Captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker in French custody 9 minutes ago Share Save Thomas Mackintosh Share Save Reuters The Grinch was intercepted by the French navy on Thursday French officials have taken the Indian captain of a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker into custody days after the oil tanker was seized. On Thursday, the French navy intercepted the tanker - named the Grinch - which President Emmanuel Macron said was "subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag". The Grinch had been travelling through the Mediterranean Sea from the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. It is now moored, under guard, at a southern French port near Marseille. Although Moscow is yet to comment, Macron said on Thursday that the shadow fleet helped to "finance Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine". The office of the Marseille prosecutor office said the rest of the ship's crew members - all also Indians - were being "kept on board" while the 58-year-old captain was taken into custody. "The investigation aims to verify the validity of the flag used by the tanker," prosecutors said. French media report say it was sailing under a Comoros Islands flag. Nautical and air exclusion zones have been established around the anchorage site, officials say. French Joint Staff of the Armed Forces Soldiers searched the vessel after it was seized in the Mediterranean Announcing the seizure on Thursday, Macron said: "We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions." Many Western countries imposed sanctions on Russian energy following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Earlier in January, British armed forces supported a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker in the Atlantic that US officials said had broken sanctions by carrying oil for Venezuela and Russia.

Portsmouth climbed out of the Championship relegation zone after Ebou Adams marked his home debut with a 77th-minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw with their fierce rivals Southampton. Saints were on course for a first league win at Fratton Park in 50 years following Léo Scienza’s 57th-minute opener. But the visitors were denied south-coast bragging rights when the Pompey midfielder Adams – a January signing from Derby – headed in following an Adrian Segecic corner, to spark wild celebrations. Portsmouth leapfrog Blackburn into 21st place courtesy of the point, while Southampton remain 15th after their wait for a clean sheet on the road stretched to 25 league games. Saints made the short journey along the M27 having not won a league match on Portsmouth’s patch since 1976, albeit this was just the fifth such meeting during that period and first for 15 years. The rival managers, John Mousinho and the Saints’ Tonda Eckert, exchanged words on the touchline during a frantic start to the contest in which the visitors had a golden chance to snatch an early lead. After a delightful flick from Kuryu Matsuki in midfield, Adam Armstrong, Saints’ top scorer with 11, was sent through on goal by Finn Azaz, only for his low effort to repelled by the left foot of Nicolas Schmid. The Pompey goalkeeper then produced another smart stop to again deny Armstrong, diving to his right to keep out a thumping half-volley after James Bree crossed from the right. Portsmouth enjoyed plenty of first-half possession but created few clear chances. The forward Millenic Alli side-footed narrowly wide for the hosts before a deflected effort from Segecic dipped on to the roof of the net. Eckert had called for “cold heads and hot hearts” from his Southampton players amid the hostile atmosphere. His side silenced three sides of the ground 12 minutes into the second half when Scienza, who scored Saints’ winner in the 1-0 midweek win against Sheffield United, broke the deadlock. View image in fullscreen ...

2025年10月28日，芬兰总理奥尔波在瑞典斯德哥尔摩出席北欧理事会会议期间，召开新闻发布会。 （法新社档案照） 格陵兰岛风波持续发酵之际，芬兰总理奥尔波（Petteri Orpo）星期天（1月25日）凌晨抵达北京，开启为期四天的访华行程。这也是近10年来芬兰总理首次访问中国。 受访学者认为，芬兰等西方国家和中国的关系正发生积极变化，他们希望通过跟中国达成更多合作，来表达对美国的不满，并形成一定程度的制约。 奥尔波访华期间将与中国国家主席习近平、国务院总理李强以及中国全国人大常委会委员长赵乐际会面，就双边关系和相关问题深入交换意见。 根据芬兰星期四（22日）发布的新闻稿，双方讨论议题包括芬中双边关系、欧中关系，以及俄乌战争等当前国际热点问题。芬中合作重点将聚焦绿色转型，以及应对气候变化所作出的努力。 奥尔波说，继续与中国就双边合作及当前国际问题进行对话非常重要，这些问题包括在以规则为基础的国际体系和贸易上所面临的挑战。 奥尔波此行将率20多家企业访华。他强调，欧盟与中国的关系必须建立在互惠和公平的市场准入基础上。 奥尔波是近10年来首次访华的芬兰总理，也是继 法国总统马克龙 和爱尔兰总理马丁分别于去年12月和本月初访华后，近期又一位访问中国的欧盟领导人。 奥尔波此次访华，正值美国总统 特朗普提出买下丹麦半自治领地格陵兰岛后 ，在欧洲引发一系列主权争议。芬兰政府本月15日宣布，应丹麦方面请求，将向格陵兰岛派遣军事人员。 分析：“特朗普因素” 改变中国和西方国家关系 新加坡南洋理工大学副教授李明江接受《联合早报》采访时说，奥尔波访华不是一个孤立的外交互动。整体上看，中国跟西方国家关系在发生积极变化，其中一个重要原因是“特朗普因素”，“他促使芬兰等欧洲国家重新评估和美国以及和中国的关系”。 李明江说，在“特朗普因素”下，西方国家希望在政治、外交、经贸关系中更加多元，“跟中国的关系就成为他们寻求多元化的重要组成部分”。 加拿大总理卡尼上周访问北京 ，并与中国达成多项共识，重修了前任总理特鲁多任内恶化的双边关系。 卡尼随后在世界经济论坛上批评美国对各国的胁迫已致全球秩序“断裂”，呼吁中等国家加强合作应对大国的胁迫。 特朗普本月初邀请多国加入旨在解决全球冲突的和平委员会，最终包括芬兰在内的西方盟友集体拒绝。 中国人民大学国际事务研究所所长王义桅受访时说，欧洲重视规则法律，重视多...

