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Kamala Harris to Accept Chairman’s Award at 2025 NAACP Image Awards

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris will make her first major appearance since leaving office on Jan. 20 to accept the Chairman’s Award during the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 22. The show will air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. This year, the broadcast will be extended 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.

The Chairman’s Award honors individuals who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” Past honorees include then-Sen. Barack Obama (2005), former VP Al Gore in tandem with Kenyan social, environmental and political activist Wangari Waathati, Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the late Rep. John Lewis, Rev. James Lawson, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Rep. Maxine Waters and former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.

Previously announced special award recipients at this year’s NAACP Image Awards are comedian Dave Chappelle (President’s Award) and The Wayans Family (NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame).

Harris made history as the first woman, Black person and South Asian person to become vice president. She previously served as U.S. Senator and California Attorney General. In 2024, she became the first Black and South Asian woman nominated for president by a major party, receiving more than 75 million votes in what BET reminds us was “the shortest modern general election campaign.” President Biden was fully expected to be the Democratic nominee until a shaky debate performance on June 27 caused many, even in his own party, to call for a new nominee. Biden withdrew on July 21. Harris was voted the party’s nominee by delegates on Aug. 5, just three months before Election Day.

“Vice President Kamala Harris is more than a leader – she is a force of change, driven by an unwavering passion to shape a brighter, more equitable future,” Leon W. Russell, chair, NAACP national board of directors said in a statement. “… Her legacy is built on courage, compassion, and a profound commitment to uplifting those who need it most. Her tireless advocacy for the most vulnerable among us has made her a beacon of hope and progress.”

“Vice President Harris is deeply deserving of the NAACP Chairman’s awards for both her historic accomplishments and her incredible legacy of service to America and our community,” added Scott Mills, president and CEO of BET Media Group. “… Her unwavering commitment to justice, equity and progress has inspired millions, and her journey is a powerful testament to that which can be achieved through resilience, strength and brilliance. 

“Vice President Harris embodies the power, grace and unyielding courage that Black women have long brought to the heart of the United States,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “With bold determination, Vice President Harris fights for justice, amplifies the voices of the marginalized and stands as a beacon of hope. She embodies the resilience and brilliance of Black women, uplifting their legacy as the driving force behind change in this country. VP Harris reminds us all that when Black women lead, the entire nation rises.”

Cynthia ErivoKeke PalmerKendrick LamarKevin Hart and Shannon Sharpe are competing for entertainer of the year at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. GloRilla received the most nominations in the music/recording categories, with six, followed by Doechii, Lamar and Usher, with four nods each. RCA Records received 11 nominations, the most among record labels.

NAACP will recognize winners in non-televised categories virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 18, and Wednesday, Feb. 19, on its YouTube channel and at the 56th NAACP Image Awards Creative Honors Friday, Feb. 21.



This story originally appeared on Billboard

Married to Medicine Season 11, Episode 11 Recap

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The couples’ trip to Key West continued on Married to Medicine this week, and things went from bad to worse. This Florida getaway has already been plagued by the inescapable fact that it’s uncomfortable to have Quad, King, Dr. Gregory, and Sweet Tea all on one trip together. This week, we watch what happens when you add another ex-husband into the mix.

In Married to Medicine Season 11, Episode 11, “Trouble on the Sandbar,” the group ventured away from their Key West resort and over to a remote sandbar, where there was indeed, a whole lot of trouble.

What happened in Married to Medicine Season 11, Episode 11?

Photo Credit: Bravo via YouTube

Of course, the Key West trip already got screwed up by Quad and Dr. G’s awkward fight in Episode 10. This week, the bad vibes continued when Apollo Nida showed up with his wife, Sherien Almufti. Drinks were flowing, words were exchanged, and once again, things almost got physical. At this point, they should probably just cancel the whole trip. Keep on reading for all of the tea on this messy M2M episode.

A debrief on the drama

Dr. Gregory and Lateasha Luncecord on Married to Medicine
Photo Credit: Bravo via YouTube

The last time we saw the Married to Med crew, Dr G. was storming off into the night, trying to cool down from his blow-up with Quad. The cameras picked back up the following morning, and everyone was still trying to make sense of what happened.

