9 hours ago
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's friend has reportedly suggested that the couple's recent romantic photos from their UK outing may carry a deeper meaning. The Duke and ***** ss of Sussex were recently photographed holding hands during a lunch date at a Cotswold pub. Notably, the outing marked the couple's first public appearance together since reportedly relocating back to the UK on August 26.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's friend told Rob Shuter that the photos from the couple's recent UK outing were taken with intention and purpose. For those unfamiliar, The Sun published exclusive images of the Sussexes on October 2, showing Harry and Meghan holding hands as they arrived at The Falkland Arms pub in the Cotswolds on October 1.
The couple opted for subtly coordinated dark-toned outfits, and both wore sunglasses during the outing. The "Suits" star wore an all-black ensemble with her hair loose, while the Duke of Sussex sported an olive-green fall jacket and a baseball cap.
The friend claimed, "This has Meghan's fingerprints all over it." The source explained that Markle is highly familiar with the worlds of media, photography, and publicity. According to the friend, she understood that the timing was right to send a pointed message to their critics and naysayers through the loved-up images.
A media insider also weighed in on the couple's recent UK outing, arguing that the paparazzi did not simply happen to capture the pair. Instead, the insider claimed that Harry and Meghan provided ample opportunities to be photographed.
#outing #duke
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's friend told Rob Shuter that the photos from the couple's recent UK outing were taken with intention and purpose. For those unfamiliar, The Sun published exclusive images of the Sussexes on October 2, showing Harry and Meghan holding hands as they arrived at The Falkland Arms pub in the Cotswolds on October 1.
The couple opted for subtly coordinated dark-toned outfits, and both wore sunglasses during the outing. The "Suits" star wore an all-black ensemble with her hair loose, while the Duke of Sussex sported an olive-green fall jacket and a baseball cap.
The friend claimed, "This has Meghan's fingerprints all over it." The source explained that Markle is highly familiar with the worlds of media, photography, and publicity. According to the friend, she understood that the timing was right to send a pointed message to their critics and naysayers through the loved-up images.
A media insider also weighed in on the couple's recent UK outing, arguing that the paparazzi did not simply happen to capture the pair. Instead, the insider claimed that Harry and Meghan provided ample opportunities to be photographed.
#outing #duke
21 hours ago
The issue of Daniel Penny, the center of a New York City vigilante case in which he unintentionally ended the life of Jordan Neely following a subway confrontation, is the focus of a new book. Frequent MS NOW guest Anand Giridharadas is out promoting his work, Man in the Mirror.
His interviews seen during the media promotional tour do not give the impression of an unbiased approach to this topic. Instead of describing core facts and the details that pertain to the confrontation on the New York subway car, Giridharadas delivers what sounds more like a college term paper-level of pontificating.
Sitting with Christiane Amanpour, the Heat Miser-coiffed Anand offers up a theory that Neely, Penny, and others on the subway car were experiencing something that is felt across the country:
Jordan Neely, you know, a mentally ill, homeless man, felt abandoned by the systems of care. Daniel Penny felt abandoned by a lack of police and a lack of law enforcement that forced him, in his mind, to step up and step in. The passengers on that train…spoke of their own sense of abandonment and kind of being left to their own devices. And, Christiane, I think that sense of abandonment, that sense that the cavalry's not coming, the sense that we're on our own, the sense that maybe somebody does something because no one who should be doing anything is doing anything. I believe, Christiane, that is the defining political emotion of this age. It is maybe the most dangerous emotion in a democracy, because it starts to tempt people with the thought that if ******* ody's coming, I must fill the void. In this case, it was Daniel Penny filling a void in a subway in New York.
This is the selling of the concept that we need government in more, if not all, aspects of our lives. If Jordan Neely had been given proper mental healthcare and housing, if there had been police on that train car, if Daniel Penny had not felt abandoned by authorities, this tragedy would not have played out. If every person in the country is cared for by the government, we will have no problems!
#sense #subway #christiane #abandoned
His interviews seen during the media promotional tour do not give the impression of an unbiased approach to this topic. Instead of describing core facts and the details that pertain to the confrontation on the New York subway car, Giridharadas delivers what sounds more like a college term paper-level of pontificating.
Sitting with Christiane Amanpour, the Heat Miser-coiffed Anand offers up a theory that Neely, Penny, and others on the subway car were experiencing something that is felt across the country:
Jordan Neely, you know, a mentally ill, homeless man, felt abandoned by the systems of care. Daniel Penny felt abandoned by a lack of police and a lack of law enforcement that forced him, in his mind, to step up and step in. The passengers on that train…spoke of their own sense of abandonment and kind of being left to their own devices. And, Christiane, I think that sense of abandonment, that sense that the cavalry's not coming, the sense that we're on our own, the sense that maybe somebody does something because no one who should be doing anything is doing anything. I believe, Christiane, that is the defining political emotion of this age. It is maybe the most dangerous emotion in a democracy, because it starts to tempt people with the thought that if ******* ody's coming, I must fill the void. In this case, it was Daniel Penny filling a void in a subway in New York.
This is the selling of the concept that we need government in more, if not all, aspects of our lives. If Jordan Neely had been given proper mental healthcare and housing, if there had been police on that train car, if Daniel Penny had not felt abandoned by authorities, this tragedy would not have played out. If every person in the country is cared for by the government, we will have no problems!
#sense #subway #christiane #abandoned
2 days ago
More than two years after Selma Blair posted a comment widely criticized as Islamophobic, for which she later apologized, the actress has revealed the alleged repercussions she experienced in her career and personal life.
The 54-year-old said in a speech on Oct. 1 that she felt "erased" after losing partnerships, legal and career representation and a "best friend" over the February 2024 comment.
The speech took place at the Anti-Defamation League's event at the Jewish Museum in New York City, which celebrated the launch of the organization's State of the Arts: Advancing Jewish Inclusion in Arts, Entertainment and Culture platform.
