16 days ago
During the September 3 episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer mentioned Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) for its unconventional approach to powering hyperscale data centers in partnership with Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX). He said:
How about Microsoft? Look, Mr. Softee is getting religion. They've realized that by giving us more disclosure on Azure, their cloud infrastructure business, we'll find more things to like. They're right. In the end, I come to praise Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, not bury her. They've been very clever getting power for the data centers, pumping it right out of the Permian. They got this deal with Chevron as a partner… 2.67 gigawatts. No one's talking about it. It's the cleanest behind the meter plan for power I have seen yet. People even, and this is not a stretch, I'm not kidding, people even like Copilot.
CFO Amy Hood provided Wall Street with a much clearer look at actual cloud demand by breaking down detailed Azure growth metrics and data center capacity constraints. At the same time, enterprise adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot is moving past initial trials, with major corporations deploying the AI ***** istant across workforce segments.
A major highlight of the company's infrastructure strategy is a twenty-year agreement with Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) for a proposed 2.67-gigawatt natural gas power plant in West Texas. Designed to supply dedicated off-grid electricity directly to a hyperscale data center in the Permian Basin, the project bypasses regional grid transmission queues to secure reliable power for continuous AI workloads. Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) president of Cloud Operations + Innovation, Noelle Walsh, commented:
Our agreement with Chevron helps ensure we'll have dedicated, large-scale power to support the evolution and reliability of advanced compute. Through this partnership, we're delighted to grow with and become a deeper part of the West Texas community.
#chevron #power #they 've
How about Microsoft? Look, Mr. Softee is getting religion. They've realized that by giving us more disclosure on Azure, their cloud infrastructure business, we'll find more things to like. They're right. In the end, I come to praise Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, not bury her. They've been very clever getting power for the data centers, pumping it right out of the Permian. They got this deal with Chevron as a partner… 2.67 gigawatts. No one's talking about it. It's the cleanest behind the meter plan for power I have seen yet. People even, and this is not a stretch, I'm not kidding, people even like Copilot.
CFO Amy Hood provided Wall Street with a much clearer look at actual cloud demand by breaking down detailed Azure growth metrics and data center capacity constraints. At the same time, enterprise adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot is moving past initial trials, with major corporations deploying the AI ***** istant across workforce segments.
A major highlight of the company's infrastructure strategy is a twenty-year agreement with Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) for a proposed 2.67-gigawatt natural gas power plant in West Texas. Designed to supply dedicated off-grid electricity directly to a hyperscale data center in the Permian Basin, the project bypasses regional grid transmission queues to secure reliable power for continuous AI workloads. Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) president of Cloud Operations + Innovation, Noelle Walsh, commented:
Our agreement with Chevron helps ensure we'll have dedicated, large-scale power to support the evolution and reliability of advanced compute. Through this partnership, we're delighted to grow with and become a deeper part of the West Texas community.
#chevron #power #they 've
22 days ago
NRG Energy gained 6.4% and Constellation Energy rose 4.9% on September 4 while the S&P 500 fell 0.4%. The gains were consistent with the broader AI-power trade where data-center projects increasingly depend on generators that can add reliable capacity, navigate interconnection queues, and sign contracts before construction. NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) and Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) offer different versions of that opportunity.
NRG is advancing a Bring Your Own Power strategy with a hyperscaler for a 1.2-gigawatt combined-cycle gas project in Texas. It also brought a 415-megawatt facility into commercial operation and reported $1.03 billion of second-quarter free cash flow before growth investments. The bull case is speed: pairing contracted data-center load with dispatchable generation can bypass part of the grid bottleneck. The bear case is project execution, fuel exposure, financing, and the possibility that forecast load never materializes.
Insider Monkey counted 59 hedge funds holding NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) at June 30, down from 76 at March 31. Israel Englander's Millennium Management nevertheless disclosed 4,257,712 shares, 115% more than in Q1. The contrast between a falling fund count and one manager's larger position argues against treating institutional sentiment as uniform.
Constellation brings the largest U.S. nuclear fleet plus gas **** ets acquired with Calpine. It raised full-year adjusted operating EPS guidance to $11.50 to $12.50 and said it had signed another 920 megawatts of long-term power agreements. The bull case is scarce around-the-clock clean generation. The bear case includes plant outages, regulatory intervention, integration risk, and the danger of overpaying to expand capacity during a demand boom.
Seventy-three hedge funds held Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) in Q2, down from 79 in Q1. Philippe Laffont's Coatue Management disclosed 4,632,475 shares at quarter-end; the available profile did not show a usable sequential activity figure, so no motive or timing is inferred.
#energy #management
NRG is advancing a Bring Your Own Power strategy with a hyperscaler for a 1.2-gigawatt combined-cycle gas project in Texas. It also brought a 415-megawatt facility into commercial operation and reported $1.03 billion of second-quarter free cash flow before growth investments. The bull case is speed: pairing contracted data-center load with dispatchable generation can bypass part of the grid bottleneck. The bear case is project execution, fuel exposure, financing, and the possibility that forecast load never materializes.
Insider Monkey counted 59 hedge funds holding NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) at June 30, down from 76 at March 31. Israel Englander's Millennium Management nevertheless disclosed 4,257,712 shares, 115% more than in Q1. The contrast between a falling fund count and one manager's larger position argues against treating institutional sentiment as uniform.
Constellation brings the largest U.S. nuclear fleet plus gas **** ets acquired with Calpine. It raised full-year adjusted operating EPS guidance to $11.50 to $12.50 and said it had signed another 920 megawatts of long-term power agreements. The bull case is scarce around-the-clock clean generation. The bear case includes plant outages, regulatory intervention, integration risk, and the danger of overpaying to expand capacity during a demand boom.
Seventy-three hedge funds held Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) in Q2, down from 79 in Q1. Philippe Laffont's Coatue Management disclosed 4,632,475 shares at quarter-end; the available profile did not show a usable sequential activity figure, so no motive or timing is inferred.
#energy #management
22 days ago
Call it a winning streak!
Not for the White Sox. Taking two of three from an AL Central rival in what wound up being emphatic 10-1 fashion is always satisfying, but it wasn't two in a row. No, folks, I'm celebrating me and my absolute heater of 10 wins in 11 recap tries. Put me in every day, Brett!
The box score does betray the tension that underlined the majority of this one. Hosting their first Sunday Night Baseball broadcast as a first place team since 2008, the tone of the game was lively early, though the bulk of the early action was a straightforward redux of the frustrating offensive play the Sox have produced since the All-Star break. They rank near the bottom of the league with a .240 batting average with RISP since then, and it feels like that average should be a lot lower, because getting runners in from the basepaths without the longball has been like pulling teeth lately.
The theme continued with verve for what I'd call the majority of the game — though ultimately, and fortunately, not the entirety of it. Sam Antonacci led off the first and fifth innings with a double, sandwiching back-to-back free bases from the non-brothers Montgomery to open the second frame and preceding Tristan Peters' own leadoff double an inning later. They even queued up a rally in the third inning, when Miguel Vargas and Andrew Benintendi reached base before Colson Montgomery's second punchout of the game ended the threat. Colson finished with a golden sombrero, bringing him to 197 on the season. When he presumably reaches the ignominious 200-K milestone, he'll make the White Sox the only team to have three separate players break the 200 strikeout threshold in a season. Yoán Moncada did it most recently, and I don't think I need to type the name of the one who did it first.
If you've been following the team as of late, it won't be surprising that almost none of those White Sox rallies resulted in any runs, as Twins starter Bailey Ober labored through 4 1/3 innings with highly-diminished stuff. Still, when the Minnesota pen got the call, only one Sox run had been stuck on the board, as Antonacci did make his way around in the fifth, after Murakami shot a single through the right side:
#white #call #since #majority
Not for the White Sox. Taking two of three from an AL Central rival in what wound up being emphatic 10-1 fashion is always satisfying, but it wasn't two in a row. No, folks, I'm celebrating me and my absolute heater of 10 wins in 11 recap tries. Put me in every day, Brett!