Over in Dr. Greg’s room, Sweet Tea admitted to feeling a little confused about why there was still so much emotion lingering between him and Quad. It’s also worth noting that Dr. Heavenly claimed there was much more screaming that happened in real life that we didn’t see in the episode.

“She was acting all superior and like she needed to endorse our relationship,” Greg explained.

“She was very drunk, and I know what she’s like when she gets drunk,” he continued as a montage of Quad sipping her cocktail played on the screen.

Although Greg lost his cool, he told Sweet Tea that he wanted to remain level-headed moving forward. He said he wanted to stand up and be the “adult” in the room when navigating the dynamic with Quad and King. That’s easier said than done.

Here comes Apollo

Apollo Nida and his wife on Married to Medicine Season 11
Photo Credit: Bravo via YouTube

A few episodes ago, Dr. Heavenly had the not-so-bright idea to invite Apollo on this trip. She said she wanted Phaedra and Apollo’s relationship to be a positive example for Quad and Greg. Maybe she missed the fact that Phaedra doesn’t even allow Apollo inside of her home.

Either way. Apollo joined the M2M group for their sandbar excursion. Heavenly did give Phaedra a heads-up that Apollo would be coming, but he got the last laugh by showing up with his new wife, Sherien. Phaedra was fine with Apollo showing up, but she wasn’t excited to see Sherien.

“This is my ex-husband’s mistress, who he was cheating on me with when we were married,” Phaedra explained in a confessional. “It’s creepy. It’s very unsettling.”

Meanwhile, Apollo was feeling uneasy for a different reason. He didn’t know that his friend Cheick would be there as Phaedra’s date. Cheick already told Phaedra that he was friends with Apollo, but apparently, he forgot to tell Apollo that he was “friends” with Phaedra. Messy!

Seeing his friend there completely caught Apollo off guard. He’s not pleased that his homeboy is suddenly dating his ex-wife and the mother of his children. This is another ticking time bomb, waiting to go off.

Is this an ambush?

Apollo Nida on Married to Medicine Season 11
Photo Credit: Bravo via YouTube

Things started smoothly on the sandbar, but the vibe slowly started shifting the more Cheick opened his mouth. Apparently, he also knows Sherien. He used to spend the holidays with her family, and with every word, the ladies got more and more confused. Seriously, you need a graph to keep track of all of these exes and scorned lovers.

Apollo sauntered over to clarify to the group that Cheick never told him he was dating Phaedra. Instead, he just vaguely told him that he was attending a speed dating event. With that in the open, the guys started bickering, and Phaedra jumped in to defend Cheick. Annoyed by all of the questions, she said the whole thing felt like an “ambush.”

Phaedra asked, “What does it matter, Apollo? We’re not married. Why are you so worried about who I date?”

Cue the new wife, Sherien. She didn’t like the way Phaedra was talking to Apollo, so she had to get involved. In response, Phaedra called her a “bad-built bitch” before walking away with Cheick.

This whole moment felt like the final nail in Phaedra’s M2M coffin. Clearly, she’s not playing well with these ladies. She’s about to hop on a plane and leave this show behind her.

Sweet Tea goes to bat for Phaedra

Sweet Tea in a confessional on Married to Medicine
Photo Credit: Bravo via YouTube

Ahead of this trip, Dr. Heavenly and Sweet Tea had an off-camera conversation where they were supposed to set aside their differences to ensure that this vacation could go smoothly. That all went away when Sweet Tea learned that Heavenly was the one who invited Apollo. She felt like she needed to defend her friend, even though Phaedra definitely wouldn’t do the same for her.

Sweet Tea asked, “What was the purpose of you inviting them?”

Heavenly replied, “None of your business. Don’t ask me sh*t. Don’t ask me no motherf*cking questions.”

That response was like dropping a lit match on a puddle of gasoline. Sweet Tea started cussing. Heavenly got up, fell down, and then got up again to get in Sweet Tea’s face. The husbands all had to come running over to break it up. We’re just over here wondering why Heavenly can’t make it through a cast trip to Florida without nearly getting into a fistfight.

The drama on the sandbar felt like some sort of contagion the way it was slowly spreading throughout the group. It started with Apollo and Cheick before making its way over to Sherien and Phaedra. Then, it jumped to Sweet Tea and Heavenly. At the end of the episode, we saw it spread to King and Dr. G. This case might be the worst.