In the since-deleted message, the "Cruel Intentions" star had issued a call to "deport all these terrorist supporting goons" under a video describing former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Rashida Tlaib as "Jew hating antisemites" for voting against legislation that would have imposed sanctions against people, agencies and governments that "assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad or their affiliates."
"The brands I worked with were gone within a day. A few partnerships I'd spent years building were shelved. My agency was gone. My lawyer was gone. My publicist was gone. My book agent was gone. My book publicist was gone. My social media manager was gone. My son's godmother was gone – my best friend," Blair said from the podium.
#blair #jewish #Career #partnerships
The 54-year-old said in a speech on Oct. 1 that she felt "erased" after losing partnerships, legal and career representation and a "best friend" over the February 2024 comment.
The speech took place at the Anti-Defamation League's event at the Jewish Museum in New York City, which celebrated the launch of the organization's State of the Arts: Advancing Jewish Inclusion in Arts, Entertainment and Culture platform.
In the since-deleted message, the "Cruel Intentions" star had issued a call to "deport all these terrorist supporting goons" under a video describing former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Rashida Tlaib as "Jew hating antisemites" for voting against legislation that would have imposed sanctions against people, agencies and governments that "assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad or their affiliates."
"The brands I worked with were gone within a day. A few partnerships I'd spent years building were shelved. My agency was gone. My lawyer was gone. My publicist was gone. My book agent was gone. My book publicist was gone. My social media manager was gone. My son's godmother was gone – my best friend," Blair said from the podium.
#blair #jewish #Career #partnerships
2 days ago
TikToker Kenni Lee (relatablekenni) shared a strange night out that left her questioning a stranger's intentions. Lee said a woman approached her group after one of Lee's friends had stepped away. The woman then invited Lee alone to the dance floor. Lee said the woman quickly focused on another man instead.
Lee said a friend later pulled Lee away after noticing the strange interaction.. The woman returned and claimed the man had tried to traffic her. Lee said she found the claim confusing, since she had seen the two of them interacting closely just before. The woman later offered to buy Lee a drink, but Lee insisted on getting it herself.
Lee said she barely drank the beverage before giving it to her friends. Later, the woman asked Lee and her friends to walk her to her car. The group walked through an alley before the woman said she could not find it. She then pointed to a dark residential street far from the nightlife area.
Lee said her friends refused to continue because the location felt suspicious. The woman then claimed she needed a bathroom and walked behind a large truck. Lee said the woman did not actually use the bathroom before returning. Moments later, a white Tesla pulled up and asked where everyone was going.
According to Lee, the woman then entered the stranger's car, despite her earlier claims of fear. Lee questioned the driver, who said he came from the Bay Area. The woman immediately said she came from the Bay Area too, according to Lee. Lee then gave her a backup number and stayed on the phone temporarily.
#according
Lee said a friend later pulled Lee away after noticing the strange interaction.. The woman returned and claimed the man had tried to traffic her. Lee said she found the claim confusing, since she had seen the two of them interacting closely just before. The woman later offered to buy Lee a drink, but Lee insisted on getting it herself.
Lee said she barely drank the beverage before giving it to her friends. Later, the woman asked Lee and her friends to walk her to her car. The group walked through an alley before the woman said she could not find it. She then pointed to a dark residential street far from the nightlife area.
Lee said her friends refused to continue because the location felt suspicious. The woman then claimed she needed a bathroom and walked behind a large truck. Lee said the woman did not actually use the bathroom before returning. Moments later, a white Tesla pulled up and asked where everyone was going.
According to Lee, the woman then entered the stranger's car, despite her earlier claims of fear. Lee questioned the driver, who said he came from the Bay Area. The woman immediately said she came from the Bay Area too, according to Lee. Lee then gave her a backup number and stayed on the phone temporarily.
#according
3 days ago
Meghan Markle has reportedly been intentionally keeping a low profile since returning to the UK with Prince Harry. A source claims she is waiting for the right moment before making official appearances.
The ******* ss of Sussex is said to be currently focused on settling into life in Britain while working on her various projects and caring for her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The source claims Meghan Markle's quieter approach is intended to create greater anticipation around her eventual return to the public spotlight.
MEGA
Meghan has yet to make an official public appearance with Harry since the family returned to Britain on August 26.
#harry #britain #claims
The ******* ss of Sussex is said to be currently focused on settling into life in Britain while working on her various projects and caring for her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The source claims Meghan Markle's quieter approach is intended to create greater anticipation around her eventual return to the public spotlight.
MEGA
Meghan has yet to make an official public appearance with Harry since the family returned to Britain on August 26.
#harry #britain #claims
3 days ago
Bryan Cranston tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview he has "no intention" of retiring and ending his career in the entertainment industry anytime soon
"It's like stopping breathing for me. If I stopped acting and writing, what would I do? I'm not one that's going to sit on the porch, just because I'm of that age," the actor, writer, producer, director and Dos Hombres co-founder says
Cranston recently opened up about his career journey, took part in a Q&A and shared tips and tricks for young actors at an event during Art Prize — an annual art competition and cultural festival held in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Bryan Cranston has no plans for retirement anytime soon.
"For an actor living the life that I am very fortunate to have, I have no intention of stopping, and I think life will stop before I will want it to, and that will be great," Cranston, 70, tells PEOPLE exclusively while attending Art Prize — an annual art competition and cultural festival held in Grand Rapids, Mich.
#mich #intention #Career
"It's like stopping breathing for me. If I stopped acting and writing, what would I do? I'm not one that's going to sit on the porch, just because I'm of that age," the actor, writer, producer, director and Dos Hombres co-founder says
Cranston recently opened up about his career journey, took part in a Q&A and shared tips and tricks for young actors at an event during Art Prize — an annual art competition and cultural festival held in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Bryan Cranston has no plans for retirement anytime soon.
"For an actor living the life that I am very fortunate to have, I have no intention of stopping, and I think life will stop before I will want it to, and that will be great," Cranston, 70, tells PEOPLE exclusively while attending Art Prize — an annual art competition and cultural festival held in Grand Rapids, Mich.