The box score does betray the tension that underlined the majority of this one. Hosting their first Sunday Night Baseball broadcast as a first place team since 2008, the tone of the game was lively early, though the bulk of the early action was a straightforward redux of the frustrating offensive play the Sox have produced since the All-Star break. They rank near the bottom of the league with a .240 batting average with RISP since then, and it feels like that average should be a lot lower, because getting runners in from the basepaths without the longball has been like pulling teeth lately.
The theme continued with verve for what I'd call the majority of the game — though ultimately, and fortunately, not the entirety of it. Sam Antonacci led off the first and fifth innings with a double, sandwiching back-to-back free bases from the non-brothers Montgomery to open the second frame and preceding Tristan Peters' own leadoff double an inning later. They even queued up a rally in the third inning, when Miguel Vargas and Andrew Benintendi reached base before Colson Montgomery's second punchout of the game ended the threat. Colson finished with a golden sombrero, bringing him to 197 on the season. When he presumably reaches the ignominious 200-K milestone, he'll make the White Sox the only team to have three separate players break the 200 strikeout threshold in a season. Yoán Moncada did it most recently, and I don't think I need to type the name of the one who did it first.
If you've been following the team as of late, it won't be surprising that almost none of those White Sox rallies resulted in any runs, as Twins starter Bailey Ober labored through 4 1/3 innings with highly-diminished stuff. Still, when the Minnesota pen got the call, only one Sox run had been stuck on the board, as Antonacci did make his way around in the fifth, after Murakami shot a single through the right side:
#white #call #since #majority
25 days ago
Liverpool turned down a seven-figure offer for Keyrol Figueroa before sanctioning his deadline day loan to Port Vale, according to Liverpool.com, in a move that says plenty about how the club currently view the young striker.
Transfer deadline day was relatively calm at Anfield, but this was one of the more interesting developments beneath the surface. Figueroa, a highly regarded 20-year-old forward, had attracted interest from a number of markets, with Liverpool.com reporting that approaches arrived from Ligue 2 in France, Major League Soccer and Portugal. One unnamed club went further and placed a seven-figure proposal on the table for a permanent transfer, only for Liverpool to reject it.
That stance is significant. Liverpool have clearly decided that Figueroa remains an ***** et worth protecting, even if he is not yet in a position to force his way into Andoni Iraola's first-team plans. The head coach approved a temporary move instead, with the club choosing Port Vale as the destination for a player in need of regular senior minutes.
The immediate picture at Anfield helps explain the decision. Figueroa was involved during pre-season and wanted to make his case ahead of the new Premier League campaign, but the pathway looked crowded. He has found himself behind Jayden Danns and Will Wright in the attacking queue, while Josh Sonni-Lambie has also stepped up into the under-21s environment.
Even so, Liverpool's refusal to cash in suggests they believe there is still substantial upside. The report states that "they feel the frontman has a big future ahead of him and a loan was preferred rather than allowing the player to move on a permanent switch." That is a notable message for a player who is yet to make his professional debut for Liverpool's senior side.
#move #transfer
Transfer deadline day was relatively calm at Anfield, but this was one of the more interesting developments beneath the surface. Figueroa, a highly regarded 20-year-old forward, had attracted interest from a number of markets, with Liverpool.com reporting that approaches arrived from Ligue 2 in France, Major League Soccer and Portugal. One unnamed club went further and placed a seven-figure proposal on the table for a permanent transfer, only for Liverpool to reject it.
That stance is significant. Liverpool have clearly decided that Figueroa remains an ***** et worth protecting, even if he is not yet in a position to force his way into Andoni Iraola's first-team plans. The head coach approved a temporary move instead, with the club choosing Port Vale as the destination for a player in need of regular senior minutes.
The immediate picture at Anfield helps explain the decision. Figueroa was involved during pre-season and wanted to make his case ahead of the new Premier League campaign, but the pathway looked crowded. He has found himself behind Jayden Danns and Will Wright in the attacking queue, while Josh Sonni-Lambie has also stepped up into the under-21s environment.
Even so, Liverpool's refusal to cash in suggests they believe there is still substantial upside. The report states that "they feel the frontman has a big future ahead of him and a loan was preferred rather than allowing the player to move on a permanent switch." That is a notable message for a player who is yet to make his professional debut for Liverpool's senior side.
#move #transfer
26 days ago
At three in the morning, an AI system can evaluate a trade flow, verify a contract and trigger a cross-border payout in seconds. The payment may still sit in a correspondent bank queue for days. Corporate software now operates at machine speed, while the financial infrastructure beneath it still keeps banking hours.
That timing gap is the structural challenge. The financial architecture underneath these autonomous workflows has failed to experience a corresponding modernization.
Sophisticated, automated software layers now sit on top of traditional banking rails that remain bound by manual processes, legacy clearing schedules, regional banking hours and standard multi-day settlement timelines. This systemic divergence creates an immediate operational mismatch.
An enterprise cannot maximize continuous, automated commerce when its settlement infrastructure relies on decades-old technology designs.
https://www.youtube.com/wa...
#automated #settlement #corporate #sophisticated
That timing gap is the structural challenge. The financial architecture underneath these autonomous workflows has failed to experience a corresponding modernization.
Sophisticated, automated software layers now sit on top of traditional banking rails that remain bound by manual processes, legacy clearing schedules, regional banking hours and standard multi-day settlement timelines. This systemic divergence creates an immediate operational mismatch.
An enterprise cannot maximize continuous, automated commerce when its settlement infrastructure relies on decades-old technology designs.
https://www.youtube.com/wa...
#automated #settlement #corporate #sophisticated
28 days ago
The wait for a large gas turbine now runs longer than the time it takes to design, permit, and build the plant it will sit in. Order one today from any of the three largest manufacturers, and the delivery slot lands four or more years out—if a slot is available at all. The queue to connect a new plant to the grid runs about as long. For developers racing to power the data centers hyperscalers are building, the timeline no longer works, and it is pushing the U.S. generation build toward whatever can be constructed without waiting in either line.That dislocation is the backdrop to a quieter story about where capital is moving, and it surfaced in July when a familiar U.S. plant operator changed hands. IHI Power Services Corp., a company with roughly four decades of experience running American power plants, became Kyuden Energy Partners Corp. on completion of its acquisition by Kyuden International Corp., the overseas arm of a company fully owned by **** an's Kyushu Electric Power Co. The rebrand is the news of the day. The more instructive part is what a foreign utility chose to buy: not power plants, but the capability to run them.
Tony Dabbene, who led IHI Power Services through the transition and stays on as CEO, was blunt about the market. "We are seeing the most dynamic environment in decades," he told POWER, pointing to demand tied to the hyperscalers' data center buildout. Major gas turbine manufacturers, he said, are quoting lead times of four-plus years, with interconnection queues running about the same. The manufacturers' own disclosures bear that out: GE Vernova's gas turbine backlog and slot reservations reached 116 GW by mid-2026, and Siemens Energy has described itself as booked into the back half of the decade, treating 2029 delivery slots as near-term availability.What Dabbene described next was the market's response. Rather than wait for an interconnection that may not clear before mid-decade, developers are building behind the meter and on private grids that sidestep the queue entirely. To power them, they're reaching for whatever can be deployed the fastest: reciprocating engines, fuel cells, and battery storage paired with microgrids, engineered to achieve the high-availability targets that around-the-clock computing demands while managing the power-quality swings that come when those loads shift in an instant. "It is a brand-new world in the energy **** e," he said.This is where a multi-fuel operator has the edge. A company that already runs natural gas, hydro, biomass, wind, solar, and storage has done the work developers are now rushing toward—operating mixed generation and meeting high availability targets. The turbine shortage may be a headache for those building facilities, but it's an opportunity for reliable operators.