A warning from King to Greg

King on Married to Medicine Season 11
Photo Credit: Bravo via YouTube

While everyone was distracted by the chaos on the sandbar, King felt like it was the perfect moment to confront Dr. G about the fight he had with Quad the previous night. He got in Greg’s face and issued a stern warning. The poor camera operators were probably scrambling around this sandbar to make sure they could capture everything.

“What happened last night, I’mma let that sh*t slide,” King began. “You don’t need to speak to her no more.”

You could tell by King’s body language that he meant business. His demeanor may have seemed calm, but this wasn’t a friendly conversation. Clearly frazzled and probably a little tipsy, Dr. Greg quickly got defensive. He was throwing his hands up in the air, claiming that it was Quad who initiated the fight. He felt like King should have this conversation with Quad,

“I don’t have time to fight you or anybody else,” Dr. G squeaked back to King.

Now, anytime you see two men standing that close to each other, they’re either about to kiss, or they’re about to fight. The Whitmores knew it was the latter, so they came over and tried to break it up. However, they were a little too late. King took his shirt off and started charging. In that moment, you know Dr. Greg regretted ever coming on this trip.

Married to Medicine continues on Bravo every Sunday at 9/8c.

TELL US – WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON MARRIED TO MEDICINE SEASON 11, EPISODE 11? DO YOU THINK IT WAS A MISTAKE TO INVITE APOLLO ON THE TRIP? DID YOUR OPINION OF KING CHANGE AFTER THIS EPISODE?



This story originally appeared on Realitytea

John Oliver Returns With ‘Last Week Tonight’ and Blasts Donald Trump’s First Month in Office

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Last Week Tonight returned for its Season 12 premiere on HBO on Sunday night (February 16), and host John Oliver shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump‘s first month in office.

Oliver unpacked several of Trump’s orders and plans, including scrapping diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, issuing a funding freeze on the United States Agency for International Development, which oversees humanitarian aid around the world, and upsetting trade partners Mexico and Canada with his tariff threats.

“This is all bonkers, terrifying, and darkly absurd,” Oliver said on Sunday’s show. “The next four years are going to feel incredibly s***. The potential for pain is devastating, as is the sheer amount of it that’s already been doled out.”

He continued by taking aim at the likes of Elon Musk, who is heading up the non-official Department of Government Efficiency and is hellbent on slashing what he deems to be ‘wasteful’ spending.

“We see wealthy, powerful men use the levers of government for their personal advantage as well as their personal grievances,” Oliver stated. “And we’re being governed by people who think good public policy consists of: ‘cut off funding to anyone who isn’t me,’ ‘make it illegal to mention people who are different from me,’ and ‘f*** it, let’s steal Canada while we’re at it.’”

Turning his attention to Trump’s dismantling of USAID, which has reportedly put more than 8,000 employees on leave and halted all overseas missions, Oliver noted how USAID helps prevent disease overseas and earns goodwill in other countries.

“But if you listened to Trump’s press secretary, you’d think that all we were doing with USAID money was complete nonsense,” he added, showing a clip of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on C-SPAN claiming that funding was being spent on things such as a DEI musical in Ireland, a transgender opera in Colombia, and a transgender comic book in Peru.

“If that sounds like mostly bull**** and spin to you, it’s because it is,” Oliver responded. “Though I will say, ‘a DEI musical in Ireland, a transgender opera in Colombia, and a transgender comic book in Peru’ all sound like her best guesses for what Emilia Pérez is,” he quipped, referring to the Oscar-nominated Netflix musical.

“But the thing is, not only is she wildly mischaracterizing some of those projects, the last three that she listed weren’t even funded by USAID, but by grants from the State Department,” the comedian continued. “Again and again, the Trump administration and Elon Musk have boosted misinformation about where USAID money has gone.”

Despite how terrible things look, Oliver urged his viewers to continue to fight, saying, “Now is absolutely not the time to be looking away and saying, ‘this is what you f***ers voted for’ and turning your backs, especially when there are many good people doing important work out there who you can both join and support.”

He acknowledged the next four years will be “exhausting,” adding, “and to get through this, we’re going to have to find a balance between acknowledging the hell of what is going on and finding the joy that can sustain us.”

