10 days ago
Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) is reportedly in talks to acquire Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) DePuy Synthes orthopedics business in a transaction that could value the unit at close to $20 billion, according to Bloomberg, as reported by Reuters. J&J generated $9.3 billion of revenue from the orthopedics business in 2025, making the potential transaction material for both companies. The discussions could reach an agreement within weeks, although J&J is also considering a public-market spin-off. This is consistent with J&J's October 2025 decision to separate DePuy Synthes within an expected 18-to-24-month timeframe and shift its MedTech portfolio toward higher-growth, higher-margin businesses.
For Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), the attraction is the opportunity to acquire a large, established medical-device franchise with substantial recurring demand from joint-replacement and surgical procedures. A roughly $20 billion valuation against $9.3 billion of 2025 revenue implies a price-to-sales multiple of about 2.2x, giving Apollo room to pursue operational improvements, portfolio rationalization, and margin expansion if the business is acquired at an attractive valuation.
DePuy Synthes also has meaningful scale and leading positions across major orthopedics categories, while J&J has recently invested in technologies that could strengthen the franchise, including an agreement covering Gemtrack tracking technology for robotic and navigation-assisted joint procedures and the acquisition of Expanding Innovations for expandable spine implants. Apollo is also entering the potential deal from a position of considerable financial scale: it had approximately $1.05 trillion of ***** ets under management as of June 30, 2026, with $198 billion in equity strategies and $849 billion in credit strategies. Its second-quarter results included $111 billion of gross capital deployment, demonstrating the capacity to execute large transactions.
For Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a sale could accelerate the portfolio transformation that management has already identified as a strategic priority while potentially delivering a sizeable upfront cash inflow. J&J explicitly said its planned orthopedics separation should increase the company's top-line growth and operating margins by allowing it to concentrate on Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Surgery and Vision.
The company has also been restructuring orthopedics, with $307 million of restructuring expense in 2025, following $167 million in 2024 and $319 million in 2023, primarily tied to market and product exits. A sale could therefore remove a business that has required restructuring resources while allowing J&J to redeploy capital toward areas it views as higher growth and higher margin.
#billion #depuy
For Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), the attraction is the opportunity to acquire a large, established medical-device franchise with substantial recurring demand from joint-replacement and surgical procedures. A roughly $20 billion valuation against $9.3 billion of 2025 revenue implies a price-to-sales multiple of about 2.2x, giving Apollo room to pursue operational improvements, portfolio rationalization, and margin expansion if the business is acquired at an attractive valuation.
DePuy Synthes also has meaningful scale and leading positions across major orthopedics categories, while J&J has recently invested in technologies that could strengthen the franchise, including an agreement covering Gemtrack tracking technology for robotic and navigation-assisted joint procedures and the acquisition of Expanding Innovations for expandable spine implants. Apollo is also entering the potential deal from a position of considerable financial scale: it had approximately $1.05 trillion of ***** ets under management as of June 30, 2026, with $198 billion in equity strategies and $849 billion in credit strategies. Its second-quarter results included $111 billion of gross capital deployment, demonstrating the capacity to execute large transactions.
For Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a sale could accelerate the portfolio transformation that management has already identified as a strategic priority while potentially delivering a sizeable upfront cash inflow. J&J explicitly said its planned orthopedics separation should increase the company's top-line growth and operating margins by allowing it to concentrate on Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Surgery and Vision.
The company has also been restructuring orthopedics, with $307 million of restructuring expense in 2025, following $167 million in 2024 and $319 million in 2023, primarily tied to market and product exits. A sale could therefore remove a business that has required restructuring resources while allowing J&J to redeploy capital toward areas it views as higher growth and higher margin.
#billion #depuy
10 days ago
Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) is reportedly in talks to acquire Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) DePuy Synthes orthopedics business in a transaction that could value the unit at close to $20 billion, according to Bloomberg, as reported by Reuters. J&J generated $9.3 billion of revenue from the orthopedics business in 2025, making the potential transaction material for both companies. The discussions could reach an agreement within weeks, although J&J is also considering a public-market spin-off. This is consistent with J&J's October 2025 decision to separate DePuy Synthes within an expected 18-to-24-month timeframe and shift its MedTech portfolio toward higher-growth, higher-margin businesses.
For Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), the attraction is the opportunity to acquire a large, established medical-device franchise with substantial recurring demand from joint-replacement and surgical procedures. A roughly $20 billion valuation against $9.3 billion of 2025 revenue implies a price-to-sales multiple of about 2.2x, giving Apollo room to pursue operational improvements, portfolio rationalization, and margin expansion if the business is acquired at an attractive valuation.
DePuy Synthes also has meaningful scale and leading positions across major orthopedics categories, while J&J has recently invested in technologies that could strengthen the franchise, including an agreement covering Gemtrack tracking technology for robotic and navigation-assisted joint procedures and the acquisition of Expanding Innovations for expandable spine implants. Apollo is also entering the potential deal from a position of considerable financial scale: it had approximately $1.05 trillion of **** ets under management as of June 30, 2026, with $198 billion in equity strategies and $849 billion in credit strategies. Its second-quarter results included $111 billion of gross capital deployment, demonstrating the capacity to execute large transactions.
For Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a sale could accelerate the portfolio transformation that management has already identified as a strategic priority while potentially delivering a sizeable upfront cash inflow. J&J explicitly said its planned orthopedics separation should increase the company's top-line growth and operating margins by allowing it to concentrate on Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Surgery and Vision.
The company has also been restructuring orthopedics, with $307 million of restructuring expense in 2025, following $167 million in 2024 and $319 million in 2023, primarily tied to market and product exits. A sale could therefore remove a business that has required restructuring resources while allowing J&J to redeploy capital toward areas it views as higher growth and higher margin.
#NYSE #johnson
For Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), the attraction is the opportunity to acquire a large, established medical-device franchise with substantial recurring demand from joint-replacement and surgical procedures. A roughly $20 billion valuation against $9.3 billion of 2025 revenue implies a price-to-sales multiple of about 2.2x, giving Apollo room to pursue operational improvements, portfolio rationalization, and margin expansion if the business is acquired at an attractive valuation.
DePuy Synthes also has meaningful scale and leading positions across major orthopedics categories, while J&J has recently invested in technologies that could strengthen the franchise, including an agreement covering Gemtrack tracking technology for robotic and navigation-assisted joint procedures and the acquisition of Expanding Innovations for expandable spine implants. Apollo is also entering the potential deal from a position of considerable financial scale: it had approximately $1.05 trillion of **** ets under management as of June 30, 2026, with $198 billion in equity strategies and $849 billion in credit strategies. Its second-quarter results included $111 billion of gross capital deployment, demonstrating the capacity to execute large transactions.
For Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), a sale could accelerate the portfolio transformation that management has already identified as a strategic priority while potentially delivering a sizeable upfront cash inflow. J&J explicitly said its planned orthopedics separation should increase the company's top-line growth and operating margins by allowing it to concentrate on Oncology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Cardiovascular, Surgery and Vision.
The company has also been restructuring orthopedics, with $307 million of restructuring expense in 2025, following $167 million in 2024 and $319 million in 2023, primarily tied to market and product exits. A sale could therefore remove a business that has required restructuring resources while allowing J&J to redeploy capital toward areas it views as higher growth and higher margin.
#NYSE #johnson
12 days ago
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) is considering making its debut in China's domestic bond market as soon as this year, with CFO Marcelo Bacci saying the company is preparing for a potential Panda bond issuance. The move would be strategically significant because China accounts for roughly half of Vale's revenue, making renminbi financing a natural extension of its relationship with its largest market. Bloomberg reported that Vale is still ****** sing the market, including whether it can obtain a maturity longer than the typical two-, three-, or five-year terms available to international issuers.
The timing is also favorable for Vale because China's Panda bond market is expanding rapidly. Reuters reported that foreign issuers have increasingly turned to Asian bond markets to diversify funding sources, while Chinese yuan bond issuance has reached record levels in 2026. For Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE), the potential transaction therefore looks less like a necessity for raising capital and more like an effort to diversify its investor base, potentially lower funding costs, and build a longer-term financing relationship with Chinese investors.
The strongest bullish argument is that Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) could potentially lower and diversify its cost of capital by accessing a large pool of Chinese investors at a time when renminbi funding remains relatively inexpensive. Reuters noted that Chinese onshore and offshore yuan bond markets have experienced record issuance this year, with foreign borrowers increasingly using these markets to diversify away from traditional funding currencies. If Vale can achieve competitive pricing, a Panda bond could provide an additional funding channel alongside its established dollar financing, reducing its dependence on a single market.
The move could also create a better natural match between Vale's revenues and its financing currency. Because China represents approximately half of Vale's revenue, raising at least some debt in renminbi could provide a degree of currency alignment with its Chinese business exposure. More importantly, establishing itself as a repeat issuer could strengthen Vale's relationships with Chinese banks and institutional investors, potentially giving it access to another source of capital when global dollar markets become less attractive.
There is also a broader strategic benefit. China is actively expanding the Panda bond market and encouraging international companies to use it. Official Chinese data showed that more than 160 billion yuan of Panda bonds were issued during the first half of 2026, up 69% year over year, demonstrating that the market is becoming more established and liquid. Vale entering this market could therefore position the company early in a growing financing ecosystem rather than waiting until it becomes more crowded.
#chinese #bond #panda #China
The timing is also favorable for Vale because China's Panda bond market is expanding rapidly. Reuters reported that foreign issuers have increasingly turned to Asian bond markets to diversify funding sources, while Chinese yuan bond issuance has reached record levels in 2026. For Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE), the potential transaction therefore looks less like a necessity for raising capital and more like an effort to diversify its investor base, potentially lower funding costs, and build a longer-term financing relationship with Chinese investors.
The strongest bullish argument is that Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) could potentially lower and diversify its cost of capital by accessing a large pool of Chinese investors at a time when renminbi funding remains relatively inexpensive. Reuters noted that Chinese onshore and offshore yuan bond markets have experienced record issuance this year, with foreign borrowers increasingly using these markets to diversify away from traditional funding currencies. If Vale can achieve competitive pricing, a Panda bond could provide an additional funding channel alongside its established dollar financing, reducing its dependence on a single market.
