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Nine people killed and dozens injured in Afghanistan earthquake | World News

SkyNews
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Nine people killed and dozens injured in Afghanistan earthquake | World News

Nine people have been killed in a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan.

The earthquake struck the east of the country near the Pakistan border at 11.47pm local time (8.17pm UK time) on Sunday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said.

At least nine people were killed and 25 were injured in Nangarhar province, according to Ajmal Darwaish, spokesman for the regional health department.

The quake’s epicentre was near Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, at a depth of 14km (8.7 miles). Jalalabad is about 119km (74 miles) away from the capital city, Kabul.

There was a second earthquake in the same province about 20 minutes later, with a magnitude of 4.5 and a depth of 10km (6.2 miles). This was later followed by a 5.2 earthquake at the same depth.

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake and strong aftershocks struck Afghanistan on 7 October 2023.

The country’s Taliban government said at least 4,000 people had been killed, but the United Nations said the death toll was around 1,500.

The 2023 earthquake is considered the deadliest natural disaster to hit Afghanistan in recent memory.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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This story originally appeared on Skynews

Rudy Giuliani hospitalized after car accident, spokesperson says : NPR

NPR
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Rudy Giuliani hospitalized after car accident, spokesperson says : NPR


Rudy Giuliani speaks to the media outside Manhattan federal court in New York, Jan. 3, 2025.

Ted Shaffrey/AP


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Ted Shaffrey/AP

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized with a broken vertebrae after a car accident, his spokesperson said on Sunday.

Giuliani, 81, was traveling on a highway in New Hampshire when his car was “struck from behind at high speed,” said Michael Ragusa, who is also his head of security.

“He was transported to a nearby trauma center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg,” Ragusa wrote on social media. “His business partner and medical provider were promptly contacted and arrived at the hospital to oversee his care.”

Although Giuliani was injured, he is “in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” he said. The incident was not a “targeted attack,” Ragusa added, and asked people to “refrain from spreading unfounded conspiracy theories.”

Before the accident, Giuliani had been “flagged down” by a woman who was involved in a domestic violence incident and he “immediately rendered assistance and contacted 911,” Ragusa also stated. The former mayor remained on scene until law enforcement arrived to ensure the woman’s safety.

The former mayor of New York became “America’s mayor” in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center towers in the country’s largest city. He continued to be a prominent face in Republican politics, becoming a key piece of President Trump’s legal team challenging the 2020 election results, making false claims about widespread voter fraud that have been roundly debunked.

In the wake of that, Guiliani has faced significant legal troubles of his own. He was indicted in both Georgia and Arizona related to his role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election. In a separate case, Guiliani was ordered by a federal jury to pay two former Georgia election workers $148 million for defamation after he claimed the pair engaged in a fake ballot processing scheme. He was found to be in contempt of court for failing to comply with that judgement in January.



This story originally appeared on NPR

He Started Delivering Pizza In 1991 and Now Owns 270 Shops

Entrepreneur
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He Started Delivering Pizza In 1991 and Now Owns 270 Shops


In a little over three decades, Nadeem Bajwa went from being a college student struggling to pay the bills to the owner of a fast food empire, owning 270 Papa John’s locations in North America.

The 58-year-old told CNBC that he immigrated to the U.S. in 1991 from Pakistan. He attended a college in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and worked side hustles to make ends meet. One of his side jobs was delivering pizza for a local Papa John’s chain, making $4.25 an hour. His first summer in the U.S., he would wash dishes during breakfast time, deliver pizzas for Papa John’s in the afternoon, and then work at Taco Bell at night.

“I just started delivering for Papa John’s when they came in town, and from there, just started loving it, and tips were good, so that helped,” Bajwa told CNBC.

Related: Want to Start a Business? This Franchise Will Give You Up to $100,000 to Do It.

When Bajwa graduated from college in 1996, he had already worked his way up the ranks at Papa John’s, going from delivery driver to area manager. He submitted applications to corporate roles at other companies, but found that he couldn’t get a job that would pay more than what he was making at Papa John’s. He decided to stick with the pizza shop for that reason.

