In this article UQ1-FF Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Thomas Fuller | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images UniQure needs to run another study to prove that its gene therapy "actually helps people with Huntington's disease," a senior U.S. Food and Drug Administration official said on a call with reporters Thursday. The official, who requested anonymity before discussing sensiti...
In this article UQ1-FF Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Thomas Fuller | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images UniQure needs to run another study to prove that its gene therapy "actually helps people with Huntington's disease," a senior U.S. Food and Drug Administration official said on a call with reporters Thursday. The official, who requested anonymity before discussing sensitive information, confirmed the agency has asked the company to run a placebo controlled trial of its treatment, which is administered directly into the brain. UniQure has said that type of study isn't ethical because it would require putting people under general anesthesia for hours, a characterization the official disputed. "So what is really going on? UniQure is the latest company to make a failed therapy for Huntington's patients," the official said. "They likely acknowledge or understand at some deep level that their trial failed years ago, and instead of doing the right thing and running the correct clinical study, UniQure is performing a distorted or manipulated comparison in the mind of FDA." The comments mark the latest development in a messy public spat between UniQure and the FDA, and as the agency comes under fire for a number of recent drug approval application rejections, including some where companies have accused it of going back on previous guidance. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary in an interview with CNBC's Becky Quick last week seemingly criticized UniQure's gene therapy for Huntington's disease. Makary didn't name UniQure but described its treatment. watch now VIDEO 13:49 13:49 FDA Commissioner Dr. Makary on rare disease therapy approvals, internal politics at the agency Squawk Box UniQure then accused the FDA of reversing its stance that the company's clinical trial data would be sufficient to seek approval. UniQure's study used an outside database to measure how patients with Huntington's disease might decline without treatment, known as an external contr...
But for the Iran crisis, Labour’s first major policy announcement since the party’s calamitous defeat in the Gorton and Denton byelection would have been arguably the biggest political story of the week. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, pressed ahead with what is intended to be the party’s full-throated answer to the competition it faces from Reform UK as she declared an end to permanent refug...
But for the Iran crisis, Labour’s first major policy announcement since the party’s calamitous defeat in the Gorton and Denton byelection would have been arguably the biggest political story of the week. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, pressed ahead with what is intended to be the party’s full-throated answer to the competition it faces from Reform UK as she declared an end to permanent refugee status and the removal of state support from some asylum seekers. It immediately put her on a collision course with many Labour backbenchers, but it also left the party’s soft-left majority, who had been pushing for a more progressive offering in recent weeks, asking: “Is that it?” The victory speech in Gorton and Denton by Hannah Spencer, the newly minted Green party MP, contained the sort of lines that many on Labour’s backbenches yearn to hear their leader utter, or even nod towards. Hard-working people had become “sick of making other people rich” and now wondered what their toil would yield, said the young plumber. Yet while Keir Starmer’s troops expected at least some red meat this week from their party’s leadership to counter the Green challenge for economically squeezed traditional Labour voters, his instinctive response was to send a letter to MPs in which he repeated an attack line that sought to paint Zack Polanski’s party as extremist. Several at the parliamentary Labour party meeting on Monday took issue with the letter’s message, and a senior minister shared their disappointment with the Guardian that Starmer had not responded to the loss of Gorton by talking about the cost of living. Without any progressive offer for Labour MPs, the prime minister now faces a mounting rebellion over Mahmood’s plans, which had been intended to at least cauterise the issue of immigration with the public and could create room to lean leftwards. View image in fullscreen Shabana Mahmood speaks at the Institute for Public Policy Research in Westminster on Thursday. Photograph: S...
charnsitr/iStock via Getty Images The last time I spoke about Day One Biopharmaceuticals ( DAWN ), it was regarding a Seeking Alpha article entitled " Day One Biopharmaceuticals: Mersana Acquisition Ignites March Towards Unmet Need ." I noted that this company had completed its acquisition of Mersana Therapeutics so that it could add an ADC directed against B7-H4 solid tumors, known as Emi-Le [emi...
