The pioneering Nordic artist brought wit, verve and cinematic flair to postwar photography. A new exhibition celebrates her vibrant visual style Continue reading...
The pioneering Nordic artist brought wit, verve and cinematic flair to postwar photography. A new exhibition celebrates her vibrant visual style Continue reading...
Exclusive: Guardian investigation into reliability of methane certification issued by MiQ reveals weakness of voluntary model A rapidly expanding certification scheme run by a UK nonprofit and used by major gas companies may be understating the actual methane emissions it purports to certify, a Guardian investigation has found. BP, ExxonMobil and EQT are among the producers that have turned to Lon...
Exclusive: Guardian investigation into reliability of methane certification issued by MiQ reveals weakness of voluntary model A rapidly expanding certification scheme run by a UK nonprofit and used by major gas companies may be understating the actual methane emissions it purports to certify, a Guardian investigation has found. BP, ExxonMobil and EQT are among the producers that have turned to London-based MiQ to demonstrate that their US-produced natural gas complies with the European Union Methane Regulation, or EUMR, which aims to curb energy-related emissions. Jess Staufenberg contributed additional reporting to this piece. The investigation was supported by Journalismfund Europe and Gas Outlook . Continue reading...
An unconvincing group of friends is briskly picked off one-by-one while searching for a beastie that hitched a ride to Earth on a meteorite You get the measure early on of the tentacled predator in this British horror film when it makes mincemeat out of a hairy tough-guy Neanderthal. The movie opens with some punching-above-its budget special effects explaining the origins of the flesh-eater, whic...
An unconvincing group of friends is briskly picked off one-by-one while searching for a beastie that hitched a ride to Earth on a meteorite You get the measure early on of the tentacled predator in this British horror film when it makes mincemeat out of a hairy tough-guy Neanderthal. The movie opens with some punching-above-its budget special effects explaining the origins of the flesh-eater, which crash landed on Earth with a meteorite. Like Neil Marshall’s The Descent, it’s a creature that makes its home in caves – though unlike the earlier movie, Bone Keeper lacks a sense of sweat-trickling-down-your-back claustrophobia, despite a couple of good scares. Sarah Alexandra Marks plays Olivia, whose journalist grandfather vanished in the 1970s while investigating reports of a creature in a cave somewhere in the UK. Now years later, Olivia’s mother has disappeared while searching for him. So Olivia heads to the caves with a group of mates, who feel as if they’ve been dreamed up in a 20-minute character development brainstorm, though it doesn’t matter too much as they are about to be briskly picked off one by one. The direction is pretty crude in places as the gang heads to the caves, with a semi-famous YouTuber hitchhiker called Ashley (Sarah T Cohen) along for the ride. Continue reading...
Meowcyber/iStock via Getty Images Valhi, Inc. ( VHI ) is a holding company with businesses principally dominated by three listed companies: NL Industries ( NL ) with an ~83% stake, CompX ( CIX ) with an 87% stake , and Kronos ( KRO ) with an 80% stake. These ownerships are the results of various corporate actions piloted by the controlling interest in the company, Contran. So retail shareholders a...
Meowcyber/iStock via Getty Images Valhi, Inc. ( VHI ) is a holding company with businesses principally dominated by three listed companies: NL Industries ( NL ) with an ~83% stake, CompX ( CIX ) with an 87% stake , and Kronos ( KRO ) with an 80% stake. These ownerships are the results of various corporate actions piloted by the controlling interest in the company, Contran. So retail shareholders are being dominated by a controlling interest, always a corporate governance factor to keep in mind, though common with holding companies that often arise from family wealth in public markets - so not much more to say on that. Note on ownership (10-K) Kronos is more than half of the primary assets by market value, and they manufacture TiO₂, which is a pigment used in paints and therefore with construction end markets. Most of their assets are in Europe, and most of the process is chloride-based, which should be less energy intensive but is still very energy intensive. Kronos Assets Ti02 (10-K) The oil crisis is not a good vector for the company, as energy is an important input. On the other hand, there have been antidumping measures to protect European TiO₂ production from Chinese import pressure. This should help, but chloride-based processes use higher-grade materials that will also get caught by antidumping tariffs. Still, it should be a net positive from antidumping measures, as not all the inputs are being tariffed while all competing outputs from the same processes in China are being tariffed. We think Valhi is quite undervalued. Other than the steep enough holding company discount, it's also not revalued proportionately to the revaluation of its Kronos, up almost 50% YTD compared to Valhi's less than 20%. We have always understood that Tronox ( TROX ) is the most vertically integrated with mines of their own and therefore deserves the biggest re-rating. Data by YCharts Results We are more interested now in Valhi. The first thing to mention looking forward is the EU an...
Two significant decisions within eight days made by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo reflect the current state of its mining industry, where Chinese companies have emerged as preferred partners. On March 19, DR Congo’s Mining Registry announced the cancellation of mining permits held by Australia’s AVZ Minerals for non-payment of surface rights fees. It was the second cancellatio...
