.
At least two users fell prey to this scammer, and they realised they had been duped only after visiting the address, Ms Cheong said.
Checks by ST show that the account is no longer found on Facebook.
Purely Meow had lodged a police report on Nov 17, 2023.
The police said they are looking into the matter.
On Dec 22, 2023, Purely Meow again flagged a similar scam account on Facebook.
This scammer went by the name Nur Aisyah. The display photo was again stolen from Purely Meow.
In its Facebook post, Purely Meow warned the public against making payments before viewing their future pets.
Legitimate organisations are upfront about adoption fees, which are used to cover the medical bills for the rescued animals, the collective said.
If the payment required exceeds $200, one should request to view the receipts.
“It is your right as a potential adopter to ascertain that you are legitimately adopting a rescued cat or kitten,” the collective added.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/beware-of-pet-adoption-scams-on-social-media-warns-cat-rescue-group
| 2024-01-26T12:27:16Z
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SINGAPORE - From 2025, a special education school for children with hearing loss and a mainstream school – both founded by the Canossian Sisters in the 1940s and 1950s – will be combined.
Canossian School and Canossa Catholic Primary School (CCPS) will operate under one CCPS banner, the Canossa Misson Singapore (CMS) said on Jan 26.
All current Canossian School pupils will become students of CCPS, where they will continue to receive support.
The Ministry of Education has endorsed this proposal and decision, the CMS said in a statement. CMS is a company limited by guarantee, set up to oversee the works of the Canossian Daughters of Charity.
With the restructuring, CCPS will be a mainstream primary school that is designated to support pupils with moderate to significant hearing loss who are able to go through the national primary curriculum and use the oral approach.
This approach means that pupils will use hearing devices to help them listen to their surroundings and learn spoken language.
Hearing students will still form the majority of each cohort at CCPS – about 120 pupils per cohort.
Students with hearing loss will be admitted to the designated mainstream school programme in CCPS separately, and not through the yearly Primary 1 Registration Exercise.
In a statement, CMS said that pupils from Canossian School have been learning together with their hearing peers at CCPS since 1999, as both schools are located at Sallim Road in MacPherson.
“Over the years, opportunities for students in both schools to interact have increased and these have benefited both Canossian School and CCPS, with Canossian School students developing in confidence and integrating well in the community and CCPS students growing in empathy to embrace their Canossian School peers who are differently abled,” it said.
Dr Gerard Ee, chairman of Canossian School board of management, said: “The two schools have consciously been building a culture of inclusivity among the children and the staff, making it a natural environment today. Children embrace one another without noticing the differences. This makes for a kinder, more embracing society, which must always start with the young.”
The Canossian Village in Sallim Road also houses a pre-school and runs early intervention for pre-schoolers with hearing loss, along with after-school care, social work, counselling and therapy support.
The statement on Jan 26 said that CCPS will continue to build on the work of Canossian School and provide learning support and services like audiology and relevant therapy to support students with hearing loss.
CCPS will also offer more opportunities for social interaction, with a wider range of co-curricular activities and school programmes.
Madam Noorashikin Ahamed, whose ten-year-old daughter Qiara Adreanna Muhammad Herwan attends Canossian School, said she welcomes the move to bring both schools together, although she has some concerns about new subjects that her daughter would have to take in 2025.
The 33-year-old housewife said: “Canossian School is a special education school, so they don’t offer subjects like Mother Tongue. When it merges to become a mainstream primary school next year, my daughter will be in Primary 4. I do not know how she will cope if she has to learn Malay then.”
Despite that, Madam Noorashikin is confident that her daughter, who has moderate hearing loss, will be taken care of and be able to socialise well with her new hearing classmates.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/canossian-school-and-canossa-catholic-primary-school-to-combine-in-2025
| 2024-01-26T12:27:27Z
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SINGAPORE – Cordlife clients waiting to learn the viability of their cord blood units from six cryogenic tanks that had temperature lapses will have to wait till around the end of March, due to capacity constraints at the testing lab and for supplementary tests to be carried out.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had previously announced that announced on Dec 8, 2023, that investigations into the extent of temperature lapses and viability of cord blood units would take roughly six weeks.
In its update on Jan 26, the Ministry of Health (MOH) gave assurances that it is working closely with Cordlife to ensure that the company progressively updates its clients as finalised results are available.
Processes at the cord blood banking company have come under the spotlight after the health authorities revealed on Nov 30, 2023, that cryopreserved cord blood units in seven of its 22 storage tanks were exposed to suboptimal storage temperatures.
Around 2,200 cord blood units in one of the affected tanks were damaged and rendered unsuitable for stem cell transplants.
Cord blood samples from the remaining six affected tanks and a dry shipper have been sent to a third-party laboratory to test the viability and potency of the cord blood units.
This covers 17,300 units belonging to an estimated 17,050 clients in the six affected tanks, and an estimated 2,400 units stored in the dry shipper.
Dry shippers are cryogenic containers used to transfer units from cord blood banks to medical facilities when the blood is released for treatment purposes. They are not meant for long-term storage.
Cord blood units have to be stored at temperatures below minus 150 deg C, or they could thaw and be damaged.
MOH audits had uncovered that units in the seven storage tanks had been exposed to temperatures above the acceptable limits at different periods from November 2020 till November 2023.
Preliminary investigations show that two of the six affected tanks, which stored about 2,300 cord blood units, were unlikely to be adversely affected by the temperature lapses. Results of the other tanks and dry shipper are not ready.
“We estimate the final results will be ready in end-March 2024, due to capacity constraints of the laboratory and the need to conduct further tests using additional samples from different parts of the tank to ensure thoroughness of the findings,” said MOH.
The ministry added that the results will be sent to an independent expert panel for further verification, and the results of each tank will be progressively finalised.
“This process is to ensure that the outcomes of the study are conclusive and reliable, upon which clients can then make decisions,” it added.
MOH added that it will await the testing results and the expert panel review to ascertain the impact of the temperature excursion on the affected tanks and dry shipper. Should the results for some of the samples be inconclusive, repeat testing and further consultation with the panel of experts will be required.
“We understand that many parents are eager to know the outcome of the investigation and we seek their patience.
“The transfer of cord blood units to another cord blood bank carries risks and should be an option that is considered carefully, accompanied by detailed discussions with the receiving cord blood bank. Parents are advised to wait until the completion of the testing and review of the results,” said MOH.
The ministry said it will guide parents on the transfer policy and processes where appropriate.
MOH also added that it had sent a letter to Cordlife on Jan 22, giving it till May 31 to rectify a list of potential non-compliances. Lapses include issues like ineffective incident reporting frameworks, inadequate training and competence of staff and inappropriate storage of cord blood units.
On Jan 10, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said MOH will review regulatory requirements for cord blood banking following the Cordlife incident.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/cordlife-lapses-viability-results-of-19700-cord-blood-units-to-be-released-by-end-march
| 2024-01-26T12:27:37Z
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SINGAPORE - A man who pranked his friend with a fake story that he had been a victim of attempted snatch theft ended up with real criminal charges for providing false information to the authorities.
Masewan Edi, 48, lied to police officers after his friend called them to investigate the case. He admitted only later that it was all made up.
On Jan 26, Masewan pleaded guilty to one count of giving false information to a public servant, and was sentenced to 12 days’ jail. Another similar charge was taken into consideration for sentencing.
Court documents said that on April 28, 2023, at around 9.40pm, Masewan called his friend and told him that three unknown Chinese men had confronted him at a Housing Board block in Bukit Batok Central.
One of them had even tried to snatch his sling bag as they walked past him, according to Masewan’s story.
Upon hearing this, his friend rushed down to meet him and called the police.
Police officers arrived at the scene of the “snatch theft” and interviewed Masewan, who repeated the same story. But while describing the incident, Masewan changed his story and said it had happened two weeks prior.
Two or three hours later, he admitted to the police officers that there had been no such incident.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Melissa Heng said: “The accused shared that he had consumed some alcohol prior to the call to (his friend) and merely wanted to prank (him) out of boredom.”
In total, 14 police officers – seven ground response officers, three investigation officers, three strike force officers and one TransCom officer – were activated for the case.
DPP Heng asked for one to two weeks’ imprisonment for Masewan, noting that significant resources were unnecessarily expended.
In court, the prosecutor said Masewan had been jailed previously for theft and fraudulent possession of property, among other offences.
Masewan, who did not have a lawyer, said in court that he was surprised when his friend called the police, as he only meant it as a joke.
He pleaded for leniency and said he is currently providing maintenance for his children.
For giving false information to a public servant, Masewan could have been jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/12-days-jail-for-man-who-lied-to-friend-about-being-victim-of-crime-out-of-boredom
| 2024-01-26T12:27:47Z
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SINGAPORE - Electricity supply to Housing Board flats in Yishun has been cut off for more than 17 hours since the wee hours on Jan 26, following electrical fires which broke out at three floors of a block.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fires at Block 443 Yishun Avenue 11 at about 12.45am.
The fire involved electricity meters in risers on the seventh, eighth and ninth floor of the block. Fires on the seventh and ninth floor had subsided before officers arrived, and the remaining flame was extinguished with a dry powder extinguisher.
A spokesperson for Nee Soon Town Council said an engineer, a contractor and utilities firm SP Group are working to restore power supply on the ground. Final stages of rectification works are ongoing as at 6.40pm.
The power outage affected a few units on each floor of the block, added the spokesperson. The town council was alerted to the incident at 2.50am.
A resident who lives on the fourth floor told Shin Min he was unable to do work due to the power outage.
He said: “As there is no Internet, I cannot work from home and the air-con cannot be turned on.”
Many residents gathered at the void deck as they waited for firefighting operations to conclude, reported the Chinese language media outlet. Medical staff provided treatment to several residents.
There were no reported injuries, said the SCDF.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/electrical-fires-at-block-in-yishun-result-in-power-outage
| 2024-01-26T12:27:58Z
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei - President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said all the roles he plays – including those taken up in his private capacity – further his duties as president, as well as Singapore’s national interest.
These include being a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and co-chairing the Global Commission on the Economics of Water that aims to transform water governance.
In November 2023, Parliament voted to amend the Constitution to allow current and future presidents to accept international appointments in their private capacities with certain conditions.
Responding to a question about whether the constitutional change made a difference to his work, Mr Tharman said on Jan 26 that things are not very different from before.
“Nothing I do is for private interest,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a state visit to Brunei. This is the first time he has commented on the matter since it was debated and passed in Parliament.
He said: “The term ‘private capacity’ that’s used in the Constitution, is a bit of legalese, but it simply means that there are some roles I could play internationally where I have to express independent views, so that we are credible when I’m chairing various bodies, for instance.
“They are all in furtherance of my presidential duties and the national interests,” he added. “That’s the basis on which Cabinet decides on which bodies I should play a role in, and it’s working well so far.”
Since the Constitution was amended, the President has made working visits to New York and Switzerland.
He was in New York from Nov 27 to Dec 4, 2023, where he delivered a lecture at Columbia University as part of its World Leaders Forum series and had bilateral meetings. These were done in his traditional head of state role, said Mr Tharman.
Also on the New York trip, he participated in a plenary of the Group of Thirty (G-30) as the chair of the Board of Trustees. G-30 is a grouping of eminent thought leaders in economic policymaking, academia and the financial industry. In his role as chair of the board, Mr Tharman noted the need to “express myself independently, even though everyone knows I am there as president”.
Earlier in January 2024, he was on a working visit to Switzerland, where he went to Davos for the WEF annual meeting, and met other heads of state and government in his capacity as Singapore’s president.
Some of the leaders he met included Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mr Tharman also attended a meeting of the WEF Board of Trustees in Davos, and co-chaired the Global Commission on the Economics of Water in Zurich.
On both these occasions, he pointed out that he had to be “credibly independent, although I’m still there as president of Singapore”.
Mr Tharman reiterated that being able to represent Singapore as its president and also share his independent views in his international appointments have been working well.
He added: “I intend to be active in furthering Singapore’s interests abroad in both these roles.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/president-tharman-stresses-that-global-appointments-further-the-duties-of-his-role-as-head-of-state-national-interest
| 2024-01-26T12:28:08Z
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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – In a time of global uncertainty, Singapore needs an active foreign policy that requires constant engagement with other countries, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on the sidelines of a state visit to Brunei.
Doing so allows the Republic to express its views, as well as find ways to keep up and update relationships with other countries, he added. Singapore does this with the largest players such as China, the United States, the EU and India, as well as those in the region.
Such engagements are carried out at various levels, including political leaders and senior officials, as well as through the business community, Mr Tharman said on Jan 26. He is on a three-day state visit to Brunei from Jan 24 – his first overseas state visit since taking office.
With the world order gradually eroding and splintering, Singapore, as a small nation, has to take the world as it is, Mr Tharman said.
He added: “We express our views, stand by our principles, but we have to learn to interact with countries as they evolve.”
By adopting an active foreign policy, Singapore does not expect to shape the world according to what it thinks it should be, but ensure that national interests are served as the rest of the world gets reshaped, he said.
Highlighting Singapore’s ties with Brunei, Mr Tharman said the two countries share a “special relationship” that goes beyond strategic considerations or common strategic interests.
“It has always rested on personal relationships,” he said.
He noted that the relationship between Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the late Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien started much earlier, before both countries established diplomatic ties 40 years ago.
“It has been renewed ever since by successive leaders in Singapore,” added Mr Tharman.
He said even though he has been to Brunei four times, this is the first time that he has had the chance to have extended conversations with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and other members of the royal family in both formal and informal settings.
The growing relationship between the younger generation of leaders on both sides was often highlighted during the visit.
Mr Tharman said that the Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP) would be the main – and very important – platform for them to build on the foundation of strong personal relationships established by past leaders.
The YLP, an annual exchange of visits that both countries take turns to host, started in 2013, and held its last edition in December 2023 in Brunei.
It was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and Brunei’s Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.
Mr Tharman said: “We are very clear about the importance of not just continuing with past practice, but adapting as times change and developing new relationships.”
National Development Minister Desmond Lee, who is part of the Singapore delegation travelling with Mr Tharman to Brunei, said he took the opportunity to reach out to his ministerial-level counterparts – both past and present ones.
Mr Lee, who has been on four official trips to Brunei since 2012, said he and other younger members of the Government “closely abide” by the principle that they need to invest time and energy in the relationship between Singapore and Brunei.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman also shared his personal experiences of visiting members of the royal family and government officials in Brunei for annual Hari Raya visits.
In turn, Dr Maliki, who is also Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Education, said that for several years now, he has personally hosted several of them for dinners at his house when they are in Singapore – a reflection of how deep their ties go beyond an official level.
He pointed out that Singapore and Brunei’s relationship has always been described as “special”.
“That word... is really very meaningful because it reflects the amount of effort that both sides put in (to establish) that relationship at all levels.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/s-pore-needs-an-active-foreign-policy-that-requires-constant-engagement-president-tharman
| 2024-01-26T12:28:19Z
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SINGAPORE - The authorities had made a “judgment error” in deciding to phase out older public transport payment cards for adults, and underestimated how commuters wanted to continue seeing fare information and card balances, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.
“I apologise to our commuters for what happened,” said Mr Chee in an interview with reporters on Jan 26. “We will learn from this and we will do better in future.”
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) had announced on Jan 9 that it would retire the older card-based ticketing system – which ez-link and Nets FlashPay cards run on – by June 1. These cards were to be replaced by SimplyGo, an account-based system that processes fare payments at the back end, unlike the older system of storing transaction data on cards.
But the announcement was met with an outcry from passengers, who expressed frustration about their inability to see fare deductions and card balances when tapping out. Some who tried upgrading their ez-link cards on Jan 10 also faced delays due to a surge in transaction volume.
On Jan 22, Mr Chee said the Government will spend an additional $40 million to extend the lifespan of the card-based ticketing system and allow passengers to continue using the older payment cards.
Speaking to the media on Jan 26, he acknowledged that the LTA had “underestimated the strong preference of some commuters” who wanted to continue viewing fare deductions and card balances at fare gates and card readers.
“We understand your feedback and concerns. We respect your preferences. We want to give you this option to continue to be able to choose which system best meets your needs,” he added.
Mr Chee said the LTA had consulted more than 1,000 commuters from 2020 to 2023 about SimplyGo.
LTA decided to retain the concession card system after receiving feedback from seniors, and placed machines at bus interchanges and MRT stations to make it easier for commuters to check their fare transactions and card balances without using the SimplyGo app, he noted.
“If we had consulted more widely, and gathered views from a wider group of commuters before we made the decision... we would have come across the stronger reactions and preferences that some commuters had expressed,” he said.
Asked if there is an optimal number of people to consult for such policies, Mr Chee said his ministry is reviewing this.
There is no fixed number to get a representative range of views, he said, adding that in hindsight, it would have been useful for the Government to hear a wider range of views and concerns on certain issues such as SimplyGo, which affects many people.
The additional $40 million will allow the card-based ticketing system to run till at least 2030.
LTA had previously said that fare deductions and card balances are not displayed at fare gates for payment cards under SimplyGo, as it takes a few seconds to retrieve the information from SimplyGo’s back-end system. This will slow the entry and exit of passengers and result in longer queues.
Mr Chee said he has tasked LTA to study how to improve SimplyGo’s features and the user experience.
Noting that there is no technical solution at the moment for the fare display issue, he said LTA will work with other government agencies and industry partners on this.
Commuters whom The Straits Times spoke to acknowledged Mr Chee’s apology, but hoped the Government would learn from this incident and improve how they handle similar situations in future.
Ms Serena Ng, 52, said the authorities “should do a better job before rolling anything out”.
The personal assistant added that the authorities should have carried out more user testing and gotten a greater understanding of the needs of commuters in different age groups before deciding on the transition.
Citing better communication as a future area for improvement, Ms Ng said her own card upgrade process was not user-friendly, and her elderly parents were confused about whether concession cards could still be used under the new system.
Facilities management executive Nor Isran Kamsani, 43, who uses the old ez-link card for commuting, hopes that the authorities will not go back on their words to keep the old card-based system in operation, and that they continue to maintain it properly till 2030.
Communications manager Amanda Poh, 32, said she wanted to see the government follow through on its promise to review how it engages the public to get feedback.
“I don’t know when was the last time the government apologised and reacted so quickly,” she added.
April 2002: Launch of original ez-link card
Established by LTA, this rechargeable contactless card can be used across the public transport network.
September 2009: Switch to the Cepas ez-link card
The new ez-link card can also be used for motoring and retail purposes, such as at carparks.
March 2017: Trial for contactless Mastercard bank cards
More than 100,000 commuters pay via their Mastercard bank cards for an average of 60,000 daily journeys.
April 2019: Official launch of SimplyGo
SimplyGo is introduced as an alternative payment method for public transport rides.
Jan 9, 2024: Replacement of old ticketing system with SimplyGo by June 1, 2024
LTA announces that it would retire the old card-based ticketing system, requiring commuters to upgrade their older ez-link and Nets FlashPay cards to SimplyGo-compatible ones.
Jan 10, 2024: Inability of back-end systems to handle large volume of transactions
Many commuters have trouble accessing the SimplyGo mobile app and upgrading their older cards at physical ticketing machines or ticket offices.
Jan 12, 2024: Outpouring of complaints on the inability to display fares
Commuters raise concerns about not being able to see their SimplyGo card balances and fare deductions. While it is “technically possible” to do so, it would take a few seconds and slow down commuter flow, says LTA.
Jan 19, 2024: Postponement of free exchange of Nets FlashPay cards for SimplyGo-compatible ones
One day before the scheduled exchange date of Jan 19, payment firm Nets says on Facebook that the card exchange service would be temporarily unavailable until further notice.
Jan 22, 2024: Shelving of plans to retire the old public transport payment system
Following public dissent over the transition, LTA says that it will extend the use of the old card-based ticketing system.
Jan 26, 2024: Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat apologises for SimplyGo saga
Calling this incident a “judgment error”, Mr Chee says that LTA should have consulted more commuters on their opinions about the transition.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/phasing-out-older-payment-cards-in-simplygo-switch-a-judgment-error-chee-hong-tat
| 2024-01-26T12:28:29Z
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SINGAPORE – Adult ez-link cards that are not on the SimplyGo account-based system and Nets FlashPay cards can continue to be used for public transport fare payments until at least 2030, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said.
To keep this card-based ticketing system going for six more years, an estimated $40 million will be needed for new equipment and hardware, as well as maintenance and operating costs, Mr Chee said on Jan 26.
The Government will foot this bill, which means it will not have an impact on bus and train fares, he told reporters in an interview at the Ministry of Transport headquarters in Alexandra Road.
Asked why the card-based system is being extended only till 2030, Mr Chee said: “All IT systems have a certain shelf life. At the end of the shelf life, you will need to decide whether you need to further upgrade and buy new equipment and hardware, or upgrade the operating system.”
He said the authorities will decide later whether the card-based system will have to be extended again beyond 2030.
A key factor will be whether a solution can be found to the technical difficulties hindering SimplyGo from displaying fares charged on payment readers.
Mr Chee said in making this future decision, the authorities will consult widely to get views from passengers and industry experts.
Unlike a card-based system, which stores data directly on the cards and processes transactions instantly when passengers tap out at MRT stops or on buses, SimplyGo handles fare payments on back-end servers.
Mr Chee, who was appointed Transport Minister on Jan 18, stressed again that there are no available technical solutions that can fix the fare display issue for account-based systems here and overseas.
But he said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will work with other government agencies and industry partners on finding one.
“If we can do this, and it does not pause or slow down the flow of commuters, it is something that I think many commuters would find more convenient,” he said.