charnsitr/iStock via Getty Images The last time I spoke about Day One Biopharmaceuticals ( DAWN ), it was regarding a Seeking Alpha article entitled " Day One Biopharmaceuticals: Mersana Acquisition Ignites March Towards Unmet Need ." I noted that this company had completed its acquisition of Mersana Therapeutics so that it could add an ADC directed against B7-H4 solid tumors, known as Emi-Le [emiltatug ledadotin]. However, the goal of Day One is to specifically develop this drug to target a rare type of cancer known as adenoid cystic carcinoma [ACC]. The reason why I mentioned this is to mention that this is the first of many catalysts that are expected to be released during this year. In mid-2026, it is expected that Day One is set to release updated data from the phase 1 study for this program by mid-2026. The last time I wrote about this company, I had a "Strong Buy" rating for it, and I'm going to stick with this rating. Not just because of the acquisition of Mersana Therapeutics to obtain B7-H4-directed ADC Emi-Le. The truth is that this company has already obtained FDA approval for a drug in its pipeline known as OJEMDA [tovorafenib], which was approved to treat patients 6 months or older with relapsed or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma [pLGG] harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement, or BRAF V600 mutation. For the full year 2025, it was noted that OJEMDA net product revenue was $155.4 million, which is important because this represents a year-over-year growth rate of 172%. Furthermore, the company is already in the process of attempting to expand the label of this drug. How so? It is through the ongoing evaluation of tovorafenib in the pivotal phase 3 FIFREFLY-2 study targeting 1st-line pLGG. The milestone for this is that full enrollment for this specific pivotal study is expected in the 1st half of 2026. Besides the financials and everything else, there are two other updates to go over for this company. The first of which is that there was takeover s...
aquatarkus Volkswagen ( VWAGY ) ( VLKAF ) ( VWAPY ) is exploring potential defense-sector opportunities as it considers options for its Osnabrück factory, including the possibility of selling or repurposing the site once production of the T-Roc Cabriolet ends in 2027. A company spokesperson said the automaker recently showcased several prototype vehicles developed at the plant during the Enforce T...
aquatarkus Volkswagen ( VWAGY ) ( VLKAF ) ( VWAPY ) is exploring potential defense-sector opportunities as it considers options for its Osnabrück factory, including the possibility of selling or repurposing the site once production of the T-Roc Cabriolet ends in 2027. A company spokesperson said the automaker recently showcased several prototype vehicles developed at the plant during the Enforce Tac security and defense trade fair in Nuremberg, Reuters reported Thursday. The appearance was intended to gauge interest from potential buyers and partners as Volkswagen evaluates future uses for the facility, which employs roughly 2,300 people. The initiative comes as the carmaker reviews how best to utilize the site as part of a broader restructuring of its manufacturing footprint. Earlier discussions about a possible sale of the plant to German defense contractor Rheinmetall ( RNMBY ) ( RNMBF ) ( RHM:CA ) were said to lose momentum late last year after the company’s chief executive, Armin Papperger, visited the location. According to Volkswagen, engineers at the Osnabrück factory have spent recent months developing specialized vehicle concepts that were presented at Enforce Tac to assess market demand. The trade show drew more than 1,400 exhibitors and roughly 26,000 industry attendees. The company emphasized that the prototypes were part of an exploratory effort and that it remains uncertain whether they will lead to concrete projects. Defense industry outlet Defence Network reported that the vehicles displayed included the olive-colored MV.1, derived from the Amarok pickup, and the MV.2, a military-adapted version of the Crafter van. Photographs from the event show the vehicles without Volkswagen branding, instead carrying the label “D.E.S. Defence.” The publication said the vehicles have been significantly modified for military applications, with few shared components beyond the basic exterior design of their civilian counterparts. More on Volkswagen AG U.S. Supreme ...
Brendon McCullum has reiterated his desire to remain as England head coach after an agonising defeat in the T20 World Cup semi-finals ended a bruising winter. England fell seven runs short of completing a stunning chase of 254 to beat India in Mumbai, with the hosts now going on to meet New Zealand in Sunday's final. England's creditable run at the World Cup followed a 4-1 defeat on an Ashes tour ...