#corp #runs #plant #four
Tony Dabbene, who led IHI Power Services through the transition and stays on as CEO, was blunt about the market. "We are seeing the most dynamic environment in decades," he told POWER, pointing to demand tied to the hyperscalers' data center buildout. Major gas turbine manufacturers, he said, are quoting lead times of four-plus years, with interconnection queues running about the same. The manufacturers' own disclosures bear that out: GE Vernova's gas turbine backlog and slot reservations reached 116 GW by mid-2026, and Siemens Energy has described itself as booked into the back half of the decade, treating 2029 delivery slots as near-term availability.What Dabbene described next was the market's response. Rather than wait for an interconnection that may not clear before mid-decade, developers are building behind the meter and on private grids that sidestep the queue entirely. To power them, they're reaching for whatever can be deployed the fastest: reciprocating engines, fuel cells, and battery storage paired with microgrids, engineered to achieve the high-availability targets that around-the-clock computing demands while managing the power-quality swings that come when those loads shift in an instant. "It is a brand-new world in the energy **** e," he said.This is where a multi-fuel operator has the edge. A company that already runs natural gas, hydro, biomass, wind, solar, and storage has done the work developers are now rushing toward—operating mixed generation and meeting high availability targets. The turbine shortage may be a headache for those building facilities, but it's an opportunity for reliable operators.
#corp #runs #plant #four
29 days ago
By Joyce Zhou
HONG KONG, Aug 30 (Reuters) - People queued on Sunday to chat, browse and bid farewell to an independent Hong Kong bookstore before it shut, following a July police raid over alleged seditious books and what the store owners said was a "poor business performance".
Snaking lines formed outside the bookstore, Have a Nice Stay, stretching down the staircase in Hong Kong's Kowloon district. Only 20 people at a time were allowed to enter the roughly 600 square-foot **** e.
The city's once-flourishing independent bookstore industry has rapidly dwindled since Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on the city in 2020.
Many offered a broader range of political and social **** les than mainstream retailers and became important **** es for civil society through book talks and workshops.
#kong #sunday
HONG KONG, Aug 30 (Reuters) - People queued on Sunday to chat, browse and bid farewell to an independent Hong Kong bookstore before it shut, following a July police raid over alleged seditious books and what the store owners said was a "poor business performance".
Snaking lines formed outside the bookstore, Have a Nice Stay, stretching down the staircase in Hong Kong's Kowloon district. Only 20 people at a time were allowed to enter the roughly 600 square-foot **** e.
The city's once-flourishing independent bookstore industry has rapidly dwindled since Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on the city in 2020.
Many offered a broader range of political and social **** les than mainstream retailers and became important **** es for civil society through book talks and workshops.
#kong #sunday
1 month ago
Technology company Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) builds the core underlying enterprise technology, including software, cloud, and hardware, that large corporations, banks, healthcare providers, and governments use to run their daily operations.
As Oracle expands its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) has emerged as its single largest specialized power partner, securing a massive deal in April to supply up to 2.8 gigawatts (GW) of on-site fuel cell electricity.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Because public electrical grids take years to approve and connect massive industrial loads, Oracle relies on a mix of traditional utility grids, clean energy developers, and fast-deploying, on-site solutions, but Bloom is the largest part of that mix, especially because its fuel cells can generate electricity with minimal emissions.
Under a master services agreement, Oracle contracted for an initial 1.2 GW of solid oxide fuel cell capacity, which scaled up to 2.8 GW. Because Bloom's natural gas-fueled power servers can be installed directly on-site in as little as 55 to 90 days, they allow Oracle to bypass standard grid queue bottlenecks.
#NVIDIA #signal #fuel
As Oracle expands its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, Bloom Energy (NYSE: BE) has emerged as its single largest specialized power partner, securing a massive deal in April to supply up to 2.8 gigawatts (GW) of on-site fuel cell electricity.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Because public electrical grids take years to approve and connect massive industrial loads, Oracle relies on a mix of traditional utility grids, clean energy developers, and fast-deploying, on-site solutions, but Bloom is the largest part of that mix, especially because its fuel cells can generate electricity with minimal emissions.
Under a master services agreement, Oracle contracted for an initial 1.2 GW of solid oxide fuel cell capacity, which scaled up to 2.8 GW. Because Bloom's natural gas-fueled power servers can be installed directly on-site in as little as 55 to 90 days, they allow Oracle to bypass standard grid queue bottlenecks.
#NVIDIA #signal #fuel
1 month ago
True entertainers can charm the pants off even the toughest of critics. Although anyone with good Wi-Fi and a clean iPhone lens can go viral, it takes hard work, genuine talent, a whole lot of perseverance, and, of course, innate magnetism to cut through the algorithm and catch the attention of industry gatekeepers and fickle fans alike. And all 31 honorees selected for our 2026 Breakthrough List have done just that.
Actor-writer-director Eva Victor, for instance, went from posting (respectfully) goofy pandemic-era TikTok sketches to darling of last year's Sundance Film Festival with her debut feature Sorry, Baby; now, she calls Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde co-stars. For FLO, "Leak It" has established the British trio as one of music's most sizzling R&B acts, while campy duo Haute & Freddy's synthy whimsy and thoughtful lyricism earned them the stamp of approval from a certified pop icon: Lady Gaga. After cutting his teeth with one supporting role after the next, The Shards standout Igby Rigney proves he has what it takes to be one of TV's leading men. Meanwhile, Mexican actor Diego Calva has one Golden Globe nomination to his name, and we predict another coming his way for his tender performance in Jordan Firstman's already-buzzy Club Kid.
Whether they're topping charts with tomorrow's Grammy-winning earworms, delighting audiences in mega-viral social media series, or breathing new life into beloved franchises like Legally Blonde and Baywatch, these artists will remain at the top of our feeds, queues, and playlists for years. Below, meet this year's breakthroughs.
Stylist: Jessica Paster, Hair: Xavier Velasquez, Makeup: Kirin Bhatty.
Credit: Celeste Sloman
Calling Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, and Amanda Peete co-stars is no small matter, but that's reality for Aimee Carrero, a scene-stealer in Apple TV+'s Emmy-nominated Your Friends and Neighbors. A featured player in dozens of IMDb credits thus far, the Dominican-American actress from Miami has a starring role in the comedy One Attempt Remaining (with Jennifer Garner, Kate McKinnon, John Cena, no less) coming down the pike. As for who Carrero thinks will have a banner year? Inde Navarrette: "I love seeing a young Latina woman out there doing her thing."
What was your first job?
Working in a furniture store—West Elm. A celebrity who will remain unnamed came in and ordered a ton of sh*t. It was gonna be a huge commission for me. I went to ring her up, and the card declined. She says, "I'll be back tomorrow." Never came back.
Who should play you in your biopic?
Olivia Rodrigo. You want someone younger and more beautiful than you to do it.
What's the most underrated movie, TV show, song, or album of all time?
Well, it wasn't underrated at the time, but I do think this new generation needs to get into The X Files. Gillian Anderson was my first celebrity crush. There's a new one coming out—Ryan Coogler's—it's gonna be amazing, I'm sure.
Stylist: Britt McCamey, Hair: Dawson Hiegert,
Actor-writer-director Eva Victor, for instance, went from posting (respectfully) goofy pandemic-era TikTok sketches to darling of last year's Sundance Film Festival with her debut feature Sorry, Baby; now, she calls Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde co-stars. For FLO, "Leak It" has established the British trio as one of music's most sizzling R&B acts, while campy duo Haute & Freddy's synthy whimsy and thoughtful lyricism earned them the stamp of approval from a certified pop icon: Lady Gaga. After cutting his teeth with one supporting role after the next, The Shards standout Igby Rigney proves he has what it takes to be one of TV's leading men. Meanwhile, Mexican actor Diego Calva has one Golden Globe nomination to his name, and we predict another coming his way for his tender performance in Jordan Firstman's already-buzzy Club Kid.
Whether they're topping charts with tomorrow's Grammy-winning earworms, delighting audiences in mega-viral social media series, or breathing new life into beloved franchises like Legally Blonde and Baywatch, these artists will remain at the top of our feeds, queues, and playlists for years. Below, meet this year's breakthroughs.
Stylist: Jessica Paster, Hair: Xavier Velasquez, Makeup: Kirin Bhatty.
Credit: Celeste Sloman
Calling Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, and Amanda Peete co-stars is no small matter, but that's reality for Aimee Carrero, a scene-stealer in Apple TV+'s Emmy-nominated Your Friends and Neighbors. A featured player in dozens of IMDb credits thus far, the Dominican-American actress from Miami has a starring role in the comedy One Attempt Remaining (with Jennifer Garner, Kate McKinnon, John Cena, no less) coming down the pike. As for who Carrero thinks will have a banner year? Inde Navarrette: "I love seeing a young Latina woman out there doing her thing."
