Trump’s venal persona and his war on Iran will do untold damage to America’s ability to make a positive difference in the world Early one Sunday morning in the summer of 2003, I drove into the center of a little South African beach town on the Indian Ocean to pick up the Cape papers. Local news agents still employed the English custom of putting front pages on A-frame stands on the sidewalk. It wa...
Trump’s venal persona and his war on Iran will do untold damage to America’s ability to make a positive difference in the world Early one Sunday morning in the summer of 2003, I drove into the center of a little South African beach town on the Indian Ocean to pick up the Cape papers. Local news agents still employed the English custom of putting front pages on A-frame stands on the sidewalk. It was during the first months of the Iraq war, and from two blocks away, I could see the headline, in big block type: “WHY BUSH IS WORSE THAN BIN LADEN.” It was disheartening to see – especially so far from home – but it did correspond to something familiar: American favorability around the world tends to swing sharply with wars (especially ones America starts) and who the US president is. Within weeks of the American attack, the international support the US had after 9/11 was squandered. Continue reading...
Linking UK mainland with Isles of Scilly, this is last season before boat is replaced with a newer model There was a mix of anticipation and trepidation in Penzance among the passengers waiting on to board Scillonian III. Some were looking forward to an adventurous voyage on the ferry to the Isles of Scilly, which lie 30 miles off the Cornish coast; others were not quite so keen, knowing that when...
Linking UK mainland with Isles of Scilly, this is last season before boat is replaced with a newer model There was a mix of anticipation and trepidation in Penzance among the passengers waiting on to board Scillonian III. Some were looking forward to an adventurous voyage on the ferry to the Isles of Scilly, which lie 30 miles off the Cornish coast; others were not quite so keen, knowing that when there is an Atlantic swell, the Scillionian can toss and turn, a tendency that has earned it the unflattering name the “vomit comet”. Continue reading...
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts This week’s question: should we be polite to voice assistants and AIs? Has a war ever ended or de-escalated because someone (eg the pope, the UN secretary general) called on the belligerents to “show restraint”? Laurence Whites...
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts This week’s question: should we be polite to voice assistants and AIs? Has a war ever ended or de-escalated because someone (eg the pope, the UN secretary general) called on the belligerents to “show restraint”? Laurence Whiteside, via email Send new questions to nq@theguardian.com . Continue reading...
The former rugby star on being a tough youngster, how she became Fury on the hit TV show, and losing her dad Born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in 2001, Jodie Ounsley is an athlete, television personality and author. A former England rugby sevens player, she is the first deaf female rugby player for a senior England side. In 2024, she joined the BBC revival of the series Gladiators, in which she co...
The former rugby star on being a tough youngster, how she became Fury on the hit TV show, and losing her dad Born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in 2001, Jodie Ounsley is an athlete, television personality and author. A former England rugby sevens player, she is the first deaf female rugby player for a senior England side. In 2024, she joined the BBC revival of the series Gladiators, in which she competes as Fury; the same year, she was one of the presenters for the 2024 Paralympics. Her second book, Strong Girls, co-written with Becky Grey, is out on 9 April. I was six and had just got back from karate practice when Mum said, “Right, let’s take a picture!” Most kids would have stood politely and smiled, but my first instinct was to do the deadliest pose. Continue reading...
Exclusive: Animal welfare charities ‘bitterly disappointed’ that Labour plans to backtrack on manifesto commitments The government is to break a manifesto commitment to ban foie gras imports, and has declined to stop fur imports, after the EU made these red lines in its discussions for a trade deal. Animal welfare charities say they are “bitterly disappointed” that ministers are failing to use pow...
Exclusive: Animal welfare charities ‘bitterly disappointed’ that Labour plans to backtrack on manifesto commitments The government is to break a manifesto commitment to ban foie gras imports, and has declined to stop fur imports, after the EU made these red lines in its discussions for a trade deal. Animal welfare charities say they are “bitterly disappointed” that ministers are failing to use powers granted by Brexit to restrict the import of these “cruel” items. Continue reading...
A Chinese cargo plane powered by a hydrogen-fuelled engine has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a milestone in China’s push for green aviation. The 7.5-tonne uncrewed aircraft is powered by the world’s most powerful hydrogen turboprop of its kind, capable of generating more than 1 megawatt. The engine operated normally and remained in good condition throughout the 16-minute test f...