#mich #intention #Career
3 days ago
Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer's new memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is by far the worst tell-all the royal family has ever faced, a source tells In Touch.
"This book has shown how little defense they really have against someone who decides to turn on them," says the source. "It's really exposed their weakness when it comes to fighting back against this story of hatchet job, so of course it's now got them worrying about the next one."
Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson "may be denying any intentions, which is a relief, but the threat is still there if she does decide to pull the trigger," says the source, "and the same goes for" Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
But there's another royal relative that's "really … putting the fear of God in them," the source reveals, and that's Meghan Markle.
MEGA
#royal #swan
"This book has shown how little defense they really have against someone who decides to turn on them," says the source. "It's really exposed their weakness when it comes to fighting back against this story of hatchet job, so of course it's now got them worrying about the next one."
Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson "may be denying any intentions, which is a relief, but the threat is still there if she does decide to pull the trigger," says the source, "and the same goes for" Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
But there's another royal relative that's "really … putting the fear of God in them," the source reveals, and that's Meghan Markle.
MEGA
#royal #swan
4 days ago
Katie Thurston said her experience with "expedited dating" on The Bachelor helped her recognize what she wanted in a partner and led her to get engaged to Jeff Arcuri after five months of dating
She said that long-distance made their relationship feel more intentional through FaceTimes and texting
The couple eloped in their New York living room one month after she announced her breast cancer diagnosis
Katie Thurston knew exactly what she wanted when she found husband Jeff Arcuri.
The TV personality, 35, opened up on the Thursday, Oct. 1 episode of the Not Married to This podcast about her engagement to the stand-up comedian, 39, after five months of dating and how her experience with "expedited dating" on The Bachelor played a role in the process.
#expedited
She said that long-distance made their relationship feel more intentional through FaceTimes and texting
The couple eloped in their New York living room one month after she announced her breast cancer diagnosis
Katie Thurston knew exactly what she wanted when she found husband Jeff Arcuri.
The TV personality, 35, opened up on the Thursday, Oct. 1 episode of the Not Married to This podcast about her engagement to the stand-up comedian, 39, after five months of dating and how her experience with "expedited dating" on The Bachelor played a role in the process.
#expedited
4 days ago
Gypsy Rose Blanchard says she believes Ken Urker died from an apparent overdose, but Louisiana authorities have not announced an official cause of death and are continuing to investigate what happened.
Urker, the father of Blanchard's daughter Aurora, was found dead at a residence in Raceland, Louisiana, on October 1, his 34th birthday. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office said deputies responded at approximately 6:15 p.m. and found Kenan Urker dead when they arrived.
Blanchard told PEOPLE that she does not know what Urker may have taken or whether any apparent overdose was intentional. TMZ separately reported that Blanchard said an unidentified substance was found where he died, but law enforcement has not publicly identified a substance or confirmed an overdose.
In the hours after his death, Blanchard remembered Urker as a devoted father and someone who would remain her "soulmate" and "red string." She also asked for privacy and compassion for their daughter and both families while the investigation continues.
The possibility of an overdose came as a shock to Blanchard because, she said, she had never known Urker to have a drug problem. She told TMZ that she had never seen him use drugs or other substances and described him as responsible and deliberate about his role as a father and partner.
#urker #father #apparent #death
Urker, the father of Blanchard's daughter Aurora, was found dead at a residence in Raceland, Louisiana, on October 1, his 34th birthday. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office said deputies responded at approximately 6:15 p.m. and found Kenan Urker dead when they arrived.
Blanchard told PEOPLE that she does not know what Urker may have taken or whether any apparent overdose was intentional. TMZ separately reported that Blanchard said an unidentified substance was found where he died, but law enforcement has not publicly identified a substance or confirmed an overdose.
In the hours after his death, Blanchard remembered Urker as a devoted father and someone who would remain her "soulmate" and "red string." She also asked for privacy and compassion for their daughter and both families while the investigation continues.
The possibility of an overdose came as a shock to Blanchard because, she said, she had never known Urker to have a drug problem. She told TMZ that she had never seen him use drugs or other substances and described him as responsible and deliberate about his role as a father and partner.
#urker #father #apparent #death
4 days ago
Originally appeared on E! Online
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is speaking out in the wake of her boyfriend Ken Urker's death.
Hours after police confirmed to E! News that Urker was found dead in Louisiana on Oct. 1, the Life After Lock Up star spoke out about her grief and said the 34-year-old had overdosed before dying in his bed at home in Raceland, an area southwest of New Orleans.
"I don't know if it was intentional or not," Blanchard told People. "He was not in a good state of mind lately."
"I'm in disbelief. I can't think," she continued. "I've screamed until my throat burns."
#lock
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is speaking out in the wake of her boyfriend Ken Urker's death.
Hours after police confirmed to E! News that Urker was found dead in Louisiana on Oct. 1, the Life After Lock Up star spoke out about her grief and said the 34-year-old had overdosed before dying in his bed at home in Raceland, an area southwest of New Orleans.
"I don't know if it was intentional or not," Blanchard told People. "He was not in a good state of mind lately."
"I'm in disbelief. I can't think," she continued. "I've screamed until my throat burns."
#lock
5 days ago
Gypsy Rose Blanchard tells PEOPLE exclusively that partner Ken Urker overdosed after his death at age 34
Blanchard says she does not know what he took or whether the overdose was intentional
She says that Urker was "an amazing father" who will "forever be my soulmate"
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is breaking her silence after the death of her partner, Ken Urker, revealing exclusively to PEOPLE that she believes that he overdosed.
"I don't know if it was intentional or not," Blanchard tells PEOPLE exclusively. "He was not in a good state of mind lately."
#overdosed #death
Blanchard says she does not know what he took or whether the overdose was intentional
She says that Urker was "an amazing father" who will "forever be my soulmate"
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is breaking her silence after the death of her partner, Ken Urker, revealing exclusively to PEOPLE that she believes that he overdosed.