What was your first job?
Working in a furniture store—West Elm. A celebrity who will remain unnamed came in and ordered a ton of sh*t. It was gonna be a huge commission for me. I went to ring her up, and the card declined. She says, "I'll be back tomorrow." Never came back.
Who should play you in your biopic?
Olivia Rodrigo. You want someone younger and more beautiful than you to do it.
What's the most underrated movie, TV show, song, or album of all time?
Well, it wasn't underrated at the time, but I do think this new generation needs to get into The X Files. Gillian Anderson was my first celebrity crush. There's a new one coming out—Ryan Coogler's—it's gonna be amazing, I'm sure.
Stylist: Britt McCamey, Hair: Dawson Hiegert,
1 month ago
This story was originally published on CRE Daily. Join 70,000+ commercial real estate professionals getting daily news, market insights, and industry ******* ysis delivered straight to their inbox with the free CRE Daily newsletter.
Invesco is cutting management fees 20% through 2027 for investors in its $12.7B core real estate fund.
A tender offer will let investors exit at 95% of net ******* et value, funded by affiliate IDR Investment Management.
Invesco and its leaders will add up to $150M, echoing a $400M Blackstone backstop earlier this year.
Invesco is cutting management fees by 20% for investors in its $12.7B core real estate fund. The firm disclosed the move in a recent investor letter reviewed by Bloomberg. It is one of two steps aimed at easing what Invesco called an elevated redemption queue.
#daily #management #estate
Invesco is cutting management fees 20% through 2027 for investors in its $12.7B core real estate fund.
A tender offer will let investors exit at 95% of net ******* et value, funded by affiliate IDR Investment Management.
Invesco and its leaders will add up to $150M, echoing a $400M Blackstone backstop earlier this year.
Invesco is cutting management fees by 20% for investors in its $12.7B core real estate fund. The firm disclosed the move in a recent investor letter reviewed by Bloomberg. It is one of two steps aimed at easing what Invesco called an elevated redemption queue.
#daily #management #estate
1 month ago
The most unique ballpark innovation in Major League Baseball this season was conceived through something many millions of people do every day: Doomscrolling on Instagram
Last October, Malcolm Rogel, the Seattle Mariners' vice president of fan experience, started seeing videos of Florence, Italy's historic buchetta del vino — wine windows carved out of holes in the wall that originated in the 16th and 17th century. Knock on an ancient set of tiny, non-descript wooden doors during operating hours, and get sold a libation in one of the most unique ways possible. Rogel texted Megan Murray, the district manager at Sodexo Live, which operates concessions at the Mariners' T-Mobile Park, and asked if this concept could be replicated at the stadium.
Over the cold, rainy offseason, Rogel and Murray went to work on bringing this idea to life. Rogel's father-in-law built a wooden door in the shape of home plate. His close friend's son welded a door knocker in the shape of the Mariners' classic trident logo. Murray toured the ballpark with Seattle's liquor control board to get approval for the concept and the location of the door, which opens up to sinks and closets in the back and counter ***** e with enough room for up to seven staffers to safely work within the location's tight confines.
On opening day, the Mariners' Sea-cret Door was born as a speakeasy selling one specialty ***** tail per game, with the concept spread strictly through social media influencers and word of mouth. There's been no team advertising and no mention of the door on radio or TV broadcasts all season — the door's location purposefully kept secret to create a sort of scavenger hunt for fans searching for it at the park.
While it took until the seventh inning of the first game for the drink special to sell out its roughly 100 orders, now the offering is bought up within the first hour or so, with a full queue forming in about 12-15 minutes. Yet Rogel and Murray decided early on that the door wouldn't be open every game, and would probably only operate during about 30 of the team's 81 home games. And when the door isn't open, the M's bolt a storage bin in front of the wall to preserve its location and identity.
#Mariners #concept
Last October, Malcolm Rogel, the Seattle Mariners' vice president of fan experience, started seeing videos of Florence, Italy's historic buchetta del vino — wine windows carved out of holes in the wall that originated in the 16th and 17th century. Knock on an ancient set of tiny, non-descript wooden doors during operating hours, and get sold a libation in one of the most unique ways possible. Rogel texted Megan Murray, the district manager at Sodexo Live, which operates concessions at the Mariners' T-Mobile Park, and asked if this concept could be replicated at the stadium.
Over the cold, rainy offseason, Rogel and Murray went to work on bringing this idea to life. Rogel's father-in-law built a wooden door in the shape of home plate. His close friend's son welded a door knocker in the shape of the Mariners' classic trident logo. Murray toured the ballpark with Seattle's liquor control board to get approval for the concept and the location of the door, which opens up to sinks and closets in the back and counter ***** e with enough room for up to seven staffers to safely work within the location's tight confines.
On opening day, the Mariners' Sea-cret Door was born as a speakeasy selling one specialty ***** tail per game, with the concept spread strictly through social media influencers and word of mouth. There's been no team advertising and no mention of the door on radio or TV broadcasts all season — the door's location purposefully kept secret to create a sort of scavenger hunt for fans searching for it at the park.
While it took until the seventh inning of the first game for the drink special to sell out its roughly 100 orders, now the offering is bought up within the first hour or so, with a full queue forming in about 12-15 minutes. Yet Rogel and Murray decided early on that the door wouldn't be open every game, and would probably only operate during about 30 of the team's 81 home games. And when the door isn't open, the M's bolt a storage bin in front of the wall to preserve its location and identity.
#Mariners #concept
2 months ago
Liverpool's summer has the feel of a queue that will not quite move. You can see the shape of what the club want to do, you can understand the logic behind it, and you can also sense the frustration rising because the clock keeps ticking while key pieces remain out of reach.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool have made their first significant defensive move by completing a loan deal for Ronald Araujo from Barcelona. At the same time, talks over Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola continue to drag, with a sizeable valuation gap still in the way. Add in uncertainty over Curtis Jones and interest in Cody Gakpo, and it is clear this remains a squad in transition under Andoni Iraola.
There is no panic required yet. There is, however, a growing need for clarity.
Photo: liverpoolfc.com
The most concrete development is at the back. The Athletic reports that "Liverpool have completed a deal to bring in Ronald Araujo on loan for the season in the first move of the summer to tighten up the defence." That line matters because it sums up precisely where the club were vulnerable.
#summer
According to The Athletic, Liverpool have made their first significant defensive move by completing a loan deal for Ronald Araujo from Barcelona. At the same time, talks over Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola continue to drag, with a sizeable valuation gap still in the way. Add in uncertainty over Curtis Jones and interest in Cody Gakpo, and it is clear this remains a squad in transition under Andoni Iraola.
There is no panic required yet. There is, however, a growing need for clarity.
Photo: liverpoolfc.com
The most concrete development is at the back. The Athletic reports that "Liverpool have completed a deal to bring in Ronald Araujo on loan for the season in the first move of the summer to tighten up the defence." That line matters because it sums up precisely where the club were vulnerable.
#summer
2 months ago
Everton are exploring a move for Barcelona defender Hector Fort, with the 20-year-old now available this summer as the Spanish club reshape their plans. According to TeamTalk, Fort has been given permission to find a new club, and that development has quickly placed Everton in a competitive queue.
The Merseyside club are understood to be keen on a permanent deal, which is significant given Barcelona's preference to cash in. As reported, "Hector Fort has been told he can leave Barcelona this summer, with Everton and Fulham among the clubs keen to take advantage of the situation". That framing matters. Everton are not simply tracking a talented young defender, they are moving in a market where the selling club have already signalled their stance.
Fort spent last season on loan at Elche and now appears to be entering a decisive phase in his career. Barcelona's view is clear, "Barcelona are open to either a loan or permanent transfer, but TEAMtalk understands the Catalan giants would much rather sell Fort this summer." For Everton, that could create an opening if the finances are workable.
Photo: IMAGO
There is competition. Fulham are in the mix, Inter Milan are watching developments and Racing Santander have made a loan approach. Liverpool have also been mentioned among clubs who admire the defender, although their defensive planning may now be heading in another direction. From Everton's perspective, the key point is that a permanent solution is available, and that suits their stated interest.