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Sundays, 11/10 c, HBO




This story originally appeared on TV Insider

The Secret Weapon for Entrepreneurs Who are Battling Burnout

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Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

Entrepreneurship is rewarding but it’s also exhausting. Between back-to-back meetings, endless decision-making, and the pressure to keep things running smoothly, stress builds up fast. That’s where Harmony Hypnosis comes in, and it’s on sale for $99.99 (reg. $199) for a limited time.

This premium app, created by award-winning hypnotherapist Darren Marks, has the tools to help business professionals combat burnout, reduce anxiety, and reclaim mental clarity — one guided session at a time. With lifetime access, you get a library of self-hypnosis sessions that are tailored to relaxation, stress relief, and confidence-building.

Whether you need help unwinding after a long day or resetting your mindset before a big pitch, Harmony Hypnosis says it delivers powerful, research-backed techniques and features to get you back on track:

  • Tailored sessions for busy minds: Find guided exercises that target stress, focus, and confidence when you need it most.
  • Deep relaxation on demand: Unique sound technology helps you slip into a calm, focused state faster than traditional methods.
  • Immersive listening experience: Dual audio channels create a more engaging and effective hypnosis session.
  • Track your progress: Sync with your health app to see how your relaxation routine is improving your well-being over time.
  • Expert-developed and award-winning: Built by a seasoned hypnotherapist and recognized by top organizations for its effectiveness.

When your mind is your greatest business asset, investing in mental well-being is just as important as scaling your company. Entrepreneurs who take time to recharge don’t just prevent burnout — they also perform better, make sharper decisions, and sustain long-term success.

Prioritize mental wellness without stepping away from your busy schedule — just pop in your headphones, press play, and let the guided sessions do the rest.

Get lifetime access to a Harmony Hypnosis Premium Plan now for half off at $99.99 and start building the mental resilience you need to thrive.

Harmony Hypnosis Premium Plan Lifetime Subscription – $99.99

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.



This story originally appeared on Entrepreneur

Bill Maher rips Nike’s Super Bowl 2025 ‘So Win’ ad as ‘zombie lie’ about the patriarchy

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Bill Maher blasted Nike’s new Super Bowl 2025 commercial featuring iconic female athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and Caitlin Clark as deceiving viewers with a so-called “zombie lie” about the patriarchy.

The new black-and-white ad, “So Win,” features a vaunted roster of female athletes, including WNBA stars Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson, as well as Olympic runner Richardson and gymnast Jordan Chiles. 

During the minute-long clip, musician Doechii narrates myriad doubts and fears coursing through female athletes’ minds — they can’t be “demanding,” “relentless” or “put yourself first” — before stressing how they should prove critics wrong as Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” blares in the background.  

Bill Maher ripped Nike’s new Super Bowl 2025 commercial as being a “zombie lie.” Getty Images

“What you do, you can’t win — so win,” the narration said, with footage of the athletes in action.  

But the black-and-white ad, the sports apparel behemoth’s first to air during a Super Bowl since 1998, came under fire from Maher and his guests Friday night on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.” 

The comedian slammed the ad as being a “zombie lie,” which he explained as a concept that was once true and no longer is, but people still keep saying it. 

“I feel like this is a giant zombie lie,” he said. 

“When was the last time a woman was told: ‘You can’t do this, you can’t be confident’?’” he continued. “Who are these imaginary mean old men of the patriarchy?”

The new “So Win” ad features iconic female athletes such as Caitlin Clark. Youtube/Nike
The ad also includes Olympic runner Sha’Carri Richardson and describes several doubts and criticisms female athletes face. Youtube/Nike

Maher linked the ad to problems plaguing the Democratic Party and how it views its voters, explaining that Americans are “not that savvy about politics, but they know when you’re lying.”

Writer Pamela Paul, meanwhile, said on the show that the ad’s messaging was “dishonest” and “’weird and defensive.” 

“Most of the messages you hear out there are ‘girl power,’ “you go girl,’” she said. 

Fellow guest, former Ohio Democratic US Rep. Tim Ryan, shared the pair’s sentiment, insisting that “the world has moved beyond a lot of this stuff.”

Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 



This story originally appeared on NYPost

Jonathan Roumie on how faith helped get him cast as Jesus Christ on ‘The Chosen: Last Supper’

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He can be my personal Jesus

I just met Jesus. Not that I fear I’ll expire during this broadcast and come to terms with the forever — but handsome actor Jonathan Roumie is right now playing Jesus of Nazareth in “The Chosen: Last Supper.”