Two significant decisions within eight days made by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo reflect the current state of its mining industry, where Chinese companies have emerged as preferred partners. On March 19, DR Congo’s Mining Registry announced the cancellation of mining permits held by Australia’s AVZ Minerals for non-payment of surface rights fees. It was the second cancellation in three years suffered by the company in DR Congo after its Manono lithium concession was revoked...
A new solo dining trend among Chinese people is boosting the success of Japanese diner brands such as Sushiro. The conveyor belt sushi chain opened its first mainland shop in Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong province in 2021. Its popularity boomed when the brand opened its first shop in Beijing in 2024. It was reported that there was a queue of up to 1,500 tables. When Sushiro entered Shang...
A new solo dining trend among Chinese people is boosting the success of Japanese diner brands such as Sushiro. The conveyor belt sushi chain opened its first mainland shop in Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong province in 2021. Its popularity boomed when the brand opened its first shop in Beijing in 2024. It was reported that there was a queue of up to 1,500 tables. When Sushiro entered Shanghai in December 2025, there were already 700 groups of people waiting before its first opening....
Regional banks have had a rough go of it over the past two months. The State Street SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEMKT: KRE) reached $74 earlier in February. Since then, it has pulled back to the $63 range, in large part due to geopolitical risks and the volatility in yields. Regional bank stocks were up about 13% year to date at one point in February. The investment case was that lower antici...
Regional banks have had a rough go of it over the past two months. The State Street SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEMKT: KRE) reached $74 earlier in February. Since then, it has pulled back to the $63 range, in large part due to geopolitical risks and the volatility in yields. Regional bank stocks were up about 13% year to date at one point in February. The investment case was that lower anticipated interest rates could expand yield spreads and improve profit margins, loan activity was slowly picking up, and the rotation away from growth and tech stocks could provide an additional boost. Then the war in Iran happened. Inflation risk has picked up and has priced out almost any possibility of a rate cut in 2026. Multiple key data points, including GDP growth and non-farm payrolls, paint the picture of a slowing U.S. economy. And the question arises of whether regional banks are the opportunity they once were a couple months ago. Continue reading
Germany's Merz Expects 80% Of Syrians To Return Home Within 3 Years Via Remix News, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) met with controversial Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadi terrorist, in Berlin on Monday afternoon. Among the topics discussed, one of the most prominent was the fact that Merz wants 80 percent of the Syrians currently living in Germany to return home. “In the longer pers...
Germany's Merz Expects 80% Of Syrians To Return Home Within 3 Years Via Remix News, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) met with controversial Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadi terrorist, in Berlin on Monday afternoon. Among the topics discussed, one of the most prominent was the fact that Merz wants 80 percent of the Syrians currently living in Germany to return home. “In the longer perspective of the next three years, it is the wish of President al-Sharaa that around 80 percent of the Syrians in Germany should go back into their homeland,” said Merz, before adding: “We need a reliable repatriation option, cooperation with Syria.” Merz said he supported that, saying many of them “are needed at home.” The chancellor also made clear that protection statuses would be reassessed. “Those who have no claim will leave Germany again,” he said — particularly those who “abuse our hospitality.” He balanced this with an acknowledgment that “we are pleased about the many Syrian skilled workers who have integrated.” Merz reflected on how, roughly a year ago, the dictatorship in Syria “was shaken off,” and reaffirmed that Germany had always stood by the Syrian people, despite the new government being accused of a number of atrocities against minorities, including Christians and Druze. Merz described reconstruction as an “enormous effort,” stressing that stability and economic performance would be essential for it to succeed. A German delegation is set to travel to Syria “in a few days” to advance cooperation on that front. The Syrian head of state opened by expressing his “deep gratitude” to Germany, declaring that “Syria is an important country for Europe” and that the country could “come back stronger,” adding: “We want to rebuild our country.” He noted that 1.3 million Syrians currently live in Germany, including 6,000 doctors who could make a significant contribution to Syria’s recovering economy. 🇸🇾🇩🇪 German politicians are spreading misleading information about Syr...
Service Properties Trust (SVC ) priced an underwritten public offering of 416.7M shares at $1.20 per share. The total gross proceeds to SVC are expected to be $500M. The settlement of this offering is expected to occur on or about April 2, 2026. The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 62.5M common shares. Net proceeds will repay all or part of SVC's $100M 4.95% senior...
