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  • SpaceX unmanned rocket makes soft landing before exploding on ground

    Third time's a charm? Not so for SpaceX, whose unmanned rocket exploded on the ground Wednesday after carrying out what had seemed to be a successful flight and landing – fresh on the heels of two fiery crashes. It was yet another flub involving a prototype of the Starship rocket, which SpaceX hopes one day to send to Mars. "A beautiful soft landing," a SpaceX commentator said on a live broadcast of the test flight, although flames were coming out at the bottom and crews were trying to put them out. The rocket exploded a few minutes later, lurching into the air and crashing back to the ground.No explanation was immediately provided."Starship SN10 landed in one piece!" Musk tweeted jokingly about an hour after the explosion."SpaceX team is doing great work! One day, the true measure of success will be that Starship flights are commonplace," he said in a second tweet.The latest prototype, named SN10, for serial number 10, took off a little before 2320 GMT from Boca Chica, Texas.The rocket rose into the sky and progressively shut down its three engines as it reached a height of six miles (10 kilometers) and assumed a horizontal position before becoming vertical again and returning to Earth.As seen on SpaceX video, it appeared to have otherwise landed properly after its flight. Then came the explosion.To Mars or the MoonSpaceX founder Elon Musk has been developing the next-generation Starship rocket for the purpose of going to Mars - though two prototypes (SN8 and SN9) blew up in spectacular fashion on their test runs in December and early February.The tests take place in a nearly deserted area leased by SpaceX in South Texas near the border with Mexico and Gulf of Mexico - the area is vast and empty enough that an accident or explosion would not likely cause damage or fatalities.Apart from Mars, the rocket, if it becomes operational, could also prove useful for closer trips, especially to the Moon.On Wednesday, Japanese billionaire and online fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa, who paid an undisclosed sum for a SpaceX lunar spaceship trip expected to launch in 2023 at the earliest, threw open the application process for eight people from around the world to join him.He announced the move in a video posted on Twitter in which Musk tells potential applicants: "I'm highly confident that we will have reached orbit many times with Starship before 2023 and that it will be safe enough for human transport by 2023. It's looking very promising."The mission will be the first private space flight beyond Earth's orbit, Musk said. (AFP)

  • Yemen’s Houthis Strike Saudi Military Base and Aramco Oil Depot

    (Bloomberg) -- Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they launched missile and drone strikes against a Saudi Arabian oil facility and a military base, as their attacks on the kingdom’s energy and security installations multiply.The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, said they bombed an air base in Saudi Arabia’s southwest with a drone and hit a Saudi Aramco fuel depot in the city of Jeddah.While most of the strikes claimed by the Houthis cause limited damage and few casualties, their frequency has roiled energy and shipping markets in the oil-rich Persian Gulf. Brent crude rose 0.5% to $64.40 a barrel on Thursday, extending this year’s gains to 24%.The official Saudi Press agency tweeted that the government had intercepted a “ballistic missile fired by the terrorist Houthi militia” toward Jazan, which is on the Red Sea coast near the Yemeni border.Aramco and the Saudi government’s Center for International Communication did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Yemen WarThe Houthis have been fighting Yemen’s United Nations-recognized government since 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year on the side of the government. The UN has called the conflict -- in which tens of thousands of people have died -- the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.Former U.S. President Donald Trump classified the Houthis as a terrorist organization last year, shortly after a number of attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea. His successor, Joe Biden, rescinded that designation, saying it was hindering the efforts of aid workers to provide food and shelter to Yemenis living under Houthi control.Biden’s administration has vowed to end the conflict. Last month, it halted U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s offensive operations and appointed Tim Lenderking, a former senior State Department official, to lead American peace efforts.The Houthis claimed a missile strike on a Jeddah depot owned by Aramco, the world’s biggest oil company, in November. The attack didn’t cause any casualties.Gulf TensionsLate last month, the Houthis targeted Riyadh, the Saudi capital, with drones and missiles. Saudi authorities said most were intercepted, and shrapnel rained down on parts of the city.Tensions have also escalated elsewhere in the Gulf. On Wednesday, the Pentagon said it may respond to a rocket assault on a military base in western Iraq hosting its troops, which led to the death of an American contractor from a heart attack. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the strike on the Al Asad Airbase. It comes ahead of a visit by Pope Francis to Iraq this week.After a similar attack on a northern Iraqi base last month, the U.S. carried out air strikes against Iran-backed fighters in Syria.(Updates throughout.)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