"I don't know if it was intentional or not," Blanchard tells PEOPLE exclusively. "He was not in a good state of mind lately."
#overdosed #death
5 days ago
Steve Aoki had a moment he'll never forget after he pulled a super-rare Shohei Ohtani rookie card during a livestream with Hardscope.
The card is one of 99 ever made and is estimated to be worth up to $40,000.
Steve Aoki and Matcrackz pull rare Shohei Ohtani rookie card. YouTube / HardScope and matcrackz
Aoki was unboxing cards with influencer Matcrackz for the first episode of Hardscope's new collectibles show.
Early in the video, Aoki made his intentions clear that he was looking for the Ohtani card by saying at the 16-minute mark of the video, "Shohei, are you here with us?"
#steve
The card is one of 99 ever made and is estimated to be worth up to $40,000.
Steve Aoki and Matcrackz pull rare Shohei Ohtani rookie card. YouTube / HardScope and matcrackz
Aoki was unboxing cards with influencer Matcrackz for the first episode of Hardscope's new collectibles show.
Early in the video, Aoki made his intentions clear that he was looking for the Ohtani card by saying at the 16-minute mark of the video, "Shohei, are you here with us?"
#steve
5 days ago
Love Island star claims Chargers players slid in her DMs after facility tour originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A "Love Island" star recently shared that after she went to visit the Los Angeles Chargers facility, several players found her on social media and slid into her DMs.
"I actually went to the Chargers training camp and, this was so funny, after we left, six of them DM'd me," Jaiden Bacciocco, who starred in "Love Island" season 8, told host Kaylor Martin on a September 29 episode of her podcast "Kaylor's Crash Outs."
Bacciocco shared that getting noticed by the players wasn't her intention when she went to the training camp.
"I was like dude, I was there for football and the vibes. Not to get in your DMs," she added.
#players
A "Love Island" star recently shared that after she went to visit the Los Angeles Chargers facility, several players found her on social media and slid into her DMs.
"I actually went to the Chargers training camp and, this was so funny, after we left, six of them DM'd me," Jaiden Bacciocco, who starred in "Love Island" season 8, told host Kaylor Martin on a September 29 episode of her podcast "Kaylor's Crash Outs."
Bacciocco shared that getting noticed by the players wasn't her intention when she went to the training camp.
"I was like dude, I was there for football and the vibes. Not to get in your DMs," she added.
#players
5 days ago
Queen guitarist Brian May repurposed 157 acres of former farmland in Dorset, England, in 2013 with the intention of transforming it into a "safe haven for wildlife"
In the years since its foundation, the reserve — known as May's Wood — has become home to more than 101,000 trees and shrubs plus new species of insects, birds and mammals
"We have a wonderful possibility to make an environment which our children and grandchildren will grow up and enjoy in harmony with the animals around them," he said when the project started
In 2013, Queen guitarist Brian May joined locals in Bere Regis, Dorset, England, to plant the first tree on what was once 157 acres of farmland. His goal was to transform the property into a "safe haven for wildlife." Over a decade later, the project has come a long way.
Approximately 600 trees and shrubs were planted during the ceremonial first day in September 2013, according to a press release at the time. That number has since grown to more than 100,000, and new species of insects, birds and small mammals have started inhabiting the land, according to a update on May's website marking the 10-year anniversary.
#guitarist
In the years since its foundation, the reserve — known as May's Wood — has become home to more than 101,000 trees and shrubs plus new species of insects, birds and mammals
"We have a wonderful possibility to make an environment which our children and grandchildren will grow up and enjoy in harmony with the animals around them," he said when the project started
In 2013, Queen guitarist Brian May joined locals in Bere Regis, Dorset, England, to plant the first tree on what was once 157 acres of farmland. His goal was to transform the property into a "safe haven for wildlife." Over a decade later, the project has come a long way.
Approximately 600 trees and shrubs were planted during the ceremonial first day in September 2013, according to a press release at the time. That number has since grown to more than 100,000, and new species of insects, birds and small mammals have started inhabiting the land, according to a update on May's website marking the 10-year anniversary.
#guitarist
7 days ago
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), antifa and the Muslim Brotherhood will be labeled domestic terrorist organizations under a new state law, after Florida leaders OK'd the designations at their Sept. 29 meeting.
These designations were in a 427-page packet submitted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for approval by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet members: Attorney General James Uthmeier, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
The packet also named numerous other groups labeled by the federal government as foreign terrorist organizations.
Although the Governor and Florida Cabinet approved these notices without any discussion, these designations don't come as a surprise. Weeks earlier, the governor and Cabinet approved an emergency rule setting procedures under a new state law (HB 1471) allowing them to designate terror groups.
Additionally, the day this law took effect, DeSantis announced his intentions to declare CAIR, the country's largest Muslim advocacy group, and antifa as domestic terror groups.
#Florida #muslim #governor
These designations were in a 427-page packet submitted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for approval by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Cabinet members: Attorney General James Uthmeier, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia.
The packet also named numerous other groups labeled by the federal government as foreign terrorist organizations.
Although the Governor and Florida Cabinet approved these notices without any discussion, these designations don't come as a surprise. Weeks earlier, the governor and Cabinet approved an emergency rule setting procedures under a new state law (HB 1471) allowing them to designate terror groups.
Additionally, the day this law took effect, DeSantis announced his intentions to declare CAIR, the country's largest Muslim advocacy group, and antifa as domestic terror groups.
#Florida #muslim #governor
17 days ago
On August 6, James Hardie Industries (NYSE:JHX) reported results for the quarter ended June 30 and beat its own numbers by enough to raise guidance just three months into the fiscal year. Net sales jumped 64% year over year to $1.475 billion, adjusted EBITDA climbed 79% to $422.1 million, and both figures came in ahead of what management had originally guided investors to expect. For a company that closed a transformative acquisition less than a year earlier, that kind of overshoot forces a reassessment of the growth story ahead.
