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BERLIN - The European Union's main centre-right alliance will nominate Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president at a congress in March if she wants to continue in the post, a senior EU lawmaker told Reuters.
Von der Leyen, a German Christian Democrat, has not yet said publicly whether she wants a second stint at the helm of the EU executive after her current term expires later this year.
Daniel Caspary, who leads the German Christian Democrat group in the European Parliament, made clear he expected the European People's Party (EPP) family of centre-right parties to nominate her.
"The EPP will nominate Ursula von der Leyen as its lead candidate for the European elections at its European Congress on March 6 and 7," Caspary said, adding, "If that's what she wants."
Being nominated as the EPP's lead candidate would mean von der Leyen would also be its nominee for Commission president. She would then be in pole position to take the post if the EPP comes first in June's European Parliament election, as polls currently predict.
Caspary's comments add strength to the widespread assumption among diplomats and officials in Brussels that von der Leyen will seek and receive a second term as Commission president. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/eus-centre-right-expects-to-nominate-von-der-leyen-for-second-term-epps-caspary
| 2024-01-26T15:33:37Z
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MOSCOW - Russia said on Friday it had recovered Ukrainian identity documents and tattooed body parts from the site where a Russian military plane that Moscow says was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed two days earlier near the Ukrainian border.
Moscow accuses Kyiv of downing the Ilyushin Il-76 plane in Russia's Belgorod region, killing 74 people on board, including 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers en route to be swapped for Russian PoWs.
Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied that its forces downed the plane and said there is no proof of who was on board. It has challenged details of Moscow's account and called for an international investigation.
Russia's state Investigative Committee said body parts were being collected and removed for genetic testing, and some of them bore distinctive tattoos like those worn by captured Ukrainians that Russia had interrogated.
It said the evidence collected also included "documents of Ukrainian servicemen who died in the disaster, confirming their identities, as well as accompanying documents from the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia".
Russia has sole access to the crash site. Reuters could not independently verify its account of what happened and what evidence had been recovered. On Thursday the Investigative Committee said preliminary findings showed the plane was struck by a surface-to-air missile fired from Ukraine.
Ukraine has rejected a Russian assertion that it was forewarned that a plane carrying Ukrainian POWs would be flying over Belgorod region at that time.
It has also pointed to discrepancies on a purported list of the names of the 65 Ukrainians that was published by Russian media, saying some of these were soldiers who had already returned in a previous swap.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was not aware any official list had been published. He told reporters he had no information on what would happen to the body remains and whether they would be handed to Ukraine.
Asked if Russia would provide the U.N. Security Council and other international organisations with evidence that Ukraine shot down the plane, Peskov said: "I have nothing to add yet. Investigators are working, decisions will be made after the investigators receive all the necessary information."
Russia state media said the black boxes from the plane had been delivered to a special defence ministry laboratory in Moscow and investigators were already working on them. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-finds-ukraine-ids-tattooed-body-parts-at-plane-crash-site
| 2024-01-26T15:33:48Z
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JERUSALEM -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed a decision by the World Court on Friday not to order a ceasefire in the war in Gaza but rejected a charge of genocide as "outrageous", and said it would continue to defend itself.
The World Court ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, but it stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Israel says it seeks to protect citizens in Gaza and also accuses Hamas of using Palestinians as human shields - an accusation that Hamas denies. It says it must have the right to defend itself after Hamas' cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people.
Responding to a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netanyahu said Israel's commitment to international law was "unwavering".
But he added in a statement:
"Like every country, Israel has a basic right to defend itself ... The World Court in the Hague justly rejected the outrageous demand to deprive us of this right."
He appeared to be referring to the fact that the ICJ did not call for an immediate ceasefire in Hamas-run Gaza.
"But the mere claim that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians is not only false, it's outrageous, and the willingness of the court to even discuss this is a disgrace that will not be erased for generations," Netanyahu said.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel did not need to be lectured on morality. In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, Gallant had said Israel would impose a total blockade on Gaza as part of a battle against "human animals".
"The International Court of Justice in The Hague went above and beyond, when it granted South Africa's antisemitic request to discuss the claim of genocide in Gaza, and now refuses to reject the petition outright," he said in a statement. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/israels-netanyahu-charge-of-genocide-outrageous
| 2024-01-26T15:33:58Z
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MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday he will present a constitutional reform to ban consumption of chemical drugs such as fentanyl.
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has pressured Mexico to devote sufficient resources to help stem the flow of the illegal drug fentanyl into the United States. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/mexico-president-says-to-present-constitutional-reform-banning-fentanyl-consumption
| 2024-01-26T15:34:09Z
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The World Court on Friday ordered Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, but it stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire as requested by South Africa.
Following are reactions to the ruling by the U.N.-affiliated International Court of Justice in The Hague:
SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
"Today marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and a significant milestone in the search for justice for the Palestinian people.
"There is no credible basis for Israel to continue to claim that its military actions are in full compliance with international law, including the Genocide Convention, having regard to the Court's ruling.
"South Africa sincerely hopes that Israel will not act to frustrate the application of this order, as it has publicly threatened to do, but that it will instead act to comply with it fully, as it is bound to do."
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
"Israel's commitment to international law is unwavering. Equally unwavering is our sacred commitment to continue to defend our country and defend our people. Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself.
"The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected. The charge of genocide levelled against Israel is not only false, it's outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it.
"Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas, a genocidal terror organization.
"On Oct. 7, Hamas perpetrated the most horrific atrocities against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and it vows to repeat these atrocities again and again and again. Our war is against Hamas terrorists, not against Palestinian civilians."
PALESTINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RIYAD AL-MALIKI
"The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law, they ruled in favour of humanity and international law.
"We call on all states to ensure that all provisional measures ordered by the Court are implemented, including by Israel, the occupying power. This is a binding legal obligation.
"The ICJ order is an important reminder that no state is above the law. It should serve as a wake-up call for Israel and actors who enabled its entrenched impunity."
SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL SAMI ABU ZUHRI
"The International Court of Justice ruling is an important development that contributes to isolating the occupation (Israel) and exposing its crimes in Gaza. We call for compelling the occupation to implement the court’s decisions."
HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER REED BRODY
"The ICJ didn't give South Africa all it wanted, but this ruling is a resounding vindication of Pretoria’s decision to bring the case, and a powerful indictment of Israeli policy.
"Most importantly, whatever the Israeli government may say, this binding order will put pressure on Israel, directly and through its allies, to end the collective punishment of the people of Gaza and to allow humanitarian aid ...
"Finally, after almost four months of death and destruction, Israel has faced a legal reckoning for its actions.”
ISRAELI NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER ITAMAR BEN-GVIR
"Hague shmague" -post on X, the first Israeli official to comment after the court ended its reading.
SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY
"Spain calls on all parties to respect and comply with these measures in their entirety. Once again, Spain reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of the hostages, immediate and regular humanitarian access and the need to move towards to establishing the two-state solution." REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/reactions-to-world-court-ruling-on-israels-war-in-gaza
| 2024-01-26T15:34:19Z
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Moms and dads know that parenting is a relentless journey and your relationship with your kids will have ups and downs. No parent can relate to that sentiment better than Drew Barrymore, who opened up about a particularly difficult 'phase' in her relationship with daughter Olive.
The actress, 48, revealed on Tuesday's episode of The Drew Barrymore Show the tips that helped her become a better parent, as she welcomed parenting expert Dr. Aliza Pressman on the show.
"You specifically changed my life. I had my daughter Olive, who Aliza knows, she was going through a phase, this was years ago, where when she would get upset, I would try to go to her and I would try to make it better," the mom of two explained.
She continued: "That was the last thing she needed or wanted. I didn't understand it, she would either run away or come back at me. But either way was like the two extremes of no goodness."
"Aliza taught me to regulate myself, which again was like, okay. You said walk in the room and just say, 'I understand we're having a moment. I'm here on the other side of this door for you, waiting. When you are ready, I am here.'"
This tip, to respond to her daughter's hostility with patience and understanding, got Drew "the best results I've ever gotten in my parenting", she revealed.
Dr. Aliza explained that parents "get so scared of big feelings", that the instant response is to "fix them" or chase them, to which Drew confessed she'd chased her daughter.
But according to the parenting expert, the resulting message of this approach to parenting is that parents are afraid of feelings. "Feelings aren't dangerous", Dr Aliza added. "Being able to regulate ourselves as the adults and say, 'Okay, I'm not being chased by a bear. My daughter's not being chased by a bear.' Meaning, it's not an emergency. It's a feeling."
Drew observed that this reaction is perhaps evolutionary, which Dr Aliza affirmed. "It makes sense that you want to make sure that your child is happy. But we need our kids to know how to dress for the weather and not try to control the weather."
"We can't. So, better they understand how to have the feelings and that they are survivable and that we are not shaken."
Drew shares daughters Olive, 11, and Frankie, nine, with ex-husband Will Kopelman. The couple split in 2016 after four years together.
The actress is no stranger to how difficult it can be for mothers and daughters to get along, as she's had a tumultuous relationship with her own mother. She once said on her talk show that "daughters to mothers, I think we have a predisposed expectation where we don't want you to be selfish."
She revealed that her own "mom was selfish too and it screwed me up, but you know what, I carried that with me and I acted from a place of a wounded child who also felt like they had to be an adult too quickly, and I didn't understand the parent-child dynamic."
Despite her mom's own failings, she admitted she was not "easy" herself. "She did not know how to control me anymore."
But despite these difficulties, Drew seems to have gained perspective on their relationship as she confirmed "we've made peace. We now text and talk and I've reached out to her."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512140/drew-barrymore-reveals-life-changing-parenting-hack-daughters-personality/
| 2024-01-26T15:55:56Z
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The Traitors star Ross joins Wilf Webster and HELLO!’s TV Editor Emmy Griffiths to chat all about his time on the show - and his very short time as a Traitor himself! In episode 10, Ross took on the role of a Traitor, but was faced with problems straight away as he struggled to get suspicions away from himself and onto his fellow Traitors, Harry and Andrew - especially since he wanted revenge on Harry for murdering his mum, Diane!
Speaking about his mum’s reaction to Ross taking down the role to try and take down Harry, he revealed that she “just found it hilarious”, adding what her exact words were when she found out that he had become a Traitor - and why she thought that Ross had won the cash prize. Find out more…
Ross also spoke about his almost inevitable exit, admitting that he knew the other two Traitors were planning to throw him under the bus, joking: “They were using and abusing me!” He also shared insight into why he did team up with Jaz to plant suspicions about Harry - despite Jaz being the only one to think there is more to Harry than what meets the eye - and there is a very good reason why!
Watch the latest Traitors Talk above for all of the latest from the Scottish castle!
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512074/the-traitors-star-ross-reveals-why-mum-diane-thought-hed-won-the-show-exclusive/
| 2024-01-26T15:56:02Z
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Brian Tee stars alongside Nicole Kidman in Prime Video's heartfelt new drama, Expats, which is set in Hong Kong and follows the lives of three American women whose worlds intersect after a sudden family tragedy.
While Brian is perhaps best recognized for his seven-year stint playing Dr. Ethan Choi in the NBC medical drama, Chicago Med, how much do you know about his life off-screen?
Brian Tee's life away from the cameras with wife and daughter
When he's not busy starring in gripping TV shows, Brian is likely spending time at home with his family. The 46-year-old, who is of Japanese and Korean descent, is married to fellow actor Mirelly Taylor.
Mirelly, 43, is perhaps best known for playing Natalia Verdugo in Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, as well as for her portrayal of Rita in the CBS drama SEAL Team.
Brian and Mirelly, who hails from Mexico, have been married for over ten years. They tied the knot back in 2013 before going on to welcome their daughter, Madelyn Skyler Takata, two years later in 2015.
After his daughter's arrival, Brian opened up about becoming a dad. "There's no word to describe it," he told People in 2015. "As soon as she was born, there was just this incredible overwhelming power of love that completely filled my existence."
He added: "I call it the greatest role I'll ever have. It's definitely the most challenging, but the most rewarding."
Mirelly often shares glimpses into the couple's home life on social media and in 2019 gushed over her loving husband. "The day I met the love of my life, my soulmate, my king, the man I admire the most in this world is when my life began," she penned alongside an adorable throwback picture of the couple from their wedding day. "It is the day I experienced pure unconditional love!!! The day I married the most incredible human being on this planet is when my life goals shifted to pure and unrelenting devotion. I admire you more and more day by day and I'm utterly grateful to walk our beautiful soul journey together. Promise me you will find me every lifetime."
The actress frequently posts sweet snaps of eight-year-old Madelyn, who clearly takes after her parents in her love of performing arts. Back in October last year, the couple took their daughter to see a production of Hamilton in Chicago – and the little girl was singing her way through the show. How adorable!
Sharing a family selfie taken outside the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago, Mirelly wrote: "Madelyn's first live production of #Hamilton happened today. SHE LOVED IT!! And sang along the whole time."
In the mom-of-one's latest post, she celebrated her husband's starring role in Expats by sharing a photo of her and Madelyn joining the actor at the premiere. "Celebrating all the hard work put into this most significant @primevideo show #EXPATS," she captioned the picture.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512131/expats-brian-tee-family-life-famous-wife/
| 2024-01-26T15:56:08Z
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Netflix viewers have taken to social media to give their verdict on the streaming platform's gritty new miniseries, Griselda, which stars Sofia Vergara as real-life crime boss Griselda Blanco, a businesswoman turned notorious cocaine trafficker dubbed 'The Godmother' of Miami's drug empire in the 1970s.
The six-part series is a fictionalised telling of how Griselda's "lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm" allowed her to become a key figure in the violent Miami drug wars.
Viewers were full of praise for the new series, with many hailing the drama as the "best" show on TV.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one person wrote: "#Griselda THE BEST THING IVE watched for ages. Yes @netflix GREAT performances. I love that you show the woman behind the drugs. Excellent. Binged all episodes," while another penned: "Sofia Vergara is amazing in @netflix #griselda I can't stop watching all of this in one go! Best TV show in a long time!!"
Many viewers called for Sofia to win an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Griselda. "This show is complex and brutal. I feel @SofiaVergara will win her first Emmy with this incredible performance. Bravo," wrote one person, while another agreed, adding: "Finished watching #Griselda on Netflix. Congrats to @SofiaVergara for a powerful acting role as it's her best to date. She deserves an Emmy for this role and I hope she gets it as she went out of her comfort zone and did a great job on the show."
A third person penned: "Sofia Vergara is gunning for an award with this performance!"
For those unfamiliar with the new series, it's loosely based on the real life of Colombian cartel queen Griselda Blanco, who became known as the 'Black Widow' and the 'Cocaine Godmother' thanks to her huge influence over Miami's criminal underworld.
The full synopsis reads: "Griselda is a fictionalised dramatisation inspired by the life of the savvy and ambitious Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most powerful cartels in history.
"Set in 1970s-80s Miami, Blanco’s lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helps her expertly navigate between business and family, leading her to become widely known as 'the Godmother'."
Sofia Vergara leads the cast, starring alongside Alberto Guerra (Narcos: Mexico), Martín Rodríguez, Juliana Aidén Martinez (The Blacklist), Vanessa Ferlito (NCIS: New Orleans) and Christian Tappan (Snowfall).
In real life, Griselda was killed by two mystery assailants outside a butcher's shop in 2012 after being released from a 20-year prison sentence. Find out more about the true story here.
Griselda is available to stream on Netflix.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/512139/griselda-viewers-saying-same-thing-netflix-mini-series-sofia-vergara/
| 2024-01-26T15:56:14Z
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From perimenopause to periods, pelvic floor to postnatal depression, there are too many issues affecting women that are still considered taboo.
Here at HELLO! we're working hard to destigmatise these topics and talking openly about them is the first step. By discussing these subjects without shame, we can contribute to normalising the conversation around them and hopefully help people feel more comfortable.
Through our work bringing these topics into the light, we've met and spoken to some truly fascinating women, working hard to bust taboos around periods, intimate health and pelvic floor. Read on for their stories.
Nesse Cannon: Busting the taboo around pelvic floor issues
Nesse is the founder of Barre studio BarreFly London, but she's so much more than your average fitness instructor.
The no-nonsense fitness guru has created a safe space in her studio, where women can rest assured that if they're dealing with pelvic floor issues, it's totally normal and they’re not alone.
Pelvic floor concerns often stand in the way of women wanting to exercise, but Nesse ensures that it's not a barrier for her clients. "I mention pelvic floor in every move of my class to create normality," Nesse tells HELLO! "It's a normal part of human life but we're made to feel gross and ashamed. But the more we talk about it, the less taboo it becomes."
Nesse's studio is a judgement-free zone, which creates an environment for women, in all their forms, to come and truly be themselves, and she's leading the way when it comes to inclusivity in exercise.
Dr. Hedieh Asadi: Busting the taboo around intimate hygiene
Dr. Hedieh Asadi founded ultra-chic intimate health brand DeoDoc. The brand offers intimate wash, wipes, shaving foam and deodorant, all in pretty packaging that you want on display – and that's just the first way that Dr. Hedieh is helping to dispel shame around intimate hygiene.
She points out that a lack of understanding of female anatomy is to blame for the taboo around intimate health, and the better educated we are on our anatomy, the less of a taboo it will become.
READ: Why we really need to talk about vaginal health
"It's a cocktail of misconception and lack of knowledge that makes intimate hygiene a taboo," she says. "There's a huge lack of knowledge of female anatomy. We lack the knowledge and the words to even describe the female anatomy correctly, so it adds to the stigma and the taboo.
"I don't want to see another generation of women growing up not knowing about their own female anatomy and their health."
Dr. Hedieh explains that our vulva has the same sweat glands as our armpits, so it's normal for the area to smell, which is the biggest concern for most of her clients.
By creating products to tackle this, DeoDoc hope that people will feel more comfortable talking about it, knowing they're not alone. "Intimate care should be self-care," Dr. Hedieh says. "Because it doesn't matter how good your hair looks, if you're uncomfortable down there, you'll never feel good."
READ: Why are women expected to stop having fun in our thirties?
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh: Busting the menstrual taboos
Duchess Sophie is a trailblazer in the royal family, openly talking about her own experience with menopause as well as shining the spotlight on periods this week.
Breaking the taboo around menstrual health issues, Sophie, 59, joined a myth-busting workshop at Harris Girls Academy this week, speaking openly on a topic often avoided.
When asked what comes to mind when talking about periods, the Duchess candidly said: "When you have heavy periods worrying about when you stand up from a chair. That's the worst one."
She added that period products should be on display at home rather than locked in a cupboard, saying: "Let’s get them out of the closet."
"When a high-profile figure, such as a member of the royal family, speaks out on a 'taboo' subject, it makes headlines or is given widespread coverage, bringing it to the forefront of the public's minds," says HELLO!'s royal reporter Danielle Stacey, when we asked her why it's so important for the royals to speak out on taboo topics.
"If someone like the Duchess of Edinburgh can be so open about talking about menstrual issues and the menopause, then it may open up more conversations between family, friends, colleagues or be a talking point in schools and universities.
"It's incredible that the royal family are speaking out on issues that have a perceived stigma around them because it can help raise awareness."
Here's to more women speaking openly about taboos!
Visit HELLO!'s Out Loud hub for more inspiring, stigma-erasing stories.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512136/taboo-busting-women-we-want-to-be-best-friends-with/
| 2024-01-26T15:56:21Z
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Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are set to spend some time apart after the singer shared huge news on Thursday.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Justin revealed he was going on tour.
While it's certainly a hugely exciting time for Justin, it'll be bittersweet as the "Forget Tomorrow World Tour" will take him away from Jessica and their boys Silas, eight, and Phineas, two.
Jimmy teased the information out of Justin in a fun segment which can be viewed above. "Is there something you'd like to announce?" he asked, pushing his guest to make the reveal.
But Justin feigned innocence by asking: "What is happening right now?" When he eventually said: "Oh yeah, I’m going on tour," the audience erupted in applause and Jimmy laughed.
The world tour will support Justin's forthcoming collection "Everything I Thought It Was", which is his first solo album in more than six years.
Justin and Jessica keep their children out of the limelight and are raising them in Montana where they have an idyllic life.
He made reference to his children ahead of his tour announcement telling Jimmy: "During the pandemic we had our second son, which was unbelievable," before adding: "He's so cute, they're both so cute. They run our house. It's crazy."
He explained how his children are used to him spending some time away from home as he would take time out for "writers camps" while creating his latest music.
"I was going back and forth, two weeks writing, then coming back for a month," he said.
While Justin and Jessica may decide to tour as a family when it kicks off in April 2024, it's more likely that the Candy actress will remain at their home with their boys.
Silas attends school and Jessica has spoken about their family routine in the past. Justin will miss his wife and kids while on the road and has previously said of fatherhood, "Being a dad is better than I ever could have imagined."
She's also praised him for being a hands-on dad, penning a sweet tribute on Father's Day that read: "To the world, you are a dad. But to your family, you are the world," she wrote. "I don't know who said that, but whomever it was, they bodied that [expletive]. We love you baby. Thank you for being our everything!"
As for keeping their children out of the spotlight, Justin told Dax Shepard while visiting his Armchair Expert podcast: "I try to be conscious of making sure we can live a life where we're not weirdly private but we're conscious of making sure they can be kids for as long as possible."
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/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512128/justin-timberlake-major-announcement-what-means-jessica-biel-two-sons/
| 2024-01-26T15:56:27Z
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It's Parent Mental Health Day on 27 January – a day that aims to shine a light on the importance of parent mental health and balance within our lives and families.
The day was established by the charity stem4, which supports teenagers and young adults to build positive mental health.
This Parent Mental Health Day, mental health expert and psychotherapist Noel McDermott looks at 'long haul parenting' and helps parents maximise their family’s mental health. Read his advice below…
Mental health maintenance
Most advice about mental health tends really to be about mental ill health, how to spot it and how to deal with it, so when the crisis happens.
All of that is helpful, but the gold standard in psychological circles is about prevention of crisis or reduction of severity and longevity when distress hits and building resilience to life’s knocks.
Most people will experience psychological distress in life, what could be called mental ill health. It is so prevalent that we should see it more as the norm and planning to manage those periods when things get bumpy psychologically makes sense.
So, using the metaphor of a long-haul flight let's look at the gold standard, evidence-based thinking around dealing with psychological distress. In this metaphor clearly the bumpy bit of life in the flight is when we hit turbulence, but more of that later.
As the captain of the plane, you are responsible for making sure the plane, crew and passengers are ready for the flight ahead. You don’t just jump into the cockpit and start up the engines at full throttle roaring down the runway oblivious of folk falling out of the still open doors!
The four pillars of mental health
First and foremost is healthy body, healthy mind.
By this, we don’t mean you have to be a top-class athlete, but by far the single biggest improvement you can make in your health and wellbeing is regular exercise, and having an active life.
Our bodies haven’t changed since Stone Age times much, even though our culture has.
Loss of regular activity has caused significant mental health and physical health problems. Aim for exercise or activity at least three times a week for 20 minutes each time that raises your heartbeat enough to sweat. The evidence is this will improve your health outcomes hugely.
When you hit troubles, keeping up physical activity often falls away, but should be the thing you keep. Exercise is a stand-alone treatment for depression as well as being attached to psychological therapy such as CBT.
Exercise is a pillar one of four and the other three pillars of your mental health are:
- Rest and relaxation (or stress management)
- Healthy diet
- Sleep
All those things your mum told you to do as a kid are in fact evidence-based to keep you psychologically healthy.
Stress management is fundamental, and the emphasis is on managing the stress that inevitably comes your way. You need to make sure there are enough bolts on those door lugs so that at altitude they don’t blow out!
Scanning your body for signs of stress and managing it at the early stages through simple breathing and relaxation techniques is hugely beneficial and very simple, akin to maintenance checks.
Cutting out processed foods improves your health and having a balance of 80-20 in favour of vegetables and fruit versus meat is essential to health and psychological health.
The REM cycles give the brain the opportunity to psychologically process the day’s events and categorise and store experience into memory. Without REM we quickly lose cognitive and psychological health. We learn in our sleep!
Adding to those [pillars] and expanding the metaphor is what we do in flight to keep ourselves resilient, and that is DOSE hormones (dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins).
How that works is taking exercise as an example, we can DOSE up the endorphins it gives us by going outside and getting some serotonin from daylight. We can DOSE that up by exercising in a group and getting dopamine and oxytocin from the social contact.
Want to DOSE up the stress management? Join a mindfulness meditation group. Want to DOSE it again? Meditate with a group in the local park.
If we hit psychological turbulence
What do we do when we hit turbulence, the psychological seat belt?
Talk. Get it out of your head and share it in a relationship with someone else who cares about you.
As social animals communicating our distress and fears is the most important first line of psychological safety for us. It reaffirms our social nature, and we get reward hormones for social interaction that cancel out the stress ones.
Seeking help
But, if a life situation gets worse and there is a psychological emergency, what is the psychological equivalent of the oxygen mask dropping down?
The answer is knowledge and help. Know the signs of distress and surround yourself with people who will tell you that you need help. The signs are the same for us all:
- Sleep – not enough or too much
- Appetite – loss or gain
- Mood and outlook – sudden changes in either that last more than a few days
- Increased alcohol use
- Avoidance or isolation
- Cognitive issues or memory issues (can’t think straight, can’t keep track of your thoughts, stopping and losing track of what you were doing)
- Negative or self-harming thoughts about yourself
- Dysregulation, irritability, and increased arguments
If you get a mix of these, two or more that stay for a couple of weeks or are very severe then that’s the oxygen mask dropping down. You need to put it on by seeking professional help.
Go see your doctor and ask for a diagnosis and help. Or self-refer to the UK’s primary care psychological therapy service in the NHS for assessment, or ask a private therapist to assess. Don’t ignore the signs in yourself or a loved one.
Remember the safety briefing at the start of the flight? Put the mask on yourself first. If you can’t breathe you can’t do anything.
Mental health expert Noel McDermott is a psychotherapist and dramatherapist. His company Mental Health Works provides unique mental health services for the public and other organisations. See mentalhealthworks.net/
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| 2024-01-26T15:56:33Z
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If there’s one thing we know about Victoria Beckham, it’s that each and every one of her chic, nonchalant outfits fit her like a glove.
For the last week while we’ve put her exceptionally well-fitted wardrobe down to the fact that her stunning figure which would make any garment look good, but thanks to her recent Instagram story we can confirm that the secret behind her meticulously fitted wardrobe is that of her much-loved tailor.
In her two Instagram stories, the mother of four and wife to David, shared a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes tailoring process. Donning one of her own designs from her self-titled label, the founder of Victoria Beckham shared a sneak peek of a luscious long, black gown, her tailor, with a pocket full of measure tapes intricately attending to the neckline.
MORE: Harper Beckham’s personalised necklace is a must-have for 2024
RELATED: 20 blazer outfit ideas to copy ASAP
The slim-fitting, long-sleeved, waist-ruched gown effortlessly hugged the former Spice Girl in all the right places, proving that even when you’re an off-the-rack sample size, a little tailoring is essential to nail the perfect fit.
Victoria is known to love a perfectly tailored suit, in fact, she also posted a video shortly after her dress story of her donning an all-black suit, captioning the video “so just going out tonight and loving this suit.”
The fashion and beauty maven also posted to her X account earlier this month, showing off the white suit she wore to her husband Davids's Netflix premiere. VB expressed her love for the suit saying “The perfect tailoring for any occasion!! I created this look for #DavidBeckham's Netflix documentary premiere and it’s so flattering! I absolutely love the strong shoulder and lapel on this suit and how it pairs with the fitted trousers.”