  • Israel’s HackerU Offers Support For Australia’s National Cybersecurity Goals

    As part of a wider Trade Initiative, Israeli cybersecurity education leader petitions Australian Gov for "offensive cybersecurity" accreditation.

  • Exscientia Completes $100 million Series C Financing Round With BlackRock Funds

    Exscientia, a clinical stage pharmatech pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to design new drugs, today announced that funds managed by BlackRock joined the Company’s Series C investment round. Including existing Series C investors, Novo Holdings, Evotec, Bristol Myers Squibb, and GT Healthcare Capital, the round totalled $100 million in funding.

  • Liva Healthcare Attracts Top Medical Scientific Leaders to Global Advisory Board

    Liva Healthcare, has launched a new Scientific Advisory Board to conduct clinical research into Liva’s behavioural change model.

  • OpenGate Capital Portfolio Company, SMAC, Completes Sale of AXTER

    OpenGate Capital portfolio company SMAC sells AXTER to IKO.

  • Modified vaccines for Covid variants to be fast-tracked for approval

    The UK’s regulator said the jabs will not have to undergo lengthy clinical trials but its safety won’t be compromised

  • IDEX Biometrics to Participate at Upcoming Investor Conferences

    Oslo, Norway–4 March 2021 - IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX and Nasdaq: IDBA) (the “Company”), a leading provider of advanced fingerprint identification and authentication solutions, today announced that the Company’s CEO, Vince Graziani, and CFO, Derek D’Antilio, will participate at the following upcoming investor conferences, both of which will be held as virtual events. Loop Capital Markets Consumer, Industrials and TMT ConferenceParticipation Date: Friday 12 March 2021 33rd Annual ROTH ConferenceParticipation Date: Tuesday 16 March 2021 Portfolio managers and analysts can request a meeting with management by contacting their sales representative at the respective hosting firms or IDEX investor relations. For further information contact: Brett L Perry, Shelton Group E-mail: bperry@isheltongroup.com Tel: + 1 214 272 0070 Marianne Bøe, Investor Relations E-mail: marianne.boe@idexbiometrics.com Tel: + 47 918 00186 Derek D’Antilio, Chief Financial Officer E-mail: derek.dantilio@idexbiometrics.com Tel: +1 978 273 1344 About IDEX Biometrics IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX and Nasdaq: IDBA) is a leading provider of fingerprint identification technologies offering simple, secure, and personal touch-free authentication for all. We help people make payments, prove their identity, gain access to information, unlock devices or gain admittance to buildings with the touch of a finger. We invent, engineer, and commercialize these secure, yet incredibly user-friendly solutions. Our total addressable market represents a fast growing multi-billion-unit opportunity. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com and follow @IDEXBiometrics. TRADEMARK STATEMENT The wordmark ‘IDEX’ and the IDEX logo are registered trademarks of IDEX ASA. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

  • World's biggest wealth fund puts Japan's Kirin on watch list over Myanmar link

    The Norwegian central bank said on Wednesday it had put Japan's Kirin Holdings Ltd Co on a watch list for possible exclusion from its $1.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund over the beverage giant's business ties to Myanmar's military. Kirin on Feb. 5 said it would end its partnership with Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHPCL), a company run by Myanmar's army, after a military coup deposed the democratically elected government. As part of its decision on whether to maintain its ownership in Kirin, the Norwegian fund will monitor the implementation of the company's plan to end the ties, Norway's central bank said in a statement.

