The incendiary Japanese group who emerged out of late-60s unrest were suspicious of studios so their legacy was long left to bootleg obsessives. But unheard recordings are revealing their lesser-known gifts for melody By 1969 student protests were raging across Japan, as anti-university, anti-war and anti-government movements mingled in strikes and classroom blockades. “Students were getting reall...
The incendiary Japanese group who emerged out of late-60s unrest were suspicious of studios so their legacy was long left to bootleg obsessives. But unheard recordings are revealing their lesser-known gifts for melody By 1969 student protests were raging across Japan, as anti-university, anti-war and anti-government movements mingled in strikes and classroom blockades. “Students were getting really violent,” Makoto Kubota recalls of Kyoto’s Doshisha University, leaving his studies in shambles. But when his quiet, magnetic fellow student Takashi Mizutani invited Kubota to the first gig by his band les Rallizes Dénudés, their deafening psych-rock became his calling. “I’d never experienced that amount of volume. My body ached.” Les Rallizes Dénudés, which Kubota soon joined, have become the stuff of rock mythology: a mysterious, ever-shifting group whose early use of extreme distortion has won fans ranging from Osees’ John Dwyer to Lady Gaga. As its sole constant member since founding it in 1967, vocalist-guitarist Mizutani’s secretive nature and aversion to studio recordings have meant their story is still being pieced together, and their music chiefly circulated as live bootlegs. Discovering these had generated a cult international fanbase long after the band’s final gig in 1996, and Mizutani and Kubota reconnected in 2019 with plans to reunite – cut short by Mizutani’s death later that year. In his memory, Kubota is restoring and releasing their music, including an extraordinary lost album. Continue reading...
Visual Force/iStock via Getty Images Iraq is dangling steep price cuts to lure buyers for crude loading this month, even as any tanker picking up those barrels must pass through the increasingly dangerous Strait of Hormuz. State oil marketer SOMO is offering discounts of up to about $33 per barrel versus official selling prices for its Basrah Medium grade, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing a...
Visual Force/iStock via Getty Images Iraq is dangling steep price cuts to lure buyers for crude loading this month, even as any tanker picking up those barrels must pass through the increasingly dangerous Strait of Hormuz. State oil marketer SOMO is offering discounts of up to about $33 per barrel versus official selling prices for its Basrah Medium grade, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday, citing a May 3 notice. The pricing varies across the month, with deeper reductions early in the loading window and slightly narrower discounts later on. The incentive reflects the growing logistical risk. Since fighting erupted in late February, traffic through Hormuz has been severely constrained, and renewed clashes between the US and Iran this week have raised fresh doubts about a fragile ceasefire that had held for roughly a month. Iraq, facing limited storage as exports stalled, was among the first regional producers to curb output. Export activity has slowed sharply. Ship-tracking data show only two tankers loaded crude at Iraq’s southern Basrah terminal in April, compared with 12 in March and a typical monthly pace that can reach around 80 vessels. While Iraq continues to ship oil through a pipeline to Turkey, those volumes are only a small share of its normal seaborne exports. Under the May sales terms, buyers must accept the prevailing risks. The SOMO notice specifies that force majeure protections will not apply, given the widely understood conditions in the region. Basrah Medium cargoes loading between May 1 and 10 carry the largest discount, at roughly $33 per barrel below official prices, easing to about $26 for the remainder of the month. Basrah Heavy is being marketed at around $30 below official levels. Separately, SOMO also marketed Qaiyarah crude via a spot tender last week, though those cargoes likewise require loading within the Gulf, Bloomberg News reported, citing traders familiar with the matter. More on Crude Oil Futures, Brent Futures, etc. SPX Realized Ske...
The Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) is known for housing some of the most innovative and fastest-growing companies in the market. But not every stock in the index is a winner - some are struggling with slowing growth, increasing competition, or unsustainable valuations.
The Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) is known for housing some of the most innovative and fastest-growing companies in the market. But not every stock in the index is a winner - some are struggling with slowing growth, increasing competition, or unsustainable valuations.
Ineos Group, the heavily-indebted chemicals conglomerate helmed by Jim Ratcliffe , plans to raise €400 million ($468 million) from bonds to repay upcoming term loans. The five-and-a-half year issue will repay all of the group’s senior secured term loans due in 2027 and a portion of the dollar loan due in 2028, according to a person familiar with the matter. The securities will be sold through Ineo...
Ineos Group, the heavily-indebted chemicals conglomerate helmed by Jim Ratcliffe , plans to raise €400 million ($468 million) from bonds to repay upcoming term loans. The five-and-a-half year issue will repay all of the group’s senior secured term loans due in 2027 and a portion of the dollar loan due in 2028, according to a person familiar with the matter. The securities will be sold through Ineos Finance, one of the issuing entities for the broader Ineos Group, which specializes in chemicals like olefins and polymers. Bonds across the Ineos structure have seen a sharp rally in recent weeks, in part due to the impact of the war in Iran. Ineos’ large network in the US means it has access to relatively cheap raw materials — which have become harder to source as the war strangles the flow of so-called feedstocks. This puts Ineos Group at an advantage over many foreign rivals. Read More: Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Gets Debt Break From Iran War Supply Shock The deal marks a test of investor appetite for beleaguered European chemicals issuers. Ineos last issued bonds in September. Since then, its bonds have come under pressure from persistent fears of structural weakness in the European chemical industry, eroded profits and challenges from cheaper Chinese competitors. That’s come amid large spending outlays for its new ethane steam cracker in Antwerp, known as Project One.
Futures tied to major U. S. indices edged higher on Tuesday, pointing to a potential rebound after the previous session was hit by renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Futures tied to major U. S. indices edged higher on Tuesday, pointing to a potential rebound after the previous session was hit by renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Microsoft is finally giving up on showing the junk feed of MSN news when you open the widgets feature in Windows 11. After allowing Windows 11 users to disable the MSN feed more than two years ago , Microsoft says it will soon hide it by default as part of an effort to make widgets "quiet by default." "We're working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience qu...
Microsoft is finally giving up on showing the junk feed of MSN news when you open the widgets feature in Windows 11. After allowing Windows 11 users to disable the MSN feed more than two years ago , Microsoft says it will soon hide it by default as part of an effort to make widgets "quiet by default." "We're working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default," says Microsoft . "To do this, we're testing a new set of default settings designed to reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions." Microsoft is planning to disable the widgets panel opening when you hover over its taskbar ite … Read the full story at The Verge.
中東局勢再趨緊張，港股下跌近200點。「北水」繼續缺席，不計半日市，全日成交是2025年十月以來最少。 大市低開150點，再次失守兩萬六關口。指數跌幅曾經擴大至超過400點，午市逐步收窄。收市下跌197點，報25,898點，成交進一步縮減至1,222億元。 Blue Water Capital首席投資官李澤銘說：「短期來說，中東局勢又再混亂，環球股市出現明顯調整，由於港股的主要指數早前的反彈或升幅...
中東局勢再趨緊張，港股下跌近200點。「北水」繼續缺席，不計半日市，全日成交是2025年十月以來最少。 大市低開150點，再次失守兩萬六關口。指數跌幅曾經擴大至超過400點，午市逐步收窄。收市下跌197點，報25,898點，成交進一步縮減至1,222億元。 Blue Water Capital首席投資官李澤銘說：「短期來說，中東局勢又再混亂，環球股市出現明顯調整，由於港股的主要指數早前的反彈或升幅有限，今次調整的幅度都應該不會太多。所以近期的低位25,600點。會形成一個比較明顯的支持。」 滙控上季業績差過市場預期兼信貸減值撥備增加。股價下跌半成，單一股份拖低恒指112點。 長和出售英國電訊業務，套現454億元。股價升百分之4，創超過一年新高。獲大行調高目標價的寧德時代，逆市升百分之3。 體育用品股受壓，李寧和安踏下跌百分之3至4。比亞迪跌近百分之2，曾經失守100元關口。
中東局勢再趨緊張，港股下跌近200點。「北水」繼續缺席，不計半日市，全日成交是2025年十月以來最少。 大市低開150點，再次失守兩萬六關口。指數跌幅曾經擴大至超過400點，午市逐步收窄。收市下跌197點，報25,898點，成交進一步縮減至1,222億元。 Blue Water Capital首席投資官李澤銘說：「短期來說，中東局勢又再混亂，環球股市出現明顯調整，由於港股的主要指數早前的反彈或升幅...