If you’re looking to have your wardrobe fit you like a glove, take a leaf out of Victoria’s book and find yourself a trusted tailor to transform your existing closet.
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| 2024-01-26T15:56:39Z
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Running a car can be an expensive business. Apart from the obvious fuel or charging costs, there's insurance, maintenance, servicing and MOT, parking, tolls - and the annual car tax. Except for some exemptions, VED must be paid on all vehicles registered in the UK that are driven on, or kept on, a public road.
The amount you pay is based on various factors. In a nutshell, the more expensive the car and/or the more polluting, the higher the road tax rate. Understanding the vehicle taxation system is confusing, so here are the answers to your most commonly asked car tax questions.
Do I have to pay car tax?
The simple is – yes, more than likely. That's because even though electric vehicles (EVs) are exempt, most cars on UK roads are still petrol and diesel which emit CO2. You can check whether your car is taxed and the cost at GOV.UK.
Which vehicles are car tax exempt?
Certain types of vehicle are road tax-free, though you still need to register and tax your vehicle, even if there's nothing to pay. Exempt vehicles include electric cars, agricultural vehicles such as tractors, and cars used by people with disabilities, plus classic cars more than 40 years old. However, even though electric cars currently qualify for free road tax, this will change in 2025 when VED charges will be introduced for the first time for EVs.
How much is road tax in 2024?
For 2024, the flat rate cost of car tax for a petrol or diesel car is £180, but the exact cost of your annual road tax will boil down to the age of your car (i.e. was it first registered before April 2017?), the type of fuel it uses, the size of its engine and CO2 emissions. You can check whether your car is taxed and the cost at GOV.UK.
Do brand new cars need car tax?
Yes. A new car’s tax cost can range from £0 to £2,605 in the first year, depending on its CO2 emissions. All cars then move to a flat annual rate from the second year onwards. For drivers of petrol and diesel cars registered after 1 April 2017, the annual flat rate is currently £180. If you drive a mild-hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid, or your car uses bioethanol or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), the rate is discounted to £170. For new cars priced £40,000 or more, an extra £390 tax is applied for five years from the second time the car is taxed – usually at the end of the first year.
What tax band is my car?
Since April 2018, cars have fallen into different tax band categories, depending on when they were first registered as a brand-new vehicle. If you opt to pay in instalments by direct debit, it will also cost you a little more. The current road tax band rates are available at GOV.UK.
How much does it cost to tax an EV?
As explained above, electric car vehicles are currently exempt from road tax. However, in November 2022, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced that electric vehicles would have to pay VED from 2025 when EVs will be charged the lowest band for new cars in the first year (currently £10) and will then pay the same rate as other vehicles. Even if you drive an EV, you'll still need to register your car for tax (it costs nothing for now) to avoid being hit with a fine while out and about.
Why will EVs not be road tax exempt after 2025?
VED exemption was an initial benefit to increase the uptake of electric cars. As more and more drivers choose EVs over conventional diesel and petrol cars, the government needs to maintain tax income from drivers.
Do drivers of hybrid cars need to pay car tax?
Yes. For hybrid vehicles, the road tax rate is again based on carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions. The lower the emissions, the lower the road tax. So, the amount you pay will largely depend on which type of hybrid car you drive (mild, full or plug-in). For instance, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are the cleanest (and therefore cheapest to tax) because they have low CO2 emissions and can run in pure electric mode for around 30 miles.
What happens about road tax when I buy a second-hand car?
When buying a used car, you need to tax it before driving away, as there’s no ‘grace period’. You can tax your car instantly online. If you don’t intend to drive your purchase or you want to keep it in storage, you can cancel its road tax by making a SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) to the DVLA, which is valid for 12 months. What is the DVLA? The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) is the government body responsible for the registration and licensing of drivers and vehicles in Great Britain. It’s also responsible for the collection and enforcement of road tax (VED) The DVLA’s counterpart for drivers in Northern Ireland is the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
How do I pay car tax?
Pay your car tax online at GOV.UK or at your local Post Office. You can make payments via debit or credit card, or Direct Debit.
What happens to road tax when you sell a car?
If you’re selling your car or taking it off the road, just let the DVLA know you want to cancel your car tax, and they’ll automatically refund you for any full months left. Other reasons for a VED refund include when your car has been declared an insurance write off by your insurance provider, your car has been exported out of the UK, or it has been scrapped or stolen.
DISCOVER: 9 genius car gadget finds for your next road trip
What are the penalties for driving without car tax?
Since the old windscreen paper tax discs were consigned to history in 2014, the police and other law enforcement agencies use a network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Any vehicle seen on the road that isn’t taxed, or is declared SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) and isn’t kept off road, risks being clamped or impounded by one of DVLA’s enforcement teams. These days, the DVLA will send you a reminder when your vehicle tax is due. You could be prosecuted in court if you use an untaxed or SORN vehicle on the road. Ultimately, there's a possible penalty of £2,500 and your car could be disposed of at auction, broken for spares, or even crushed.
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| 2024-01-26T15:56:45Z
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The Princess of Wales's abdominal surgery was a carefully guarded secret ahead of her hospital admission, it has been reported.
Kate's procedure came as a surprise to those who work closely with the royal family and within their broader circle of family friends, according to PEOPLE magazine.
The Princess, 42, was admitted to the London Clinic on 16 January and is expected to remain in hospital for ten to 14 days.
It's unlikely that Kate will return to official duties until after Easter. Her last public appearance was on Christmas Day as the royals attended church in Sandringham.
As Prince William resumed his public engagements on 11 January, there was said to be growing concern as Kate's diary arrangements were unconfirmed, according to PEOPLE.
Kensington Palace confirmed news of Kate's hospital admission and surgery on 17 January – and 90 minutes later, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles would undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King, 75, visited his daughter-in-law Kate at the London Clinic on Friday ahead of his own treatment at the private hospital.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman 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 is not known how long Charles will spend in hospital or the exact nature of his treatment.
Kate was last week said to be "doing well", with William spending time at her bedside.
The Prince, 41, has temporarily stepped back from royal duties to care for Kate and their three children, Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
A royal source told The Sunday Times the Waleses have switched to "100% family first, day job second".
Aides insist the Princess will be out of sight over the next few months but is likely to be working behind the scenes.
"Her passion for the early years is clear – there will be a huge continuation of that campaign and she will be keen to be out continuing that conversation with the nation as soon as possible," the source told the newspaper.
LISTEN: King Charles 'loves' seeing his grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
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| 2024-01-26T15:56:53Z
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The Princess Royal is often dubbed the hardest-working royal and when you look at her typical diary in just a week, you can understand why!
While it's been widely reported that Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will step up their public duties while King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales are absent, the Princess Royal is known to schedule several commitments in a day.
She was also the first member of the British royal family to travel abroad this year, flying to Sri Lanka for three days for a working visit with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
On Tuesday alone, Anne carried out three engagements, opening the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences, at Imperial College NHS Trust's Hammersmith site, before attending a Thanksgiving service at All Hallows by the Tower and then an annual reception at Yeomanry House in her role as Royal Honorary Colonel of the University of London Officers' Training Corps.
Wednesday saw the Princess host an investiture at Windsor Castle on behalf of the King, where she handed out honours to England Wheelchair Rugby League head coach Tom Coyd and film director and producer Sir Stephen Frears, whose work includes The Queen released in 2006.
She also visited Save the Children's London Head Office, donning a striking green dogtooth jacket from Cotswold Collections.
Later that day, she carried out an engagement at Cox Workshops Limited in North London as part of her role as President of the City and Guilds of London Institute.
She continued her busy schedule into Thursday, visiting Cromer Station in Norfolk to celebrate the National Coastwatch Institution's (NCI) 30th anniversary before opening Norfolk Schools Sailing Association's new facilities in Filby, near Great Yarmouth.
Stephan Hand, Chair of NCI, said in a statement: "What a wonderful start to the year in which we will celebrate our 30th anniversary of helping to keep people safe on the coast and save lives at sea by maintaining a daily visual and radio watch. It’s a huge source of pride that HRH The Princess Royal is our patron and that she takes such an active interest in our work. Her visits are always a great boost for our volunteers and all our friends and supporters in the local communities."
She then made a stop at HM Prison Norwich as part of her work as patron of the National Association of Official Prison Visitors.
LISTEN: Why King Charles is the ‘happiest’ he has been despite royal dramas
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| 2024-01-26T15:56:59Z
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The 2024 awards season is passing by full steam ahead, with the 66th Grammy Awards being the next occasion to gather and honor some of your favorite music stars.
The Grammys are famously among the awards ceremonies to have the most categories. This year, a whopping 94 awards are being handed out – for music releases from October 2022 to September 2023 – though not all are televised or announced during the ceremony. They are split into 11 different fields, which include the general field with the Big Six awards (previously the Big Four): Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), and Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical).
Ahead of the February 4 show, read all there is to know about the ceremony, from how to watch it, who is hosting, who is nominated, and what performances you can expect.
How to watch or stream the music awards show
The Grammy Awards will air live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, from 8pm to 11:30pm EST.
You can watch them either on CBS, or stream them on Paramount+; they are live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand the following day for Paramount+ Essential subscribers.
Who is hosting?
Trevor Noah is back as host! This year's ceremony marks the fourth consecutive show the former The Daily Show host has helmed.
MORE: Trevor Noah's dating history: from Minka Kelly to Dua Lipa
Trevor himself has been nominated for a Grammy twice, and this year is in contention for the Best Comedy Album category for his 2022 Netflix comedy special, I Wish You Would.
Who is performing?
This year's line-up of performers is as star-studded as it gets. While there are always fun surprises, do expect performances from Travis Scott, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs, Dua Lipa, Burna Boy, Billy Joel, and Billie Eilish.
MORE: The Grammys' jaw-dropping charcuterie boards deserve their own award
All but the "Vienna" singer – who is set to release his first solo single since 1993 on February 1 – are also nominated for several of this year's categories.
Who are the 2024 Grammys nominees?
As you've learned, there are 94 awards this year, and you can see the nominees for some of the biggest categories here, or the full list on the Grammys' official website.
Among the most nominated musicians are SZA, with nine nominations, followed by the likes of Taylor Swift, Boygenius, Lana del Rey, Miley Cyrus, as well as performers Billie and Olivia, among others.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox.
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| 2024-01-26T16:09:39Z
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PS5 vs PS4 Sales Comparison in Europe - December 2023 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted 27 minutes ago / 468 ViewsThe VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.
This monthly series compares the aligned Europe sales of the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
The PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020, while the PlayStation 4 launched in November 2013. This does mean the holiday periods for the two consoles do lineup.
PS5 Vs. PS4 Europe:
Gap change in latest month: 637,706 - PS5
Gap change over last 12 months: 687,424 - PS5
Total Lead: 4,721,871 - PS4
PlayStation 5 Total Sales: 17,379,260
PlayStation 4 Total Sales: 22,101,131
December 2023 is the 38th month the PlayStation 5 has been available for. In the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the PlayStation 4 when compared to the aligned launch of the PlayStation 5 by 0.64 million units.
In the last 12 months, the PS5 has outsold the PS4 by 0.69 million units. The PS5 is currently behind the PS4 by 4.72 million units.
The PS5 has sold 17.38 million units in 38 months, while the PS4 sold 22.10 million units. Month 38 for the PS5 is December 2023 and for the PS4 is December 2016.
The PS4 crossed 30 million in month 51 and 40 million in month 72. The PS4 has sold 45.85 million units to date in Europe. The PS5 is 28.47 million units behind lifetime PS4 sales in Europe.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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The Foreign Minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has come to Ukraine with an unannounced visit, the European Pravda reported.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirmed that he came to Ukraine last night, posting a video on Instagram showing him going down to a bomb shelter during the air raid.
“Today is the fourth time I’ve come to Ukraine as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, we did not have a good night’s rest, as last night, an air raid siren went off, and we had to go to the hotel’s bomb shelter. We were lucky to have heat and water inside. This is not the case for all Ukrainians who constantly live with air raid alerts,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen wrote on Instagram.
It is unclear in which city the Danish Foreign Minister is staying. Last night, Ukraine’s Air Force reported a threat of a Russian ballistic missile strike in several regions of Ukraine. No air raid alert was announced in Kyiv last night, meaning that Lars Løkke Rasmussen most likely spent the night in another city, not the Ukrainian capital.
There are no other official reports about his visit yet.
On 24 January 2024, Denmark’s Defense Ministry unveiled a $13.2 million aid package for Ukraine aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s defense capabilities against Russian cyber attacks.
On 13 January 2024, Denmark allocated $21 million for the restoration of the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, which suffered from Russian artillery shelling and air strikes many times.
In 2023, Denmark donated all of its 19 French-produced ultramodern Caesar self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.
Related:
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/26/air-raid-siren-welcomes-danish-foreign-minister-during-his-visit-to-ukraine/
| 2024-01-26T16:54:07Z
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This is part of the nationwide de-Russification and de-Sovietization move. During the Russian and Soviet empires, almost every settlement had to have streets named after Pushkin and other figures from the typical Russian imperial “pantheon.”
According to the city council’s press service, the changes in Kharkiv include Korolenko Street becoming Mykolayivska Street, Omska Street changing to Bakhmutska Street, Pskovska Street to Truskavetska Street, and more.
Pushkin’s street was renamed after Ukrainian philosopher Skovoroda, who was famous for his lifestyle and teaching in the late 18th century. He was born in the Kharkiv region and traveled all around Europe and Ukraine.
In the first months of the war, a Russian missile hit the museum of Skovoroda in the Kharkiv region, eradicating it. Recently, on 1 January 2024, a Russian drone destroyed a museum dedicated to Roman Shukhevych, leader of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in the Lviv region, indicating a Russian-intended campaign against Ukrainian cultural heritage.
Pushkin monuments disappear from Ukrainian streets following Lenin, as decolonization is underway
Local historian Maria Takhtaulova called the name list “one of the most balanced renaming lists we’ve had in Kharkiv in recent times.” She noted it includes fallen Heroes of Ukraine connected to the Kharkiv region, historical figures and phenomena, and references to other populated places or regions of Ukraine.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/01/26/kharkiv-renames-pushkins-street-after-ukraines-philosopher-skovoroda-cutting-ties-with-the-soviet-past/
| 2024-01-26T16:54:47Z
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The Russian army shelled two towns in the Donetsk Oblast (eastern Ukraine), killing a woman, the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported.
Russia regularly shells residential areas of Ukrainian towns, increasing the number of civilian casualties every single day.
On the night of 26 January, the Russian army fired two S-300 missiles at Novohrodivka in the Donetsk Oblast, according to the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office. An 11-year-old boy who was sleeping in his room was wounded. His parents immediately went to the hospital, where the child was diagnosed with a cut wound to his leg. After providing the necessary assistance, doctors prescribed outpatient treatment.
In addition, ten private households, two two-story residential buildings, a shop, three garages, and civilian cars were damaged in Novohrodivka, the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office.
Furthermore, at around 1:00 pm today, the Russian army shelled the town of Krasnohorivka (Donetsk Oblast). A 60-year-old woman was killed near her home.
A pre-trial investigation into criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war has been initiated by the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office.
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| 2024-01-26T16:55:28Z
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Hearings that just opened in the French senate on Thursday, 25 January, start to unveil how TotalEnergies’ gigantic new fossil fuel projects in Africa pollute water, grossly violate human rights in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda, and undermine the foundations of the Paris Climate Agreement. This corporate pollution and exploitation makes France seem once again like a dirty colonial empire.
Yet that may only be the tip of the iceberg. Total’s role in Russia’s expansion of fossil fuel exports, which are the lifeline of the Kremlin’s war chest, is so far out of the scope of inquiries – and this is very worrisome.
The Senate commission, chaired by Senator Roger Karoutchi, is to hear evidence over the coming months from members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC), representatives of the French executive branch, leaders of organizations and companies, and TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Poyanne. The commission’s conclusions are expected in mid-June, providing the examination of “the means mobilized by the state to ensure that the TotalEnergies group takes into account and complies with France’s climate commitments and foreign policy principles.”
Speakers of the first hearings, including Corinne Le Quéré, President of the High Council on Climate Change, and Laurence Tubiana, Director of the European Climate Foundation, revealed the destructive role of TotalEnergies in undermining climate change measures and human rights violations, in particular through the promotion of new fossil fuel mega-projects.
They pointed out that the company’s oil and gas projects in no way serve the people and development of the countries whose resources are exploited, and that TotalEnergies’ strategy is guided primarily by the search for maximum profitability, regardless of the cost to the climate and human rights.
Responding to the start of the hearings, Greenpeace France said in a statement that “at present, TotalEnergies does not take into account and does not respect climate obligations and the official guidelines of France’s foreign policy.”
The company approved more fossil fuel projects than any other oil major between 2022 and 2025, including the $3.5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that aims to export oil from autocratic Uganda. In October 2023, four French environmental organizations started legal action against Total Energies over the impact of the group’s oil pipeline development in Uganda and other fossil fuel projects.
Yet, the hearings so far haven’t touched upon the fact that TotalEnergies was Russia’s key partner in developing exports of liquefied natural gas.
The strategic cooperation between Russia’s Novatek and TotalEnergies was not presented at the first hearings due to the attempted attack on democracy and freedom of speech pushed by TotalEnergies.
Senator Yannick Jadot, Emmanuel Macron’s rival in France’s last presidential election, was supposed to report on the investigation of TotalEnergies’ activities in Russia and the company’s alleged complicity in the Kremlin’s war crimes.
But on Wednesday, Jadot in an interview with French media, said he was forced to “postpone” speaking on Russia-related issues at the request of the Senate Ethics Committee, which banned him from doing so in connection with a lawsuit initiated by TotalEnergies against Jadot.
On Tuesday, the questionable “ethics” committee pressured the senator over the retaliatory defamation lawsuit filed by TotalEnergies against the senator.
TotalEnergies strategic partnership with Novatek enables Russia’s war
TotalEnergies is attempting to silence any criticism or mentions about their historically questionable business operations in Russia, which has already been surfaced by a number of journalist investigations and reports from human rights group Global Witness.
The strategic partnership between TotalEnergies and Russia’s Novatek, which sends its own mercenary forces to the war in Ukraine, has allowed the Kremlin to export liquefied natural gas to world markets and receive billions of euros annually to finance its war of aggression in Ukraine.
The partnership between TotalEnergies and Novatek had played a pivotal role in enabling exports of Russian liquefied natural gas to Europe and other regions of the world.
TotalEnergies owns a 19.4% stake in Novatek PJSC and a 20% stake in the Yamal LNG joint project, which started in December 2017 and produces 19 million tons of LNG per year. The company also owns 10% of the shares of Arctic LNG 2 – a new LNG terminal, the first stage of which entered operation but faces difficulties in selling gas over US sanctions.
In July 2014, Novatek was included in the sanctions lists of the USA and Canada. In 2016, the United States imposed sanctions on subsidiaries of Novatek.
Nevertheless, after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the occupation of parts of eastern Ukraine, despite the acting sanctions and having ample opportunities to diversify the business away from fossil fuels towards renewables, TotalEnergies deliberately took a course for a strategic partnership with Russia in another wave of destructive fossil fuel expansion and used the levers of political influence in France, actively promoting the economic interests of the Kremlin.
The historical record shows that TotalEnergies was keen to partner with autocratic regimes and made fortunes by exploiting the natural reserves of enslaved nations. Now TotalEnergies is keen to import to France the same practices that are exercised by its autocratic partners and petrodictators.
This is how the circle turns, and practices of state capture, deconstruction of the rule of law, oppression, and silencing the science and political opposition are coming back to France. If that goes unchecked, Putin’s tanks one day can end up at Champs Elysees to help TotalEnergies uphold the tyranny of fossil fuels.
Related:
- Putin’s aggression is the last call to end global fossil fuel addiction – opinion
- A call from Kyiv to Davos: curb Russian oil and gas exports for peace in Ukraine and beyond
- EU countries buy refined Russian oil from India at record rates — Independent
- Russia left out in the cold as US sanctions torpedo LNG project
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| 2024-01-26T16:56:08Z
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Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Iryna Vereshchuk, stated on TV air that payments need to be optimized given that after two years, many people have already adapted to the new place of living. This is also part of the partner’s demand to continue financial assistance for Ukraine in 2024.
As was reported, Ukraine spends 80% of all tax money on defense, while social assistance, healthcare, and education are covered mainly by financial assistance from partner countries.
Vereshchuk stated that according to international standards, two years is enough to adapt, and partners are demanding that spending be revised.
In 2022, Ukraine allocated 57 billion hryvnia ($1.5 billion) for IDP assistance. This rose to 73 billion hryvnia ($2 billion) in 2023. The 2024 budget foresees about 57 billion hryvnias again for this purpose, which would be a decrease from 2022, given the inflation.
She noted the official IDP number fluctuates as some people migrate abroad and then return home, thus losing IDP status, while others from frontline areas get evacuated and registered.
“The vulnerable should continue receiving payments, while those who, for example, have already adapted, got housing or have highly paid work… the approaches should be fairer,” Vereshchuk commented.
Read more:
- Budget committee: Ukraine counts on financial aid from EU, US but prepares for delay
- Ukraine’s budget allocates over $2 billion for arms production in 2024
- Ukraine squeezes every last drop for defense in 2024 budget, Russia still 2.5x more
- Russia plans 68% increase in 2024 military spending, surpassing Ukraine’s defense budget 2.5 times
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Reuters confirmed the previously reported information, referring to unnamed sources in the Ukraine’s Security Service, that the attack was successful and similar attacks will continue. Local officials in Russia said there was a fire overnight at the export-oriented unit, but it was extinguished.
“The vacuum unit was on fire. According to preliminary information, there were neither casualties nor injured,” Sergei Boiko, the head of the Tuapse district said.
The Ukrainian source said the SBU security service hit the refinery with drones and would continue attacking fuel facilities. “The SBU strikes deep into the Russian Federation and continues attacks on facilities which are not only important for the Russian economy, but also provide fuel for the enemy troops,” the source told Reuters.
This is at least the fourth Ukrainian attack on Russian energy facilities over the past week. In particular, the largest attack on a Baltic Sea fuel export terminal damaged the fuel terminals of the port of Ust-Luga, hindering the shipping of oil products from there.
Explosions and a fire broke out early on 21 January at the Ust-Luga natural gas terminal operated by the Russian company Novatek. The Ust-Luga port handles crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports. This became the first Ukrainian drone attack to reach as far as the St. Petersburg region.
The recently hit Tuapse plant was important for exports in the Black Sea region, processing 9.378 million tons of crude oil in 2023, producing 3.306 million tons of gasoil and 3.123 million tons of fuel oil.
Russian oil exports are the main source of income for the Russian war budget. EU and G7 sanctions in general failed to curb Russian oil exports given that Russian continued its exports through India as an intermediary worldwide, including to the EU, at record volumes.
EU countries buy refined Russian oil from India at record rates — Independent
Read more:
- Here is a map of all Ukraine’s 2023 drone strikes on Russian targets
- A call from Kyiv to Davos: curb Russian oil and gas exports for peace in Ukraine and beyond
- Drones hit oil depot, energy facility in Russia’s Oryol
- Stratcom: Ukrainian forces struck oil depot in occupied Luhansk
- Oil depot on fire in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai near occupied Crimea
- Russian oil refinery reportedly attacked second time in two days
- Ukraine strikes oil refinery inside Russian territory, sources say
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| 2024-01-26T16:57:28Z
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MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said a Russian military plane that crashed near the border with Ukraine on Wednesday was shot down by Ukrainian air defences, whether on purpose or by mistake.
Moscow accuses Kyiv of downing the Ilyushin Il-76 plane in Russia's Belgorod region and killing 74 people on board, including 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers en route to be swapped for Russian PoWs. It has not presented proof.
Ukraine has not confirmed or denied whether it shot down the plane and has challenged Moscow's account of who was on board and what happened.
"I don’t know if they did it on purpose or by mistake, but it is obvious that they did it," Putin said in televised comments, his first on the crash.
"In any case, what happened is a crime. Either through negligence or on purpose, but in any case it is a crime."
Ukraine disputes Russia's assertion that it was warned in advance that a plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war would be flying over Russia's southwestern Belgorod region at that time. It has also said there were discrepancies in a list published by Russian media of the 65 Ukrainians alleged to have been on the aircraft.
Putin said the plane could not have been brought down by Russian "friendly fire" because Russia's air defence systems have safeguards to prevent them attacking their own planes.
"There are 'friend or foe' systems there, and no matter how much the operator presses the button, our air defence systems would not work," he said.
Putin said the missiles fired were mostly likely American or French, but this would be established with certainty in two to three days. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T17:03:14Z
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DOHA - Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Friday was an important development that contributed to isolating Israel and exposing its crimes in Gaza.
"We call for compelling the occupation to implement the court's decisions," he added, speaking to Reuters.
The World Court ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in the Gaza war as requested by South Africa.
While the ruling denied Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war in Gaza, it also represented a legal setback for Israel, which had hoped to throw out a case brought under the genocide convention established in the ashes of the Holocaust.
Islamic Jihad, a smaller Palestinian militant group fighting alongside Hamas against Israel in Gaza, condemned what it said was ICJ reluctance to demand an immediate ceasefire.
"The Court’s hesitation to immediately call for a halt to the fighting is evidence of the control of evil global powers over the global legal systems for their interests at the expense of the oppressed," the group said in a statement. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T17:03:24Z
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LONDON - Erik ten Hag said on Jan 26 that financial fair play (FFP) regulations will prevent Manchester United signing a new striker during the January transfer window to plug the gap left by Anthony Martial’s extended absence.
Martial has been ruled out until April after undergoing surgery on a groin injury but United, in common with several leading English clubs, have appeared more interested in reducing rather than bolstering their squad as they come to terms with the impact of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
“I looked but there is no space,” said United manager Ten Hag.
“No space on FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position.
“Of course, we have (Marcus) Rashford who can play as a striker, I think also we have some other alternatives, creative.
“It’s clear now Anthony is out for a couple of months. It’s a gap in our squad. Clear.”
Ten Hag was speaking to the media for the first time since United poached Omar Berrada from local rivals Manchester City as their new chief executive.
Berrada’s arrival at Old Trafford is one of the first major appointments made by United since British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe took a 25 per cent stake in the club for US$1.3 billion (S$1.7 billion).
United have been without a permanent chief executive since Richard Arnold left at the end of last year.
“It gives spirit in this whole club,” said Ten Hag of Berrada’s move.
“Everyone notices that this club is going into a period of changes but it’s because we want to achieve high targets, so standards have to change.”
The Dutchman added: “We understand we have to change, and we started that process last season with the dressing room.
“But also many departments so I am very happy that I get support.”
United’s short-term focus is on their FA Cup tie away to fourth-tier Newport on Sunday, with the knockout trophy representing their last remaining realistic hope of silverware this season.
The match is set to mark the long-awaited United debut of pre-season signing Altay Bayindir.
“Yeah, he will be in the goal,” Ten Hag said of the former Fenerbahce goalkeeper.
“He played in a big club in Turkey under big pressure, so he knows how to deal with it.