  • Sunk Cost King Mike Pence Is Still Pushing the Big Lie After It Nearly Got Him Killed

    Sure, the mob was chanting, "Hang Mike Pence." But if you want a future in Republican politics, you've got to push The Lie, and for the former vice president, there's no going back now

  • Michale Boganim Directs ‘Tel-Aviv/Beirut’ With International Cast (EXCLUSIVE)

    Michale Boganim (“Odessa, Odessa,” “Land of Oblivion”) is directing “Tel-Aviv/Beirut,” a historical drama set against the backdrop of the Israeli–Lebanese conflict in 1982 and 2006. Set in Northern Israel, the film tells the journey of two families on each side of the border whose fate intertwined because of the war raging in Lebanon. “Tel-Aviv/Beirut” sheds […]

  • Nintendo Plans Switch Model With Bigger Samsung OLED Display

    (Bloomberg) -- Nintendo Co. plans to unveil a model of its Switch gaming console equipped with a bigger Samsung OLED display this year, hoping the larger touchscreen can prop up demand in time for the holidays, people familiar with the plan said.Samsung Display Co. will start mass production of 7-inch, 720p-resolution OLED panels as early as June with an initial monthly target of just under a million units, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters. The displays are slated for shipment to assemblers around July, the people said. Representatives for Nintendo and Samsung Display declined to comment.Nintendo seeks to sustain a Switch lineup that continues to sell well against the Xbox and PlayStation, thanks to pandemic-era breakout hits like Animal Crossing and a chip crunch that’s plagued supply of rival devices. But the gadget is now into its fifth year, while Microsoft Corp. and Sony Corp. both have new and more powerful machines in the market.The gaming community has speculated online about the introduction of an OLED or organic light-emitting diode screen, but Nintendo has stayed mum and President Shuntaro Furukawa said in February his company has no plans to announce a new Switch “anytime soon.” Samsung’s involvement is the strongest indication that Nintendo is serious about updating the console, and on a large scale.Shares of the Kyoto-based games maker fell 3.6% in Tokyo on Thursday amid a wider market selloff.What Bloomberg Intelligence says“The release of a more premium version of Nintendo’s Switch console with an OLED display and support for 4K graphics for the holiday 2021 selling season could drive the company’s sales above consensus for the fiscal year ending March 2022 and extend the life cycle of the Switch platform for many more years.”- Matthew Kanterman and Nathan Naidu, analystsIn February, Nintendo raised its annual forecasts after the Switch helped the company to its best quarterly earnings since 2008. The games maker hopes to sustain that run in 2021 despite stiffening competition and an ebbing pandemic.Read more: Nintendo Raises Outlook After Surpassing High Expectations“The OLED panel will consume less battery, offer higher contrast and possibly faster response time when compared to the Switch’s current liquid-crystal display,” said Yoshio Tamura, co-founder of display consultancy DSCC.Nintendo decided to go with rigid OLED panels for the new model, the people said, a cheaper but less flexible alternative to the type commonly used for high-end smartphones. The latest model will also come with 4K ultra-high definition graphics when paired with TVs, they said. That could intensify a longstanding complaint of developers, who have struggled with the difference in resolution between handheld and TV modes and now face a bigger gap between the two.The deal benefits Samsung Display because market prices for so-called rigid OLED panels have been falling due to excess supply. Winning a customer like Nintendo also helps the Korean giant -- an affiliate of Samsung Electronics Co. -- firm up production plans. Nintendo in turn secures a valuable partner and supplier at a time semiconductor shortages are squeezing the supply of display-related components.The new display’s resolution mirrors the current Switch and Switch Lite but is an upgrade from the Switch’s 6.2-inch and Lite’s 5.5-inch size. If the console’s housing remains unchanged, the new Switch is likely to sport a thinner bezel.(Updates with share price and analyst comment)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