Improved weather on Sunday helped rescuers on Indonesia’s main island of Java recover more bodies as they dug through mud and debris in search of scores of missing in a landslide that killed more than two dozen villagers. The predawn landslide on the slopes of Mount Burangrang in West Java province on Saturday buried some 34 houses in Pasir Langu village. On Sunday, 72 people remained missing, many feared buried under tons of mud, rocks and uprooted trees. About 230 residents living near the site were evacuated to government shelters. A 250-member search team on Sunday collected victims’ remains, including body parts, in 14 body bags, bringing the total recovered to 25, according to Ade Dian Permana, who heads the local search and rescue office. They will be released to relatives once they are identified by forensic experts. Advertisement Videos released by the search agency showed rescuers using farm tools and bare hands to pull a body from the mud. Permana said that loose ground on the slope prevented heavy equipment from being deployed. He estimated mounds of mud were to be up to 5 meters (16 feet) high, saying “our teams must move carefully”. “Some homes are buried up to the roof level,” he added. Advertisement The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency, Mohammad Syafii, said teams were also using drones and K-9s to locate bodies along the landslide that stretched more than 2 kilometres (1.2 miles).

Key Points GE Aerospace is benefiting from a supply-demand imbalance in its industry. GE Vernova is a clear leader in power equipment, with a rapidly rising backlog. 10 stocks we like better than GE Aerospace › Are you interested in investing in one of the most storied companies in U.S. history? Well, you now have three choices. I'm talking about General Electric, the legendary company founded in 1892 by Thomas Alva Edison, the genius American innovator who invented the phonograph, electric light bulb, motion picture camera, and countless other devices. Over its 133-year history, General Electric has been just as innovative. It created advanced technologies in hydroelectric power, aviation, energy grids, wind power, healthcare, materials science, and many other fields. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » But the company's descent was just as dramatic. It fell apart like a slow-motion car wreck due to too much diversification, failed business strategies, and a disastrous foray into financial services. Losses at GE's financial unit almost sank the company during the Great Recession. The share price plunged more than 80% between 2007 and 2009. The original GE split into three separate companies The original General Electric was then split into three separate publicly traded companies beginning in 2021. One of them, GE HealthCare Technologies, makes equipment like medical imaging devices, X-ray machines, and ultrasound systems. It's been up and down over the past three years but is now up 25% since it was spun off from the original GE in late 2022. For comparison, the S&P 500 index is up about 75% over that time, so it has underperformed the market. The stocks of the other two spin-offs, however, have fared much better. GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) makes jet and turboprop engines, among other aircraft components. And GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) makes power products that generate, tr...

Key Points Dogecoin's status as a barometer of risk among the most speculative corners of the market was on full display this past week. Despite seeing some otherwise bullish catalysts materialize, investors have been in risk-off mode. Let's dive into the one key factor investors appear to be watching right now for this large-cap meme token. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › The world's largest meme cryptocurrency, Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE), has seen more volatility than perhaps is typical for the Shiba-Inu-inspired token. Over the past week, Dogecoin has declined 11.1% as of 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday. Dogecoin has one of the most robust platforms and followings among all meme coins, and it was explicitly created to build community. In doing so, this token's overall performance has been driven, at times, more by celebrity posts and those from notable CEOs than by anything truly resembling fundamentals. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » With that in mind, volatility has become part and parcel of what Dogecoin is all about. Seeing prior rallies in the pandemic era which drove Dogecoin's valuation to astronomical highs (still at around $21 billion at the time of writing), this is a token that's often viewed as one of the most important sentiment gauges in this sector, at least as representative of the most speculative areas of what many would consider to be an already-speculative crypto sector. Let's dive into what drove Dogecoin's significant decline over the past week. The good and bad behind Dogecoin's weekly move What's interesting about Dogecoin's direction of travel this week is that there are both headwinds and tailwinds to note. On the bullish side of the ledger, a U.S. Senate bill aimed at reshaping which tokens are considered investment-worthy under regulatory standards has been introduced. This bill could, in theory, put Dogecoin on a similar...