The move could also create a better natural match between Vale's revenues and its financing currency. Because China represents approximately half of Vale's revenue, raising at least some debt in renminbi could provide a degree of currency alignment with its Chinese business exposure. More importantly, establishing itself as a repeat issuer could strengthen Vale's relationships with Chinese banks and institutional investors, potentially giving it access to another source of capital when global dollar markets become less attractive.
There is also a broader strategic benefit. China is actively expanding the Panda bond market and encouraging international companies to use it. Official Chinese data showed that more than 160 billion yuan of Panda bonds were issued during the first half of 2026, up 69% year over year, demonstrating that the market is becoming more established and liquid. Vale entering this market could therefore position the company early in a growing financing ecosystem rather than waiting until it becomes more crowded.
#chinese #bond #panda #China
25 days ago
ONE Championship returns to Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, September 4, with another stacked lineup at ONE Fight Night 47 on Prime Video.
The card streams live in U.S. primetime and is headlined by former three-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex against Selina "Teep Queen" Flores in a highly anticipated atomweight Muay Thai showdown.
But some of the night's most intriguing action could come before the headline attraction.
From a collision between aggressive and acrobatic strikers to an undefeated Indian finisher making his global roster debut, these three bouts have all the ingredients to leave a lasting impression at the mecca of Muay Thai.
Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi and Jordan "Panda Kick" Estupinan rarely need much encouragement to attack.
#thai #championship #stadium #fight
The card streams live in U.S. primetime and is headlined by former three-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex against Selina "Teep Queen" Flores in a highly anticipated atomweight Muay Thai showdown.
But some of the night's most intriguing action could come before the headline attraction.
From a collision between aggressive and acrobatic strikers to an undefeated Indian finisher making his global roster debut, these three bouts have all the ingredients to leave a lasting impression at the mecca of Muay Thai.
Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi and Jordan "Panda Kick" Estupinan rarely need much encouragement to attack.
#thai #championship #stadium #fight
30 days ago
On August 14, 2026, Core Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ:CORZ) completed its acquisition of Polaris DS for roughly $444 million in cash. It is adding about 440 megawatts of grid-connected power capacity in Oklahoma as part of its push to expand its Muskogee campus to 1.5 gigawatts of gross power.
Core Scientific keeps buying power capacity to feed AI data center demand. It is building on a business it already reshaped from bitcoin mining.
That raises the real question: is this string of acquisitions building a genuinely differentiated AI infrastructure company or piling up debt-funded power capacity ahead of confirmed demand?
Photo from Nextpower website
CEO Adam Sullivan said the deal is "another example of how we are strategically expanding our power portfolio," noting the company has added more than 600 megawatts of leasable power through site acquisitions this year alone. Core Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ:CORZ) is already contracted to deliver the next roughly 82 megawatts at Muskogee to a customer starting in the second half of 2027. The company also signed a deal with AMD in July. It gave AMD access to more than 500 megawatts of AI-ready data center capacity starting in 2027, expandable to 2.5 gigawatts. AMD received market-priced warrants to purchase Core Scientific stock as part of the arrangement.
#corz
Core Scientific keeps buying power capacity to feed AI data center demand. It is building on a business it already reshaped from bitcoin mining.
That raises the real question: is this string of acquisitions building a genuinely differentiated AI infrastructure company or piling up debt-funded power capacity ahead of confirmed demand?
Photo from Nextpower website
CEO Adam Sullivan said the deal is "another example of how we are strategically expanding our power portfolio," noting the company has added more than 600 megawatts of leasable power through site acquisitions this year alone. Core Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ:CORZ) is already contracted to deliver the next roughly 82 megawatts at Muskogee to a customer starting in the second half of 2027. The company also signed a deal with AMD in July. It gave AMD access to more than 500 megawatts of AI-ready data center capacity starting in 2027, expandable to 2.5 gigawatts. AMD received market-priced warrants to purchase Core Scientific stock as part of the arrangement.
#corz
1 month ago
German ice cream maker Florida Eis is expanding local production capacity with a new factory in Schönebeck (Elbe).
On Thursday (20 August), Florida Eis said the new plant in Schönebeck's West Industrial Park on Wilhelm-Dümling-Straße will be designed to produce around 5,000 metric tonnes of ice cream each year.
Operations are due to start in 2028.
The company plans to spend about €25m ($29.1m) on the factory, which will include a roughly 4,000-square-metre production hall, logistics areas, and an office building with an ice cream parlour and a factory outlet.
In a separate statement to Just Food, the company said the new factory is intended to ease capacity constraints at its current plant in Berlin-Spandau, where it has operated since it was founded in 1927.
#factory #capacity #plant #thursday
On Thursday (20 August), Florida Eis said the new plant in Schönebeck's West Industrial Park on Wilhelm-Dümling-Straße will be designed to produce around 5,000 metric tonnes of ice cream each year.
Operations are due to start in 2028.
The company plans to spend about €25m ($29.1m) on the factory, which will include a roughly 4,000-square-metre production hall, logistics areas, and an office building with an ice cream parlour and a factory outlet.