  • Share buy-back programme of up to DKK 100 million to be initiated

    The Board of Directors of H+H International A/S (hereinafter referred to as “H+H” or “the Company”) has decided to initiate a share buy-back programme of up to DKK 100 million. ObjectiveThe decision by the Board of Directors to initiate the share buy-back programme is supported by a continued strong free cash-flow generation which has led to deleveraging of the Company to a level which is well-below the Company’s long-term financial gearing target of net interest-bearing debt of 1-2 times EBITDA before special items. While acquisitive growth remains the key strategic focus for H+H, the Board of Directors continues to prudently balance further investments in growth with returning value to our shareholders. Given the headroom to the long-term target for financial gearing and the sound cash position, there is an opportunity to return capital to the Company’s shareholders while still maintaining the ambition to pursue attractive opportunities on the Company’s ongoing strategic growth journey. The share buy-back programme is carried out with the objective of adjusting the capital structure of H+H. It is expected that the shares bought back will be proposed cancelled at the Annual General Meeting in 2022. AuthorisationThe share buy-back programme is initiated within the authorisation granted to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting of the Company on 2 April 2020, allowing the Company to acquire treasury shares on an ongoing basis up to an aggregate nominal maximum amount corresponding to 10 percent of the Company’s share capital in accordance with section 198 of the Danish Companies Act. The purchase price paid in connection with the acquisition of the treasury shares must not deviate by more than 10 percent from the most recently quoted market price of the shares on NASDAQ Copenhagen A/S at the time of acquisition. The share buy-back programme will be executed in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on Market Abuse and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 1052/2016 of 8 March 2016 (the “Safe Harbour Regulation”). Share buy-back programmeThe share buy-back programme is expected to be realised over a 12-month period starting from today, 4 March 2021, provided that the forthcoming annual general meeting to be held 26 March 2021 gives the Board of Directors a renewed authority to acquire its own shares whereby the share buy-back programme may continue. Under the share buy-back programme, H+H may repurchase shares up to a maximum amount of DKK 100 million, and no more than 1,728,136 shares, corresponding to approximately 9.6 percent of the share capital of the Company. The shares bought back on each trading day will not exceed 25 percent of the daily average trading volume over the 20 trading days preceding the date of purchase. Shares acquired under the share buy-back programme may not be bought at a price exceeding the higher of (i) the share price of the last independent transaction on Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S, and (ii) the highest independent bid on the shares on the Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S. H+H has entered into an agreement with Danske Bank A/S to handle the share buy-back programme as Lead Manager on behalf of the Company. Danske Bank A/S will make all trading decisions independently of and without involving H+H. H+H will be entitled to suspend the share buy-back programme at any time subject to an announcement to Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S. Should the share buy-back programme be suspended, H+H will announce this in a Company Announcement and Danske Bank A/S will stop buying back shares in the market. In accordance with the Safe Harbour Regulation, the Company will as a minimum for every 7th trading day issue an announcement in respect of transactions made under the share buy-back programme. Kent Arentoft Michael T. AndersenChairman of the Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer For further information please contact: Peter Klovgaard-Jørgensen Andreas HolkjærChief Financial Officer Investor Relations and Treasury Manager+45 35 27 02 03 +45 24 48 03 67pkj@HplusH.com aho@HplusH.com H+H International A/S’s core activity is the manufacture and sale of wall building materials, with a revenue in 2020 of DKK 2,654 million. The main product lines are aircrete blocks and calcium silicate units used for the residential new building segment. H+H has 29 factories in Northern and Central Europe with a total output of more than 4 million cubic metres of products annually and has a leading position in most of its markets. H+H has more than 1,500 employees and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Attachment 402 - Share buy-back programme of up to DKK 100 million to be initiated

  • H+H International A/S Annual Report 2020: highest-ever profit after tax a testament to strong execution