A Chinese cargo plane powered by a hydrogen-fuelled engine has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a milestone in China’s push for green aviation. The 7.5-tonne uncrewed aircraft is powered by the world’s most powerful hydrogen turboprop of its kind, capable of generating more than 1 megawatt. The engine operated normally and remained in good condition throughout the 16-minute test flight on Saturday, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing the Aero Engine Corporation of China...
The first thing you notice about the Slate Truck is its size. It's small, surprisingly so. In a country where trucks often come with their own zip code, Slate's pickup is refreshingly puny, measuring 174.6 inches long, 70.6 inches wide, and 69.3 inches tall, with a curb weight of approximately 3,602 pounds (1,634kg). As a reference point, it's nearly the same size as Marty McFly's 1985 Toyota SR5 ...
The first thing you notice about the Slate Truck is its size. It's small, surprisingly so. In a country where trucks often come with their own zip code, Slate's pickup is refreshingly puny, measuring 174.6 inches long, 70.6 inches wide, and 69.3 inches tall, with a curb weight of approximately 3,602 pounds (1,634kg). As a reference point, it's nearly the same size as Marty McFly's 1985 Toyota SR5 from Back to the Future . But inside, that diminutive feeling disappears, as I found myself with ample amounts of head- and legroom. As a relatively tallish guy (over 6 feet) who often feels cramped in most vehicles, I couldn't believe the amount o … Read the full story at The Verge.
Elisank79/iStock via Getty Images Real Estate Weekly Outlook U.S. equity markets snapped a five-week losing streak this week, while interest rates retreated from multi-month highs, as resilient economic data helped push back against stagflation concerns amid a continuation of the conflict with Iran. Despite another surge in oil prices to the cusp of multi-decade highs, markets found footing as a s...
Elisank79/iStock via Getty Images Real Estate Weekly Outlook U.S. equity markets snapped a five-week losing streak this week, while interest rates retreated from multi-month highs, as resilient economic data helped push back against stagflation concerns amid a continuation of the conflict with Iran. Despite another surge in oil prices to the cusp of multi-decade highs, markets found footing as a steady stream of employment data suggested that the U.S. economy remains more resilient than recent volatility had implied. While shy of the immediate ceasefire investors had hoped for, markets welcomed the prime-time address from the White House, which provided some clarity and a timeline for key objectives. Meanwhile, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz improved during the week, though flows remain well below normal levels. Still, risks remained evident after reports that Iranian forces shot down a U.S. fighter jet and damaged another during rescue operations, underscoring the ever-present potential for escalation. Hoya Capital Snapping its longest losing streak since 2022, the S&P 500 rebounded 3.4% this week, climbing back to within 5% of its January record-high. After entering "correction territory" last week, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 led the advance this week with gains of 4.0%. The Mid-Cap 400 and Small-Cap 600 each advanced 3.1%, extending their recent relative resilience amid continued volatility tied to geopolitical developments. Communication services and technology stocks led the rally as investors rotated back into growth-oriented sectors after a first quarter defined by a pronounced growth-to-value rotation that had favored energy, financials, and other cyclical segments. Energy stocks were among the laggards despite the surge in crude prices. Buoyed by the sharp pullback in long-term interest rates from a multi-month high, real estate equities were among the leaders this week, aided by another wave of REIT M&A news. The Equity REIT Index rallied 3.7% ...
The writing was on the wall for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) to raise prices once again in 2026, in the form of the fourth-quarter letter to shareholders. Management said its revenue growth will be driven "by increases in membership and pricing" this year. Sure enough, the company recently announced price increases for its U.S. customers of $1 to $2 per month, depending on the subscription tier. Investo...
The writing was on the wall for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) to raise prices once again in 2026, in the form of the fourth-quarter letter to shareholders. Management said its revenue growth will be driven "by increases in membership and pricing" this year. Sure enough, the company recently announced price increases for its U.S. customers of $1 to $2 per month, depending on the subscription tier. Investors may be wondering just how much pricing power Netflix has left and whether it can continue growing sales by double digits over the long run. At its current stock price, that's a necessity for making it a worthwhile investment today. Image source: Netflix. Continue reading
Nu Stadium’s first game of any kind saw the South Florida club accomplish a long-held goal barely under the deadline Lionel Messi may have scored, captained the side and had a quarter of the new building named in his honor, but this was unmistakably Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham’s night. The inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami – an entertaining 2-2 draw with Austin FC – was the culminat...