#everton #fort #summer #teamtalk
The Merseyside club are understood to be keen on a permanent deal, which is significant given Barcelona's preference to cash in. As reported, "Hector Fort has been told he can leave Barcelona this summer, with Everton and Fulham among the clubs keen to take advantage of the situation". That framing matters. Everton are not simply tracking a talented young defender, they are moving in a market where the selling club have already signalled their stance.
Fort spent last season on loan at Elche and now appears to be entering a decisive phase in his career. Barcelona's view is clear, "Barcelona are open to either a loan or permanent transfer, but TEAMtalk understands the Catalan giants would much rather sell Fort this summer." For Everton, that could create an opening if the finances are workable.
Photo: IMAGO
There is competition. Fulham are in the mix, Inter Milan are watching developments and Racing Santander have made a loan approach. Liverpool have also been mentioned among clubs who admire the defender, although their defensive planning may now be heading in another direction. From Everton's perspective, the key point is that a permanent solution is available, and that suits their stated interest.
#everton #fort #summer #teamtalk
2 months ago
Liverpool want to sign a record-breaking star and they're at the front of the queue to do so.
Liverpool's attack needs an injection of energy from the wing after a season in which they struggled badly to stretch teams. The Reds didn't have the pace dynamism to attack from wide areas, nor were they good enough on the counter-attack, and it has them shopping for new talent this summer.
Yan Diomande was the priority, of course, but he's now signed for Real Madrid. Now it's Bradley Barcola heading the shortlist - and the Reds are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain about a move.
But that's not all. Reports broke this week that Ibrahim Mbaye was wanted at Anfield and now it appears that they've gone straight to the front of the queue.
L'Equipe reports that both Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are pushing hardest to sign Mbaye right now. The winger is fully expected to move somewhere this summer, especially after PSG completed a deal for Maghnes Akliouche from AS Monaco.
#reds #queue
Liverpool's attack needs an injection of energy from the wing after a season in which they struggled badly to stretch teams. The Reds didn't have the pace dynamism to attack from wide areas, nor were they good enough on the counter-attack, and it has them shopping for new talent this summer.
Yan Diomande was the priority, of course, but he's now signed for Real Madrid. Now it's Bradley Barcola heading the shortlist - and the Reds are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain about a move.
But that's not all. Reports broke this week that Ibrahim Mbaye was wanted at Anfield and now it appears that they've gone straight to the front of the queue.
L'Equipe reports that both Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are pushing hardest to sign Mbaye right now. The winger is fully expected to move somewhere this summer, especially after PSG completed a deal for Maghnes Akliouche from AS Monaco.
#reds #queue
2 months ago
Arsenal's summer business is gathering pace and attention is now turning towards the attacking line, with Ben Jacobs on the Latte Firm YouTube channel reporting that Iliman Ndiaye is among the players admired at the Emirates Stadium. The update arrives during a period when **** nal are already pushing forward on multiple fronts, and it adds another layer to what looks like an ambitious market strategy.
The Premier League champions have already secured Illan Meslier, Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis on permanent deals, while Bruno Guimaraes is understood to be closing in on a £75m move from Newcastle United. **** nal's recruitment, therefore, appears centred on strengthening quality, depth and tactical flexibility before the 2026/27 campaign begins.
Ndiaye's situation is one to watch. Everton's Senegal international has been linked with interest from Al Hilal, and there is now an indication that **** nal have made checks on his availability. The key quote remains, "I heard the other day that Iliman Ndiaye is a player that **** nal really like. He's rejected a contract proposal at Everton for now and Al Hilal are working on that deal, maybe they'll pull it off, but **** nal are one of the clubs that made an enquiry."
That does not automatically place **** nal at the front of the queue, but it suggests the club are doing due diligence on alternative profiles in case their biggest attacking targets prove difficult to land. Vinicius Jr has been discussed as a dream option, though any move of that scale would naturally be complicated. In that context, Ndiaye becomes a credible name in the wider conversation.
From **** nal's perspective, the attraction is easy to understand. Ndiaye can operate from either flank, drift into central **** es and offer a different type of movement across the front line. Across two seasons at Everton, he has returned 17 goals in 71 appearances, figures that point to contribution and resilience in a demanding environment.
#iliman
The Premier League champions have already secured Illan Meslier, Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis on permanent deals, while Bruno Guimaraes is understood to be closing in on a £75m move from Newcastle United. **** nal's recruitment, therefore, appears centred on strengthening quality, depth and tactical flexibility before the 2026/27 campaign begins.
Ndiaye's situation is one to watch. Everton's Senegal international has been linked with interest from Al Hilal, and there is now an indication that **** nal have made checks on his availability. The key quote remains, "I heard the other day that Iliman Ndiaye is a player that **** nal really like. He's rejected a contract proposal at Everton for now and Al Hilal are working on that deal, maybe they'll pull it off, but **** nal are one of the clubs that made an enquiry."
That does not automatically place **** nal at the front of the queue, but it suggests the club are doing due diligence on alternative profiles in case their biggest attacking targets prove difficult to land. Vinicius Jr has been discussed as a dream option, though any move of that scale would naturally be complicated. In that context, Ndiaye becomes a credible name in the wider conversation.
From **** nal's perspective, the attraction is easy to understand. Ndiaye can operate from either flank, drift into central **** es and offer a different type of movement across the front line. Across two seasons at Everton, he has returned 17 goals in 71 appearances, figures that point to contribution and resilience in a demanding environment.
#iliman
2 months ago
Hull City are among the clubs tracking Manor Solomon as Tottenham continue to reshape their squad before the Premier League season begins. According to I News, Spurs still expect several departures in the closing stages of the window, and Solomon is one of the names moving towards the front of that queue.
The 27-year-old has had pre-season minutes under Roberto De Zerbi, yet the wider picture appears clear. He is not part of the plans for 2026-27 and Tottenham are open to a deal. West Ham are described as the current frontrunners, although Hull City have registered interest and are watching developments closely.
Photo IMAGO
Tottenham's valuation is around £20m, with early bids potentially landing anywhere between £10m and £20m. That range leaves room for movement and makes this one worth following, especially for Championship clubs ******* sing whether there is a structure that could work.
Solomon joined Spurs on a free transfer from Fulham in 2023 but has struggled to establish himself in north London. He has made only five senior appearances for the club and has since taken in loan spells at Leeds United, Villarreal and Fiorentina. There were moments when a route back looked possible, but another temporary exit followed and the expectation now is for a permanent move.
#league
The 27-year-old has had pre-season minutes under Roberto De Zerbi, yet the wider picture appears clear. He is not part of the plans for 2026-27 and Tottenham are open to a deal. West Ham are described as the current frontrunners, although Hull City have registered interest and are watching developments closely.
Photo IMAGO
Tottenham's valuation is around £20m, with early bids potentially landing anywhere between £10m and £20m. That range leaves room for movement and makes this one worth following, especially for Championship clubs ******* sing whether there is a structure that could work.
Solomon joined Spurs on a free transfer from Fulham in 2023 but has struggled to establish himself in north London. He has made only five senior appearances for the club and has since taken in loan spells at Leeds United, Villarreal and Fiorentina. There were moments when a route back looked possible, but another temporary exit followed and the expectation now is for a permanent move.
#league
2 months ago
Two of the biggest listings in market history are queued up for the back end of this year, and punters are already pricing the run-in.
Polymarket has opened books on where OpenAI (Unlisted:OPAI) and Anthropic (Unlisted (US):ANTHRO) private valuations land at the end of August, settled on the price reported by Nasdaq Private Market.
The contrast between the two is the interesting bit. OpenAI's market is tightly clustered and reasonably well traded, with 54% on a valuation of $800 billion to $900 billion, and a further 23% on $900 billion to $1 trillion.
That is basically a bet on nothing happening, since OpenAI was last marked at $852 billion in March and has sat there ever since. A related market gives it a 57% chance of touching $900 billion by 31 August.
Anthropic's book, by comparison, is barely trading, with most brackets showing no volume at all and prices that do not add up to a coherent picture.