    Today, the Board of Directors of H+H International A/S (hereinafter referred to as “H+H” or “the Group”) has adopted the Annual Report for 2020. Selected financial highlights for 2020 DKKm20202019Q4 2020Q4 2019Revenue2,6542,840642625Gross profit before special items836877196191EBITDA before special items521539125104EBIT before special items3323667460Profit after tax25115066(75)Cash flow from operating activities42536912056Cash flow from investing activities(206)(105)(67)33Free cash flow2192645389Organic growth(6%)6%4%(7%)Gross margin before special items31%31%31%31%EBITDA margin before special items20%19%19%17%EBIT margin before special items13%13%12%10% CEO Michael T. Andersen quote“Delivering the second-best EBIT and the highest-ever profit after tax in the history of H+H in a year characterised by lockdowns following the global pandemic is a remarkable achievement. This is a testament to our continued strong strategy execution as well as all the dedication and hard work from the employees in H+H. Further, we have reached an important milestone on our sustainability journey with the release of our first stand-alone Sustainability Report for 2020, marking our target of achieving net-zero—and possibly net-negative—emissions from our products and operations by 2050.” Financial review (2019-figures in brackets)Total revenue, including the acquired and divested business decreased by 7% to DKK 2,654 million (DKK 2,840 million). Revenue in local currencies, excluding the acquired and divested businesses (organic growth) decreased by 6%. The negative organic growth was primarily a result of the national lockdown in the UK as well as a general softening of the market in Poland, but partly offset by a strong Q1 2020 where weather conditions for wall building were very good. AAC accounted for 68% (71%) of the total revenue, while CSU accounted for 32% (29%). The gross margin before special items was 31% (31%), negatively impacted by lower volumes and higher input costs, but offset by lower transport costs, efficiency improvements, and price increases. EBITDA before special items declined by 3% to DKK 521 million (DKK 539 million), corresponding to an EBITDA margin before special items of 20% (19%). The relatively higher EBITDA margin was primarily a result of higher prices and the effects from resilience plans across the Group, partly offset by lower volumes. EBIT before special items was DKK 332 million (DKK 366 million), which corresponds to an EBIT margin before special items of 13% (13%). Profit after tax amounted to DKK 251 million (DKK 150 million). Capital expenditures totalled DKK 134 million (DKK 126 million). Initially, a higher capex level was expected for 2020, but the Group re-evaluated its capex plans as part of the resilience plans introduced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These plans included a postponement of the construction of the Polish CSU factory in Reda, near Gdansk, to 2021. For directional guidance, the annual run-rate capex level over the coming years is expected to be around DKK 200 million. Free cash flow amounted to DKK 219 million (DKK 264 million), driven by strong EBITDA and positive working-capital movements. Return on invested capital (ROIC) was 18% (20%). Financial outlook for 2021 Revenue growth before acquisitions and divestments measured in local currencies (organic growth) is expected to be in the range of 0-5%EBIT before special items is expected to be in the range of DKK 310-370 million The expectations for H+H’s financial performance in 2021 are based on the following specific assumptions: The COVID-19 pandemic is not expected to have any material impact on construction activity levels or supply chainsExchange rates, primarily GBP, EUR, and PLN remain at end-February levelsEnergy and raw material prices increase at greater levels than the current inflation Share buy-back programmeThe Board of Directors of H+H has decided to initiate a share buy-back programme of up to DKK 100 million. More information about the share buy-back programme can be found in a separate Company Announcement. Full year 2020 conference callIn connection with the release of the Annual Report for 2020, a conference call for investors and analysts is scheduled for today, 4 March 2021, at 10:00 a.m. CET. On the call, CEO Michael T. Andersen and CFO Peter Klovgaard-Jørgensen will present the annual report. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. The conference call can be followed via live webcast here. The presentation slides for the conference call will be made available beforehand here. A replay of the conference call will be available afterwards on H+H’s Investor Relations website here. Other annual publicationsIn addition to the Annual Report for 2020, H+H has today published its first stand-alone Sustainability Report for 2020. The Sustainability Report for 2020 is available here. In addition, the following documents have today been released and made available on the Group’s website: Annual Remuneration ReportCorporate Governance Statement Kent Arentoft Michael T. Andersen Peter Klovgaard-JørgensenChairman of the Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer For further information please contact:Andreas HolkjærInvestor Relations and Treasury Manager +45 24 48 03 67aho@HplusH.com H+H International A/S’s core activity is the manufacture and sale of wall building materials, with a revenue in 2020 of DKK 2,654 million. The main product lines are aircrete blocks and calcium silicate units used for the residential new building segment. H+H has 29 factories in Northern and Central Europe with a total output of more than 4 million cubic metres of products annually and has a leading position in most of its markets. H+H has more than 1,500 employees and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Attachments 401 - Annual Report 2020 H+H International AS_Annual Report 2020