The headline growth number is inflated by the AZEK Exteriors deal folded into the base, so the more telling figure is the 12% pro forma net sales growth, which also beat original guidance. Siding & Trim, the core fiber cement business, posted organic net sales growth of 20% as North American fiber cement volumes returned to growth for the first time in several quarters. CEO Aaron Erter tied that to share gains against vinyl and other competing materials, along with programs like ColorPlus and Expanded Statement drawing more of the higher-end repair and remodel market. Adjusted EBITDA margin in that segment expanded 140 basis points to 33.5%, powered by favorable pricing, cheaper raw materials, and continued savings from the company's Hardie Manufacturing Operating System even as freight costs rose.
Management also said cost synergies from the AZEK integration are running ahead of schedule and revenue synergies are on track, evidenced by newly expanded nationwide distribution partnerships with Boise Cascade and other regional distributors. In Deck, Rail & Accessories, sell-through accelerated every month of the quarter and outpaced shipments, pulling channel inventory back to normal levels and setting up a cleaner back half of the year. Free cash flow more than doubled to $254.2 million, and the company used the cash to pay down $400 million of senior unsecured notes.
Erter was careful to frame the beat as execution rather than a healthier market, telling investors the company is "not ***** uming a housing market improvement" for the rest of fiscal 2027. Part of the quarter's strength came from an easy comparison, since channel inventory was deliberately reduced a year earlier, and management said that benefit is expected to moderate as the year goes on. Deck, Rail & Accessories net sales actually fell 5% on a pro forma basis because the company intentionally cut production to work down channel inventory, leaving the segment with an operating loss of $3.3 million for the quarter.
#Growth #sales #management
The headline growth number is inflated by the AZEK Exteriors deal folded into the base, so the more telling figure is the 12% pro forma net sales growth, which also beat original guidance. Siding & Trim, the core fiber cement business, posted organic net sales growth of 20% as North American fiber cement volumes returned to growth for the first time in several quarters. CEO Aaron Erter tied that to share gains against vinyl and other competing materials, along with programs like ColorPlus and Expanded Statement drawing more of the higher-end repair and remodel market. Adjusted EBITDA margin in that segment expanded 140 basis points to 33.5%, powered by favorable pricing, cheaper raw materials, and continued savings from the company's Hardie Manufacturing Operating System even as freight costs rose.
Management also said cost synergies from the AZEK integration are running ahead of schedule and revenue synergies are on track, evidenced by newly expanded nationwide distribution partnerships with Boise Cascade and other regional distributors. In Deck, Rail & Accessories, sell-through accelerated every month of the quarter and outpaced shipments, pulling channel inventory back to normal levels and setting up a cleaner back half of the year. Free cash flow more than doubled to $254.2 million, and the company used the cash to pay down $400 million of senior unsecured notes.
Erter was careful to frame the beat as execution rather than a healthier market, telling investors the company is "not ***** uming a housing market improvement" for the rest of fiscal 2027. Part of the quarter's strength came from an easy comparison, since channel inventory was deliberately reduced a year earlier, and management said that benefit is expected to moderate as the year goes on. Deck, Rail & Accessories net sales actually fell 5% on a pro forma basis because the company intentionally cut production to work down channel inventory, leaving the segment with an operating loss of $3.3 million for the quarter.
#Growth #sales #management
18 days ago
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Killing endangered animals while logging a forest or building a dam would not be considered illegal unless the animals were specifically targeted, under a new interpretation of the Endangered Species Act by President Donald Trump's administration that marks a sea change in how the landmark environmental law is enforced.
A directive sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees this week says imperiled animals or plants must be intentionally targeted for their killing to be considered illegal.
That's a sharp turnaround from past practice at the wildlife service, which historically held people liable even for accidentally harming protected species such as grizzly bears, manatees and spotted owls.
Experts said the change would allow timber companies to log forests in the Pacific Northwest even if they knew that doing so could kill imperiled birds nesting in the trees, or for developers to build a dam knowing it would kill salmon.
"This cuts against the entire history of the Endangered Species Act," said Dan Ashe, who led the Fish and Wildlife Service under former President Barack Obama.
#species #president #killing
A directive sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees this week says imperiled animals or plants must be intentionally targeted for their killing to be considered illegal.
That's a sharp turnaround from past practice at the wildlife service, which historically held people liable even for accidentally harming protected species such as grizzly bears, manatees and spotted owls.
Experts said the change would allow timber companies to log forests in the Pacific Northwest even if they knew that doing so could kill imperiled birds nesting in the trees, or for developers to build a dam knowing it would kill salmon.
"This cuts against the entire history of the Endangered Species Act," said Dan Ashe, who led the Fish and Wildlife Service under former President Barack Obama.
#species #president #killing
19 days ago
Even before we go deeper, I want to be upfront about this. I think Dario Amodei's concerns about the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development deserve to be taken seriously.
As the CEO of Anthropic, one of the companies building this technology, he has a front-row view of where AI is heading. That alone gives his warnings a perspective most of us don't have.
Dario Amodei published an essay **** led "We Must Pace the Frontier" on Sep. 12, 2026, calling for an intentional slowdown in advanced AI development.
He received remarkable support. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman endorsed it. Elon Musk said Amodei was "right." Even competitors in a fiercely competitive industry agreed that independent evaluators made sense.
This has been a primary topic of discussion for some time. I also think that if AI development continues at its current pace without safeguards, there is a real risk that we could eventually confront the darker side of what the technology is capable of doing.
Yes, of course, the potential benefits are enormous, but so are the consequences if its risks outpace our ability to manage them.
#pace #dario #anthropic #must
As the CEO of Anthropic, one of the companies building this technology, he has a front-row view of where AI is heading. That alone gives his warnings a perspective most of us don't have.
Dario Amodei published an essay **** led "We Must Pace the Frontier" on Sep. 12, 2026, calling for an intentional slowdown in advanced AI development.