“We were all very convinced when we brought him into this club...We’re looking forward to Sunday. Altay, very motivated of course and he can’t wait for this moment.” AFP
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| 2024-01-26T17:03:35Z
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LONDON - Lando Norris admitted he had sounded out other Formula One teams, including champions Red Bull, before committing to McLaren on Friday for the next few years.
The 24-year-old British driver is a hot property after seven podium appearances last year and McLaren wasted no time in signing him up until at least the end of 2026 and probably beyond.
Norris gave plenty of reasons for wanting to stay, including the team's improvement and feeling like part of the family, but he also recognised the announcement so early in the year was also to reassure team mates who might have questioned his loyalty.
"Everyone speaks to everyone. Every driver speaks to every team," he told reporters of the rumours and speculation that had linked him to rivals.
"It’s just what can one team offer you and another team offer you and things like that. It’s the same with every driver. Everyone speaks to every team on what could we potentially do one day.
"But nothing ever progressed more than that. We shut down quite quickly," he added.
The new season that starts in March will see no change of seats from the final race of 2023 but a majority of drivers are out of contract at the end of the year.
A big 'silly season' of speculation about driver moves is looming, with major rules changes in 2026 and teams seeking stability.
McLaren should have that, with Norris and Australian Oscar Piastri now signed up at least to the end of 2026, while Ferrari announced on Thursday a multi-year extension for Charles Leclerc.
Red Bull already have triple champion Max Verstappen signed up to 2028 but Mexican team mate Sergio Perez's place is uncertain after this year.
Red Bull's 2023 car was so dominant they won 21 out of 22 races and Norris admitted to sometimes asking himself whether he was in the right place.
"Every now and then you've got to have that little question of 'is this the place to be to achieve that goal, that next goal that I want which is to be the world champion?,'" he said.
"There's always going to be those things and every driver has them."
Norris said he actually enjoyed reading stories from the rumour-mill but it was important also to minimize the distractions as McLaren sought to return to the top.
"They (his team mates) are now even more assured that I’m committed to the team and staying and that I picked McLaren over Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, whatever team it could have been," he said.
"It comes back to where will I be happiest and now where am I most confident I can actually achieve a world championship. If you asked me at the beginning of last year maybe it wouldn't have been McLaren.
"But now I think I'm more confident than ever in saying its going to be McLaren." REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T17:03:45Z
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LONDON - Lando Norris has signed a contract extension with McLaren to fuel their Formula One title ambitions and take the 24-year-old British driver into the sport's new engine era in 2026 and beyond.
The deal announced on Friday also put to bed current "silly season" speculation about Norris possibly switching to Red Bull as a future team mate of triple champion Max Verstappen.
Like Ferrari on Thursday, with the announcement of Charles Leclerc's extension, McLaren did not give terms of the deal but said the pairing of Norris and 22-year-old Australian Oscar Piastri was confirmed "until at least the end of 2026".
Norris's previous four-year contract, agreed in February 2022, ran to the end of 2025 and McLaren boss Zak Brown said the new one went "well beyond".
Asked why he had extended before the season had started, Norris told reporters: "Because I can. I'm in a good position, it's not something that I want to really worry about over the next two years.
"It's just a very good time, especially when you're suddenly coming to a couple of years where things start to get a bit more crazy with everyone else's contracts and people potentially moving teams.
"And just going into 2026, those years of new regulations and everything, that's not something I or the team want to be focusing on or spending any time on in such an important couple of years."
Norris made his debut with McLaren in 2019 and said staying was an easy decision. Although yet to win a grand prix, that is surely a matter of time after six seconds places and a third last year.
"It's a team that I want to just continue my story with in terms of reaching my goal of winning races and winning championships," said Norris.
"I'm very much part of the family and also very much enjoying where I am. That's obviously a big part of it. I don't want to join a different team and not enjoy anything.
"As much as I do want to just be in a team that's the quickest one, I'm also here because I love racing and I want to have fun and enjoy all of that. Really that's my number one thing at the end of the day.
"I want to be with a team that I love and enjoy every moment with and that's McLaren."
Team principal Andrea Stella compared Norris to past greats he has worked with.
"He's the same kind of world championship material. The underlying talent, the mindset, the work ethos, it's all ready to go," said the Italian, who previously worked with seven-times champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.
"There's a characteristic of champions that they only get better. Real champions they seem to improve year by year. And I think that's the case."
McLaren, the second most successful team after Ferrari, last won a championship with Lewis Hamilton in 2008 -- the first of the Briton's record-equalling seven. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T17:03:56Z
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SINGAPORE – Despite being knocked out of the Indonesia Masters following a 21-17, 21-19 defeat in the quarter-finals by Anthony Ginting on Jan 26, Loh Kean Yew had a match to remember as he pushed the world No. 4 all the way in a thrilling 53-minute encounter.
Going into the last eight of the Super 500 tournament, the Indonesian Olympic bronze medallist held a 5-2 lead in their head-to-head record at BWF World Tour events. While he extended his winning run against world No. 12 Loh, this was the closest that the Singaporean had come to beating Ginting in their last six encounters.
Their last meeting at the China Masters in November 2023 ended 21-15, 21-19 to Ginting, while their previous meeting in April was won 21-12, 21-8 by Ginting.
“I feel like I played not bad, quite good but obviously, there’s only one winner and he played quite a good game too, so kudos to him for playing well,” said Loh, who had missed the Jan 16-21 India Open as he was recovering from an illness.
“He played very well, it’s not easy playing with a home crowd and he managed to turn that into motivation, so very well done.”
Backed by a partisan crowd at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Ginting was quickest off the blocks and raced to a 10-6 lead. Loh fought back to narrow the gap by claiming three consecutive points, but Ginting entered the interval 11-9 up.
Loh turned things around when they returned to the court as he went 15-13 up to hold the advantage for a brief period, before a couple of unforced errors set Ginting up to reclaim the lead.
The pulsating encounter reached a climax with both players displaying great athleticism in a 42-shot rally that had the crowd in a frenzy, but Ginting eventually won the point to make it 19-16, before going on to seal the opening game.
The second game started similarly with Ginting leading, but Loh’s defence and recovery kept the 27-year-old’s attack at bay as he drew level at 4-4.
Ginting pulled ahead to lead 11-6 at the interval, but once again Loh clawed his way back to even the scores at 13-13.
It was neck-and-neck after that and the duo rounded up the match with another nail-biting exchange that Ginting ended with a backhand kill as both he and Loh collapsed to the ground.
Loh was also encouraged by the form he showed in earlier matches. The 26-year-old had beaten world No. 8 H.S. Prannoy 21-18, 19-21, 21-10 in the round of 32 before overcoming Su Li-yang of Chinese Taipei 21-11, 21-16 to set up the meeting with Ginting.
He added: “Every match, every win is a breakthrough because I haven’t really been myself and I’m glad that I found some ways and I hope that I’m able to keep going and hopefully it becomes better.”
National singles head coach Kelvin Ho praised Loh’s performance in Indonesia, saying: “He showed great fighting spirit and motivation throughout this tournament.
“At times when he was uncomfortable, he overcame it with his strength and good court coverage. Overall he played with consistency, he was more focused and ready in terms of fewer unforced errors and patience.”
Loh’s next competition is the Thailand Masters, which begins on Jan 30. He will face Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-kai in the last 32.
Ginting, meanwhile, will meet Canada’s Brian Yang in the Indonesia Masters semi-finals on Jan 27. The winner will face either Thailand’s world No. 9 Kunlavut Vitidsarn or seventh-ranked Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the final a day later.
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/loh-kean-yew-out-of-indonesia-masters-after-q-final-defeat-by-anthony-ginting
| 2024-01-26T17:04:06Z
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KYIV - Ukraine said on Jan 26 that Russia had returned the bodies of 77 soldiers, days after the downing of a Russian military plane threw doubt on the future of such exchanges.
Moscow and Kyiv traded fresh accusations over the crash of the transporter that Russia says was shot down near the rivals’ border, killing 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
While Kyiv has not outright denied the claims, officials have appeared to question whether its POWs were on board.
The latest repatriation of bodies appeared unrelated to the downing of the plane, which crashed in a fireball in Russia’s western Belgorod region on Jan 24.
“Preparations for the repatriation had been under way for a long time,” Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement.
Hundreds of captured prisoners have been freed in dozens of exchanges throughout the near two-year war.
But Russia’s claims that Ukraine shot down a plane ferrying Ukrainian detainees had thrown doubts on the future of such exchanges.
Disputed evidence
On Jan 26, Ukraine was still disputing Russia’s account of how the Ilyushin 76 military transporter crashed.
The Kremlin dismissed the idea of releasing evidence proving that dozens of Ukrainian soldiers had been killed.
“Investigators are working, I have nothing to add on this topic,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked if Russia planned to publish evidence on how Ukraine shot down the plane, and who was on board.
On Jan 25, Russia’s Investigative Committee published video footage of what it said was the crash site. It showed a small chunk of plane debris and blurred close-ups of a body.
A second video published on Jan 26 showed more of the debris, a forensics team sealing up a body bag and photos of three identification documents it said were dead victims.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets dismissed the material released so far by Moscow as “elements of an information propaganda campaign against Ukraine”.
Kyiv and Moscow have opened criminal investigations, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an international investigation.
On Jan 24, he accused Moscow of “playing with the lives” of Ukrainian soldiers and their families.
Kyiv has not confirmed or denied its involvement in the crash or said whether it was carrying captured Ukrainian soldiers.
It confirmed that a prisoner exchange was due to take place that day. But it said Moscow had not informed Kyiv that the soldiers would be taken to the border by plane, as it had done in the past.
Ukraine’s army vowed to continue targeting the Russian military in the border area where the plane was downed, in a statement published after the incident. AFP
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| 2024-01-26T17:04:16Z
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LONDON - Education campaigners demanded government action on Jan 26 after new figures revealed that the number of children in England being homeschooled jumped more than 13 per cent in one term in 2023.
The spike – from an estimated 86,200 in homeschooling at the start of 2023 to 97,600 by the April to July summer term – emerged from data provided by local councils to the Department for Education (DfE).
It showed a 20 per cent rise during the last full school year from September to July.
Nearly a quarter of parents involved said they were keeping children at home primarily as a “lifestyle choice” or for “philosophical or preferential reasons”.
These were by far the most commonly given main reasons, ahead of mental health factors (eight percent) and general dissatisfaction with the school (6 per cent).
The homeschooling trend, which has intensified since Covid-19 prompted many parents to teach their children for prolonged periods, has heightened fears that increasing numbers are missing out on professional education and socialisation.
“I think it is a surge – these numbers have skyrocketed over the last seven or eight years,” former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield, who now chairs the Centre for Young Lives think-tank, told BBC radio.
“We need to take this much more seriously,” she said, urging the government and local authorities to “really help schools provide the kind of support they know these children need to stay in school”.
Only 4 per cent of parents said health concerns over Covid-19 were the main factor behind their decision, suggesting the pandemic-associated increase could be morphing into a long-term trend.
Although some parents were choosing to homeschool, Ms Longfield argued that for many more, “it’s not a choice”.
She said a range of factors – from kids feeling unhappy in school and not getting the support they need to a lack of state-funded resources – were contributing to the decisions to homeschool.
“It can just be a desperate choice, and those are the families we really need to focus on, to understand what’s needed to help those children remain in school and flourish,” she said.
‘Boots on the ground’
Separate DfE figures published on Jan 25 for the current school year that started in September showed that 20 per cent of children in England are persistently absent from school while not being taught elsewhere.
That was down on the previous academic year but still above pre-pandemic rates.
The UK government in London, which looks after schools in England, has for several years pledged to create a compulsory national register of homeschooled children.
But legislation to kickstart that has yet to be introduced and is unlikely before a general election due later this year.
The main opposition Labour party, riding high in opinion polls, has vowed to press ahead with the register and empower schools’ watchdog Ofsted to play a bigger oversight role.
It also wants to incentivise attendance through funding for other measures like school breakfast clubs.
Longfield said England faced “a particular problem” with finances for schools and associated services, with headteachers telling her of the need for more social workers and related support staff.
Mr Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, agreed that “children’s social care and mental health support have suffered cuts or failed to keep up with demand over the last decade”.
“Crucial local authority roles like education welfare officers have been decimated,” he told The Guardian.
“We need to see more boots on the ground, with visits to families to get to the bottom of issues with children’s attendance.” AFP
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| 2024-01-26T17:04:27Z
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BRUSSELS - European Union (EU) talks on giving Ukraine 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in financial aid have been getting "more complicated" since Hungary has not been flexible ahead of next week's summit on the matter, a senior EU official said on Friday.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked a revision of the EU budget that includes the Ukraine aid at a summit in December. EU leaders will try again to reach a deal on the package at another summit next Thursday.
Orban's government has a strained relationship with Ukraine. The Hungarian leader has maintained close ties to Russia and withheld his support when EU leaders gave the green light to open EU membership talks with Kyiv at the December summit.
"The negotiation is getting a bit more complicated ... the position of Hungary has not really been flexible on this," said the senior EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official, who is involved in preparations for the summit, added there was an increasing level of frustration with Hungary among the other EU member states which want to give more aid to Ukraine.
The official said some ideas proposed by Orban - such as having aid to Ukraine subject to unanimous approval every year - were not acceptable to other EU members.
"No member state wants to embark on a situation where you would have to go through unanimity to deliver support to Ukraine," the official said. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T17:04:37Z
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RAMALLAH/DOHA/JERUSALEM - Palestinians said the World Court let them down by failing to order a halt to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, but they also described the proceedings as a victory which had inspired hope of accountability.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to prevent any acts of genocide against the Palestinians and do more to help suffering civilians. However, it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa, which brought the case.
Friday's proceedings were broadcast live across the Arab world and in Israel, which rejects South Africa's claims that it has committed genocide.
At a shelter for people displaced by Israeli bombardment in southern Gaza, people gathered around a radio to follow the news.
"We, the displaced, the bereaved families and those who lost their homes, had an ambition the court would call for an immediate ceasefire," said Mustafa Ibrahim, a human rights activist.
"Despite that, what happened was a victory," added Ibrahim, a resident of Gaza City who now lives in a shelter with his family of seven in Rafah in the south of the enclave.
South Africa asked the ICJ to grant emergency measures to halt the fighting. More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to authorities in Hamas-run Gaza.
Israel mounted the offensive in response to cross-border attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 abducted, according to Israeli figures.
The assault has laid waste to much of the Gaza Strip and uprooted most of its 2.3 million residents.
BADMOUTHS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the ICJ's decision not to order a ceasefire but rejected the claim of genocide as "outrageous" and said Israel would continue to defend itself. Israel says it makes the utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties.
Reflecting criticism of Israel voiced in the court's ruling, a headline in Israel's Jerusalem Post read: "ICJ badmouths Israel for 35 minutes, then Israel wins".
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son is being held hostage in Gaza, said he was encouraged by the ICJ's call for the release of the captives.
"This point reflects the fact, greatly ignored by the ICJ’s ruling, that the current war occurred because of Hamas’ mass murder and hostage-taking of Israeli civilians on October 7," he said.
While the ruling dashed Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war, it also represented a legal setback for Israel, which had hoped to throw out a case brought under the genocide convention established after the Holocaust.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority said Palestinians had hoped the ruling would include an immediate ceasefire.
But the decision "confirms the end of Israel's time with impunity and puts it in the dock as a war criminal", he said.
The court did not rule at this stage on the core of the case brought by South Africa - whether genocide has occurred in Gaza.
'THANK YOU SOUTH AFRICA'
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinians watched on a big screen at government offices in Ramallah. One held a banner saying "Thank You South Africa".
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the ruling was an important development that contributed to isolating Israel and exposing what it described as its crimes in Gaza.
The court found that Palestinians were protected under the convention and there was a case to be heard about whether their rights were being denied in a war that it said was causing grievous humanitarian harm.
Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti said the ICJ's acceptance of the case "means putting Israel on trial for its crimes for the first time".
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel did not need to be lectured on morality.
Israeli Josh Mover said his country was being subjected to "double standards".
"Countries that are notorious for human rights violations seem to get by without the same scrutiny," he said. REUTERS
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| 2024-01-26T17:04:48Z
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ASTANA – Astana Hub technology park announced its annual results, reporting an IT export growth of $282.4 million.
The hub attracted investments totaling 57.6 billion tenge ($127.8 million), leading to a cumulative revenue of 400.3 billion tenge ($888.7 million) and the creation of over 25,000 jobs, as reported by the hub’s press service on Jan. 26.
Magzhan Madiyev, the Astana Hub CEO, highlighted the successful attainment of all key performance indicators (KPIs). Participants increased the export of IT services by 84.3% compared to 2022, reaching 85 countries worldwide.
“The top countries for exports include the United States, Russia, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The export potential of startups significantly increased thanks to acceleration programs, successful collaborations with global leaders such as Google for Startups and Draper Startup House, and the launch of the Silkroad Innovation Hub—a platform for Central Eurasian IT startups in Silicon Valley,” he said.
Regional IT hubs have been successfully established in 14 regions of Kazakhstan, with plans for seven more this year.
“We launched the pilot project National Innovation System as a unified gateway for all participants in our country’s innovation ecosystem, based on our digital platform,” said Madiyev.
Main achievements
Last year, Astana Hub became the first partner of Draper Startup House in Central Asia. Thanks to this partnership, startups underwent the Hero Training acceleration program in Silicon Valley for the first time, developed by Draper University. One of the participants, CITIX, received a $1 million investment from Tim Draper.
Graduates of Techpreneurs, Startup Garage, Scalerator, Global Outsourcer acceleration, and incubation programs made sales worth 455 million tenge ($1 million). The accelerator collectively attracted $26 million in investments, reaching a total company valuation of over $400 million.
Thanks to sponsors and partners, the annual Astana Hub Battle prize fund has increased to $125,000. The third stream of the Seed Money program has also kicked off, with 11 startups selected for funding from Astana Hub receiving up to 10 million tenge ($22,201).
At the largest international conference, TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, 14 startups from Central Eurasia were presented. Most of them were graduates of Astana Hub’s acceleration programs and are currently successfully scaling their projects in global markets.
Under the Tech Orda program, 3,183 students received grants for training at leading IT schools. Thanks to the IT-Aiel program, created for women who want to master an IT specialty and earn money as a freelancer, 2,000 unemployed women received the opportunity for free training.
Digital Bridge-2023, the International IT Forum, attracted more than 30,000 participants, including delegations from 30 countries, making it the most extensive event in Central Eurasia. The forum included 55 panel sessions, roundtable discussions, and keynote presentations, presenting 450+ startups and IT companies, 450 speakers, and 100+ investors and business angels.
Last year, the Astana Hub organized 446 events attended by around 20,000 guests. Three hackathons and six scouting events were conducted jointly with partners, involving over 300 startups, of which 23 were selected for piloting and integration into companies. The GameDev Center, in collaboration with Playrix, Mytona, and G5 Games, organized more than 40 conferences, lectures, and meetups.
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ASTANA – The Kazakh capital hosted The Great Women of the World exhibition displaying paintings of Kazakh artists at the Has Sanat art gallery on Jan. 23.
According to Zhanna Yensebayeva, the owner of the gallery, the stories of women from the Silk Road region served as an inspiration. The historical figures from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, among other countries, are depicted in oil on canvas in the artworks.
“We need to tell our young generation about legendary figures such as Tomiris, Kuishi Dina, Aisha Bibi, Domalak Ana, and others,” said Yensebayeva.
Adilgali Bayandin’s portrait miniature depicting Dina Nurpeisova, a composer and musician, is also on display. Nurpeisova was only nine when Kurmangazy Sagyrbaiuly, the most renowned Kazakh folk composer and dombra player, first noticed her talent.
“In Dina’s musical pieces, one can sense the fragrance of the steppe, hear the rhythmic stomp of horse hoofs and the heartfelt melody of open grasslands. Through her compositions, she expressively narrates tales of independence and freedom. Listening to her music evokes an instant connection to the vastness of the Kazakh steppe, stirring deep emotions and a profound appreciation for our homeland,” she said.
Artist Aitkul Tasmagambetova shared her reflections on sources of inspiration.
“Our women are unique; while in some countries, women might be viewed as standing a step lower from men, our women stand shoulder to shoulder. They courageously fight alongside men while providing unwavering support to their families. Through my artistic endeavors, I aim to capture the essence of a resilient Turkic woman who embodies both strength and gentleness. Gentleness goes in tandem with inner strength, they never surrender their independence,” she said.
The portrait of Ak Kadyn, an Altai princess discovered during excavations in Siberia, is also one of the eye-catching pieces. In the unwavering gaze fixed upon the distance, the artist skillfully captured and conveyed the relentless determination of her character.
“She stands as our ancestress, and I have reconstructed her image based on photographs from the archaeological excavations. These are her attire details, from the dressing gown to embroidered saukele and jewelry,” said Tasmagambetova.
Yensebayeva noted that mummification was practiced at that time. Saukele, a traditional headdress, clothes, tattoos on her hands, and other belongings have been preserved. Six horses were buried next to her, indicating her status in society.
“The tale of Aisha Bibi echoes the romance of Taj Mahal,” said Yensebayeva. “Aisha and Karahan, deeply in love, face separation when Karahan goes to defend his homeland against an enemy attack. Unfortunately, Karahan fails to return at the promised time, prompting Aisha to seek him out against her father’s will. Accompanied by 40 friends, she embarks on the journey but dies because of a snake bite. In mourning, Karahan performs an engagement ceremony, constructing a mausoleum as a symbol of eternal love for Aisha. The painter shows Aisha appearing to hold her breath, exhaling a bitter sigh that expresses the pain of separation from her beloved.”
The Great Women Of The World exhibition provides an empowering journey through the lives of remarkable women. Visitors to the gallery can witness the spirit of women who left an enduring legacy amidst their life’s hurdles. Their stories resonate with strength, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of their dreams.
The exhibition will run through Feb. 19.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/capitals-exhibition-showcases-free-spirited-women-from-silk-road/
| 2024-01-26T17:46:51Z
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ASTANA – The dynamic growth in Chinese-Kazakh business relations is expected with a focus on agriculture, said Alinur Zhengis, the second Kazakh citizen after singer Dimash Kudaibergen, who was given the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the highest award for foreign experts.
Back in 2018, the Chinese government honored two Kazakh nationals for their outstanding contributions to the country’s economic and social progress. One of them was the well-known Kazakh singer Dimash who made headlines, becoming the first Kazakh man to be awarded China’s Friendship Award.
Zhengis, who received the award just a couple of months later, did not gather media’s much attention, but her contribution to deepening the trade and investment relations between the two nations is indisputable.
In an interview with The Astana Times, she shared the story behind her immense work, organizing forums and promoting Kazakhstan, that laid the foundations for the diplomatic ties linking the people of Kazakhstan and China together to this day.
The homecoming story
Zhengis was born and raised in China. Her family was part of the Kazakh diaspora there until her father decided to return to Kazakhstan.
“It was my father who initiated the move. He came to Kazakhstan in 2006 in search of treatment for his diabetes. He came here and saw Kazakhs everywhere. I remember he came back to China very moved from his visit to Kazakhstan and immediately said: ‘let’s go back to our Kazakh country, everyone there is Kazakh,’” said Zhengis as she undertook an emotional journey back to the first time her family decided to move to the homeland.
Upon their return in 2007, the family was confronted with a harsh reality. Their residence consisted of an old house located in the part of the city devoid of roads and streetlights.
After studying her whole lifetime in a Chinese school, Zhengis arrived in Kazakhstan with basic Kazakh writing skills and no Russian. But those hardships fueled a burning passion for achieving her dream of becoming a diplomat and helped her deal with the most difficult circumstances.
“I really wanted to get out of poverty. Now I think that if a person is hungry, there appears to be a strong intention and strength within. I think it was right that my father was strict on us,” said Zhengis.
In 2015 she formed her own company. Now she has built a career here in Kazakhstan and has become a respected expert among the two nations’ business circles.
EXPO 2017
“Back then, I made a commitment to myself: not to spare my work between the two countries. With the intention of being an inspiration to others so that there would be more people like me, I put myself under a lot of pressure, but it wasn’t all for nothing. In 2017, I became a partner with the sponsor of the Expo,” said Zhengis.
In 2017, Kazakhstan hosted EXPO 2017 under the title Future Energy, a milestone event for the country. 115 countries, 22 international organizations and over 33 million visitors converged at the venue, addressing an urgent concern – a shortage of energy resources and energy transition.
“I said I can help with advertising. I will go to every region of China, conduct regional forums and introduce the EXPO 2017. I will publish it on Chinese television, radio and newspapers. There needs to be a person to run this job. And it is not even about knowing the [Chinese] language. You need to know the right doors,” she said.
In the context of jointly advancing the EXPO 2017, Zhengis was an irreplicable partner to organizers in Kazakhstan.
“I went to China and made 26 forums in 40 days. There were times when I slept for only two hours. We would set up a forum and explain everything about Kazakhstan. I would take the stage to give a speech. I would say ‘there are such and such projects in Kazakhstan, come, see and invest,’” added Zhengis.
Her tour through China has been a big success, saving millions of dollars for the organizers, according to Zhengis. She said that over her career as an entrepreneur, she has not visited only two places in China: Tibet and Taiwan.
The Friendship Award
Zhengis did not stop there. Over the years, she arranged hundreds of events in Kazakhstan, welcoming Chinese potential investors and showing them true Kazakh hospitality.
Those early diplomatic openings for the Chinese people were truly never forgotten. By the end of 2018, one of the first acts of the Chinese side was to pay their respects to Zhengis and grant her the Friendship Award, a symbol of China’s strong and enduring friendship.
“However, at the end of 2018, I could not go to China because my visa did not open. Dimash Kudaibergen was able to go. Therefore, I received my award in 2019. They told me that only you and him received such an award,” said Zhengis.
The award caught her by surprise.
“I asked them ‘his [Dimash’s] contribution is clear: he is doing a great job in bringing together people in the field of culture, but what about me?’ They said ‘look at the Baidu website (Chinese search engine platform). You have done so much. There are so many news and interviews about you and it is only one part. We have heard about you, we are watching you. You are a well-known person in the Chinese-Kazakh joint business environment,’” said Zhengis.
Kazakhstan’s relationship with China
The relations between the two countries would only grow stronger in the future, according to Zhengis.
“Now we have opened our borders. We will be in close contact with China. It is one of the most prominent countries in the world. I have so much experience and respect there to share those benefits with people here,” she said.
As an important regional transport hub, Kazakhstan has a pivotal role to play in extending China’s cooperation with Europe and the rest of the world, according to Zhengis.
“International relations is basically an art in itself. We should be able to use this art properly. If we do well, there are great future collaboration opportunities. Because Kazakhstan is located in a great place. Through Kazakhstan, goods can be transported from China to other parts of the world, be it to Europe or Russia,” she said.
Prospects of developing agriculture
Competing with robust economies, such as China, to target industrial production or technological innovation is not easy. According to Zhengis, Chinese investment plans should be determined by strategies based on Kazakhstan’s comparative strengths in niche areas, such as agriculture.
“We should engage [with China] in our national interest. We can’t outdo anyone in manufacturing, it is hard to compete in that industry. Alternatively, in terms of innovation, someone is already building a flying machine. It will be difficult to compete on that too. But regardless of whether they build a flying machine or fly a rocket, everyone eats food,” said Zhengis.
She hopes Kazakhstan will become a hub for a high-quality food culture with hospitality at its heart.