Historical drama, a phenomenon seen through the eyes of those who knew him, it has grown to 250 million viewers and nearly 20 million social media followers. The project is now into theatrical release.

So, cocktails, screening, dinner — it beats Beersheba — I just sat with Jesus at downtown’s Crosby Street Hotel. Private showing courtesy of Cinema Society’s Andrew Saffir who handles special film invites.

In it Israel welcomes Jesus as king. His disciples anticipate his crowning. Instead, the region’s religious and political leaders work to ensure this Passover is Jesus’ last.

So: In to sit with me comes Jonathan. The movie Jesus. Trimmed beard. Very today. Like today’s bicycle delivery kid schlepping a corned beef on rye. Black leather motorcycle jacket. Fitted. Metal trimmings.

We are not talking a schlumpy Jesus!

“I was nobody,” he said. “Poor, destitute, way down on my luck. Barely enough to pay my rent. I had six or seven different side jobs. I was an actor. I’d see a casting agent for maybe 20 minutes and nothing happened.”

Full trust in Him

“I was scared. Out of money. Out of food.

“I’m a believer. I looked up — to God — and said to myself, ‘I must surrender.’ Four hours later — and you can hardly believe this — in my mailbox came four checks. Reimbursements totaling $1,100.

“It was a Saturday morning in Maine. Eyes straight up I told Him, ‘I surrender.’ I said to Him: ‘God, show me the right path.’ I didn’t even have any career at this point. I suddenly believed I was no longer alone. It was as though he’d said, ‘I got you covered.’ I totally, absolutely at that moment surrendered.

“I was very scared. I knew I’d find joy doing this role — and I asked Him, ‘You want me to continue? I have no power. I’m yours.’

“Look, I was born in New York. I’m Catholic. In the Bible, John 11:25 says: ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ My own personal prayer had been: ‘I am the way, the truth, the life. Whoever believes in me shall never die.’

“I just needed to rely on my faith. I had to trust Him. I was so far down in life. No hope. No future. No way. No job. No money. I had to know to trust Him. Look, I’ve prayed. I even went to Israel.”

Keeping the faith has paid off

“I’d been waiting for a job. People told me they were sending my checks. Said they’d owed me for months. Yes, but I’d gotten nothing. Where were those checks?

“So maybe it’s why I got cast and nobody else did. I recognized that maybe I’d gotten to play Him because when I was 14 in Dallas I played Him.”

And then our maybe make-believe Jesus of Nazareth — a movie temp complete with black leather motorcycle jacket — stepped into the party of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and many who remembered their jewelry but missed church that week — to tell them this is how you do it.

I LOVED Jonathan Jesus Roumie. When next I see him he’ll probably be wearing stained glass contacts.

Only in the movies, kids, only in the movies.



This story originally appeared on NYPost

Is the party over for the S&P 500 as Trump’s tariffs loom?

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Image source: Getty Images

There have been ups and downs, but over time America’s S&P 500 has proved itself a top destination for investors seeking tremendous returns.

Since 2010, the share index has delivered an average annual return of almost 14%. Returns during this time have been supercharged by its large contingent of high-growth tech stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft and Tesla.

But doubts are creeping in as to whether the S&P 500 can maintain its record. This follows plans by US President Donald Trump to impose potentially crushing trade tariffs on major trading partners.

What does this mean for investors?

Stark warning

Scanning the financial pages this morning (17 February), I was drawn to an interview with Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.

Discussing potential US tariffs and reciprocal taxes from trade partners, he said that “it risks the worst of all possible worlds: a kind of stagflation.”

Stiglitz said that uncertainty related to Trump’s trade plans would slow economic growth, while new tariffs could also push up costs for business and consumers.

He commented that “how much it will increase prices is a little bit affected by the magnitude of the appreciation of the exchange rate, but all economists think that the extent of the appreciation of the exchange rate won’t be anywhere near enough to compensate for the tariffs.

Don’t panic yet

Investors need to be extra careful in this climate. However, I feel there’s also no need for them to panic.

First, there’s no guarantee that new trade rules will come into place. Trump’s decision to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada last month indicates room for manoeuvre.