MTStock Studio/E+ via Getty Images U.S. equities are trading at elevated valuations despite signs of softer economic momentum, according to Savita Subramanian, head of U.S. equity and quantitative strategy at Bank of America Securities. Her latest analysis shows the S&P 500 ( SP500 ) is expensive across most valuation measures, even as GDP and earnings growth appear to be decelerating. Subramanian said in the Jan. 23 report that periods when both growth and earnings weaken have historically been challenging for broad market returns. Current conditions resemble past downturn regimes more than expansionary phases. Crowding raises risk inside the index The report highlights a widening gap between the index and the median stock. Mega-cap leaders account for a growing share of market gains, while the average stock trades at more modest levels. This concentration leaves investors exposed if leadership narrows further or sentiment shifts. BofA’s data show positioning in popular growth and momentum trades remains elevated, increasing vulnerability to reversals. Value favored but with caution Subramanian said value stocks screen attractively relative to history, particularly large-cap value. However, she cautioned that not all value is created equal. Some stocks appear cheap for fundamental reasons and may represent traps rather than opportunities. Rather than broad factor bets, the report suggests selective exposure that emphasizes quality balance sheets and earnings durability. No single factor offers protection The analysis finds no clear “safe” factor in the current environment. Growth, momentum and low volatility have all shown periods of underperformance, reinforcing the case for diversification and active selection. Dividend strategies also warrant scrutiny, as some high yields reflect stress rather than strength, according to the screening work in the report. Macro signals flash caution BofA’s U.S. Regime Indicator has shifted toward a downturn signal, driven by slow...

US climber scales Taiwan's tallest building Taipei 101 without ropes Reuters

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iQoncept/iStock via Getty Images Co-authored with Dislocation Capital You work hard to earn money. You finally deploy it into a company with eye-popping earnings growth, glowing forecasts, and a story that feels like it could genuinely change your financial trajectory. And then, out of the blue, an accounting/reporting issue surfaces, regulators get involved, confidence evaporates, and the stock price drops. You then begin to see news articles about a dozen law firms pursuing lawsuits against management regarding potential breaches of fiduciary duties, inviting shareholders with losses to participate. This represents a potential scenario where years of discipline can be undone in days. A recent example here at High Dividend Opportunities illustrates this dynamic all too clearly . Compass Diversified ( CODI ), a diversified holding company with audited financials and multiple operating subsidiaries, disclosed that one of its businesses (Lugano) required a material restatement of its financials. Sales and profits were overstated, inventory was misrepresented, liabilities were kept off the books, and revenues were inflated. Once the numbers were restated, reported revenues at the subsidiary collapsed by more than 80%, revealing a business far smaller than investors believed they owned. Allegations are flying, and Bloomberg reports that the FBI is probing the deals that were central to the inaccurate financials. This isn’t some rare, bad-luck outcome. Whether due to intentional fraud, incompetence, honest mistakes, or fudging, SEC filings aren't always accurate. Evidence below suggests that it can be a more structural issue, with ~11% of large U.S. public companies engaged in corporate fraud at any point. To avoid getting impacted, we believe that investors can benefit from thinking more like Rod Tidwell (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) in Jerry Maguire—less impressed by lofty promises and more focused on a simple demand: “Show me the money.” In markets, this can mean real ...

This affects everyone, whether they know it or not. You want to get the largest Social Security benefit you can, but the benefit formula can seem confusing if you don't have a finance background. Fortunately, you don't need to understand it in order to make smart choices about your checks. There are only a few key things you need to know. First, the more you pay in Social Security benefit taxes throughout your career, the larger your future retirement benefit will likely be. Second, your full retirement age (FRA) and your relation to it when you apply have a huge effect on your monthly checks. Here's a brief overview of FRA and how you can leverage it to grow your benefits. What FRA is and why you need to understand it The Social Security Administration assigns everyone a FRA, which is when they qualify for the full benefit they've earned based on their work history. Your FRA depends on your birth year. You can find it in the table below: Birth Year(s) Full Retirement Age (FRA) 1943 to 1954 66 1955 66 and 2 months 1956 66 and 4 months 1957 66 and 6 months 1958 66 and 8 months 1959 66 and 10 months 1960 and later 67 You don't have to apply for checks at your FRA. Many people don't. In these cases, the Social Security Administration adjusts your benefit up or down accordingly. Early claimers get more checks, but each one is smaller. Specifically, you lose: 5/9 of 1% per month for up to 36 months of early claiming, then 5/12 of 1% per month for any additional months of early claiming For someone with a FRA of 67, claiming as soon as they become eligible at 62 shrinks their checks by 30%. Delaying Social Security beyond your FRA increases your monthly benefit. You gain 2/3 of 1% per month, or 8% per year, until you qualify for your maximum benefit at 70. How knowing your FRA can help you grow your Social Security benefit Knowing your FRA and where you are in relation to it when it's time to claim can give you a better idea of what to expect from your checks. It can also...