Brendon McCullum has reiterated his desire to remain as England head coach after an agonising defeat in the T20 World Cup semi-finals ended a bruising winter. England fell seven runs short of completing a stunning chase of 254 to beat India in Mumbai, with the hosts now going on to meet New Zealand in Sunday's final. England's creditable run at the World Cup followed a 4-1 defeat on an Ashes tour blighted by mistakes on and off the field. Prior to the series in Australia, on a limited-overs tour of New Zealand, white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer while out drinking on the eve of a one-day international in Wellington. McCullum previously stated he wanted to remain as coach after England lost the Ashes inside three Tests. Before the end of the tour of Australia, there were indications the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was willing to allow McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key to remain in their jobs. The ECB has been conducting a review into the Ashes series, the findings of which are yet to be made public, while Brook, Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue are under investigation by the Cricket Regulator for their actions on the night in Wellington. England do not play until a home Test series against McCullum's native New Zealand in June, and the former Black Caps captain is now due to return home for some downtime. Asked if he expects to be in charge at the beginning of the English summer, McCullum told BBC Sport: "I'd like to be. I think it's a great job because you're working with some of the most talented players in the world. "I'm not saying it's a great job because it's a lark, I'm saying it's a great job because I'm working with some of the most talented players in the world with an organisation that is very well structured, well run and well supported by the fans." McCullum was appointed as England Test coach in 2022 and won 10 of his first 11 matches in charge. Since then, England have lost 17 out of 35 Tests, including a 2-...
Oracle Corp (NYSE:ORCL, XETRA:ORC) is planning to cut thousands of jobs as it works to manage the financial strain from a major expansion of artificial intelligence data centers, according to a report by Bloomberg. The layoffs are expected to affect multiple divisions and could begin as soon...
Oracle Corp (NYSE:ORCL, XETRA:ORC) is planning to cut thousands of jobs as it works to manage the financial strain from a major expansion of artificial intelligence data centers, according to a report by Bloomberg. The layoffs are expected to affect multiple divisions and could begin as soon...
BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 5, Fibocom officially launched the FG205 module and 5G MiFi solution based on the Qualcomm QMB415 platform. The QMB415 platform supports the Linux operating system and, with its deeply customized hardware architecture and reduced memory requirements, delivers an optimized solution and more reliable supply stability for wireless broadband app...
BARCELONA, Spain, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 5, Fibocom officially launched the FG205 module and 5G MiFi solution based on the Qualcomm QMB415 platform. The QMB415 platform supports the Linux operating system and, with its deeply customized hardware architecture and reduced memory requirements, delivers an optimized solution and more reliable supply stability for wireless broadband applications. The FG205 module and 5G MiFi solution based on the Qualcomm QMB415 platform debuted at MWC 2026 Deep Hardware Customization: Simplifying Design for Core MiFi Needs Built on the Qualcomm SM4450 chipset, the QMB415 platform has been highly customized for wireless broadband scenarios. Unlike traditional smartphone chip platforms that often include redundant features, this solution adopts a streamlined architecture: reducing unnecessary CPU computing power and removing the GPU to focus on network connectivity performance. Software System: Linux OS Eliminates "Memory Anxiety" A key highlight of Fibocom's newly released MiFi solution is its support for the Linux operating system. Previously, most 5G SoC platforms used Android, which typically requires larger memory capacity (usually ≥3GB). After adapting to Linux OS, the memory requirement of this solution can be as low as 1GB. This reduced storage configuration not only achieves a lower cost but also minimizes supply and price risks associated with memory components. Platform Evolution: Pin-to-Pin Compatibility for Rapid Iteration To help customers shorten time-to-market, the solution ensures hardware design continuity. The FG205 module based on the QMB415 platform maintains the same form factor and layout as Fibocom's FG180/190 series modules based on the Snapdragon X72/X75 platform. With pin-to-pin compatibility, device manufacturers can switch between different performance tiers on the same hardware platform without redesigning the PCB, enabling faster product upgrades and iterations. For Wi-Fi integration, Fibocom...
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thanks to its expansion efforts and its value proposition (see also Ross Stores and TJX Companies ), Burlington ( BURL ) reported another strong quarter with an 11% increase in sales and a 21% improvement in profits, both beating the company’s and Wall Street’s expectations. “This was a very strong performance in our largest quarter of the year,” ackn...
