这次逮捕在英国史无前例。查尔斯三世以及白金汉宫预先并不知道泰晤士河谷警方针对安德鲁的逮捕行动计划 当地时间2023年5月6日，英国伦敦，安德鲁离开白金汉宫，准备出席英国国王查尔斯三世和英国王后卡米拉的加冕典礼。图：视觉中国 【财新网】 2月19日，英国多家媒体援引警方声明报道称，英国前王子、因与爱泼斯坦纠葛而遭剥夺王室头衔的安德鲁·蒙巴顿-温莎，已因涉嫌在公职中犯有不当行为而被捕并遭到拘留。就此，英国国王查尔斯三世表态支持称，“法律必须得到执行”（law must take its course）。 安德鲁已成为爱泼斯坦案件中受到最严重打击的名人，在他之前，有多人辞职或被停职，还有包括英国前驻美大使曼德尔森、挪威前首相托比约恩·亚格兰、法国前文化部长杰克·朗等多位名流遭到各自国家警方的刑事调查，但安德鲁是其中首位遭到逮捕和拘留的涉案名人。
Ajax9 The U.S. Pending Home Sales Index fell 0.8% M/M in January to 70.9, compared to the 2.5% rise expected and the revised 7.4% plunge to 71.5 recorded in December, according to the Thursday data released by the National Association of Realtors. Developing... check back for updates More on U.S. Economy Weekly initial jobless claims fall by most since November Fed sees little refi impact from Tru...
Ajax9 The U.S. Pending Home Sales Index fell 0.8% M/M in January to 70.9, compared to the 2.5% rise expected and the revised 7.4% plunge to 71.5 recorded in December, according to the Thursday data released by the National Association of Realtors. Developing... check back for updates More on U.S. Economy Weekly initial jobless claims fall by most since November Fed sees little refi impact from Trump's push into mortgage debt Housing starts, building permits rise in December 2025
Alexander Farnsworth Walmart ( WMT ) flipped into positive territory in early trading on Thursday after highlighting on the earnings conference call that spending continues to be resilient in the U.S. Interestingly, Walmart said that growth at its U.S. stores was led by upper-income households, while it noted pressure on households below the $50K annual earnings level. New CEO John Furner noted on...
Alexander Farnsworth Walmart ( WMT ) flipped into positive territory in early trading on Thursday after highlighting on the earnings conference call that spending continues to be resilient in the U.S. Interestingly, Walmart said that growth at its U.S. stores was led by upper-income households, while it noted pressure on households below the $50K annual earnings level. New CEO John Furner noted on the call that the retail giant is gaining market share with momentum in growth areas like Marketplace, advertising, and membership. He also noted that Walmart+ membership income was up double-digits during the key holiday quarter. Notably, Walmart ( WMT ) is continuing to add market share in the grocery business, as well as surprising categories such as fashion. Furner said Walmart's ( WMT ) goal is to outperform guidance, but the company thinks it is prudent to start the year with a cautious outlook due to the various macroeconomic factors in play. On Wall Street, Jefferies analyst Corey Tarlowe thinks Walmart ( WMG ) will continue to beat and raise throughout the year. Importantly, Walmart's ( WMT ) order volume and transaction count continued to trend positively, reinforcing its value proposition across income cohorts. He also pointed to the announced new $30B share repurchase authorization as supportive of the stock. Morgan Stanley analyst Simeon Gutman highlighted that the "flywheel/retailer of the future" story on Walmart ( WMT ) is intact and continuing to progress. "Our constructive view on WMT is underpinned by the company growing sales faster than the market and its own prevailing run rate – suggesting share gains as the big-get-bigger dynamic continues via scale and technology," he wrote. Shares of Walmart ( WMT ) were up 2.1% in Thursday morning trading. More on Walmart Walmart Inc. 2026 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Walmart Earnings Preview: Tariff Compares Should Get Easier, But Valuation Still Quite Lofty Wall Street Brunch: Walmart Weighs In As ...
A new DHS memo details plan to allow federal immigration officers to detain legal refugees in the US indefinitely The Trump administration is moving to arrest thousands of people already legally admitted to the US as refugees and detain them indefinitely for aggressive “re-screening”, a report published Thursday said. Under the new policy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said that feder...
