Belgium’s special forces boarded and seized an oil tanker from the ‘shadow fleet’ Russia uses to circumvent Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, the government said on Sunday. Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the vessel was intercepted in the North Sea during an overnight operation. “Today, a vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet was intercepted in the North Sea,” Prevot wrote on social media...
Belgium’s special forces boarded and seized an oil tanker from the ‘shadow fleet’ Russia uses to circumvent Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, the government said on Sunday. Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the vessel was intercepted in the North Sea during an overnight operation. “Today, a vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet was intercepted in the North Sea,” Prevot wrote on social media, thanking Belgian special forces for their “exceptional professionalism and courage.” Belgian...
quantic69/iStock via Getty Images The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF ( IJR ) tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. This index is made up of 600 small-cap U.S. equities but with key differences that make it unique and compelling for investors in this environment. IJR is passively managed and trades at $129 today, still close to its 52-week high of $133.52, and I believe it has plenty of room to run. T...
quantic69/iStock via Getty Images The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF ( IJR ) tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. This index is made up of 600 small-cap U.S. equities but with key differences that make it unique and compelling for investors in this environment. IJR is passively managed and trades at $129 today, still close to its 52-week high of $133.52, and I believe it has plenty of room to run. The fund currently holds net assets of about $80 billion as of today and has seen growing interest from investors who value its methodology and quality screening. There are several key differences between IJR and the Russell 2000 Index that investors need to understand. These factors will matter more than usual in the current environment we find ourselves in. The S&P SmallCap 600 requires all companies being included in the index to have positive earnings over the most recent quarter and over the trailing four quarters in aggregate. The Russell 2000 Index does not apply this screen and simply selects the smallest 2000 companies in the Russell 3000 Index. This difference in construction methodology, which we will get into in more depth, has historically resulted in IJR delivering superior risk-adjusted returns. We have also seen this unique setup for small caps continue to deliver those returns over extended periods. If we look closely at the current macro environment, it is easy to see the characteristics that benefit small caps broadly. We are seeing broadening earnings, an uptick in manufacturing, domestic fiscal stimulus, and still a potential for rate cuts this year. Not only will these factors benefit small caps at large, but IJR will see an outsized benefit for the reasons I will lay out in this article. I am recommending IJR with a Buy rating at these levels as a core portfolio position. Investment Thesis It is no secret that we are in the middle of a regime change in the market, specifically in favor of small caps against large-cap US equities. After 13 consecutive r...
More than 40,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers have registered to accept Octopus payment, ahead of an electronic payment mandate that will take effect next month, with a sector representative urging authorities to exercise discretion during the initial phase of the roll-out. On April 1, all cabbies will be required to offer at least two electronic payment options to passengers as part of a broader plan t...
More than 40,000 Hong Kong taxi drivers have registered to accept Octopus payment, ahead of an electronic payment mandate that will take effect next month, with a sector representative urging authorities to exercise discretion during the initial phase of the roll-out. On April 1, all cabbies will be required to offer at least two electronic payment options to passengers as part of a broader plan to enhance the quality and image of taxi services. Hong Kong has about 46,000 active taxi drivers,...
Australia defeat Philippines 1-0 in first Group A match in Perth Captain scores in 14th minute as hosts dominate possession The Matildas’ Asian Cup campaign is off to an ideal, if rusty, start with a 1-0 defeat of the Philippines in their first group-stage match in Perth on Sunday afternoon. A goal from captain Sam Kerr in the first half saw the hosts secure their first points of the tournament in...
Australia defeat Philippines 1-0 in first Group A match in Perth Captain scores in 14th minute as hosts dominate possession The Matildas’ Asian Cup campaign is off to an ideal, if rusty, start with a 1-0 defeat of the Philippines in their first group-stage match in Perth on Sunday afternoon. A goal from captain Sam Kerr in the first half saw the hosts secure their first points of the tournament in front of 44,379 people at Perth Stadium, breaking the record for the highest-attended Asian Cup match on its very first day. Continue reading...
Apple (NasdaqGS:AAPL) announced a major expansion of its U.S. manufacturing footprint, including Mac mini production and advanced AI server assembly in Houston. The company is establishing a new Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston focused on building American manufacturing expertise and workforce skills. Apple plans to source chips and components from U.S. partners as part of this broader eff...
Apple (NasdaqGS:AAPL) announced a major expansion of its U.S. manufacturing footprint, including Mac mini production and advanced AI server assembly in Houston. The company is establishing a new Advanced Manufacturing Center in Houston focused on building American manufacturing expertise and workforce skills. Apple plans to source chips and components from U.S. partners as part of this broader effort to adjust its supply chain and production base. For investors watching NasdaqGS:AAPL, this...
The United States has appointed a new official to oversee its policy on Tibet, a move analysts say signals Washington’s interest in playing up the issue while dealing with Beijing. The appointment is set against US President Donald Trump’s cuts to foreign aid and global advocacy, as well as a strategic detente with Beijing. On February 17, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Riley Bar...
The United States has appointed a new official to oversee its policy on Tibet, a move analysts say signals Washington’s interest in playing up the issue while dealing with Beijing. The appointment is set against US President Donald Trump’s cuts to foreign aid and global advocacy, as well as a strategic detente with Beijing. On February 17, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Riley Barnes, the assistant secretary for democracy, human rights and labour, would assume the role of US...