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thanks to its expansion efforts and its value proposition (see also Ross Stores and TJX Companies ), Burlington ( BURL ) reported another strong quarter with an 11% increase in sales and a 21% improvement in profits, both beating the company’s and Wall Street’s expectations. “This was a very strong performance in our largest quarter of the year,” acknowledged CEO Michael O’Sullivan, adding that the outlook for 2026 is equally upbeat. “We think there may be potential upside to our expectations, and we have positioned the business to aggressively chase sales.” Notably, the company saw increased comparable store sales at its higher price points, indicating that despite economic pressures, shoppers are drawn to the value of higher-quality merchandise. These trends resulted in a mid-single-digit increase in average unit retail in the reported quarter. Second, the tariffs led the company to pivot from merchandise with higher tariff costs and, in turn, lower margins, specifically home goods. By reducing inventory in this category, Burlington ( BURL ) protected its margins. This strategy enabled Burlington’s ( BURL ) fourth quarter gross profit margin to expand by 80 basis points and merchandise margin to increase 60 basis points, driving 21% earnings per share growth. The company also managed its expenses well. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses improved 40 basis points to 22.2% from 22.6% in the same quarter last year. Coupled with higher adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA, “all of this implied customers are responding well to the discounted nature of Burlington’s offerings and driving earnings higher,” said Seeking Alpha analyst Quad 7 Capital, Investing Group Leader for BAD BEAT Investing. While the CEO admits that the inventory adjustments in home goods to mitigate tariff impacts had a detrimental effect on sales when unseasonably warm weather undermined coat sales (and left little buffer for lower apparel sales)...
Dan North, senior economist at Allianz Trade Americas, describes the U.S. labor market as "a trifle damp." He expects that the February nonfarm payrolls number will indicate positive growth, "but not really super strong or exciting." Indeed, the consensus estimate doesn't foresee gangbusters growth in jobs for February. It expects nonfarm payrolls to increase by ~60K in February, down from the 130...
Dan North, senior economist at Allianz Trade Americas, describes the U.S. labor market as "a trifle damp." He expects that the February nonfarm payrolls number will indicate positive growth, "but not really super strong or exciting." Indeed, the consensus estimate doesn't foresee gangbusters growth in jobs for February. It expects nonfarm payrolls to increase by ~60K in February, down from the 130K initially reported for January. The unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 4.4% vs. 4.3% in the prior month. Meanwhile, the Chicago Fed's real-time labor market indicators see little change in February, estimating the unemployment rate at 4.27% vs. 4.28% reported in January. The hiring rate is estimated at 45.42% vs. 45.16% in January, and the layoffs and other separations rate indicates no change at 2.07%, according to the Chicago Fed. While job growth isn't surging, it's not falling out of bed, either. "The unemployment rate is pretty low, so that's what keeps consumption going," North said in an interview with Seeking Alpha. "We don't have a collapse in the labor market at all." Still, he links the tepid labor market with signs of consumer spending weakening. Growth in real personal consumption expenditures has slowed to 1.7% Y/Y, about half the long-term average, and disposable personal income, which is the fuel for consumption growth, is at 0.9% Y/Y, he pointed out. "There's definitely weakness there." Furthermore, the retail sales control group, which is used to gauge underlying sales trends, slipped to 3.5% Y/Y in February from 4.7%. In addition, holiday sales were "pretty lousy after inflation" at ~1.5% Y/Y. "So you're starting to see a slowdown in consumption, and I think that correlates with the negative numbers we had in nonfarm payrolls" in previous months, he said. "However, we don't expect to see that continue. We think that there will be a rebound in both of those numbers." Citigroup's Veronica Clark suspects the recent labor market stability is " more...
Grandbrothers/iStock Editorial via Getty Images The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved Johnson & Johnson's ( JNJ ) antibody therapy Tecvayli (teclistamab) as part of a combination regimen for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Specifically, the FDA has greenlighted Tecvayli with Darzalex Faspro (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) for adults with relapsed or refractory m...