“It will also make it more conducive for us to encourage more people to switch over to the new SimplyGo system.”
The authorities earlier said it was technically possible for fare information to be shown at transaction points with SimplyGo, but it would take a few seconds to retrieve this information from the back end.
LTA had announced on Jan 9 that all adult public transport users must make the switch to SimplyGo by June, but it pulled the plug on the move barely two weeks later on Jan 22.
Therefore, Singapore will now have three public transport ticketing systems running in parallel, said Mr Chee, who is also Second Minister for Finance.
SimplyGo allows fare payments using bank cards, mobile wallets and stored-value cards, and the card-based system is for adult transport cards such as existing ez-link cards.
There is also a separate card-based system for concession cards, which is not affected by the SimplyGo transition.
The authorities will explore ways to integrate the two card-based systems over time, the minister said.
This will help to lower maintenance, operational and hardware costs, but because the two systems are not compatible with each other, it cannot be done overnight and the process will be gradual, he added.
“For example, when the existing cards expire, we are then able to move them to the new system and issue them a new card under the new system. Over time, as we do this, we can then have the opportunity to integrate the two systems progressively,” he said.
Mr Chee did not answer questions about how much it costs to run all the ticketing systems here. He also did not give specifics when asked when the system for concession cards is set to reach the end of its operational life.
Public transport systems in places such as Hong Kong and London that have started shifting to account-based ticketing platforms also concurrently run systems that offer card-centric modes of payment to cater to the needs of various groups.
Explaining the earlier decision to move to SimplyGo, Mr Chee said the card-based system for adult users was reaching the end of its operational lifespan in 2024.
Faced with a decision of phasing the older system out or extending its life, Mr Chee said LTA wanted to try to avoid incurring the $40 million needed to keep the system going.
He said the agency had, however, underestimated the “strong preference” among passengers to view the fares charged at payment readers. He apologised to passengers for this error in judgment.
On the $40 million bill, Mr Chee said LTA will do its best to spend it prudently and reduce costs where possible.
“When we spend public funds, we want to do so prudently... At the same time, in areas where we need to spend, we will do so,” he added.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/use-of-ez-link-nets-flashpay-cards-on-public-transport-to-stay-till-at-least-2030-chee-hong-tat
| 2024-01-26T12:28:39Z
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LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is having to wrestle with the club’s Financial Fair Play regulations as his side prepare for their FA Cup fourth-round clash at Fulham on Jan 27.
Chief executive Darren Eales said earlier in January the Magpies may be forced to sell some of their biggest names in order not to fall foul of the rules, and speculation regarding the future of Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes continues to dominate headlines.
Newcastle had announced losses of £150 million (S$255.9 million) over the last two years – clubs are allowed a maximum of £105 million over three years.
Speaking ahead of the match, Howe was bombarded with questions regarding the player situation.
“A few things to say on Kieran’s situation. We’re very confident he will be part of our long-term future,” he said.
“I have to make it clear he has never asked to leave or even questioned his future here. We’ve had conversations in the last week and it’s always been about Newcastle.
“His commitment to Newcastle shouldn’t be questioned. I want to keep our best players, I want to keep every player in our squad that is very thin on the ground now.”
Howe was equally adamant on Wilson, saying that “there’s no part of me that wants to lose him” and on Almiron’s future he added that he was “desperate” to keep the player.
He did not mention Guimaraes but it was clear that he did not want to lose any key player.
“It’s the first time since I’ve been manager of the club that we’ve been linked with players leaving and that creates an unsettling dynamic,” he said.
“A lot of those rumours have been that, they are just speculation and there is nothing behind it. I’m trying to prepare a team to win the next game and we want to keep the team intact.”
The Magpies were on a run of four straight defeats in all competitions, before they beat Sunderland 3-0 in the FA Cup third round earlier in January without breaking too much sweat.
Howe’s men were boosted by that result, and were on the verge of a big English Premier League victory over Manchester City last weekend, before Pep Guardiola’s men scored two goals in the last 16 minutes to seal a 3-2 win.
Newcastle will hope to get back to winning ways but they have progressed beyond the fourth round only once in the last 18 years – losing to City 2-0 in the 2019-20 quarter-finals.
On a positive note, their most recent league victory was a 3-0 win over Fulham on Dec 16, so they will head into the match as slight favourites based on their most recent encounter.
“We are desperate to get our best form back,” added Howe.
“You will see a very energetic performance, and a very technical one because we have put a lot of work into that. We are determined to do well.”
Howe will be missing the injured Joelinton, Nick Pope, Elliot Anderson, Joe Willock, Harvey Barnes and Matt Targett, while Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy are not fully fit.
For Fulham, manager Marco Silva will not have Africa Cup of Nations trio Fode Ballo-Toure, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi in his squad, and Adama Traore is still injured.
The Cottagers are also aiming to bounce back after exiting the League Cup semi-finals in midweek, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Fulham are yet to win a major trophy in their 145-year history, so they would likely go as far as they can in the FA Cup.
“Everyone is here to do the same thing and push Fulham to the limit,” said midfielder Andreas Pereira.
“The gaffer told us he was proud of us that we came so far (in the League Cup) and we were unlucky not to go all the way. We live for these kind of (Cup) games. We want to do it more and more and that’s why I came to this club.”
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/newcastle-boss-eddie-howe-desperate-to-keep-key-players-amid-ffp-danger
| 2024-01-26T12:28:50Z
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LONDON – Jurgen Klopp stunned the world of football on Jan 26 when he announced that he would stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of this season, saying that after more than eight hugely successful years in charge he was running out of energy.
The German, who led the Reds into the final of the League Cup on Jan 24 and is hugely popular with the fans, said he told the club’s hierarchy in November that he would end his 8½ years at Anfield at the end of the current campaign.
Assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz are also leaving the club at the same time, Liverpool said.
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy,” Klopp, 56, said on the club website.
“I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. But that I still take this decision shows you I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”
The German joined Liverpool in October 2015 and has won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.
“In keeping with Jurgen’s expressed wishes, we will save the comprehensive tributes for a more appropriate time but nevertheless, we would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to reaffirm that his appointment remains one of the greatest blessings of our time as owners,” Mike Gordon, Fenway Sports Group president, said.
“The incredible achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves, so too does the joy that Jurgen and his team have brought to all of us supporters. His many accomplishments will never be taken for granted.”
In the 2019-20 season, Klopp led Liverpool to their first league title since 1990, and their first of the Premier League era. The previous season, they lifted the Champions League, defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
In the 2021-22 season they won the FA Cup and League Cup and were agonisingly close to a quadruple as they were beaten to the league title by Manchester City on the final day of the season, and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
Last season was a relatively poor one, with a fifth-placed finish in the league, but they have roared back to their best this campaign and are currently leading the Premier League standings.
“For me it was super, super, super important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails,” Klopp, who has the highest win rate of any manager in Liverpool’s history in all competitions (60.7 per cent), said in relation to last season’s struggles.
“It was all I was thinking about. When I realised pretty early that happened, it’s a really good team with massive potential and a super age group, super characters and all that, then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome.
“It is not what I want to (do), it is just what I think is 100 per cent right.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was one of the first to comment on the news.
He posted on X: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came. I just thought it would be another few years away. What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
The Reds are next in action against Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round on Jan 28 and are also into the last 16 of the Europa League. REUTERS, AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/jurgen-klopp-to-leave-liverpool-at-the-end-of-the-season
| 2024-01-26T12:29:00Z
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MELBOURNE - Jannik Sinner said his subdued celebrations of his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday were a result of him knowing that the job was not done yet.
The Italian certainly had plenty to celebrate, having handed the 24-times Grand Slam champion his first defeat in 11 Melbourne Park semi-finals and snapped the Serbian's 33-match winning streak at the tournament.
Sinner, however, already had his eyes on the bigger prize - the possibility that he might land his first Grand Slam title on Sunday.
"I feel these kind of emotions you cannot control. If someone celebrates in one way, you celebrate because this is the emotion what you are feeling now, no?" the fourth seed said.
"Obviously it means so much to me to beat Novak here in Melbourne, but in the other way, I know that the tournament is not over.
"Sunday is a final. It's different emotions, because the final is always different. In my mind today I knew it was semi-final. It's not that you win the tournament like this.
"So I'm looking forward to Sunday, and let's see what's
coming."
Sinner's victory was all the more remarkable for the fact that he faced not a single break point against one of the greatest, if not the greatest, serve returner the game has known.
The 22-year-old said he had learned so much from watching and playing against Djokovic and echoed the Serbian's view that he was not in peak form.
"For sure the first two sets I saw that he was not hitting the ball as he used to," Sinner said.
"He was also not moving that well, and then I think he was also not that focused like we are used to seeing him."
Sinner said that although he was naturally very keen to win his first major title against Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev on Sunday, he did not feel under any great pressure.
"I'm really relaxed, to be honest," he said. "I just try to work as hard as possible and in my mind I feel like that hard work always pays off in one way.
"If this can happen, it's good. If not, I gave 100%, and the rest I cannot control." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/tennis/ill-celebrate-when-the-jobs-done-says-djokovic-slayer-sinner
| 2024-01-26T12:29:11Z
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MELBOURNE – “Nole, Nole, Nole.”
All afternoon on Rod Laver Arena this chant will drift on the cool afternoon wind. Usually it’s in praise, now it’s as if they’re imploring him. Yet even as they’re shaken by what they’re seeing, everyone has the same thought.
It’s OK, Djokovic will show up.
It’s not even a question, is it? He always shows up, he’s tennis’ North Star, he’s never lost a semi-final here, he comes with a warranty.
Djokovic better show up because the man on court playing Jannik Sinner is an impostor. He’s doing what Djokovic never does and that is to miss. Lines are painted for him to hit them.
Quickly Djokovic is 1-5 down in the first set but there’s a number even more staggering. It says 11-3 which is his unforced errors count versus Sinner’s. It’s as astonishing as Roger Federer collecting ugly shots.
Later the Serb will say: “I was shocked with my level. I guess this is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve ever played.”
Sinner, whose gentle demeanour is at odds with his surname, is doing to Djokovic what Djokovic does to others: Making him play an extra ball. In late 2023, he beat the Serb twice but, with respect, this isn’t about how far the Italian has come but where the Serb has gone.
Djokovic could have been an engineer, a tailor, a circus knife thrower, for he deals in precise centimetres. But now he hits wide, long and into the net and resembles a piece of sophisticated machinery with a broken part.
The unforced error count grows.
15:4
23:7
“Novak, Novak, Novak,” they chant again.
He’ll come, won’t he? Not because anyone wants him to win but because this deserves to be a great match.
But the Serb hasn’t been well and perhaps this is the lingering fallout of a harsh flu. He looks emotionally flat and isn’t even shouting at his box. The beauty of this match is that it’s baffling.
Sinner is 22, Djokovic 36, and someone asks later, respectfully, if his form is a reflection of his age. Time catches everyone but Djokovic only smiles.
“Let’s see.”
The Serb reads serves like radar does missiles. No one has ever returned better and yet for the first time ever he can’t even conjure a single break point. Yes, Sinner is serving beautifully but Djokovic has broken Federer for a living.
Sinner has the first two sets 6-1, 6-2 and everyone dives into history. Only in 2020 at the French Open vs Rafael Nadal and in 2005 in Melbourne vs Marat Safin does he win fewer games in the first two sets. Only twice in 414 previous Slam matches. Imagine.
Serbian flags fly but not the man they wave them for. Even Sinner can see that this isn’t the Djokovic he prepared for. “He was not hitting the ball as he used to. He was also not moving that well, he was also not that focused.” Even so Sinner has to be wary because he knows what we know.
Djokovic will show up, right?
And then, finally, like ornithologists waiting for a rare bird, a sighting comes.
Djokovic wins a 23-shot rally in the first game of the third set and then a 21-point rally. Is this him? The real, undiluted, take-your-scalp, Grand Slam Djokovic who is on a 33-match winning streak here?
He grimly takes the set to a tiebreak and Sinner gets shaky as anyone will as history flirts. The Serb is down 4-5 in the tiebreak but curls a lob as beautiful as an embroidery stitch and his arm is up and so is the crowd. The set is his 7-6 (8-6), the match is on.
See, he’s come, hasn’t he?
But no, he hasn’t, this is just a cameo, this is all the skill and pride and defiance he can muster. In the fourth game he’ll be 40-0 up on serve and get broken and the real Djokovic, that old one, he’d never allow this. Sinner just bounces on his toes like a boxer. He’s been the superior fighter all day.
And then it’s over, expectedly and still abruptly, 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, and Djokovic jogs to the net, always a fine loser, and in the press room he says: “He outplayed me completely today.” The young man is in his first Slam final, Djokovic has been to 36. The final unforced error count is him 54, Sinner 28.
Every camera on court is turned to Sinner. Djokovic packs his bags, climbs the stairs and trudges through the Walk of Champions where lighted boards celebrate past winners. The first board is in his name and lists all his victories. Champion 10 times but not this time. He used to make history.
Later, a camera will catch him walking through the car park. He is alone. Just like he was on court. On a strange Friday the game’s finest player doesn’t show up and now it doesn’t matter. For he has gone.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/where-s-novak-djokovic-waiting-for-a-champion-who-never-came
| 2024-01-26T12:29:21Z
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BRASILIA - The Brazilian government's effort to evict illegal gold miners from the Yanomami Indigenous reservation in the northern Amazon has stalled with outsiders increasingly invading the vast territory, Yanomami leaders said on Friday.
The Hutukara Yanomami Association released a report on the year since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared a humanitarian emergency and sent military and police to expel the miners. It said the situation remains bleak for the 30,000 Yanomami nation who live in the rainforest on the border with Venezuela, with malnutrition, disease and violence plaguing their communities.
The report said 308 Yanomami died in 2023, of which 129 deaths were due to infectious diseases and parasitic and respiratory diseases. At least seven Indigenous people died from gunshot wounds in clashes with wildcat miners, it said.
"Authorities must do more. I ask them to go after and jail the bosses behind the illegal mining who have never been arrested," said Yanomami chief and shaman Davi Kopenawa.
"They must be put in prison, because the miners leave but then come back. Their machines destroy everything, knock down the forest and poison the river and the fish we live off," he said in a video issued with the report. "Enough is enough."
The report said illegal mining and deforestation have slowed, but the continued presence of armed miners makes it impossible for intimidated health workers to care for the Yanomami who have not been vaccinated properly.
The presence of security forces in the first half of last year reduced the number of invaders by 80%, according to the report, but after the military scaled back operations, the miners soon started returning.
An elite special forces unit of the environmental protection agency Ibama told Reuters in December they have been left to chase the miners on their own with no military support.
In a meeting with environmental and Indigenous protection agencies and the commander of the armed forces earlier this month, Lula decided on a renewed task-force operation with the military involved again to restore the presence of the state.
The Federal Police have reinforced investigations to track the financial backers and suppliers of precursor substances like mercury, after 13 such operations in 2023 that seized 590 million reais ($120 million) worth of goods, mainly gold, Humberto Freire, director of the police's Environment and Amazon department, told Reuters. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/brazil-indigenous-groups-crisis-persists-after-308-deaths-in-2023-report-says
| 2024-01-26T12:29:31Z
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ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia's deputy prime minister Demeke Mekonnen, who has occupied the post for over 11 years under three successive prime ministers, will be replaced by spy chief Temesgen Tiruneh, a senior government official told Reuters on Friday.
Temesgen was elected to succeed Demeke as a vice president of the ruling Prosperity Party, state-run media reported. A vice president of the party typically serves as deputy prime minister.
Demeke has been a face of continuity during a turbulent period in Ethiopian politics. He was appointed to the post after the death of longtime prime minister Meles Zenawi in 2012 and survived a reorganisation of the ruling party that occurred after Abiy Ahmed took power in 2018.
Temesgen is the head of the national intelligence service and has coordinated the government's response to a conflict that broke out last year in the Amhara region with local militias.
Abiy appointed Demeke as foreign minister days after civil war broke out in November 2020 in the northern Tigray region, a conflict that lasted two years and cost tens of thousands of lives.
While the government and rebel forces in Tigray signed a peace deal in November 2022, Ethiopia has remained dogged by insecurity.
Besides the unrest in Amhara, a decades-long conflict in the Oromiya region, the country's largest, has intensified in recent years, killing hundreds and displacing tens of thousands. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/ethiopias-deputy-pm-demeke-to-be-replaced-by-spy-chief-temesgen
| 2024-01-26T12:29:42Z
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GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Maria Aguilar has been searching for her son for over a decade. She, like thousands of Mexicans whose loved ones are missing, has spent countless days scanning vast tracts of barren land for clues, in the hope of finding his remains.
Now Aguilar and the "missing persons" collective she founded will be armed in their search with new technology - drones mounted with thermosensitive cameras that can show distortions in the soil which could point to an unmarked grave.
Chemical detectors inserted in the ground can then highlight biological changes in the soil that could also be an indicator of human remains - such as unusually high nitrogen and humidity levels - and help narrow down potential search areas.
Over the years, mothers like Aguilar seeking their missing children have carried out painstaking, methodological, manual searches across vast potential burial areas in Mexico - often to little avail, or at a threat to their own lives.
There are over 100,000 people missing in Mexico, largely a result of drug cartel violence. Many are murdered and buried in clandestine - sometimes mass - graves. But authorities have little clue as to where those burial sites are and lack the resources to keep searching.
The drones are giving hope to families that they will be able to finally lay their loved ones to rest.
"This (technology) ensures we don't waste time and energy searching hectares and hectares, but instead go straight to areas where there's a high possibility of finding remains," said Victor Hugo Avila Barrientos, the commissioner for missing people in the western Mexican state of Jalisco.
"This will also help minimize the threat to families and authorities," he added, noting a recent event where a trap was set for those searching for bodies.
Teams from the University of Oxford are supporting authorities and non-governmental organizations in Jalisco with drone training and resources, having already successfully located some clandestine graves in the country.
Tunuari Chavez, who leads analysis for the Jalisco search commission, says he is excited about a more science-based approach to finding missing persons.
"This is about using nature to get the clues," he said.
For Aguilar, whose son has been missing since 2011, she hopes the technology may finally put her long bid to find the truth about what happened to him to rest.
"This definitely gives us more hope," she said, during a training session on how to use the drones.
"We're going to keep searching." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/in-mexico-mothers-of-the-missing-turn-to-drones-to-look-for-unmarked-graves
| 2024-01-26T12:29:52Z
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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Friday defended a Vatican document on blessings for same-sex couples but said they were not an approval of a lifestyle the Church sees as potentially sinful but of individuals seeking to get closer to God.
It was the second time in as many weeks that Francis sought to clarify the Dec. 18 declaration, which caused widespread debate in the Church, with bishops in some countries refusing to let their priests implement it. He first did so in an Italian television interview on Jan. 14
His latest comments were in an address to members of the Vatican's doctrinal department. Its head, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, has given a spate of interviews to clarify the intent of the document, known by its Latin title Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust).
The intentions of the blessings, Francis said were "to concretely show the closeness of the Lord and the Church to all those who, finding themselves in different situations, ask for help to continue - sometimes to begin - a journey of faith."
The Church teaches that gay sex is sinful and disordered and that people with same-sex attractions, which are not considered sinful, should try to be chaste.
The pope said that while "moral perfection" was not required of people seeking such blessings, they were not intended to justify a relationship the Church considers irregular.
"When a couple comes forward spontaneously to ask for them, one does not bless the union, but simply the people who together
have requested it. Not the union, but the persons," Francis said.
Francis stressed that such blessings should not be given in a liturgical context. The document says they should be delivered discreetly and never with any of the pomp or ceremonial accoutrements found at weddings.
Since his election in 2013, Francis has tried to make the Church, with its 1.35 billion members, more welcoming to LGBT people, without changing moral doctrine.
In his Friday address, Francis appeared to acknowledge the pushback the document unleashed, particularly in Africa, where bishops have effectively rejected it and where in some countries same-sex activity can lead to prison or even the death penalty.
Francis said that when the blessings are given, priests should "naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one lives and the most appropriate ways to do it". REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/pope-says-lgbt-blessings-are-for-individuals-not-approval-of-unions
| 2024-01-26T12:30:03Z
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LONDON – Britain’s King Charles went into hospital on Jan 26 to have planned treatment to address an enlarged prostate, joining his daughter-in-law Kate, who is recovering from surgery.
The King was pictured arriving with his wife, Queen Camilla, at the private London Clinic in west London, where Kate, the Princess of Wales, is also having treatment after undergoing abdominal surgery last week.
A royal source said King Charles visited Princess Kate ahead of his own treatment.
“The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“His majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness.”
The palace said last week that King Charles, 75, would undergo a “corrective procedure” for a benign condition that was common among men over 50, and Queen Camilla said her husband was “fine” and “looking forward to getting back to work”.
The palace has declined to say how long the King would stay in hospital, but his upcoming public engagements have been postponed to allow a short period of recuperation.
Britain’s royals usually do not disclose details of illnesses, regarding all medical issues as a private matter, but King Charles was keen to share details of his condition to encourage other men experiencing symptoms to have a medical check.
The state-run National Health Service said there has been a 1,000 per cent increase in visits to its webpage giving advice on prostate enlargement since King Charles’ diagnosis was revealed.
His treatment is one of a series of health blows for the royals over the past week.
Princess Kate, 42, is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for a non-specified, but non-cancerous, condition.
A royal source has said she was “doing well”, but there has been no further information about her since she was admitted to the London Clinic last week.