Andrii Yalanskyi/iStock via Getty Images The following segment was excerpted from the Conestoga Mid Cap Composite Q4 2025 Commentary. Mid Cap Composite – 4Q25 Top 5 Leaders Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. ( JKHY ): JKHY constitutes a leading provider of technology solutions and payment processing services primarily for community banks and credit unions. The stock performed well after the company reported solid fiscal first-quarter results, characterized by steady top-line growth and successful contract wins for its modernization solutions. Despite industry consolidation headwinds, JKHY’s consistent sales momentum and ability to secure long-term client relationships highlight the resilience of its business model and its critical role in the financial services infrastructure. Repligen Corp. ( RGEN ) RGEN supplies bioprocessing equipment and consumables used in biologic drug manufacturing. Shares rebounded strongly as evidence mounted that industry destocking had bottomed and order trends were stabilizing. Improved visibility into 2026 growth, combined with disciplined cost controls, drove operating leverage expectations higher. The market re-rated the stock as investors looked past near-term volatility and focused on RGEN’s high-quality consumables mix, strong market positions, and long-term biologics growth tailwinds. Rollins, Inc. ( ROL ) ROL is a premier global consumer and commercial services company, providing essential pest control services through brands such as Orkin. The company’s stock appreciated following a solid 3Q25 earnings report that demonstrated its consistent pricing power and recurring revenue stability. The company reported organic growth of 7.2%-led by commercial organic growth of 8.4%. The company also showed strong incremental margins of 35%. Additionally, a double-digit increase in the quarterly dividend highlighted management’s confidence in future cash flows. ROL remains a core holding due to its defensive characteristics and ability to compou...

SmileStudioAP/iStock via Getty Images The high dividend yield factor has performed well in the early innings of 2026. The iShares Core High Dividend ETF ( HDV ) is up 6% YTD with one full week left in January, outperforming the S&P 500. I had a hold rating on the product back in March of last year . Since then, HDV has returned just 11%, lagging the S&P 500 ETF ( SPY ) by about 10 percentage points. Today, I am upgrading HDV to a buy. The valuation has improved on a growth-adjusted basis, while a clean technical breakout on the chart augurs for further upside as the year progresses. HDV Catching Up to SPY YoY stockcharts.com According to the issuer , HDV seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of relatively high dividend-paying US equities. It accesses 75 dividend-paying domestic stocks that have been screened for financial health and can serve as a core portfolio position, offering exposure to high-quality domestic firms. HDV is a large ETF, now with $12.5 billion in assets under management as of January 23, 2026. That’s up from $11.2 billion at the time of my previous analysis. The annual expense ratio is low at only 8 basis points, while the trailing 12-month dividend yield is high at 3.0%. Though you will find higher-yielding domestic income funds, HDV has solid exposure to quality large-cap companies. The current yield is more than twice that of the S&P 500. Share price momentum has, not surprisingly, improved markedly since the first half of last year, earning the fund a B+ ETF Grade in that category by Seeking Alpha’s quantitative scoring system. The ETF's risk grade is not great, but its historical standard deviation trend is not all that high, so I am not overly worried about that. I will note, however, concentration concerns later in the article. Liquidity is also not a problem with HDV. The average daily volume is north of 600,000 shares, while the median 30-day bid/ask spread is tight at only two basis points, per iShares. For an updat...

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Mizuho Securities Downgrades Qualcomm(QCOM.US) to Hold Rating, Cuts Target Price to $160 富途资讯

Key Points USA Rare Earth is a mining company focused on building a domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets. The company's flagship project, the Round Top deposit in Texas, is rich in heavy rare-earth elements. 10 stocks we like better than USA Rare Earth › When you think of a U.S.-based rare-earth miner -- if you've ever found yourself thinking such a thing at all -- MP Materials (NYSE: MP) is probably the first mining stock that comes to mind. And while MP Materials certainly deserves its popularity -- it did, after all, ink a landmark $400 million deal with the Department of Defense -- USA Rare Earth (NASDAQ: USAR) might be the better growth opportunity right now. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Like MP, USA Rare Earth is trying to build a domestic supply of rare-earth metals, with the end goal of manufacturing high-performance magnets. Unlike MP, whose mining output is mostly light rare-earth elements, USA Rare Earth controls a deposit (the Round Top deposit in Texas) that is much richer in heavy earths, such as dysprosium and terbium. This could mean that USA Rare Earth fills a critical gap in the rare-earth supply chain. That said, USA Rare Earth is an early-stage development company. It doesn't generate meaningful revenue right now, and it likely won't for several years. The company itself predicts that it will finish its first magnet factory in early 2026, while mining at Round Top will likely start in 2028. As a pre-revenue company with no track record of mining, investors should expect turbulence as the company works to scale its mining and manufacturing capabilities. The stock's market cap is already about $2.5 billion, despite no revenue, and yet if it can build its mine-to-magnet supply chain as it plans, that valuation could look small in retrospect. A $1,000 investment in the company today isn't without risks, ...