There’s another important thing to remember. While economists like Stiglitz deserve attention, we’ve seen many times before that predictions of doom and gloom can be overstated.

So, is the S&P 500 still an attractive place to consider investing? I think so, which is why I plan to continue holding US shares, trusts and funds.

Spreading risk

While the outlook is more uncertain today, there are still good reasons to expect S&P shares to outperform over the long term. These include:

  • The robustness of the US economy.
  • Further rapid growth in the digital economy that powers tech profits.
  • Dominance by S&P 500 companies in major sectors like healthcare, finance and technology.
  • The S&P’s large global footprint providing added earnings opportunities.

It’s also important to remember the robustness of the US stock market over time. Since its inception in 1957, the S&P 500 has overcome multiple crises — including wars, recessions, pandemics and political turmoil — and has hit new record highs in 2025 despite tariff worries.

However, cautious investors may wish to consider buying an index-tracking exchange-traded fund (ETF) as well as purchasing individual shares today. The HSBC S&P 500 ETF (LSE:HSPX) is one I hold in my own portfolio.

By investing in hundreds of different companies, the fund helps investors manage a low-growth scenario through holdings in cyclical and non-cyclical businesses. It also includes industries that are less vulnerable to inflationary pressures, like consumer staples and healthcare.

Finally, the fund limits exposure to sectors that could be directly impacted to a large degree by trade tariffs, such as the car industry and agriculture.

This HSBC product isn’t immune to economic volatility. But over the long term, I still believe it could continue delivering excellent returns.



This story originally appeared on Motley Fool

Talk of a strategy reset pushes BP’s share price up 7% on Q4 2024 results day, so should I buy more now?

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Image source: Getty Images

BP’s (LSE: BP) share price jumped 7% on 11 February’s Q4 and full-year 2024 results. This was despite the numbers being poor in some respects.

Its $1.169bn (£0.94bn) Q4 underlying replacement cost profit was 61% down on the same quarter last year. It was BP’s worst quarterly profit result in four years.

Q4 operating cash flow was 21% lower year on year at $7.427bn. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation fell 20% to $8.413bn.

The only positive from my perspective was that the oil giant stuck with its previous guidance on shareholder returns. Specifically, it pledged another $1.75bn buyback (these tend to support share prices) and paid a final 8-cent dividend.

This brought the total annual payout to 31 cents – up from 28 cents in 2023. The sterling equivalent has yet to be fixed, but the current exchange rate would give a 25-pence figure. On the current share price of £4.66, this would yield 4.8%.

So why’s the stock up?

Two key reasons pushed BP’s share price up although they may well be connected, in my view. The first was news that activist US hedge fund Elliott Investment Management has taken an undisclosed stake in the firm.

The second was BP’s statement in the Q4 results: “We now plan to fundamentally reset our strategy and drive further improvements in performance”.

The firm will give full details of this strategic reset in its capital markets update on 26 February. However, the firm also said the reset would be “building on the actions taken in the last 12 months”.

Many seem to believe this will extend the ongoing shift to a more pragmatic approach to BP’s energy transition strategy. This could include further reductions in low-carbon investments and increases in oil and gas production projects.

BP previously confirmed plans to increase US oil production to 1 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2030. It currently produces around 650,000 bpd.

And in August it signed a preliminary deal to develop oil fields in Iraq containing 20 billion barrels of reserves. The cost of removing a barrel of oil in Iraq is the joint lowest in the world alongside Iran and Saudi Arabia at $1-$2 per barrel.

I think the main risk to BP is a reversion to its previous rigid energy transition strategy. This would widen the valuation gap to its fossil-fuel-focused competitors, in my view.

However, analysts forecast that BP’s earnings will increase 25.6% a year to end-2027. And it is ultimately earnings growth that powers a firm’s share price and dividend higher.

Are the shares undervalued?

On the key price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, BP currently trades at just 0.5. This is bottom of the competitor group, which averages 1.8. So the stock looks very undervalued on this measure.

The same is true of its 1.4 price-to-book ratio against a peer average of 2.3.

discounted cash flow analysis using other analysts’ figures and my own shows BP shares are technically 45% undervalued at £4.66. Therefore, the fair value for the stock is £8.47, although market unpredictability may push them lower or higher.

Given the projected earnings growth and the strategy reset, I will be adding to my BP holding very soon.