中東局勢再趨緊張，港股下跌近200點。「北水」繼續缺席，不計半日市，全日成交是2025年十月以來最少。 大市低開150點，再次失守兩萬六關口。指數跌幅曾經擴大至超過400點，午市逐步收窄。收市下跌197點，報25,898點，成交進一步縮減至1,222億元。 Blue Water Capital首席投資官李澤銘說：「短期來說，中東局勢又再混亂，環球股市出現明顯調整，由於港股的主要指數早前的反彈或升幅有限，今次調整的幅度都應該不會太多。所以近期的低位25,600點。會形成一個比較明顯的支持。」 滙控上季業績差過市場預期兼信貸減值撥備增加。股價下跌半成，單一股份拖低恒指112點。 長和出售英國電訊業務，套現454億元。股價升百分之4，創超過一年新高。獲大行調高目標價的寧德時代，逆市升百分之3。 體育用品股受壓，李寧和安踏下跌百分之3至4。比亞迪跌近百分之2，曾經失守100元關口。
Caught Off Guard: Stunned EU Leaders React To Trump's Troop Reduction In Germany European officials have expressed dismay, disappointment, and surprise in the wake of the weekend announcement by the Trump administration that the US will be withdrawing some 5,000 troops from Germany over the coming months. "There has been talk about withdrawing US troops from Europe for a long time. But of course, ...
Caught Off Guard: Stunned EU Leaders React To Trump's Troop Reduction In Germany European officials have expressed dismay, disappointment, and surprise in the wake of the weekend announcement by the Trump administration that the US will be withdrawing some 5,000 troops from Germany over the coming months. "There has been talk about withdrawing US troops from Europe for a long time. But of course, the timing of this announcement comes as a surprise ," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed on the sidelines of the European Political Community meeting in Yerevan, Armenia on Monday. Source: European Council She then tried to find a silver lining, saying this must motivate Europe to strengthen its own role inside NATO. "I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO and we really have to do more," she said. But she also reasoned, "American troops are not in Europe only for protecting European interests, but also American interests." Kallas also said: "I don't see into the head of President Trump, so he has to explain it himself." Similarly, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reacted by saying European leaders have “gotten the message” from Trump following the announcement. Rutte, who is also in Armenia, acknowledged " disappointment from the US side" and said, "European leaders have gotten the message. They heard the message loud and clear." He followed with: "Europeans are stepping up, a bigger role for Europe and a stronger NATO." Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre when asked about the troop reduction, described "I wouldn't exaggerate that because I think we are expecting that Europe is taking more charge of its own security." "I do not see those figures as dramatic, but I think they should be handled in a harmonious way inside the framework of NATO," he told reporters in Yerevan. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said officials at the 32-member alliance currently "are working with the US to understand the details of their deci...
(RTTNews) - Despite rising tensions in the Middle East, German stocks climbed higher on Tuesday as investors reacted to a slew of earnings updates and other corporate news.
(RTTNews) - Despite rising tensions in the Middle East, German stocks climbed higher on Tuesday as investors reacted to a slew of earnings updates and other corporate news.