Nu Stadium’s first game of any kind saw the South Florida club accomplish a long-held goal barely under the deadline Lionel Messi may have scored, captained the side and had a quarter of the new building named in his honor, but this was unmistakably Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham’s night. The inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami – an entertaining 2-2 draw with Austin FC – was the culmination of the former England captain’s arduous, thirteen-year odyssey to first establish an MLS team in Miami, then fill it with superstars, win major honors and, critically, build a world class arena for the team to play in. Continue reading...
No injuries reported and no suspect found after a search of park and surrounding area, agency says The US Secret Service said on Sunday it was investigating reports of overnight gunfire near Lafayette Park, which is across the street from the White House. No injuries were reported and no suspect was found after a search of the park and the surrounding area after midnight, the agency said in an onl...
No injuries reported and no suspect found after a search of park and surrounding area, agency says The US Secret Service said on Sunday it was investigating reports of overnight gunfire near Lafayette Park, which is across the street from the White House. No injuries were reported and no suspect was found after a search of the park and the surrounding area after midnight, the agency said in an online post. Continue reading...
Former world champions may finally meet in the ring Eddie Hearn says Joshua is ready for fight after car crash Deontay Wilder called out Anthony Joshua for a long-awaited matchup between the former heavyweight champions, after Wilder edged Derek Chisora to clinch a split-decision victory in London on Saturday. Wilder came face to face with Joshua as he walked past the Briton after the fight. The t...
Former world champions may finally meet in the ring Eddie Hearn says Joshua is ready for fight after car crash Deontay Wilder called out Anthony Joshua for a long-awaited matchup between the former heavyweight champions, after Wilder edged Derek Chisora to clinch a split-decision victory in London on Saturday. Wilder came face to face with Joshua as he walked past the Briton after the fight. The two fist-bumped, and the American said: “Let’s do it. It wasn’t a few words, I dapped it up with him and I said, now let’s get it on. I’m ready for whoever, [as] long as these guys are in the heavyweight division, I am here. You can call me Mr Clean, because I want to clean up the whole division. The division is nothing without Deontay Wilder.” Continue reading...
Alex Wong/Getty Images News U.S. President Donald Trump sharply escalated tensions with Iran on Sunday, warning of potential military strikes in a profanity-laced post on his Truth Social platform. President Trump said Iran's infrastructure will be targeted on Tuesday. (Truth Social) In the message, Trump suggested that Tuesday could bring coordinated attacks on Iranian infrastructure, describing ...
Alex Wong/Getty Images News U.S. President Donald Trump sharply escalated tensions with Iran on Sunday, warning of potential military strikes in a profanity-laced post on his Truth Social platform. President Trump said Iran's infrastructure will be targeted on Tuesday. (Truth Social) In the message, Trump suggested that Tuesday could bring coordinated attacks on Iranian infrastructure, describing it as a day targeting power plants and bridges. He also demanded that Iran reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, warning of severe consequences if it failed to comply. The post included unusually explicit language and a mix of religious references, underscoring the heightened tone of the administration’s messaging as the conflict intensifies. Trump framed the potential action as a response to Iran’s continued restriction of the waterway, a critical global shipping route. The remarks follow earlier warnings from the president that Iran faced a deadline to reopen the strait or risk military retaliation. The closure has disrupted global energy flows and contributed to rising geopolitical instability across the region. Iran has so far rejected U.S. ultimatums and warned of retaliation, raising concerns that any escalation could trigger a broader regional confrontation. The situation remains fluid, with global markets and governments closely watching whether the rhetoric translates into military action in the coming days. Dear Readers: We recognize that politics often intersect with the financial news of the day, so we invite you to click here to join the separate political discussion. More on Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF, iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, etc. Q2 Update: Iran War, Depleting Munitions, And Market Outlook CDT Insider Sentiment March 2026: The Probability Race And Barbell Strategies Macro Insights: The Hormuz Crisis Says No, But The Market Says Yes Trump says “all hell” will rain down on Iran if no deal within 48 hours Iran rejects U.S. demands; ...
Robert Way/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Founded in 1999 and based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca ( AZN ) is one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, ranked 5 th by current market cap (at $310 billion) behind Eli Lilly ( LLY ), Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ), AbbVie ( ABBV ), and Roche ( RHHBY ). AstraZeneca has proven to be one of the most consistent performers in the biopharma lands...