With the rise of influencer Clavicular and ‘looksmaxxers’, sexist language from niche memes has infiltrated official government accounts and NYT headlines A recent tweet from the US Department of Defense boasts about the killing capabilities of the US military as follows: “Low cortisol. Locked in. Lethalitymaxxing”. To many, that will sound as indecipherable as the teenagers that discuss “ high-ti...
With the rise of influencer Clavicular and ‘looksmaxxers’, sexist language from niche memes has infiltrated official government accounts and NYT headlines A recent tweet from the US Department of Defense boasts about the killing capabilities of the US military as follows: “Low cortisol. Locked in. Lethalitymaxxing”. To many, that will sound as indecipherable as the teenagers that discuss “ high-tier Beckys ” or the New York Times warning of “ Tate-pilled” boys. Many will have now seen the 6 February tweet that went globally viral, viewed more than 24m times and since discussed in endless analyses and explainers: Clavicular was mid jestergooning when a group of Foids came and spiked his Cortisol levels. Is Ignoring the Foids while munting and mogging Moids more useful then SMV chadfishing in the club? Continue reading...
Transformers film franchise star says ‘big gay people are scary’ to him in interview and he doesn’t want to go to rehab The actor Shia LaBeouf has said he believes he needs to sort out his “small man complex” rather than undergo another round of substance abuse treatment after his recent arrest on allegations that he battered three men at a New Orleans bar while hurling homophobic slurs at them. I...
Transformers film franchise star says ‘big gay people are scary’ to him in interview and he doesn’t want to go to rehab The actor Shia LaBeouf has said he believes he needs to sort out his “small man complex” rather than undergo another round of substance abuse treatment after his recent arrest on allegations that he battered three men at a New Orleans bar while hurling homophobic slurs at them. In an interview posted Saturday on YouTube by the online outlet Channel 5, the Transformers film franchise star also acknowledged “big gay people are scary” to him. Yet, perhaps providing a glimpse at a potential court defense, he also argued that the violence at the center of his arrest erupted only after his alleged victims touched him in a way that made him uncomfortable. Continue reading...
Antics of RFK Jr, Kristi Noem and others prompt derision – could their erratic behaviour prove president’s undoing? Heads bowed, linked by arms across their backs, they gathered in a solemn prayer circle. “The quiet moments are often the most important,” Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, reflected later on social media. Then Team Trump entered the chamber to cheers and applause...
Antics of RFK Jr, Kristi Noem and others prompt derision – could their erratic behaviour prove president’s undoing? Heads bowed, linked by arms across their backs, they gathered in a solemn prayer circle. “The quiet moments are often the most important,” Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, reflected later on social media. Then Team Trump entered the chamber to cheers and applause for Tuesday’s State of the Union address. Democrats gathered on Capitol Hill, however, regarded the people appointed by Donald Trump to his cabinet and other senior positions rather differently. In the past two weeks alone, they saw a health secretary who boasted about snorting cocaine off toilet seats; a homeland security secretary who allegedly fired a pilot for leaving her blanket on a plane; and an FBI director who chugged beer with Olympic hockey players in Italy at taxpayers’ expense. Continue reading...
Canada’s prime minister and Indian prime minister will meet Monday in visit that marks diplomatic shift It’s not often that the leaders of two countries which have traded accusations of murder, extortion and terrorism meet only months later on friendly terms. But amid what he had described as a “rupture in the world order”, Mark Carney , Canada’s prime minister, will on Monday meet Narendra Modi, ...
Canada’s prime minister and Indian prime minister will meet Monday in visit that marks diplomatic shift It’s not often that the leaders of two countries which have traded accusations of murder, extortion and terrorism meet only months later on friendly terms. But amid what he had described as a “rupture in the world order”, Mark Carney , Canada’s prime minister, will on Monday meet Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, to repair strained ties between their nations. Continue reading...
Being spontaneous is overrated, say Mia and Elijah, who find timetabling sex means it never gets forgotten • How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously OK, you’re volunteering on Tuesday, and I’m going fishing on Thursday, so we’re going to have sex on Monday and Friday Continue reading...
Being spontaneous is overrated, say Mia and Elijah, who find timetabling sex means it never gets forgotten • How do you do it? Share the story of your sex life, anonymously OK, you’re volunteering on Tuesday, and I’m going fishing on Thursday, so we’re going to have sex on Monday and Friday Continue reading...
Thousands go missing every year, including more than 5,000 Native American and Alaska Native women and girls Savannah Guthrie is moving back to New York to resume anchoring NBC’s Today show and acknowledging that her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, may not be found a month after she disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home in the middle of the night. “We still believe in a miracle,” Guthrie said in a...
Thousands go missing every year, including more than 5,000 Native American and Alaska Native women and girls Savannah Guthrie is moving back to New York to resume anchoring NBC’s Today show and acknowledging that her 84-year-old mother, Nancy, may not be found a month after she disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home in the middle of the night. “We still believe in a miracle,” Guthrie said in a video last week announcing a $1m reward for her mother’s return in an enduring mystery that has gripped the US for four weeks. “We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone.” Continue reading...