Grandbrothers/iStock Editorial via Getty Images The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved Johnson & Johnson's ( JNJ ) antibody therapy Tecvayli (teclistamab) as part of a combination regimen for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Specifically, the FDA has greenlighted Tecvayli with Darzalex Faspro (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have already received at least one line of therapy previously. Darzalex Faspro is a subcutaneous injection developed using Halozyme's ( HALO ) Enhanze drug delivery technology. The decision marks the third drug approval under the FDA Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher pilot program, which was launched last year to expedite the review of experimental therapies developed by companies aligned with U.S. national interests. The FDA stated that the approval came in just 55 days after J&J ( JNJ ) received a national priority voucher for its marketing application for the drug combo in December. More on Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Presents at TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference Transcript Johnson & Johnson: Strong Run May Be Ending (Rating Downgrade) Q4 Healthcare Dividends: Johnson & Johnson Kept Outshining Pfizer (Rating Upgrades) Most and least shorted mid-to mega-cap healthcare stocks in February FDA reportedly eyeing staff bonuses to accelerate drug reviews
Oil Is "Beginning To Flow" From Venezuela, Trump Says Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times, Oil is “beginning to flow” from Venezuela, with the United States and Venezuela engaging in a professional and dedicated manner on the issue, President Donald Trump said in a March 4 post on Truth Social. “Delcy Rodríguez, who is the President of Venezuela, is doing a great job, and working wi...
Oil Is "Beginning To Flow" From Venezuela, Trump Says Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times, Oil is “beginning to flow” from Venezuela, with the United States and Venezuela engaging in a professional and dedicated manner on the issue, President Donald Trump said in a March 4 post on Truth Social. “Delcy Rodríguez, who is the President of Venezuela, is doing a great job, and working with U.S. Representatives very well,” Trump wrote. Rodríguez became the leader of Venezuela in January after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3. Maduro is currently facing charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking in the United States. Replying to Trump’s post, Rodríguez said in a March 4 X post, “I thank President [Trump] for the kind willingness of his government to work together on an agenda that strengthens binational cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the United States and Venezuela.” After being named the interim president of Venezuela following Maduro’s capture, Rodríguez had condemned Washington’s action, calling for Maduro to be returned. She termed the U.S. military action a violation of international law. Trump then warned that Rodríguez could face consequences if she didn’t “do what’s right.” Rodríguez has become increasingly cooperative with Washington over the weeks. On Feb. 10, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license that authorized the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in Venezuela. The license allows U.S. citizens to carry out oil and gas-related transactions with the Venezuelan government, including the development of new oil and gas sites. Prior to this decision, Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA had to curtail production due to a U.S. blockade aimed at putting pressure on Maduro. On Feb. 13, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a broad license that allowed major oil companies—BP, Chevron, Eni, Shell, and Repsol—to restart operations in the natio...
Earnings Call Insights: Ranpak Holdings Corp. (PACK) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Omar Asali reported that Ranpak ended 2025 with volume growth across all geographies and strong momentum in automation, stating, “Large enterprise accounts in North America continue to be a key driver of performance, both from top line and margin perspective.” He highlighted a robust e-commerce holiday season in North...
Earnings Call Insights: Ranpak Holdings Corp. (PACK) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Omar Asali reported that Ranpak ended 2025 with volume growth across all geographies and strong momentum in automation, stating, “Large enterprise accounts in North America continue to be a key driver of performance, both from top line and margin perspective.” He highlighted a robust e-commerce holiday season in North America, resulting in 5.5% quarterly volume growth and 14.3% for the year in the region. Asali added, “Automation was the other bright spot in the quarter as we achieved nearly 40% growth on a constant currency basis and entered 2026 with a strong order book, giving us visibility to what we believe will be our largest growth year yet in that area.” Asali announced strengthened partnerships with two leading e-commerce and retail companies, which he believes will “fuel substantial growth across both our protective and automation business for years to come,” and a major collaboration with Medline Industries for automated box customization in the healthcare sector. Asali emphasized strategic alignment with “cutting-edge leaders like Pickle Robot” and noted Ranpak’s expanding role in AI-driven goods movement and logistics solutions. CFO William Drew stated, “Net revenue for the company in the fourth quarter increased 2.2% year-over-year on a constant currency basis or an increase of 4.4%, excluding the impact of warrants, driven by solid e-commerce volume growth in North America and increased automation sales.” He observed a strong liquidity position at year-end, with a cash balance of $63 million and no drawings on the Revolving Credit Facility, bringing reported net leverage to 4.4x on an LTM basis. Drew highlighted, “Our CapEx for the year was $30.3 million, a reduction of $2.8 million from 2024 and a 45% reduction from the $55 million spent in 2023.” Outlook Asali provided 2026 guidance of net revenue growth between 5% and 12.7% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 5.4% to 19.9% o...