A new DHS memo details plan to allow federal immigration officers to detain legal refugees in the US indefinitely The Trump administration is moving to arrest thousands of people already legally admitted to the US as refugees and detain them indefinitely for aggressive “re-screening”, a report published Thursday said. Under the new policy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said that federal immigration officers can and should arrest anyone who has not yet obtained the right to permanent residence, a so-called green card, and subject them to interviews to assess their refugee claims while they are in custody, as first reported by the Washington Post . Continue reading...
Cotton prices are 15 to 25 points higher so far. Futures closed the Wednesday session with contracts 3 to 12 points higher. Crude oil futures were up $2.74 per barrel on the day at $65.07. The US dollar index was up $0.570 to $97.630. USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum showed the...
Cotton prices are 15 to 25 points higher so far. Futures closed the Wednesday session with contracts 3 to 12 points higher. Crude oil futures were up $2.74 per barrel on the day at $65.07. The US dollar index was up $0.570 to $97.630. USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum showed the...
Wheat is posting 5 to 6 cent gains across most contracts on Thursday morning. The wheat complex was in bounce back mode on Wednesday, with gains across all three markets. Chicago SRW futures were up 9 to 10 cents at the close. Open interest was down 3,094 contracts, mostly in...
Wheat is posting 5 to 6 cent gains across most contracts on Thursday morning. The wheat complex was in bounce back mode on Wednesday, with gains across all three markets. Chicago SRW futures were up 9 to 10 cents at the close. Open interest was down 3,094 contracts, mostly in...
Soybeans are showing fractional to 2 cent weaker trade to kickoff Thursday. Futures failed to hold the early Wednesday strength, as contracts closed fractionally mixed on Wednesday. Open interest rose 6,657 contracts. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is down 4 cents at $10.64 1/2. Soymeal futures were down...
Soybeans are showing fractional to 2 cent weaker trade to kickoff Thursday. Futures failed to hold the early Wednesday strength, as contracts closed fractionally mixed on Wednesday. Open interest rose 6,657 contracts. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is down 4 cents at $10.64 1/2. Soymeal futures were down...
Live cattle futures saw steadier trade on Wednesday, with contracts up a nickel to 30 cents lower across the nearbys. Open interest was up 2,561 contracts. Cash trade has been quiet so far this week. The Wednesday Fed Cattle Exchange auction showed one lot of 138 head sold at $249...
Live cattle futures saw steadier trade on Wednesday, with contracts up a nickel to 30 cents lower across the nearbys. Open interest was up 2,561 contracts. Cash trade has been quiet so far this week. The Wednesday Fed Cattle Exchange auction showed one lot of 138 head sold at $249...
Corn price action is showing fractional to penny losses so far on Thursday morning. Futures managed to hold onto some strength on Wednesday, as contracts closed fractionally to a penny higher. Preliminary open interest was down 2,381 contracts on Wednesday. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up ½...
Corn price action is showing fractional to penny losses so far on Thursday morning. Futures managed to hold onto some strength on Wednesday, as contracts closed fractionally to a penny higher. Preliminary open interest was down 2,381 contracts on Wednesday. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up ½...
Lean hog futures posited 25 to 75 cent gains across most front months on Wednesday. Open interest was up 1,634 contracts on Wednesday. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $88.34 on Wednesday afternoon, up 11 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was 7 cents...
Lean hog futures posited 25 to 75 cent gains across most front months on Wednesday. Open interest was up 1,634 contracts on Wednesday. USDA’s national base hog price was reported at $88.34 on Wednesday afternoon, up 11 cents from the day prior. The CME Lean Hog Index was 7 cents...
Ahead of a new EP, the creative polymath answers your questions on Thom Yorke, Kendrick Lamar and how a sci-fi epic ate up his whole life You have to produce an album for one rapper, no guest spots, just you and them in the studio. Who are you picking? ShermanMLight Kendrick Lamar . He’s one of the few people I’ve worked with in the hip-hop world who is an actual genius. He doesn’t get enough cred...
Ahead of a new EP, the creative polymath answers your questions on Thom Yorke, Kendrick Lamar and how a sci-fi epic ate up his whole life You have to produce an album for one rapper, no guest spots, just you and them in the studio. Who are you picking? ShermanMLight Kendrick Lamar . He’s one of the few people I’ve worked with in the hip-hop world who is an actual genius. He doesn’t get enough credit for being a producer as well – because he has such a clear perspective on what he wants in his music, he knows where every sound is supposed to be. Not every artist has that approach – most are more hands off. Working closely with Kendrick would make me a better producer. That would be a great meeting of the minds, as it was when we did our couple of tracks together. How was the experience of working with the great, late David Lynch [on the track Fire is Coming ]? Stephenw1979 A dream come true – someone who inspired my whole artistic path. He was exactly who I hoped he would be. I got to go over to his studio and hang a couple times, and it was really special. And he never seemed to get old. Twin Peaks: The Return was one of his best works, and it was the last thing he did. Continue reading...