She was due to spend up to two weeks in hospital and is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. Her husband, Prince William, the heir-to-the-throne, has postponed his engagements to look after their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
Meanwhile, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of King Charles’ younger brother, Prince Andrew, said on Jan 22 she was in shock after being diagnosed with a malignant form of skin cancer.
It was the second cancer diagnosis for the duchess, often just referred to as “Fergie”, after she underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery following the discovery she had breast cancer last summer. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/king-charles-admitted-to-london-hospital-for-prostate-treatment
| 2024-01-26T12:30:13Z
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WASHINGTON – United States President Joe Biden on Jan 26 marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day, warning against what he called an alarming rise in anti-Semitism after the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and efforts to minimise what happened that day.
Mr Biden, who launched the first US national strategy to counter anti-Semitism in May 2023, said the need to remember the Holocaust and the “scourge of anti-Semitism” was more pressing than ever after the Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people, the biggest loss of life on a single day since Israel’s founding in 1948.
“In the aftermath of Hamas’ vicious massacre, we have witnessed an alarming rise of despicable anti-Semitism at home and abroad that has surfaced painful scars from millennia of hate and genocide of Jewish people. It is unacceptable,” Mr Biden said in a statement.
“We cannot remember all that Jewish survivors of the Holocaust experienced and then stand silently by when Jews are attacked and targeted again today,” he said, calling for forceful pushback against Holocaust denialism and “efforts to minimise the horrors that Hamas perpetrated on Oct 7, especially its appalling and unforgivable use of rape and sexual violence to terrorize victims.”
United Nations experts in January demanded accountability for sexual violence against Israeli civilians during the Oct 7 attacks, including allegations of rape, mutilations and gunshots to genital areas. Hamas denies the abuses.
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in November said the rise in anti-Semitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war was a “five-alarm fire” that threatened the safety of Jews worldwide and the future of Israel.
Mr Biden said his administration was continuing to condemn and fight anti-Semitism, while working to ensure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, which kidnapped about 240 people on Oct 7.
He urged Americans to do their part to combat hate in all its forms.
“It is our shared moral responsibility to stand up to anti-Semitism and hate-fuelled violence at home and abroad and to make real the promise of ‘Never Again’,” Mr Biden said.
Mr Biden, a devout Catholic who was born in the middle of World War II, said he took his own children and grandchildren to a German concentration camp to show them “the depth of this anti-Semitic evil and the complicity of silence or indifference”.
Rights groups have reported sharp increases in both anti-Semitic and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim incidents since Oct 7.
The White House in November said it is also developing a national strategy to combat Islamophobia.
The effort has faced scepticism from some Muslim-Americans who are furious about Mr Biden’s continued political and financial support for Israel’s assault on Gaza, which has killed over 25,000 Palestinians, and his failure to call for a ceasefire.
The Biden administration has rejected calls for a ceasefire but is urging Israel and Hamas to pause the fighting to allow the release of hostages and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/biden-warns-against-rise-of-antisemitism-efforts-to-downplay-hamas-attacks
| 2024-01-26T12:30:23Z
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Deborra-Lee Furness has been living life as a single woman ever since she and Hugh Jackman announced their shocking split in September 2023 – and she admits the change is "scary".
The 68-year-old revealed in a new interview that despite being both "frightened" and "excited" about her future, she is embracing her new life without her estranged husband by her side.
"It is kind of exciting," she told The Daily Telegraph.
"You know what, change, transition, evolution is a little frightening and we are all a bit scared of it, but I think it is probably our greatest gift," she added.
Deborra-Lee has been keeping herself busy since she split from Hugh after 27 years of marriage and is focusing on her return to the spotlight.
The Australian actress is currently promoting her return to the big screen in Force of Nature: The Dry 2, alongside Eric Bana – and she has other projects lined up too.
"I've got a few [projects] up my sleeve, I'm working on a script with Rebecca Rigg, which I want to direct and act in,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle.
"And who knows there might be a reprisal from the character I play [in Force of Nature]. Hey, maybe another sequel from a character I played many years ago in Shame," she added.
Despite her breakup with the Wolverine actor, the couple have remained amicable and even reunited on October 12 for a dinner at NYC restaurant Polo Bar, to celebrate Hugh's 55th birthday.
"Yes, it’s true. It was a lovely evening," his reps told Page Six of the dinner, which saw the pair spend time with their two children, son Oscar, 23, and daughter Ava, 18.
Their reunion came less than a month after they announced their separation.
"We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage," they began.
"Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth."
The former couple continued: "Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness.
"We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives," they concluded, signing off: "Deb and Hugh Jackman."
Hugh and Deborra-Lee's love story began in 1995 after they met on the set of the Australian drama Corelli.
The Greatest Showman star previously revealed that he fell for his future wife after their first meeting – and four months later, they got engaged in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens before tying the knot on April 11, 1996.
"I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I'll never forget," he told People.
"She took off her seatbelt, and she turned around and put out her hand and took off her sunglasses and said, 'Hi, I'm Deborra-Lee Furness, nice to meet you.' I remember thinking, 'I like this girl.'"
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/512120/hugh-jackman-ex-deborra-lee-furness-unexpected-comment-single-life-frightening/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:15Z
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Scrolling through the Uber Eats app looking for your next takeaway, you may stumble across a handful of Brooklyn Beckham's secret recipes.
David and Victoria Beckham's son launched his first-ever pop-up restaurant with a select menu featuring just five of his favourite comfort foods, which we put to the ultimate taste test. What sets Nanny Peggy's breakfast sandwich apart? And what's all the hype about Brooklyn's "secret sauce"?
A delivery to the HELLO! office on a cold and windy Wednesday afternoon answered all of our questions. Here's our honest thoughts…
What's on the Brooklyn Beckham menu?
Exclusively available on 25 and 26 January, the menu includes just five dishes: 12-hour slow-cooked Wagyu bolognese, Iberico pork and Atlantic prawn dumplings, buffalo cauliflower with Brooklyn’s homemade "secret" hot sauce, Nanny Peggy’s English breakfast sandwich, and charcoal barbecued corn-fed tikka chicken.
Nanny Peggy's family recipe
It's been nineteen years since Brooklyn started whipping up his grandmother's staple English breakfast sandwich. The star, 24, admitted: "My Nanny Peggy taught me how to make her English Breakfast sandwich when I was 5, and it’s been my favourite ever since."
Made up of five simple parts – sausage, bacon, egg and tomato sauce kept together with two slices of bread – the sandwich may sound like your everyday on-the-go breakfast. But it's far from it.
I wouldn't describe myself as a particularly enthusiastic carnivore, choosing to cook primarily vegetarian and pescatarian meals at home, but my exception tends to be a hearty fried breakfast. When those ingredients are conveniently stuffed between thick yet light, springy bread which had been grilled to achieve the perfect lines, it's a recipe for success.
Bear with me here, this is where I start sounding like an M&S Christmas advert. Each ingredient tastes high-quality, starting with the Mangalitsa streaky bacon.
Bacon has been a source of great debate among breakfast enthusiasts in the past – do you like yours crunchy, with an audible snap and a blackened edge? Or are you on the other side of the bacon debate, preferring soft, pink pork that is easily chewable? If your answer is the latter (like me) then you'll enjoy Brooklyn's culinary creation.
It's joined by perfectly herby mangalitsa and iberico sausages (no frozen own-brand supermarket sausages in sight) and a fried egg, cooked to perfection with a slightly runny yolk which mixes with the tomato sauce to create a slightly tangy flavour that delights the palette.
According to Brooklyn, his breakfast concoction is the best in the Beckham family – quite the claim! Poking fun at his footballer father, he said: "I think I make my English Breakfast sandwich better, he does make a pretty good one!"
Now back to reality. Not only is this sandwich not one for crunchy bacon fans, but it may also be disappointing for those who prefer HP sauce instead of Ketchup. Plus, you can probably get something similar at your local coffee shop for a fraction of the price.
Although presented beautifully in monochromatic packaging with chequered wrapping and a plastic container, our sandwich was a little on the cold side. Full disclaimer, this could be based on the fact we are out of the catchment area of our local delivery, meaning our courier had further to travel. But it's a risk we all take when ordering a takeaway – it's not my first room-temperature delivery and it certainly won't be my last.
Brooklyn's "secret" sauce
We doubt the budding chef will ever publicly reveal exactly what makes up the "secret" hot sauce on his Buffalo Cauliflower wings, but what we know for sure is that it contains some form of chilli spice. Put simply, Brooklyn put the hot in hot sauce, if you're to believe my colleagues!
Despite many describing the florets as "pretty spicy", I'd say the mild kick barely has time to hit the back of your throat before it is balanced by the creamy blue cheese dipping sauce, which has a smooth consistency similar to whipped feta. Sadly, the missing component of the otherwise delicious snack was the texture, which was a little soggy following the long delivery.
If you're looking for a light snack, then look no further, but those after a hearty dish may be expecting a larger portion size than just seven bitesize pieces for the £10+ price.
Overall, we're still wildly intrigued by the other four dishes on the menu after catching sight of some of Brooklyn's cooking tutorials on social media. The question is, will we ever get to taste his famous grilled cheese or Fettuccine Alfredo? Who knows, but in the meantime, we'd order his Uber Eats menu again for curiosity (and the Instagram-worthy packaging) alone.
DISCOVER: 11 best meal delivery services: Mindful Chef boxes, Gousto deliveries & more
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/cuisine/512078/brooklyn-beckham-nanny-peggy-sandwich-review/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:21Z
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Abbey Clancy looked so stylish as she stepped out for a night in London with her former footballer husband Peter Crouch.
The Therapy Crouch podcast host, 38, was seen posing at a special Burns Night celebration hosted by Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane at The London EDITION hotel. Abbey looked fabulous in a killer leather skirt that hugged her figure to the knee where it fell away into pleats.
The model teamed the garment with a high-neck black slim-fit knit in black and a pair of pointed-toe black stilettos. Abbey was seen ditching accessories altogether and instead allowed her eye-catching red manicure to break up the black ensemble.
Her blonde locks were worn in loose waves and her makeup was understated. The former Strictly winner sported a brown eyeshadow winged liner and a glossy lip in an apricot hue.
She was seen posing with her former Liverpool footballer husband who wore a pair of black drawstring-waist trousers, a white tee, and a grey bomber jacket.
Abbey is no stranger to a glamorous look. She seriously upped the ante when she took to the red carpet for the Fashion Awards presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall last December. The former Britain's Next Top Model host wore a sheer lace black skirt with an asymmetrical hem and ruffle detailing. She paired it with a coordinating one-shoulder crop top that had a choker built in.
The model added an unusual detail in the form of a pair of sheer lace knee-high stockings and topped off the look with a pair of classic pointed-toe stilettos. Abbey's hair and makeup oozed sultry glamour. She wore a grungy black smokey eye and her hair was worn in shaggy waves with retro curtain bangs framing her face.
She also wowed on the red carpet when she stepped out days before the Fashion Awards for An Audience With Kylie at the Royal Albert Hall with her lookalike mother Karen Sullivan. Abbey channeled old-school glamour in an angelic cream satin wrap dress with a halterneck and asymmetrical hem.
The star paired the gorgeous dress with a glamorous feathered shawl which she wore around her elbows. Completing the outfit was a pair of black rhinestone-adorned mules. She ditched the black smokey eye in favour of a plum-toned cat-eye and her hair was styled in a bouncy blowdry.
Karen, who is her daughter's double, rocked an incredible leather print catsuit with a high neck and long sleeves. She teamed the piece with a pair of patent black slingbacks and wore a dark eyeshadow with a cat-eye flick.
When not on the red carpet, Abbey rocks a daytime look when out with her husband Peter. She was spotted on the streets of London after leaving Global Radio Studios in a stylish grey ensemble.
DISCOVER: Abbey Clancy is all legs as she wows in risqué swimsuit
The host of Abbey Clancy's Celebrity Homes teamed a cropped grey roll-neck with a pair of belted wide-leg grey trousers and black pointed-toe heels with loose waves and a pair of sunglasses.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/celebrity-style/512115/abbey-clancy-stuns-figure-hugging-leather-skirt-glamorous-london-evening-peter-crouch/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:27Z
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Princess Anne, 73, looked gorgeous in green as she celebrated the opening of The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences' new building at Imperial College London’s Hammersmith campus on 25 January.
Touring the £120 million state-of-the-art facilities, fans may assume that Anne would model her usual elegant and practical style. Much to their surprise, the Princess Royal ditched her sensible wardrobe and turned to a winter staple – a pair of knee-high black heeled boots.
Anne paired her boots with a fit and flare emerald dress layered underneath a matching knee-length jacket with black button-down knot clasps that tied in with her shoulder bag and winter gloves. Beauty-wise, the royal modelled her trademark look with her long hair secured in an elegant updo and minimal makeup, aside from her bold red lipstick.
During the opening of the eight-storey building, which houses 400 scientists, Anne was shown the 'fly lab', the cardiac imaging facility, and Professor David Rueda's laboratory, where ICL explained: "Researchers use video game technology to stretch a single strand of DNA (more than 30,000 times smaller than a human hair) to explore how tension and coiling affect our genes."
"We are honored and deeply grateful to Her Royal Highness for inaugurating the new home of the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences. Today's event builds upon a unique legacy, as The Princess Royal also opened the lab's first building in 1995. Her continued support for the MRC, for science, and especially championing women in STEM is truly valued," said Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the MRC.
Anne's choice of outfit was particularly poignant, considering she had previously worn it at her father Prince Philip's memorial service in 2022, following his death aged 99 in April 2021. The key differences in her outfit for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Service of Thanksgiving were her patent bow heels and matching hat.
It's thought the royal family – including the late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Camilla – all chose green, known as "Edinburgh Green", as it was Philip’s official livery colour.
Perhaps Anne's decision to recycle the outfit was a subtle nod to the fact that Prince Philip had previously been involved with the MRC. Plus, it aligns with her interests in sustainable fashion as opposed to fast fashion.
During her visit to Sri Lanka earlier this month, the Princess, who is president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, pointed out that traditional manufacturing saw tailors and dressmakers altering outfits, and said maybe we should be returning to these values.
"Now you’ve got instant fashion which you then throw away, you don’t alter it because it wouldn’t be worthwhile," she said. "So whether we’ve got to relearn those skills, go back and say, 'Actually, we need materials that can do more than one evolution of fashion.'"
SEE: Queen Camilla's secret sign of 'strength' for poignant outing amid King Charles' health woes
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/512113/princess-anne-striking-sentimental-fit-and-flare-dress-knee-high-boots/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:34Z
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Hollywood heavyweights Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have teamed up for Apple TV+'s brand new World War Two epic about the men who flew in the 100th Bomb Group – aka the Bloody Hundredth – and helped defeat Nazi Germany.
Starring alongside the likes of Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Austin Butler in Masters of the Air is rising star Jon Ewart, who sat down with HELLO! for an exclusive interview about the series and revealed the "big" on-set gesture from Tom Hanks.
"Tom gave us plenty of advice," he said of the Forrest Gump star, who executive produces the nine-part series alongside Spielberg. "It was very much that you had to put your work in and do your research, but he provided everything we needed to allow that to happen. One of the big things he did is he brought Captain Dale Dye on board."
Captain Dye is an actor, technical advisor and former Marine who provided military expertise on the sets of Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
Jon, who plays Lieutenant William Couch in the show, continued: "He's a veteran of the Vietnam War and was in Saving Private Ryan with Tom. He would make sure that we weren't looking like idiots and that our movements were correct."
Speaking about the atmosphere on set, Jon went on: "I think we all knew that we were part of something a lot bigger than us and that this is a part of history. As soon as we put that flight gear on, everything changed and became very serious. We're playing real people.
"They made sure that we did the job right because it was such an important piece."
Despite Tom's A-list status, he's still "the most approachable guy ever", according to Jon, whose previous credits include EastEnders and the ITV mini-series, Trauma. "With the amount of talent on set, we all learned so much from each other and he knew that because he's been in our position. It felt really emotional and special," he explained.
"There were a lot of big names but they made it clear that this wasn't just another television production, this is something really special."
For those unfamiliar with the series, it tells the story of the men who flew in the 100th Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force and helped lead the Allies to victory in the war with Nazi Germany.
Based on Donald L Miller's book of the same name, the drama portrays "the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich is at the heart of Masters of the Air," according to the synopsis.
"Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all."
Master of the Air arrives on Apple TV+ on Friday 26 January.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512067/masters-of-the-air-jon-ewart-reveals-tom-hanks-gesture-on-set/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:40Z
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We’ve all had those conversations that get our blood boiling; the type that leaves us imagining the perfect cutting retort hours later (and yet sadly never in the moment).
For me, this was a fleeting comment made by a male friend. I admit, I’d been venting. My youngest was ill off school, my house was in such a mess that even the dog was looking embarrassed, I had a PTA meeting to attend, and oh, my full-time job to squeeze in. I was definitely having a harrumph moment.
Perhaps I was looking for sympathy. Possibly some words of encouragement. Hell, maybe I just wanted a pat on the back for being so stoic. Instead, in what I think must have been a pitiable attempt at banter, my (so-called) friend laughed and said, ‘Come on now, women say they want to have it all… and now you’ve got it all. What more do you want?’
I was outraged and wanted to punch him in the face. But as I lay in bed that night stewing over the absurdity of the remark, I was more alarmed by the quiet voice in my head asking, "Does he have a point? What if this 'having it all' isn’t quite what it cracked up to be?"
What if I don't want it all?
I’ve been very privileged and lucky in life. To say that I 'have it all' would make me deeply uncomfortable in a very British, self-effacing way. But if having a great job, lovely and supportive partner, two beautiful kids and a nice house in a nice place is deemed as 'having it all', then yep, I’m just about there.
But the truth is, I’m exhausted. I spend my days running around like a headless chicken trying to do too much at once and not doing anything very well. I started chatting to my female friends about it, and turns out they’re exhausted too.
The more I contemplated my friend’s remark, the more I wondered whether women don’t have it all… women do it all!
So, is the concept of women 'having it all' a misnomer?
RELATED: Is this the reason we're all so exhausted right now?
We're all exhausted
Take my situation. Don’t get me wrong, my partner is fantastic, and certainly gets stuck into the household duties and childcare. But on a day-to-day basis, he’s in the office from 7.30am – 6pm doing his full-time job.
For me, while attempting to focus on my full-time job, I’m also doing the school run, walking the dog, sorting the kids' dinner/clubs/social life, replying to child-related WhatsApp messages, batting off daytime calls from my mother, and remembering that it's Aunt Agatha’s birthday on Sunday and that I need to send a card.
I appreciate that all households are different and work in different ways. I know men who take on the lion’s share of childcare and household duties and I also know couples who have managed to successfully split work and childcare equally. I also know plenty of single parents who are, quite frankly, wonder women and men.
However, looking at recent statistics, it seems like I’m in the majority. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), more women, including mothers, are in work than ever before (72.3%). Likewise, more women are now in full-time work than in previous decades. On the face of it, this is great news. These figures represent a welcome step towards equal employment opportunities and I’m all for that.
But, there’s a problem. While the workplace may have taken a step towards gender equality, the division of labour at home has not. ONS figures from 2022 show that it’s still women who spend the most time on unpaid childcare (84 minutes per day) and household work (169 minutes per day) compared to men (55 minutes and 106 minutes collectively).
Rather than skipping merrily into a world of equality, by pursuing a career, have I just doubled my responsibilities…? No wonder it’s bloomin’ hard to keep up.
READ: Nobody told me motherhood would bring so much darkness and joy simultaneously
Striving for perfection
And there’s an extra sting to this story's tail. Not only do women have to do it all, we have to do it with perfection. That’s right, we may be juggling 1000 balls at once… but woe betide anyone that lets one of those balls drop.
The pursuit of perfection is suffocating. We have to be vocal, present and successful at work lest we face criticism and accusations of 'not coping' or 'not focusing'. Like the Stepford Wives, our homes must be clean, up-to-date, and kept in perfect order (those women were robots, remember!?)
And then there’s the children. They have to be raised perfectly. Screen time is bad, outdoor time is good. Wholesome family activities with smiles all around are essential for upholding the Instagram/Facebook persona. They must eat well, dress well, be polite, attend clubs, be cajoled into homework and get to bed at a reasonable hour. Oh, and by the way, we have to 'treasure these times' because the kids will be grown up before we know it!
READ: Why are women expected to stop having fun in our thirties?
The sacrifices of having it all
Having it all has meant that I’ve had to sacrifice part of myself. Hobbies, free time and the dream of reading a book are out the window. Instead, I find myself checking emails at breakfast time whilst simultaneously emptying the dishwasher, practicing spellings with the youngest, replying to a WhatsApp about the next village hall committee meeting, and trying to encourage my eldest off his mobile phone (hypocritical, me?) and to be honest, I’m not doing any of it very well.
So, what’s the solution?
Fortunately, I don’t think this is a new permanent state of being for women. It feels like we’re in a transitional period, moving towards the equal distribution of labour in and out of the workplace, but we’re not quite there yet. I use those families that have achieved this already as a beacon of hope for the future
Lower your expectations
For now, I’m going to lower the expectations I have for myself. Perfection be damned! I’m not going to reply to work emails at 10pm or 6am. I’m going to send the kids to school with toothpaste down their jumpers and chocolate smeared around their mouths (because they ATE IT FOR BREAKFAST) and I’m going to allow my house to be a tip because cleaning sucks.
I know you may be thinking, "Will someone please get this woman a small violin?!" With so much terror and sadness in the world right now, it feels wrong to raise my little hand in complaint.