“It should be done systematically. Whether it is vegetables or crops, we need to show that we produce them in good quality, without the addition of pesticides. Small factories should be created. There are so many different products that could be made from wheat and from meat. If we pay attention to this, we can export food to Europe and China. We can take a great place in this field,” said Zhengis.
Her future plans
Zhengis hopes to become a part of the government officials or Kazakhstan’s Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve one day. “In the future, I want to be able to work in the public office. That would be a return to my old dream,” she said.
She believes her background as an international relations student and her extensive experience working with Chinese businesses will allow her to support the local community and bring necessary investment to the remote regions of Kazakhstan.
“I also want to teach the young people in villages. I want to develop production in villages. I have been working in this field as an investment consultant for 12 years. I know what kind of project or production should be done in which region,” said Zhengis.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/chinese-friendship-award-holder-anticipates-surge-in-chinese-kazakh-business-ties/
| 2024-01-26T17:46:58Z
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ASTANA – Last year, Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan and Hyundai Trans Almaty plants produced 48,857 passenger cars and 981 units of commercial vehicles, Astana Motors Founder Nurlan Smagulov said at a Jan. 25 meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his working visit to Almaty, reported the Akorda press service.
Smagulov highlighted the financial contributions of Astana Motors in 2023, with the company paying 140 billion tenge (US$310.8 million) in taxes, duties, fees and other obligatory payments to local and state budgets. The company employs 6,489 people, including 1,615, who work in production activities.
Tokayev was informed about the ongoing construction of Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan, the multi-brand plant for Chery, GWM (Haval), and Changan cars.
The plant’s capacity will be 90,000 units per year, with 40% of the production intended for the domestic market and the remaining 60% for export.
Completion of construction is scheduled for February 2025. Astana Motors’ global goal is to switch to 100% completely knocked down small-scale production in 2027.
The President prioritized the development of the manufacturing industry, particularly the automotive industry, in the country’s industrial policy.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/hyundai-plants-in-kazakhstan-produce-nearly-49000-cars-in-2023/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:05Z
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ASTANA – Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Saysat Nurbek arrived on Jan. 25 in London to take part in the BETT UK 2024 international conference and meet with British colleagues to expand enduring cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, reported the ministry’s press service.
BETT is the world’s largest exhibition of educational technologies, bringing together not only leaders in the education sector from all corners of the globe but also gathering in one place over 600 innovative providers of educational technologies and resources, showcasing cutting-edge and effective products and services.
As part of the conference, Nurbek addressed the conference participants on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher education.
The minister shared insights into the reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan regarding the integration of AI into the education program and discussed how the government is responding to the challenges posed by modern technologies.
He mentioned President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive given in the address to the nation in September last year to open three institutions for the study of AI in three domestic universities.
“We are actively working in this direction. AI is an objective reality that is increasingly penetrating all aspects of human life, and the higher education system is no exception. The development of AI in higher education brings not only advanced technologies but also changes in teaching and research methods,” said Nurbek.
In terms of learning processes, he noted it opens the doors to more interactive learning, where AI can adapt content to individual needs and learning pace. Along with that, it also contributes to the development of critical thinking.
There are also substantial benefits for educators, according to the minister.
“For teachers, AI becomes a powerful tool in research and administrative tasks. The automation of routine processes frees up time for deeper interaction with students, the creation of new courses, and scientific research,” he said.
Among the notable participants at the conference was Kazakhstan’s CodiPlay, an EdTech startup that has developed a comprehensive solution for schools. Their application, CodiPlay, introduces programming languages such as C++, Scratch, and Python through engaging arcade games.
The CodiKit sets empower students to create and program 56 Internet of Things projects, while CodiTeach provides a web platform to support teachers and monitor the learning process.
“As of today, schools in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia are connected to the system. Thanks to projects like CodiPlay, our education system will experience a significant leap in development,” wrote the minister in a social media post.
Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have enjoyed an enduring partnership in education in more than 30 years of diplomatic relations.
As part of the BETT conference, Narxoz University in Kazakhstan and Queen’s University Belfast in the United Kingdom signed an agreement introducing a dual-degree program following the 2+2 model with the Russel Group league, a self-selected association of research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom.
The program is set to commence in the 2024-2025 academic year. It will include bachelor’s degrees in business administration in finance, management and economics.
Admissions criteria encompass GPA and IELTS scores, marking a significant step in fostering educational ties between the two nations.
In another notable achievement, Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University signed an agreement with the University of Westminster. This new partnership is meant to advance Kazakhstan’s science development, focusing on the commercialization of research projects in biomedicine, applied biotechnology, artificial intelligence in medicine, and genetic engineering.
“The partners have everything necessary for a progressive leap in these directions. For example, the university operates a student clinic with all the corresponding infrastructure: patient rooms, registration desks, and medical offices. I believe that our active interaction will be an innovative breakthrough for both sides,” said Amanzholov University Rector Mukhtar Tolegen.
The agreement will also facilitate master’s students in pursuing a dual-degree program. The students will study for one academic year at the Kazakh university and the second year at the University of Westminster.
On his visit, Sayasat Nurbek met with Maia Chankseliani, an associate professor of comparative and international education at the University of Oxford.
“During the negotiations, we discussed three important directions: the scientific internship program, consulting on academic centers of excellence, and consultations in the field of higher education policy,” wrote Nurbek in a social media post.
Nurbek was not alone on this trip. Не headed the delegation that included senior education officials.
A major highlight of the visit was the official presentation of the first Kazakh-English and English-Kazakh Oxford Dictionary at Oxford University. The inaugural edition of the Oxford Qazaq Dictionary encompasses over 60,000 words and spans 1,300 pages, with a print run of 10,000 copies.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakh-higher-education-ministers-visit-to-london-concludes-with-major-agreements/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:11Z
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ASTANA – Kazakhtelecom has developed a plan for the construction of over 7,000 base stations in response to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instructions to accelerate the rollout of the 5G network by the end of 2025, Kazakhtelecom Chair Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev said at a Jan. 25 meeting with the President during his visit to Almaty, reported the Akorda press service.
Kazakhtelecom, the largest provider of digital services in Kazakhstan, was the first and so far the sole entity in the Commonwealth of Independent States to introduce 5G technology into commercial operation, Yessekeyev noted.
The Kazakhtelecom Chair also informed about the progress of constructing the Trans-Caspian fiber-optic communication line along the Caspian Sea bed between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
This project will increase international traffic transit through Kazakhstan, turning the country into the most important regional telecommunications hub.
Tokayev emphasized the importance of digitalization in economic and social spheres because the opportunities provided by new telecommunication technologies now largely determine the country’s competitive edge in the international arena.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakhstan-plans-to-build-over-7000-5g-base-stations-by-2025/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:18Z
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ASTANA – Kazakhstan is ready to increase exports to Tajikistan by approximately $190 million, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu said at a Jan. 25 meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Mukhriddin during his official visit to Dushanbe, reported the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service.
This initiative includes commitments to supply railway locomotives and cars, rail and beam products, flour, and creating conditions for cooperative ties.
Kazakhstan is one of Tajikistan’s top three trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding $1 billion in recent years. Nurtleu highlighted the progress achieved in cooperation in trade, energy, mining, uranium industries, agriculture, and transport and logistics.
As was reported during the talks, digital technologies are becoming a new driver of interaction, with Kazakhstan transferring IT products of the eGov platform to Tajikistan worth $2.8 million in December.
The ministers agreed to promote collaboration in this area further, planning to train 100 Tajik specialists in advanced Kazakh IT schools.
They discussed regional cooperation, joint efforts to enhance peace and stability in Central Asia, and participation in the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
The cultural and humanitarian sphere has become an important part of the bilateral agenda, with proposals exchanged to expand cooperation in education, science, culture, medicine, and sports.
The parties outlined plans to hold the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in Tajikistan this year.
The Kazakh side also reported that the Kazakhstan Agency for International Development will soon organize educational courses for young diplomats from Central Asian countries and internships for medical workers.
Nurtleu took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Ismoil Somoni, a 10th-century Samanid ruler, and visited the National Museum of Tajikistan.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakhstan-set-to-boost-exports-to-tajikistan-by-nearly-190-million/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:24Z
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ASTANA – This year, Kazakhstan plans to implement 180 new projects valued at 1.5 trillion tenge ($3.3 billion), generating over 18,000 jobs, as was announced at a Jan. 26 meeting of the Council of Domestic Entrepreneurs, chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, reported the Prime Minister’s press service.
These projects include a ferroalloy plant and a forging and banding complex in the Pavlodar Region, the production of truck components using iron casting in the Kostanai Region, factories for household appliance production in the Almaty Region, and components for wind power plants in the Karagandy Region.
The meeting focused on developing import substitution and enhancing Kazakhstan’s export potential in goods and services. Smailov acknowledged the growth in manufacturing exports in recent years, emphasizing the country’s sufficient potential to organize local production of a significant part of imported goods.
Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapayev reported that the foreign trade turnover of the manufacturing industry increased by 12% to $74.2 billion in 11 months of last year. Meanwhile, Kazakh manufacturers concluded 179 long-term agreements and off-take contracts with large customers worth 66 billion tenge ($146.5 million).
To stimulate import substitution, a mechanism has been launched to supply raw materials to domestic processors at affordable prices, with 25 agreements in place for aluminum, copper, and lead. This mechanism aims to deepen processing and diversify the range of goods produced within the country.
The government also supports investment projects in the manufacturing sector, with 170 projects worth 930 billion tenge ($2 billion) launched at the end of last year, creating over 12,000 permanent jobs. As such, the production of paints, varnishes, fittings, workwear, medical furniture, thermal insulation materials, and elevators was established.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of an integrated approach to the development of import substitution, citing the government’s adoption of a program for developing intra-country value and export-oriented production.
“Projects must be provided with accessible financing, including through extra-budgetary sources and the expansion of guarantee mechanisms, to increase the localization of production. This will empower enterprises to successfully compete with foreign suppliers,” he said.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakhstan-to-launch-180-manufacturing-industry-projects-worth-3-3-billion-in-2024/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:31Z
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ASTANA – The Kazakh Prosecutor General’s Office signed a Cooperation Program with the Ministry of Justice of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Jan. 25 to reinforce international collaboration in crime combating, reported the office’s press service.
Kazakh Prosecutor General Berik Asylov signed the document at a meeting with UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi and Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi during his working visit to UAE.
Asylov highlighted the significance of jointly resolving issues of combating crime and confronting modern challenges and threats, regularly exchanging the best work experience due to similar challenges and threats both countries face.
He touched upon some aspects of bilateral cooperation in criminal matters, particularly in the extradition of wanted persons and providing legal assistance in criminal cases.
The parties also discussed the UAE’s experience using artificial intelligence to search for and return illegally withdrawn assets.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/kazakhstan-uae-foster-cooperation-in-crime-prevention/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:38Z
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ASTANA – The Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC) published a report on leveraging rare earth elements (REEs) in Central Asia to diversify global supply chains and regulate China’s rare earth dominance. As part of the Jan. 23 expert discussion, the Washington-based think tank reviewed the region’s potential and Kazakhstan’s position in mining and extractive industries.
Moderated by Andrew D’Anieri, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, the panel session addressed a global demand for REEs amid a worldwide energy revolution. Climate change and great power competition have made countries more aware of their energy in vulnerability.
“Rare earths can be the engine of economic growth in Central Asia,” said Ariel Cohen, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the managing director of the ITIC’s Energy, Growth and Security (EGS) Program.
“The energy sector is important because rare earths are the key elements of the transition toward renewables, the next generation of high tech, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, or space travel,” said Cohen.
Along with his two co-authors of the report – ITIC EGS International Program Manager Wesley Hill and Alejandro Sanchez, the head of the Second Floor Strategies consulting firm, the experts shared their key findings.
Kazakhstan’s capacity-building in REEs
The research highlighted Kazakhstan’s strong mining history – the country possesses the largest REE reserves in the region, the largest chromium and the second-largest uranium reserves worldwide. Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom national atomic company remains the world’s largest uranium producer.
“While countries like Kazakhstan have dramatically improved their mining equipment and infrastructure since independence, other Central Asian countries have lagged behind,” reads the document. At the same time, it states that Kazakhstan’s economy is overly dependent on the extraction of oil, coal, and uranium, indicating the need to facilitate investments in REEs within the country’s course of economic diversification.
The experts underscored the effectiveness of Astana’s multivector foreign policy, which allowed the country to “secure partnerships with global powers, boost its presence in multinational organizations and institutions, and expand its worldwide recognition.”
Out of 30 critical elements, identified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 19 are now being produced in Kazakhstan, including natural graphite, phosphorite, tungsten, potassium salts, boron ores, helium, strontium, lithium, gallium, arsenic, germanium, feldspar, and bauxites. This was announced by the Chairman of the National Geological Service in Kazakhstan Yerlan Galiyev.
Since 2022, Kazakhstan has been carrying out prospecting works on 12 objects located in the Kazakh cities of Arkalyk, Temirtau, Khromtau, Zhezkazgan, Karatau, Balkhash and Ridder.
“Scientific research is also being conducted in Kazakhstan, particularly on the geodynamic and metallogenic analysis of southern Kazakhstan, which may have the biggest potential in rare earths,” said Galiyev.
Leveraging rare earths in Central Asia
The Atlantic Council and ITIC’s research also stresses the importance of critical minerals for Central Asia, which are not classified as rare earths. Both critical minerals and REEs are essential for developing cleaner energies. As the world races to slow down climate change, the demand will only grow.
The five Central Asian countries, according to Cohen, represent special importance geographically and logistically.
“Central Asia is the area where we are now seeking to develop transportation infrastructure. Russia and China are competing, but they are also competitors between themselves. This is the region where the West is increasing its involvement,” said Cohen.
As a case in point, he recalled the first-ever meeting of U.S. President Joe Biden with the Central Asian leaders in September last year in New York. During the summit, Biden proposed a C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue to harness the region’s abundant mineral resources and announced the establishment of a new business platform under the C5+1 framework.
There are two countries with the “most forward-looking progressive policies towards rare earths in Central Asia – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” according to Sanchez.
“Kazakhstan already produces rare earth elements, eagerly looking for new partners to invest in rare earths mining and processing. For example, just last year the country signed 23 cooperation agreements at the Kazakh-German business forum, including the agreement to extract and process complex rare earths in eastern Kazakhstan. Uzbekistan, for example, has created the center for the study of rare earth metals,” said the international security analyst.
In 2019, supported by the South Korean research institutes, Uzbekistan’s Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (AMMC) created the only scientific and technological center in Central Asia to study rare earths. Based in Chirchiq, the former location of the refractory and heat-resistant metals plant, the center cooperates with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) and the Korean Institute of Rare Metals (KIRAM).
Geopolitics in energy transformation
Hill paid special attention to geopolitics and international relations. China, according to the expert, controls approximately 80-90% of the international refining capacity of REEs.
“In the same way that we compete for energy resources, petroleum, most especially crude oil, we will be competing for rare earth elements in the 21st century. There is already this geopolitical clash we see all over the world for rare earth elements. It is primarily dominated and driven by a geopolitical competition between the United States and China,” said Hill.
The researcher mentioned China’s strategies, set back in 1994-1995, when Beijing identified rare earth refining as a “key geopolitical course that could advance not only the country’s economic portfolio but increase its political influence.”
“It was explicitly set out that involvement in rare earth elements is going to be vital to feed China’s industry. To date, the production of rare earths is almost wholly monopolized by China. Central Asia is very much at a crossroads. The region can expand its rare earth elements production without being fully dependent on China,” said Hill.
“Following the publication of the report, Beijing cut off all exports of rare earth element refining technologies to the United States and is heavily restricting its refining exports abroad,” he added.
Suriya Evans-Pritchard Jayanti, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted that rare earths represent a “geostrategic realignment opportunity for the Central Asian governments.”
“The countries are looking primarily for investments. It is a development opportunity, which has become extremely important, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also, of course, because of the energy transition. Lithium and other rare earth elements are necessary for this transition. So that is primarily an economic incentive,” said Jayanti.
Kazakhstan continues to navigate Eurasia’s changing geopolitics, opening new horizons for the region. China, the world’s second-largest economy, shares a border of 1,783 kilometers with Kazakhstan and bringing bilateral relations with Beijing to a new qualitative level is also a priority for its Central Asian neighbor.
“Central Asian countries want a closer relationship with the United States, which would be an important part of maintaining their hard-won independence. The increased U.S. engagement in Central Asia has one more reason – rare earths. I don’t think that Central Asian states are looking for a fight with either China or Russia. They are looking for a closer relationship with the United States,” said John Herbst, a senior director at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.
A week ago, in an interview with The Astana Times, Galiyev spoke about ample opportunities for the 15 rare earth deposits spread across three regions of Kazakhstan: Turkistan, Kostanai, and Mangystau.
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https://astanatimes.com/2024/01/us-experts-research-central-asias-potential-in-rare-earths-call-for-global-supply-chain-diversification/
| 2024-01-26T17:47:44Z
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A new material that could dramatically reduce the amount of lithium used in batteries has been identified by artificial intelligence (AI). Discoveries like this would have taken years in times gone by, but sky-rocketing computer power now means they can be found in days.
The new material was recently sniffed out during a joint venture by Microsoft and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which employed the help of advanced AI and high-performance computing (HPC), a type of cloud-based computing that uses large numbers of computers to solve complex scientific and mathematical tasks.
The system analyzed over 32 million potential inorganic materials and, within just 80 hours, it managed to weedle this down to 18 promising candidates that could be used in battery development. Humans then tested these candidates and discovered one electrolyte that looked particularly promising.
Lithium-ion batteries are set to become an invaluable tool in the transition towards sustainable energy. Given their growing importance, demand for lithium is expected to rise five to 10 times by the end of this decade, according to the US Department of Energy.
However, there are many hurdles to overcome. Natural deposits of lithium are relatively scarce, while mining can be costly, damaging to the environment and local communities, and prone to rile up geopolitical conflict. This is why scientists, as well as the powers that be, are so keen to find materials that could be used as a substitute.
The material is a solid-state electrolyte. It was thought that sodium ions and lithium ions couldn’t be used together in a single solid-state electrolyte system due to their chemical qualities, but the AI system indicated that such a material was possible. When the researchers tested the idea, it turned out to be true.
Since the electrolyte uses both lithium and sodium, as well as some other elements, it reduces the amount of required lithium by as much as 70 percent.
The researchers at Microsoft and PNNL have since synthesized the material and used it to make functional prototype batteries. They’re currently in the lengthy process of testing these batteries to see how they hold up in the real world.
Tasks like this, which essentially involve sifting through colossal amounts of data, are perfect for AI. A similar way in which this technology is being able is discovering new pharmacological compounds and drugs. In 2020, researchers from MIT used a specially designed computer algorithm to sift through a vast digital archive of over 100 million chemical compounds and managed to identify a powerful antibiotic that’s even able to kill superbugs.
“We’re sitting on the precipice of this maturation of the artificial intelligence models, the computational power needed to train and make them useful, and the ability to train them on specific scientific domains with specific intelligence,” Brian Abrahamson, the chief digital officer at PNNL, said in a statement. “That, we believe, is going to usher in a new era of acceleration. That is exciting because these problems matter to the world.”
The paper, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, was recently posted on the preprint site arXiv.
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https://www.iflscience.com/ai-discovers-new-material-that-could-slash-lithium-use-in-batteries-72652
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Plastic shells have become a fashion trend for hermit crabs across the world. In a new study, scientists have looked into how often hermit crabs are using plastic and other human-made materials as their shells, concluding that it is likely to be a global problem across many different species.
Researchers at the University of Warsaw in Poland analyzed nearly 29,000 images of hermit crabs that had been uploaded to online platforms such as iNaturalist by wildlife enthusiasts.
They identified 386 crabs that had co-opted artificial shells as their homes. The most common human-made material was plastic caps, like the ones you find on soda bottles, which accounted for up to 85 percent of the artificial shells.
All in all, they estimated that the problem impacts at least 10 of 16 terrestrial hermit crab species found across the tropical regions of the planet.
"When I first saw these pictures, I felt it was heart-breaking," Professor Marta Szulkin, study author from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Warsaw, told BBC Radio 4.
“At the same time, I think we really need to understand the fact that we are living in a different era and animals are making use of what is available to them," she added.
Hermit crabs have a soft abdomen with an exoskeleton that needs protection. To save on the energy-intensive process of growing their own shell, they’ll simply hijack the disused shells left behind by dead crustaceans. However, with the world’s oceans becoming increasingly polluted with plastic, it appears many hermit crabs are increasingly tempted to use trash as their shelter.
The new study looked into why hermit crabs are ditching their typical natural shells in favor of artificial alternatives and concluded that it likely hinges on a few different things.
Sexual selection is a likely factor because females may be attracted to the novelty of the plastic shell. Plastics are also generally lighter than chitin shells, which makes it a more practical choice. Additionally, hermit crabs may be choosing plastic shells as it helps them camouflage in polluted environments.
It’s not clear if the plastic shells are impacting the well-being of the hermit crabs or whether it’s a benign consequence of living in the Anthropocene. In a follow-up study, the team hopes to uncover whether this new behavior is affecting the evolution of hermit crabs.
“These analyses will deepen our understanding of the consequences of plastic pollution in marine ecosystems, as well as the evolution of species in the context of new evolutionary pressures associated with the Anthropocene,” the researcher said in a statement.
Hermit crabs aren’t alone in their plastic plight. In recent times, scientists have documented a myriad of ways that the natural world is being changed by the ever-growing presence of plastic, from turtle bellies filled with artificial netting to ants becoming entangled in synthetic fibers.
In one particularly jarring example, geologists have recently discovered "plastic rocks" on a remote volcanic island off the Brazilian coast.
The new study is published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.
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https://www.iflscience.com/hermit-crabs-around-the-world-turn-to-plastic-trash-to-use-as-shells-72648
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A species of fungus that has decimated bat populations around the world has been detected in the intestines of the famous mummy known as Ötzi. Discovered in 1991 in the mountains bordering Italy and Austria, the so-called Iceman is believed to have lived around 5,200 years ago and is the oldest natural mummy ever found in Europe.
Previous research has indicated that by the time he died at the age of about 45, Ötzi’s stomach was riddled with parasites and bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori. These microbes have been associated with stomach ulcers and can even cause stomach cancer, all of which suggesting that the Iceman probably suffered from some pretty severe belly pain.
Add a bunch of clogged arteries to the picture and life starts to look rather grim for the old boy. Depending on how you look at it, then, his murder by an unknown archer either adds to the misery or provides an end to a rather uncomfortable existence.
Peering deeper into Ötzi’s intestinal misfortunes, the authors of an as-yet un-peer-reviewed study have examined the fungal DNA present in the mummy’s gut. Among the most prevalent species detected in his stomach and small intestine was a pathogenic fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans.
A psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus, the species is best known for causing the deadly white-nose syndrome (WNS) that has wiped out huge numbers of bats. According to the researchers, “Ötzi may have consumed these fungi accidentally, likely in association with other elements of his diet, and they thrived in his gut after his death due to their adaptability to harsh and cold environments.”
Indeed, the authors go on to explain that the species is capable of growing at temperatures of up to -20°C (-4°F), and that it could therefore have continued to proliferate in Ötzi’s innards as he lay frozen in a glacier for thousands of years. Exactly how the fungus might have affected his health is unknown, although the researchers say that the “opportunistic pathogen” can cause “infections in the skin and respiratory tract.”
According to the United States Geological Survey, there are no known cases of human illness caused by WNS, despite the fact that thousands of people have come into contact with infected bats. The risk that P. destructans would have posed to Ötzi is therefore unclear, although it’s worth noting that biologists wear protective clothing when entering bat caves known to harbor the fungus - just in case.
Unable to draw any firm conclusion regarding the significance of their findings, the study authors ultimately state that “the presence of Pseudogymnoascus in the gut of the Iceman presents a complex puzzle.” If nothing else, though, this discovery does at least contribute to our understanding of Ötzi’s surprisingly cosmopolitan intestines.
The study is currently available as a preprint on BioRxiv.
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https://www.iflscience.com/pathogenic-fungus-that-kills-bats-found-in-otzi-the-icemans-gut-72650
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Rumor: Switch 2 Launches This Year With 8-Inch LCD Screen - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 1 hour ago / 549 ViewsThe successor to the Nintendo Switch is reportedly launching later this year and it will have an 8-inch LCD screen, according to Japan-based Omida analyst Hiroshi Hayase reported by Bloomberg.
The analyst, who focuses on small and medium displays, says the Nintendo Switch 2 is the reason for amusement displays to double its shipment figures for the year.
If the Switch 2 does have an 8-inch LCD screen it would be bigger than the screens that come with the different Switch models. The Switch OLED has a 7-inch OLED screen, the original Switch has a 6.2-inch LCD screen, and the Switch Lite has a 5.5 inch screen.
Kantan Games CEO Dr. Serkan Toto previously predicted Nintendo would release the successor to the Nintendo Switch for $400 later this year with a chance the price of games will increase to $70.
"The time is finally here for a Switch successor, even though I can say a 'Pro' model actually did exist and certain developers were already working with the dev kit," said Toto. "I believe the next hardware will drop [in 2024] for $400. There is a high chance that games will cost more, too: $70."
He says the Switch 2 is likely going to be more of an iteration of the Switch rather than a revolution. He says that while Nintendo might add "bells and whistles" to the next-generation console, it will keep the portable functionality.
"The next system is also likely to be an iteration rather than a revolution. Nintendo might add some bells and whistles to the device, but it will be similar to the current Switch. And because there is Pokémon, and Pokémon is associated with handheld gaming, there is no way on earth Nintendo will drop the portability feature for their next big thing."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Please have backwards compatibility
I think that's more of an analysis/prediction than a rumor, but it sounds like a fair observation.
That increases the chance it's actually a 1080p display (instead of 720p).
I think that would be a waste of effort. 720p looks just fine on a screen like that (if the game internal resolution matches that 720p that is). Besides, whathever hardware is inside the Switch 2, I doubt it will be powerful enough for developers push for 1080p on portable mode (at least on the most demanding titles). Also also, the battery would drain way faster.
We must consider that they don't have to use a 1080p resolution. It can easily have something like 900p or less as a sweet middle point between 720p and 1080p to compensate for the new screen size.
Imho, 8" screen Works "ok" at 720p.
I DEMAND a good button layout, which no one else is doing. People are not even asking for analog triggers on the Switch 2…..so as usual, one of the worst thing about gaming is gamers themselves who don’t even ask for good things for themselves.
What I demand is good for every gamer, but watch the insane downvotes from people don’t want good things.
Bigger screen is good, but cheaping out on the screen quality is typical Nintendo.
It definitely does feel like many are only discussing the specs and ignoring the various other foibles that Switch has. For starters, they badly need to make the joycons (and the joycon like area of the Switch 2 Lite) wider, so that the face buttons (ABXY) can be offset to the side somewhat, people who play on Xbox and PS have muscle memory for their right thumb traveling up and right to access the face buttons, not straight upwards like on Switch, makes it very awkward to transition between systems if you are a multiplatform gamer.
Then they need to replace those very unsmooth tiny sticks, on my switch lite at least the sticks feel like you are moving around the inside of a half polyhedron instead of the inside of half sphere, why are there noticeable edges and corners, and just so much all around resistance when moving the sticks around? I tried playing a shooter on my Switch Lite once and my aim was just utterly abysmal compared to when I play shooters on PS/Xbox controllers. They need to make the sticks a bit bigger and make them much smoother.