Even as governments around the world criticize Israel’s conduct in Gaza, many are still purchasing Israeli defense technology at record levels. Defense exports reached historic highs as demand surged from Europe, the United States, and India for missile defense, drones, and battlefield-tested systems. Bloomberg speaks with author Dan Senor, Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy, Elbit Systems CFO Kobi Kagan, Defense Ministry official Colonel Yishai Cohen, and startup founders Udi Oster and Moshiel Biton to explain the global demand for defense technology that Israel is feeding. (Source: Bloomberg)

Volkswagen AG won’t go ahead with a planned Audi factory in the US unless automotive tariffs are reduced, Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume told Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper. Audi has been weighing an American manufacturing site since 2023, initially encouraged by subsidies that would have made such an investment economically viable. That calculus has shifted as the Trump administration placed tariffs on European carmakers, which Blume said cost VW €2.1 billion ($2.5 billion) in the first nine months of 2025. “Given an unchanged tariff burden, large additional investment cannot be funded,” Blume said in comments released on Sunday. “Reduction of costs in the short term and reliable business conditions in the long term are what we need.” Despite the headwinds, Blume outlined a “forward strategy” for VW’s US business and said growth opportunities remain. However, he said an earlier target of reaching a 10% market share is no longer realistic, with the group now planning to advance in incremental steps. The carmaker’s management is in the midst of poring over details of its five-year planning round, which has been reduced to €160 billion from €180 billion two years ago. VW draws up an annual budget for spending on factories, vehicle models and new technologies such as software. The plan is expected to be unveiled in March, when the company also publishes its annual financial results.

‘High Risk, High Reward,’ Says Investor About Tesla Stock TipRanks

More than a quarter (27%) of UK workers are worried their jobs could disappear in the next five years as a result of AI, according to a survey of thousands of employees. Two-thirds (66%) of UK employers reported having invested in AI in the past 12 months, according to the international recruitment company Randstad’s annual review of the world of work, while more than half (56%) of workers said more companies were encouraging the use of AI tools in the workplace. This was leading to “mismatched AI expectations” between the views of employees and their employers over the impact of AI on jobs, according to Randstad’s poll of 27,000 workers and 1,225 organisations across 35 countries. Just under half (45%) of UK office workers surveyed believed AI would benefit companies more than employees. Younger workers, particularly those belonging to gen Z – born between 1997 and 2012 – were the most concerned about the impact of AI and their ability to adapt, while baby boomers – born in the postwar years between 1946 and 1964 and nearing the end of their careers – showed greater self-assurance. Higher levels of concern expressed by young people entering the workforce could stem from the decision of many business leaders, highlighted by separate research, to invest in AI to plug skills gaps through automation instead of training up new hires. This is adding to the challenges facing younger workers at a time when the labour market is cooling. Increased use of AI and automation in businesses is increasingly replacing “low-complexity, transactional roles”, the survey showed, which could help to address labour shortages in certain industries through boosting productivity. About half (55%) of UK workers surveyed said AI had made a positive impact on their productivity, a view echoed by employers. “AI is not a rival to labour; it should be seen as key to augmenting tasks and highlighting the importance of roles that only people can do,” said Sander van ‘t Noordende, the chief executiv...

Regardless of all the challenges they face, small businesses have been doing pretty well in this country across the board. Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of the latest numbers. For more than 50 years, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) has published a monthly report of small-business economic trends, based on a random sample of the organization’s approximately 300,000 member firms. This survey is one of the longest and most consistent of any I follow, using the same questionnaire since 1973. So where do things stand? Last year ended with a second consecutive monthly uptick in small-business optimism, with small-business owners anticipating that economic conditions would remain generally favorable going into 2026. Business owners reported that their cost pressures moderated, employment challenges eased (for most) and capital investments picked up. “The December data also delivered good news on a major 2025 pain point, with a welcome improvement in uncertainty,” reported the study’s economists. Fiserv’s Small Business Index, which aggregates consumer spending activity from point-of-sale transaction data across some 2m US small firms, highlighted that monthly sales rose over the prior month in December. “December’s sales gains show the resilience of small businesses during a competitive holiday season,” said Prasanna Dhore, chief data officer at Fiserv. “Consumers focused on essentials and made selective discretionary purchases, driven by ongoing cost pressures. These patterns, resulting in modest monthly sales growth, highlight how small businesses continue to adjust in a challenging economic climate.” Comerica Bank’s Small Business Pulse Index, a survey of more than 1,000 small-business owners across the US, found 80% of respondents in mid-November were “somewhat or very confident” about their business outlook for the next 12 months, with 79% anticipating revenue growth in 2026 – and an average projected increase of 7.9%. Technology and c...