But this piece is for any other mothers/women/fathers/men/grandparents out there who feel overwhelmed; those who feel the promise of 'having it all' was a bit of a damp squib. I hear you, and I raise a toast to you in all your exceptional, multi-tasking, imperfect brilliance.
Visit HELLO!'s Happiness Hub for inspiring stories on how to be happier
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512117/dont-want-to-have-it-all-career-motherhood/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:46Z
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Former Strictly stars James and Ola Jordan have taken to their social media pages to thank fans for their messages of goodwill during a worrying time for them as parents.
Their three-year-old daughter Ella was back in hospital last week with a nasty bout of croup, and the couple had shared updates of their stressful time on Instagram.
Now, the professional dancers have given an update on Ella's progress and thankfully their sweet little girl is on the road to recovery.
James posted a picture of Ella looking pretty down in the dumps and wrote: "Our little fed up Ella."
He added: "Thank you for all of your messages wishing her well - she is getting better every day and getting back to her cheeky self finally. Off of the steroids and she’s back on antibiotics which seem to be working well. The relief for us parents is an indescribable feeling. Big love all."
The family was inundated with sympathetic comments, with one follower telling them: "So pleased she is getting better. Hope you all manage to get some rest."
Another said: "She’s been through the mill recently... wee soul…not good for you guys either!! Well wishes sent her way."
A third posted: "Aww bless her. It’s so scary as parents to see it and wonder why. Hoping she’s heading the right direction now."
James had previously shared a video explaining Ella's health condition, telling fans: "So we all had a really fun night last night. We took Ella to hospital because her cough was so bad."
He continued: "The nurses were so lovely with her again and the doctor was fantastic.
'She has, apparently, croup. They gave her a steroid called Dexamethasone, which helped, but then this morning she woke up again at nine o' clock. We didn't get home till half three and she woke up and was horrendous again.
'We gave her some more which they gave us to take away, but we can't seem to get on top of it at the moment unfortunately."
James and Ola recently spoke to HELLO! about a possible underlying heart condition that Ella is suffering from.
James told us: "The doctors at the hospital agreed that we need to find out why she keeps getting so sick. They say it could be a link with her heart issue, potentially, which we’ve never spoken about before."
Ola explained: "Ella was first diagnosed with a heart murmur a couple of years ago. Then, just before her second birthday, she was at the hospital and the doctor said: 'I'm not sure about her heart; there’s a little hole that needs to be double checked with another doctor.'"
"We were told that if she does have a hole in the heart, they can’t do anything until she’s older and stronger, so they suggested we wait," said James.
An upcoming follow-up appointment should tell them more. "But it would be a massive operation," James revealed.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512118/james-ola-jordan-relief-following-ella-hospital-dash/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:52Z
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It looks like Audrey McGraw has babies on the brain! Days after putting her romance with Lincoln Lawyer star, Manuel García-Rulfo, front and center on Instagram, the daughter of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw shared an adorable update.
Using social media as her platform, the model and musician treated fans to a throwback photo of herself as a baby.
The snapshot was adorable and showed Audrey in an oversized T-shirt and diaper standing in front of a window and looking back at the camera.
She captioned the image: "Endless baby photos," suggesting there are more to come. Audrey loves a trip down memory lane and regularly adds images of herself and her sisters, Gracie, 26, and Maggie, 25, from their childhood.
Her latest post comes after she seemingly confirmed her relationship with Manuel, 42. While she's hinted at a romance in the past, she made it all the more clear with a photo of him on Instagram and in turn he shared a bedroom snapshot of her too.
Audrey posted a moody photo of the star, in which he was directly down the camera lens and standing in the middle of a dark street, illuminated by green-blue lighting.
Back in August, both Audrey and Manuel shared subtle photos of their vacation together in Germany, and they previously delivered photos of another trip to Mexico – where Manuel is originally from – as well.
While it is unclear whether Manuel has met the rest of the famous family yet, he's in for a treat when he does.
In 2017, Tim and Faith opened up about their daughters dating and made a confession about meeting Gracie's then-boyfriend for the first time.
During a joint interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, they discussed their oldest child's first date.
"Faith said, 'I've met him, he's a really nice guy, we've done all the research and we've put our Secret Service guys on him, he's good," Tim recalled.
They asked him to stop by the house so that he could meet him in person, but things didn't go as planned as when he arrived, Tim was prepping for a barbeque.
"So I'm in the kitchen and I forget that he's coming," he explained. "So I have a white apron on and a knife and I'm trimming meat. So I've got chunks of meat all over this white apron, blood everywhere and the doorbell rings. And I go and answer the door and there's this kid who is dating Gracie and I've got a knife in my hand and a bloody apron on."
The kid was surprised and it's not clear whether he ran away screaming, but either way Tim quipped: "It worked out really well."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512121/audrey-mcgraw-22-shares-baby-photo-after-confirming-romance-manuel-garcia-ruflo-lincoln-lawyer-tim-mcgraw-faith-hill/
| 2024-01-26T12:46:56Z
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They say things come in threes, and what a day January 25 was for celebrity announcements...
Millie Bobby Brown announced her first fashion line - Florence by Mills Fashion, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper hard-launched their relationship with some major PDA in London, and Sofia Richie Grainge announced she and her husband Elliott are expecting their first child.
The fashion icon and daughter of Lionel Richie announced the news on her personal social media in the utmost fashionable Gen Z manner - with a TikTok video providing snippets of every important part of her journey so far.
Amongst the adorable content spliced together - from talking to her "four and half weeks old" child to listening to her daughter's heartbeat - we see a glimpse of Sofia and Elliot at their gender reveal, and her outfit proves why she's the queen of minimalism.
READ: Sofia Richie just made “jeans and a tweed blazer” 2023’s coolest outfit combo
READ: How to recreate Sofia Richie's go-to dinner date outfit
For the occasion, Sofia simply wore a grey crew neck sweatshirt paired with loose-fitting white-ish trousers and her signature bronde locks swept back into a neat high pony (hello, clean girl aesthetic). Her look proves that using white hues in any outfit instantly makes an ensemble look more elevated. Though her outfit was head-to-toe casual (literally, she also wore socks and fluffy sliders), her trousers plus her effortlessly chic hairdo gave her a more refined, uniformed look.
MORE: I tried Nudestix and can totally see why Sofia Richie is obsessed
RELATED: Sofia Richie's collab Matilda Djerf is almost here: Here's everything we know
If there’s somebody who proves the power of ‘less is more’ better than anyone else, it’s Sofia. The 25-year-old style muse was a trailblazer of the quiet luxury trend after her Chanel-clad wedding in 2023, often serving as the focal point for minimalistic and timeless fashion.
Speaking exclusively to Vogue about her pregnancy and the gender reveal she explained "I love the YouTubes and the TikToks—even before I was talking about getting pregnant—of gender reveals, so we had our OB text my assistant Becca [our baby’s gender], and we bought two party poppers: one blue, one pink,” explained Sofia, “Elliot and I popped it together. We both really thought it was a boy, so it was a true shock. My dream in life is to have a daughter [though], and Elliot is really excited for a girl too.”
Some people (especially celebrities) go over the top for such events, but not the Richie Grainges. In a surrounding that embodied Sofia's pared-back style agenda, the two are simply stood in a garden alone surrounded by pink confetti shot from the gender reveal cannon, and Sofia jumping up and down saying "I'm so excited" - we're not crying you are...
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/512114/sofia-richie-gender-reveal-outfit/
| 2024-01-26T12:47:02Z
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Clarkson's Farm host Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that his future at Diddly Squat Farm is looking precarious. The TV presenter, 63, has owned a farm in the Cotswolds for the last 16 years which he has filmed his hit Amazon Prime show from since 2021 but Jeremy has revealed the difficulties of owning such a swathe of land in the current financial climate.
The former Top Gear presenter has admitted that he is "screwed", along with many farmers across Europe in his column for The Times. Jeremy opened the farm to the public in 2019 and runs a farm shop which is described on their website as "a small barn full of good, no-nonsense things you'll like."
It goes on to elaborate saying: "We also have incredible food. Literally the best hamburgers in the world. And a full bar including Jeremy's own Hawkstone beer. Table seating is available overlooking the big view. All the stuff we sell in the shop is produced either on Diddly Squat Farm or by our neighbours in the Cotswolds."
Unfortunately, Jeremy has revealed that he has struggled to make a profit in recent times and said in 2023 that he has considered selling the farm after facing issues with failed crops and adverse weather conditions.
Speaking further on the situation in his Times column where he told readers about how little farmers receive in profit from the fresh produce they sell to supermarkets due to ever-growing production costs.
The 63-year-old wrote candidly: "They can't make anything approximating to a living wage without government help, and they can't put up prices because the supermarket system doesn't allow it."
The issue is not unique to the former The Grand Tour presenter, or even farmers in the UK for that matter. On 15 January, German farmers drove thousands of tractors into the capital after a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use.
The financial difficulties farmers like Jeremy are facing are cemented by the lack of profits being garnered from selling their homegrown produce to fast food chains. "How much of the £4 it charges for a Big Mac goes to the farmers who grew the cows and the potatoes and the flour and the tomatoes and whatever it is McDonald's puts in that delicious sauce?," he asked. "Not much".
The news comes as Jeremy opens up about a recent health scare. The TV star revealed that he lost a stone in weight after having a cyst spanning 5cm removed from his back. He has reassured fans that the cyst was not cancerous but that he underwent the procedure under general anesthetic last October.
The columnist said: "[My partner] Lisa took me to a health farm and, well, it was so miserable there that I thought, ‘I’ve got to have this cyst taken out at some point, I may as well go now’."
DISCOVER: Jeremy Clarkson's vile Meghan Markle views have 'no place on ITV' warns boss after 'Amazon axe'
"So I checked out of the whole place and checked into hospital, because it was more fun having an operation than eating juniper berries all day long," he added. "As I lay under the surgeon’s knife, I thought ‘this is preferable’."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/512125/jeremy-clarkson-future-diddly-squat-farm-hanging-balance-health-scare/
| 2024-01-26T12:47:08Z
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Princess Kate was admitted to The London Clinic hospital for abdominal surgery last week, and with her recovery in hospital predicted to take 10-14 days, she could be leaving any day now, but it is unlikely to be pictured leaving - unlike her past hospital admissions.
The Princess of Wales has made public exits from hospital on several occasions. Back in 2012, whilst pregnant with Prince George, Kate was pictured on the steps of the King Edward VII Hospital after being treated for hyperemesis gravidarum (acute morning sickness).
She was also famously pictured following the birth of her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, on the steps of the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital.
Unlike those occasions which were all centered around Kate's pregnancies, the details regarding her exact condition and reason for her surgery have been kept completely private. This will likely continue throughout her recovery process to allow her to get better without public intrusion.
HELLO!'s royal correspondent, Danielle Stacey has weighed in: "Given that the exact nature of the Princess of Wales's condition is being private, I doubt we will see her make a public exit from the hospital. Kate has undergone major surgery and has spent a lengthy time in hospital, and like anybody else, she will probably be keen to return home discreetly to Windsor to see her children and recuperate at the family's home."
The news first broke of the Princess's admission to hospital on Wednesday last week when Kensington Palace issued a surprise statement regarding the Princess of Wales' health. The news was then reconfirmed on the official social media channels for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
It read: "Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.
"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
"Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness' progress when there is significant new information to share.
"The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/512112/why-we-might-not-see-kate-middleton-leave-hospital/
| 2024-01-26T12:47:14Z
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Verbier ski resort in Switzerland is considered one of the best in the world and is regularly in the spotlight thanks to celebs including the Beckhams, Prince Harry and Leonardo DiCaprio hitting the slopes. Now it’s making headlines for an entirely different reason.
The skiing hotspot, beloved for its rich history, extensive piste and off-piste skiing and a cosmopolitan array of bars, restaurants and shops, is now making groundbreaking changes to ensure it’s here for years to come.
I’m talking about sustainability - an issue that isn’t always at the forefront of our minds as we frantically scroll online for the cheapest flights. Shockingly, even a return flight from London to Berlin emits around 0.6 tonnes of CO2 – that’s three times the emissions saved from a whole year of recycling – making aviation one of the biggest carbon footprint culprits.
I was invited to see just how the famous ski resort Verbier is tackling this issue and their plans ahead for the future. And I was amazed.
Ditching the plane and travelling to Verbier by train
Verbier is in the top realm of sustainability but one of the main problems is how guests arrive and leave the ski resort. Using the new Go Verbier site, I was able to see how easy it was to cut my own CO₂ emissions just by taking trains.
A return standard class train journey from London St Pancras to Verbier costs £320pp and frankly, I couldn’t have had a more relaxing start to the trip. Ditching the plane meant cutting out the airport faff of getting there three hours before take-off and fitting my toiletries into a tiny clear bag.
I could simply board the train then unwind and enjoy the scenery en route. The journey took us from London St.Pancras to Paris Gare de Nord, which was a short train to Gare de Lyon and then to Le Chable, via Geneva and Martigny.
Using Go Verbier, I worked out my overall carbon footprint for this trip was calculated to be 13.8kg of CO₂. compared to a whopping 201kg of CO₂ that would have been generated by flying to Geneva. This shocking difference has opened my eyes and I’ll be carefully considering all my travel options on future trips.
Sustainability at the resort: What Verbier is doing to lower CO₂
I saw first-hand how local companies Téléverbier (who are responsible for the resort’s ski lifts) and natural resource management specialists BlueArk Entremont are at the forefront of reducing the carbon and environmental footprint of skiing to help preserve this sport for years to come.
Téléverbier is actively working on various fronts, from ski lifts to snowmaking, transportation and energy use. The operation of the ski lifts actually generates very little CO₂, since they use electricity from low-carbon sources, such as hydroelectric power. The biggest carbon footprint of the ski resort comes from customers travelling from their homes to Verbier.
Speaking with Laurent Vaucher, Director of Téléverbier, it’s clear that guests have been at the forefront of all decisions. The operating hours of the Le Châble-Verbier cable cars have been extended to run from 5:30am to midnight to correspond with the first and last train of the day. This means guests can get up to the slopes early in the morning, and return later if - as I did - they travelled by train. These extensive operating hours help reduce the use of cars and encourage skiers to make use of public transport.
Laurent also revealed his aims to “achieve net-zero carbon emissions and generate our own electricity”. Not an easy task with essential snow-grooming vehicles maintaining the slopes, but with projects based on electric batteries they expect to see a solution on the market soon. And when it arrives they will have reached zero emissions.
Where to stay: The award-winning eco hot spot Hôtel de Verbier
Alongside Verbier’s luxury ski chalets are a host of independent hotels. Among them, situated in the centre of Verbier, 4-star Hôtel de Verbier is a must-visit. Run by husband-and-wife team Eld and Ebba Leijonhufvud, it opened in December 2019 after undergoing a clever and stylish re-design.
The Scandi chic decor, which features weathered wood, white spaces and inviting sheepskin armchairs, epitomises Alpine luxury. Still, it’s not just about projecting the right image - the couple have had sustainability at the forefront of all their decisions.
They were recently awarded the coveted sustainability credential, the 'Swisstainable Award', thanks to initiatives like their groundbreaking electronic key cards.
This clever device was all new to me - after online check-in the team sends you your room key to save your device, allowing you to get straight into your room without even passing by reception.
Rooms - which feature comfy king-size beds - are fitted with effective insulation to reduce sound between neighbouring rooms and from the street. This also keeps in the heat - I found that the rooms get nice and toasty. Removing air-conditioning also lowers the negative footprint that would exist from guests having air con on all day.
Ebba shared that her ground principle at Hôtel de Verbier is to "try to do everything properly and profoundly from the beginning so that it’s smart in the long term". Case in point, the solar panels on the roof that feed into the restaurant and kitchen and the carbon-friendly district heating, both of which have netted them certification of being users of 100% renewable energy.
There are also several spa facilities to enjoy, from the low-lit hammam bath and jacuzzi to massage rooms after those cold days on the slopes. The jacuzzi is also part of the eco approach; it’s on a timer from 3pm-9pm, meaning there’s no wasteful consuming of energy when it’s not being used.
How to hire ski clothes for your stay
If you don’t want to bring or buy bulky and expensive skiwear from home, renting is a great choice. I used Cirkel Supply Co. which provides premium ski wear hire including trousers, jackets and even backpacks. Starting with a minimum three-day hire, this service allows you to reserve your desired ski gear ahead of time. With prices starting from CHF 20 (£18) this includes delivery of all your items directly to your hotel.
As a first-time skier, I was shocked by the price of clothing. I ordered an under-layer jacket, trousers, gloves and two ski jackets for CHF 212.50 (that’s around £193) for three days. This was a massive saving, should I have bought the clothes - one item, Picture W's Sygna Jacket retailed at £379 alone! Overall I found the experience so stress-free and enjoyed picking my items and trying them on once they were delivered to my hotel room, as if I was online shopping.
I found the fit of all the items to be perfect and as described. Cirkel also provides personalised size or product advice through an online consultation so you can make sure everything will be good to go on the slopes
A local ski instructor told me that many of his clients buy several outfits for their one week of skiing. With rental, the eco-impact of looking fresh for each day on the slopes is greatly reduced - and more on that below. I opted for two jacket options which allowed me to look stylish and change up my look each day.
Why rent?
It’s an astonishing 70% more eco-efficient to rent premium outerwear from shops like Cirkel Supply instead of purchasing new. Why? Many skiers and snowboarders only get to the mountains for a week or so each winter, leaving a huge amount of outerwear sitting in a closet for the other 51 weeks of the year.
Cirkel wants to make the sport more accessible to everyone. In their own words: "We believe that our pricing will encourage more folks to get out and enjoy nature." This increased accessibility has the very positive side effect of a society more engaged with nature and less demanding on our planet's resources.
Local businesses making an impact
British eyewear brand SunGod, which sits amongst designer boutiques in Verbier village, is also championing sustainability in Verbier. They were certified a B Corporation in the summer of 2022 - which signifies a business that prioritises sustainability as much as it does profit.
The key feature of the brand’s products is the use of recycled materials, from packaging to recycled frames. And more recently they have even launched recycled lenses in their sunglasses.
Not only do they offer lifetime guarantees to reduce the number of customers throwing products away, but they also encourage customers to donate their unwanted sunnies to Shades of Love charity.
This heartwarming project takes pre-loved sunglasses and imperfect items from the SunGod warehouse and distributes them to remote indigenous communities typically in the Himalayas and the Andes where the levels of UV are dangerously high, and levels of eye cancer are up by 80% in population. It's such a huge issue, and amazing to see SunGod help.
As well as being sustainable, the products are durable, high-end items well-equipped for the slopes. I had the opportunity to design my own goggles at the store in Verbier and it was a great experience. I opted for black Vanguard goggles with a lens suitable for all weather - they were comfy, stylish and more than met my needs on the slopes.
How to plan your trip
Go Verbier is the new platform launched by the destination to allow guests to find, book and pay for their journey from any point in the world to Verbier. They can also use the handy site to plan all their travel in and around the ski resort.
From plane or train tickets, seat reservations, bus journeys, shuttles within the resort, taxis and car rental, all these options are available in one place. As mobility remains the sector that emits the most emissions when it comes to tourism, the various sustainable alternatives are highlighted, with the CO₂ equivalent for each.
More information
A seven-night stay at Hotel de Verbier in Verbier costs from £1,390pp based on two sharing with breakfast included. Hotel de Verbier
An adult one-day pass for the Verbier 4-Vallées sector is priced at CHF85/£78. visit Verbier 4Vallées
Ski Guide Instructor Warren Smith Ski Academy
For more information about Verbier visit verbier.ch
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/travel/512035/sustainble-skiing-trip-verbier-eco-friendly-alternatives/
| 2024-01-26T12:47:16Z
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Things are heating up for Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid who put on a cozy display in London on Thursday.
Following months of speculation surrounding their reported relationship, the 49-year-old actor and his model girlfriend, 28, confirmed their romance as they held hands during a stroll through the English capital.
In photos published by Page Six, the couple put on a stylish display with Gigi rocking camel-colored flared pants and a leather bomber jacket, while Bradley wore camouflage cargos and wrapped up in a winter coat.
They both hid behind sunglasses and at one point looked deep in conversation with Gigi wrapping her arm around Bradley's waist as they chatted.
The pair flew in from New York on Tuesday, but it's unclear whether they are in the UK for business or pleasure but he attended an In Conversation event at BFI Southbank on Wednesday.
Gigi and Bradley have been keeping their romance low-key since they were first linked in October when they were spotted enjoying dinner at hotspot Via Carota in New York.
They've since been seen spending time together in the Big Apple, and also reportedly enjoying a weekend away at Taylor Swift's Rhode Island mansion, a three-hour drive from the city.
Gigi has also met Bradley's mom, Gloria, and the threesome were spotted at Giorgio Baldi in Los Angeles after the Golden Globes.
Back in November Gloria was also spotted inside Hadid's Guest in Residence boutique in NYC.
The supermodel shares daughter Khai, three, with ex Zayn Malik while Bradley shares six-year-old daughter, Lea, with his ex Irina Shayk.
While Khai is kept out of the spotlight, Lea made her red carpet debut in December at the star-studded Maestro premiere at the Academy Museum.
She was snapped holding her dad's hand and looked adorable posing for photos. Bradley's daughter also makes a cameo in the drama film, playing a younger version of Maya Hawke's character Jamie Bernstein.
Bradley shares joint custody of Lea with Irina, 37. The couple, who dated from 2015 to 2019, have been successfully navigating co-parenting since their split.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletterand get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512111/bradley-cooper-49-gigi-hadid-28-confirm-romance-pda-packed-date-photo/
| 2024-01-26T12:59:32Z
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Reese Witherspoon was spotted in an incredible front row moment at Paris Fashion Week and she looked stunning with her daughter in tow.
