FILE PHOTO: Drone footage over Bakhmut, Donetsk region shows devastation amid fierce fighting during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine in this still image obtained from social media video released March 26, 2023. 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodny Yar” via REUTERS KYIV — Ukraine is aiming to exhaust and inflict heavy losses on Russian forces trying to capture the small eastern city of Bakhmut, the commander of Ukrainian ground forces said in a video posted on Tuesday. In a video showing him addressing soldiers in what appeared to be a large industrial warehouse, General Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russia was continuing to focus on the Bakhmut area after months of battle. Moscow sees capturing Bakhmut as vital to its efforts to establish complete control over the Donbas industrial region in eastern Ukraine. “They do not stop trying to surround and capture the city,” Syrskyi said in the video posted on the Telegram messaging app. “As of today, our main task is to wear down the … [Read more...] about Ukraine aims to exhaust Russian troops in Bakhmut–general
13 months not talking
3 killed, 13 injured after cement truck crashes into ceremony procession
Photo via Facebook/ นมสด จอมป่วน โฮ่งโฮ่ง A cement truck driver fled the scene after crashing his vehicle into an ordination ceremony procession on a road in the Chuen Chom district of Maha Sarakham province in Isaan. Three people died and 13 were injured in the accident. The incident happened yesterday at 2.30pm on Chiang Yuen-Kam Yai Road, also known as Rural Road No. 2268, in the Chuen Chom district of Mana Sarakham. Two-way traffic operates on the road with two lanes, and the accident spot was near the road’s curve. Officers from Chuen Chom Police Station and three rescue teams rushed to the scene after being alerted. The officers discovered an overturned cement truck on a water course on the roadside but the driver was missing. The deceased were identified as Suban Phandate, Sopha Kaewsommueng, and Tawin Wichapa. The other 13 people who were injured were sent to Khon Kaen and Chuen Chom Hospitals for further treatment. The victims were all guests attending an … [Read more...] about 3 killed, 13 injured after cement truck crashes into ceremony procession
Man walks over ‘500 miles’ and ‘500 more’ to marry his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day
The man who walked over “500 miles” and almost “500 more” and “to be the man who wakes up next to” his love, today arrived at his destination . Suthep “Maew” Prompjit walked 1,200 kilometres to prove true love still exists and met his girlfriend for the first time, after talking on social media for nearly six months. They start a new life together on the most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day . The 52 year old man announced on TikTok in November last year that he would walk from his house in the central province of Nakhon Nayok to meet his love for the first time in the southern province of Satun. Maew said he met his girlfriend, 56 year old Thanapa “Yu” Khiao-on, on TikTok just over five months ago. Yu challenged him to travel on foot to her house. He accepted the challenge because he wanted to prove to Yu and others that he was serious about their relationship and that true love could be found on social media. Related news Policeman … [Read more...] about Man walks over ‘500 miles’ and ‘500 more’ to marry his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day
Carnival Guidance Sinks Shares
Key Takeaways Carnival Corporation ( CCL ) was the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 after the cruise line operator predicted much bigger losses than expected in the current quarter and full year. For 2023, the company predicts a loss of $0.28 to $0.44 per share, at least four times more than forecasts. That came as Carnival posted better-than-expected first quarter results and record bookings. Revenue was up 173.1% to $4.43 billion, and was about 95% of the level in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak which basically shut down its operations. Carnival Corporation ( CCL ) was the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 after the cruise line operator predicted much bigger losses than expected in the current quarter and full year. Carnival indicated it would lose $0.34 to $0.42 per share in the second quarter. Analysts were anticipating a drop of $0.28. For 2023, the company predicts a loss of $0.28 to $0.44 per share, at least four times more than … [Read more...] about Carnival Guidance Sinks Shares
Bank Optimism and Yellen’s Comments Lift Markets
Key Takeaways U.S. equities jumped, boosted by bank stocks and by comments from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that smaller banks that fail could get a government backstop for uninsured deposits. Moody’s raised the rating on Tesla’s ( TSLA ) debt from junk to investment grade, and that sent shares of the electric carmaker up almost 8%. Utility companies were among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500. Falling gold prices drove down shares of Newmont Corporation ( NEM ) and rival gold miners. U.S. equities jumped, boosted by bank stocks on reports of another industry effort to assist struggling First Republic Bank ( FRC ), and by comments from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that if needed, smaller banks that fail could get a government backstop for uninsured deposits. All that came a day before the Federal Reserve is set to announce whether it will continue raising interest rates to fight inflation, or hold off because of the turmoil in the banking sector. … [Read more...] about Bank Optimism and Yellen’s Comments Lift Markets