It’s early afternoon on a gloomy day at the Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford and a group of mostly elderly men have finished their midday prayers. The assembly of mainly retired men would usually return to the familiar drumbeat of day-to-day life, but instead they make their way downstairs to tackle squats, glute bridges and the butterfly position in the mosque’s weekly 45-minute pilates class. “It’s a very unique thing for older Asian men,” said Zafar Kayani, 69, the pilates instructor. “They’re coming here for their spiritual health. Then getting that physical exercise and mental wellbeing, and they’re connecting with each other.” View image in fullscreen ‘They’re connecting with each other,’ says instructor Zafar Kayani (in grey top). Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the organisers of the pilates sessions, which began at three mosques in Bradford with a small number of attenders. A TikTok video promoting the class went viral, since amassing almost 2m views, and interest has grown, with up to 30 people attending each session. The TikTok sparked interest from mosques across the UK and farther afield, including from Malaysia and Canada, with inquiries on how similar initiatives could be implemented for their congregation. “We never expected it to go that viral,” said the mosque’s general secretary, Mohammed Ilyas. “It was just a general upload to promote and get more members in. It started from Bradford and if it goes worldwide, we believe it’s a positive thing and we’re making a change.” The class is attended by men of varying abilities, aged between 50 and 80. “They feel comfortable in the environment,” Ilyas said. “They come to pray already at the mosque, and after the prayers they can just join in the class, [in] whatever they’re wearing.” View image in fullscreen The men can join in the classes in whatever they’re wearing, says the mosque’s general secretary. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian The sess...

Key Points IWM holds nearly 2,000 small-cap stocks with a higher yield, but costs more than MGK. MGK focuses on mega-cap tech growth with a heavier sector tilt and deeper five-year growth, while IWM spreads across healthcare, financials, and tech. IWM trades with high liquidity and a slightly lower five-year max drawdown. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT:MGK) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEMKT:IWM) differ sharply in both cost and portfolio focus, with MGK offering lower expenses and tech concentration, while IWM provides broader small-cap exposure and a higher yield. Both funds are index-based, but MGK targets the largest U.S. growth stocks, whereas IWM tracks the small-cap Russell 2000 universe. This comparison looks at cost, performance, risk, and portfolio makeup to help investors weigh which approach may appeal to different goals. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric MGK IWM Issuer Vanguard IShares Expense ratio 0.07% 0.19% 1-yr return (as of 2026-01-22) 14.4% 18.2% Dividend yield 0.4% 1.0% Beta 1.20 1.34 AUM $32.5 billion $73.7 billion Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. IWM carries a higher expense ratio than MGK, making MGK the more affordable choice on fees, while IWM offers a higher dividend yield that may appeal to income-seeking investors. Performance & risk comparison Metric MGK IWM Max drawdown (5 y) -36.01% -31.91% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,929 $1,256 What's inside IWM holds 1,951 stocks, offering broad exposure to U.S. small-caps with sector weights led by healthcare (19%), financial services (16%), and technology (16%). Its largest positions, such as Bloom Energy Class A Corp. (NYSE:BE), Credo Technology Group(NASDAQ:CRDO), and Kratos Defense and Security (NASDAQ:KTOS), each account for less than 1.1% of assets, keeping single-company risk low....

ismagilov/iStock via Getty Images Reminders and Updates on ETF Coverage One of the things Seeking Alpha has been working on over the past year is increasing both the quality and quantity of our ETF coverage. It’s our desire to make Seeking Alpha a go-to destination for ETF content. With this in mind, we’re trying to make sure our analysis stands out. Having said that, we want to reiterate our editorial standards for ETF analysis as well as offer additional guidance. As a reminder, our standard of delivering original, actionable insights pertains to ETF analysis articles just as it does to articles on stocks. We encourage analysts who write about ETFs to bring their forward-looking guidance into the spotlight more consistently and clearly. We’re looking for analysts to illustrate how an ETF’s construction and methodology are applied to their views. In doing so, it’s important to explain that ETF holdings are typically dynamic, and as such, are impacted by rebalancing frequency, selection criteria, caps, and other elements. Integrating the discussions around the holdings and the methodology that shapes them communicates your robust understanding of both and adds credibility to your recommendation. And, similarly to stock article requirements, adding quantitative detail to your foreseeable outcome would make your recommendation more tangible and therefore more clearly tradable — this would include a discussion of NAV, total return (and how much of that would be attributed to price appreciation and income), average/weighted average P/E when applicable, the expense ratio, and other elements that impact tradability, like AUM. Also, keep in mind that an ETF pair trade or general comparative discussions on ETFs should also contain a decisive recommendation based on a definitive outlook, not only an illustration of how hypothetical market dynamics affect each ETF differently. Our guidelines also apply to coverage of newer “enhanced income” ETFs that have spurred both analyst...