Analog triggers would be great to see for sure, on that I agree, they really do help some game genres such as racing since they allow you to do only partial throttle, much like the actual gas pedal/acceleration pedal of a real car. In some shooters they can allow you to fire a full auto weapon in single fire mode by only doing a partial trigger pull instead of full trigger pull.
If it's $400 as rumored, then it leaves space for a 6.5inch model for less money down the line.
Honestly I hope they don't make the system bigger. Switch OLED (7 inch screen) is plenty.
I feel the Switch Oled is a pretty great balance between console size and screen size. I'm not sure I want a bigger screen and bigger console. 7" is fine.
Switch 2 is reminding me a lot of ds
I'll probably get Switch 2 three months to a year into its release. It's not too soon, I'm ready for it to drop Q4 2024.
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Berserk Boy Releases March 6 for Switch and PC - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 2 hours ago / 222 ViewsDeveloper BerserkBoy Games announced announced Berserk Boy will launch for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on March 6.
Release dates for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One versions have yet to be announced.
View the official release date trailer below:
Read details on the game below:
Berserk Boy is a high-speed action packed platformer, packed with vibrant and stylish pixel art.
In the distant future, a mad scientist and his army of darkness seek to enslave the people of Earth. Hope for all humanity rests with The Resistance, but are they enough? Enter Kei, a rookie hero who is transformed by mysterious Orb energy into Berserk Boy!
With high-speed action and the power to defeat evil, Berserk Boy must face off against the diabolical Dr. Genos and his army of Dark Energy minions. Can he save the world before it’s too late? It’s time to GO BERSERK!
Unleash Your Ultimate Form
Use the power of the Berserk Orbs to change forms and use Lightning, Fire, Earth, Air, and Ice abilities, becoming a force to be reckoned with!
Go Berserk!
Become a master of speed and skill as you chain together combos to fill your Berserk Meter and unleash devastating special attacks! Upgrade your abilities and become an unstoppable force!
Beeps and Bops
With a soundtrack from Sonic Mania composer Tee Lopes, lead composer of Sonic Mania and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, enjoy original high-energy beats as you Go Berserk in this brand new future classic!
Retro Goes Modern
Berserk Boy brings retro gaming into the modern age with slick and stylish platforming action. Inspired by the genre greats, you’ll be able to play for big scores and fast times in this modern adventure with a retro feel.
Everyone is Here
Developed by the aptly-named solo developer BerserkBoy Games, together with the publishing expertise of SMG Studio—best known for hit indie releases Moving Out, Death Squared. For fans of Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, and a whole host of platforming classics, your new favorite game awaits!
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459749/berserk-boy-releases-march-6-for-switch-and-pc/
| 2024-01-26T18:17:29Z
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Kemono Heroes Headed to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC in Q3 2024 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 2 hours ago / 221 ViewsPublisher JanduSoft and developer Mad Gear Games announced Kemono Heroes will launch for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam in Q3 2024.
The game first released for the Nintendo Switch in February 2020.
View a new trailer of the game below:
Read details on the game below:
Kemono Heroes combines elements of run and gun, fast arcade action with dashes and slashes, with cool and fluffy characters. It can be experienced alone, choosing between three difficulties to enjoy a real challenge. Up to four friends can also join forces in cooperative mode, fighting and helping each other to overcome any obstacles in their way.
After A Hole New World, an 8-bit like game, we thought we should make a 16-bit-like game now. An arcade cooperative one, for four players, with ninjas on it! Thus Kemono Heroes was born!
Features:
- Run-and-slash-and-gun.
- Local cooperative play for up to four players.
- Amazing 16 bit graphics.
- Four main characters, each of them with special skills.
- Four worlds with three stages each.
- Unlockable weapons and powers.
- Lots of fun and action!
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459750/kemono-heroes-headed-to-ps5-xbox-series-xs-ps4-xbox-one-and-pc-in-q3-2024/
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On-Rail Shooter Candy Rangers Announced for All Major Platforms - News
by William D'Angelo , posted 1 hour ago / 220 ViewsPublisher JanduSoft and developer Mechano have announced on-rails shooter, Candy Rangers, for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. It will launch in Q4 2024.
View a trailer of the game below:
Read details on the game below:
Race against time in this brand new on-rails shooter where you control four characters at once!
Meet Candy, Mint, Lemon, and Plum, quadruplets that live together and work as rangers to fight creatures that come in to ruin the natural environments of the city.
In this game, enemies will come in waves in different formations and arrangements, luckily for you, each character’s has its own special gun with its own shooting pattern to help you take them out as efficiently as possible!
- Candy can shoot bullets sideways.
- Mint can shoot them vertically.
- Plum shoots them back and forth.
- Lemon’s bullets can clear diagonal patterns.
Make good use of each one of them to clear levels as efficiently as possible!
Features:
- Four playable worlds and two extra.
- Four playable characters.
- Over five languages supported.
- Single-player.
- Multiple items to collect that will let you unlock new paths.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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https://www.vgchartz.com/article/459751/on-rail-shooter-candy-rangers-announced-for-all-major-platforms/
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WASHINGTON - The United States risks some exposure to China's economic slowdown and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea, but they appear contained, President Joe Biden's top economic adviser said on Friday, adding that the U.S. economy is "upbeat."
White House National Economic Council director Lael Brainard told reporters that she is tracking potential economic fallout from the attacks on ships in the Red Sea by the Iran-backed Houthis but that they appear "a little bit less salient for American supply chains than for other parts of the world."
"Similarly, we've seen a less robust recovery in China but, there too, while that is an important factor for many countries in the region, in China's neighborhood and some other economies that are very connected... the U.S. economy is much more diversified than that."
Last year, China's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 5.2%, meeting the government's target of around 5% growth. But the country continues to contend with a prolonged property slump, weak private sector and soft domestic consumption, while U.S. officials have often doubted the country's economic statistics.
Brainard's comments come as Biden has struggled to shake low public approval ratings ahead of his November re-election bid as voters worry about high costs despite increasingly rosy economic data, including the U.S. economy continuing to defy recession fears.
Brainard told reporters inflation was getting anchored at 2% and that recent consumer confidence and spending data showed Americans have faith in their personal finances while consumer goods are already seeing a slowdown in price increases.
She said key issues remain, including housing affordability and healthcare costs, which Biden is focused on addressing.
On Japan's Nippon Steel's planned acquisition of U.S. Steel, Brainard said Biden continues to think "steel is made in the U.S. by American steelworkers and that ... national security considerations are core."
The world's fourth-largest steelmaker's planned $14.9 billion deal has drawn criticism from Democratic and Republican lawmakers and the powerful United Steelworkers (USW) union, the main union at the third-largest U.S. steel company. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/red-sea-china-risks-to-us-economy-seem-contained-white-house-says
| 2024-01-26T18:35:35Z
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LIVERPOOL, England - The decision to leave Liverpool after a highly successful but demanding eight and a half years brought manager Juergen Klopp relief, he said, and that in itself confirmed it was the right thing to do.
The 56-year-old German sent shock waves through global football with his announcement on Friday that he would leave at season's end, and in a lengthy press conference reiterated that his energy for the job was waning.
"Relief was there when I made a decision for myself, to be honest, that was another thing I realised, I didn't know that that would be the case," Klopp said. "Today (feelings are) mixed. But I'm not as emotional as I will be when it comes to an end finally."
He led Liverpool to the League Cup final on Wednesday and has put the Premier League leaders in contention to win four trophies this season.
But excellence demands near-limitless energy, even for the best managers, and Klopp is statistically the most successful the club has ever had in terms of win percentage.
"With all the responsibility you have in this job, you have to be top of your game," Klopp said. "I am, but I've been doing this 24 years now.
"I realised my resources are not endless and I prefer to pack everything into this season and then have a break or stop or whatever. We're not young rabbits any more and we don't jump as high as we did."
Klopp, whose high-octane goal celebrations are beloved by fans, has a candour that is appreciated by the media. He answered reporters' questions for close to 40 minutes on Friday, prompting laughter with his off-the-cuff replies.
"I've had six press conferences a week since it feels like nine years pretty much. I have no problem with you -- but I can't wait until I don't have to do that any more," he said.
"There are so many things in this job and you have to be the best version of yourself," he added. "And especially for a club like Liverpool, because it's so important for so many people. I cannot do it on three wheels. It is not allowed. And I never wanted to be a passenger in all that."
FONDEST MEMORIES
Klopp 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. But asked for his fondest memories on the touch line he said the best were yet to come and that he had no regrets.
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson announced in 2001 he planned to retire, but had a change of heart six months later. A reporter made that point to Klopp, but was just a few words into his question when the German interrupted.
"No, no, nothing (could change his mind)," he added. "If we won everything this season it wouldn't change my mind. And if we don't win anything, it wouldn't change my mind."
Liverpool's CEO Billy Hogan said he was surprised and saddened by Klopp's decision, but understood it.
"It's hard to put into words how significant it is," Hogan said. "When Juergen joined in 2015 he spoke about leaving the club in a better place to how he found it. If you look at where we are today there is no doubt he's done that."
Hogan would not give a timeline for finding a replacement, saying however long a thorough search takes.
Klopp said the fact Liverpool's foundation is solid means he will step away without reservations about the team's future and he won't be offering his two cents on the way out.
"So many people work here with only one idea: to find a perfect solution for Liverpool FC. Pretty sure that will happen," he said. "And the last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out telling them, 'By the way, make sure you bring him in,' or whatever. I will definitely not do that."
Saying he was keen to lead a normal life, Klopp was asked what that might entail.
"I don't know what a normal life is, so I have to figure it out," he said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/i-love-it-but-i-cant-do-this-job-on-three-wheels-says-klopp
| 2024-01-26T18:35:46Z
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Inter Milan are still favourites to win Serie A, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said on Friday with the two sides set to face each other in a top-of-the-table clash next week.
Serie A leaders Juve play second-bottom Empoli at home on Saturday, before their attention will turn to their game against second-placed Inter on Feb. 4.
Allegri's side went top after triumphing over Lecce on Sunday, with Inter involved in the Italian Supercup and not in Serie A action.
Juve have 52 points from 21 games and are one point ahead of Inter, who have played one game fewer.
"Inter are a strong team; they are the favourites, and they’ve earned many points, so we must be proud to be close to them," Allegri told reporters.
"This doesn’t mean we must be satisfied with what we’ve done until now. Inter are doing extraordinary things.
"They’ve just won the Italian Supercup and played a Champions League final last season. It’s so nice for us to face them because we are following different trajectories."
He also warned that third-placed AC Milan are not out of the race, despite being seven points behind Juve.
"Don’t forget about Milan. At the moment, they have earned more points than last season and their bad moment is behind them," he said.
Allegri said his team are taking each match one at a time and not getting carried away despite being top.
"It’s useless to think about what will happen in three months; football is so bad that one day you are good, but the day after, you are not good enough," Allegri said.
"We need to give our best and believe in what we do. Self-esteem is vital and if there will be better teams at the end of the season, we’ll congratulate them."
Against Empoli, Juve will be without winger Federico Chiesa who has struggled with injuries all season.
"We hope he'll be available against Inter in the best possible condition," Allegri said. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/inter-are-scudetto-favourites-says-juves-allegri
| 2024-01-26T18:35:56Z
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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plans to take a break from football for a year once his time in charge at Anfield finishes at the end of the season.
Klopp said he lacked the energy to go on as he made a shock announcement on Jan 26 that he will step down in May.
The 56-year-old German has previously been linked with taking over his country’s national team.
But Klopp, who has won the Champions League and Premier League among seven trophies since taking over at Liverpool in 2015, said his immediate plan was for a break and that he would never manage another English club.
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now but no club, no country for the next year. No other English club ever, I can promise that,” said Klopp, at a press conference.
A journeyman defender who spent the vast majority of his playing career at Mainz, Klopp has become one of Europe’s leading coaches for the past two decades.
He enjoyed success in seven-year spells in charge of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles, before joining a crisis-hit Liverpool in 2015.
Over the past nine years, he has transformed the club’s fortunes on and off the field with the money from repeated success in the Champions League enabling Liverpool to redevelop two stands at Anfield and build a new training ground.
“With all the responsibility you have in this job you have to be absolutely on the top of your game and I am doing this for 24 years now,” added Klopp.
“When you had the career I have it’s pretty much impossible to start where I start and arrive in Liverpool. But if it becomes possible it is because you invest everything you have and that is what I did.
“I realised my resources are not endless and I preferred to pack absolutely everything into this season then have a break or have to stop. We are not young rabbits anymore and we don’t jump as high as we did.”
Klopp has the chance to go out on a high with Liverpool five points clear at the top of the Premier League and in the running for three other trophies.
Thanks to a series of summer signings, the Reds have bounced back to form this season after a turbulent 2022/23 campaign and Klopp said he was leaving with a squad in place that would succeed even without him.
“This team is set up for the future... when I said Liverpool 2.0 that didn’t include me obviously for the next 10 years, but the team is there, the basis is there.
“Whoever comes in, you cannot ever guarantee to win trophies, but has a really good chance to play really good football.” AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/klopp-to-take-sabbatical-rules-out-ever-managing-another-english-club
| 2024-01-26T18:36:07Z
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BOGOTA - Colombia's human rights ombudsman on Friday urged local authorities of high-risk areas where fires have not occurred to take preventative action, as 34 blazes continued to burn throughout the Andean country.
Earlier this week, the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro said it will declare a natural disaster to free up resources for tackling fires ravaging Colombia as a dry season has been exacerbated by a strong El Nino, a weather phenomenon that typically causes hotter and dryer conditions.
Colombia and another eight countries in South America have seen their Amazon regions hit by a drought, which scientists say is driven by climate change.
The office of the human rights ombudsman called on the government to prioritize strengthening Colombia's disaster agencies.
"We urge the government to strengthen the logistical and operational capacities of official fire departments, as well as to carry out careful monitoring of all territorial entities in their functions related to the availability and operation of resources essential for risk management," ombudsman Carlos Camargo said in a statement.
According to the ombudsman's office, half of Colombia's 32 provinces do not have an official fire department.
So far this year, some 319 forest fires have swept across Colombia, which managed to put out 273 of them, equivalent to around 10 per day, according to a document seen by Reuters.
The fires have destroyed dozens of hectares of forest and moorland, with serious consequences for animals and plants, according to environmental authorities.
While 11 fires are classed as under control, 34 continue to burn, the document said. Active fires were reported in national park Tuparro in Colombia's Vichada province, and in the mountains bordering the east of capital Bogota, among other places.
Smoke drifted down into the capital from the burning mountains on Friday as helicopters carrying water flew overhead on missions to fight the fires.
Earlier this week, the Environment Ministry warned that close to 1,000 municipalities throughout the country were on alert due to the risk of fires, more than half of them on red alert. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/colombia-human-rights-ombudsman-urges-action-to-prevent-fires
| 2024-01-26T18:36:17Z
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FRANKFURT, Germany - Germany has uncovered a major “pro-Russian disinformation campaign” using thousands of fake accounts on X - formerly Twitter - to try and stir anger at Berlin’s support for Ukraine, a media report said on Jan 26.
The revelations come amid growing concern about the impact increasingly sophisticated disinformation campaigns could have on elections.
Experts commissioned by the German foreign ministry used specialised software to monitor posts on the online platform X, formerly known as Twitter, between Dec 20 and Jan 20, news weekly Der Spiegel wrote.
They reportedly stumbled across more than 50,000 fake user accounts that together pumped out more than a million German-language tweets.
A common theme was the accusation that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government was neglecting the country’s own population in favour of helping Ukraine in its war against Russia, according to Spiegel, which said it has seen excerpts of the analysis.
The accounts also often linked to fake news stories on websites designed to resemble those of genuine media outlets, Spiegel said, leading analysts to connect it to the Russia-linked “Doppelganger” campaign already known to authorities.
The discoveries come at a time of increasing worries about the effect that sophisticated disinformation campaigns could have on elections.
Three regional elections are taking place this year in eastern Germany, where the far-right AfD party is riding high in the polls.
In June, some 400 million people across the European Union will be eligible to vote in the European Parliament election.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned this week that 2024 will be a “critical year” for fighting disinformation from actors such as Russia.
Elections will become “the prime target for malign foreign actors”, he warned.
The World Economic Forum has ranked disinformation as its number-one threat over the next two years. AFP
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/germany-uncovers-russian-disinformation-campaign-on-x-report
| 2024-01-26T18:36:27Z
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WASHINGTON - The next showdown in the Republican nominating fight between Donald Trump and Nikki Haley takes place in Nevada in early February.
But because of legal disputes and political maneuverings, there are actually two contests, with Trump on the ballot in one, and Haley, his last remaining rival for the Republican presidential nomination, on another.
Trump, the former Republican president, has almost clinched the nomination after victories in nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. Haley, a former U.N. ambassador who has no clear path to the nomination, has vowed to stay in the race and is aiming to make a potential last stand in her home state of South Carolina on Feb. 24.
Here are some key facts about why the Nevada race is such an anomaly this year:
WHY TWO CONTESTS?
The first contest is a state-run primary on Feb. 6. Haley is on that ballot. The second vote is a caucus on Feb. 8, organized by the Trump-friendly Nevada Republican Party, with just Trump on that ballot.
Even if Haley wins the primary on Feb. 6, it will be an empty victory, as only candidates competing in the party-run caucus on Feb. 8 can compete for the state's 26 delegates.
That means Trump is almost certainly assured to win all of Nevada's 26 delegates on Feb. 8.
There is a backstory as to why many of the Western state's voters find themselves receiving two ballots in the mail, with Trump on only one of them, and Haley on the other.
The competing ballots are the result of a conflict between the state Republican Party - run by Trump allies - and a 2021 state law that mandates a primary must be held.
Nevada has long held caucuses to chose presidential candidates, but after reporting issues and other problems with the 2020 caucuses, the state legislature passed a law switching its voting system to a more straightforward, traditional primary vote.
The law was also aimed at making Nevada a more attractive option as it sought to move higher up the nominating calendar pecking order. Initially, the move appeared to be a success: for 2024, by setting a primary date of Feb. 6, the state captured the coveted spot of being third in the nation to vote.
But presidential nominating contests are run by state political parties, not the state, and the Trump-friendly Nevada Republican Party decided to stick with a caucus on Feb. 8. Party leaders viewed a caucus as helping Trump, because of his superior ground game in the state.
They also ruled last year that any candidate participating in the primary on Feb. 6 would be barred from participating in the caucus, and thus could not compete for any of the state's 26 delegates.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE NEVADA?
On one level, Nevada got what it wanted: third in line in the nominating process. But on another, it's an empty prize: Haley is unlikely to campaign there, Trump has only one visit scheduled at present, and the national media are all but ignoring a contest the state Republican Party sewed up in Trump's favor months ago. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/explainer-the-2024-republican-nevada-caucus-and-primary-when-are-they-whats-at-stake
| 2024-01-26T18:36:38Z
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THE HAGUE - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel on Friday to take action to prevent acts of genocide as it wages war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip but stopped short of calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The top United Nations court for handling disputes between states was ruling in a case brought by South Africa.
Here are key takeaways from the decision.
WHAT DID THE COURT RULE?
The court ordered Israel to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts in Gaza.
"At least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa to have been committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the (Genocide) Convention," the judges said.
The ruling required Israel to prevent and punish any public incitements to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and to preserve evidence related to any allegations of genocide there.
Israel must also take measures to improve the humanitarian situation for Palestinian civilians in the enclave, it said.
However, the court did not demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, something that Israel says would allow Hamas militants to regroup and to launch new attacks on the country.
The court also said it was "gravely concerned" about the fate of hostages held in Gaza and called on Hamas and other armed groups to immediately release them without conditions.
DID ALL JUDGES SUPPORT THE RULING?
A majority of at least 15 out of 17 judges voted in favour of imposing the so-called provisional measures, including the court's president, Joan Donoghue of the United States.
Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda was the only one to vote against all six measures adopted by the court. Israel's ad hoc judge, Aharon Barak, voted against four measures.
"I have voted in favour in the hope that the measure will help decrease tensions and discourage damaging rhetoric," Barak wrote, detailing his vote in favour of an order that Israel punish incitement to genocide.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Israel is required to submit a report to the court on the steps it has taken to comply with the orders within one month of the ruling. The court will examine in detail the merits of the case, a process which could take years.
While the ICJ's decisions are final and without appeal, the court has no way to enforce them.
WHAT IS THE GENOCIDE CONVENTION?
The 1948 Genocide Convention, enacted in the wake of the mass murder of Jews in the Nazi Holocaust, defines genocide as "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group".
Acts of genocide include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group and deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of the group in whole or in part.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION TO THE ICJ RULING?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the charge of genocide leveled against Israel was "outrageous" and said it would do whatever is necessary to defend itself. Israel had an "unwavering commitment" to international law, he said.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant expressed dismay that the ICJ did not reject South Africa's petition outright, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared to mock the ruling with a Yiddish-style putdown on social media platform X: "Hague Shmague".
Palestinians broadly welcomed Friday's ruling.
"The ICJ judges assessed the facts and the law, they ruled in favour of humanity and international law," Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the ruling helped to isolate Israel on the world stage.
South Africa, a longtime supporter of the Palestinian cause, hailed the ICJ ruling and President Cyril Ramaphosa said he expected Israel to abide by its ruling that it take measures to prevent genocide against the people of Gaza. REUTERS
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https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/key-takeaways-from-the-world-court-decision-in-israeli-genocide-case
| 2024-01-26T18:36:48Z
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Here at Zacks, we offer our members many different opportunities to take full advantage of the stock market, as well as how to invest in ways that lead to long-term success.
The Zacks Premium service makes this easier. It features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank; full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List; Equity Research reports; and Premium stock screens like the Earnings ESP filter. All of these can help you quickly identify what stocks to buy, what to sell, and what are today's hottest industries.
Also included in Zacks Premium is the Focus List. This is a long-term portfolio of top stocks that have all the traits to beat the market.
Breaking Down the Zacks Focus List
Building an investment portfolio from scratch can be difficult, so if you could, wouldn't you take a peek at a curated list of top stocks?
That's what the Zacks Focus List, a portfolio of 50 stocks, offers investors. Not only does it serve as a starting point for long-term investors, but all stocks included in the list are poised to outperform the market over the next 12 months.
One thing that makes the Focus List even more advantageous is that each pick comes with a full Zacks Analyst Report. This helps explain why each stock was selected and why we believe it's a good pick for the long-term.
The portfolio's past performance only solidifies why investors should consider it as a starting point. For 2020, the Focus List gained 13.85% on an annualized basis compared to the S&P 500's return of 9.38%. Cumulatively, the portfolio has returned 2,519.23% while the S&P returned 854.95%. Returns are for the period of February 1, 1996 to March 31, 2021.
Focus List Methodology
When stocks are picked for the Focus List, it reflects our enduring reliance on the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Earnings estimates, or expectations of growth and profitability, come from brokerage analysts who track publicly traded companies; these analysts work together with company management to analyze every aspect that may affect future earnings, like interest rates, the economy, and sector and industry optimism.
Investors also need to look at what a company will earn down the road. This is why earnings estimate revisions are so important.
Stocks that receive upward earnings estimate revisions are more likely to receive even more upward changes in the future. For example, if an analyst raised their estimates last month, they're more likely to do it again this month, and other analysts are likely to do the same.
Harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions is where the Zacks Rank comes in. The Zacks Rank, which is a unique, proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions to make it easier to build a winning portfolio.
The Zacks Rank consists of four main pillars: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise. Each one is given a raw score, which is recalculated every night and compiled into the Rank. Then, stocks are classified into five groups, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell," using this data.
The Focus List is comprised of stocks hand-picked from a long list of #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) ranked companies, meaning that each new addition boasts a bullish earnings consensus among analysts.
Since stock prices respond to revisions, it can be very profitable to buy stocks with rising earnings estimates. By buying Focus List stocks, then, you're likely getting into companies whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.
Focus List Spotlight: Constellation Brands (STZ - Free Report)
Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Victor, NY, Constellation Brands Inc. produces and markets beer, wine and spirits. It is the third-largest beer company and a leading, high-end wine company in the United States. It has a strong portfolio of high-quality brands, including Corona, Modelo Especial, Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford, Meiomi and SVEDKA Vodka. The company conducts its operations in the United States, Mexico, Italy and New Zealand.
Since being added to the Focus List on April 18, 2017 at $170.12 per share, shares of STZ have increased 47.08% to $250.21. The stock is currently a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank.
Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $11.88. STZ also boasts an average earnings surprise of 6%.
Earnings for STZ are forecasted to see growth of 11.6% for the current fiscal year as well.
Reveal Winning Stocks
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. You'll quickly identify which stocks to buy, hold and sell, and target today's hottest industries, to help improve the performance of your portfolio. Gain full access now >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216474/why-this-1-consumer-staples-stock-could-be-a-great-addition-to-your-portfolio
| 2024-01-26T18:39:23Z
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It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores?
Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value Score
Value investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth Score
Growth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum Score
Momentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM Score
What if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank
A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +25.41% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Chubb (CB - Free Report)
Chubb Limited was formerly known as ACE Limited. ACE Limited after acquiring The Chubb Corp in Jan 2016 assumed the name of Chubb. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the company boasts being one of the world’s largest providers of property and casualty (P&C) insurance and reinsurance and largest publicly traded P&C insurer, based on market capitalization of $86 billion. Chubb has diversified through acquisitions into many specialty lines, including marine, medical risk, excess property, environmental and terrorism insurance and has local operations in 54 countries and territories. Chubb provides specialized insurance products such as personal accident, supplemental health and life insurance to individuals in select countries. Its reinsurance operations include both P&C and life companies.
CB is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 11.69; value investors should take notice.
For fiscal 2023, four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.13 to $19.34 per share. CB boasts an average earnings surprise of 6.5%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, CB should be on investors' short list.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216499/why-this-1-value-stock-could-be-a-great-addition-to-your-portfolio
| 2024-01-26T18:42:00Z
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The homebuilding industry is gradually recovering over the last two months after suffering one of the worst periods in the previous two years. This space was one of the worst sufferers of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate hike policy.
Accelerating mortgage rates as well as rising raw material and labor costs, hit the homebuilding industry. Buyers were discouraged from investing in new homes despite strong demand.
Meanwhile, as the inflation rate started declining, despite remaining above the Fed’s 2% target level, the central bank stopped hiking the interest rate in July 2023. Moreover, in its December FOMC meeting, the Fed gave a clear indication that rate cut will start this year.
Positive Catalysts
Hopes of a lower risk-free market interest rate resulted in a decline in mortgage rates since November. A low mortgage rate will be extremely beneficial for the homebuilding industry for both buyers and sellers.
The National Association of Homebuilders/Wells Fargo Index reading showed that homebuilder confidence bounced back to 44 in January from 37 in December and 34 in November. January’s reading was the highest since September 2023.
Privately???owned housing starts in December came in at 1.46 million units, down 4.3% sequentially but up 7.6% year over year. The metric also surpassed the consensus estimate of 1.44 million units. Building permits in December totaled 1.495 million units, up 1.9% over the previous month and 6.1% year over year. The metric also surpassed the consensus estimate of 1.478 million units.
There is a sizable shortage of new homes after more than a decade of under-building compared with population growth. Although demand has slowed recently, supply remains very low.
Continued demand for homes despite rising mortgage interest rates amid low supply has been generating profit for homebuilders. Meanwhile, the changing geography of housing demand has been supporting builder confidence.