  • James Harden can be the greatest version of himself as a No. 2 option

    The freedom to just play and not be burdened by the ancillary things, to raising the ceiling of a team compared to the responsibility of ensuring the bottom doesn’t fall out of the floor, shouldn’t be criticized as much as acknowledged as a special space.

  • Man Group Says U.S. Yields Put Emerging Bonds at Tipping Point

    (Bloomberg) -- Emerging-market bonds are becoming increasingly vulnerable as Treasury yields climb with the level of 2% on the U.S. 10-year note likely to trigger major outflows, according to Man Group Plc, which oversees $124 billion.Developing-nation debt is also under threat due to stretched valuations, the prospect of quicker inflation and the danger of Federal Reserve missteps as it tries to counter the pandemic’s impact without overheating the economy, Lisa Chua, portfolio manager on the emerging-markets debt team at the group’s hedge-fund unit Man GLG in New York, said in an interview.“The velocity of the moves in U.S. Treasury yields are now intensifying at a time when both hard currency and local emerging-market bonds are more vulnerable to such a move,” Chua said. “Valuations have gotten increasing stretched and positioning more crowded. In our view, emerging-market bonds have limited cushion left to absorb further increases in U.S. 10-year yields beyond current levels of around 1.5%.”Emerging-nation bonds had a bumper end to 2020, rallying through the last nine months of the year amid the prospect of a global recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The Bloomberg Barclays EM Local Currency Government Index gained 14% during the last nine months of 2020, reaching a record high in early January. They have since fallen 2.7% as concern central banks are getting close to withdrawing stimulus led to a selloff in bonds around the world.In warning about the deteriorating outlook facing the sector, Man joins the likes of BlackRock Inc. and Fidelity International who have also recently sounded the alarm. BlackRock said there is no immediate end in sight for the taper scare, while Fidelity said the groundswell of reflation means the worst pain may still lie ahead for emerging-market bonds.For Chua at Man GLG, a key tipping point may be approaching.“If 10-year Treasury yields were to continue to climb toward 2% - a level we were at just a little over a year ago before the pandemic – this could trigger major outflows across hard currency and local emerging-market bonds.”The main danger at present is not just the rising level of U.S. yields but the combination of a market that is overly complacent about the prospect of central-bank support, combined with the danger of Fed mistakes in combating the impact of the pandemic, Chua said.The flood of capital into developing-nation assets is already starting to slow. Inflows into stocks and bonds fell to $31.2 billion in February from November’s record $107.4 billion, according to data from the Institute of International Finance.“Euphoria over a seemingly supportive U.S. Fed, Biden fiscal stimulus and vaccine rollouts propelled many market participants further into the carry trade,” Chua said. In doing so, they turned a “blind eye to the reality that the additional carry versus Treasuries to take on that extra risk was quickly shrinking.”Here are some of Chua’s other comments:Inflation“The inflation threat poses a real risk for investors. Just due to the base effect, both CPI and core PCE are likely to increase beyond 2% by the 2Q21. On top of the $900 billion fiscal package approved in December 2020, the Biden administration is likely to pass another $1.5 trillion or more of fiscal stimulus this year”“When considering all these factors together, this could put further pressure on inflation expectations and result in more persistent price increases”Beating Covid“While there has been progress in vaccine rollouts, even developed markets have faced delays and challenges associated with the distribution”“While it will vary from country to country, broadly speaking, emerging markets are likely to face more logistical challenges with regard to access and infrastructure, leaving risks for a hiccup with regard to vaccine distributions”Asia Versus Other Regions“We are of the view that emerging-market debt is likely to face a broad-based correction irrespective of the region. The CNY for example, which exhibits a lower beta than global peers simply because the currency does not float as freely, is now at real-effective exchange rate valuations (adjusting for inflation differentials) that look extremely expensive”High-Yield Bonds“On the high-yield side, rising rates would also bode negatively for debt sustainability concerns as the cost of funding grows”“In spite of wider spreads for high-yield emerging market bonds, outflows in the asset class could trigger sharp corrections at the bottom quality of spectrum””(Updates to add two bullet points on high-yield bonds at end of story)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