The Morning Show actress, 47, was spotted heading out for the Fendi Haute Couture Spring/Summer show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Thursday and she showed up sartorially. Reese sported a classic LBD in a fit-and-flare mini cut with a dipped hem and a high neck.
She added a pair of gorgeous black heels with an unusual triangular heel and gold hardware. To bring a pop of colour to her look the Legally Blonde star was seen carrying a coral micro bag with stitching detail around the perimeter.
It wouldn't be a Fashion Week look if there wasn't a big pair of sunglasses and Reese's cat-eye style were quite fabulous. She popped on a gold bangle to tie in with the gold detailing on her sunglasses and also rocked a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings.
Her blonde locks were worn in an understated low bun that sat loose around her face for a casual feel. Her coral satin lip rounded off the look nicely.
Reese's lookalike daughter, 24, also upped the ante for the glamorous event in an unusual aesthetic. The model paired a high-neck canary yellow textured top with a pair of dovetail grey leather shorts with a thick cinching waistband.
She added a grey knee-length trench coat with the sleeves rolled to reveal a white and grey pinstripe lining. For accessories, Ava opted for a micro-bag to match her mother's but in a cornflower shade and an unexpected accessory – a gold bangle on each ankle.
Her outfit was made complete by a pair of white stilettos and a pair of oval sunglasses. Her hair was worn in a slicked straight style with a middle part and she wore a pink smokey eye with a winged liner and a rosy flush on her cheeks.
Reese and Ava were seen walking into the event and later on the front row of the catwalk show. They were spotted sitting with Euphoria actress Zendaya, 27, who wowed in a vampy burgundy dress with a complete hair transformation – an Avant Garde updo with short bangs.
Ava often accompanies her mother to glamorous events. The duo were seen on the red carpet of the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards earlier this month where they twinned in black dresses. Whilst the Big Little Lies star wore a strapless floor-length satin gown with an oversized bow detail, her daughter wowed in a black strapless mini dress with applique flowers that she styled with sheer black stockings and black stilettos.
The pair sported contrasting aesthetics when they attended the premiere of Sing 2 at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles last December. Whilst Ava looked stunning in a black velvet mini dress with a white oversized broderie anglaise collar and had pink dyed hair, her Sweet Home Alabama actress mother rocked a pink and fuschia checked mini dress covered in sequins that was styled with red stilettos and a red lip.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/celebrity-style/512108/reese-witherspoon-lookalike-daughter-ava-glamorous-outing-leg-lengthening-looks/
| 2024-01-26T12:59:38Z
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Princess Gabriella might have a twin brother, Prince Jacques, but the nine-year-old royal was twinning with her mother on Thursday when the family stepped out to celebrate Princess Charlene's 46th birthday.
Princess Charlene, who shares her two children with her husband, Prince Albert II, celebrated her big day in style as the family-of-four attended the Condamine Market.
While there, the Monégasque royals were given a warm welcome in the form of an enormous six-tiered cake to mark the royal's birthday.
The royals were photographed marvelling at the large cake, which was draped in white icing, adorned with gorgeous butterflies and delicate flowers, and finished off beautifully with red ribbon detailing around each layer.
An official photograph was shared on the Palais Princier de Monaco's Instagram account, with a caption that translated as: "This Thursday, January 25, H.A.S. Princess Charlène celebrated her birthday with family at the Condamine Market."
Although the large cake was definitely the focal point of the family photograph, royal fans will notice how the 46-year-old and her daughter had a matching moment in the fashion department.
Princess Charlene wrapped up warm with a grey wool blend jumper and a matching grey scarf around her neck. The mother-of-two then added heaps of style to the finished look with the Max Mara 'Cube Quilted' canvas gilet in camel.
The nine-year-old adorably wore the same colour palette as her mother. Gabriella was wearing a grey wool blend high-neck jumper dress, while also layering with Max Mara, in the form of sister brand Max & Co. Kids wear wool coat, also in camel colour.
MORE: Princess Charlene's daughter Princess Gabriella is her mini me in £525 Dolce & Gabbana leather boots
MORE: Princess Charlene looks like a model in floor-length festive skirt in unearthed photos
Prince Albert, meanwhile, kept things smart in a white shirt with a suit jacket and tie, while the royal couple's son looked cool and cosy in a white knitted jumper with smart trousers.
The royal couple, who wed in 2011, looked thrilled to be stepping out with their two children and the birthday outing comes just days after Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella enjoyed a day out with their father at the circus last weekend.
Although their mother did not join them for the fun day out, the children were beaming as they arrived at the 46th International Circus Festival with their father other members of the Monaco royal family, as well as Charlene's brother, Gareth Wittstock, his wife Roisin and their children Kaia Rose and Bodie.
Prince Albert's sister, Princess Stephanie, and her children Paul Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb, were also in attendance.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/512110/princess-charlene-twins-with-daughter-princess-gabriella-next-to-massive-6-tier-cake/
| 2024-01-26T12:59:44Z
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NCIS has released a full-length trailer for the upcoming 21st season of the CBS show, revealing a glimpse at David McCallum's tribute episode. The actor, who played Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard from the very first episode, passed away in September at the age of 90.
Halfway through the trailer, Brian Dietzen's character, Dr Jimmy Palmer, is seen looking deeply upset as he peers over what could be Ducky's body. David's voice plays over the moving clip, saying: "Yesterday is over. Change is the essence of life."
Fans were left in tears over the heartbreaking clip and took to social media with their reactions. "As soon as David/Ducky started talking my eyes watered. What a man, what a character! This season looks incredible! I know Brian's episode will be absolutely gutwrenching but beautiful," penned one person, while another added: "Made me sad hearing Ducky's voice. Miss him and David McCallum, who brilliantly portrayed him."
The tribute episode, which was co-written by Brian alongside executive producer Scott Williams, will air on February 19 and will see the team learn of Ducky's passing and reflect on their memories of him. Teasing the upcoming episode, co-showrunners and executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North told TV Line: "And true to Ducky's meticulous and compassionate nature, even after he’s gone, he still manages to solve one last crime with the team."
The new trailer also reveals a glimpse at one major storyline revolving around Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), who threatened to kill a mystery figure from his past in the season 20 finale.
The ending moments of the trailer see Torres being escorted out of NCIS HQ by police. In a pre-recorded video, Torres tells his team: "If you're watching this, I've been arrested. I know you'll want to help me, but don't."
Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) then asks what the charges are to which Alden Parker (Gary Cole) responds: "Murder", sparking concerned looks from other agents.
So what exactly happened with Torres at the end of season 20?
In the final episode of series 20, Torres went undercover in prison on a mission to get information out of incarcerated Yuri Valkov about the Russian spy plot and impending terrorist attack.
While in jail, Torres recognized a mystery character from his past – an older man seen visiting an 18-year-old inmate. After completing the mission, Torres headed to the man's house and pulled a gun on him, saying he wanted to watch him die.
The episode ended on a major cliffhanger with viewers left in the dark over whether Torres actually killed the man. But judging from the new trailer, things aren't looking good.
NCIS season 21 premieres on CBS on February 12 at 9pm.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512106/ncis-fans-in-tears-glimpse-david-mccallum-tribute-season-21-trailer/
| 2024-01-26T12:59:50Z
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After surviving bowel cancer twice, I wanted to mark the fifth anniversary of the all-clear, to remind myself how grateful I am to be alive, and how much I can achieve despite living with a stoma.
I decided to look for a challenge that was more than just a day, to prove that my body is still strong despite perceived limitations. Despite always telling my husband I would never run a marathon, I started to realise that perhaps this was the once-in-a-lifetime challenge that I should take.
I was inspired by Dancing on Ice star and fellow bowel cancer survivor Adele Roberts when I watched her running the London Marathon, so went one step further and signed up for an ultramarathon, with the help of Threshold Sports, an organisation that helps people realise their potential through world-class events.
I decided to do the Race to the King ultramarathon – and I was riddled with doubts as soon as I signed up. My first concern was that I am not a runner.
My running regime focuses around 5km every two weeks with my dog, and more importantly my trainer and friends, at a Kent-based canicross group - Skellywags. That's it! No midweek exercise, no evening runs, nothing else apart from yoga at home.
Doubts and fears
When I first pondered the opportunity of an ultramarathon, I felt the fear and the pressure of this being a challenge that was perhaps too big to take on as a complete novice runner.
However, during a conversation with Threshold Sports, someone mentioned taking part with walking poles. As soon as I realised people can walk during the ultramarathon, I was sold.
Some people start running and walk at the end of the course, some people walk and run intermittently, and some people start walking and finish walking. My perception of an ultramarathon changed straight away. I saw it as something that could be achievable for a very average person like me (and that if I tried running there was a high chance I wouldn’t come last!)
Overcoming challenges
I didn't think that I would enjoy training runs in the snow and the rain, but I have! It's nice to train with my husband too, although he does have to slow his pace to stay with me, bless him.
It's been nice to notice that I de-stress after a run as well. I've enjoyed the support from the other ambassadors. I am the underdog and they are so supportive.
INSPIRATION: I found a sense of freedom at 49 through a challenging new hobby
I've also enjoyed the belief of my family and friends and how they are understanding the need for all types of women to be represented in Ultras. I've even got some signing up to join me!
What I've learnt from ultramarathon training
- I've always been a determined person and it’s dawned on me that running should be no different.
- I learnt that the first KM is the hardest and that it does get better the more you keep going.
- I've learnt that sometimes my body's not in the right place to be running (bad allergy attack) and I don't have to beat myself up about it.
- I've learnt that I am quite self-competitive, plugging my Runna progamme into Strava and trying to compete with myself!
- I’ve realised that I really enjoy wearing trainers- I never really wore them before!
Advice for others
If somebody had told me a year ago I would be training for an ultra-marathon I would have laughed.
I'm an average person who doesn't go to the gym, has never been massively into exercise, has never run a half marathon and hates being cold. However, I am a person who wants to achieve, wants to be healthier, wants to support women and equality, and wants to prove to herself that she can do it.
The biggest thing to remember is it is not a 50 km run, yes I will be trying to run part of it but I also know that I will be walking most of it.
My achievement will be crossing the finish line because I can, despite two bouts of cancer, despite a stoma bag and a really stressful job.
READ: How my breast cancer diagnosis took me on the path to unexpected happiness
It's important I take time for myself and I can already feel the benefits. I would urge other women to consider doing this challenge for themselves and to support Threshold Sports in their mission to get more women into long-running.
Threshold Sports’ new initiative Ultra 50:50 endeavours to achieve gender parity and set new industry standards to inspire, empower and enable women to take part in events at the toughest end of the running distance spectrum.
Race to the King takes place on 15 June and Race to the Stones takes place on 13-14 July. Find out more and enter here: www.thresholdtrailseries.com
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512109/bowel-cancer-survivor-ultramarathon-46/
| 2024-01-26T12:59:56Z
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King Charles has been admitted to the same London hospital - where the Princess of Wales is currently recovering from abdominal surgery - to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate.
In a statement, the palace said: "The King was this morning admitted to a London hospital for scheduled treatment. His Majesty would like to thank all those who have sent their good wishes over the past week and is delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness."
It's understood that the monarch visited his daughter-in-law Kate, who has been under the London Clinic's care since 16 January. In pictures published by The Sun, Charles was seen arriving at the private hospital with his wife, Queen Camilla.
He was dressed in a smart suit and tie and navy overcoat for his arrival at the hospital, while Camilla was wearing a royal blue coat and carrying a green handbag.
It comes after the King, 75, was returned to Clarence House on Thursday, after previously spending some time at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
His wife, Queen Camilla, 76, previously said Charles is "fine" and looking forward to getting back to work.
Charles was diagnosed with the benign condition on January 17 while staying at Birkhall in Scotland, after going for a check-up because he was experiencing symptoms.
He is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
Charles has postponed a number of engagements on doctor's advice. The news came the same day as Kensington Palace confirmed that the Princess of Wales had undergone abdominal surgery.
Kate, 42, remains in The London Clinic and is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter, with the Prince of Wales also clearing his diary of official duties for the time being.
What treatment could King Charles have had for an enlarged prostate?
Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms that have not responded to medicine, the NHS website says.
Treatment can include a number of procedures, including removing part of the prostate gland with a laser, water ablation using the pressure of the water to destroy prostate tissue, or urethral lift implants, which hold the enlarged prostate away from the urethra so it is not blocked.
Other options include a prostate artery embolisation, during which tiny plastic particles are injected into blood vessels to shrink the prostate gland by reducing its blood supply.
LISTEN: Why King Charles is the ‘happiest’ he has been despite royal dramas
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/512107/king-charles-visits-kate-middleton-hospital-before-enlarged-prostate-treatement/
| 2024-01-26T13:00:02Z
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Many couples are choosing to have smaller weddingceremonies these days, which means intimate venues and often a more casual wedding dress for the bride.
Equally, multiple weddings are also becoming increasingly common, with couples tying the knot in front of close friends and family before having a bigger ceremony later on. Brides are opting for more than one wedding dress, the first usually more casual than the second.
The good news is that low-key bridal gowns can be just as beautiful as their lavish counterparts. You don't always need extravagant silhouettes or show-stopping trains to feel special on your big day.
The classic dress: Whistles Mia Wedding Dress, £499 / $999
The mini dress: Rebecca Vallance Casual Wedding Dress, £653 / $740
Celebrities wearing casual wedding dresses
Just because it's 'casual' doesn't mean it can't be Chanel. Sofia Richie wore a mini dress adorned with the brand's signature camellia flower for her wedding reception - one of three of her bridal gowns by the Parisian fashion house. The sleeveless style made its debut on the runway in the AW93 haute couture show.
Sophie Habbo was another bride who chose a more casual wedding dress for her nuptials to Jamie Laing in London, before their second celebration in Spain. The couple got married at Chelsea Registry Office and Sophie wore a mini dress by Vivienne Westwood, complete with a corset bodice, sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder straps, and a tulip skirt.
The Duchess of Sussex chose a modest wedding dress by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller when she married Prince Harry in 2018, but it was the Stella McCartney gown she stepped out in later that day that had us obsessed. The elegant halterneck design had a simple floor-length silhouette and open back.
How we chose the best casual wedding dresses
Cut: If your wedding ceremony is more low-key, you likely want a dress with a simple cut without a train, and possibly a shorter length. We've included a mix of very modern minis, floor-length gowns without too much fuss, and understated midi dresses which hit the sweet spot between the two.
Price: There could be many reasons you've chosen a low-key ceremony, but for those looking to keep costs down, we've only chosen dresses priced at less than £1,000 - with some far more affordable options, too.
Quality: Casual doesn't mean compromising on quality. We've chosen dresses made from materials that will still have you feeling amazing on your wedding day. Tactile silks and satins always look luxe, as do jacquard and crepe.
Reformation Casual Wedding Dress
Reformation Rhonda Silk Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free over £100
Returns: £6 within 30 days
Made from 100% silk, this stunning Reformation dress has a sleek, figure-skimming cut falling to a maxi length. We think this minimalist style could pass for a designer piece.
Phase Eight Casual Wedding Dress
Phase Eight Annalise Beaded Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-18
Shipping: £2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
If you're looking for something low-key but still love a bit of sparkle, Phase Eight's Annalise dress has been hand-beaded with floral appliques and embellishments. It features a maxi length with a tulle skirt and a simple waist belt.
Whistles Casual Wedding Dress
Whistles Mia Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-20
Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free on orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
Whistles' sell-out Mia dress is now back in stock. With its simple silhouette featuring a square neckline and subtly cinched waist, it's beautifully sophisticated and understated.
Rebecca Vallance Casual Wedding Dress
Rebecca Vallance Bridal Ophelia Mini Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-16
Shipping: £8 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £350
Returns: Free within 30 days
If you're looking for a mini dress, royal-approved Australian designer Rebecca Vallance has this bow-adorned creation that's gorgeous for a truly modern bride. Dripping with pearls, it features short puff sleeves and subtle cut-out detail.
Galvan Casual Wedding Dress
Galvan Pandora Satin Halterneck Midi Dress
Sizes available: EUR 34-44
Shipping: £7 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £300
Returns: Free within 30 days
Channel Meghan Markle in Galvan's halterneck Pandora dress. Crafted from silk-satin in a pearlescent ivory hue, it's cut a little shorter than full length. Pair it with statement shoes for a stunning casual wedding ensemble.
Sachin & Babi Casual Wedding Dress
Sachin & Babi Audra Wedding Dress
Sizes available: XXXS-XXL
Shipping: Free Standard Delivery for orders over £400
Returns: Free within 14 days
The cropped length and spaghetti straps make this flared midi dress by New York label Sachin & Babi perfect for a low-key wedding. We love the delicate crystal-embellished brooches.
Monsoon Casual Wedding Dress
Monsoon Liz Embroidered Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-18
Shipping: £3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50
Returns: Free within 28 days
Monsoon's Liz dress has a simple cut with beautiful sheer flutter sleeves and delicate embroidery. Our favourite feature? The tiny buttons in the lining so you can lift the train up to dance until the early hours.
Coast Casual Wedding Dress
Coast Plunge Jacquard Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 8-18
Shipping: £3.99 Standard Delivery
Returns: £1.99 within 28 days
This dreamy jacquard wedding dress from Coast looks far more expensive than its £127 price tag. Mixing a full skirt and elegant plunge neckline, it has a beautiful embroidered pattern with a textured appearance.
ASOS Casual Wedding Dress
ASOS DESIGN Emily Drape Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-18
Shipping: Free Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 28 days
With its spaghetti straps, plunge neckline and drape detail, we're picturing this ASOS bridal gown at a beach wedding. It's made from a satin fabric and is adjustable.
Rixo Casual Wedding Dress
Rixo Toni Feathered Mini Dress
Sizes available: UK 6-24
Shipping: £5 Standard Delivery
Returns: Free within 14 days
We think Rixo's feathered-trimmed bridal mini dress would be perfect for a smaller city wedding. The flattering piece features a classic V-neckline, an A-line skirt, and slightly flared sleeves.
LK Bennett Casual Wedding Dress
LK Bennett Lovette Devoré Wedding Dress
Sizes available: UK 4-20
Shipping: £2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150
Returns: Free within 28 days
Those looking for a modest wedding dress will love this vintage-style piece from LK Bennett's debut bridal collection. Made from an antique cream sheer fabric with floral and heart devoré, it's cut with a high neck, long sleeves, and a floaty maxi-length skirt.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/shopping/512012/best-casual-wedding-dresses/
| 2024-01-26T13:00:08Z
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Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider today, January 26:
Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO - Free Report) : This mining and mineral exploration company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 11.5% over the last 60 days.
Eldorado Gold Corporation has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 17.95, compared with 25.90 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of B.
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. (ISNPY - Free Report) : This company which provides financial products and services carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 3.1% over the last 60 days.
Intesa Sanpaolo has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 6.43 compared with 8.70 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of B.
PACCAR Inc (PCAR - Free Report) : This truck manufacturer companycarries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings increasing 5.1% over the last 60 days.
PACCAR has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 12.97 compared with 20.49 for the S&P. The company possesses a Value Score of A.
See the full list of top ranked stocks here.
Learn more about the Value score and how it is calculated here.
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2216278/best-value-stocks-to-buy-for-january-26th
| 2024-01-26T13:14:01Z
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Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, January 26:
PACCAR Inc (PCAR - Free Report) : This truck manufacturer companyhas witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.1% the last 60 days.
This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1.1%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC - Free Report) : This automobile company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings increasing 4% the last 60 days.
This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 2.8%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.(ISNPY - Free Report) : This company which provides financial products and services has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings increasing 3.1% the last 60 days.
This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 7.3%, compared with the industry average of 4.1%.
See the full list of top ranked stocks here.
Find more top income stocks with some of our great premium screens.
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PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2216280/best-income-stocks-to-buy-for-january-26th
| 2024-01-26T13:14:07Z
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Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, January 26:
Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL - Free Report) : This custom equipment manufacturer carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 35.1% over the last 60 days.
Powell Industries has a PEG ratio of 1.07 compared with 1.61 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.
PDD Holdings Inc. (PDD - Free Report) : This company that owns and operates a portfolio of businesses carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16.8% over the last 60 days.
PDD Holdings has a PEG ratio of 0.44 compared with 1.29 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.
Insight Enterprises, Inc. (NSIT - Free Report) : This IT services company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 2.7% over the last 60 days.
Insight Enterprises has a PEG ratio of 1.26 compared with 2.01 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of A.
See the full list of top ranked stocks here.
Learn more about the Growth score and how it is calculated here.
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Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2216291/best-growth-stocks-to-buy-for-january-26th
| 2024-01-26T13:14:13Z
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Here are three stocks added to the Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) List today:
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP - Free Report) is an auto parts company. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has been revised 21.3% downward over the last 60 days.
Algoma Steel Group Inc. (ASTL - Free Report) is a steel manufacturing company. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has been revised 6.3% downward over the last 60 days.
Banner Corporation (BANR - Free Report) is a bank holding company for Banner Bank. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has been revised 5.4% downward over the last 60 days.
View the entire Zacks Rank #5 List.
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Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216285/new-strong-sell-stocks-for-january-26th
| 2024-01-26T13:14:20Z
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On the lookout for a Mutual Fund Bond fund? Starting with The Osterweis Strategic Income Fund (OSTIX - Free Report) is one possibility. OSTIX carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on various forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance.