These interconnected short stories of love and death, inspired by traditional ballads from the British Isles, are narrated with immediacy and warmth In the old Scottish ballad, Tam Lin, a girl named Janet is warned by her family not to go near the well at Carterhaugh. There lurks an elfin knight who will take the virginity of any golden-haired maiden who passes through. The next day Janet, who is ...
These interconnected short stories of love and death, inspired by traditional ballads from the British Isles, are narrated with immediacy and warmth In the old Scottish ballad, Tam Lin, a girl named Janet is warned by her family not to go near the well at Carterhaugh. There lurks an elfin knight who will take the virginity of any golden-haired maiden who passes through. The next day Janet, who is possessed of golden hair and a rebellious spirit, sets off for Carterhaugh. At the well, she picks a double rose which summons Tam Lin. Janet visits him daily and she learns how he was stolen by the Fairy Queen who cursed him to remain in Elfland as her vassal. Months later she realises she is with child. Refusing to forsake her lover, she hatches a bold and dangerous plan to free him from the curse. This is just one of the ancient tales featured in Old Songs, a treasure trove of short stories inspired by traditional ballads from the British Isles. Stretching from the Classical period and the early 20th century, these richly imagined stories feature sibling murder, infanticide, kidnapping, abandonment and a man who is turned into a worm by a witch. “Not all the stories are happy and that is the way of the world,” notes author Amy Jeffs in the foreword. Continue reading...
In rare interviews, some of those sent back across the Channel after arriving in the UK on small boats describe what happened next – and the risks of a system organised to get rid of them When Keir Starmer stood alongside the French president, Emmanuel Macron, at Northwood military base last July and announced a “groundbreaking” treaty to stop small boats overfilled with migrants from crossing the...
In rare interviews, some of those sent back across the Channel after arriving in the UK on small boats describe what happened next – and the risks of a system organised to get rid of them When Keir Starmer stood alongside the French president, Emmanuel Macron, at Northwood military base last July and announced a “groundbreaking” treaty to stop small boats overfilled with migrants from crossing the Channel, he said there was no “silver bullet”. But, he added, the plan would “finally turn the tables” on the numbers making the crossing. The initiative, known as “one in, one out”, means each small boat arrival can be forcibly returned to France in exchange for another person – who has not attempted the crossing – being brought to the UK legally. Continue reading...
Israeli prison service and IDF reject allegations after research by Committee to Protect Journalists Almost 60 Palestinian journalists detained in Israeli prisons since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack have been beaten, starved and subjected to sexual violence, including rape, a report alleges. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reviewed dozens of testimonies, photographs and medical record...
Israeli prison service and IDF reject allegations after research by Committee to Protect Journalists Almost 60 Palestinian journalists detained in Israeli prisons since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack have been beaten, starved and subjected to sexual violence, including rape, a report alleges. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reviewed dozens of testimonies, photographs and medical records documenting what it describes as serious abuses by Israeli soldiers and prison guards against Palestinian reporters. The report draws on in-depth interviews from 59 Palestinian journalists. Of those interviewed, 58 reported being subjected to what they described as torture while in Israeli custody. Continue reading...
IherPhoto/iStock via Getty Images My number one concern around the overall market is that we are in an AI Bubble and in the capital misallocation stage that has been a part of every major technology paradigm shift in American history. I highlighted this fear in a recent article . Barchart Residential real estate is also likely to remain moribund in 2026, as it has for three years now, due to histo...