  • Meghan Markle Oprah interview: Duchess of Sussex accuses Royal Family of ‘perpetuating falsehoods’ about her and Harry

    Meghan she is not afraid of the consequences of speaking out, saying ‘a lot has been lost already’

  • Bitcoin Drops Below $50,000 Level as Investors Turn Cautious

    (Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin turned lower in Asia, dipping below the closely watched $50,000 level Thursday amid a wider mood of caution in financial markets.The largest cryptocurrency fell as much as 3.8% and was holding at about $49,500 as of 2:38 p.m. in Hong Kong. The coin surged Wednesday to briefly trade above $52,000, about $6,000 shy of last month’s record.“After the massive drop from $58,000, this could be traders selling the bounce,” said Vijay Ayyar, head of Asia Pacific with cryptocurrency exchange Luno in Singapore.Bitcoin’s most ardent fans argue it’s consolidating before a run at a fresh record because the token is emerging as a hedge for inflation risk just as fears about price pressures escalate. Critics say Bitcoin is in a giant, stimulus-fueled bubble that’s destined to burst like the 2017 boom and bust cycle.It seems that “cryptos are eating gold’s inflationary-hedge lunch,” Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at Oanda Asia Pacific Pte, wrote in an email.Bitcoin slid 21% last week but is still up more than fivefold in the past year. On a technical basis, the GTI Global Strength Indicator, which detects trend fluctuations, has begun to curl upward, suggesting a bullish move for Bitcoin.Meanwhile, more big-name investors are backing crypto. Bloomberg reported late Tuesday that billionaire hedge-fund manager Marc Lasry and former U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Christopher Giancarlo have invested in crypto-asset and blockchain investment firm BlockTower Capital.Exchange-Traded FundsIn Canada, new Bitcoin vehicles helped to woo a near-record $5.2 billion to the nation’s exchange-traded funds in February.The crypto sector is gaining more attention from regulators as it steps closer to the mainstream following Tesla Inc.’s $1.5 billion Bitcoin purchase and signs of growing institutional investor interest.On Tuesday, Gary Gensler, nominee for chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, said that making sure crypto markets are free of fraud and manipulation is a challenge for the agency.Gensler, who served as a CFTC chairman during the Obama administration, has been viewed as a strong advocate for digital assets. He serves as a senior adviser to the MIT Media Lab Digital Currency Initiative and teaches about blockchain technology and digital currencies.“While the Bitcoin market reacted quickly to his comments, Gensler was largely positive about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies,” said John Wu, president of blockchain technology firm Ava Labs. “I’m hopeful the new administration will help foster innovation in blockchains, cryptocurrencies and digital assets, instead of stifling it.”(Updates with comment in the third paragraph.)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

  • McPhy announced as a key partner by the company HYPORT to equip Toulouse-Blagnac airport with a complete zero-carbon hydrogen chain