History of Fund/Manager
Osterweis is responsible for OSTIX, and the company is based out of San Francisco, CA. The Osterweis Strategic Income Fund debuted in August of 2002. Since then, OSTIX has accumulated assets of about $5.05 billion, according to the most recently available information. A team of investment professionals is the fund's current manager.
Performance
Of course, investors look for strong performance in funds. OSTIX has a 5-year annualized total return of 5.06% and it sits in the top third among its category peers. But if you are looking for a shorter time frame, it is also worth looking at its 3-year annualized total return of 3.67%, which places it in the top third during this time-frame.
It is important to note that the product's returns may not reflect all its expenses. Any fees not reflected would lower the returns. Total returns do not reflect the fund's [%] sale charge. If sales charges were included, total returns would have been lower.
When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. Compared to the category average of 7.44%, the standard deviation of OSTIX over the past three years is 5.53%. The standard deviation of the fund over the past 5 years is 6.03% compared to the category average of 9.1%. This makes the fund less volatile than its peers over the past half-decade.
This fund has a beta of 0.05, meaning that it is less volatile than a broad market index of fixed income securities. Taking this into account, OSTIX has a positive alpha of 3.62, which measures performance on a risk-adjusted basis.
Expenses
For investors, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is key, since costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing. Competition is heating up in this space, and a lower cost product will likely outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, all things being equal. In terms of fees, OSTIX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.85% compared to the category average of 0.90%. OSTIX is actually cheaper than its peers when you consider factors like cost.
Investors need to be aware that with this product, the minimum initial investment is $5,000; each subsequent investment needs to be at least $100.
Fees charged by investment advisors have not been taken into considiration. Returns would be less if those were included.
Bottom Line
Overall, The Osterweis Strategic Income Fund ( OSTIX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, this fund looks like a good potential choice for investors right now.
Don't stop here for your research on Mutual Fund Bond funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare OSTIX to its peers as well for additional information. If you are more of a stock investor, make sure to also check out our Zacks Rank, and our full suite of tools we have available for novice and professional investors alike.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216334/is-ostix-a-strong-bond-fund-right-now?
| 2024-01-26T13:17:32Z
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The recent report on gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter highlights the effectiveness of investing in tech mutual funds. According to data from the Commerce Department, the 3.3% annualized GDP growth rate surpassed the estimated 2%. Consumer spending, which makes up two-thirds of the U.S. economic activity grew 2.8% in the October-December quarter, showing that consumers are willing to spend across various sectors, including technology.
Business investment also played a role in supporting GDP growth. This positive trend can be attributed to increased exports, government spending and investment by businesses. The technology sector, known for its innovation and efficiency is expected to benefit from this increased business investment.
The resilience of the U.S. economy is evident with its 3.1% growth from Q4 2022 through Q4 2023. This growth can be attributed to factors such as job layoffs, strong wage increases and the creation of 2.7 million jobs, in 2023.
The strong GDP figures, along with the support from consumers and a rise in business investments indicate prospects for the technology industry, which is anyhow booming on AI optimism.
Investing in technology mutual funds, thus, seems to be judicious as of now. Also, mutual funds, in general, diversify portfolios without several commission charges that are mainly associated with stock purchases and trim transaction costs (read more: Mutual Funds: Advantages, Disadvantages, and How They Make Investors Money).
We have, thus, chosen three technology mutual funds that investors should buy now for the long term. These funds possess a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), have positive three-year and five-year annualized returns, minimum initial investments within $5000, and expense ratios considerably lower than the category average. So, these funds have provided a comparatively strong performance along with lower fees.
Fidelity Select Semiconductors (FSELX - Free Report) seeks capital appreciation. FSELX invests in the design, manufacture, or sale of electronic components, equipment vendors to electronic component manufacturers; electronic component distributors; and electronic instruments and electronic systems vendors.
Adam Benjamin has been the lead manager of FSELX since Mar 15, 2020. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies like NVIDIA Corp (24.8%), NXP Semiconductors N.V. (8.4%) and ON Semiconductor Corp (8%) as of Aug 31, 2023.
FSELX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 23.4% and 34.8%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.68% compared to the category average of 1.05%. FSELX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1.
To see how this fund performed compared to its category and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here.
Red Oak Technology Select (ROGSX - Free Report) seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in stocks of companies that rely extensively on technology in their product development or operations or the ones that may be experiencing growth in sales and earnings driven by technology-related products and services. ROGSX also invests in technology companies that develop, produce, or distribute products or services related to computers, semiconductors and electronics.
Robert D. Stimpson has been the lead manager of ROGSX since Jan 16, 2019. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies like Alphabet Inc. (7.4%), Apple Inc (6.8%) and KLA Corp (6.4%) as of Jul 31, 2023.
ROGSX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 8.3% and 16.6%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.94% compared to the category average of 1.05%. ROGSX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2.
DWS Science and Technology Fund (KTCAX - Free Report) invests the majority of its net assets in common stocks of science and technology companies of any size. KTCAX focuses on one or more industries in the technology sector. The fund also invests in foreign securities and is non-diversified.
Sebastian P. Werner has been the lead manager of KTCAX since Nov 30, 2017. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies like NVIDIA Corp (11.1%), Meta Platforms, Inc. (8.2%) and Microsoft Corp (7.4%) as of Jul 31, 2023.
KTCAX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 7% and 20.6%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.91% compared to the category average of 1.05%. KTCAX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216338/3-technology-mutual-funds-worth-investing-in
| 2024-01-26T13:17:56Z
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Investing in mutual funds for retirement is never too late. And the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank can be an excellent tool for investors looking to invest in the best funds.
How can you tell a good mutual fund from a bad one? It's pretty basic: if the fund is diversified, has low fees, and shows strong performance, it's a keeper. Of course, there's a wide range, but using the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank, we've found three mutual funds that would be great additions to any long-term retirement investors' portfolios.
Let's take a look at some of our top-ranked mutual funds with the lowest fees.
Goldman Sachs Large Cap Growth Insights Service Class (GSCLX - Free Report) : 1.06% expense ratio and 0.51% management fee. GSCLX is a Large Cap Growth mutual fund, and these funds invest in many large U.S. firms that are projected to grow at a faster rate than their large-cap peers. GSCLX has achieved five-year annual returns of an astounding 15.96%.
JPMorgan Mid Cap Growth Fund A (OSGIX - Free Report) . Expense ratio: 1.14%. Management fee: 0.65%. OSGIX is a Mid Cap Growth mutual fund. These mutual funds choose companies with a stock market valuation between $2 billion and $10 billion. This fund has managed to produce a robust 15.21% over the last five years.
T. Rowe Price Institutional Small-Cap Stock (TRSSX - Free Report) . Expense ratio: 0.66%. Management fee: 0.65%. Five year annual return: 12.01%. TRSSX is a Small Cap Blend mutual fund that usually targets companies with a market capitalization of less than $2 billion.
We hope that your investment advisor (if you use one) has you invested in one or all of the top-ranked mutual funds we've reviewed. But if that isn't the case, it might be time to have a conversation or reconsider this vitally important relationship.
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Goldman Sachs LrgCp Gr Insights Svc (GSCLX) - free report >>
T. Rowe Price Instl Small-Cap Stock (TRSSX) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216349/3-magnificent-mutual-funds-to-maximize-your-retirement-portfolio
| 2024-01-26T13:18:58Z
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There is never a wrong time to invest in mutual funds for retirement. So, if you're still looking for the best mutual funds, the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank can be a great guide.
The easiest, most reliable way to judge a mutual fund's quality over time is by analyzing its performance, diversification, and fees. The Zacks Mutual Fund Rank, which covers over 19,000 mutual funds, has helped us identify three outstanding options that are perfect for any long-term investors' portfolios that is retirement-focused.
Here are the funds that have achieved the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and have low fees.
DFA World Core Equity Institutional (DREIX - Free Report) : 0.27% expense ratio and 0.22% management fee. DREIX is a Global - Equity mutual fund, which invests their assets in large markets, leveraging the global economy. With annual returns of 11.96% over the last five years, this fund is a winner.
JPMorgan Small Cap Value Fund R5 (JSVRX - Free Report) . Expense ratio: 0.84%. Management fee: 0.65%. JSVRX is a Small Cap Value mutual fund option, which typically invest in companies with market caps under $2 billion. This fund has managed to produce a robust 10.56% over the last five years.
Janus Henderson Contrarian A (JCNAX - Free Report) : 0.99% expense ratio and 0.7% management fee. JCNAX is a Large Cap Value mutual fund, which invests in stocks with a market cap of $10 billion of more, but whose share prices do not reflect their intrinsic value. With a five-year annual return of 15.84%, this fund is a well-diversified fund with a long track record of success.
We hope that your investment advisor (if you use one) has you invested in one or all of the top-ranked mutual funds we've reviewed. But if that isn't the case, it might be time to have a conversation or reconsider this vitally important relationship.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
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JPMorgan Small Cap Value R5 (JSVRX) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216350/should-you-add-these-3-top-performing-mutual-funds-to-your-portfolio?
| 2024-01-26T13:19:04Z
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Investing in mutual funds for retirement is never too late. And the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank can be an excellent tool for investors looking to invest in the best funds.
The easiest way to judge a mutual fund's quality over time is by analyzing its performance, diversification, and fees. Using the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of over 19,000 mutual funds, we've identified three outstanding mutual funds that are ideally suited to help long-term investors pursue and achieve their retirement investing goals.
Here are the funds that have achieved the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and have low fees.
Columbia Acorn European Adv (CLOFX - Free Report) : 1.21% expense ratio and 1.14% management fee. CLOFX is a Non US - Equity option, focusing their investments acoss emerging and developed markets, and can often extend across cap levels too. CLOFX has achieved five-year annual returns of an astounding 11.2%.
Homestead Value Fund (HOVLX - Free Report) . Expense ratio: 0.62%. Management fee: 0.48%. HOVLX is a Large Cap Value mutual fund, which invests in stocks with a market cap of $10 billion of more, but whose share prices do not reflect their intrinsic value. This fund has managed to produce a robust 12.88% over the last five years.
JPMorgan Growth Advantage I (JGASX - Free Report) is an attractive large-cap allocation. JGASX is a Large Cap Growth mutual fund, and these funds invest in many large U.S. firms that are projected to grow at a faster rate than their large-cap peers. JGASX has an expense ratio of 0.79%, management fee of 0.55%, and annual returns of 20.16% over the past five years.
These examples highlight the fact that there are some astonishingly good mutual funds out there. If your advisor has you in the good ones, bravo! If not, you may need to have a talk.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216351/are-these-3-top-ranked-mutual-funds-in-your-retirement-portfolio?
| 2024-01-26T13:19:10Z
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Americans have once again started spending freely as inflationary pressures are steadily easing, making them more confident about the economy. Consumers cut down on spending on expensive goods and stuck to buying necessities for most of 2023 as rising costs continued to hurt their expenses.
However, the last few months have seen people spending on expensive items and goods again. The apparel market, which took a hit during this time, also appears to be bouncing back. As retail sales got a major boost during the holiday season, so did the sales of apparel.
Clothing and accessories sales at physical and online stores totaled $41,342 million in December, increasing 1.5% month over month. For the full year, clothing sales totaled $312.73 billion.
Overall retail sales grew 0.6% in December, and the clothing and accessories segment was one of the major drivers as people spend lavishly during the holiday season.
Apparel sales took a major hit during the pandemic as sales dropped because millions stayed home, and holidaying almost came to a halt for more than a year.
Things started looking up but inflationary pressures started taking a toll on sales as the Federal Reserve adopted a strict monetary regime and increased its benchmark policy rates from the range of 0-0.25% to 5.25-5.50% since March 2022.
The Federal Reserve’s aggressive steps saw a sharp decline in inflation. This has now raised hopes that the Fed will soon end its monetary tightening campaign and go for rate cuts in 2024.
This has also been boosting consumer sentiment at a rapid pace. The latest University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment survey came up with a reading of 78.8 in January, up from the previous month’s 69.7. This is the highest reading in two-and-a-half years.
Lower interest rates bode well for the broader economy and allow people to spend more freely. This, in turn, favors the clothing and accessories industry.
Our Choices
We have narrowed our search to four apparel stocks, namely American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO - Free Report) , Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK - Free Report) , Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF - Free Report) and The Gap, Inc. (GPS - Free Report) , which have strong potential for 2024. These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions in the last 60 days. Each of our picks carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is a specialty retailer of casual apparel, accessories and footwear for men and women aged 15-25 years. AEO, along with its subsidiaries, engages in the designing and marketing of casual clothing. American Eagle Outfitters’ assortment includes jeans, cargo pants, graphic T-shirts as well as a range of accessories, outerwear and footwear.
American Eagle Outfitters’ expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 45.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 6% over the last 60 days. AEO presently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a leading designer, producer and brand manager of innovative, niche footwear and accessories developed for outdoor sports and other lifestyle-related activities. DECK sells products primarily under five proprietary brands — UGG, HOKA, Teva, Sanuk and Other (mainly comprising Koolaburra).
Deckers Outdoor’sexpected earnings growth rate for the current year is 22.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.1% over the past 60 days. DECK currently has a Zacks Rank #2.
Abercrombie & Fitch operates as a specialty retailer of premium, high-quality casual apparel for men, women, and kids through a network of approximately 850 stores across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. ANF's product portfolio includes knit and woven shirts, graphic T-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, outerwear, personal care products and accessories for men, women and kids, under the Abercrombie & Fitch, Abercrombie kids and Hollister brands.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 2,320%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 14.8% over the past 60 days. ANF currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
The Gap, Inc. is a premier international specialty retailer offering a diverse range of clothing, accessories and personal care products. GPS offers products for men, women and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta, Intermix and Hill City brands.
The Gap’sexpected earnings growth rate for the current year is 385%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 9.6% over the past 60 days. GPS currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216361/4-apparel-stocks-to-boost-your-portfolio-on-soaring-sales
| 2024-01-26T13:20:20Z
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Investors are cautious as they eagerly wait for the Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting, scheduled next week. Expansion in both services and manufacturing activity in January, as reported by the S&P Global’s flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, higher-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, and increased retail sales for December are the major drivers for the Fed’s interest rate decision.
The S&P Global’s flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, increased to 52.3 this month from 50.9 in December, marking the highest since last June. A reading above 50 represents an expansion in the manufacturing and services sectors. On a month-over-month basis, CPI, which is the most accepted gauge for inflation, increased 0.3% in December compared to a 0.1% increase in November, mostly due to the rise in shelter costs.
Retail sales were up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis compared to a rise of 4.8% in November during the holiday season. The economy added 216,000 jobs, the unemployment rate was 3.7%, flat month over month, and the average hourly wage rate increased 0.4%, signaling a tight labor market in the month ending December. The U.S. gross domestic product rose 3.3% in Q4, better than the Street’s expectation.
Though investors are expecting the central bank to be less hawkish this year, keeping in mind strong retail sales data and a tight labor market, the Fed could keep the interest rate high for longer. By maintaining the interest rates, the Fed wants to cool off demand by making borrowing money more expensive. Currently, the interest rate is in the range of 5.25-5.5%, which is the highest in 22 years.
Keeping in mind that the interest rates could remain high for longer, which will impact corporate performance and, thereby, stock prices, prudent investors who wish to invest their money for regular income and capital preservation can buy dividend stocks. These companies, due to their well-established businesses, pay out regular dividends and remain profitable due to their proven business models. Companies that tend to reward investors with a high dividend payout outperform non-dividend-paying stocks in a highly volatile market.
On that note, let us look at companies like Simmons First National (SFNC - Free Report) , Independent Bank (IBCP - Free Report) , S&P Global (SPGI - Free Report) , HBT Financial (HBT - Free Report) and Canadian National Railway (CNI - Free Report) that have lately hiked their dividend payouts.
Simmons First National is a bank holding company. Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) SFNC provides a full range of banking and mortgage services to individual and corporate customers. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
On Jan 24, SFNC announced that its shareholders would receive a dividend of 21 cents a share on Apr 1, 2024. SFNC has a dividend yield of 4.0%.
Over the past five years, SFNC has increased its dividend six times. Its payout ratio now sits at 43% of earnings. Check Simmons First National's dividend history here.
Independent Bank is a bank holding company. This Zacks Rank #2 company principally provides financial services in rural and suburban communities located across Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
On Jan 23, IBCP declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of 24 cents a share on Feb 15, 2024. IBCP has a dividend yield of 3.5%.
In the past five years, IBCP has increased its dividend six times. Its payout ratio at present sits at 32% of earnings. Check Independent Bank’s dividend history here.
S&P Global is headquartered in New York, NY. This Zacks Rank #2 company is a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
On Jan 23, SPGI declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of 91 cents a share on Mar 12, 2024. SPGI has a dividend yield of 0.81%.
Over the past five years, SPGI has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio presently sits at 30% of earnings. Check S&P Global’s dividend history here.
HBT Financial is headquartered in Bloomington, IL. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company provides business, commercial, wealth management, and retail banking products and services to businesses, families and local governments.
On Jan 23, HBT declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of 19 cents a share on Feb 13, 2024. HBT has a dividend yield of 3.4%.
In the past five years, HBT has increased its dividend three times. Its payout ratio at present sits at 28% of earnings. Check HBT Financial’s dividend history here.
Canadian National Railway is engaged in the rail and related transportation business. This Zacks Rank #3 company operates as the largest rail network in Canada and the only transcontinental network in North America.
On Jan 23, CNI declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of 64 cents a share on Mar 28, 2024. CNI has a dividend yield of 1.9%.
In the past five years, CNI has increased its dividend 14 times. Its payout ratio at present sits at 42% of earnings. Check Canadian National Railway’s dividend history here.
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Independent Bank Corporation (IBCP) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216362/5-stocks-to-watch-on-their-recent-dividend-hikes
| 2024-01-26T13:20:27Z
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The U.S. economy showed robustness in 2023 while expanding at a healthy pace in the final three months and squashing recession fearmongering. The domestic economy displayed astounding resilience in the face of the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening campaign to tame relentless price pressures. It continued to thrive, banking on the uptick in consumer outlays and strength in the labor market.
The U.S. economy accelerated at an annualized rate of 3.3% in the final quarter of 2023, more than economists’ forecast of growth of 2%, according to the Commerce Department. In the third quarter, the economy grew at an annualized pace of 4.9%. Thus, the economy registered back-to-back strong readings despite higher interest rates and elevated inflation.
The U.S. economy, in reality, expanded by 2.5% for the whole of 2023, and became the fastest-growing advanced economy last year. This was also better than the 1.9% growth in 2022. The gross domestic product, nonetheless, improved in the fourth quarter due to steady consumer outlays, which rose 2.8%. Notably, consumer spending accounts for almost two-thirds of economic activity. Business investments and government outlays also increased in the reported quarter.
Most importantly, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index that the Fed prefers as a long-term inflation measure, increased by 1.7% in the fourth quarter, less than the third quarter’s reading of 2.6%, and very much around the central bank’s 2% goal. What’s more, in the fourth quarter, the core PCE advanced at an annual rate of 2%. Needless to say, the decline in prices of indispensable goods and services gave the wherewithal to consumers to spend and boost economic growth.
But it’s not just in 2023, the economy is expected to trounce recession worries this year, too, and chug along. After all, economic activity is already off to a solid start, with the S&P flash U.S. services and manufacturing PMI climbing in January from the prior month.
Hence, with recession fears subsiding, and the economy continuing to bloom, the stock market is widely expected to experience a bull market, which calls for investing in growth stocks such as Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH - Free Report) , Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF - Free Report) , Cameco (CCJ - Free Report) , CyberArk Software (CYBR - Free Report) and LendingTree (TREE - Free Report) (read more: 3 S&P 500 Growth Stocks to Buy as Index Enjoys Bull Market).
These stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of A or B, a combination that offers the best opportunities in the growth investing space. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company. Amphastar Pharmaceuticals currently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 0.3% over the past 60 days. AMPH’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 62.9%.
Abercrombie & Fitch operates as a specialty retailer of premium, high-quality casual apparel. Abercrombie & Fitch currently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 14.8% over the past 60 days. ANF’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 2,320%.
Cameco is one of the world's largest uranium producers. Cameco currently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 12.5% over the past 60 days. CCJ’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 188%.
CyberArk Software provides information technology security solutions. CyberArk Software currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Growth Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 2.6% over the past 60 days. CYBR’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 277.3%.
LendingTree operates an online consumer platform in the United States. LendingTree currently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings has moved up 0.5% over the past 60 days. TREE’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 100%.
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Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMPH) - free report >>
Cameco Corporation (CCJ) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216364/5-top-growth-stocks-to-buy-as-recession-fears-subside
| 2024-01-26T13:20:39Z
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Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) is a world-renowned company that has provided investment management, portfolio design and advisory services to individual and institutional investors worldwide since 1988. Its strategies cover asset classes, industries and geographies. As of Sep 30, 2023, GSAM had $2.6 trillion in assets under supervision.
The fund has more than 2,000 professionals across 31 offices all over the world. The company has a team of more than 800 investment professionals who capitalize on Goldman Sachs’ technology, risk-management skills and market insights. It offers investment solutions, including fixed income, money markets, public equity, commodities, hedge funds, private equity, and real estate, through proprietary strategies, strategic partnerships and open architecture programs.
Below, we share with you three top-ranked Goldman Sachs mutual funds, viz. Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Infrastructure Fund (GMNPX - Free Report) , Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Insights Fund (GSXPX - Free Report) and Goldman Sachs Focused Value (GGYPX - Free Report) . Each has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of Goldman Sachs mutual funds.
Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Infrastructure Fund invests most of its assets, along with borrowings, if any, in domestic and foreign equity or fixed-income securities issued by energy infrastructure companies. GMNPX advisors may also invest a small portion of its assets in non-energy infrastructure investments.
Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Infrastructure Fund has three-year annualized returns of 28.5%. As of the end of August 2023, GMNPX held 12.4% of its assets in Energy Transfer.
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Insights Fund invests most of its assets, along with borrowings, if any, in a broadly diversified portfolio domestic small-cap of equity securities. GSXPX advisors may also invest in foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value Insights Fund has three-year annualized returns of 10.7%. GSXPX has an expense ratio of 0.83% compared with the category average of 1.16%.
Goldman Sachs Focused Value fund invests most of its assets, along with borrowings, if any, in a portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, and other securities and instruments having equity characteristics. GGYPX advisors generally invest in companies that they believe to have competitive advantages, and sustainable growth potential and whose intrinsic value is not reflected in the stock price.
Goldman Sachs Focused Value fund has three-year annualized returns of 10.5%. Kevin Martens has been one of the fund managers of GGYPX since December 2019.
To view the Zacks Rank and the past performance of all Goldman Sachs mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of Goldman Sachs mutual funds.
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Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216372/3-top-ranked-goldman-sachs-mutual-funds-for-stellar-returns
| 2024-01-26T13:21:08Z
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Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.
We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.
Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained
The Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.
Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.
Bringing together a positive earnings ESP alongside a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better has helped stocks report a positive earnings surprise 70% of the time. Furthermore, by using these parameters, investors have seen 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Oceaneering International?
Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Oceaneering International (OII - Free Report) earns a #1 (Strong Buy) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.24 a share, just 27 days from its upcoming earnings release on February 22, 2024.
OII has an Earnings ESP figure of +5.88%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.24 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.23. Oceaneering International is one of a large database of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
OII is part of a big group of Oils and Energy stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG - Free Report) as well.
SolarEdge Technologies, which is readying to report earnings on February 12, 2024, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. It's Most Accurate Estimate is currently -$1.19 a share, and SEDG is 17 days out from its next earnings report.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SolarEdge Technologies is -$1.34, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +11.8%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, OII and SEDG could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported
Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216377/why-investors-need-to-take-advantage-of-these-2-oils-and-energy-stocks-now
| 2024-01-26T13:21:35Z
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Wall Street watches a company's quarterly report closely to understand as much as possible about its recent performance and what to expect going forward. Of course, one figure often stands out among the rest: earnings.
We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.
Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained
The Zacks Expected Surprise Prediction, or ESP, works by locking in on the most up-to-date analyst earnings revisions because they can be more accurate than estimates from weeks or even months before the actual release date. The thinking is pretty straightforward: analysts who provide earnings estimates closer to the report are likely to have more information.
Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.
Bringing together a positive earnings ESP alongside a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better has helped stocks report a positive earnings surprise 70% of the time. Furthermore, by using these parameters, investors have seen 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Corteva, Inc.
Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Corteva, Inc. (CTVA - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.09 a share, just five days from its upcoming earnings release on January 31, 2024.
CTVA has an Earnings ESP figure of +47.7%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.09 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.06. Corteva, Inc. is one of a large database of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
CTVA is part of a big group of Consumer Staples stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at Chefs' Warehouse (CHEF - Free Report) as well.
Chefs' Warehouse, which is readying to report earnings on February 21, 2024, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. It's Most Accurate Estimate is currently $0.45 a share, and CHEF is 26 days out from its next earnings report.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chefs' Warehouse is $0.43, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +5.88%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, CTVA and CHEF could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported
Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216378/how-to-find-strong-consumer-staples-stocks-slated-for-positive-earnings-surprises
| 2024-01-26T13:21:41Z
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Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.
Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.
The ability to identify stocks that are likely to top quarterly earnings expectations can be profitable, but it's no simple task. Here at Zacks, our Earnings ESP filter helps make things easier.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained
The Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate.
Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.
In fact, when we combined a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time. Perhaps most importantly, using these parameters has helped produce 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Nasdaq?
Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Nasdaq (NDAQ - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $0.70 a share, just five days from its upcoming earnings release on January 31, 2024.
NDAQ has an Earnings ESP figure of +0.43%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $0.70 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.69. Nasdaq is one of a large database of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
NDAQ is part of a big group of Finance stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at AGNC Investment (AGNC - Free Report) as well.
Slated to report earnings on April 22, 2024, AGNC Investment holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $0.54 a share 87 days from its next quarterly update.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AGNC Investment is $0.49, and when you take the percentage difference between that number and its Most Accurate Estimate, you get the Earnings ESP figure of +10.31%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, NDAQ and AGNC could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported
Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216380/how-to-find-strong-finance-stocks-slated-for-positive-earnings-surprises
| 2024-01-26T13:21:55Z
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Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.
Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.
Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.
The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained
The Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information.
The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.
When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.
Stocks with a #3 (Hold) ranking, which is most stocks covered at 60%, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. But stocks that fall into the #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market. Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.
Should You Consider Deere?
The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to quickly look at a qualifying stock. Deere (DE - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $5.26 a share 20 days away from its upcoming earnings release on February 15, 2024.
By taking the percentage difference between the $5.26 Most Accurate Estimate and the $5.16 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Deere has an Earnings ESP of +2.09%. Investors should also know that DE is one of a large group of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
DE is part of a big group of Industrial Products stocks that boast a positive ESP, and investors may want to take a look at A.O. Smith (AOS - Free Report) as well.
Slated to report earnings on January 30, 2024, A.O. Smith holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and it's Most Accurate Estimate is $0.99 a share four days from its next quarterly update.
For A.O. Smith, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.95 is +3.8%.
Because both stocks hold a positive Earnings ESP, DE and AOS could potentially post earnings beats in their next reports.
Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported
Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216383/why-investors-need-to-take-advantage-of-these-2-industrial-products-stocks-now
| 2024-01-26T13:22:13Z
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Here are five stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List today:
Inhibikase Therapeutics, Inc. (IKT - Free Report) : This pharmaceutical company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16% over the last 60 days.
Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO - Free Report) : This mining and mineral exploration company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 11.5% over the last 60 days.3
MongoDB, Inc. (MDB - Free Report) : This database platform company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 23.9% over the last 60 days.
PagerDuty, Inc. (PD - Free Report) : This digital operations platform company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16.1% over the last 60 days.
Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (AVXL - Free Report) : This biopharmaceutical company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 14.5% over the last 60 days.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2215513/new-strong-buy-stocks-for-january-26th
| 2024-01-26T13:22:26Z
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The Boston Beer Company (SAM - Free Report) ) looks back to being on the path of lucrative profitability and rewarding gains for investors landing its stock a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and the Bull of the Day.
As one of the nation's premier brewing companies, Boston Beer’s market dominance through famous branded beers like Samuel Adams Lager is compelling with the company having a lengthy international presence as well. Investments into malt beverages through its branded BoDeans’s Twisted Tea are expected to support the iconic brewer which also produces alcoholic ciders.
Fiscal 2024 EPS Rebound
Boston Beer will be reporting its Q4 results in late February and is expected to round out fiscal 2023 with earnings up a modest 4% to $7.33 a share. However, it is the anticipation of EPS soaring another 53% this year to $11.21 per share that should start to excite investors.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
More importantly, FY24 earnings estimates have continued to trend higher over the last quarter and are slightly up over the last 60 days. Notably, The Boston Beer Company has an “A” Zacks Style Scores grade for Growth in addition to its strong buy rating.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Points of a More Reasonable Valuation
Magnifying Boston Beer’s stronger earnings outlook is that SAM shares trade at their most reasonable valuation in over a decade in terms of price to earnings. Currently at a 32X forward earnings multiple this is far more attractive than decade highs of 114.6X and a slight discount to the median of 35X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Furthermore, Boston Beer’s price-to-sales ratio is now near the optimum level of less than 2X compared to extreme decade highs of 7.9X and beneath the median of 2.8X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Bottom Line
Starting to eliminate some of the premium fears that may have curved investors in the past it's noteworthy that Boston Beer’s stock has an overall “A” VGM Zacks Style Scores Grade for the combination of Value, Growth, and Momentum. Now looks like a good time to buy as the alcoholic beverage conglomerate has the potential to be a very sound investment given its fiscal 2024 outlook.
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2216097/bull-of-the-day-the-boston-beer-company-sam
| 2024-01-26T13:22:32Z
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Unfortunately, with the Zacks Chemical-Diversified Industry at the bottom 9% of over 250 Zacks industries, Huntsman Corporation’s (HUN - Free Report) stock lands a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) and the Bear of the Day.
Although Huntsman is among the world’s largest manufacturers of differentiated and commodity chemical products, short-term weakness is still on the horizon and investors will want to be cautious at the moment.
Weaker Industry Outlook
One of the first signs of ensuing weakness for an industry or stock is declining earnings estimates and Huntsman has joined 12 other companies in the Zacks Chemical-Diversified Industry that have seen negative estimate revisions over the last quarter with only one seeing positive estimate revisions.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For Huntsman, annual earnings estimates have dropped -13% over the last 30 days as the company wraps up its fiscal 2023 with Q4 results expected in late February. More disheartening is that FY24 EPS estimates are down -9% over the last month.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The souring FY24 earnings outlook comes as investors are hoping Huntsman can get its post-pandemic growth and recovery back on track.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Diluted Valuation
Declining earnings estimates are also taking away from Huntsman's appeal as a potential value stock with the company being a chemical products leader. This factor looks less appealing with Huntsman's stock trading at 22.3X forward earnings and 59% above the industry average of 14X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Final Thoughts
With Huntsman's stock now down a grizzly -23% over the last year it's still too soon to bite on the dip as the frustrating start to 2024 may continue. The weaker earnings outlook for the Zacks Chemical-Diversified Industry paints a cautionary tale for these stocks with Huntsman’s being a prime example.
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2216107/bear-of-the-day-huntsman-hun
| 2024-01-26T13:22:38Z
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Unum Group (UNM - Free Report) is slated to report fourth-quarter 2023 earnings on Jan 30, after market close. The insurer delivered an earnings beat in the last two reported quarters of 2023.
Factors to Note
UNM’s premiums in the to-be-reported quarter are likely to have benefited from solid persistency in-force business and strong sales. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $2.5 billion, indicating an increase of 5.3% from the year-ago reported quarter. Our estimate is pegged at $2.5 billion.
An improving rate environment is likely to have supported higher net investment income. Our estimate is pegged at $500.3 million.
Improved premiums and an increase in net investment income are likely to have aided top-line growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $3.13 billion, suggesting an increase of 4.2% from the year-ago number.
Favorable benefits experience in group product lines, disciplined sales trends, strong persistency in group lines and growth of new product lines are likely to have favored the Unum U.S. segment. Higher operating expenses might have been a partial offset. Our estimate is pinned at $1.9 billion.
Favorable benefits experience, higher premium income, in-force block growth and improved sales are likely to have favored performance at Colonial Life. The upside is likely to have been partially offset by lower persistency. Our estimate is pegged at $489.6 million.
Growth in the in-force block, resulting from the impact of rate increases in the group long-term disability product line, and higher persistency are likely to have benefited Unum International in the to-be-reported quarter. Our estimate is pegged at $185.3 million.
Expenses are likely to have increased because of higher commissions, interest and debt expenses, amortization of deferred acquisition costs and compensation expenses. We expect total benefits and expenses to be $2.7 billion.
Continued share buybacks are likely to have provided a boost to the bottom line.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share is pegged at $1.86, indicating an increase of 30% from the year-ago reported figure.
Quantitative Model Prediction
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Unum Group this time around. This is because the stock has the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold), which increases the chances of an earnings beat.
Earnings ESP: It has an Earnings ESP of +0.55%. This is because the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.87 is pegged higher than the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.86. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Unum Group currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Other Stocks to Consider
Some other insurance stocks with the right combination of elements to deliver an earnings beat this time around are:
Arch Capital Group (ACGL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2023 earnings is pegged at $1.94, implying a decline of 9.3% from the year-ago reported figure. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
ACGL’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Aflac Incorporated (AFL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.57% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2023 earnings is pegged at $1.47, indicating an increase of 13.9% from the year-ago quarter.
AFL’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Trupanion, Inc. (TRUP - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +30.85% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2023 loss per share is pegged at 19 cents, indicating an increase of 17.4% from the year-ago quarter.
TRUP’s earnings beat estimates in three of the last four reported quarters and missed in one.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216286/will-unum-groups-unm-beat-streak-continue-in-q4-earnings?
| 2024-01-26T13:22:44Z
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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted net earnings of $1.85 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.09%. The bottom line increased 24% on a year-over-year basis.
Arthur J. Gallagher’s performance was driven by higher adjusted revenues and margin expansion across the Brokerage and Risk Management segments, partially offset by higher expenses.
Operational Update
Total revenues of $2.4 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.9%. The top line also improved 19.3% year over year.
Arthur J. Gallagher’s total expenses increased 31.9% year over year to $2.5 billion in the reported quarter due to higher compensation, operating, reimbursements, interest, depreciation, amortization and change in estimated acquisition earnout payables.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and change in estimated acquisition earnout payables (EBITDAC) grew 13.7% from the prior-year quarter to $514.3 million.
Segmental Results
Brokerage: Revenues of $2 billion increased 19.6% year over year on higher commissions, fees, supplemental revenues, contingent revenues, interest income, premium finance revenues and other income. The figure matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Expenses jumped 33.7% from the year-ago quarter to $2 billion due to higher compensation, operating expenses, amortization and depreciation.
Adjusted EBITDAC climbed 21.5% from the year-ago level to $646.9 million. Margin expanded 50 basis points (bps) to 31.6%.
Risk Management: Revenues were up 17.2% year over year to $340.3 million, mainly owing to higher fees and interest income and other costs.
Expenses rose 17.3% from the prior-year period to $321.7 million on higher compensation, operating, reimbursements, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDAC improved 27.4% year over year to $71.5 million. Margin expanded 170 bps to 21%.
Corporate: EBITDAC was a negative $49.4 million compared with a negative $58.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Update
As of Dec 31, 2023, total assets were $51.6 billion, up 34.5% from the 2022-end level. At the end of the quarter, cash and cash equivalents of $ 971.5 million increased 31.6% from the 2022-end level. As of Dec 31, 2023, shareholders’ equity rose 17.7% to $10.8 billion from the level on Dec 31, 2022.
Dividend Update
The board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of 55 cents per share.
Acquisition Update
In the quarter, Arthur J. Gallagher closed 13 acquisitions with estimated annualized revenues of about $350.7 million.
Full-Year Update
For the year, the company’s total revenues increased 18.4% year over year to $9.9 billion.
In 2023, the company closed a total of 50 buyouts with estimated annualized revenues of $826 million.
Adjusted earnings for the full year were $8.76 per share, up 16% year over year.
Zacks Rank
AJG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Players
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC - Free Report) has reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings per share of $1.68, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5%. The bottom line rose 14% year over year. Consolidated revenues improved 11% year over year to $5.6 billion in the quarter under review. The figure increased 7% on an underlying basis. Also, the top line outpaced the consensus mark by a whisker.
Total operating expenses of $4.5 billion increased 2.5% year over year in the fourth quarter and beat our estimate of $4.3 billion. Total expenses in the Risk and Insurance Services segment witnessed a 1.8% year-over-year increase, whereas the Consulting segment’s expenses grew 5.6% year over year.
MMC has reported an adjusted operating income of $1.2 billion in the quarter under review, which climbed 16% year over year. The adjusted operating margin of 23.3% improved 130 bps year over year.
Brown & Brown, Inc.’s (BRO - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings of 58 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.4%. The bottom line increased 16% year over year. Total revenues of $1.03 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.6%. The top line improved 13.8% year over year.
The upside can be primarily attributed to commission and fees, which grew 12.4% year over year to $1 billion. Our estimate for commission and fees was $943.6 million. Organic revenues improved 7.7% to $922.9 million in the quarter under review.
Investment income increased year over year to $18.5 million from $4.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the metric was pegged at $16.7 million and our estimate was $17.6 million. Adjusted EBITDAC was $317.7 million, up 11.7% year over year. EBITDAC margin, however, contracted 40 bps year over year to 31%. Our estimate for adjusted EBITDAC was $291.4 million. Total expenses decreased 5.1% to $671.1 million. Our estimate was $764.9 million.
W.R. Berkley Corporation’s (WRB - Free Report) fourth-quarter 2023 operating income of $1.45 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.35 by 7.4%. The bottom line improved 25% year over year. W.R. Berkley’s net premiums written were $2.7 billion, up 12% year over year. The figure was lower than our estimate of $2.8 billion. Operating revenues came in at $3.2 billion, up 9.3% year over year. The top line beat the consensus estimate by 1.3%
Net investment income surged 35.5% to a record $313.3 million, driven by a 52.9% increase in the core portfolio. The figure was higher than our estimate of $276 million. Total expenses increased 7.3% to $2.7 billion. The figure matched our estimate.
The loss ratio improved 60 bps to 60, while the expense ratio deteriorated 60 bps year over year to 28.4. Catastrophe losses of $32 million in the quarter were wider than the $30.8 million incurred in the year-ago quarter. Pre-tax underwriting income increased 8.2% to $315.9 million. The consolidated combined ratio (a measure of underwriting profitability) remained flat year over year to 88.4.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216287/arthur-j-gallagher-ajg-q4-earnings-revenues-top-up-yy?-revenues-top,-up-y/y
| 2024-01-26T13:22:51Z
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Flex Ltd (FLEX - Free Report) is slated to report third-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Jan 31.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is pegged at $6.73 billion, which suggests a decline of 13.2% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. The consensus mark for earnings per share (EPS) is pegged at 62 cents.
The company’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the last four quarters. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11%, on average.
For third-quarter fiscal 2024, Total Flex (including Nextracker) revenues are expected to be between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion. Management expects adjusted EPS in the range of 57-65 cents.
Core Flex (excluding Nextracker) revenues are expected to be between $5.9 billion and $6.3 billion. Management expects adjusted EPS in the range of 47-52 cents.
Factors to Note
The company’s performance in the third quarter is likely to have benefited from continued momentum in the automotive sector owing to secular demand in electrification and increasing demand for electric vehicles (EV).
The company’s industrial segment is likely to have benefited from solid demand for EV charging, automation and cloud/critical power. The healthcare segment is expected to have benefited from several program ramps and long-term secular trends.
The company expects Communications & Enterprise Compute to benefit from secular growth trends in cloud and networking technology, mainly due to strong AI-driven cloud spending.
However, the company expects revenues in the Agility segment to be down mid-teens to low-20% due to near-term weakness in communications, enterprise IT, and consumer. The Reliability Solutions segment revenues are expected to have decreased from high-single digits to low-teens.
The lifestyle segment is likely to have suffered owing to weakness in consumer-related demand. Also, the UAW strike is a major concern for the automotive segment. Stiff competition and leveraged balance sheets are further concerns.
What Our Model Says
Our proven model does not predict an earnings beat for FLEX this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. This is not the case here, as you see below.
FLEX has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks With Favorable Combination
Here are some stocks you may consider, as our proven model shows that these have the right mix of elements to beat estimates this time around.
Apple (AAPL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.96% and carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present. Apple is scheduled to release first-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Feb 1. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Apple’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $2.09 per share and $117.5 billion, respectively. Shares of AAPL have gained 35% in the past year.
Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.26% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. Alphabet is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2023 results on Jan 30.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Apple’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $1.60 per share and $70.7 billion, respectively. Shares of GOOGL have gained 47.1% in the past year.
Super Micro Computer (SMCI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +8.19% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. Super Micro Computer is scheduled to release second-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Jan 29.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SMCI’s to-be-reported quarter’s earnings and revenues is pegged at $5.07 per share and $3.21 billion, respectively. Shares of SMCI have gained 508.2% in the past year.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216288/flex-gears-up-to-report-q3-earnings-whats-in-the-offing?
| 2024-01-26T13:22:57Z
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Roper Technologies (ROP - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2023 results on Jan 31, before market open.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Roper’s fourth-quarter earnings increased 0.5% in the past 60 days. The company has an impressive earnings surprise history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 2.7%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s fourth-quarter 2023 revenues is pegged at $1,575 million, suggesting growth of 10.1% from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure. The consensus estimate for the company’s adjusted earnings is pinned at $4.33 per share, indicating 10.5% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported number.
Let’s see how things have shaped up for Roper this earnings season.
Factors to Note
ROP’s Application Software segment’s fourth quarter 2023 performance is expected to have benefited from solid growth in the Deltek business, driven by continued software as a service (“SaaS”) strength, sustained momentum in the small and medium-sized business channel and private sector solutions and strong momentum in the Vertafore business, driven by growing adoption and cross-selling of SaaS solutions and continued Generative AI innovations.
The MGA system’s acquisition and strength across core P&C business within the Vertafore business and solid demand for decision support and financial planning solutions within the Strata business are expected to have aided the Application Software segment. We anticipate the segment’s revenues to increase 10.2% year over year to $815.6 million in the fourth quarter.
Strong momentum in the DAT & Loadlink businesses, excellent bookings in the iPipeline business, strength across the Foundry business and solid alternate site healthcare businesses (MHA, SHP & SoftWriters) are likely to have boosted the performance of the Network Software segment. Our estimate for the Network Software segment’s revenues in the fourth quarter is pegged at $366.1 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 4.6%.
The Tech-enabled Products segment is expected to generate higher revenues in the to-be-reported quarter on the back of the solid performance of the Neptune business, driven by continued demand for ultrasonic meters and increasing adoption of meter data management software. We expect the Tech-enabled Products segment’s revenues to increase 11.9% to $381.5 million from the year-ago reported figure.