He received remarkable support. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman endorsed it. Elon Musk said Amodei was "right." Even competitors in a fiercely competitive industry agreed that independent evaluators made sense.
This has been a primary topic of discussion for some time. I also think that if AI development continues at its current pace without safeguards, there is a real risk that we could eventually confront the darker side of what the technology is capable of doing.
Yes, of course, the potential benefits are enormous, but so are the consequences if its risks outpace our ability to manage them.
#pace #dario #anthropic #must
20 days ago
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed Wednesday that Canada become the bloc’s first “associate member,” provoking a fresh tariff threat from US President Donald Trump.
The move is aimed at shoring up their economies in the face of increasing trade tensions with the United States. But Trump said Wednesday the US could put “heavy tariffs” on the European Union if he considers any new agreement with Canada to be a “hostile act.”
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe, which is a possibility,” he told reporters.
#ursula
The move is aimed at shoring up their economies in the face of increasing trade tensions with the United States. But Trump said Wednesday the US could put “heavy tariffs” on the European Union if he considers any new agreement with Canada to be a “hostile act.”
“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe, which is a possibility,” he told reporters.
#ursula
20 days ago
Our ****** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Delivered total revenue growth of 1.1%, marking the second consecutive quarter of expansion as the Project Sunshine transformation gains traction.
Direct segment revenue grew 8% with comparable sales up 9.2%, serving as the primary indicator of customer resonance with new product and marketing strategies.
Gross margin expanded by more than 40 basis points (excluding tariff refunds) through disciplined pricing, promotion governance, and improved product ****** ortment productivity.
Indirect channel revenue contracted 39% due to intentional shifts in marketplace strategy and a strategic reduction in liquidation sales to protect brand equity.
#tell
Delivered total revenue growth of 1.1%, marking the second consecutive quarter of expansion as the Project Sunshine transformation gains traction.
Direct segment revenue grew 8% with comparable sales up 9.2%, serving as the primary indicator of customer resonance with new product and marketing strategies.
Gross margin expanded by more than 40 basis points (excluding tariff refunds) through disciplined pricing, promotion governance, and improved product ****** ortment productivity.
Indirect channel revenue contracted 39% due to intentional shifts in marketplace strategy and a strategic reduction in liquidation sales to protect brand equity.
#tell
20 days ago
Critics are slamming Norway over new legislation that they say singles out Jews. The proposed law could send individuals to prison for up to three years for knowingly conducting certain forms of business with Israeli communities in the West Bank.
The proposal, introduced by Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would prohibit the importation of goods originating in Israeli communities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the exportation of goods to those communities. It would also restrict certain real estate transactions, construction and engineering services and investments in businesses headquartered and operating there.
Intentional violations could result in fines, imprisonment for up to three years or both, while negligent violations could carry fines, imprisonment for up to six months or both, according to Section 7 of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official consultation document.
Israel's E1 Plan Explained: The Jerusalem-area Corridor Sparking International Backlash
(L-R) Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed the media following the 9th Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution Meeting and the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) Meeting, focusing on international aid for Palestinians and the revitalization of the peace process.
#west
The proposal, introduced by Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would prohibit the importation of goods originating in Israeli communities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the exportation of goods to those communities. It would also restrict certain real estate transactions, construction and engineering services and investments in businesses headquartered and operating there.
Intentional violations could result in fines, imprisonment for up to three years or both, while negligent violations could carry fines, imprisonment for up to six months or both, according to Section 7 of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official consultation document.
Israel's E1 Plan Explained: The Jerusalem-area Corridor Sparking International Backlash
(L-R) Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed the media following the 9th Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution Meeting and the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) Meeting, focusing on international aid for Palestinians and the revitalization of the peace process.
#west
22 days ago
Serve Robotics (SERV) shares have tumbled roughly 20% since the autonomous delivery company lowered its 2026 revenue guidance on Aug. 6. The cut came despite quarterly revenue surging 404% year-over-year (YOY). Serve Robotics also said it may not renew its foundational partnership with Uber (UBER) after it expires in early 2027. The development follows Serve's first decline in Uber Eats delivery volume in 17 consecutive quarters. However, Serve has $240 million in cash and is intentionally expanding into DoorDash (DASH), healthcare robotics, and advertising. The debate now is whether the reset reflects deeper trouble or a strategic effort to diversify beyond a weakening partnership.
Investors should also look closely at the short interest number when it comes to SERV stock. Serve Robotics has a short percentage of float of 31.3%. That's an extremely high number for any company but also brings with it an opportunity — namely, a potential short squeeze. For that to happen, though, there needs to be some retail interest in SERV stock.
Dear ***** eX Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 21
How to Play IBM Stock as It Teams Up with NASA to Launch a New Open-Source Model
GF Securities Says NAND Prices May Stabilize Later This Year. What This Means for Sandisk Stock.
#company
Investors should also look closely at the short interest number when it comes to SERV stock. Serve Robotics has a short percentage of float of 31.3%. That's an extremely high number for any company but also brings with it an opportunity — namely, a potential short squeeze. For that to happen, though, there needs to be some retail interest in SERV stock.
Dear ***** eX Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 21
How to Play IBM Stock as It Teams Up with NASA to Launch a New Open-Source Model
GF Securities Says NAND Prices May Stabilize Later This Year. What This Means for Sandisk Stock.
#company
22 days ago
Chad Baker-Mazara's departure from USC last spring came after head coach Eric Musselman went off on a "profanity-laced, racially-charged" tirade against him in the locker room, the former player is alleging in a new lawsuit.
Baker-Mazara filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Monday, according to the California Post, claiming that Musselman erupted on him after the team's loss to Nebraska on Feb. 28. Baker-Mazara and the Trojans split just days later. He is suing the university for breach of contract, conversion and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, among other things.
Baker-Mazara left USC during the final stretch of the regular season last spring. Specifics of his departure weren't known, other than it was reportedly due to "an accumulation of issues," but the timing was very suspect. The announcement came on March 1, just days before the Trojans kicked off the Big Ten tournament.
