Mass shooting

If you're looking for capitulation in 2022, it's in the bond market. And that tells you that investors' confidence in the global economy is very low. Inside the stock market, it's all about defense. Defensive stocks, which include big healthcare companies and dividend-paying value stocks, have been driving the gains. An index of global defensive stocks put together by Goldman Sachs, which is heavy in healthcare giants, has climbed to more than an 18-month high relative to the MSCI AC World Index. Inside the U.S., the defensive ETF ticker DEF has been outperforming the Spider ETF SPY all last week and all year. For market watchers, this feels a whole lot like a recession trade. While investors in the capital markets are battening the hatches for a recession, money in the private markets is also drying up. The value of venture capital deals in the U.S. dropped more than 25% in the second quarter to just $1 trillion, according to Dealogic . M&A activity in the United States … [Read more...] about What the Business Cycle is Telling us About a Recession

Los Angeles Lakers honor the nine victims from Sunday’s helicopter crash during the pregame ceremony for Kobe Bryant before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on January 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— The enshrinement ceremony for Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and five others will be delayed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ceremony was to have taken place in Springfield on Aug. 29. Basketball Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo told ESPN that the event will be moved until the spring of 2021. Colangelo did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. There was no immediate announcement from the Hall of Fame about the rescheduling plan. “We’re definitely canceling,” Colangelo told ESPN. “It’s going to have to be the first quarter of next year. We’ll meet in a couple of weeks and look at the options of how and when and where.” Bryant, … [Read more...] about Kobe Bryant induction to Hall of Fame delayed to 2021

MASKED CELEBRATIONS Thousands of devotees turned up at a Mass in Tondo, Manila, during the Feast of the Sto. Niño (Child Jesus) on Jan. 17 this year, wearing masks and face shields. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ MANILA, Philippines — Christianity was introduced to the Philippines 500 years ago, the faithful have found ways to weave the Filipino culture into their expression of faith, particularly through religious festivals or fiesta — joyous occasions that fill communities with color, hope and a sense of unity. “Although Christianity — the prayers, rituals and devotions — comes from Europe, the past 500 years have shown that the Filipino people have not only embraced Christianity; we have given it a ‘Filipino flavor,’” said former Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. In “Fiesta: Ang Makulay na Pananampalatayang Pilipino,” a documentary film produced by Jesuit Communications to commemorate the 500 years of Christianity in the country, some Filipino festivals and traditions are … [Read more...] about Fiestas survive pandemic albeit on socially distanced, masked or virtual scale

There's no question that classical music concerts are back in full effect in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. With full line-up orchestras, the joyous boom of classical music halls now continues to reach out and grab people of all ages each weekend. Audiences and players – no matter the size of the classical show – are feeding off each other’s energy. Treat yourself to a classical concert or more next month. REMINISCING WITH THE KLPAC STRING ORCHESTRA Venue: KLPac Date: July 1-3 The KLPac String Orchestra starts off the “classical” month of July with a mainstream concert spanning the Baroque and Romantic eras right to “pop specials for strings” film themes. Edward Elgar’s Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1, first composed as a military march, is a grand statement on the setlist. Other well-known classics include Johann Strauss II’s Blue Danube Waltz, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Pavane by … [Read more...] about Classical music fans rejoice! A bumper concert month awaits in July

THE Covid-19 pandemic “marathon” is not over, even if we wish it to be. Many seem to have a relaxed outlook already, with a drop in mask usage and increased unprotected social gatherings. We have lost all momentum to fix indoor ventilation significantly and vaccination of young children has sadly faltered. Communication by health authorities has been limited to current emerging data and science on our Covid-19 risks. While we work to restart the economy, restore our children’s education loss and support those who have lost jobs or are having food security issues, we must remain mindful of the situation. I would like to briefly summarise current understanding from research and data on Covid-19 and highlight the three pandemics that are occurring. Note: I have not referenced many studies in this letter to facilitate reading. But the comments made are all based on current available data from reliable sources. First pandemic: Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve. … [Read more...] about Three pandemics – The worrying long-term effects of Covid-19