Service Properties Trust (SVC ) priced an underwritten public offering of 416.7M shares at $1.20 per share. The total gross proceeds to SVC are expected to be $500M. The settlement of this offering is expected to occur on or about April 2, 2026. The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 62.5M common shares. Net proceeds will repay all or part of SVC's $100M 4.95% senior notes due 2027 and $450M 5.50% senior notes due 2027, aiding debt management. More on Service Properties Trust Service Properties Trust: Debt Crisis Overshadows Strategic Pivot Service Properties Trust (SVC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Service Properties Trust launches $500M equity offering Small-Cap real estate stocks ranked by quant ratings after earnings season Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Service Properties Trust
Good morning . Donald Trump signals an end to the war with Iran in two to three weeks. We dive into Malta’s crypto clash with the EU. And Italy fails to qualify for the third World Cup in a row. Listen to the day’s top stories . Donald Trump said he foresaw ending the Iran war within two to three weeks, suggesting the US had largely accomplished its military goals and would leave it to other count...
Good morning . Donald Trump signals an end to the war with Iran in two to three weeks. We dive into Malta’s crypto clash with the EU. And Italy fails to qualify for the third World Cup in a row. Listen to the day’s top stories . Donald Trump said he foresaw ending the Iran war within two to three weeks, suggesting the US had largely accomplished its military goals and would leave it to other countries to resolve issues with the Strait of Hormuz. The president will address the nation at 9 p.m. in Washington (2 a.m. in the UK on Thursday) . Asian stocks and European equity futures jumped . Lufthansa is readying plans to ground planes in case demand drops amid the conflict in the Middle East, with Europe’s biggest aviation group assigning teams to develop crisis plans that differ in severity. Europe is expected to have enough jet fuel to avoid shortages in April , though the situation could change in May, according to people directly involved in the aviation fuel market. UK Could Be Facing a Jet Fuel Shortage, Says Soc Gen’s Haigh Watch the video Greece’s stock market was upgraded to developed-market status by MSCI. The reclassification will be made during an index review in May 2027. The move comes more than a decade after the country was demoted at the height of its sovereign debt crisis in 2013 — the first time a developed nation had been downgraded. When Meg O’Neill takes over BP today, Big Oil’s first female CEO will benefit from a war-driven surge in prices — but also inherit the industry’s toughest cleanup job . The company’s first outsider CEO faces a list of challenges that cost her predecessor his job and raised questions about the future of the more than century-old firm. Corporate roundup: OpenAI raised $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation, its largest funding round yet , with most of the capital coming from Amazon, Nvidia and SoftBank. William Hill plans to close about 200 betting shops in the UK, following a crackdown on the gambling sector. Nike’s s...
I had grown up dreading introductions, with the inevitable mangling of my name. Suddenly, in India, we were both getting the respect we deserved I had five names on the day of my Hindu naming ceremony, but my given name was Priti, a name that came to shape me. Like most children with “unconventional” names, I dreaded the first day of each school year. I would squirm in my chair as my new teacher w...
I had grown up dreading introductions, with the inevitable mangling of my name. Suddenly, in India, we were both getting the respect we deserved I had five names on the day of my Hindu naming ceremony, but my given name was Priti, a name that came to shape me. Like most children with “unconventional” names, I dreaded the first day of each school year. I would squirm in my chair as my new teacher worked their way through the class register, and my stomach would drop as they attempted to say my full name: Priti Ubhayakar. I would be sitting there thinking: “If the first name doesn’t get you, the last name will.” Continue reading...
Insight with Haslinda Amin, a daily news program featuring in-depth, high-profile interviews and analysis to give viewers the complete picture on the stories that matter. The show features prominent leaders spanning the worlds of business, finance, politics and culture. (Source: Bloomberg)
Insight with Haslinda Amin, a daily news program featuring in-depth, high-profile interviews and analysis to give viewers the complete picture on the stories that matter. The show features prominent leaders spanning the worlds of business, finance, politics and culture. (Source: Bloomberg)
(RTTNews) - WeRide Inc. (WRD, 0800.HK), an autonomous driving technology company and Grab Holdings Ltd. (GRAB, GRABW), a Singapore-based technology company, on Tuesday announced the launch of Singapore's first autonomous public ride-hailing service, Ai.R or Autonomously Intellige
(RTTNews) - WeRide Inc. (WRD, 0800.HK), an autonomous driving technology company and Grab Holdings Ltd. (GRAB, GRABW), a Singapore-based technology company, on Tuesday announced the launch of Singapore's first autonomous public ride-hailing service, Ai.R or Autonomously Intellige
The Malaysian government has entered “crisis mode” in response to the ongoing global energy supply disruption, its transport minister has warned. “This is not a laughing or joking matter. It is a very, very serious matter,” Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday, as quoted by the New Straits Times newspaper. “For the past month, energy costs have risen by more than 100 per cent.” Accordin...
The Malaysian government has entered “crisis mode” in response to the ongoing global energy supply disruption, its transport minister has warned. “This is not a laughing or joking matter. It is a very, very serious matter,” Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday, as quoted by the New Straits Times newspaper. “For the past month, energy costs have risen by more than 100 per cent.” According to news website Free Malaysia Today, Loke said: “Even though at this moment our lights are still...