Baker-Mazara transferred into USC from Auburn, and averaged career-highs 18.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
The incident in question, according to the lawsuit, happened after their loss to Nebraska on Feb. 28. Baker-Mazara said that Musselman started yelling at the team in the locker room. Baker-Mazara tried to address his teammates, and Musselman shut him down.
#last #spring
Baker-Mazara filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on Monday, according to the California Post, claiming that Musselman erupted on him after the team's loss to Nebraska on Feb. 28. Baker-Mazara and the Trojans split just days later. He is suing the university for breach of contract, conversion and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, among other things.
Baker-Mazara left USC during the final stretch of the regular season last spring. Specifics of his departure weren't known, other than it was reportedly due to "an accumulation of issues," but the timing was very suspect. The announcement came on March 1, just days before the Trojans kicked off the Big Ten tournament.
Baker-Mazara transferred into USC from Auburn, and averaged career-highs 18.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
The incident in question, according to the lawsuit, happened after their loss to Nebraska on Feb. 28. Baker-Mazara said that Musselman started yelling at the team in the locker room. Baker-Mazara tried to address his teammates, and Musselman shut him down.
#last #spring
22 days ago
PC Richard Williams was filmed punching a suspect with one hand as he gripped the man's neck with his other arm
A police officer who punched a suspect nine times in the head used unreasonable force on multiple occasions, a police misconduct hearing has been told.
PC Richard Williams faces eight allegations relating to the arrest of Steven Clark, including using a headlock or "choker", unreasonable use of incapacitant spray, and throwing or dropping Clark into the back of a police van.
A misconduct hearing at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay heard Williams denies wrongdoing.
He was cleared of ****** ault and intentional strangulation following a seven-day trial in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, in 2025.
#police
A police officer who punched a suspect nine times in the head used unreasonable force on multiple occasions, a police misconduct hearing has been told.
PC Richard Williams faces eight allegations relating to the arrest of Steven Clark, including using a headlock or "choker", unreasonable use of incapacitant spray, and throwing or dropping Clark into the back of a police van.
A misconduct hearing at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay heard Williams denies wrongdoing.
He was cleared of ****** ault and intentional strangulation following a seven-day trial in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, in 2025.
#police
22 days ago
Alabama football is getting more healthy by the day.
Alabama offensive lineman Michael Carroll, who missed the Kentucky win Saturday, Sept. 12 with an undisclosed injury, will continue to work with the intention of playing against Florida State, DeBoer said.
"I feel confident that we'll get there. We'll just kind of have to see how the week goes, but I think it's heading in the right direction," DeBoer said. "Hope to get him back."
Running back AK Dear, DeBoer said, is "making good progress" in recovering from a lower-body injury. Dear was doing light practice late last week before Kentucky. Dear has not appeared in a game in 2026.
"His mindset's been awesome with what he had injury wise to just the recovery and response," DeBoer said. "His mindset's helped him come back even quicker."
#injury #kentucky #week
Alabama offensive lineman Michael Carroll, who missed the Kentucky win Saturday, Sept. 12 with an undisclosed injury, will continue to work with the intention of playing against Florida State, DeBoer said.
"I feel confident that we'll get there. We'll just kind of have to see how the week goes, but I think it's heading in the right direction," DeBoer said. "Hope to get him back."
Running back AK Dear, DeBoer said, is "making good progress" in recovering from a lower-body injury. Dear was doing light practice late last week before Kentucky. Dear has not appeared in a game in 2026.
"His mindset's been awesome with what he had injury wise to just the recovery and response," DeBoer said. "His mindset's helped him come back even quicker."
#injury #kentucky #week
22 days ago
As you know, football fans from every team, whether they're emotionally stable after a game or not, can grab a keyboard or camera and share their feelings with the world. That's bad news this Monday, after the first Sunday of the NFL season, for Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and the officials who called the Vikings-Packers stunner in Minneapolis.
The Vikings trailed 22-10 before scoring 29 unanswered points in a 39-22 victory. LaFleur is getting torched by the fan base because second-half collapses have become a trend since last December, and the officials are taking heat after calling 13 penalties on the Packers and only three on the Vikings.
The purpose of this article isn't to break down whether the refs got it right or wrong. We did that right here. We're just here today to showcase some of the most unhinged Packers fan reactions. Enjoy!
Annie Agar, one of the more famous Packers fans, wants everyone fired and the refs "thrown in jail." It's satire, of course, but her angry reaction reflects how most Packers fans feel.
"Without the freak turnovers and terrible reffing – which might have been intentional punishment for knocking out Kyler Murray, this team smokes the Vikings 99 times out of 100," a Reddit user who goes by DrLuny wrote.
#packers #Vikings #fans #right
The Vikings trailed 22-10 before scoring 29 unanswered points in a 39-22 victory. LaFleur is getting torched by the fan base because second-half collapses have become a trend since last December, and the officials are taking heat after calling 13 penalties on the Packers and only three on the Vikings.
The purpose of this article isn't to break down whether the refs got it right or wrong. We did that right here. We're just here today to showcase some of the most unhinged Packers fan reactions. Enjoy!
Annie Agar, one of the more famous Packers fans, wants everyone fired and the refs "thrown in jail." It's satire, of course, but her angry reaction reflects how most Packers fans feel.
"Without the freak turnovers and terrible reffing – which might have been intentional punishment for knocking out Kyler Murray, this team smokes the Vikings 99 times out of 100," a Reddit user who goes by DrLuny wrote.
#packers #Vikings #fans #right
24 days ago
What a difference a week makes.
Michigan opened the Kyle Whittingham Era last week needing some game-clock malpractice and a Hail Mary to survive against Western Michigan.
Seven days later, the Wolverines put together a nasty defensive effort, overcome a host of costly penalties and roll to a 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma in the Big House.