A market sell-off resumed on both sides of the Atlantic on Thursday as fears mounted that there would be no quick resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. Early gains in European markets, which had followed a rebound in Asia, were wiped out in later trading and Wall Street was also trading sharply lower by early afternoon in New York. The US-Israel war with Iran has driven up the price of oi...
A market sell-off resumed on both sides of the Atlantic on Thursday as fears mounted that there would be no quick resolution to the conflict in the Middle East. Early gains in European markets, which had followed a rebound in Asia, were wiped out in later trading and Wall Street was also trading sharply lower by early afternoon in New York. The US-Israel war with Iran has driven up the price of oil and gas, triggering fears of a renewed inflation shock and dampening hopes of interest rate cuts. In London the FSTE 100 closed down 1.5% or 154 points at 10,414 while Germany’s DAX and Italy’s FTSE MIB both fell 1.6%. France’s CAC closed down 1.5% and Spain’s IBEX was down 1.4%. In the US the Dow Jones was down 2%, the S&P 500 was down 1.3% and the Nasdaq was off about 1%. Meanwhile oil prices continued to rise, with a barrel of Brent crude up 4% on Thursday at nearly $85. European gas prices were up more than 3%. Brent crude has jumped 15% in the past five days. “The optimism which helped lift Asian and European markets early in the day evaporated like water droplets on a smouldering stove top,” said Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell. “It’s becoming harder to see a quick resolution to the conflict in the Middle East and that in turn is forcing markets to look again at their interest rate expectations for the coming months.” In the UK, the more domestic-focused FTSE 250 closed down 0.9%, at 22,700.20. Among the biggest fallers was Wizz Air, which has cancelled flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until 15 March, as the airline warned of a €50m (£43m) hit to annual profits, also reflecting the impact of higher jet fuel costs. Its shares fell 11.3%. FTSE 100 airlines were also affected, with easyJet shares dropping 5% on Thursday and British Airways’ owner IAG down 2%. Treasury yields in the US were on track to rise for a fourth consecutive day, as higher oil prices began to cast doubt on immediate interest rate cuts by the Federal Reser...
The Kurds are one of the biggest ethnic groups in the world without their own nation. Numbering between 30 and 40 million worldwide, most live amid the peaks and valleys straddling the borders of Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. The Kurds link their history to that of the Medes, an ancient Middle Eastern people. They were left stateless a century ago when the borders of the modern Middle Eas...
The Kurds are one of the biggest ethnic groups in the world without their own nation. Numbering between 30 and 40 million worldwide, most live amid the peaks and valleys straddling the borders of Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. The Kurds link their history to that of the Medes, an ancient Middle Eastern people. They were left stateless a century ago when the borders of the modern Middle East emerged from the collapsing Ottoman empire. Repeatedly caught in the bloody political competition of a volatile region and often forced to rely on their homegrown militia, the peshmerga, for defence, the Kurds say their tough and often bloody history has taught them that they have “no friends but the mountains”. Despite significant diversity, the Kurds have their own distinct culture, with a language related to Persian that has many dialects, music, cuisine and identity. Their nationalism has its roots in the late 19th century but dreams of a homeland have been repeatedly dashed, and promises made across a century or more by imperial powers such as Britain and then the US to support their national ambitions have gone unfulfilled. Most are Sunni Muslim but there are significant religious minorities. 8:39 Why does Trump want Kurdish fighters to join the war in Iran? - The Latest Since the second world war, a series of authoritarian regimes, rulers and governments in the region have brutally repressed Kurds, displacing and killing entire communities. Outside powers have sought to exploit the Kurds to gain leverage, sowing dissension and rivalry. Such interventions frequently brought disastrous results for Kurdish communities. In Turkey, a long conflict between security forces and the PKK, a leftist group that first fought for an independent Kurdish state and then autonomy, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced many more in the country’s south-east. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons against Kurds in the north, though after the Gulf war of 1991 they were...