Bajwa’s experience running a Papa John’s store helped when he eventually decided to become a franchisee and open his own location. In 2002, he opened his own Papa John’s restaurant in East Liverpool, Ohio, saving money on startup expenses by doing most of the labor himself.

The store took $150,000 to build out and was an instant success, with more customers showing up than expected. However, the crew was undertrained and overwhelmed, and half of them walked out that first day alone.

“[At first] it was chaos,” Bajwa told CNBC. “I learned how important it is to be ready before [opening].”

Related: This Entrepreneur Turned a Weekend Side Hustle Into a Business That Doubled Margins — And Is on Track for $7 Million

That one restaurant led to another, then another. Bajwa’s goal now is to open 500 Papa John’s locations in the coming years.

Papa John’s, which was founded in 1985, has over 3,000 locations in the U.S. It usually takes an initial investment of at least $272,915 to get a Papa John’s restaurant off the ground.

In a little over three decades, Nadeem Bajwa went from being a college student struggling to pay the bills to the owner of a fast food empire, owning 270 Papa John’s locations in North America.

The 58-year-old told CNBC that he immigrated to the U.S. in 1991 from Pakistan. He attended a college in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and worked side hustles to make ends meet. One of his side jobs was delivering pizza for a local Papa John’s chain, making $4.25 an hour. His first summer in the U.S., he would wash dishes during breakfast time, deliver pizzas for Papa John’s in the afternoon, and then work at Taco Bell at night.

“I just started delivering for Papa John’s when they came in town, and from there, just started loving it, and tips were good, so that helped,” Bajwa told CNBC.

The rest of this article is locked.

Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.



This story originally appeared on Entrepreneur

US still working on trade deals despite court ruling, USTR says

NYPost
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US still working on trade deals despite court ruling, USTR says

The Trump administration is continuing its talks with trading partners despite a US appeals court ruling that most of President Trump’s tariffs are illegal, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Sunday.

“Our trading partners, they continue to work very closely with us on negotiations,” he said in an interview on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” “People are moving forward with their deals, regardless of what this court may say in the interim.”

Greer did not say which countries the US was still in talks with, but said he had spoken with one trade minister on Saturday morning.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer did not say which countries the US is still in trade talks with. AARON SCHWARTZ/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock

The ruling threatens what has become a pillar of Trump’s foreign policy since starting his second term in the White House in January. He has used the levies imposed on imported goods to exert political pressure and renegotiate trade deals even as the tariffs have increased volatility in financial markets.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington’s 7-4 decision on Friday said while Congress gave the president significant authority to act in response to a national emergency, lawmakers did not “explicitly include the power to impose tariffs, duties, or the like, or the power to tax.”

The decision addressed the legality of Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs set in April as well as tariffs imposed against China, Canada and Mexico in February, but does not impact those issued under other legal authority.

Trump on Friday blasted the decision and vowed to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The appeals court said his tariffs can remain in effect through Oct. 14 to allow for appeals.

Trade experts said the Trump administration had been bracing for the ruling and preparing alternative plans to be able to proceed with its tariffs.

“If other countries are looking at this and thinking they’re going to get tariff relief, they’re in for a unpleasant surprise. There are backup options upon backup options, even if the Supreme Court ends up agreeing with the appeals court,” said Josh Lipsky, chair of international economics at the Atlantic Council think tank.

President Trump said he would challenge the appellate court’s decision at the US Supreme Court. Ron Sachs/CNP / SplashNews.com

He said one option would be to turn to Section 338 of a 1930 trade law that allows the president to impose duties of up to 50% against imports from countries that are found to discriminate against US commerce.

Trump weighed in again on Saturday in a social media post, saying “A big year ahead for the USA, maybe the BEST EVER, if the Tariffs are finally approved by the Courts!!!”

The president headed to his Virginia golf club on Sunday, ahead of Monday’s Labor Day holiday celebrating US workers.

President Trump on social media on Saturday predicted, “A big year ahead for the USA, maybe the BEST EVER, if the Tariffs are finally approved by the Courts!!!” Christopher Sadowski

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo” that the administration was optimistic the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court would back Trump’s tariffs.