Remember when Whittingham unintentionally made a stir by questioning QB Bryce Underwood's status as the starter last week? Well, he made sure to clear the air after Underwood — mostly with his feet — helped Michigan beat OU.
"Bryce is our quarterback," he said.
#bryce
Michigan opened the Kyle Whittingham Era last week needing some game-clock malpractice and a Hail Mary to survive against Western Michigan.
Seven days later, the Wolverines put together a nasty defensive effort, overcome a host of costly penalties and roll to a 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma in the Big House.
Remember when Whittingham unintentionally made a stir by questioning QB Bryce Underwood's status as the starter last week? Well, he made sure to clear the air after Underwood — mostly with his feet — helped Michigan beat OU.
"Bryce is our quarterback," he said.
#bryce
24 days ago
Jared Curtis' entry into Vanderbilt football's 35-26 win over Delaware was intended to happen when it did, coach Clark Lea said.
Curtis entered the game for the third drive after Blaze Berlowitz had not completed a pass in his first two drives. Lea said that the third drive was always the intention for when Curtis would enter the game, unless the game situation dictated otherwise.
Berlowitz re-entered the game near the end of the second quarter. He committed a fumble on a run play and then led Vanderbilt to a three-and-out, resulting in boos.
Curtis then played the entire second half.
"We had prescribed that, so that was less a response to the game flow," Lea said. "Obviously we were not able to move the ball offensively early, but he was going to go in third series unless it was situational."
#game #entered #drive
Curtis entered the game for the third drive after Blaze Berlowitz had not completed a pass in his first two drives. Lea said that the third drive was always the intention for when Curtis would enter the game, unless the game situation dictated otherwise.
Berlowitz re-entered the game near the end of the second quarter. He committed a fumble on a run play and then led Vanderbilt to a three-and-out, resulting in boos.
Curtis then played the entire second half.
"We had prescribed that, so that was less a response to the game flow," Lea said. "Obviously we were not able to move the ball offensively early, but he was going to go in third series unless it was situational."
#game #entered #drive
24 days ago
Jared Curtis' entry into Vanderbilt football's 35-26 win over Delaware was intended to happen when it did, coach Clark Lea said.
Curtis entered the game for the third drive after Blaze Berlowitz had not completed a pass in his first two drives. Lea said that the third drive was always the intention for when Curtis would enter the game, unless the game situation dictated otherwise.
Berlowitz re-entered the game near the end of the second quarter. He committed a fumble on a run play and then led Vanderbilt to a three-and-out, resulting in boos.
Curtis then played the entire second half.
"We had prescribed that, so that was less a response to the game flow," Lea said. "Obviously we were not able to move the ball offensively early, but he was going to go in third series unless it was situational."
#game #Third #vanderbilt #jared
Curtis entered the game for the third drive after Blaze Berlowitz had not completed a pass in his first two drives. Lea said that the third drive was always the intention for when Curtis would enter the game, unless the game situation dictated otherwise.
Berlowitz re-entered the game near the end of the second quarter. He committed a fumble on a run play and then led Vanderbilt to a three-and-out, resulting in boos.
Curtis then played the entire second half.
"We had prescribed that, so that was less a response to the game flow," Lea said. "Obviously we were not able to move the ball offensively early, but he was going to go in third series unless it was situational."
#game #Third #vanderbilt #jared
24 days ago
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Orange missed several redzone opportunities, turned the ball over at costly times and committed numerous penalties to undo all of their hard work against the Golden Bears. A game in which the offensive numbers looked far better for Syracuse ended in a Cal 21-18 win when Golden Bears safety Kingston Lopa housed a pick six for the eventual winning score with 4:51 left in the 4th quarter.
Syracuse started the game with the ball, and fireworks showed immediately. Tylik Hill ripped a 55 yard rush on the second play of the game to immediately put the Orange in a goal-to-go situation. Syracuse couldn't convert and settled for a Tripp Woody field goal to open the scoring at 3-0.
Cal set its intentions early by playing in empty sets for much of its first drive. Although the Golden Bears got a first down, impressive pressure from Keyshawn Johnson and Dillan Fontus on 3rd down stalled the first Cal drive before midfield.
Syracuse's second drive saw the return of Justus Ross-Simmons, newly eligible after a long and nervous legal battle. He snagged the first Orange reception of the day, going 22 yards up the right sideline. Shavane Anderson Jr. also started to show that his first week performance wasn't a fluke with a pair of good eight-yard gains to move the chains. The Orange had to punt, however, to end their second drive of the day.
Cal showed more of its pass heavy offense, led by its star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. After moving the chains with some good outside passes, JKS finally targeted his top receiver, Ian Strong on a third down play. Syracuse had ****** r Ward instead of Chris Peal covering Strong on this play, but Ward did a great job to force an incompletion and end Cal's second drive.
#orange #game #play #down
Syracuse started the game with the ball, and fireworks showed immediately. Tylik Hill ripped a 55 yard rush on the second play of the game to immediately put the Orange in a goal-to-go situation. Syracuse couldn't convert and settled for a Tripp Woody field goal to open the scoring at 3-0.
Cal set its intentions early by playing in empty sets for much of its first drive. Although the Golden Bears got a first down, impressive pressure from Keyshawn Johnson and Dillan Fontus on 3rd down stalled the first Cal drive before midfield.
Syracuse's second drive saw the return of Justus Ross-Simmons, newly eligible after a long and nervous legal battle. He snagged the first Orange reception of the day, going 22 yards up the right sideline. Shavane Anderson Jr. also started to show that his first week performance wasn't a fluke with a pair of good eight-yard gains to move the chains. The Orange had to punt, however, to end their second drive of the day.
Cal showed more of its pass heavy offense, led by its star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. After moving the chains with some good outside passes, JKS finally targeted his top receiver, Ian Strong on a third down play. Syracuse had ****** r Ward instead of Chris Peal covering Strong on this play, but Ward did a great job to force an incompletion and end Cal's second drive.
#orange #game #play #down