In a separate statement to Just Food, the company said the new factory is intended to ease capacity constraints at its current plant in Berlin-Spandau, where it has operated since it was founded in 1927.
#factory #capacity #plant #thursday
1 month ago
December to August; not quite the length of that we were hoping for as League Cup champions, but better to have reigned and lost than never to have reigned at all.
Sunday's visit to Govan posed a real test for Craig McLeish and his developing side. The dramatic shift from pragmatic nuisances to free-flowing ball players has navigated lower-league opposition, a slightly bruised Falkirk and newly-promoted St Johnstone thus far - and looked mostly effective while doing so.
Do you double down on this approach against a toiling Rangers side? Or, as in times gone by, do you bow to more cautious instincts in front of 50,000 and their richly-assembled charges?
At the weekend, this Trojan panda filled with an equal share of possession and playing out from the back was rolled up to the Ibrox gates and left for the Premiership's good-honest-fitba-in-chief Derek McInnes to drag inside. Ninety dramatic minutes and five conceded goals later, the Saints were out and Ibrox remained unsacked.
To try to paint this performance as even partially positive is futile. Accusations of naivety or more drastic criticism, however, are a little short-sighted.
#dramatic #govan
Sunday's visit to Govan posed a real test for Craig McLeish and his developing side. The dramatic shift from pragmatic nuisances to free-flowing ball players has navigated lower-league opposition, a slightly bruised Falkirk and newly-promoted St Johnstone thus far - and looked mostly effective while doing so.
Do you double down on this approach against a toiling Rangers side? Or, as in times gone by, do you bow to more cautious instincts in front of 50,000 and their richly-assembled charges?
At the weekend, this Trojan panda filled with an equal share of possession and playing out from the back was rolled up to the Ibrox gates and left for the Premiership's good-honest-fitba-in-chief Derek McInnes to drag inside. Ninety dramatic minutes and five conceded goals later, the Saints were out and Ibrox remained unsacked.
To try to paint this performance as even partially positive is futile. Accusations of naivety or more drastic criticism, however, are a little short-sighted.
#dramatic #govan
2 months ago
Chicago Cubs starter Edward Cabrera, on a rehab **** ignment with the Smokies in Knoxville, held Rocket City hitless through five innings before the visiting Trash Pandas rallied for a 6-1 win Aug. 11.
The Trash Pandas scored six unanswered runs off Smokies relievers after Cabrera left the game at Covenant Health Park.
Cabrera had seven strikeouts and finished his start retiring 13 straight batters. The only baserunner to reach base came from a two-out walk in the first inning.
"That's kind of how you draw it up," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. "Really, really electric stuff."
Knoxville's only run came from an RBI double by Ariel Armas in the second inning.
#cabrera #really #inning #Cubs
The Trash Pandas scored six unanswered runs off Smokies relievers after Cabrera left the game at Covenant Health Park.
Cabrera had seven strikeouts and finished his start retiring 13 straight batters. The only baserunner to reach base came from a two-out walk in the first inning.
"That's kind of how you draw it up," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. "Really, really electric stuff."
Knoxville's only run came from an RBI double by Ariel Armas in the second inning.
#cabrera #really #inning #Cubs
2 months ago
Charlotte Knights vs. Durham Bulls — Postponed
The game will be made up on Wednesday, August 5, as part of a doubleheader.
Rocket City Trash Pandas 8, Birmingham Barons 3
The Barons' (41-62) offense struggled out of the gate, managing only three hits, striking out 14 times and going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Birmingham starter Connor McCullough also had a tough time getting hit up for two runs in the first, then Rocket City hit him again for four more in the fourth, sending him to the showers after just 3 2/3 innings. The Barons' bats were completely MIA for three innings until Anthony DePino finally snapped the no-hit and shutout with a solo shot in the fourth — his 14th bomb of the year — to at least put a dent in the deficit at 2-1.
The momentum was short-lived, however, as the Trash Pandas answered immediately with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, blowing the contest wide open, 6-1. Birmingham scraped together a run in the fifth when Ryan Burrowes singled, and Samuel Zavala followed with an RBI double, but Rocket City answered right back after a Caleb Bonemer error helped plate another run in the bottom half. The Barons mustered an unearned run in the eighth, but the Trash Pandas matched it in the bottom of the frame to finish off the victory.
MVP
Anthony DePino: 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR, 3 K
Runners-Up
Alec Briley: 1-for-4, RBI, PO, 2 K
Ryan Burrowes: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
Samuel Zavala: 2-for-2, R, RBI, BB, 2B
Liam Paddack: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Jarold Rosado: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
#anthony
The game will be made up on Wednesday, August 5, as part of a doubleheader.
Rocket City Trash Pandas 8, Birmingham Barons 3
The Barons' (41-62) offense struggled out of the gate, managing only three hits, striking out 14 times and going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Birmingham starter Connor McCullough also had a tough time getting hit up for two runs in the first, then Rocket City hit him again for four more in the fourth, sending him to the showers after just 3 2/3 innings. The Barons' bats were completely MIA for three innings until Anthony DePino finally snapped the no-hit and shutout with a solo shot in the fourth — his 14th bomb of the year — to at least put a dent in the deficit at 2-1.