This story originally appeared on Motley Fool

Jimmy Garoppolo gets to display talents as Rams face Seahawks

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This could play out differently.

What Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo does on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks — and what might happen during the offseason — might make it so.

In 2022, quarterback Baker Mayfield started the Rams’ regular-season finale, an overtime defeat by Seahawks that ended a historic Super Bowl-hangover season. In 2023, quarterback Carson Wentz started the finale against the San Francisco 49ers and led the Rams to a victory.

Mayfield played because Matthew Stafford had been shut down after a midseason spinal injury. Wentz started because coach Sean McVay rested Stafford for the playoffs.

With Stafford — a Super Bowl champion and possible future Hall of Famer — firmly entrenched, the Rams did not re-sign Mayfield or Wentz.

On Sunday, Stafford once again will be held out to avoid injury and rest for the playoffs.

Garoppolo will start for the Rams for the first time. Although McVay said this week that he did not regard it as an audition of sorts for Garoppolo, it’s not difficult to see why it could be.

Stafford, 36, has two years remaining on the extension he signed after leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory. He continues to play at an elite level and has given no indication publicly that he is considering retirement.

Still, after forcing the Rams’ hand to do a contract revision last July, it is not outside the realm of possibility that the 16-year pro’s future with the team might be year to year.

If the Rams or Stafford decided to move on, the seasoned Garoppolo, 33, could be a bridge while McVay and general manager Les Snead search for Stafford’s long-term successor.

Regardless, Garoppolo aims to perform well Sunday, engineer a victory and increase his stock as a potential starter after his one-year contract with the Rams expires.

Backup Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (11) has been shadowing Matthew Stafford (9) all season.

(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)

Garoppolo has embraced his role as the backup, but he is looking forward to the opportunity.

“It’s been a constant process of just picking things up, little details and nuances here and there,” he said of learning the Rams’ offense, “but I feel like I’m in a decent spot. I just have to go apply it on Sunday now.”

Does Garoppolo, who has not started a game since October 2023, anticipate a seamless transition into the starting lineup?

“It’s never seamless,” he said. “I wish it was.”

Stafford is among several key players who are expected to be held out to rest for next week’s NFC wild-card round. Running back Kyren Williams and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua also are not expected to play.

The Rams enter the game holding the No. 3 seed. If they win, they will play host to either the Washington Commanders or Green Bay Packers. If the Rams lose, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the New Orleans Saints, the Rams will drop to No. 4 and play at home against the loser of Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

McVay has indicated that, other than having the No. 1 seed and the bye that comes along with it, he was not concerned about seeding.

He is looking forward to seeing Garoppolo incorporate what he has absorbed as the backup.

“I want to go see guys play well around him,” McVay said, “and him be able to enjoy the opportunity to do what he loves — and that’s go play and compete.”

As he did for last season’s finale, McVay will cede play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. This time, LaFleur will do it for a quarterback he first worked with as a member of the 49ers staff in 2017.

“He was one of the guys who kind of taught me that offense, is teaching me this offense,” Garoppolo said, adding: “I’m excited to get out there Sunday with him and get in this action.”

Said LaFleur: “Like old times a little bit.”

Perhaps with a new postscript.



This story originally appeared on LA Times

NBA players have mixed opinions about NBA All-Star game format

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This year’s NBA All-Star Game was an end, the final All-Star Game aired on TNT before the league switches television partners. The NBA All-Star Game was a beginning, the league actively changing the format to a four-team mini-tournament aimed to shrink bloated scores and increase competition.

And the NBA All-Star Game was a showcase, a reminder that Stephen Curry and the Bay Area are definitive fabrics in the story of the modern game.

What the NBA All-Star Game wasn’t, again, was a game — at least not one that anyone would’ve recognized in a traditional sense. And maybe it doesn’t need to be one.

LeBron James didn’t play because of foot and ankle soreness, with the aim of being back on the floor Wednesday when the Lakers resume their season. Anthony Edwards suited up for his team but never entered the game, lingering groin soreness keeping him from participating. He, too, said he thought he’d be fine once the regular season resumed.

Neither player was replaced.

The decision for James and Edwards to sit, despite the 17-year-age difference, underscored the cost-benefit analysis players are making while the NBA and fans push for the game to be played with the kind of intensity and energy that makes 48 minutes on any given night an occurrence worth celebrating.