Republican US Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said companies he has talked to want the issue settled.

“Every time there’s a new court hearing, every time there’s a new change, it’s destabilizing for every one of our businesses. So let’s get all these things resolved as quickly as we possibly can,” he told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”



This story originally appeared on NYPost

Could you be an Oklahoma teacher? Take this 34-question test and find out

NYPost
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Could you be an Oklahoma teacher? Take this 34-question test and find out

If you want to apply to be a teacher in Oklahoma, prepare a resume, references — and to take a 34-question test about civics. Here, Marissa Streit, the CEO of PragerU, which developed the test, and Ryan Walters, the superintendent of education for Oklahoma, explain the reason behind the test and respond to the backlash.

Oklahoma and PragerU have introduced a Teacher Qualification Test: a straightforward assessment to ensure educators know American civics, constitutional values, parental rights, and the basics of history and literacy. 

Before the questions were even published, national media outlets launched a coordinated smear campaign. That isn’t fair-minded criticism. It’s sabotage.

When Oklahoma asked PragerU to assist, it was not to impose ideology, but to restore competence and ensure that new teachers understand what Oklahoma’s families expect in their classrooms. 

Parents expect teachers to be able to identify the three branches of government, understand Supreme Court precedents that affect education, protect children’s innocence, and recognize why freedom of religion matters. 

That is not “extremism” — it is the bare minimum.

Instead of waiting for facts, the press pounced. That tells you everything about their motives. As Ronald Reagan warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” 

If our teachers don’t understand the basics, how can they prepare the next generation to defend their rights?

Americans have awakened to the problem: students are falling behind, parents feel ignored, and classrooms too often replace fundamentals with politics. 

Families want teachers who teach — not activists.

So why the outrage? Because this test challenges the left’s monopoly on classrooms. They want to control all teacher training and credentialing — and they know the way to maintain that control is by keeping parents shut out and students uninformed. Calling Oklahoma “extreme” for requiring teachers to pass the most basic of tests says far more about them than it does about us.

And let’s clear up another smear: PragerU does not “whitewash” history. Critics often attack our content without watching the videos — or worse, by pulling clips out of context to intentionally mislead viewers. Take our episode on Frederick Douglass. We quote Douglass directly: “The Constitution is a glorious liberty document.” Douglass despised slavery but worked within the system to abolish it, a powerful and inspiring lesson for children. Or consider our Columbus episode: We make clear that slavery was evil, while also expressing his attitude toward it within its historical context for accuracy. These aren’t distortions — they’re age-appropriate ways to teach truth.

The same critics who distort children’s videos are now attacking a test they haven’t seen. Why? To create a false narrative ahead of its publication because they know people remember the alarming headlines and rarely see the corrective information. 

This isn’t just about Oklahoma. It’s about whether schools serve families or bureaucrats and activists. It’s about accountability over ideology, parents over politics, and truth over lies.

Here’s our challenge: Take the Teacher Qualification Test yourself and see firsthand how clear and straightforward it really is. Then ask: why are so many on the left so desperate to paint it as sinister before anybody had the chance to look at it?

THE TEST

1. According to the Supreme Court cases Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) and Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), who has the ultimate right to direct a child’s education?

  • A. The Superintendent of Schools
  • B. The parents
  • C. The Board of Education
  • D. The federal Department of Education

2. What is the fundamental biological distinction between males and females?

  • A. Height and weight
  • B. Blood type
  • C. Personal preference
  • D. Chromosomes and reproductive anatomy

3. How is a child’s biological sex typically identified?

  • A. Parental affirmation of child’s preference
  • B. Personal feelings
  • C. Visual anatomical observation and chromosomes
  • D. Online registration

4. Which chromosome pair determines biological sex in humans?

  • A. AA/BB
  • B. XX/XY
  • C. RH/AB
  • D. XE/XQ

5. Why is the distinction between male and female considered important in areas like sports and privacy?

  • A. For equity in minority communities
  • B. To preserve fairness, safety and integrity for both sexes
  • C. To increase participation in sports
  • D. To enhance the self-esteem of transgender children

6. Should teachers be allowed to express their own political viewpoints in the classroom in order to persuade the students to adopt their point of view?