Here's a challenge: Figure out a way to shoot your top-rated television show while all of your stars, crew, and talent are forced to stay home . Even better: Plan, shoot, and film a musical sing-along special under those same conditions--and do it in a week. Or, record your daily late-night show without access to your studio, your crew, or an audience of any kind. Sure, in a world where people still can't find toilet paper at the grocery store, how Hollywood produces shows might not seem like a big deal--but hear me out. There's a lesson here for every business . As much as people need toilet paper, or anything else right now, people need some form of "normal," whatever that may mean. People are counting on their favorite forms of entertainment to unwind and stay sane right now. The problem is, productions have largely shut down amid social distancing and stay-at-home orders. A few shows, however, have figured out creative ways to keep things going. … [Read more...] about How the iPhone Is Becoming Hollywood’s Secret Weapon

Tim Cook held an iPhone 6s Plus high in the air. The CEO of Apple had a grin a mile wide, and he has a good reason to be excited. That actual phone--it's the Rose Gold version in the photo above--is the one billionth sold , a milestone few tech companies can boast. "The iPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history. It's become more than a constant companion. iPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day," he said to a cheering crowd. I agree with every word he said. The reason the iPhone has racked up so many sales over the years is due to one simple reason: The phone works. It doesn't crash, the apps load quickly, you can find what you need, you get your stuff done. Even when new apps debut, like one I've tested called Lola that helps you find hotels and flights, they work without glitches. About one billion people agree with me. I decided … [Read more...] about Here’s Why Apple Has Now Sold 1 Billion iPhones

Houston authorities are searching for a gunman on the run who allegedly “executed” a 9-year-old girl and injured her mother Monday night. The mother was watching television with her three children, ages nine, three and one when her ex-boyfriend, Jeremiah Jones, allegedly showed up at the apartment shortly before 11:00 p.m., according to Fox Houston . “The family got separated. The suspect here, executed a nine-year-old little girl in the apartment with a handgun,” Det. Sgt. Michael Cass said. “He then went after the mother and she was shot.” The mother was reportedly shot near the shoulder and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The nine-year-old girl was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead, according to the report. Jones has been charged with capital murder and was out on bond for gun-related crimes at the time of the shooting. (RELATED: ‘How To Murder Your Husband’ Author Sentenced For Murdering Her Husband) … [Read more...] about Suspect ‘Executed’ 9-Year-Old Daughter Of Ex-Lover, On The Run, Police Say

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline John Hinckley Jr., who gained notoriety for shooting former President Ronald Reagan in the chest in 1981, gave his first interview Tuesday since being released from court supervision earlier this month, sharing wide-ranging commentary including admiration for Reagan. Key Facts Hinckley told CBS News Reagan was a “nice man and a good president” and he has “true remorse” for his actions. In addition to Reagan, Hinckley also shot police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy and Press Secretary James Brady, who was partially paralyzed in the incident and died in 2014 from his gunshot wound. The 67-year-old Hinckley called himself the “most scrutinized person in the entire mental health system for 41 years,” having spent 41 years under federal oversight, mostly at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital federal psychiatric institution, after a jury found him not guilty on charges related to … [Read more...] about ‘A Good President’: Attempted Reagan Assassin Hinckley Expresses Remorse In First Interview Since Freed

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday NATO will increase high-readiness troops to “well over 300,000” in what he called the biggest defense “overhaul” since the Cold War, in response to Russia’s continued war in Ukraine. Key Facts Stoltenberg said in a press conference in Brussels Monday NATO plans to provide prepositioned equipment and “stockpiles” of military supplies across Europe, increased air defense, “strengthened command and control” and pre-assigned troops to defend against Russia, as its war in Ukraine entered its fourth month. The pledge represents a 650% increase from the 40,000 troops NATO currently has in its response force. Stoltenberg did not say where the additional troops will be deployed, indicating a plan is set to be devised over NATO’s three-day summit in Madrid, beginning Tuesday. NATO allies consider Russia the “most significant and dire threat” to … [Read more...] about NATO Pledges 300,000 Troops In Biggest Defense ‘Overhaul’ Since Cold War As Ukraine War Enters Fourth Month