Effective Cost Control Measures
Given the accelerated raw material prices, companies have been relying on effective cost control and focusing on making the homebuilding platform more efficient, which, in turn, is resulting in higher operating leverage.
Homebuilders have been controlling construction costs by designing homes efficiently and obtaining construction materials and labor at competitive prices. Some homebuilders also follow a dynamic pricing model, which enables them to set the price according to the latest market conditions.
The majority of companies are focused on the growing demand for entry-level homes and addressing the need for lower-priced homes, given affordability concerns in the U.S. housing market. Meanwhile, industry players have been acquiring other homebuilding companies in desirable markets, resulting in improved volumes, market share, revenues and profitability.
Stocks to Watch
Several good stocks within the homebuilding industry. However, it is better to stay with large-cap (market capital >$10 billion) stocks that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions for 2024 in the last 30 days. Five such stocks are - D.R. Horton Inc. (DHI - Free Report) , Lennar Corp. (LEN - Free Report) , PulteGroup Inc. (PHM - Free Report) , NVR Inc. (NVR - Free Report) and Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL - Free Report) .
The chart below shows the price performance of the five above-mentioned stocks in the past three months.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
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PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM) - free report >>
Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL) - free report >>
Lennar Corporation (LEN) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216517/homebuilding-market-likely-to-witness-a-rebound-in-2024
| 2024-01-26T18:43:39Z
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It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores?
The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value Score
Finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth Score
Growth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum Score
Momentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM Score
If you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +25.41% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: McKesson (MCK - Free Report)
San Francisco, CA-based McKesson Corporation is a health care services and information technology company. McKesson operates through two segments:
MCK is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Medical stock. MCK has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 6.3% over the past four weeks.
Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.01 to $27.26 per share. MCK also boasts an average earnings surprise of 8.9%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, MCK should be on investors' short list.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216525/why-this-1-momentum-stock-could-be-a-great-addition-to-your-portfolio
| 2024-01-26T18:44:23Z
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Are you dreaming of a Valentine’s Day proposal? Or perhaps planning to pop the question yourself?
There can be so many things to think about when picking out an engagement ring for your special someone – choosing the right diamond shape, how many carats, the metal setting and the overall cost to name a few... so where do you start?
Creating a custom engagement ring to your likes and preferences is definitely your best bet – and bespoke jewellers Purely Diamonds are here to help.
Round Cut Solitaire Diamond Ring
Features...
• Round cut solitaire diamond
• 18ct white gold metal
• Traditional six claw setting
Sometimes the simpler the better, and a classic white gold solitaire is timeless and chic. A solitaire is the perfect all-rounder when it comes to engagement rings, and is ideal for layering with a wedding band.
Oval Cut Diamond Hidden Halo Ring
Features...
• Oval cut diamond
• 18ct yellow gold metal
• Hidden halo of small, brilliant cut diamonds
This ring is utterly dazzling! The hidden halo design ensures that it sparkles from every angle and the 18 carat yellow gold offers a stunning juxtaposition against the elegant oval cut of the diamond.
Radiant Cut and Round Brilliant Cut Three Stone Diamond Ring
Features...
• Radiant cut and round brilliant cut three stone diamond
• Platinum metal
• Four claw setting
This beautiful ring mixes contrasting cuts of diamond for a bold detailing that looks incredibly elegant.
Round Brilliant Cut Solitaire Twist Diamond Ring
Features...
• Brilliant cut solitaire diamond
• 18ct yellow gold metal
• Twisted band design
This variation of the traditional solitaire ring features a brilliant cut diamond with a twisted band design, making it distinctive and individual.
Radiant Cut Diamond Ring with Trapezium Shaped Side Stones
Features...
• Radiant cut diamond with trapezium shaped side stones
• 18ct rose gold
• Rub over setting
This British family-run business has been specialising in the design and production of diamond jewellery since 1979, operating from the diamond district of London, Hatton Garden. By manufacturing their jewellery in-house and selling directly to shoppers like yourself, they cut out the middle-man to give you amazing savings of up to 70% off including on engagement rings.
In need of some inspiration? We've narrowed down their selection of diamond rings to a few very special designs that cater towards a range of tastes.
How I chose the best Purely Diamonds engagement rings:
Design: As well as offering a bespoke design service, Purely Diamonds offer a range of existing styles so you can choose the best ring to cater to your specifications. My top picks offer some variation across their portfolio.
Metal setting: The rings come in a range of different metals for the diamond setting, including white gold, gold, rose gold and platinum. Personally I’m a big fan of white gold and platinum, but can appreciate gold and rose gold tones too.
The Diamond: Diamonds can vary in size, shape and colour – my choices accommodate these qualities so you can choose the right ring within your budget.
Why you should trust me:
I have been working at HELLO! for almost 3 years, assisting on a variety of high-end jewellery campaigns and shoots. I believe in the investment of classic but special jewellery pieces that can be passed down to generations to come, which Purely Diamonds offer in abundance.
Round Cut Solitaire Diamond Ring
Features...
• Round cut solitaire diamond
• 18ct white gold metal
• Traditional six claw setting
Sometimes the simpler the better, and a classic white gold solitaire is timeless and chic. A solitaire is the perfect all-rounder when it comes to engagement rings, and is ideal for layering with a wedding band.
Oval Cut Diamond Hidden Halo Ring
Features...
• Oval cut diamond
• 18ct yellow gold metal
• Hidden halo of small, brilliant cut diamonds
This ring is utterly dazzling! The hidden halo design ensures that it sparkles from every angle and the 18 carat yellow gold offers a stunning juxtaposition against the elegant oval cut of the diamond.
Radiant Cut and Round Brilliant Cut Three Stone Diamond Ring
Features...
• Radiant cut and round brilliant cut three stone diamond
• Platinum metal
• Four claw setting
This beautiful ring mixes contrasting cuts of diamond for a bold detailing that looks incredibly elegant.
Round Brilliant Cut Solitaire Twist Diamond Ring
Features...
• Brilliant cut solitaire diamond
• 18ct yellow gold metal
• Twisted band design
This variation of the traditional solitaire ring features a brilliant cut diamond with a twisted band design, making it distinctive and individual.
Radiant Cut Diamond Ring with Trapezium Shaped Side Stones
Features...
• Radiant cut diamond with trapezium shaped side stones
• 18ct rose gold
• Rub over setting
We hope you love the products we recommend. We may receive compensation via a service called Linkby when you click on the links in this article. We only collaborate with brands on Linkby that align with our values and develop products that our team approves of. Prices accurate and items in stock at time of publication.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/512119/purely-diamonds-best-engagment-rings/
| 2024-01-26T18:45:50Z
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Carol McGiffin doesn't hold back when she appears on Loose Women, with her refreshing honesty one of her most endearing qualities, which is why fans were surprised to learn that she had got married secretly.
The TV star, who was previously married to Chris Evans, eloped to Bancock with Mark Cassidy in February 2018 but didn't announce the news until the following year. Since then, she has shared a few rare comments about their marriage, from battling with her insecurities over their 22-year age gap to their thoughts about vow renewals. See Carol's relationship confessions…
First date
The couple met at the Loose Women wrap party in August 2008, when Mark was 26 and Carol was 48. While little was known about the start of their relationship, Carol shed light on their first date as she celebrated the reopening of London restaurant, Gilgamesh.
"When it was in Camden we must have gone there over 100 times and were gutted when it closed in 2018. I have great memories of the place and it was where, after I met Mark in 2008, we had our first proper date and I’ve still got the receipt!" she wrote next to the Instagram photo.
Whirlwind engagement and secret wedding
Despite getting engaged just months after their first date, it took them a decade before they tied the knot. They had originally planned to marry in January 2017 but were forced to cancel after Carol's sister sadly died a few days before.
"We re-booked it but then changed our minds because it still didn't feel right - it was too soon," she told Best magazine, adding: "Part of the reason it took us so long to get married was because every time we discussed having a traditional wedding day with guests, it ran out of control and became too much."
They settled on a very intimate ceremony in Bangkok without their friends and family in attendance, where Carol opted for a laid-back outfit including striped trousers and a denim jacket.
"No one knew we were going to do it, but we've basically spent the past year having separate celebrations with different friends and family, telling them all in person. Now they all know, we're ready for it to come out," she said.
Vow renewal
Despite having an unconventional wedding, Carol has admitted she does not desire a second chance at having a big white wedding with a large guest life. On the subject of renewing her vows, she told The Sun: "I don’t know why people do that. It’s so ridiculous."
She confessed: "We didn't really do it properly. We never would have done it otherwise."
Age-gap insecurities
Carol admitted she finds people's opinions about the age gap in her relationship "difficult" but is determined not to let it ruin their connection.
"We've proved them all wrong. I'm not going to lie it does get difficult," she told Kate Thornton. Addressing the ageing process, she continued: "As you age - you know what it's like - things change. You notice things. When you get up you start creaking.
"It's really not a problem for him but every day I have to kind of think, 'Right it doesn't matter.'"
Despite confessing she did once question the future of their relationship, Carol explained that Mark has never been concerned.
"Sometimes I think maybe I should just let him go. But of course, I'm not going to let him go. Also, he doesn't want to go anywhere, more to the point," she said.
Family plans
Their age difference goes hand in hand with questions about starting a family, but Carol said that was a topic they discussed at the start of their relationship.
"My friends think I’ll want a baby with Mark. No. Why would I want to ruin my life with a screaming baby? Motherhood is so alien to me," she said, and Mark was on the same page.
"We had that conversation when we first got together and he’s not interested either. Without a doubt it’s the best relationship I’ve ever had. He’s so easy to live with and very calming."
Separate bedrooms
While Carol and Mark share a home in France, they don't always sleep in the same bedroom. Explaining the reason for their sleeping arrangements, Carol told The Sun: "Sometimes I snore a lot. I snore and Mark takes up too much room, so occasionally we would sleep in separate beds."
Addressing the stigma that this is an indication of marriage troubles, she added: "And I think a lot of people do it if they’ve got the room, but they just don’t like to admit it. And actually, if you want a good night’s sleep, it does help you to have your own bed."
Arguments
It's normal for any couple to have disagreements in a relationship, but Carol insisted they have kept their fights to a minimum.
Gushing about her partner to The Mirror, she said: "It's like we've been living together forever. I love having him around and we hardly ever argue - we've had about three fights in two years."
RELATED: Weddings cost over £20k for the first time ever in 2024
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/512142/carol-mcgiffin-rare-marriage-confessions-husband-mark/
| 2024-01-26T18:45:56Z
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Jodie Foster, 61, has been married for almost a decade, but she has been very coy about her relationship with Alexandra Hedison, 54.
The Oscar-winning actress and the photographer and director have released no details or photos of their top-secret 2014 wedding and only occasionally attend red carpet events with one another. This is why Jodie's public display of affection at the 2021 Golden Globes came as a delightful shock to many after she kissed her wife while accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress for The Mauritanian.
Explaining the reason for keeping her love life private, the True Detective star told The Guardian in January 2024 that she likes to create "compartments" to separate each section of her life. "But the compartments are problematic for my relationships," she said. "I don’t want people to know me in this context."
Referring to her decades-long career, which began when she was just three years old, The Silence of the Lambs actress said: "This is just mine. My friends don’t know it, my kids didn’t know what I did for a living till quite late. They had no idea. I never brought them on set."
She even suggested that both she and Alexandra like to keep their work lives separate from one another. Pointing out their individual strengths, Jodie said: "We like doing our work independently, although there are things that I do better, she recognises.
"I’m a really good letter writer. And she’s extraordinarily visual. Great photographer."
Jodie was previously in a relationship with film producer Cydney Bernard, with whom she shares sons Kit and Charles. They split in 2008 but continued to co-parent their kids, while Alexandra was in a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres from 2000 to 2004.
Despite Jodie jokingly claiming she was "single" when she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2013 Golden Globes, one year before her wedding, she took the opportunity to comment on her sexuality.
"I hope you're not disappointed that there won't be a big coming-out speech tonight because I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago, back in the stone age. In those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family, coworkers and then gradually, proudly, to everyone who knew her. To everyone she actually met.
"But now, apparently I'm told, that every celebrity is expected to honour the details of their private life with a press conference, a fragrance and a primetime reality show," she told the audience, before explaining that she always valued privacy throughout her life in the limelight.
"If you had been a public figure by the time you were a toddler, if you had had to fight for a life that felt real, and honest, and normal against all odds, then you too might value privacy above all else," she said. "Privacy. Some day in the future people will look back and remember how beautiful it once was."
More recently, Jodie and Alexandra have shown their support for one another in public. Following Jodie's Golden Globes nomination in 2021, she shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her camera set-up at home and wrote: "What happens in quarantine stays in quarantine. Every day I'm a proud wife but today you get a special shout out in the remote land of IG."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/512149/why-jodie-foster-kept-marriage-alexandra-hedison-uber-private/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:02Z
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Steph McGovern has nothing but love for her former BBC Breakfast colleague Carol Kirkwood.
Speaking exclusively to HELLO! at the Back To The Future musical’s 1000th performance on the West End, the 41-year-old TV presenter revealed that she didn’t attend Carol’s December wedding to Steve Randall since the couple chose to elope rather than have a big ceremony.
"It was very private," Steph said. "Carol and I are very very close friends, in fact, I was there the day she met Steve!"
Steph added that the couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony without informing any of her colleagues.
"They did the best thing ever and just took themselves off, didn't tell any of us, got married and then told us all afterwards. We were all so buzzing because I love her to bits and I'm so pleased she's so happy and the pair of them are gorgeous."
In December, Steph shared a trio of photos taken of Carol, 61, on her big day along with a sweet message of congratulations.
"How gorgeous and happy do Carol and Steve look? Congratulations So pleased for you both," she penned at the time.
Carol and Steve exchanged vows at Cliveden House, a Grade I stately home nestled in 376 acres of Berkshire countryside, and the bride revealed on BBC Breakfast that the guest list was intentionally limited.
"It was very small as well and intimate so you didn’t have to worry that Auntie Nellie didn’t have a glass of sherry in her hand. You know, that kind of thing," the weather presenter shared on air.
"I cannot tell you how fabulous it’s been. You shouldn’t really be talking like this about your own wedding, but it was blissful. It was romantic. It was absolutely perfect. And I would not change a thing about the day."
Steph also shared details about another big celebration in her household, her daughter’s fourth birthday party.
"You have that paranoia of, 'Is anyone going to turn up, did anyone get the invite, is any kid going to end up in A&E?' But it all went well, phew! There will be another one before long," she said, adding that she’s enjoying the never-ending party invitations.
"Me and my partner are like, 'Whose turn is it to go to the party?' but I've gotten into it. As long as we can find out where the bar is afterwards nearby, this is going to be fun!" she laughed.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512148/exclusive-steph-mcgovern-reveals-why-she-wasnt-at-carol-kirkwoods-very-private-wedding/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:08Z
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Isla Fisher looked pretty in pink as she donned a stunning strapless princess gown.
The Confessions of a Shopaholic actress, 47, looked like she was swimming in a sea of pink tulle, embellished with sequins around the rippling bodice. The dress was practically a ball gown as the skirt was so large and lush.
The actress, married to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, posed lying on her side in a pink-hued room for the photoshoot for People Magazine.
She wore her long red hair down as she beamed at the camera, pairing the show-stopping pink tulle gown with a pair of large statement pink diamond chandelier earrings. Naturally, Isla kept her makeup simple to balance out the incredibly glam look. Needless to say, she looked utterly gorgeous.
Fans took to Instagram to fawn over the phenomenal look.
One fan wrote that "Ginger Barbie is the best!!!" highlighting that the look was deeply in line with last year's Barbie pink trend, in which everyone donned pink in celebration of the film, which recently received eight Oscar nominations.
Another added that Isla looked "Pretty in Pink", while a third said that she was "just stunning".
Fellow Australian actress Naomi Watts was also sure to celebrate Isla's stunning look, writing: "Oh hello".
As she promotes season two of Peacock's Wolf Like Me, which she will star in with Josh Gad, Isla revealed that her childhood travels helped her become a performer.
The actress's father was a banker for the United Nations, which meant she "went to a new school every year". From Oman and Scotland all the way to Australia where she emigrated, Isla travelled all over the world.
"I had to learn to make new friends quickly, the thing that I leaned on was humor and storytelling, so it was a natural fit to want to tell stories as an actor," she told People.
Her biggest tip for fitting in, was "letting your inner idiot out", adding: "You make people laugh and they're nice to you. It's pretty pretty basic."
Shooting Wolf Like Me saw her return home to Australia, and she brought along husband Sacha and their three kids, saying: "There's nothing better than getting to go home to Oz to work."
She also added that acting had "enabled me to parent, for my kids to travel, and really have a dream life."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/512157/isla-fisher-takes-plunge-strapless-pink-princess-gown/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:14Z
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I've been running for almost three decades and back when I started, I was faster, fitter and had more energy. Now I'm in midlife, I'm slower and less concerned about chasing finishing times, but I've found I'm enjoying running more than ever.
My journey with running hasn't been completely smooth, though. As a black woman, I've always felt lonely and like an outsider when taking part in races.
There are plenty of elite black female athletes, but whenever I attended a race, I noticed there was a lack of regular black female runners in attendance. This was hammered home in 2019 when a friend and I were taking part in a running event in London.
We were dressed in running gear, with our event bibs pinned to our tops, but when we asked a marshall for directions, she questioned whether we were running the race. Surely our attire showed that we were? We will never know for sure, but I felt like she didn’t think we were part of the event because we were black.
There were very few black people at the race, and the lack of representation of black female runners made me feel like I didn't belong.
The lack of diversity at running events planted the seed for me to set up the running community, Black Girls Do Run, to inspire, encourage and motivate black women to run.
The Black Girls Do Run UK community is so much more than running, though. What I love the most is we have become a family who support each other through running and the ups and downs of life. So many beautiful friendships have been forged. Women within our community are holidaying together, spending Christmas together, looking after each other’s children and socialising. It’s a joy to witness.
READ: This empowering workout reframed my attitude to exercise
Inspiring other women to run
Inspiring more black women to run is one of the best feelings in the world. You can't be what you can't see, and when you see people who look like you leading similar lives and having shared social norms it is life affirming and makes you feel that you too can run.
If you're new to running in midlife, keep it short and slow. Make your first run or return to running a run around the block or to the top of your road and back, then build up gradually by increasing the duration or the distance of your run each week.
My first ultramarathon
I'm now in training for my first ultramarathon, inspired to do the Race To The Stones ultramarathon by Threshold Sports, an organisation that helps people realise their potential through world-class events.
I was scheduled to take part in 2023, but I had to defer as I injured my back. Once upon a time I said the maximum distance I would take on was the marathon distance, but being surrounded by like-minded women planning and doing amazing things really does inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and take on new things.
Tasha Thompson is working with Threshold Sports on their Ultra 50:50 campaign to inspire, empower and enable women to take part in events at the toughest end of the running distance spectrum.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/512150/25-years-running-best-in-midlife/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:20Z
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Gordon Ramsay and wife Tana welcomed their sixth child, Jesse, in November 2023 and even though the chef steadfastly ruled out having another child, in a new interview with People, he did seem to warm to the idea of a possible seventh child.
Speaking to the publication, Gordon revealed that his son Oscar, four, was asking about having a younger sister. The star explained: "This morning, Oscar said, ‘Wouldn't it be nice if Jesse and I had a little sister?’ And I spat my Cheerios out. So yeah, I had to get up from the table and walk away."
Hinting at the possibility of baby no. 7, Gordon continued: "I didn't wait to see Tana's reaction. I literally coughed my Cheerios out all over the table. So yeah, listen, who knows, right?"
The 57-year-old also opened up about his parenting style with the young tot, revealing how the newborn was bringing together his entire family. "Jesse's really helped bring everyone even closer," he shared.
"And then that level of responsibility again, is just even more exciting. I want to be six times better as a dad than I was twenty-five years ago to Megan."
At the time of Jesse's birth, Gordon said that he and Tana were "done" having children after welcoming three sons and three daughters, but the chef's wife had previously joked about her desire to continue having children.
Back in 2021, Tana quipped: "Do you know, the problem is that I so love babies, but I think I'll still be saying that when I'm in my 70s!
"I don't think there's ever a time when I'll go, 'Oh my god never, ever, ever again but let's just say I count my blessings and think I'm incredibly lucky. I'm just enjoying every single moment of this one."
The family have been melting hearts since Jesse's arrival as they share sweet photos of the youngster as his parents and older siblings dote on him.
RELATED: Gordon Ramsay's baby son Jesse melts hearts in rare update
READ: Gordon Ramsay reveals sweet reaction son Oscar has over baby brother Jesse
In a clip uploaded by the chef, which you see above, Oscar covered his younger sibling in kisses. Captioning the post, Gordon wrote: "Brothers in arms, bonding as brothers should do, happy Thanksgiving sending love from all the Ramsay's [red love heart emoji]." The doting father also shared a number of photos of little Oscar playing on the beach.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512147/gordon-ramsay-baby-number-seven-sister-comment-oscar/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:27Z
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Zara Tindall is the daughter of Princess Anne, niece of King Charles, and cousin of Princes William and Harry.
The champion equestrian, 42, is married to former England rugby player, Mike Tindall, 45, and together they live on Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park Estate in Gloucestershire with their three children, Mia, 10, Lena, five, and Lucas, two.
Zara and Mike married in July 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and in an interview with The Times revealed the secret to their happy marriage.
"She's always been my best friend. That doesn't change," disclosed Mike.
"I don't know if I've got any top tips. She's always right, is that a top tip? I think there's a lot of balance." He added: "It's always been good for us being two professional sportspeople. It's a bit clichéd but you understand each other, what your motivations are. I think that's why we gel."
Read on to learn about the couple's children…
Mia Grace Tindall
Mia Tindall arrived in the world on 17 January 2014 at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, weighing 7lbs 12oz. She is 22nd in the royal line of succession.
At the time, the proud dad posted on Twitter: "Thanks so much for all your kind messages. Definitely the best day of my life today, so happy! The girls are both doing great!"
Zara and Mike introduced gorgeous Mia in HELLO!, telling told ITV's News at 10: "We did it because people wanted it."
"We had control over it. We had those photos done anyway. It was more because people seemed to want it rather than anything else."
As Mia has grown up, we've often seen her at official royal events. In 2018, she was a bridesmaid at Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank. Mia was part of the adorable bridal party alongside her cousins, Savannah and Isla Phillips, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Mia is often spotted at her mother Zara's equestrian events, enjoying the day out with her father and siblings. We've seen her going on fairground rides, bouncy castles, eating ice creams and doing rough and tumble with her family.
Mia and her younger sister, Lena, are both sporty like their parents, with rugby star Mike revealing to HELLO! in 2023: "Both Mia and Lena go to Minchinhampton rugby club on a Sunday and they are only nine and four so we've got to give them a bit of time before the pressure comes on but they love all sports and they play rugby as well."
Lena Elizabeth Tindall
Zara and Mike welcomed baby girl Lena into the world on 18 June 2018 at the Stroud Maternity Unit of Gloucestershire Royal hospital, weighing a healthy 9lbs3oz.
Lena was a record-breaking newborn at the time - the heaviest royal baby in recent history and knocked her cousin Savannah Phillips off the top spot!
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Mike's parents, Mr Philip and Mrs Linda Tindall, have been informed and are delighted with the news. The baby's name will be confirmed in due course."
Lena's full name – Lena Elizabeth – was announced nine days after she was born, with a representative for the couple revealing that it was "just a name they liked", although Elizabeth was clear nod to Zara's late grandmother, Elizabeth II.
Zara and Mike had wanted to name their daughter Elena, but decided against it after realising it would make her initials ET. Zara told The Telegraph: "I liked the name Elena but I didn't want her initials to be 'E.T.' so she's Lena."
Now Lena is five, we are seeing more of her at royal events.
In December, Lena looked so sweet when she joined her parents and her elder sister Mia in Sandringham for the annual Christmas Day service held at St Mary Magdalene Church. For the festive occasion, Lena was dressed in a woollen camel overcoat and a woven ballerina pink hairband.
We also saw Lena at the late Queen's spectacular Platinum Jubilee pageant.
Lucas Philip Tindall
Zara and Mike welcomed their third child, Lucas, in March 2021.
At the time, a spokeswoman for the couple confirmed: "Zara and Mike Tindall are happy to announce the birth of their third child, Lucas Philip Tindall." The baby was born at the couple's home in Gatcombe Park on Sunday 21 March, weighing 8lbs 4oz.
Mike also announced the news on his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, revealing that his son was born on the bathroom floor of the family's Gatcombe Park house!
Zara was the first royal woman in over 50 years to welcome a child at home rather than in hospital.
Speaking on the podcast, Mike said: "Sunday got even better because a little baby boy arrived at my house," adding how little Lucas "arrived very quickly. Didn’t make it to hospital. On the bathroom floor."
He told listeners: "So yeah, it was running to the gym, get a mat, get into the bathroom, get the mat on the floor, towels down, brace, brace, brace."
He added: "Fortunately the midwife who was going to meet us at the hospital wasn’t that far away so she drove up just as we had assumed the posit (position) and the second midwife arrived just after the head had arrived."
Lucas was christened along with his cousin, August Brooksbank (Eugenie and Brooksbank's first son) in November 2001 and the late Queen was present. “It was a lovely day," Mike said on his podcast.
The kids’ close bond with their royal cousins
The Tindall children seem to love meeting up with their royal cousins Isla and Savannah Phillips, daughters of Peter Phillips and his former wife Autumn. We often see the cute clan larking about at equestrian events.
Zara and Mike are also close to her cousin Prince William and his wife Kate. The families, who have their own WhatsApp group, have enjoyed days out together, including a fairground in Norfolk in 2019.
And it seems that their eldest two children, Mia and Lena, enjoy playing games with their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, with Zara admitting that the children can get competitive when playing together.
In an interview with Australian Woman's Weekly, Zara and Mike, revealed that they often hang out with Prince William and Princess Kate's brood: "Our kids play with their kids in this competition we have," explained Mike.
The former rugby player added: "Competition done the right way is so healthy, I think. It drives people to get better; for sports people it drives you to train, it drives you to push as hard as you can. You need that."
Equestrian Zara, who won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, echoed this: "I think our families are fairly competitive."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/512151/zara-tindall-mike-children-mia-lena-lucas/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:33Z
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Two of the Princess of Wales' go-to British brands have teamed up and released a capsule collection of exquisite footwear.
Camilla Elphick, headed by the eponymous designer, is recognised for its timeless yet effortlessly glamorous shoes and accessories. The brand launched an exclusive capsule range for affordable luxury label Reiss, which features everything from flats to bridal heels.
The range includes seven pairs of shoes in neutral hues including mules, sandals and two-tone design block heels - similar to the iconic style that captured Princss Kate's attention and then subsequently, the rest of the fashion scene.
The iconic Alicia flats flew off the shelves when Kate was spotted wearing them at the Royal Charity Polo Cup back in July 2022. Camilla then rereleased the shoe in more colours in 2023 due to its popularity.
MORE: Reiss has the chicest workwear staples in the sale right now – 8 we're shopping
RELATED: 20 ways to wear cowboy boots in 2024
In 2023, Kate also paired a pastel pink tailored suit with one of Camilla's statement belts that featured the brand's signature pearl adornment.