#unlisted #polymarket
Polymarket has opened books on where OpenAI (Unlisted:OPAI) and Anthropic (Unlisted (US):ANTHRO) private valuations land at the end of August, settled on the price reported by Nasdaq Private Market.
The contrast between the two is the interesting bit. OpenAI's market is tightly clustered and reasonably well traded, with 54% on a valuation of $800 billion to $900 billion, and a further 23% on $900 billion to $1 trillion.
That is basically a bet on nothing happening, since OpenAI was last marked at $852 billion in March and has sat there ever since. A related market gives it a 57% chance of touching $900 billion by 31 August.
Anthropic's book, by comparison, is barely trading, with most brackets showing no volume at all and prices that do not add up to a coherent picture.
#unlisted #polymarket
2 months ago
The president, Aleksander Ceferin, speaks first. That's the way in a crisis.
Then the natural order: the treasurer and vice president, Sandor Csanyi; English Football **** ociation CEO Mark Bullingham. Male European football executives lined up on the Zoom screen, queueing up to save our world.
But then this emergency meeting of UEFA, European football's governing body, convened in response to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off stakes in its major competitions, takes a twist.
Laura McAllister, another vice president and one of two women on the governing body's 21-member executive committee, takes the microphone. She demands real action: a full boycott of FIFA competitions.
Maybe this means little to you — the fact that on an emergency call of 150 individuals actively wrestling with what they consider to be an existential threat to football's future, it is a woman who issues the call to arms.
#fifa #vice #competitions
Then the natural order: the treasurer and vice president, Sandor Csanyi; English Football **** ociation CEO Mark Bullingham. Male European football executives lined up on the Zoom screen, queueing up to save our world.
But then this emergency meeting of UEFA, European football's governing body, convened in response to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell off stakes in its major competitions, takes a twist.
Laura McAllister, another vice president and one of two women on the governing body's 21-member executive committee, takes the microphone. She demands real action: a full boycott of FIFA competitions.
Maybe this means little to you — the fact that on an emergency call of 150 individuals actively wrestling with what they consider to be an existential threat to football's future, it is a woman who issues the call to arms.
#fifa #vice #competitions
2 months ago
RB Leipzig star Yan Diomandé appears to have taken the situation surrounding his proposed transfer to La Liga giants Real Madrid into his own hands.
This comes amid the understanding that the winger on Saturday pulled out of Leipzig's travelling squad bound for a pre-season training camp in Austria.
The reason? As per German transfer journalist, a sudden bout of illness…
Wide-man Diomandé has of course seen his name dominate the Spanish media headlines over the course of the last week. After word was forthcoming that Real Madrid had joined the hunt for the Ivorian, Los Blancos quickly muscled themselves to the front of the queue.
From here, an agreement was found with Diomandé's entourage, with a similar accord understood to be mere details away from being set in stone with Leipzig.
#diomand #real #course #liga
This comes amid the understanding that the winger on Saturday pulled out of Leipzig's travelling squad bound for a pre-season training camp in Austria.
The reason? As per German transfer journalist, a sudden bout of illness…
Wide-man Diomandé has of course seen his name dominate the Spanish media headlines over the course of the last week. After word was forthcoming that Real Madrid had joined the hunt for the Ivorian, Los Blancos quickly muscled themselves to the front of the queue.
From here, an agreement was found with Diomandé's entourage, with a similar accord understood to be mere details away from being set in stone with Leipzig.
#diomand #real #course #liga
2 months ago
The writing has been on the wall at Parkhead for some time. Celtic are ready to listen to offers for Johnny Kenny this summer, with Millwall positioning themselves at the front of the queue. Sky Sports, via The72, confirmed that the Scottish champions won't stand in the striker's way if a decent bid comes in. Alex Neil wants the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international at The Den, convinced he can hit the ground running straight away in the Championship.
The signing of Colombian attacker Camilo Duran from Qarabag effectively sealed Kenny's fate. Celtic originally paid Sligo Rovers £140,000 for the forward back in January 2022. Alan Nixon reports via his Patreon that a figure around £850,000 should get the deal done now. That represents a tidy profit on a player who never quite nailed down a starting spot.
Millwall aren't alone in their chase. Bolton Wanderers want him back permanently after his impressive loan spell last term. Kenny clicked quickly under Steven Schumacher, bagging six goals in 14 matches to help push Bolton towards promotion from League One before a knee issue cut his campaign short.
Add those figures to his Celtic return, and he managed 12 goals and two ******* ists across 36 total games in 2025/26. Four of those goals came in 22 Scottish Premiership matches for Celtic. Respectable enough for a squad member. Not enough to demand a starting shirt under Martin O'Neill. Publicly, O'Neill has noted that no final decision has been made on the Irishman's long-term future. Behind the scenes, sources suggest breaking into the first team this summer looks like a mountain too steep to climb.
Taking £850,000 for a squad player isn't defeatist. It is basic business. Celtic get a clean exit, pocket a profit, and free up ******* e on the wage bill for O'Neill to reinvest where it matters. Kenny gets the chance to kickstart his career somewhere he will actually play week in, week out.
#o 'neill #Millwall
The signing of Colombian attacker Camilo Duran from Qarabag effectively sealed Kenny's fate. Celtic originally paid Sligo Rovers £140,000 for the forward back in January 2022. Alan Nixon reports via his Patreon that a figure around £850,000 should get the deal done now. That represents a tidy profit on a player who never quite nailed down a starting spot.
Millwall aren't alone in their chase. Bolton Wanderers want him back permanently after his impressive loan spell last term. Kenny clicked quickly under Steven Schumacher, bagging six goals in 14 matches to help push Bolton towards promotion from League One before a knee issue cut his campaign short.
Add those figures to his Celtic return, and he managed 12 goals and two ******* ists across 36 total games in 2025/26. Four of those goals came in 22 Scottish Premiership matches for Celtic. Respectable enough for a squad member. Not enough to demand a starting shirt under Martin O'Neill. Publicly, O'Neill has noted that no final decision has been made on the Irishman's long-term future. Behind the scenes, sources suggest breaking into the first team this summer looks like a mountain too steep to climb.
Taking £850,000 for a squad player isn't defeatist. It is basic business. Celtic get a clean exit, pocket a profit, and free up ******* e on the wage bill for O'Neill to reinvest where it matters. Kenny gets the chance to kickstart his career somewhere he will actually play week in, week out.
#o 'neill #Millwall
2 months 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.
Swatch Group reported stronger first-half sales as demand improved across its watch brands and shoppers lined up for its Royal Pop pocket watch collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Sales rose 8.5% at constant exchange rates to CHF 3.12 billion (about $3.8 billion), helped by a sharp acceleration in May and June. But operating profit fell to CHF 52 million, badly missing expectations, as currency effects and production costs weighed. The watches are moving again. The margins, less so.
Swatch Group, owner of Omega, Longines, Tissot, Breguet and Swatch, reported first-half net sales of CHF 3.12 billion. At constant exchange rates, sales rose 8.5% from a year earlier. On a reported basis, growth was much weaker because the strong Swiss franc dragged on results.
The company said sales momentum improved sharply in the second quarter, especially in May and June. Demand was helped by strength across price segments and regions, including the US, Europe, ***** an, South Korea and China.
A major highlight was the Royal Pop, a pocket watch made with Audemars Piguet. The launch triggered long lines in cities including New York, London, Barcelona and Dubai, with demand so strong that Swatch had to close some stores and limit queues.
#swatch #sales #reported
Swatch Group reported stronger first-half sales as demand improved across its watch brands and shoppers lined up for its Royal Pop pocket watch collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Sales rose 8.5% at constant exchange rates to CHF 3.12 billion (about $3.8 billion), helped by a sharp acceleration in May and June. But operating profit fell to CHF 52 million, badly missing expectations, as currency effects and production costs weighed. The watches are moving again. The margins, less so.
Swatch Group, owner of Omega, Longines, Tissot, Breguet and Swatch, reported first-half net sales of CHF 3.12 billion. At constant exchange rates, sales rose 8.5% from a year earlier. On a reported basis, growth was much weaker because the strong Swiss franc dragged on results.