    Two hydrogen stations and 1 MW of electrolysis will equip Toulouse-Blagnac airportThe solution developed will satisfy mobility and logistics needs, and will supply hydrogen to industrial sites interested in decarbonizing their processesThis contract was announced in a press release on August 3, 2020 and prefigures the deployment of hydrogen in an airport environment La Motte-Fanjas, March 4, 2021 – 7:45 am CET – McPhy (Euronext Paris: MCPHY – ISIN: FR0011742329), (the “Company”), a specialist in zero-carbon hydrogen production and distribution equipment, has been announced by HYPORT, a company 51% owned by ENGIE Solutions and 49% by the Occitanie Regional Energy and Climate Agency, as a key partner to design, manufacture and integrate two hydrogen stations and 1 MW of high-power electrolysis. This project was announced in a press release on August 3, 20201. Two hydrogen stations will be located in the immediate surroundings of the airport's runways and roadways. They will enable all types of vehicles (buses, light commercial vehicles, captive fleets, large goods vehicles, etc.) to be refueled with hydrogen thanks to the "Dual Pressure" configuration (two distribution pressures: 350 and 700 bar) of one of them. The deployed electrolyzer, with a capacity of 400 kg per day, or the equivalent of 1 MW, will supply the stations as well as the nearby industrial sites. Deployment of the equipment is scheduled for the end of 2021. This complete zero-carbon hydrogen production and distribution solution will power nearly 200 vehicles, including a fleet of 4 buses operated by Transdev to transport passengers within the airport. Beyond its pioneering nature, the specificity of this project is based on the setting up of one station in a private restricted zone for airport services, while the second will be deployed in a public zone. McPhy's selection for this project reflects the technical nature of its offer and its high level of service and support, supporting the deployment of hydrogen as a solution for the energy transition in the aeronautical sector. Combining mobility, logistics and industrial uses, airports constitute real energy hubs, ideal for the development of hydrogen-based ecosystems. By producing and distributing zero-carbon hydrogen to power their services or taxi and bus fleets, airport areas are contributing to zero-emission strategies and the fight against climate change. This project is counted in the 35 stations2 and 44 MW3 in reference for McPhy and demonstrates the maturity of its technology in the service of emblematic projects for the development of zero-carbon hydrogen, in France as well as internationally. Next financial communication 2020 annual results release, on March 9, 2021, after close of market. About McPhy Specialized in hydrogen production and distribution equipment, McPhy is contributing to the global deployment of zero-carbon hydrogen as a solution for energy transition. With its complete range of products dedicated to the industrial, mobility and energy sectors, McPhy offers its customers turnkey solutions adapted to their applications in industrial raw material supply, recharging of fuel cell electric vehicles or storage and recovery of electricity surplus based on renewable sources. As designer, manufacturer and integrator of hydrogen equipment since 2008, McPhy has three development, engineering and production centers in Europe (France, Italy, Germany). Its international subsidiaries provide broad commercial coverage for its innovative hydrogen solutions. McPhy is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment C, ISIN code: FR0011742329, MCPHY). To learn more: www.mcphy.com McPhy is eligible PEA-PME CONTACTS NewCap Investor Relations Emmanuel HuynhT. +33 (0)1 44 71 94 99mcphy@newcap.eu Media Relations Nicolas MerigeauT. +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98mcphy@newcap.eu Follow us on @McPhyEnergy 1 https://mcphy.com/en/press-releases/new-contract-high-capacity-hrs-ely/ 2 References deployed, under installation or in development. Among them: 2 stations are included in the ZEV framework contract’s conditional part [contract signature: 18, June 2020]. 3 References deployed, under installation or in development. Among them: 4 MW are included in the ZEV framework contract’s conditional part [contract signature: 18, June 2020]. Attachment 21.03.04.PR_McPhy_HYPORT

  • Brittany Higgins considers suing Linda Reynolds over 'lying cow' remark

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