Reiss is a go-to on the UK high street for elevated workwear, top-notch tailoring and ultra-chic knitwear. And Kate is a fan of all three. Most recently, she appeared in a promotional video for an Early Childhood campaign wearing the most elegant, wool-cashmere blend roll-neck, which would pair perfectly with any shoe from the new collection.
MORE: Princess Kate's most memorable looks since becoming Princess of Wales
RELATED: Princess Kate’s 10 best styling hacks of all time
My personal favourites from the collaboration? The Slingback Heels in White. I love the subtle pearl detailing on the strap, but the pièce de résistance for me is the super elegant sculpted bow across the toe. Bows were a high trend in 2023 and are also predicted to be huge in spring/summer this year. They perfectly combine modern elegance with timeless sophistication.
They're also utterly perfect for brides-to-be and possess all the characteristics of a high-designer heel, but with a £270 price tag - at a fraction of the cost.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/fashion-trends/512144/kate-middleton-reiss-camilla-elphick-shoe-collaboration/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:39Z
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It's been a tumultuous few months for Victoria Beckham, whose son Romeo Beckham has flown the nest after snapping up a plush rental pad with long-term girlfriend Mia Reagan.
Victoria is still bringing her fashion A-game, however, sharing a glimpse inside her modern London home in her latest video. Filming the super plush office at her £13m Holland Park mansion, Victoria showed off her eponymous fashion label's newly restocked cult belt, styled with a flattering pair of fitted flared trousers.
She penned on Instagram: "The house favourite B Frame Belts are officially back in stock! Today, I’m wearing the skinny leather B Frame Belt with custom gold hardware, paired with my signature black VB tailoring. These belts are so versatile, elevating any outfit, and are perfect for effortless day-to-night dressing! Kisses xx."
The video showed VB rocking her gold-buckled accessory with a pair of floor-skimming black trousers, creating the illusion of endless legs.
The chic flares were complemented by a low-cut top and an oversized blazer, offering a tailored menswear twist to the look.
We couldn't help but admire the mother-of-four's swanky abode in the background, which included floor-to-ceiling cupboards, posh green velvet chairs, and a twinkling silver chandelier.
The Wannabe singer's devoted fans were suitably impressed, branding the look "classy" and timeless, adding that skyscraper heels are a must.
This is far from the first time that Mrs Beckham has shared an insight into her pristine home. Last autumn, the fashionista gave fans unprecedented access to her walk-in wardrobe – and we were left green with envy.
The neutral colour scheme was complemented by a matching tub chair, while tall wardrobes and built-in drawers lined the walls, offering plenty of space for her countess clothes, bags and accessories.
An eye-catching ceiling lamp was the perfect touch to finish off the picture-perfect décor, casting a soft, rosy glow over the room.
Victoria and David's London home also boasts its very own gym with state-of-the-art equipment including a treadmill, bench press and rowing machine, where celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson puts her to work.
David recently shared a candid snap of his wife dressed in head-to-toe black Lyra, working hard in their home gym. The muscular star was the picture of focus as she toned her gym-honed arms.
Victoria, who starts training at 5:30 in the morning while catching up on her favourite TV shows, claims to follow the same routine daily.
CUTE PHOTOS: 5 times Victoria Beckham twinned with mini-me Harper Beckham
"30 minutes legs, 30 minutes arms, toning and conditioning, then loads of planks and that kind of thing for my core," she previously told The Guardian.
The Beckhams have invested much of their fortune into real estate. Their expansive property portfolio, estimated at £73million, includes abodes in the Cotswolds, Miami and Dubai, as well as a luxury yacht.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/512146/victoria-beckham-fitted-flares-london-home-video/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:45Z
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King Charles is reportedly "doing well" after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate on Friday. It's understood that the procedure has been completed and the monarch is now resting.
Charles underwent the procedure at The London Clinic, where his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, is currently recovering following an abdominal surgery. The King visited Kate ahead of his operation, and he was seen entering the private hospital on Friday morning alongside Queen Camilla.
The Queen was spotted leaving the hospital at 15:10 on the same day and appeared to be in good spirits. Camilla was spotted smiling, but she did not stop to speak to reporters as the royal got into a car.
Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the King's condition, but in the morning, they 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."
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.
It's unclear what procedure the King underwent, but 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.
It is likely the King's medical team will advise a hospital stay of one to two nights, followed by a recuperation period at home spanning 10-14 days. During this time, Charles will be advised to take it easy and avoid strenuous activities, though he may engage in light work from the comfort of his home.
PHOTOS: Prince Edward heads overseas amid King Charles' hospital treatment
Speaking to HELLO! about the procedure, Professor Damien Bolton, the Vice President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, shared: "These procedures are usually minimally invasive and performed without any skin incisions, and an estimated 25,000 are performed each year."
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/512158/king-charles-doing-well-prostate-operation/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:51Z
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Whether you’re someone who doesn’t like to go running in inclement weather, or need to get exercise without putting pressure on your joints, a treadmill could be just what you need. Gym-goers increasingly are switching up their exercise routines, making sure that they have all of the best at-home equipment to achieve an effective workout.
If you haven't got a treadmill yet then check out these top-rated treadmills of 2024, from Peloton and Reebok, to best value machines from retailers like Sports Direct, Amazon, Very and Decathlon.
What are the benefits of using a treadmill for your workout?
Over the past few years – just like working from home and ordering everything from groceries to gifts online – we've gotten used to the convenience of staying fit at home, and one of the best pieces of equipment you can invest in is a good treadmill.
Perfect if you don't like to go running or walking in inclement weather, need to get a run in without the pressure on your joints from the pavement, or want to save money on going to a gym, treadmills are an effective tool for a great at-home workout.
"Treadmills are becoming increasingly smarter at replicating run conditions of outdoor environments," says fitness trainer and Technogym Wellness Ambassador James Stirling, also known as @London_Fitness_Guy.
"Through the use of scenic runs that adapt to speed and elevation changes of your chosen route, it's become far easier to just step on a treadmill, and run! Whilst this makes the run far more engaging, it also allows us to build key components of strength and power to make us better, more efficient runners.
Treadmills are an especially good idea for those who can stand rainy or snowy day workouts. "For those that lack motivation during the colder seasons, treadmill workouts allow you to continue pushing towards your goals whatever the weather," explains James. "You can follow structured run programmes to keep you accountable and ensure you continue progressing with your fitness, or run specific goals throughout the year."
Why treadmills are trending
And while you might not associate treadmills with the TikTok generation, experts at Lifespan Fitness found that as of October 2023, two of the top five 'FitTok' trends were treadmill-related.
Under desk treadmills had 3.3million views, while the 12-3-30 Treadmill Workout – setting your treadmill at a 12% incline, then walking at a speed of three miles per hour for 30 minutes for a low-impact core-strengthening workout – had 18.8million views at the time of the study.
Higher-end exercise equipment from brands like Peloton, Nordictrack and Technogym are a popular choice, but there’s also good news for those who need to stick to a smaller budget. You don’t necessarily have to invest a huge amount of money to get your cardio routine in. There's still a whole host of quality but cheap treadmills on offer right now.
To help you get your home gym set up ASAP we’ve rounded up the best treadmills, from treadmills under under £300 to high tech wonders with big screens featuring live workout classes, to keep you moving as part of your self-care routine.
How we chose the best treadmills
- Price: I've tried to include options at various price points to fit into any budget - there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get fit at home even if you can't splash a lot of cash.
- Size: We know that not everyone has a large home gym, so we've included more compact options, from treadmills that fold down for easy storage, to under-desk treadmills that you can use for a workout just about anywhere.
- Verified ratings and reviews: While we haven't been able to personally test every treadmill on this list, we've trawled through hundreds of opinions, taking into consideration the good and the bad, and particularly the most balanced reviews. I'm only including treadmills that have earned consistently positive feedback from verified shoppers.
- Brand reputation: There are some brands that have earned a huge fan base over the years because of quality and dependability, so we've taken special care to look for the latest and most popular options from those companies.
Amazon Under Desk Walking Pad
Editor's note
“Say goodbye to hours on end sitting down when you WFH. This budget-friendly walking pad has a 2.5 HP motor, and fits underneath your desk so you can walk while you work. Win win.”
The Rundown
- Price: £159.99 (WAS £229.99)
- Size:121D x 48.5W x 12.5H
- Weight: 17.5 kg
- Speed:1.0-6.0 KM/H
- Motor: 2.5 HP
- Screen: LED display
Designed for daily use, this walking pad comes fully assembled and with a remote control and LED display to show your speed, distance, time, calories burned and steps. The running belt features eight silicone shock absorbers and a five-layer belt design for lower impact on your knees. Plus, it has a slim design and wheels for easy storage.
Reebok treadmill
Editor's note
"I purchased my Reebok Jet 300+ treadmill for a little over £1000. I had initially opted for a much more expensive brand but realised I didn't need one with all the frills. I am only 5ft but my husband is 6ft 2in, so we needed a treadmill which would suit both of us and was big enough for his strides. It has a small screen on the display where you can connect to Netflix, Amazon prime and more subscription services. It's comfortable to run on, and can fold up and slide against the wall when you're not using it, to save space. I feel this is a great mid-range treadmill."
- Hannah Hargrave, HELLO! Online Deputy US News Editor
The rundown
- Size H143.5, W86, D192cm / Size folded H163, W86, D124.5cm.
- Weight 87kg
- Speed UP to 20kph.
- Elevation: Fixed 1% elevation; Variable 15% elevation, with 15 levels of incline
- 46 user programmes
- Connectivity: MP3, Bluetooth; built-in speakers
- Display: Internet-abled TFT 10.1" touchscreen
- Motor: 2.5hp
- Maximum user weight 140kg (22st)
This powerhouse of a treadmill, with a Netflix-ready screen, five levels of power incline and 27 motivational pre-set workout modes, is more compact than you think - it folds down for easy storage.
Sports Direct treadmill
Editor's note
“If you’re looking for just the basics in a motorised treadmill, this Lonsdale model is a bargain at under £200, with one reviewer calling it ‘fantastic’ for the price.”
The Rundown
- Price: £199.99
- Size: 122cm×62.5cm×119cm
- Folded dimensions: 62×62.5×119cm
- Motor: 0.75HP
- Max Speed: 12km/h
- Weight: 28kg
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Programmes: 16
- Motor: 0.75HP
- Screen: LCD monitor display
Famed for boxing, Lonsdale has come out with a cool foldable treadmill that has such features as a built-in heart rate monitor and BMI checker. There are 16 workout programmes, and the treadmill is designed for users of all fitness levels.
NordicTrack treadmill
Editor's Note
“NordicTrack has an impressive roster of trainers including celebrity fitness guru Kayla Itsines. With the 30-day iFit trial that’s included you’ll be able to test out a whole host of workouts including the opportunity to have Expert iFIT Trainers control your incline and speed based on how you’re doing, stepping up the intensity when you’re ready.”
The Rundown
- Size: 180L x 87W x 152H cm
- Folded Dimensions: 99L x 87W x 163H cm
- Boxed Weight: 104kg
- Incline: 0% to 10% Incline
- Speed: 0 – 16 KM/H Speed
- Motor: 2.6 CHP
- Sound: Two 2” Digitally Amplified Speakers
- Display; 5” High Contrast Multi-Colour Screen
- 30-Day iFIT Trial Included
From NordicTrack’s foundational treadmills series, this model features the brand’s signature SpaceSaver Design and EasyLift Assist, a 5” colour display with tablet shelf, digitally amplified speakers, hands-free automatic adjustments and access to trainer-led iFit Workouts.
Decathlon treadmill
Editor's note
"With thousands of reviews and an average 4.4-star rating, this treadmill is one of Decathlon's most popular. At under £500, it really has the essentials, and is a well-rounded starter treadmill."
The Rundown
- Price: £499.99
- Size: L163 x W73 x H138 cm
- Folded dimensions: L.98 x W73 x H146 cm
- Weight: 62kg
- Incline: up to 10% incline
- Programmes: 10 pre-set programmes
- Speed: 13km/h and
- Motor:1.2 HP
- Display: LCD screen
- Assembly required
One of Decathlon's highest-rated folding treadmills features all the basics - a display to give you a running count of your time, speed, distance, calories and heart rate, as well as a built in tablet holder plus roller wheels for easy storage.
Technogym treadmill
Editor's note
“The Technogym Run comes recommended by the brands fitness expert James Stirling, who told us the HIIT optimised treadmill ‘offers a wider range of features to help you build strength, power and endurance.
The display monitor gives valuable feedback on your run, whilst also providing the ultimate running experience through guided workouts. The Bootcamp training feature is also an excellent and engaging way to incorporate strength focused workouts into your weekly schedule.’”
The Rundown
- Size: 1970 x 835 x 1750 mm
- Weight: 207 kg
- Speed: 0.2 - 25 km/h
- Incline: 0% / + 15%
- Motor: 7.78 hp
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi + LAN (opt.)
- Sound: Integrated audio system power: 30W
- Professional assembly included
- No additional subscription required
For a top-level HIIT workout, Technogym's premium Run treadmill has everything you need. This machine comes with hundreds of trainer-led workouts from running sessions and Bootcamp routines to outdoor trails.
Homcom treadmill
Editor's note
"This is a great option for first-time treadmill users and at just over £300 isn’t too much of an investment compared to other machines."
The Rundown
- Size: 122cm×62.5cm×119cm
- Folding size:62×62.5×119cm
- Weight: 28kg
- Power: 500W (approximate 0.67HP)
- Top Speed: 10 KM/H
- Assembly required
- Display: LCD monitor
The HOMCOM treadmill is great for beginners, with a top 10km/h speed and easy to read LCD display. It folds down in seconds and can be wheeled under your bed or into the closet with ease.
Peloton treadmill
Editor's note
"Peloton is one of the most iconic workout machine brands - and of course the cherry on top is that you can access live (and on-demand) classes taught by Peloton's famous motivation-boosting instructors. Note that you'll need a £39 a month All Access Membership to access the full library."
The Rundown
- Size: H157 x L173 x W84cm
- Incline: 0-12%
- Speed: Up to 20km/h
- Audio: Built-in Front facing stereo speakers, rear facing woofers
- Assembled on Delivery
- Display: colour screen
- Subscription Required
- Weight: 132kg
If you’re looking for a full, immersive, connected full-body workout, the Peleton Tread may be the machine for you. You'll be guided through the Peleton’s large colour screen by ‘world-class motivators’ that will take you through your choice of thousands of challenging workouts.
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https://www.hellomagazine.com/shopping/511682/best-treadmills-for-home-gym/
| 2024-01-26T18:46:57Z
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Economies across the world are gradually transitioning to cleaner energy sources. There has been a steady increase in pressure on energy companies to act on climate change on multiple fronts. Most analysts believe that although renewable energy will meet future energy needs, it will not completely wipe out oil and natural gas demand. Demand for fossil fuels will also grow but at a slower pace.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration, in its Annual Energy Outlook 2023, revealed that through 2050, renewables will increasingly match power demand. Thus, there are abundant opportunities for energy companies with a footprint in oil and gas resources or transporting commodities and the renewable energy space. Three such companies are BP plc (BP - Free Report) , Shell plc (SHEL - Free Report) and Eni SpA (E - Free Report) .
3 Stocks
BP, a British energy giant, is planning to become a net-zero emissions player by 2050 or earlier. The integrated company intends to invest and create its renewable energy generation capacity of 20 gigawatts by 2025. The company also has strong upstream and downstream activities.
Shell also has the same ambitious target of becoming a net-zero emissions energy player by 2050 or earlier. By 2030, the integrated energy company plans to lower absolute emissions by 50%.
Eni is leading the energy transition as well. The integrated energy player has been building a full set of decarbonized products and services for clients to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century. Even though the energy business scenario is challenging, Eni’s efficient exploration keeps it highly competitive.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216557/3-integrated-majors-leading-the-energy-transition-race
| 2024-01-26T18:47:36Z
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- (0:45) - Should You Continue To Buy Like A Value Investor?
- (8:10) - Finding Strong Tech Stocks On Sale: Tracey’s Top Stock Picks
- (21:15) - Episode Roundup: DELL, SIMO, ZM, NTAP, IBM
- Podcast@Zacks.com
Welcome to Episode #356 of the Value Investor Podcast.
Every week, Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio, shares some of her top value investing tips and stock picks.
Growth stocks are at it again. The Magnificent 7 stocks, some of the world’s largest companies, are seemingly hitting new highs nearly daily. The S&P 500, of which the Mag 7 now makes up 29%, has hit new highs 6 sessions in a row.
Meanwhile, value stocks are mostly lagging. Banks, one of the cheapest industries, rallied to end 2023 but have been quiet in 2024 despite posting solid earnings reports. Energy, another cheap sector, under performed last year and has started off 2024 with more of the same.
Should value investors quit value and dive into growth? Or should value investors seek out value stocks in the hot sectors, like technology?
Screening for Cheap Tech Stocks
Tracey did a basic screen to look for cheap value stocks. Using the Zacks.com stock screening tool, she added the Computer and Technology Sector, the Zacks Ranks of #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy), which are the top Zacks ranks, and a forward P/E of 20 or less.
This screen returned 37 stocks.
What was on the list? Many hardware technology companies, which tend to be cheaper than software.
5 Cheap Tech Stocks with High Zacks Rank
1. Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL - Free Report)
Dell is a large cap tech company, with a market cap of $58.6 billion. Shares of Dell have soared 104% in the last year, but it is still cheap. It trades with a forward P/E of just 12.4.
Dell pays a dividend, yielding 1.8%. It’s a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.
After the big rally, is it too late to consider buying Dell?
2. International Business Machines Corp. (IBM - Free Report)
IBM is a large cap tech company, with a market cap of $173 billion. Shares are up 23% in the last year.
IBM is trading under 20x, but it’s not that cheap at 17.7x. Investors have always liked IBM for its big dividend, currently yielding 3.8%.
IBM is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.
Should value investors be considering IBM?
3. Silicon Motion Technology Corp. (SIMO - Free Report)
Silicon Motion is a small cap, with a market cap of $2.1 billion. Shares have struggled over the last year, and are down 5% during that time.
Silicon Motion isn’t dirt cheap, with a forward P/E of 19.3. But it does pay an attractive dividend, currently yielding 3.1%. Silicon Motion is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Should Silicon Motion be on your short list?
4. Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (ZM - Free Report)
Zoom Video is a big cap with a market cap of $20.5 billion. Shares have struggled over the last year, and are down 0.6% during that time.
Zoom Video is cheap, with a forward P/E of 14. It does not pay a dividend. Zoom Video is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Is Zoom Video on sale in 2024?
5. NetApp, Inc. (NTAP - Free Report)
NetApp is a mid-cap company with a market cap of $18.4 billion. Shares are up 33% over the last year. NetApp is still cheap, with a forward P/E of just 14.4.
NetApp also pays a dividend, currently yielding 2.3%. It’s a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Should NetApp be on your watch list?
What Else Do You Need to Know About Value Investing in 2024?
Tune into this week’s podcast to find out.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) - free report >>
Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) - free report >>
NetApp, Inc. (NTAP) - free report >>
Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (SIMO) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216570/should-you-quit-value-investing?
| 2024-01-26T18:48:56Z
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The biggest economic print in a week full of them came out this Friday morning, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), the Fed’s self-proclaimed preferred inflation metric, came in-line on month over month headline for December: +0.2%, jumping from -0.1% posted the previous month. It’s also the first positive month-over-month read since September of 2023. Year over year PCE headline also came in-line at +2.6% — flat from the previous month, and continuing the lowest levels of PCE inflation since February of 2021 (when things were moving very much in the opposite direction).
The real money, however, is in the core data — or such goes the perception: December core PCE month over month was up the expected +0.2%, higher than the +0.1% in November. (Core refers to stripping out potentially volatile food and energy costs.) Year over year core PCE notched its first sub-3% print since March of 2021: +2.9%. We got there a tad quicker than anticipated (estimates were for +3.0% in December), but still along a steady course, one the Fed would consider rather optimum.
Also in this data set are Personal Income and Consumer Spending figures: +0.3% on month-over-month income growth was as expected, and a tad cooler than the previous month’s +0.4%. But personal spending jumped way up to +0.7%, 20 basis points (bps) higher than analysts had projected and a half-point higher than November. We matched this +0.7% in September, but it’s been almost a full year since we were higher than this. The red flag (pink flag?) here is that we’re spending our way past recession — this is generally understood to not be a long-term solution.
Real Spending for December reached +0.5% was better than expected, and the biggest monthly number since July (the last time we were hotter on Real Spending was +1.0% back in January of last year. Again, our remedy for a strengthened economy — staring down, as we have for a year or more, a recession that has not come — arise from the consumer’s wallet, presumably their credit card. We’ll see over time, once the holiday shopping season smoke has cleared, whether we continue this trend or a more fiscally responsible development helps descend inflation (and cools the economy further).
Pre-markets are quite favorable to these figures: we were looking at red across the major indices (-90 on the Dow and Nasdaq, -10 points on the S&P 500), but have now turned around. We’re currently +10 on the Dow and +5 on the S&P. The Nasdaq is still -30 points at this hour, although it is up over 1000 points (the Nasdaq 100) from the start of the year. Nobody should be concerned if the Nasdaq lets a little air out today.
Speaking of consumer spending, American Express (AXP - Free Report) reported Q4 results that were a fraction lower than expected year over year, but with a big upward guidance for 2024: 9-11% revenue growth forecast. A credit card company seeing big numbers ahead says as much about consumer spending as today's PCE data set has. Shares of AXP are up +1.75% on the news. It's the third-straight earnings beat for AmEx.
Questions or comments about this article and/or author? Click here>>
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American Express Company (AXP) - free report >>
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SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) - free report >>
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216571/december-pce-shows-consumers-charge-the-economy
| 2024-01-26T18:49:02Z
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The biggest economic print in a week full of them came out this Friday morning, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), the Fed’s self-proclaimed preferred inflation metric, came in-line on month over month headline for December: +0.2%, jumping from -0.1% posted the previous month. It’s also the first positive month-over-month read since September of 2023. Year over year PCE headline also came in-line at +2.6% — flat from the previous month, and continuing the lowest levels of PCE inflation since February of 2021 (when things were moving very much in the opposite direction).
The real money, however, is in the core data — or such goes the perception: December core PCE month over month was up the expected +0.2%, higher than the +0.1% in November. (Core refers to stripping out potentially volatile food and energy costs.) Year over year core PCE notched its first sub-3% print since March of 2021: +2.9%. We got there a tad quicker than anticipated (estimates were for +3.0% in December), but still along a steady course, one the Fed would consider rather optimum.
Also in this data set are Personal Income and Consumer Spending figures: +0.3% on month-over-month income growth was as expected, and a tad cooler than the previous month’s +0.4%. But personal spending jumped way up to +0.7%, 20 basis points (bps) higher than analysts had projected and a half-point higher than November. We matched this +0.7% in September, but it’s been almost a full year since we were higher than this. The red flag (pink flag?) here is that we’re spending our way past recession — this is generally understood to not be a long-term solution.
Real Spending for December reached +0.5% was better than expected, and the biggest monthly number since July (the last time we were hotter on Real Spending was +1.0% back in January of last year. Again, our remedy for a strengthened economy — staring down, as we have for a year or more, a recession that has not come — arise from the consumer’s wallet, presumably their credit card. We’ll see over time, once the holiday shopping season smoke has cleared, whether we continue this trend or a more fiscally responsible development helps descend inflation (and cools the economy further).
Pre-markets are quite favorable to these figures: we were looking at red across the major indices (-90 on the Dow and Nasdaq, -10 points on the S&P 500), but have now turned around. We’re currently +10 on the Dow and +5 on the S&P. The Nasdaq is still -30 points at this hour, although it is up over 1000 points (the Nasdaq 100) from the start of the year. Nobody should be concerned if the Nasdaq lets a little air out today.
Speaking of consumer spending, American Express (AXP - Free Report) reported Q4 results that were a fraction lower than expected year over year, but with a big upward guidance for 2024: 9-11% revenue growth forecast. A credit card company seeing big numbers ahead says as much about consumer spending as today's PCE data set has. Shares of AXP are up +1.75% on the news. It's the third-straight earnings beat for AmEx.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216575/pce-inflation-comes-in-line-with-expectations
| 2024-01-26T18:49:27Z
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Research Daily
Today's Must Read
Netflix (NFLX) Benefits from Paid Sharing & Robust Portfolio
Solid Momentum in Cloud Business Driving SAP's Performance
Automotive OEM Unit Aids Illinois Tool (ITW) Amid Forex Woes
Friday, January 26, 2024
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), SAP SE (SAP) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Shares of Netflix have outperformed the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry over the past six months (+36.0% vs. +18.3%), with the streaming giant's blockbuster results on January 23rd adding to the stock's performance momentum. The company added 13.12 million paid subscribers globally in fourth-quarter 2023, with a rise of 1% in average revenue per subscription.
The company attributed the robust top-line growth to its paid subscription-sharing offering (part of its password-sharing crackdown), recent price changes and the strength of its business in general. Netflix is expected to continue dominating the streaming space, courtesy of its diversified content portfolio, which is attributable to heavy investments in the production and distribution of localized and foreign-language content.
However, stiff competition in the streaming space from the likes of Apple, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock and Paramount+ is a headwind. NFLX’s leveraged balance sheet and a higher streaming obligation are concerns.
(You can read the full research report on Netflix here >>>)
SAP shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past six months (+29.4% vs. +19.4%). The company’s Q4 performance gained from continued strength in its cloud business, especially the Rise with SAP and Grow with SAP solutions. Momentum in SAP’s business technology platform, particularly the S/4HANA solution, along with opportunities presented by proliferation of generative AI bodes well.
SAP is now focusing more on vital strategic growth areas, especially Business AI, and position the company for future growth. Management also reaffirmed its 2025 long-term targets for cloud and total revenues. Frequent product launches, and strategic acquisitions and collaborations are other tailwinds.
However, continued softness in the Software license and support business segment coupled with global macroeconomic weakness and geopolitical instability remain concerning. Increasing costs and stiff competition are additional headwinds.
(You can read the full research report on SAP here >>>)
Shares of Illinois Tool Works have gained +3.7% over the past six months against the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry’s gain of +9.7%. The company is benefiting from improving supply chains and underlying demand. Strength in the Automotive OEM segment, driven by favorable customer mix and product line simplification activities is aiding the company’s performance.
Decreasing cost of sales and enterprise initiatives are supporting Illinois Tool’s margin performance. The company’s efforts to add shareholder value are encouraging. However, persistent weakness in the Test & Measurement and Electronics segment due to softness in semiconductor-related business in the North American region is concerning.
The decline in the consumer packaging, specialty films and strength films businesses within the Specialty Products segment is an added woe. Given Illinois Tool’s international presence, foreign currency headwinds may weigh on its near-term performance.
(You can read the full research report on Illinois Tool Works here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD), Exelon Corporation (EXC) and Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY).
Director of Research
Sheraz Mian
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
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https://www.zacks.com/research-daily/2215906/top-analyst-reports-for-netflix-sap-illinois-tool-works?-illinois-tool-works
| 2024-01-26T18:54:04Z
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Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong momentum characteristics for investors to consider today, January 26:
PACCAR Inc (PCAR - Free Report) : This truck manufacturer company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5.1% over the last 60 days.
PACCAR's shares gained 22.5% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 18%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.
Inhibikase Therapeutics, Inc. (IKT - Free Report) : This pharmaceutical company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16% over the last 60 days.