The momentum was short-lived, however, as the Trash Pandas answered immediately with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, blowing the contest wide open, 6-1. Birmingham scraped together a run in the fifth when Ryan Burrowes singled, and Samuel Zavala followed with an RBI double, but Rocket City answered right back after a Caleb Bonemer error helped plate another run in the bottom half. The Barons mustered an unearned run in the eighth, but the Trash Pandas matched it in the bottom of the frame to finish off the victory.
MVP
Anthony DePino: 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR, 3 K
Runners-Up
Alec Briley: 1-for-4, RBI, PO, 2 K
Ryan Burrowes: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
Samuel Zavala: 2-for-2, R, RBI, BB, 2B
Liam Paddack: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Jarold Rosado: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
#anthony
2 months ago
The calendar has turned to August, which means the preseason has officially started for volleyball teams in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. First serves are less than three weeks away as teams begin their journey to the postseason.
As The Enquirer wraps up its preview of the top players by position, let's take a look at the top hitters this fall.
Make sure to vote for the top hitter in the city in the poll at the bottom of the story. The poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. The USA Today Co. network is debuting a new polling service that allows readers to vote more often while protecting against fraudulent voting methods. User experience feedback can be sent to mlaughmanenquirer.com.
The University of Washington commit was second in the Girls Greater Catholic League with 319 kills and fourth with 76 blocks in 2025. She will certainly be in the conversation for league player of the year after being named to the all-league and all-state first teams and the district player of the year.
Think about some of the great hitters the Pandas have had just in this decade. Anna Long, Sydney Nolan, Ava Tilden, Audrey Dyas and Grace Portwood come to mind. Now Kondik can join that list after finishing with 310 kills, 105 digs and 30 blocks as a junior. At 6-foot-1 with an approach touch of 9-foot-5, she levitates on the attack and converts any serve placement into a kill. She is committed to the University of Cincinnati.
#league #university #vote #kills
As The Enquirer wraps up its preview of the top players by position, let's take a look at the top hitters this fall.
Make sure to vote for the top hitter in the city in the poll at the bottom of the story. The poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. The USA Today Co. network is debuting a new polling service that allows readers to vote more often while protecting against fraudulent voting methods. User experience feedback can be sent to mlaughmanenquirer.com.
The University of Washington commit was second in the Girls Greater Catholic League with 319 kills and fourth with 76 blocks in 2025. She will certainly be in the conversation for league player of the year after being named to the all-league and all-state first teams and the district player of the year.
Think about some of the great hitters the Pandas have had just in this decade. Anna Long, Sydney Nolan, Ava Tilden, Audrey Dyas and Grace Portwood come to mind. Now Kondik can join that list after finishing with 310 kills, 105 digs and 30 blocks as a junior. At 6-foot-1 with an approach touch of 9-foot-5, she levitates on the attack and converts any serve placement into a kill. She is committed to the University of Cincinnati.
#league #university #vote #kills
2 months ago
Covenant Health Park will return to form as a baseball diamond, with the Knoxville Smokies back in town for their July 28-Aug. 2 series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos after two weeks away.
The playoff-bound Smokies − still first place in the Southern League North − went 3-6 on their road trip following the MLB All-Star break.
The Smokies have been missing catcher Owen Ayers, who was promoted after Knoxville's last homestand to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs alongside the Southern League Pitcher of the Month for June, Jace Beck. Ayers is now the Cubs' No. 3 prospect, according to the MLB Pipeline's updated top prospects list.
Right-handed pitcher Luis Gomez-Martinez highlighted the Smokies' 3-3 split with the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Activated from the 60-day injured list July 17, Martinez-Gomez struck out a career-best 12 batters in the Smokies' win July 24. He didn't walk a batter in six innings and gave up just one earned run.
Get tickets to see the Knoxville Smokies play
#league #pitcher
The playoff-bound Smokies − still first place in the Southern League North − went 3-6 on their road trip following the MLB All-Star break.
The Smokies have been missing catcher Owen Ayers, who was promoted after Knoxville's last homestand to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs alongside the Southern League Pitcher of the Month for June, Jace Beck. Ayers is now the Cubs' No. 3 prospect, according to the MLB Pipeline's updated top prospects list.
Right-handed pitcher Luis Gomez-Martinez highlighted the Smokies' 3-3 split with the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Activated from the 60-day injured list July 17, Martinez-Gomez struck out a career-best 12 batters in the Smokies' win July 24. He didn't walk a batter in six innings and gave up just one earned run.
Get tickets to see the Knoxville Smokies play
#league #pitcher
2 months ago
Hot Orange Chicken and hot topic conversation with Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell are on tap from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 24 at the Panda Express in Livonia.
Fans are invited to sit across from Sewell and sample Hot Orange Chicken while challenging him with their own heated questions in a Q&A format three weeks before the Detroit Lions preseason play begins on Aug. 13, when the team plays the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Friday's event is timed with Panda Express bringing Hot Orange Chicken back to its menu this summer.