For a young player such as Cleveland’s Darius Garland, his first All-Star Game appearance was special. It wasn’t, however, worth risking the rest of his season for the first-place Cavaliers.

“I definitely don’t want to risk that. I don’t, I really don’t know. I wish I had an answer for that because I know that’s been buzzing around all weekend,” Garland said of the conflict. “But we get like a hundred games of great basketball, great competition during the season. All-Star weekend should be about interacting with our fans and giving them something to watch and have some fun to watch.”

The format shift — games played to a target score of 40 among teams composed entirely of either veteran stars, international players, younger All-Stars or rising stars — led to moments of increased competition, particularly in the semifinals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama and the international stars beat a team with Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Brunson and Garland in the first game. Curry, who won All-Star MVP honors, led a team that included James Harden and Kevin Durant past Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht and the Rising Stars despite eight points from Knecht.

“It was fun. A lot of fun,” Knecht said. “We all watched the All-Star Game. And, now we got to play in it. So it was a lot of fun just to go out there and ultimately compete.”

The inclusion of the Rising Stars appeared to ruffle some feathers. They received a more muted introduction than the theatrical intros the All-Stars got. Draymond Green, working the game for TNT, compared it to an under-19 team playing Team USA.

“Obviously a lot of conversation around the fourth team and the rising stars,” Curry said. “And the All-Star experience on Sunday is very sacred. And you have to work your way into that.”

The purity of All-Star Sunday has become a tougher sell in recent years. Harden said the game has taken a noticeable dip in competitiveness and he “really didn’t like” the new format. And while the league is pressuring players to play harder, it’s not as simple as it sounds.

Curry, who had a hand in discussions for the new look All-Star Game, laid out his priorities.

“Where we were last year, we needed to change,” Curry said. “Needed some new life, new juice in the game, something unexpected. What that answer was a collaborative effort to, I think, one, condense the amount of time you’re actually playing so that it gives us more clarity on [when] we can raise our level of competition and keep it fun for everybody. I think that was a big part of it.”

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving scores past San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving scores past San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

(Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)

While the format itself produced some extra juice — “Yeah, I actually sweat. I didn’t think I was going to sweat,” Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams said — the process was slowed down by extended breaks in between games and, bizarrely, a nearly 20-minute tribute to TNT and “Inside the NBA” during the tournament finals.

Sunday was the final All-Star broadcast for the network, which will lose its games to NBC and Amazon next season. ESPN will license and air “Inside the NBA” and its broadcast team next season.

“I would say that’s not ideal to stop like that if you want guys to play, be physical and kind of play harder,” Boston’s Jaylen Brown said. “But I think guys are still out there having fun. All the OG’s, team old knees and old backs…we came out on top, so I don’t think anybody else should have had any excuses. But it’s definitely not ideal.”

There’s a growing understanding, at least among All-Stars, that there’s probably no real solution to any of this, the kind of thing that can lead to the game being tinkered with as it inevitably becomes stale.

“I think it was competitive, a little,” Jackson said. “But it just depends. It just depends. It’s like if somebody were to make this game super-competitive and somebody were to go out there and get hurt, then we would just be saying that we need to figure out something else. You know what I mean? If too many people were getting hurt in an All-Star Game, which thank God hasn’t happened, and if that was happening, the whole narrative would be, we need to figure something else out so we don’t wreck the product.”

“And the main thing is our teams. That’s why we’re here. Our teams are the reason why we’re here. It’s not just an individual accolade. It’s who they send out here. So that’s the main thing.”

Curry said he thought Sunday’s game, while imperfect, was progress.

“It was a good step in the right direction to reinvigorate the game in some way. And then you tinker with it again next year and see what changes you can make,” he said. “I don’t want to compare it to any other era because the world has changed. Life is different. The way people consume basketball is different. So it’s not going to look like it used to, but it can still be fun for everybody. And I think this was, I had fun. Our team had fun. That’s kinda all that matters.”

Or maybe, fixing the All-Star Game doesn’t even really matter much at all.

“I think it’s not a question for me,” Nikola Jokic said. “I don’t know. I think maybe we should focus on some other things and then All-Star. I think it’s always going to be like this, so we should accept it.”



This story originally appeared on LA Times