Inhibikase Therapeutics's shares gained 195.5% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 18%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.
PagerDuty, Inc. (PD - Free Report) : This digital operations platform company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 16.1% over the last 60 days.
PagerDuty's shares gained 21.8% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 18%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of B.
See the full list of top ranked stocks here
Learn more about the Momentum score and how it is calculated here.
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PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) - free report >>
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https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2216276/best-momentum-stocks-to-buy-for-january-26th
| 2024-01-26T18:54:10Z
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In a groundbreaking move, Equinix (EQIX - Free Report) recently announced the immediate availability of a fully managed private cloud service in collaboration with NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) . This service empowers enterprises to seamlessly acquire and oversee their own NVIDIA DGX AI supercomputing infrastructure for the development and execution of custom generative AI models.
The service includes NVIDIA DGX systems, NVIDIA networking and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform. Equinix takes charge of installing and operating each customer's privately owned NVIDIA infrastructure and deploys services on their behalf at strategic International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers worldwide.
Charles Meyers, the president and CEO of Equinix, highlighted the significance of this service, stating, "Our new service provides customers a fast and cost-effective way to adopt advanced AI infrastructure that's operated and managed by experts globally."
Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA, emphasized the transformational impact of generative AI across industries, stating, "Now, enterprises can own NVIDIA AI supercomputing and software, paired with the operational efficiency of Equinix management, in hundreds of data centers worldwide."
Key features of the service include scalable infrastructure operations that enable enterprises to achieve the desired level of AI performance for developing and running massive models. Early access companies from diverse sectors such as biopharma, financial services, software, automotive and retail are leveraging this service to establish AI Centers of Excellence for various use cases.
Equinix's fully managed NVIDIA AI supercomputing service also ensures easy access to AI infrastructure in close proximity to data. It provides high-speed private network access to global network service providers, facilitating swift retrieval of generative AI information across corporate wide area networks. Additionally, the service provides private, high-bandwidth interconnections to cloud services and enterprise service providers, ensuring data security and compliance requirements while facilitating AI workloads.
Customers can leverage NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, which includes pre-trained models, optimized frameworks and accelerated data science software libraries for tasks like building Large Language Models. The service is complemented by enterprise-level support and security, with Equinix's IBX data center professionals assisting customers in rapidly building and deploying custom AI models and providing access to NVIDIA AI experts.
This comprehensive solution positions Equinix, which has peers like Digital Realty (DLR - Free Report) , as a key player in advancing the adoption of AI infrastructure globally. Digital leaders across industries can harness Equinix's platform to scale with agility, speed up the launch of digital services and deliver world-class experiences while supporting sustainability goals.
High growth in cloud computing, the Internet of Things and big data and the elevated demand for third-party IT infrastructure are spurring the demand for data center infrastructure. Growth in the artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and virtual/augmented reality markets is anticipated to be robust in the upcoming years, providing long-term growth opportunities for data center REITs like Digital Realty and Equinix.
Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.
Disclaimer: This article has been written with the assistance of Generative AI. However, the author has reviewed, revised, supplemented, and rewritten parts of this content to ensure its originality and the precision of the incorporated information.
Disclaimer: This article has been written with the assistance of Generative AI. However, the author has reviewed, revised, supplemented, and rewritten parts of this content to ensure its originality and the precision of the incorporated information.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216385/equinix-eqix-unveils-service-for-nvidia-ai-supercomputing
| 2024-01-26T18:54:16Z
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LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB - Free Report) recently launched Petrothene T3XL7420, a cross-linkable, all-in-one flame-retardant compound that is projected to result in significant cost reductions while streamlining manufacturing processes.
This product offering also raises the quality of end products for wire makers in the automotive and appliance industries. LyondellBasell developed this novel compound in response to customer demand and industry needs to optimize production line speeds and improve manufacturing efficiency.
LyondellBasell, which is among the prominent players in the chemical space along with Celanese Corporation (CE - Free Report) , Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD - Free Report) and The Chemours Company (CC - Free Report) , said that Petrothene T3XL7420 is specifically formulated for use in Society of Automotive Engineers primary wire applications, International Organization for Standardization thin wall applications, and Underwriters Laboratories and Canadian Standards Association application wire.
Petrothene T3XL7420 has various advantages that make it an appealing choice for wire makers, including improved cure kinetics, higher stiffness for faster small gauge wire assembly and superior barrier performance when compared to other Petrothene XL.
Petrothene T3XL7420 has passed extensive testing and certification procedures to ensure its quality and dependability. LyondellBasell's latest development strengthens its position as a leading producer of creative solutions for the wire and cable sector, and the company anticipates that this compound will become the preferred product for a wide range of automotive and appliance wiring applications.
LYB, on its third-quarter call, said that it anticipates seasonally lower demand across most industries in the fourth quarter. Higher feedstock costs, new industry capacity and slowing demand growth in China continue to put pressure on global olefins and polyolefins margins. Following the end of the summer driving season, oxyfuels and refining margins are projected to fall.
Nonetheless, oxyfuel margins are expected to remain significantly higher than historical averages. LyondellBasell plans to operate its assets in line with market demand during the fourth quarter, with average operating rates of 85% for North American olefins and polyolefins (O&P) assets, 75% for European O&P assets and 70% for Intermediates & Derivatives assets.
Another prominent chemical maker, Celanese, expects adjusted earnings in the range of $2.10-$2.50 per share for the fourth quarter. For the full year, it anticipates adjusted earnings in the range of $9-$10. CE is slated to release fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 20.
Air Products, on its fourth-quarter fiscal 2023 call, said that it expects fiscal 2024 adjusted earnings per share of $12.80-$13.10, indicating 13% growth from the prior year’s adjusted earnings at the midpoint. For the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the company expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.90-$3.05, suggesting a rise of 13% at the midpoint from the year-ago quarter. APD is slated to release fiscal first-quarter earnings on Feb 5.
Chemours estimates adjusted EBITDA for 2023 to be between $1.025 billion and $1.075 billion. CC is scheduled to release fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 14.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216386/lyondellbasells-lyb-petrothene-t3xl7420-to-optimize-production
| 2024-01-26T18:54:22Z
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Moog (MOG.A - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.53 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.25 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 4.08%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this aerospace contractor would post earnings of $1.71 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.10, delivering a surprise of 22.81%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
Moog
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Moog shares have lost about 3.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 2.6%.
What's Next for Moog?
While Moog has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Moog: mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.72 on $869.78 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $6.86 on $3.45 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Aerospace - Defense Equipment is currently in the top 45% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, Curtiss-Wright (CW - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2023. The results are expected to be released on February 14.
This engineering firm is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.92 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Curtiss-Wright's revenues are expected to be $737.33 million, down 2.7% from the year-ago quarter.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216387/moog-moga-surpasses-q1-earnings-and-revenue-estimates
| 2024-01-26T18:54:29Z
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Waste Connections Inc. (WCN - Free Report) focuses on rural markets for higher local market shares, with a strategic approach to acquisitions. Notable acquisitions contribute to revenues, while shareholder rewards include dividends and share repurchases. Operational risks, liquidity concerns and seasonality pose challenges, emphasizing the need for prudent management.
Waste Connections reported solid third-quarter 2023 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimates.
The better-than-expected results seem to have impressed the investors as the shares increased 1.6% post the earnings release on Oct 25.
Adjusted earnings (excluding 21 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.17 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.6% and increased 6.4% year over year. Revenues of $2.06 billion topped the consensus estimate by 0.2% and rose 9.8% year over year.
Factors in Favor
Waste Connections typically targets secondary and rural markets to achieve higher local market shares, minimizing exposure to customer churn and enhancing financial returns, especially in niche markets like E&P waste treatment and disposal. The company capitalizes on early mover advantages in rural basins with limited third-party waste disposal alternatives. It aims to expand market penetration and offer additional services in these areas, expecting 2023 revenues from E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal to be $226.2 million, indicating a 7.4% increase from the previous year.
Waste Connections actively pursues acquisitions, employing a strategic evaluation approach based on financial, market and management criteria. It uses acquired operations as a base to strengthen its presence in new markets through additional services, customer additions, and "tuck-in" acquisitions of other waste companies. Notable acquisitions in recent years include American Disposal Services, Groot Industries and Progressive Waste. In 2022, 2021 and 2020, the company successfully completed 24, 30 and 21 acquisitions, respectively, contributing significantly to revenues.
Consistently rewarding shareholders, Waste Connections paid dividends and repurchased shares in 2022, 2021 and 2020, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder value creation and confidence in its business. In 2022, dividends and share repurchases amounted to $243 million and $425 million, respectively. Similarly, in 2021, it paid $220.2 million in dividends and repurchased shares worth $339 million. In 2020, dividends and share repurchases totaled $199.9 million and $105.7 million, respectively.
Some Risks
Waste Connections' current ratio (a measure of liquidity) at the end of third-quarter 2023 was pegged at 0.73, lower than the current ratio of 0.89 reported at the end of the year-ago quarter. A decline in the current ratio is not desirable as it indicates that the company may have problems meeting its short-term debt obligations.
Waste Connections, in providing environmental and waste management services, faces various operational risks, including truck accidents, equipment defects and malfunctions. Managing fueling stations and landfill gas systems introduces additional risks of fire and explosions. Furthermore, the company's operations in Canada expose it to uncertainties related to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and the impact of monetary devaluation.
Waste Connections experiences significant seasonality in revenues, with the first quarter being the lowest and the second and third quarters showing an increase. However, fourth-quarter revenues are lower than the preceding two quarters, resulting in a 12% fluctuation due to seasonal factors. This pattern is driven by reduced construction and demolition activities, lower E&P activity and adverse weather conditions in winter and early spring. These seasonal variations pose challenges in revenue predictability and increase operational risks for the company.
Other Industry Players
Investors interested in the broader Business Services sector can consider the following stocks:
Gartner, Inc. (IT - Free Report) reported better-than-expected third-quarter 2023 results.
Adjusted earnings (excluding 30 cents from non-recurring items) per share of $2.56 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 37.6% and increased 6.2% from the year-ago reported figure. Revenues of $1.4 billion beat the consensus estimate by 0.7% and improved 5.8% year over year on a reported basis and 4.9% on a foreign-currency-neutral basis.
Total contract value was $4.7 billion, up 8.1% year over year on a foreign-currency-neutral basis.
Fiserv, Inc. (FI - Free Report) reported impressive third-quarter 2023 results, wherein earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Adjusted earnings per share (excluding 40 cents from non-recurring items) of $1.96 exceeded the consensus mark by 1% and increased 20% year over year. Adjusted revenues of $4.62 billion surpassed the consensus estimate by 0.53% and rose 8.2% year over year.
Organic revenue growth was 12% in the quarter, driven by 20% and 6% growth in the Acceptance and Payments segments, respectively.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216388/waste-connections-wcn-gains-from-buyouts-amid-low-liquidity
| 2024-01-26T18:54:35Z
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Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) , an esteemed player in the retail discount space, has showcased a robust performance. The company's success is propelled by strategic operational efforts underpinned by a customer-centric business approach and a steadfast commitment to its membership program. With a clear emphasis on delivering value-oriented offerings, Costco remains well-positioned for continued success in the dynamic retail landscape.
A Dominant Warehouse Retailer
This Issaquah, WA-based company continues to be one of the dominant warehouse retailers based on the expanse and quality of merchandise offered. The company's distinctive membership business model and pricing power set it apart from traditional players. Low-to-middle-income consumers have preferred discount stores over conventional retailers to meet their day-to-day needs. Cumulatively, these factors have been aiding Costco in registering decent sales numbers.
Costco’s net sales increased 9.9% to $26.15 billion for the retail month of December from $23.8 billion last year. This followed an improvement of 5.1% and 4.5% witnessed in November and October, respectively. Comparable sales for the five-week period ended Dec 31, 2023 advanced 8.5%. This followed an increase of 3.5% and 3% registered in November and October, respectively.
Growing Membership Base
Costco’s total paid members have been rising. Its growing customer base and high renewal rates have been fueling sales. Membership fees increased 8.2% to $1,082 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The company ended the quarter with 72 million paid household members.
We expect Costco’s total paid members to be approximately 74.5 million at the end of fiscal 2024, representing an increase of 5% from fiscal 2023. We also estimate a 3.7% jump in net sales and a 3.8% rise in total membership fees for fiscal 2024. These translate into an estimated revenue improvement of 3.7% for the fiscal year.
Market Penetration
Through a calculated approach that involves identifying untapped markets and tailoring offerings to meet customer preferences, Costco has managed to deepen its roots. This retail bellwether has been steadily expanding its footprint through new club openings in the domestic and international markets. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.
Costco opened 23 net new units in fiscal 2023. We foresee an improvement in membership fees as new warehouse openings ramp up. As of Jan 18, 2024, Costco operates 872 warehouses, including 600 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 108 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 33 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 18 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, six in China, four in Spain, two in France and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden.
Wrapping Up
A favorable product mix, steady store traffic, pricing power and a strong liquidity position should help Costco continue outperforming. The strategy to sell products at discounted prices has helped Costco, which shares space with BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ - Free Report) , Dollar General (DG - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , draw customers who have been seeking both value and convenience amid rising prices.
A Synopsis of Other Stocks
BJ's Wholesale Club's growth strategies, effective price management, favorable membership trends and robust digitization efforts position the company for continued success. As part of its long-term financial targets, BJ's projects a low-to-mid-single-digit-percentage increase in comparable club sales, excluding the impact of gasoline sales, and anticipates mid-single-digit percentage growth in total revenues. The company's commitment to strengthening marketing and merchandising capabilities, coupled with its expansion into high-demand categories and the growth of its own-brand portfolio, has yielded remarkable results.
Dollar General remains a compelling growth story in the retail space despite the soft fiscal 2023 guidance due to immediate margin pressure and a tough consumer environment. Thanks to its value-creating initiatives, defensive product mix and real estate growth strategy, the company has the capabilities to gain market share. Its commitment to better pricing, private label offerings, effective inventory management and merchandise initiative should drive sales. We remain encouraged by the host of initiatives such as DG Fresh, Fast Track, digitization and the expansion of the private fleet that should yield same-store sales improvements.
A well-recognized player in the discount industry, Target has been making tactical changes to its business operations to adapt and stay relevant in the competitive retail landscape. The company has been making concerted efforts to enhance shopping methods and techniques, be it in-store or online. Despite industry challenges, Target is poised to capture market share over time, driven by its compelling value proposition and a spectrum of initiatives. These encompass the expansion of new stores, innovations in owned brands, partnerships with popular brands and the enhancement of same-day services to drive traffic.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216389/costco-cost-thrives-on-business-model-and-pricing-power
| 2024-01-26T18:54:41Z
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Meta Platforms (META - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this social media company have returned +9.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Software industry, which Meta Platforms falls in, has gained 6.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Meta Platforms is expected to post earnings of $4.81 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +60.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.8%.
The consensus earnings estimate of $14.36 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +46.1%. This estimate has changed +0.5% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $17.66 indicates a change of +23% from what Meta Platforms is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.5%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Meta Platforms.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Meta Platforms, the consensus sales estimate of $38.89 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +20.9%. The $133.71 billion and $151.76 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +14.7% and +13.5%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Meta Platforms reported revenues of $34.15 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +23.2%. EPS of $4.39 for the same period compares with $1.64 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $33.45 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.07%. The EPS surprise was +21.27%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
Without considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Meta Platforms is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Conclusion
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Meta Platforms. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216390/is-trending-stock-meta-platforms-inc-meta-a-buy-now?
| 2024-01-26T18:54:47Z
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Rivian Automotive (RIVN - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.
Shares of this a manufacturer of motor vehicles and passenger cars have returned -36.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. The Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry, to which Rivian Automotive belongs, has lost 24.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Rivian Automotive is expected to post a loss of $1.37 per share, indicating a change of +20.8% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of -$5.01 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +21%. This estimate has changed +0.9% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of -$3.33 indicates a change of +33.6% from what Rivian Automotive is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.2%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Rivian Automotive.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth Forecast
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Rivian Automotive, the consensus sales estimate of $1.27 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +92.3%. The $4.4 billion and $6.17 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +165.7% and +40%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Rivian Automotive reported revenues of $1.34 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +149.4%. EPS of -$1.19 for the same period compares with -$1.57 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.36 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -2.01%. The EPS surprise was +12.5%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.
Valuation
Without considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Rivian Automotive is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Conclusion
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Rivian Automotive. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216391/here-is-what-to-know-beyond-why-rivian-automotive-inc-rivn-is-a-trending-stock
| 2024-01-26T18:54:53Z
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Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this online retailer have returned +2.9%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Commerce industry, which Amazon falls in, has gained 1.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Here at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Amazon is expected to post earnings of $0.81 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +285.7%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +2.8%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.70 points to a change of +280.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +1.6%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.66 indicates a change of +35.5% from what Amazon is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +1.6%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Amazon is rated Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Amazon, the consensus sales estimate of $166.23 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +11.4%. The $571.07 billion and $636.74 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +11.1% and +11.5%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Amazon reported revenues of $143.08 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +12.6%. EPS of $0.85 for the same period compares with $0.20 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $141.53 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.1%. The EPS surprise was +46.55%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Amazon is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Amazon. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216392/investors-heavily-search-amazoncom-inc-amzn-here-is-what-you-need-to-know
| 2024-01-26T18:55:04Z
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Alphabet (GOOGL - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this internet search leader have returned +8.3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Services industry, which Alphabet falls in, has gained 6.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Here at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Alphabet is expected to post earnings of $1.60 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +52.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.5%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.77 points to a change of +26.5% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.5%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $6.70 indicates a change of +16.1% from what Alphabet is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.5%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Alphabet is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Alphabet, the consensus sales estimate of $70.71 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +12%. The $254.87 billion and $284.4 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +9% and +11.6%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Alphabet reported revenues of $64.05 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +11.9%. EPS of $1.55 for the same period compares with $1.06 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $63.13 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.45%. The EPS surprise was +6.9%.
Over the last four quarters, Alphabet surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Alphabet is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Alphabet. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216393/here-is-what-to-know-beyond-why-alphabet-inc-googl-is-a-trending-stock
| 2024-01-26T18:55:10Z
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PulteGroup (PHM - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this homebuilder have returned +1.6%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Building Products - Home Builders industry, which PulteGroup falls in, has lost 0.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Here at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
PulteGroup is expected to post earnings of $3.20 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -11.9%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.1%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.49 points to a change of +6.4% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.37 indicates a change of -1.1% from what PulteGroup is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, PulteGroup is rated Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of PulteGroup, the consensus sales estimate of $4.48 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -13.3%. The $16.25 billion and $16.78 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +0.1% and +3.2%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
PulteGroup reported revenues of $4 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +1.5%. EPS of $2.90 for the same period compares with $2.69 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.04 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -1%. The EPS surprise was +4.32%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
PulteGroup is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about PulteGroup. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216394/pultegroup-inc-phm-is-a-trending-stock-facts-to-know-before-betting-on-it
| 2024-01-26T18:55:16Z
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Nvidia (NVDA - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this maker of graphics chips for gaming and artificial intelligence have returned +24.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry, which Nvidia falls in, has gained 19.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Nvidia is expected to post earnings of $4.49 per share, indicating a change of +410.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.3% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $12.31 points to a change of +268.6% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.1%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $20.07 indicates a change of +63.1% from what Nvidia is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.8%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Nvidia.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Nvidia, the consensus sales estimate of $20.1 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +232.2%. The $58.92 billion and $90.57 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +118.4% and +53.7%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Nvidia reported revenues of $18.12 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +205.5%. EPS of $4.02 for the same period compares with $0.58 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $16.19 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +11.9%. The EPS surprise was +19.64%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Nvidia is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Nvidia. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216395/nvidia-corporation-nvda-is-a-trending-stock-facts-to-know-before-betting-on-it
| 2024-01-26T18:55:22Z
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Devon Energy (DVN - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this oil and gas exploration company have returned -7.2%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, which Devon Energy falls in, has lost 6.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Devon Energy is expected to post earnings of $1.39 per share, indicating a change of -16.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -16.8% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.67 points to a change of -31.8% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -16.1%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $5.35 indicates a change of -5.7% from what Devon Energy is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -16.1%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for Devon Energy.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For Devon Energy, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $3.87 billion indicates a year-over-year change of -10%. For the current and next fiscal years, $15.06 billion and $14.95 billion estimates indicate -21.5% and -0.8% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Devon Energy reported revenues of $3.84 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -29.4%. EPS of $1.65 for the same period compares with $2.18 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.03 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -4.82%. The EPS surprise was +5.77%.
Over the last four quarters, Devon Energy surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company could not beat consensus revenue estimates in any of the last four quarters.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Devon Energy is graded B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Devon Energy. However, its Zacks Rank #5 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216396/devon-energy-corporation-dvn-is-attracting-investor-attention-here-is-what-you-should-know
| 2024-01-26T18:55:28Z
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MongoDB (MDB - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.
Shares of this database platform have returned -4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. The Zacks Internet - Software industry, to which MongoDB belongs, has gained 6.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, MongoDB is expected to post earnings of $0.46 per share, indicating a change of -19.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $2.90 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +258%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.17 indicates a change of +9.4% from what MongoDB is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.7%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for MongoDB.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth Forecast
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of MongoDB, the consensus sales estimate of $431.99 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +19.6%. The $1.66 billion and $2.02 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +29% and +21.7%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
MongoDB reported revenues of $432.94 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +29.8%. EPS of $0.96 for the same period compares with $0.23 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $402.75 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +7.5%. The EPS surprise was +95.92%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
Without considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
MongoDB is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Conclusion
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about MongoDB. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216397/mongodb-inc-mdb-is-attracting-investor-attention-here-is-what-you-should-know
| 2024-01-26T18:55:35Z
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Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.
Shares of this chipmaker have returned +21.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. The Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry, to which Advanced Micro belongs, has gained 12.7% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Advanced Micro is expected to post earnings of $0.77 per share, indicating a change of +11.6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.5% over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $2.65 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -24.3%. This estimate has changed +0.9% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.65 indicates a change of +37.9% from what Advanced Micro is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.7%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Advanced Micro.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth Forecast
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Advanced Micro, the consensus sales estimate of $6.11 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +9.2%. The $22.63 billion and $26.16 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of -4.1% and +15.6%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Advanced Micro reported revenues of $5.8 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.2%. EPS of $0.70 for the same period compares with $0.67 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.71 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.65%. The EPS surprise was +2.94%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
Without considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Advanced Micro is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Conclusion
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Advanced Micro. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216398/is-trending-stock-advanced-micro-devices-inc-amd-a-buy-now?
| 2024-01-26T18:55:38Z
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Ford Motor Company (F - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -8.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Automotive - Domestic industry, which Ford Motor Company falls in, has lost 24.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Ford Motor Company is expected to post earnings of $0.12 per share, indicating a change of -76.5% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.85 points to a change of -1.6% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.8%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.78 indicates a change of -3.8% from what Ford Motor Company is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.8%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Ford Motor Company.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Ford Motor Company, the consensus sales estimate of $36.39 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -12.9%. The $159.08 billion and $160.08 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +6.8% and +0.6%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Ford Motor Company reported revenues of $41.18 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +10.7%. EPS of $0.39 for the same period compares with $0.30 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $38.57 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +6.74%. The EPS surprise was -2.5%.
Over the last four quarters, Ford Motor Company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Ford Motor Company is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Ford Motor Company. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216399/investors-heavily-search-ford-motor-company-f-here-is-what-you-need-to-know
| 2024-01-26T18:55:44Z
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The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -8.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry, which The Charles Schwab Corporation falls in, has lost 1.4%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, The Charles Schwab Corporation is expected to post earnings of $0.75 per share, indicating a change of -19.4% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -6.7% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.42 points to a change of +9.3% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -9.7%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $4.55 indicates a change of +33.1% from what The Charles Schwab Corporation is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -6.6%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for The Charles Schwab Corporation.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For The Charles Schwab Corporation, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $4.74 billion indicates a year-over-year change of -7.4%. For the current and next fiscal years, $19.91 billion and $22.91 billion estimates indicate +5.7% and +15% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
The Charles Schwab Corporation reported revenues of $4.46 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -18.9%. EPS of $0.68 for the same period compares with $1.07 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.43 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.7%. The EPS surprise was +4.62%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
The Charles Schwab Corporation is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about The Charles Schwab Corporation. However, its Zacks Rank #5 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216402/the-charles-schwab-corporation-schw-is-a-trending-stock-facts-to-know-before-betting-on-it
| 2024-01-26T18:55:50Z
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Cloudflare (NET - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this web security and content delivery company have returned -3.3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Software industry, which Cloudflare falls in, has gained 6.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Cloudflare is expected to post earnings of $0.12 per share, indicating a change of +100% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.46 points to a change of +253.9% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has remained unchanged.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.52 indicates a change of +14.4% from what Cloudflare is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +2%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Cloudflare.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For Cloudflare, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $352.7 million indicates a year-over-year change of +28.4%. For the current and next fiscal years, $1.29 billion and $1.64 billion estimates indicate +32% and +27.3% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Cloudflare reported revenues of $335.6 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +32.2%. EPS of $0.16 for the same period compares with $0.06 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $330.45 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.56%. The EPS surprise was +60%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Cloudflare is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Cloudflare. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216403/here-is-what-to-know-beyond-why-cloudflare-inc-net-is-a-trending-stock
| 2024-01-26T18:55:56Z
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Oceaneering International (OII - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.
Shares of this oilfield services company have returned -1.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. The Zacks Oil and Gas - Field Services industry, to which Oceaneering International belongs, has lost 2.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings Estimates
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Oceaneering International is expected to post earnings of $0.23 per share, indicating a change of +283.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $0.86 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +177.4%. This estimate has changed +0.7% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.52 indicates a change of +76.4% from what Oceaneering International is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.7%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Oceaneering International.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth Forecast
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
In the case of Oceaneering International, the consensus sales estimate of $631.99 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +17.9%. The $2.4 billion and $2.72 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +16.3% and +13.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Oceaneering International reported revenues of $635.18 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.5%. EPS of $0.38 for the same period compares with $0.23 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $638.4 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.5%. The EPS surprise was +40.74%.
Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed EPS estimates just once. The company could not beat consensus revenue estimates in any of the last four quarters.
Valuation
Without considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Oceaneering International is graded B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Conclusion
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Oceaneering International. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216404/oceaneering-international-inc-oii-is-a-trending-stock-facts-to-know-before-betting-on-it
| 2024-01-26T18:55:58Z
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KB Home (KBH - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this homebuilder have returned -5.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.1% change. The Zacks Building Products - Home Builders industry, to which KB Home belongs, has lost 0.8% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Earnings Estimate Revisions
Rather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
KB Home is expected to post earnings of $1.56 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +9.4%.
The consensus earnings estimate of $7.59 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +8%. This estimate has changed +5.2% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $8.38 indicates a change of +10.5% from what KB Home is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +8.6%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for KB Home.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
Even though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
For KB Home, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $1.45 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +4.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $6.69 billion and $7.33 billion estimates indicate +4.4% and +9.6% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
KB Home reported revenues of $1.67 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -13.7%. EPS of $1.85 for the same period compares with $2.47 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.61 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +4.11%. The EPS surprise was +9.47%.
The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.
Valuation
No investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
KB Home is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom Line
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about KB Home. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
|
https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2216408/investors-heavily-search-kb-home-kbh-here-is-what-you-need-to-know
| 2024-01-26T18:56:04Z
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