“We thought this would be a fun way for the community to be involved, play around with, you know, Hot Orange Chicken so that fans can come and fire off their Hot Orange Chicken takes, if you will,” Panda Express spokesperson Guy Rudiger said.
Fans who participate in the challenge will receive a pre-signed autograph from Sewell.
#orange #lions
Fans are invited to sit across from Sewell and sample Hot Orange Chicken while challenging him with their own heated questions in a Q&A format three weeks before the Detroit Lions preseason play begins on Aug. 13, when the team plays the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Friday's event is timed with Panda Express bringing Hot Orange Chicken back to its menu this summer.
“We thought this would be a fun way for the community to be involved, play around with, you know, Hot Orange Chicken so that fans can come and fire off their Hot Orange Chicken takes, if you will,” Panda Express spokesperson Guy Rudiger said.
Fans who participate in the challenge will receive a pre-signed autograph from Sewell.
#orange #lions
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Angels announced Wednesday that they are expanding access to minor league baseball broadcasts, with Angels Broadcast Television (ABTV) set to air 10 games featuring the organization's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates during the remainder of the 2026 season.
According to an Angels press release, fans with a cable or satellite subscription that includes ABTV will be able to watch the broadcasts, while affiliate games will also continue to be available through Angels TV.
Among the scheduled broadcasts, one matchup stands above the rest. On Aug. 9, the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees will host the Oklahoma City Comets, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The game could feature several of the top prospects from both organizations, giving fans a chance to watch some of the next generation of talent in Southern California's longtime baseball rivalry.
The Angels' televised slate includes four Salt Lake Bees games and six Rocket City Trash Pandas contests. Fans can expect to follow some of the organization's top prospects throughout the second half of the season, including No. 2 prospect Nelson Rada, No. 4 prospect George Klassen, No. 11 prospect Chris Cortez and No. 14 prospect Raudi Rodriguez.
ABTV's affiliate coverage begins July 23 when the Rocket City Trash Pandas host the Knoxville Smokies, the Chicago Cubs' Double-A affiliate. The broadcast schedule concludes Sept. 13, when the Salt Lake Bees host the Round Rock Express, the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.
#Angels
According to an Angels press release, fans with a cable or satellite subscription that includes ABTV will be able to watch the broadcasts, while affiliate games will also continue to be available through Angels TV.
Among the scheduled broadcasts, one matchup stands above the rest. On Aug. 9, the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees will host the Oklahoma City Comets, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The game could feature several of the top prospects from both organizations, giving fans a chance to watch some of the next generation of talent in Southern California's longtime baseball rivalry.
The Angels' televised slate includes four Salt Lake Bees games and six Rocket City Trash Pandas contests. Fans can expect to follow some of the organization's top prospects throughout the second half of the season, including No. 2 prospect Nelson Rada, No. 4 prospect George Klassen, No. 11 prospect Chris Cortez and No. 14 prospect Raudi Rodriguez.
ABTV's affiliate coverage begins July 23 when the Rocket City Trash Pandas host the Knoxville Smokies, the Chicago Cubs' Double-A affiliate. The broadcast schedule concludes Sept. 13, when the Salt Lake Bees host the Round Rock Express, the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate.
#Angels
2 months ago
Desiigner finds himself in legal trouble again, with his second domestic violence arrest this year.
The "Panda" rapper, 29, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon (July 15), per online records from the Horry County (SC) Sheriff's Office. He is still locked up as of this writing.
WBTW reports that the rapper was allegedly chasing a woman with a hammer. The woman told investigators that the two were arguing about removing TVs from a wall, when the rapper grabbed her phone and destroyed it with a hammer. The woman managed, with her child in tow, to escape to a neighbor's house, but not before, she said, the rapper threw her down and tossed her purse over a fence.
After that, the rapper allegedly vandalized that neighbor's vehicles, using a screwdriver and a hammer.
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#panda
The "Panda" rapper, 29, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon (July 15), per online records from the Horry County (SC) Sheriff's Office. He is still locked up as of this writing.
WBTW reports that the rapper was allegedly chasing a woman with a hammer. The woman told investigators that the two were arguing about removing TVs from a wall, when the rapper grabbed her phone and destroyed it with a hammer. The woman managed, with her child in tow, to escape to a neighbor's house, but not before, she said, the rapper threw her down and tossed her purse over a fence.
After that, the rapper allegedly vandalized that neighbor's vehicles, using a screwdriver and a hammer.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#panda
3 months ago
We just covered Leopold Aschenbrenner's Situational Awareness Reveals Its 10 Under-The-Radar AI Stock Picks. T1 Energy (NYSE:TE) ranks #6 (see Situational Awareness Top 5 Under-The-Radar AI Stock Picks).
Situational Awareness StakeValue: $43,900,000 (NEW)
T1 Energy (NYSE:TE) is a US solar manufacturer that makes solar modules and is building out a solar cell factory. Its customers are primarily utility-scale solar developers. Its moat lies in its position as one of the few companies building an end-to-end domestic US solar supply chain, from polysilicon to finished panels, which could give it a competitive advantage as federal clean energy tax credits become harder to access for projects using equipment from foreign entities of concern, primarily China.