Robert Way/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Founded in 1999 and based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca ( AZN ) is one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, ranked 5 th by current market cap (at $310 billion) behind Eli Lilly ( LLY ), Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ), AbbVie ( ABBV ), and Roche ( RHHBY ). AstraZeneca has proven to be one of the most consistent performers in the biopharma landscape, as seen from its 10-year chart. It has slightly beaten the S&P 500 over this timeframe. Until about 6 months ago it was level-pegging the general index, but since then it has outperformed it by a significant margin. It has done this on several occasions in the past decade (e.g., 2019, 2020, and 2022-3), only to fall back in line in time. Seeking Alpha I first covered the company in September—doing something of a deep-dive – giving it a buy rating at the time. This proved prescient, with the stock up 20% since then, significantly outpacing the S&P 500, which is down 1%. Seeking Alpha One of the key reasons for this company’s consistent performance is its wide range of products/treatments sold, which helps derisk and diversify its business. It also allows it to take operational risks by pursuing growth in new areas. Indeed, while they have pursued some different treatment areas in the past (including antiviral therapies), presently they have four main foci: respiratory inflammation and autoimmunity; cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; oncology; and, after their acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals in 2021 , rare diseases. In 2025, oncology was their largest and fastest-growing segment, representing 44% of product revenue (as seen below) and seeing 14% revenue growth across the full franchise. Also seen below, the US represents their largest market, with 43% of revenue, but with R&D centres in Cambridge (UK), Gaithersburg (US), Boston (US), Gothenburg (Sweden), Shanghai (China), and Beijing (China), they can establish a presence and sell/market their products on a t...
Third Order Effects Begin: U.S. Airlines Hike Bag Fees As Jet Fuel Prices Spike The New York Harbor jet fuel benchmark has doubled in just five weeks as the aviation fuel crisis spreads from airport to airport worldwide following ongoing disruptions at the Hormuz chokepoint. The third-order effects of that energy shock began to materialize this past week, with major U.S. airlines raising checked-b...
Third Order Effects Begin: U.S. Airlines Hike Bag Fees As Jet Fuel Prices Spike The New York Harbor jet fuel benchmark has doubled in just five weeks as the aviation fuel crisis spreads from airport to airport worldwide following ongoing disruptions at the Hormuz chokepoint. The third-order effects of that energy shock began to materialize this past week, with major U.S. airlines raising checked-bag fees to offset soaring fuel costs. United Airlines and JetBlue Airways, two major U.S. carriers, raised checked-baggage fees for domestic travel this week as they begin to figure out ways to address the impact of surging jet fuel prices without causing ticket sticker shock for customers. On Monday, JetBlue raised first-checked-bag prices by $4 to $9, depending on the timing and travel date. Later in the week, United raised its checked-bag fee by $10 for new bookings, pushing some domestic economy bag fees as high as $50. Both airlines said the increased fees are uncommon, with JetBlue citing higher operating costs and United noting it was the first increase in two years. "United is raising first and second checked bag fees by $10 for customers traveling in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Latin America beginning with tickets purchased Friday, April 3," the airline said. There have been no other indications (yet) from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, or Frontier Airlines on whether they will follow, but we suspect similar measures are approaching if jet fuel prices remain elevated through the end of this month. Wall Street analysts have noted that raising baggage fees may be a better near-term option than aggressively hiking ticket prices, allowing airlines to shore up eroded margins hit hard by the fuel shock while limiting customer backlash. United CEO Scott Kirby has already warned that ticket prices may need to rise by as much as 20% to offset the surge in fuel costs. He has urged travelers to lock in fares before prices move higher. Last month, an...
Breaking News on Bloomberg This Weekend - there has been a successful rescue of a second US airman from Iran. Bloomberg's White House correspondent Jeff Mason and Bloomberg's Jerusalem reporter Dan Williams join hosts Christina Ruffini and Joe Mathieu and provide insight on the context and on going situation in Iran. (Source: Bloomberg)
Breaking News on Bloomberg This Weekend - there has been a successful rescue of a second US airman from Iran. Bloomberg's White House correspondent Jeff Mason and Bloomberg's Jerusalem reporter Dan Williams join hosts Christina Ruffini and Joe Mathieu and provide insight on the context and on going situation in Iran. (Source: Bloomberg)