Acquisitions made by the company are likely to have aided its top line in fourth-quarter 2023. Roper acquired Syntellis Performance Solutions in August 2023, which boosted its Strata Decision Technology business. Also, the buyout of Frontline Education in October 2022 expanded ROP’s presence in the K-12 education market. Our estimate for the company’s total revenues in the fourth quarter is pegged at $1,563.2 million, suggesting a 9.2% increase from the year-ago reported figure.
However, the escalating cost of sales due to raw material cost inflation and higher selling, general and administrative expenses are likely to have affected the company’s results in the fourth quarter. Also, given Roper’s substantial international presence, adverse foreign currency movements are likely to have impeded its performance in the to-be-reported quarter.
Earnings Whispers
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Roper this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as elaborated below.
Earnings ESP: ROP has an Earnings ESP of +1.69% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at $4.40, which is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.33 per share. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: The company carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Highlights of Q3 Earnings
Roper’s third-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings of $4.32 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of adjusted earnings of $4.21 per share. On a year-over-year basis, earnings increased 17.7%. Its net revenues of $1,563.4 million beat the consensus estimate of $1,539 million. The top line increased 15.8% year over year. Organic sales in the quarter increased 6%, owing to strength across each of the three segments. Acquisitions boosted sales by 9%.
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are some other companies within the broader Computer and Technology sector that, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Apple Inc. (AAPL - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.96% and a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The company is scheduled to release first-quarter fiscal 2024 (ended December 2023) results on Feb 1. Apple’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the preceding four quarters while missing in one, the average beat being 3.5%.
Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.61% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is slated to release fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 13.
Akamai’s earnings have surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 6.9%.
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (ALGM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.16% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is slated to release third-quarter fiscal 2024 (ended December 2023) results on Feb 1.
Allegro’s earnings have surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 6.4%.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216289/roper-rop-to-report-q4-earnings-whats-in-the-cards?
| 2024-01-26T13:23:03Z
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F5, Inc. (FFIV - Free Report) is scheduled to report first-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Jan 29.
For the fiscal first quarter, F5 estimates revenues in the range of $675-$695 million ($685 million at the midpoint). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $687.1 million, suggesting a 1.9% decline from the year-ago quarter’s sales of $700.4 million.
The company anticipates non-GAAP earnings in the range of $2.97-$3.09 per share ($3.03 at the midpoint). The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $3.03 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of approximately 22.7%. Earnings estimates for the quarter have remained unchanged over the past 60 days.
F5’s earnings surpassed estimates in all the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 7.8%.
Let’s see how things are shaping up for this earnings announcement.
Factors to Note
The persistent macro uncertainty and its impact on customer spending are likely to have negatively impacted F5’s first-quarter top line, particularly the Product segment, which comprises Software and Systems sub-divisions. Our estimate of $319.4 million for the Product segment’s revenues indicates a year-over-year decline of 6.2%.
The decrease in the Product division’s first-quarter revenues is likely to be mainly due to the soft demand for its Systems products. Our estimate of $149.3 million for Systems’ revenues indicates a 13.7% year-over-year decrease.
However, the F5 Product segment’s first-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from the improving demand for its software solutions, which had been hurt by tightened IT spending amid persistent macroeconomic uncertainties for the past few quarters.
The company’s Software revenues increased 11% year over year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, following a decline of 2.8% and 13% registered for the third and second quarters, respectively. Our estimate for Software’s first-quarter fiscal 2024 revenues is currently pegged at $170.1 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 1.5%.
The acceleration in BIG-IP and NGINX subscription software deals is expected to have remained a major growth driver during the to-be-reported quarter. BIG-IP’s data point performance, automation capabilities and the lower cost of ownership are likely to have helped F5 win multiple deals in the first quarter. Moreover, FFIV is anticipated to have witnessed strong demand for its NGINX subscription as large enterprises continue to adopt the solution for their cloud and Kubernetes workloads.
Furthermore, high-maintenance renewals and a positive impact of the price increase introduced in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 are expected to have boosted F5’s Services segment revenues in the first quarter. Our estimate for the Services division’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $366.1 million, suggesting an expected 1.7% increase from the year-ago quarter’s $359.8 million.
Additionally, the company’s cost-saving initiatives, which include headcount reduction, eliminating portions of its facilities footprint and travel reduction, are likely to have boosted the bottom line in the to-be-reported quarter.
What Our Model Says
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for F5 this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. However, that’s not the case here.
F5 currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 and has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks With the Favorable Combination
Per our model, Amazon.com (AMZN - Free Report) , Apple (AAPL - Free Report) and Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases.
Amazon carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an Earnings ESP of +1.58%. The company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 1. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the preceding four quarters, with the average surprise being 54.9%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amazon’s fourth-quarter earnings stands at 80 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year improvement of 281%. It is estimated to report revenues of $166.19 billion, which suggests an increase of approximately 11.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Apple is slated to report first-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Feb 1. The company has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.96% at present. Apple’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate thrice in the trailing four quarters while missing on one occasion, the average surprise being 3.5%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings is pegged at $2.09 per share, suggesting an increase of 11.2% from the year-ago quarter’s earnings of $1.88. Apple’s quarterly revenues are estimated to improve marginally to $117.52 billion from $117.15 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Meta carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an Earnings ESP of +1.46%. The company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 1. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 27.5%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Meta’s fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $4.80 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of 60%. The consensus mark for revenues stands at $38.82 billion, calling for a year-over-year increase of 20.7%.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216290/f5-ffiv-to-report-q1-earnings-whats-in-the-offing?
| 2024-01-26T13:23:09Z
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Starbucks (SBUX - Free Report) ) stock is down 27% from its highs and trading 20% below its average Zacks price target heading into its Q1 FY24 earnings release on January 30.
The question we explore today is should investors consider buying Starbucks on the dip for long-term upside?
The Basics
Starbucks is a household name around much of the globe, operating over 38,000 stores and counting. The firm remains the go-to coffee chain in the U.S. and other major economies and is poised to fend off growing challenges from McDonald’s ((MCD - Free Report) ) and others in the coffee and to-go drink space.
SBUX’s e-commerce, delivery, and other digital initiatives such as its hugely successful app have helped it thrive in the changing retail environment. The company is fighting back against slowing growth in China, which is hurting many other companies across various industries. Starbucks is working to expand in the next potential booming growth market, with plans to operate 1,000 stores in India by 2028.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
On top of that, the company is working to improve how its stores function for the sake of its employees. Laxman Narasimhan took over as CEO last March and made it his mission to work alongside baristas to help make their jobs better. Improving store-level employee satisfaction has become a major goal under the new chief executive as Starbucks deals with growing labor disputes and unionization efforts in the U.S.
Growth Outlook
Despite the turbulence, Starbucks reported record sales in its fiscal 2023, with revenue up 12% and U.S. comps 9% higher. SBUX is projected to post 10% sales growth in both FY24 and FY25 to reach $43.32 billion in 2025 vs. $35.98 in FY23. The coffee chain’s projected revenue expansion follows roughly 16% average sales growth in the trailing three years.
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Meanwhile, Starbucks is projected to grow its adjusted earnings by over 16% in 2024 and 2025, which comes on top of 20% bottom line growth last year. SBUX’s EPS estimates have stagnated over the last 12 months and dipped slightly heading into Q1 earnings.
Still, it has easily topped our estimates in the trailing three quarters and it earns a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now.
Performance, Technical Levels & Valuation
Starbucks has climbed 900% in the last 20 years vs. the Zacks Retail Sector’s 390% and the S&P 500’s 335%. The stock is, however, neck-and-neck with retail during the past five years, up around 38%. SBUX has been hit hard over the last year, down 15% vs. the S&P 500’s 20% run and McDonald’s 8% climb.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SBUX is currently trading slightly under nearly all of its key short-term and long-term moving averages. However, the nearby chart shows us that Starbucks rarely stays below its 50-month moving average for long (outside of the financial crisis). SBUX is also near some of its most oversold RSI levels by historic standards.
The downturn, coupled with its earnings growth outlook, helps Starbucks trade at a 43% discount to its highs and 20% below its 10-year median at 21.1X forward 12-month earnings.
SBUX trades at a slight discount to the Zacks Retail sector and 12% below McDonald’s. The nearby chart highlights that Starbucks is trading at some of its lowest forward earnings multiples over the last 10 years.
Bottom Line
The downturn is what might intrigue investors with long-term outlooks about Starbucks.
A great company with expansion on the horizon in an industry that isn’t going out of style is currently trading 27% below its all-time highs while the broader market rallied to fresh records.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216302/starbucks-earnings-buy-sbux-stock-down-over-25-from-highs?
| 2024-01-26T13:23:16Z
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Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2023 earnings on Jan 29, before market open. The firm delivered a negative earnings surprise of 11.9% in the last reported quarter.
Let’s see how things have shaped up before the upcoming earnings announcement.
Factors to Note
Alliance Resource Partners’ Appalachia operating expense per ton sold is likely to be 8-10% higher during the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in expenses is due to ongoing development at Mettiki and the scheduled longwall move at Tunnel Ridge. This is likely to have affected margins.
The firm’s fourth-quarter earnings are likely to have benefited from multi-year contracts with blue-chip utility companies.
Lower realized oil and gas commodity pricing in the fourth quarter is likely to have offset the increases in coal royalty revenue per ton like in the previous quarter.
Expectations
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter revenues and earnings per unit is pegged at $672.5 million and $1.14, respectively, indicating year-over-year decline of 4% and 30%.
What Our Quantitative Model Predicts
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Alliance Resource Partners this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is -10.13%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Currently, ARLP carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Stocks to Consider
Investors can consider the following players from the same sector that have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat for the to-be-reported quarter.
Plains All American Pipeline (PAA - Free Report) is expected to post an earnings beat when it announces fourth-quarter results on Feb 9, before market open. It has an Earnings ESP of +6.12% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PAA’s fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at 37 cents per unit. The firm delivered an average earnings surprise of 18.3% in the last four quarters.
Energy Transfer (ET - Free Report) is likely to report an earnings beat when it announces fourth-quarter results on Feb 14, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +15.39% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ET’s earnings is pegged at 29 cents per unit. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales is pinned at $23.6 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 15%.
ONEOK Inc. (OKE - Free Report) is likely to report an earnings beat when it announces fourth-quarter results on Feb 26, after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +20.78% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ET’s earnings is pegged at $1.16 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales is pinned at $5.5 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 10.3%.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216303/alliance-resource-arlp-to-post-q4-earnings-whats-in-store?
| 2024-01-26T13:23:22Z
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PulteGroup, Inc.’s (PHM - Free Report) Homebuilding segment, accounting for more than 98% of total revenues, is expected to have decreased year over year when PHM reports fourth-quarter 2023 results on Jan 30.
PulteGroup has exhibited a solid performance over the past six months, with the stock rising 25.6%, outperforming the Zacks Building Products - Home Builders industry’s 14.7% increase. It has been benefiting from its focus on entry-level buyers and liquidity protection, prudent management of cash flows and land investment strategy.
Click here to know how the company’s overall fourth-quarter performance is expected to be.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
A Look at Q4 Segmental Performance
PulteGroup's Homebuilding segment is anticipated to have reflected the effects of rising mortgage rates compared with the previous year. Also, the slight shift in its mix toward build-to-order homes (which won’t deliver until 2024) is an added headwind for the quarter. However, the persistent scarcity of available existing homes in the market has been fueling the desire for new homes. This surge in demand is expected to have mitigated the headwind to some extent. Additionally, PulteGroup's judicious land investment approach and its emphasis on catering to entry-level buyers are projected to have worked in the company's favor during the fourth quarter.
Our model predicts Homebuilding revenues to decrease 11.4% to $4.43 billion in the fourth quarter from $5.01 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022 but an increase from $93 billion in the prior quarter. Within the Homebuilding umbrella, we expect home sales to be $4.39 billion, reflecting an 11.6% year-over-year decline but an increase of 12.8% sequentially. Land sales are expected to rise 3.6% year over year to $47.2 million in the fourth quarter and 18.2% sequentially.
PulteGroup expects home deliveries to be approximately 8,000 units compared with 8,848 homes delivered a year ago. Our model predicts deliveries to decline 9.5% year over year to 8,011 units. The decrease reflects the impact of rising mortgage rates.
PHM expects an average selling price or ASP for the quarter between $540,000 and $550,000 compared with the year-ago level of $571,000. Our model predicts the ASP of homes delivered to inch down 4.1% year over year to $547,600.
Also, the labor market tightened with the limited availability of labor, arresting the rapid growth in housing production. Labor shortages are leading to higher wages, thereby putting pressure on the margins.
From the margin perspective, the company expects home sale gross margins to contract in the range of 29%-29.5% for fourth-quarter 2023 from 29.4% reported in the year-ago period. Although construction costs remain elevated otherwise, the gross margin of the quarter is likely to have reflected the benefits of lower lumber costs that are flowing through PHM’s operations. Our model predicts homebuilding gross margins to be 29.4% for the quarter, the same as the year-ago period.
PulteGroup anticipates SG&A (as a percentage of home sales revenues) in the range of 8.8%, lower than 9.1% reported in the prior-year quarter. Our model predicts homebuilding SG&A expenses to be 8.8% for the quarter, up from the year-ago level.
Meanwhile, we expect the company’s new orders to increase 64% year over year to 6,500 units in the quarter but decrease 8% sequentially. Backlog is expected to decline 1.1% year over year to 12,036 units.
Overall Q4 Earnings & Revenue Expectations
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $3.20 per share, indicating an 11.9% decline from the year-ago figure of $3.63. Also, the consensus mark for revenues is $4.48 billion, suggesting a 13.3% year-over-year decrease.
PulteGroup, a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company, surpassed earnings estimates in 25 of the trailing 28 quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
A Few Recent Construction Releases
D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2024 (ended Dec 31, 2023) results, wherein earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but revenues surpassed the same.
DHI reported adjusted earnings of $2.82 per share for the fiscal first quarter, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88 by 2.1% but improved 2% from the year-ago figure of $2.76. Total revenues (Homebuilding, Forestar, Rental and Financial Services) came in at $7.73 billion, up 6.5% year over year. The reported figure topped the consensus mark of $7.72 billion by 1.4%.
KB Home (KBH - Free Report) reported better-than-expected results in fourth-quarter fiscal 2023 (ended Nov 30, 2023). Both the earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. With this, the company’s earnings and revenues surpassed the consensus mark in four consecutive quarters.
Looking forward to the first quarter and the entirety of 2024, KBH foresees enhanced conditions in the housing market and ongoing positive trends in the supply chain. Leveraging the advantages of its Built to Order model, which provides buyers with choices, flexibility, and affordability, the company is confident in its ability to effectively navigate potential fluctuations in housing market conditions.
Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI - Free Report) reported impressive results in first-quarter fiscal 2024 (ending Nov 30, 2023), with earnings and revenues surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings beat the consensus mark for the 15th consecutive quarter.
Despite a year-over-year decline in sales in the lighting business, AYI reported strong fiscal first-quarter performance driven by increased focus on margins and cash generation. This approach resulted in a higher adjusted operating profit margin and increased adjusted diluted earnings per share.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216304/pultegroup-phm-home-sales-to-decline-yy-in-q4-earnings
| 2024-01-26T13:23:28Z
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Mastercard Incorporated (MA - Free Report) is set to beat on earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023, the results for which are scheduled to be released on Jan 31, before the opening bell.
What Do the Estimates Say?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings per share of $3.08 suggests a 16.2% increase from the prior-year figure of $2.65. The consensus mark has remained stable over the past week. The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter revenues of $6.5 billion indicates an 11% increase from the year-ago reported figure.
Mastercard beat estimates in all the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 3.6%. This is depicted in the graph below.
What the Quantitative Model Suggests
Our proven model predicts a likely earnings beat for Mastercard this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat, which is precisely the case here.
Earnings ESP: Mastercard has an Earnings ESP of +0.39%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate is currently pegged at $3.09 per share, higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.08. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Zacks Rank: Mastercard currently has a Zacks Rank #3.
Before we get into what to expect for the to-be-reported quarter in detail, it’s worth taking a look at MA’s previous-quarter performance first.
Q3 Earnings Rewind
In the last reported quarter, the leading global payment solutions company’s adjusted earnings per share of $3.39 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.6%. This was primarily driven by strong consumer spending and solid growth in travel and non-travel cross-border spending. The rise in switched transactions also contributed to the quarterly results. However, the upside was partly offset by elevated operating expenses.
Now, let’s see how things have shaped up prior to the fourth-quarter earnings announcement.
Factors Driving Q4 Performance
Mastercard is expected to have witnessed a surge in fourth-quarter revenues, driven by increased spending in the travel and entertainment sectors. The Gross Dollar Volume (GDV), reflecting the value of transactions on Mastercard-branded cards, is expected to have benefited from increased card usage, both domestically and internationally, in the upcoming quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s total GDV for all MA-branded programs suggests a 10.9% rise from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure, whereas our model predicts a 10.1% increase. We expect GDV from domestic operations to have increased almost 7% year over year and nearly 12% in international operations. Growing strength in Latin American and European operations is likely to have driven the metric.
Processed transactions are expected to have experienced an upsurge, driven by resilient consumer spending and increased contactless acceptance initiatives pursued by the payment technology company. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its processed transactions indicates a 10.6% rise from the prior-year quarter’s reported figure, whereas our estimate suggests a 10.5% increase.
The continuous growth of cross-border travel is anticipated to have had a positive impact on Mastercard's cross-border volumes. The consensus estimate for cross-border assessments suggests an increase of 20.5% compared with the previous year, while our projection indicates growth of 21.7%. Further, our model predicts domestic assessments and transaction processing assessments to witness a 13.3% year-over-year increase each.
All the factors mentioned above are expected to have propelled Mastercard's results for the quarter-under-review, driving substantial growth compared to the prior year and positioning it for a potential earnings beat. However, it is likely that the company also faced increased costs, as well as higher rebates and incentives in the December quarter, which could partially offset these positive developments.
Mastercard’s adjusted operating costs are likely to have increased in the fourth quarter due to higher G&A costs and Advertising & Marketing expenses, potentially hampering its profitability. We expect total adjusted operating expenses to increase nearly 10% from the prior-year quarter’s actuals.
Furthermore, our estimate for payments network rebates and incentives suggests an 18.5% year-over-year increase. Also, due to the high interest rate environment, the company’s interest expense figure is likely to have jumped around 14% from the prior-year period.
Other Stocks That Warrant a Look
Here are some other companies worth considering from the broader Business Services space, as our model shows that these, too, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this time around:
PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +10.35% and a Zacks Rank of 1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PagSeguro’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at 29 cents per share, which suggests a 20.8% year-over-year jump. The estimate remained stable over the past week. PAGS beat earnings estimates in all the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 9%.
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +3.40% and is a Zacks #3 Ranked player.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fidelity National’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at 95 cents per share, which remained stable for the past week. It beat earnings estimates thrice in the past four quarters and missed once. Furthermore, the consensus mark for FIS’ revenues is pegged at more than $2.5 billion.
S&P Global Inc. (SPGI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.85% and a Zacks Rank of 2.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for S&P Global’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $3.14 per share, indicating 23.6% year-over-year growth. SPGI beat earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters and met once, with an average surprise of 4%.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216305/can-mastercards-ma-q4-earnings-beat-on-cross-border-volumes?
| 2024-01-26T13:23:34Z
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Starbucks Corporation (SBUX - Free Report) is scheduled to report first-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Jan 30. The company is likely to have benefited from robust same store sales growth, unit expansion, new menu addition and strong digitalization.
Comps Growth Likely to Continue in Q1
SBUX’s performance in the fiscal first quarter is likely to have been aided by robust comps growth. An increase in average ticket and comparable transaction continues to aid the company.
Sales leverage initiatives, new store growth, and new equipment installments and enhancements are likely to have driven the company’s performance. Also, emphasis on digital and product innovation, and supply-chain modernization bodes well. The opening of China Coffee Innovation Park in September 2023 sparked its business prospects in China.
Our model predicts North America and International comparable sales growth to increase 8% and 8.3%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.
Our model suggests North America and International sales to be $7,014.3 million and $2,207 million, respectively, implying a 7.1% and 31.4% jump from the year-ago actuals. Starbucks is gaining from a rise in transactions and average ticket growth. We expect Channel Development sales to decline 0.1% from the prior-year level to $477.6 million.
Click here to know how the company’s overall fiscal first-quarter performance is expected to have been.
Overall Q1 Earnings & Revenue Expectations
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is currently pegged at 93 cents per share, indicating 24% growth from the year-ago level. The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $9.60 billion, indicating 10.1% decline from the prior-year level.
SBUX currently carries a Zacks rank #3 (Hold).
Stocks to Consider
Here are some stocks worth considering from the Zacks Retail-Wholesale space, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.61% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
CMG’s earnings for the quarter under review are expected to increase 17% year over year. Its earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in one, the average surprise being 5.8%.
Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.04% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
PZZA’s earnings for the to-be-reported quarter are expected to climb 2.8% year over year. It reported better-than-expected earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 4.7%.
McDonald's Corporation (MCD - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.71% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.
MCD is expected to register 8.5% year-over-year growth in earnings for the quarter to be reported. It earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in one, the average surprise being 1.7%.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
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Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) - free report >>
McDonald's Corporation (MCD) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216307/will-robust-comps-growth-drive-starbucks-sbux-q1-earnings?
| 2024-01-26T13:23:41Z
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