A simple 5-step system to ace performance reviews
My first-ever performance review was for a huge consulting firm. It felt like drinking water from a firehose: How could I condense everything I’d done and learned into a few paragraphs? I stayed up all night, hacking together a list. But when I was done, I realized I’d missed the mark. All I had created was a record of the activities I’d done. The “so what?” wasn’t there. It wasn’t an ideal way to kick off my career. So, I developed a system that helped me track and celebrate my milestones and prepare for my reviews—without subjecting myself to disgusting coffee and all-nighters. Here’s my system, and how you can adapt it for your performance reviews. Step 1: Identify your metrics A successful performance review connects your accomplishments to metrics that matter. So, how do you identify the most important metrics? Pull verbs from your job description When you boil down a job description down, the verbs are what matter. Those words—along with … [Read more...] about A simple 5-step system to ace performance reviews
This polar art installation is a stunning ode to Ukraine
A delicate outline of a house has materialized in the icy darkness of Antarctica. Like a child’s line drawing built at full scale, stainless steel pipes have been welded together into the shape of a typical house from a Ukrainian village. It’s an art installation at the Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Base in Antarctica, where scientists and researchers spend months studying the polar environment in near isolation and thousands of miles from home. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago, this remove has made the experience even more lonely. The installation is called Home. Memories , and seeks to make the station a home away from home for the polar researchers. Designed by Kyiv-based architecture firm Balbek Bureau , the rectangular shape of a rural house is rendered in thin stainless steel tubes, with quaintly decorated windows, a shallow pitched roof, and a chimney. Based on a composite of homes typical of the Ukrainian … [Read more...] about This polar art installation is a stunning ode to Ukraine
Asian, European markets rise as banking crisis fears ease
HONG KONG -Asian and European markets traded higher on Tuesday, as fears of a banking crisis eased thanks to the sale of fallen lender Silicon Valley Bank. News that North Carolina-based First Citizens Bank had agreed to take over most of SVB boosted European stocks and Wall Street on Monday. The gains were led by banking shares, following a rout last week over concerns that the turmoil in the sector could hit other major institutions, such as German giant Deutsche Bank. Hong Kong and Tokyo closed higher, while Sydney, Singapore and Seoul also gained. Shanghai was down, however. European equities were also higher in early trade, with London, Frankfurt and Paris all in positive territory. Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank, said Tuesday that the acquisition by First Citizens had “helped set a positive tone” in global markets. SVB deal helps to steady banks amid credit crunch concerns “Together with the absence of new scare stories over … [Read more...] about Asian, European markets rise as banking crisis fears ease
Globe keeps diversity and gender balance strong with women in leadership team
Globe is setting a new trend with women outnumbering their male counterparts in leadership positions. This comes at a time when most Philippine boardrooms are still dominated by men. Some 52% of Globe’s executive roster are women, with 49 holding the top two ranks in the corporate hierarchy, compared to 45 men as of end 2022. This marks the first time in at least five years that there were more female executives in Globe’s core business. Women ranked managers and directors have also been increasing in the last five years, rising from 958 in 2018 to 1,193 as of end 2022. Even while there are still more men in middle management, the female population is catching up. These figures buck the trend as cited in a March 2019 study by the Makati Business Club that was supported by UN Women, the European Union and Women Empower Asia. The study “Women in the Philippine C-Suite” found that only about three percent of C-Suite positions in business across the country are … [Read more...] about Globe keeps diversity and gender balance strong with women in leadership team
Gatchalian says panel report vs Pogos gaining support from senators
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Philippine offshore gaming operation. PHOTO: INQUIRER FILES, SENATE PRIB MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian claimed Tuesday that a Senate panel recommendation to permanently ban the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country already has the support of the majority of its members. “Hindi ko muna idi-disclose sa inyo but meron na tayong nadagdagan especially after nung privilege speech,” Gatchalian said in an interview at the Senate. (I will not disclose it to you for now, but we have gained additional support, especially after the privilege speech.) “Mare-report out na natin ‘yun,” added the senator, who, as chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means, led the probe on the impact of the offshore gaming operations in the country. (We can already report it.) If the Senate adopts the committee report, Gatchalian said it would send a strong message to the executive. However, he also stressed that whether or … [Read more...] about Gatchalian says panel report vs Pogos gaining support from senators