MOZCO Mateusz Szymanski/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Uber's Long-Term Robotaxi Narrative Remains Uncertain Investors are clearly getting cagey about the road ahead for Uber Technologies, Inc. ( UBER ) as it embraces autonomous technology in its business model. Management is optimistic about the robotaxi rollout for 2026 (Uber expects to be in >10 markets), accelerating the partnerships across the stack, while maintaining its platform moat. Therefore, I believe it's in Uber's interests to snag as many early wins as possible to shape the narrative that it isn't a "winner takes all market." While the stock still notched a respectable >20% return in the past year, it has also failed to outperform its industrials peers ( XLI ) since the middle of 2025. And, coupled with the fact that Tesla ( TSLA ) retested its highs recently in late 2025, Uber investors are arguably facing the uncomfortable narrative about the disruptor facing potential long-term disruption by significant challengers such as Alphabet's ( GOOGL ) ( GOOG ) Waymo or Elon Musk's Tesla, as they increasingly build up their platform advantages, potentially undermining the market's conviction in Uber's ability to respond to such threats. Tesla And Waymo Are Formidable Rivals The silver lining is probably these developments aren't expected to play out so quickly. It may take until the end of the decade for the robotaxi thesis to influence the network economics that have afforded Uber such a gargantuan competitive advantage in its rideshare ecosystem. It has also helped the firm reap significant gains in operating leverage, and conferred on Uber the market leadership across many markets globally, including in Asia Pacific, excluding China (and holding a strategic stake in Southeast Asia's leader, Grab ( GRAB ). The network effects on data and demand/supply aggregation not only provide Uber with substantive clarity in operating at scale, but also build up growth optionalities in burgeoning vectors such as del...

is a features editor who publishes award-winning stories about law, tech, and internet subcultures. A journalist trained as a lawyer, she has been writing about tech for 10 years. Americans do not like masked secret police. There is really no other way to put it. The reasons why are manifold: accountability, trust in law enforcement, and just plain overall vibes. More concretely, not being able to tell who’s a cop and who’s not is dangerous. An assassin masquerading as law enforcement killed Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband last year. How is anyone supposed to tell whether they’re being dragged out of their home in their underwear by ICE or by mere amateur thugs? Last year, California passed the No Secret Police Act, which restricts masking for federal law enforcement, alongside the No Vigilantes Act, which requires law enforcement to wear some form of identification. The Department of Homeland Security immediately sued to enjoin the law on constitutional grounds; a judge has not yet ruled on whether to grant a preliminary injunction. State legislatures all over the country continued to introduce their own anti-masking bills Bills that ban masks on ICE agents have been introduced in Congress — from the identically-named No Secret Police Act in the House to the VISIBLE Act in the Senate — but with Republican majorities in both chambers, neither of these bills are expected to become federal law. State legislatures have moved ahead without waiting for Washington, DC. Even after DHS sued to block California’s law, state legislatures all over the country continued to introduce their own anti-masking bills. State legislatures that introduced bills last summer have slowly begun moving on them; just this past month, states like Maryland, Vermont, Washington, and Georgia introduced new bills. Los Angeles passed a city ordinance; the city of St. Paul is considering one as well. A Minnesota lawmaker says she will introduce her own bill when the session open...

While US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland dominated the narrative for broader equity markets last week, investors were hedging risks elsewhere. Only three weeks into 2026, the market pattern is similar to last year: Trump makes threats, markets start to show signs of upset then, as the tension de-escalates over a few days, stocks resume a grind higher. For volatility markets, it’s an all-too familiar quick spike and reversal: The Cboe Volatility Index jumped Tuesday, then quickly retreated to below the level from the previous Friday, with the futures curve ending the week in an almost identical shape. Meanwhile, away from the Trump-driven headlines that moved the broader indexes and the VIX, some investors were putting on hedges against geopolitical risks that could pressure shares of Chinese companies and against the potential for disappointing tech earnings. Last week, investors bought about 400,000 lots of March-expiring puts in the iShares China Large-Cap ETF ( FXI ), along with 20,000 contracts in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF ( KWEB ) and 150,000 of Xtrackers Harvest CSI China A-Shares ETF ( ASHR ) puts. “Without an obvious specific catalyst, these investors may simply be positioning for an escalation in US-China tensions, perhaps following China’s recent criticism of the US’s trade deal with Taiwan,” Christopher Jacobson , co-head of derivatives strategy at Susquehanna International Group, wrote in a note. There’s a sense among strategists that investors are becoming better positioned for the so-called TACO trade, which is limiting how much, and for how long, volatility spikes. “It seems very much like he’s playing this playbook of like, ‘I’m going to go in kind of mad dog style. No one really knows what I could do.’ And then you almost need the market to have a tantrum and then he will back off,” said Amy Wu Silverman , head of derivatives strategy at RBC Capital Markets. “From an options perspective, it’s when you see those po...