In this article Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Peter Lourenco | Moment | Getty Images Stocks are wobbling amid a U.S. war with Iran, and investors may feel anxious . But volatility is a common feature of the stock market. Indeed, drops of 1%, 2% or more in a given day — though they may feel nauseating at the time — happen more often than you may think. The S&P 500 U.S. stock index...
In this article Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Peter Lourenco | Moment | Getty Images Stocks are wobbling amid a U.S. war with Iran, and investors may feel anxious . But volatility is a common feature of the stock market. Indeed, drops of 1%, 2% or more in a given day — though they may feel nauseating at the time — happen more often than you may think. The S&P 500 U.S. stock index, for example, has fallen 1% or more on 1,001 days over the past 30 years — or, about 33 days per year, on average, according to a Morningstar Direct analysis of market data since 1996. Over the same period, the index slipped at least 2% on 313 days, according to Morningstar. That's an average of about 10 days per year. "That's almost once a month," Charlie Fitzgerald III, a certified financial planner based in Orlando, said of the data. "These little blips happen quite often," said Fitzgerald, who is a founding member of Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo , which ranked No. 69 on CNBC's 2025 Financial Advisor 100 . "It's what stock markets do, and it's what they've done for 100 years," he said. Investors saw such a drop earlier this week as they digested the prospect of a broadening conflict in the Middle East, and what it could mean for oil prices and the broader U.S. and global economies. For example, the S&P 500 closed 1% lower on Tuesday, and at one point in the day, it was down around 2%. "This is kind of a classic geopolitical shock," Fitzgerald said. The financial markets tend to take a "shoot first and ask questions later" mentality when extrapolating from headlines about such conflicts, Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, said Wednesday in a market commentary . "We believe investors need to try and keep a clear head, look through the headlines, and stick to a well thought out plan," Wren wrote. "A diversified portfolio is one key to that plan." Single days matter less than long-term trend On a single day at the start of the Covi...
onurdongel/E+ via Getty Images Antero Resources ( AR ) +3.6% in Thursday's trading as Benchmark upgraded to Buy from Hold with a $44 price target, saying the s hares have significantly trailed other oil and gas producers as gas prices withdrew from multi - year highs on strong supply. Benchmark's Subash Chandra is not calling the bottom on natural gas but feels increasingly p ositive on natural ga...
onurdongel/E+ via Getty Images Antero Resources ( AR ) +3.6% in Thursday's trading as Benchmark upgraded to Buy from Hold with a $44 price target, saying the s hares have significantly trailed other oil and gas producers as gas prices withdrew from multi - year highs on strong supply. Benchmark's Subash Chandra is not calling the bottom on natural gas but feels increasingly p ositive on natural gas exporters, which should enjoy a bump from the war in Iran as stable sources of supply, noting the U.S. is the thi rd largest exporter of propane after Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, two countries that are now in a war zone. NGLs represent a smaller share of Antero's ( AR ) business pro forma for the acquisition of HG Energy II, but the company is the largest publicly traded NGL exporter, Chandra said, adding Antero's dry gas business should yield a lower breakeven cost without sacrificing basis differentials given the company's pathways to the LNG corridor. Also, Chandra cut Talos Energy ( TALO ) to Hold from Buy following FY 2026 guidance was softer than expected despite a strong 2025, adding the 2026 drilling program is "vigorous and meaningful but recurring challenges to base production persist." The analyst also downgraded Diamondback Energy ( FANG ) and Permian Resources ( PR ) to Hold from Buy, citing valuation. More on Antero Resources Antero Resources Q4 2025 Earnings Call Presentation Antero Resources: Ending The Fiscal Year With A Bang Antero Resources: Projected FCF Boosted By Recent Transactions