The bull case for T1 is linked to the AI data center buildout that is driving explosive growth in electricity demand. AI data centers require enormous amounts of power, and utility-scale solar is the fastest and cheapest way to add new electricity supply. The EIA expects utility-scale solar generation in Texas's ERCOT grid to surpass coal this year at 78 billion kWh and rise to 99 billion kWh in 2027 — and T1's two manufacturing sites are both located in Texas.
Short sellers are also targeting the stock. Fuzzy Panda Research disclosed a short position in T1 Energy (NYSE:TE), alleging undisclosed China ties, potential risks related to IRA tax credits, and concerns about accounting practices. The market largely shrugged off the report, with the stock rebounding sharply. Short interest currently stands at 17.58%.
Situational Awareness StakeValue: $43,900,000 (NEW)
T1 Energy (NYSE:TE) is a US solar manufacturer that makes solar modules and is building out a solar cell factory. Its customers are primarily utility-scale solar developers. Its moat lies in its position as one of the few companies building an end-to-end domestic US solar supply chain, from polysilicon to finished panels, which could give it a competitive advantage as federal clean energy tax credits become harder to access for projects using equipment from foreign entities of concern, primarily China.
The bull case for T1 is linked to the AI data center buildout that is driving explosive growth in electricity demand. AI data centers require enormous amounts of power, and utility-scale solar is the fastest and cheapest way to add new electricity supply. The EIA expects utility-scale solar generation in Texas's ERCOT grid to surpass coal this year at 78 billion kWh and rise to 99 billion kWh in 2027 — and T1's two manufacturing sites are both located in Texas.
Short sellers are also targeting the stock. Fuzzy Panda Research disclosed a short position in T1 Energy (NYSE:TE), alleging undisclosed China ties, potential risks related to IRA tax credits, and concerns about accounting practices. The market largely shrugged off the report, with the stock rebounding sharply. Short interest currently stands at 17.58%.
3 months ago
We just covered Leopold Aschenbrenner's Situational Awareness Reveals Its 10 Under-The-Radar AI Stock Picks. T1 Energy (NYSE:TE) ranks #6 (see Situational Awareness Top 5 Under-The-Radar AI Stock Picks).
Situational Awareness StakeValue: $43,900,000 (NEW)
T1 Energy (NYSE:TE) is a US solar manufacturer that makes solar modules and is building out a solar cell factory. Its customers are primarily utility-scale solar developers. Its moat lies in its position as one of the few companies building an end-to-end domestic US solar supply chain, from polysilicon to finished panels, which could give it a competitive advantage as federal clean energy tax credits become harder to access for projects using equipment from foreign entities of concern, primarily China.
The bull case for T1 is linked to the AI data center buildout that is driving explosive growth in electricity demand. AI data centers require enormous amounts of power, and utility-scale solar is the fastest and cheapest way to add new electricity supply. The EIA expects utility-scale solar generation in Texas's ERCOT grid to surpass coal this year at 78 billion kWh and rise to 99 billion kWh in 2027 — and T1's two manufacturing sites are both located in Texas.
Short sellers are also targeting the stock. Fuzzy Panda Research disclosed a short position in T1 Energy (NYSE:TE), alleging undisclosed China ties, potential risks related to IRA tax credits, and concerns about accounting practices. The market largely shrugged off the report, with the stock rebounding sharply. Short interest currently stands at 17.58%.
Situational Awareness StakeValue: $43,900,000 (NEW)
T1 Energy (NYSE:TE) is a US solar manufacturer that makes solar modules and is building out a solar cell factory. Its customers are primarily utility-scale solar developers. Its moat lies in its position as one of the few companies building an end-to-end domestic US solar supply chain, from polysilicon to finished panels, which could give it a competitive advantage as federal clean energy tax credits become harder to access for projects using equipment from foreign entities of concern, primarily China.
The bull case for T1 is linked to the AI data center buildout that is driving explosive growth in electricity demand. AI data centers require enormous amounts of power, and utility-scale solar is the fastest and cheapest way to add new electricity supply. The EIA expects utility-scale solar generation in Texas's ERCOT grid to surpass coal this year at 78 billion kWh and rise to 99 billion kWh in 2027 — and T1's two manufacturing sites are both located in Texas.
Short sellers are also targeting the stock. Fuzzy Panda Research disclosed a short position in T1 Energy (NYSE:TE), alleging undisclosed China ties, potential risks related to IRA tax credits, and concerns about accounting practices. The market largely shrugged off the report, with the stock rebounding sharply. Short interest currently stands at 17.58%.
3 months ago
Even chain restaurants have to continually reinvent themselves to stay fresh with customers. That means menu innovation, and evolving the concept.
"The lifeblood of the restaurant industry is new items. You need something to speak about," Panda Restaurant Group Chief Supply Chain Officer Roland Ornelas told Restaurant Dive, adding, "You have to really focus on that value to guests — but you also have to steal customers from your competitors."
It's not just a question of change for change sake, but also executing in way that makes sense to customers.