The company said sales momentum improved sharply in the second quarter, especially in May and June. Demand was helped by strength across price segments and regions, including the US, Europe, ***** an, South Korea and China.
A major highlight was the Royal Pop, a pocket watch made with Audemars Piguet. The launch triggered long lines in cities including New York, London, Barcelona and Dubai, with demand so strong that Swatch had to close some stores and limit queues.
#swatch #sales #reported
3 months ago
ONE Championship has completed the bracket for its blockbuster eight-man ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament, revealing the final two matchups that will determine who earns a shot at gold.
Three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian will square off against Russian standout Mamuka Usubyan at The Inner Circle 25 on Friday, August 7. The bout streams live in Asia primetime via live.onefc.com from Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
The very next night, ****** an's Kosuke "Unstoppable Phoenix" Takagi collides with China's Luo Chao at ONE SAMURAI 2 on Saturday, August 8, live from the iconic EBARA WAVE Arena Ota. The winner of the tournament will earn a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.
In two previously announced bouts, former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri will seek revenge against "Spirit Dragon" Liu Mengyang, while ****** anese star Kaito Ono runs it back with Iranian powerhouse Mohammad Siasarani.
Marat Grigorian appeared to place himself at the front of the featherweight kickboxing queue with his most recent performance. The Armenian icon needed less than two minutes to knock out Kaito at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29, ending their heated rivalry with a decisive statement inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena.
Three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian will square off against Russian standout Mamuka Usubyan at The Inner Circle 25 on Friday, August 7. The bout streams live in Asia primetime via live.onefc.com from Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
The very next night, ****** an's Kosuke "Unstoppable Phoenix" Takagi collides with China's Luo Chao at ONE SAMURAI 2 on Saturday, August 8, live from the iconic EBARA WAVE Arena Ota. The winner of the tournament will earn a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon.
In two previously announced bouts, former ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri will seek revenge against "Spirit Dragon" Liu Mengyang, while ****** anese star Kaito Ono runs it back with Iranian powerhouse Mohammad Siasarani.
Marat Grigorian appeared to place himself at the front of the featherweight kickboxing queue with his most recent performance. The Armenian icon needed less than two minutes to knock out Kaito at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29, ending their heated rivalry with a decisive statement inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena.
3 months ago
As the beginnings of a Mexico City thunderstorm swirl high above, dark clouds circling like a slow-motion whirlpool, a pair of English fans do not give a jot.
It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside the stadium's Cabecera Norte end, with 'Viva Mexico' at the top. And the locals, kids and adults alike, are loving it.
And when embarking on a lap of the outer perimeter of the World Cup's most iconic venue before the blockbuster last-16 occasion, similar feel-good scenes are at every corner. Event volunteers dressed in blue and green form a 'Limbo' dance opportunity for passers-by; half a dozen Mexican dance groups greet ticket holders to the south of the main entrance; Mexicans joust with English in gentle ribbing as they queue for entry into the arena.
It is an intoxicating, smile-inducing, dopamine-hitting environment. This is the essence of the biggest event in world sport: the amalgamation of different nationalities and cultures, old and young, male and female. All coalescing, with passion and fervour, in a setting completely irrational and illogical, if it were not for two national football teams going head-to-head.
This is the premise of founder Jules Rimet's vision when he formed the very first World Cup in 1930. In his words: "It's about bringing together countries from around the world, people who might otherwise have nothing in common… at least for a little while." And, mercifully, 96 years on in its 23rd edition, the tournament still fulfils this overarching ethos, despite all the factors working against those in the stands.
It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside the stadium's Cabecera Norte end, with 'Viva Mexico' at the top. And the locals, kids and adults alike, are loving it.
And when embarking on a lap of the outer perimeter of the World Cup's most iconic venue before the blockbuster last-16 occasion, similar feel-good scenes are at every corner. Event volunteers dressed in blue and green form a 'Limbo' dance opportunity for passers-by; half a dozen Mexican dance groups greet ticket holders to the south of the main entrance; Mexicans joust with English in gentle ribbing as they queue for entry into the arena.
It is an intoxicating, smile-inducing, dopamine-hitting environment. This is the essence of the biggest event in world sport: the amalgamation of different nationalities and cultures, old and young, male and female. All coalescing, with passion and fervour, in a setting completely irrational and illogical, if it were not for two national football teams going head-to-head.
This is the premise of founder Jules Rimet's vision when he formed the very first World Cup in 1930. In his words: "It's about bringing together countries from around the world, people who might otherwise have nothing in common… at least for a little while." And, mercifully, 96 years on in its 23rd edition, the tournament still fulfils this overarching ethos, despite all the factors working against those in the stands.
3 months ago
Reports from Italy have added fresh intrigue to the Curtis Jones situation, with Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness claiming Liverpool have reached an "agreement" with Nottingham Forest over the midfielder. It is the sort of update that immediately raises eyebrows, not least because Jones remains one of the more interesting contract calls facing Liverpool this summer.
The key line is that Jones is now said to be "closer to joining" Forest, with the City Ground side reportedly moving ahead of other suitors. Inter Milan have been linked, Aston Villa have also been mentioned elsewhere, yet this latest claim frames Forest as the club making the decisive push.
If this report is accurate, Forest have done well to position themselves at the front of the queue. The article states that Liverpool and Forest have "reach agreement" over Jones, while the midfielder is described as being "closer to joining" the Midlands club. There is still an obvious need for caution around any developing transfer story, especially one originating abroad before being fully backed up closer to Merseyside, but the scenario itself is credible.
Jones has entered the final 12 months of his current deal, and that always sharpens the conversation. A player of his profile, age and experience does not drift into the last year of a contract without serious questions being asked. Liverpool have a decision to make, and Jones has one too.
Photo IMAGO
The key line is that Jones is now said to be "closer to joining" Forest, with the City Ground side reportedly moving ahead of other suitors. Inter Milan have been linked, Aston Villa have also been mentioned elsewhere, yet this latest claim frames Forest as the club making the decisive push.
If this report is accurate, Forest have done well to position themselves at the front of the queue. The article states that Liverpool and Forest have "reach agreement" over Jones, while the midfielder is described as being "closer to joining" the Midlands club. There is still an obvious need for caution around any developing transfer story, especially one originating abroad before being fully backed up closer to Merseyside, but the scenario itself is credible.
Jones has entered the final 12 months of his current deal, and that always sharpens the conversation. A player of his profile, age and experience does not drift into the last year of a contract without serious questions being asked. Liverpool have a decision to make, and Jones has one too.
Photo IMAGO
3 months ago
Bayern Munich could have another option for midfielder João Palhinha as Benfica might have some interest in the 31-year-old:
Benfica are currently the club showing the most interest in João Palhinha and are preparing a bid in the region of €20m fixed plus €5m in performance related add-ons. Benfica coach Marco Silva, who worked with Palhinha at Fulham, sees him as his desired target in midfield and wants to reunite with him. Palhinha is very interested in a return to Portugal/Lisbon.
At this point, Bayern Munich might not care too much about where Palhinha goes, just as long as he takes his €12 million salary package off of its books. Getting that much would be a steal for the Bavarians, who have no use for Palhinha.
Arsenal might be ready to drop a ton of look on Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers…or they are — at least — thinking about it:
Arsenal must meet Aston Villa’s valuation if they want to sign attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, according to Football Insider. The Gunners are believed to be at the front of the queue for the 23-year-old but, with five years remaining on his contract, Villa are expected to stand firm with their demands of a £130 million transfer fee. Rogers scored 10 goals in 37 Premier League matches last season, and is one of the top names on manager Mikel Arteta’s shortlist.
Benfica are currently the club showing the most interest in João Palhinha and are preparing a bid in the region of €20m fixed plus €5m in performance related add-ons. Benfica coach Marco Silva, who worked with Palhinha at Fulham, sees him as his desired target in midfield and wants to reunite with him. Palhinha is very interested in a return to Portugal/Lisbon.
At this point, Bayern Munich might not care too much about where Palhinha goes, just as long as he takes his €12 million salary package off of its books. Getting that much would be a steal for the Bavarians, who have no use for Palhinha.