Sweden’s government said on Tuesday it would push forward with a plan to form a new spy agency targeting overseas threats, part of a wider reset prompted by Russia’s war in Ukraine. The new agency would be called Sweden’s foreign intelligence service (UND) and would start operations in January 2027, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told a press conference. “During the ongoing war in Ukrain...
Sweden’s government said on Tuesday it would push forward with a plan to form a new spy agency targeting overseas threats, part of a wider reset prompted by Russia’s war in Ukraine. The new agency would be called Sweden’s foreign intelligence service (UND) and would start operations in January 2027, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard told a press conference. “During the ongoing war in Ukraine, it has become very clear that an information advantage and the ability to rapidly and...
JHVEPhoto UnitedHealth ( UNH ) plans to stop requiring doctors to get approvals for an array of procedures, tests and services, cutting back on a process that has long been detested by physicians and patients, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. UnitedHealth, parent of the biggest U.S. health insurer, said the changes will slash the number of reviews by nearly a third starting later this ...
JHVEPhoto UnitedHealth ( UNH ) plans to stop requiring doctors to get approvals for an array of procedures, tests and services, cutting back on a process that has long been detested by physicians and patients, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. UnitedHealth, parent of the biggest U.S. health insurer, said the changes will slash the number of reviews by nearly a third starting later this year, as per the report. Doctors have long complained about the paperwork they must complete to get insurers’ permission for care, which can lead to delays and denials. UnitedHealth said around 2% of its total claims are now subject to the prior approval process. That still equates to millions of reviews a year. More on UnitedHealth UnitedHealth: Went Back Up Too Far, Too Fast (Downgrade) UnitedHealth: Solid Renewal Cadence With 2027 Tailwinds UnitedHealth: Recovery Is Progressing, But Upside May Be Limited Near Term Earnings Scoreboard: 82% of S&P 500 early reporters top EPS estimates ahead of big tech wave What’s next for UnitedHealth Group after Q1 earnings beat and guidance raise
georgeclerk Samsung Electronics' ( SSNLF ) Board Chairman Shin Je-yoon urged unionized workers to resolve pay disputes with management, warning that a planned strike could hurt investors and staff and have "serious consequences" for the Korean economy, Reuters reported. In an internal memo to staff on Tuesday, Shin said he was "worried about losing market leadership amid fleeing customers an...
georgeclerk Samsung Electronics' ( SSNLF ) Board Chairman Shin Je-yoon urged unionized workers to resolve pay disputes with management, warning that a planned strike could hurt investors and staff and have "serious consequences" for the Korean economy, Reuters reported. In an internal memo to staff on Tuesday, Shin said he was "worried about losing market leadership amid fleeing customers and falling competitiveness" if strikes disrupted deliveries and production, as per a Samsung statement, the report added . Such disruption at the chipmaker, could trigger capital outflows, a decline in national tax revenue, and a weakening of the won currency, Shin noted. "It's time to resolve the problem through sincere dialogue," said Shin. Samsung did not immediately respond to Seeking Alpha's request for comment. If the workers demands are not met, they plan to strike for 18 days from May 21, Among the grievances is what the workers call a massive gap in bonus pay with rival chipmaker SK hynix ( HXSCL ). Last month, thousands of Samsung workers rallied at a factory complex south of Seoul over compensation levels. Last month it was reported that Samsung's union said that production of the company's foundry and memory chips at its South Korean fabs plunged 58% and 18%, respectively. In an April 30 note, Citi said that Samsung could face near-term pressure on earnings as labor tensions rise, with the possible strike from May 21 to June 7 and higher costs weighing on profit. SK hynix and compatriot Samsung are among the world's largest memory chipmakers. SK hynix is a major supplier of high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, chips to Nvidia ( NVDA ). Samsung and American company Micron Technology ( MU ) also compete with SK hynix in this space. More on Samsung Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (SSNLF) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2026 Q1 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Samsung: Q1 Profit Guide Well Ahead Of Consensus, Remains A Buy Apple w...