Outback Steakhouse, a 38-year-old chain, has struggled in recent years with its menu, its execution, and keeping customers coming back. That led to Bloomin' Brands deciding to close some restaurants while overhauling most of the rest of the chain.
"This year, we completed a detailed review of our restaurant base and identified 21 underperforming restaurants, which we closed last week. We also identified 22 restaurants in which we would not renew the lease," Bloomin' Brands CFO Eric Christel shared during the company's third-quarter 2025 earnings call.
"The lifeblood of the restaurant industry is new items. You need something to speak about," Panda Restaurant Group Chief Supply Chain Officer Roland Ornelas told Restaurant Dive, adding, "You have to really focus on that value to guests — but you also have to steal customers from your competitors."
It's not just a question of change for change sake, but also executing in way that makes sense to customers.
Outback Steakhouse, a 38-year-old chain, has struggled in recent years with its menu, its execution, and keeping customers coming back. That led to Bloomin' Brands deciding to close some restaurants while overhauling most of the rest of the chain.
"This year, we completed a detailed review of our restaurant base and identified 21 underperforming restaurants, which we closed last week. We also identified 22 restaurants in which we would not renew the lease," Bloomin' Brands CFO Eric Christel shared during the company's third-quarter 2025 earnings call.
10 months ago
Pandas and ping-pong: Macron ending China visit on lighter note
An ancient dam, pandas and ping-pong: French leader Emmanuel Macron concluded his fourth state visit to China on Friday, striking a more relaxed note in the city of Chengdu after tough discussions on Ukraine and trade with his counterpart Xi Jinping a day earlier.
Far from the imposing Great Hall of the People in Beijing where the two leaders held talks, Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan showed Macron and his wife Brigitte around the centuries-old Dujiangyan Dam, a World Heritage Site set against the mountainous landscape of Sichu
An ancient dam, pandas and ping-pong: French leader Emmanuel Macron concluded his fourth state visit to China on Friday, striking a more relaxed note in the city of Chengdu after tough discussions on Ukraine and trade with his counterpart Xi Jinping a day earlier.
Far from the imposing Great Hall of the People in Beijing where the two leaders held talks, Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan showed Macron and his wife Brigitte around the centuries-old Dujiangyan Dam, a World Heritage Site set against the mountainous landscape of Sichu
10 months ago
Raccoon goes on drunken rampage in liquor store and passes out on bathroom floor
ASHLAND, Va. (AP) — The masked burglar broke into the closed Virginia liquor store early on Saturday and hit the bottom shelf, where the scotch and whisky were stored. The bandit was something of a nocturnal menace: bottles were smashed, a ceiling tile collapsed and alcohol pooled on the floor.
The suspect acted like an animal because, in fact, he's a raccoon.
On Saturday morning, an employee at the Ashland, Virginia-area liquor store found the trash panda passed out on the bathroom floor at the end of his dr
ASHLAND, Va. (AP) — The masked burglar broke into the closed Virginia liquor store early on Saturday and hit the bottom shelf, where the scotch and whisky were stored. The bandit was something of a nocturnal menace: bottles were smashed, a ceiling tile collapsed and alcohol pooled on the floor.
The suspect acted like an animal because, in fact, he's a raccoon.
On Saturday morning, an employee at the Ashland, Virginia-area liquor store found the trash panda passed out on the bathroom floor at the end of his dr
10 months ago
That resourceful "trash panda" digging through your garbage may be more than just a nuisance -- it could be a living example of evolution in progress.
A new study suggests that raccoons living near humans are showing physical changes in line with the earliest stages of domestication, much like the ancestors of dogs and cats.
The research, published recently in the journal Frontiers in Zoology, ******* yzed nearly 20,000 images of raccoons from across the continental United States.
The scientists, led by Raffaela Lesch of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, found a striking difference
A new study suggests that raccoons living near humans are showing physical changes in line with the earliest stages of domestication, much like the ancestors of dogs and cats.
The research, published recently in the journal Frontiers in Zoology, ******* yzed nearly 20,000 images of raccoons from across the continental United States.
The scientists, led by Raffaela Lesch of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, found a striking difference
10 months ago
Bitcoin (BTC) has lost its footing, both on an absolute basis and relative to U.S. equities.
According to Adrian Fritz, chief investment strategist at crypto investment firm 21Shares, the divergence between crypto and stocks comes down to macro pressure, investor sentiment and what he calls a “panda market” — not a full-blown crypto winter, but still bearish action.
“Technically, we’ve entered a bear market,” Fritz said in an interview with CoinDesk. Bitcoin has fallen more than 30% from its highs, breaching the 50-week moving average — a level that historically signals broader shifts in mar
According to Adrian Fritz, chief investment strategist at crypto investment firm 21Shares, the divergence between crypto and stocks comes down to macro pressure, investor sentiment and what he calls a “panda market” — not a full-blown crypto winter, but still bearish action.
“Technically, we’ve entered a bear market,” Fritz said in an interview with CoinDesk. Bitcoin has fallen more than 30% from its highs, breaching the 50-week moving average — a level that historically signals broader shifts in mar