Arsenal might be ready to drop a ton of look on Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers…or they are — at least — thinking about it:
Arsenal must meet Aston Villa’s valuation if they want to sign attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, according to Football Insider. The Gunners are believed to be at the front of the queue for the 23-year-old but, with five years remaining on his contract, Villa are expected to stand firm with their demands of a £130 million transfer fee. Rogers scored 10 goals in 37 Premier League matches last season, and is one of the top names on manager Mikel Arteta’s shortlist.
3 months ago
Hyperscalers are locking in 15-year leases before facilities break ground, with grid interconnection queues stretching to 2030 cementing a multi-year supply squeeze.
EQIX posted a record $378M in Q1 bookings while DLR grew sales 16% year over year and carries a $1.8B backlog.
All three data center REITs pay dividends above 1.9% and hold Buy ratings from Citigroup, Truist Financial, and JPMorgan.
Act now: the ****** yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Equinix didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
The AI buildout has turned the old-school data center real estate investment trusts (REITs) from a niche real estate subsector into one of the clearest ways to own the physical infrastructure behind the artificial intelligence boom, and the numbers are starting to back that up. One of the biggest companies in the arena, Equinix (NASDAQ:EQIX), posted $2.444 billion in first-quarter 2026 revenue, up 10% year over year, and a record $378 million in first-quarter bookings, while another, Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR), logged 16% year-over-year sales growth and has a $1.8 billion backlog. Vacancy in primary U.S. markets remains near record lows. Hyperscalers are locking in 15-year leases years before facilities even break ground, and grid interconnection queues stretching out to 2030 mean the supply squeeze isn't going away anytime soon.
EQIX posted a record $378M in Q1 bookings while DLR grew sales 16% year over year and carries a $1.8B backlog.
All three data center REITs pay dividends above 1.9% and hold Buy ratings from Citigroup, Truist Financial, and JPMorgan.
Act now: the ****** yst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Equinix didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
The AI buildout has turned the old-school data center real estate investment trusts (REITs) from a niche real estate subsector into one of the clearest ways to own the physical infrastructure behind the artificial intelligence boom, and the numbers are starting to back that up. One of the biggest companies in the arena, Equinix (NASDAQ:EQIX), posted $2.444 billion in first-quarter 2026 revenue, up 10% year over year, and a record $378 million in first-quarter bookings, while another, Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR), logged 16% year-over-year sales growth and has a $1.8 billion backlog. Vacancy in primary U.S. markets remains near record lows. Hyperscalers are locking in 15-year leases years before facilities even break ground, and grid interconnection queues stretching out to 2030 mean the supply squeeze isn't going away anytime soon.
3 months ago
Conor McGregor may have dismissed Justin Gaethje's latest callout, but the former two-division champion has a much bigger goal on his mind.
Ahead of his long-awaited return at UFC 329, McGregor revealed that he is chasing something no fighter has achieved in UFC history – a championship in a third weight class.
Rather than focusing on potential challengers, McGregor made it clear that his ambitions stretch far beyond another grudge fight, reigniting discussion over what could await him if he successfully returns to the Octagon.
Addressing Gaethje's desire to punch him in the face, McGregor brushed aside the challenge before outlining what he believes should come next in his career.
"Yeah, join the queue. He has the lightweight belt, fair play to him. But Holloway put him face down."
Ahead of his long-awaited return at UFC 329, McGregor revealed that he is chasing something no fighter has achieved in UFC history – a championship in a third weight class.
Rather than focusing on potential challengers, McGregor made it clear that his ambitions stretch far beyond another grudge fight, reigniting discussion over what could await him if he successfully returns to the Octagon.
Addressing Gaethje's desire to punch him in the face, McGregor brushed aside the challenge before outlining what he believes should come next in his career.
"Yeah, join the queue. He has the lightweight belt, fair play to him. But Holloway put him face down."
3 months ago
Everton have stolen a march on Europe’s elite. According to reports from Africa Foot, via Sport Witness, the Toffees have tabled a formal opening bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s teenage sensation Christian Kofane. It is an unexpected, aggressive twist to the summer window.
The Merseysiders are long-term admirers. They tracked the 19-year-old Cameroon international well before his five million euro move from Albacete Balompié to Germany last July. Now, David Moyes has authorised a massive gamble to bring him to Goodison Park.
It is a crowded race. **** nal previously led the queue, with Barcelona, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich all sniffing around. The hype is real, stoked by agent Eric Depolo, who publicly branded his client a future hundred-million-euro **** et. Leverkusen are playing hardball, too, demanding that exact nine-figure sum. Moyes, however, needs a reliable frontman right now to replace underperforming attackers, and the Goodison board are waiting on a response.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Christian Kofane of Bayer 04 Leverkusen runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between **** nal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at **** nal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Fiscally, Everton are on a tightrope. Paying anything near Leverkusen’s public valuation is an absurd, unjustifiable risk for a player with so little top-flight experience.
The Merseysiders are long-term admirers. They tracked the 19-year-old Cameroon international well before his five million euro move from Albacete Balompié to Germany last July. Now, David Moyes has authorised a massive gamble to bring him to Goodison Park.
It is a crowded race. **** nal previously led the queue, with Barcelona, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich all sniffing around. The hype is real, stoked by agent Eric Depolo, who publicly branded his client a future hundred-million-euro **** et. Leverkusen are playing hardball, too, demanding that exact nine-figure sum. Moyes, however, needs a reliable frontman right now to replace underperforming attackers, and the Goodison board are waiting on a response.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Christian Kofane of Bayer 04 Leverkusen runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between **** nal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at **** nal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Fiscally, Everton are on a tightrope. Paying anything near Leverkusen’s public valuation is an absurd, unjustifiable risk for a player with so little top-flight experience.
3 months ago
LONDON (AP) — It may not come as a surprise that the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament has a somewhat antiquated process when it comes to getting tickets.
Wimbledon is one of the few major sporting events where fans can get tickets in person on the day of the match. But doing so requires plenty of patience, and many hours of waiting in line.
The tradition has become so famous, it’s known as simply “The Queue.” Hopeful fans will even go so far as to camp out in line overnight in hopes of securing one of the first spots that could grant access to Centre Court.
Upon arriving at The Queue, you are given a card with a number that tells you your place in line. This year, some fans have reported waiting up to seven hours before making it inside the grounds, arriving as early as 4 a.m. to get a spot in line.
Fans say the crowds feel bigger this year compared to recent editions, but officials say the 2026 numbers reflect those of 2018 and 2019.
Wimbledon is one of the few major sporting events where fans can get tickets in person on the day of the match. But doing so requires plenty of patience, and many hours of waiting in line.
The tradition has become so famous, it’s known as simply “The Queue.” Hopeful fans will even go so far as to camp out in line overnight in hopes of securing one of the first spots that could grant access to Centre Court.
Upon arriving at The Queue, you are given a card with a number that tells you your place in line. This year, some fans have reported waiting up to seven hours before making it inside the grounds, arriving as early as 4 a.m. to get a spot in line.
Fans say the crowds feel bigger this year compared to recent editions, but officials say the 2026 numbers reflect those of 2018 and 2019.
3 months ago
The contrast could hardly have been greater: the Cape Verde players, plying their trade in Russia, Ireland or Portugal's second division, found themselves facing defending champions Argentina and eight-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi in the World Cup round of 16.
Yet the West African underdog did far more than just hold their own. Cape Verde had Argentina on the brink of defeat and only went down 2–3 after extra time.
But after the match, the players no longer looked like opponents on completely equal footing, and instead slipped more into the role of fans.
Several of Cape Verde's World Cup heroes seized the moment and asked Messi for a souvenir photo. The superstar, with a real queue forming in front of him, granted their wishes with a smile.
Not only because of these images, the Africans are likely to remember this evening forever...
Yet the West African underdog did far more than just hold their own. Cape Verde had Argentina on the brink of defeat and only went down 2–3 after extra time.
But after the match, the players no longer looked like opponents on completely equal footing, and instead slipped more into the role of fans.
Several of Cape Verde's World Cup heroes seized the moment and asked Messi for a souvenir photo. The superstar, with a real queue forming in front of him, granted their wishes with a smile.
Not only because of these images, the Africans are likely to remember this evening forever...