Both stocks have significant upside potential. Are you interested in investing in one of the most storied companies in U.S. history? Well, you now have three choices. I'm talking about General Electric, the legendary company founded in 1892 by Thomas Alva Edison, the genius American innovator who invented the phonograph, electric light bulb, motion picture camera, and countless other devices. Over its 133-year history, General Electric has been just as innovative. It created advanced technologies in hydroelectric power, aviation, energy grids, wind power, healthcare, materials science, and many other fields. But the company's descent was just as dramatic. It fell apart like a slow-motion car wreck due to too much diversification, failed business strategies, and a disastrous foray into financial services. Losses at GE's financial unit almost sank the company during the Great Recession. The share price plunged more than 80% between 2007 and 2009. The original GE split into three separate companies The original General Electric was then split into three separate publicly traded companies beginning in 2021. One of them, GE HealthCare Technologies, makes equipment like medical imaging devices, X-ray machines, and ultrasound systems. It's been up and down over the past three years but is now up 25% since it was spun off from the original GE in late 2022. For comparison, the S&P 500 index is up about 75% over that time, so it has underperformed the market. The stocks of the other two spin-offs, however, have fared much better. GE Aerospace (GE 0.38%) makes jet and turboprop engines, among other aircraft components. And GE Vernova (GEV 0.59%) makes power products that generate, transfer, orchestrate, and store electricity. The two split and began trading as separate public companies in April 2024. Expand NYSE : GE GE Aerospace Today's Change ( -0.38 %) $ -1.13 Current Price $ 293.87 Key Data Points Market Cap $310B Day's Range $ 290.07 - $ 299.11 52wk Range $ 159.36 - $ 332...

Enechain, a startup in Japan’s growing power market, raised 5.05 billion yen ($31.9 million) to expand its business, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company conducted an additional funding round with investors including US-based Soros Capital Management and Coreline Ventures, the person said, requesting anonymity as details have yet to be disclosed publicly. Enechain will use the money to improve its online trading platform, eSquare , which enables users to trade Japan power and fuel products. The firm will also consider taking stakes in other energy-related companies to drive growth and embed artificial intelligence tools into its trading platform, the person said. A spokesperson for Enechain declined to comment. Spokespeople for Soros Capital Management and Coreline Ventures weren’t immediately available to comment. Liberalized almost a decade ago, Japan’s power market has steadily drawn interest from domestic and overseas firms as price swings are intensified by extreme weather, uncertainty over nuclear restarts and the growing share of renewable energy. Enechain, which was founded in 2019 and brokers power trades in the country, has since expanded into various products and partnerships, including a joint venture with a major carbon credits exchange and Japanese megabank , Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc .

While US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland dominated the narrative for broader equity markets last week, investors were hedging risks elsewhere. Only three weeks into 2026, the market pattern is similar to last year: Trump makes threats, markets start to show signs of upset then, as the tension de-escalates over a few days, stocks resume a grind higher. Most Read from Bloomberg For volatility markets, it’s an all-too familiar quick spike and reversal: The Cboe Volatility Index jumped Tuesday, then quickly retreated to below the level from the previous Friday, with the futures curve ending the week in an almost identical shape. Meanwhile, away from the Trump-driven headlines that moved the broader indexes and the VIX, some investors were putting on hedges against geopolitical risks that could pressure shares of Chinese companies and against the potential for disappointing tech earnings. Last week, investors bought about 400,000 lots of March-expiring puts in the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI), along with 20,000 contracts in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) and 150,000 of Xtrackers Harvest CSI China A-Shares ETF (ASHR) puts. “Without an obvious specific catalyst, these investors may simply be positioning for an escalation in US-China tensions, perhaps following China’s recent criticism of the US’s trade deal with Taiwan,” Christopher Jacobson, co-head of derivatives strategy at Susquehanna International Group, wrote in a note. There’s a sense among strategists that investors are becoming better positioned for the so-called TACO trade, which is limiting how much, and for how long, volatility spikes. “It seems very much like he’s playing this playbook of like, ‘I’m going to go in kind of mad dog style. No one really knows what I could do.’ And then you almost need the market to have a tantrum and then he will back off,” said Amy Wu Silverman, head of derivatives strategy at RBC Capital Markets. “From an options perspective, it’s when...