IherPhoto/iStock via Getty Images My number one concern around the overall market is that we are in an AI Bubble and in the capital misallocation stage that has been a part of every major technology paradigm shift in American history. I highlighted this fear in a recent article . Barchart Residential real estate is also likely to remain moribund in 2026, as it has for three years now, due to historically low housing affordability. CMBS delinquency rates around commercial real estate continue to rise as well. Trepp - January 2026 However, outside the AI Narrative cratering, my main secondary concern for the economy and the markets is the U.S. consumer. It is quite apparent that we are in a K-shaped economy. The top 10% of American households by income now account for roughly half of all U.S. spending. This cohort is in good shape and has been buoyed considerably by the rally in the stock market over the past three-plus years. A Wealth Of Common Sense A good chunk of the rest of the population is struggling. With recent downward revisions , job growth was roughly 15,000 a month in 2025. To be fair, original job estimates for 2024 were previously revised sharply downward as well. It should be noted that wage growth in 2025 did nicely outpace inflation by nearly two percent . Unlike 2021-2023, where surging prices came in higher than the rise in wages on a consistent basis, causing a loss of buying power. Apartment List - January 2026 The best news on the inflation front is that rents have now declined on a year-over-year basis for six straight months. And the ' shelter component' is by far the largest part of the monthly CPI calculation and the largest budget item for most renter households. In addition, the average tax refund is up roughly 11% compared to the same time last year. This should give consumers a boost in the first couple of quarters of this year. Hopefully, it will also bolster savings, which are historically low. U.S. Savings Rate (FRED) However, that is...
FinkAvenue/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Visa ( V ) ( VISA:CA ) is set to acquire Argentina-based Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay from Advent International. Prisma provides credit, debit, and prepaid card issuer processing, while Newpay operates real-time payments services, the Banelco ATM network, and the bill payment platform PagoMisCuentas. The merger is expected to help the San Francisco-...
FinkAvenue/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Visa ( V ) ( VISA:CA ) is set to acquire Argentina-based Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay from Advent International. Prisma provides credit, debit, and prepaid card issuer processing, while Newpay operates real-time payments services, the Banelco ATM network, and the bill payment platform PagoMisCuentas. The merger is expected to help the San Francisco-based company accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies, such as tokenization, biometric authentication, intelligent risk tools, and agentic commerce solutions. The transaction is expected to close in Visa's fiscal second quarter of 2026. "This acquisition is an important step for Visa in Argentina," said Visa CEO Ryan McInerney. "We see significant opportunities to expand digital payments adoption and modernize financial services, capabilities, and infrastructure across the country," said Visa Argentina and Southern Cone's group country manager, Gabriela Renaudo. More on Visa Visa: Business As Usual - Buy The Dip Before The Next Swipe Higher Visa Vs. Mastercard's Earnings Review: Who Won The Quarter Is The One I Am Buying Visa: A Must-Own Long Term, Just Not A Buy Today (Downgrade) SA Asks: Which financial stocks are best positioned for AI? SA Sentiment: Which company will be the next to join the $1T club?
xijian/iStock via Getty Images I initiated coverage of an energy midstream company, ONEOK ( OKE ), in late October with a bullish thesis , and the timing was really good because it was just before the optimism around AI tech stocks started fading. Therefore, investors started paying more attention to this quality dividend play, and it rallied by 23% since then. Together with generous dividend payo...
xijian/iStock via Getty Images I initiated coverage of an energy midstream company, ONEOK ( OKE ), in late October with a bullish thesis , and the timing was really good because it was just before the optimism around AI tech stocks started fading. Therefore, investors started paying more attention to this quality dividend play, and it rallied by 23% since then. Together with generous dividend payouts, OKE delivered a total return of 27% since late October, which is by far a better performance compared to the broader U.S. equity market. I was lucky to lock in a 6%+ yield in October, and after the rally, OKE's yield dropped to 5%, which looks much less attractive considering the fact that 10-year Treasuries offer a 4%+ yield at the moment. OKE's currently generous valuation suggests that there is limited upside left on the table after a solid rally of the last few months. The company releases Q4 earnings next week, which are unlikely to disappoint given structural tailwinds for the midstream industry and OKE's positioning as one of the largest players in the industry. However, due to already stretched valuation, I do not expect a post-earnings rally. All in all, I am downgrading OKE to "Hold." Q4 earnings preview Since my previous coverage was written before the Q3 earnings release, let's just briefly recap the latest available report. From the earnings surprise perspective, it was a decent quarter because of a comfortable EPS beat and a tiny revenue miss [relative to quarterly sales of $8.6 billion]. In dynamic, Q3 earnings were also solid, with 9% sequential growth in revenue and an adjusted EPS increase of 11%. I am a big fan of companies delivering faster bottom line growth compared to revenue because it is a number one indication of great operating efficiency. Moreover, the outstanding shares count was stable between Q2 and Q3. Seeking Alpha Now, we can proceed with the upcoming quarter's earnings, scheduled for February 23. Wall Street analysts expect another qu...