  • A. Yes, teachers have freedom of speech, too, which does not stop at the classroom door
  • B. No, once you become a teacher, your freedom of speech in and out of the classroom is restricted
  • C. Yes, sometimes — when the issue involves civil rights or social justice
  • D. No, the classroom is not an appropriate venue for political activism

7. What did the Supreme Court rule in the 2025 case Mahmoud v. Taylor?

  • A. Gender-affirming medical procedures are allowed in America
  • B. Students must recite the Pledge of Allegiance in schools
  • C. Religious schools must hire non-religious staff
  • D. Public schools cannot require participation in LGBTQ-themed instruction without parental opt-out

8. What are the first three words of the Constitution?

  • A. In God We Trust
  • B. We the People
  • C. Life, Liberty, Happiness
  • D. The United States

9. Why is freedom of religion important to America’s identity?

  • A. It protects religious choice from government control
  • IB. t makes Christianity the national religion
  • C. It bans all forms of public worship
  • D. It limits religious teaching in the public square

10. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

  • A. The House of Lords and the House of Commons
  • B. The Judiciary and the Senate
  • C. The Executive and the Legislative
  • D. The Senate and the House of Representatives

11. How many total U.S. senators are there?

  • A. 435
  • B. 535
  • C. 100
  • D. 50

12. Why do some states have more Representatives than others?

  • A. Representation is allocated by population
  • B. They cover a larger geographic area
  • C. They have held statehood for a longer period
  • D. The number is determined by Congress

13. What is the primary responsibility of the president’s Cabinet?

  • A. Approve Supreme Court justices
  • B. Pass legislation
  • C. Sign executive orders
  • D. Advise the president

14. Who signs bills into law?

  • A. The vice president
  • B. The chief justice
  • C. The president
  • D. The speaker of the House

15. What is the highest court in the United States?

  • A. The Federal Court
  • B. The Court of Appeals
  • C. The District Court
  • D. The Supreme Court

16. In the United States, which of the following is a responsibility reserved only for citizens?

  • A. Serve on a jury
  • B. Own a home
  • C. Pay taxes
  • D. Possess a driver’s license

17. Which of the following are explicitly listed in the Bill of Rights?

  • A. Freedom of speech and religion
  • B. Voting and public education
  • C. Reproductive rights and healthcare
  • D. Freedom from data collection and surveillance

18. What right does the Second Amendment protect?

  • A. The right to hunt and fish
  • B. The right to arm the military
  • C. The right to restrict certain kinds of speech
  • D. The right to keep and bear arms

19. What is the supreme law of the United States?

  • A. Presidential Executive Orders
  • B. Laws passed by Congress and signed by the president
  • C. Laws passed by state legislatures and signed by state governors
  • D. The Constitution

20. Who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?

  • A. John Adams
  • B. Thomas Jefferson
  • C. John Hancock
  • D. Thomas Paine

21. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

  • A. July 4, 1778
  • B. July 4, 1787
  • C. July 4, 1776
  • D. July 4, 1619

22. What was the primary reason the colonists fought the British?

  • A. To resist the expansion of the British Empire
  • B. To main slavery
  • C. To resist taxation without representation
  • D. To resist forced military service

23. Who were the first three U.S. presidents?

  • A. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton
  • B. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson
  • C. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
  • D. George Washington, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln

24. Who is called the “Father of Our Country”?

  • A. Benjamin Franklin
  • B. Abraham Lincoln
  • C. Martin Luther King Jr.
  • D. George Washington

25. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

  • A. Ended Prohibition
  • B.Freed Confederate Generals
  • C. Freed the slaves in the North 
  • D. Ended slavery in the rebelling Confederate states

26. What was Abraham Lincoln’s primary reason for waging the Civil War?

  • A. To preserve states’ right
  • B. To abolish slavery
  • C. To preserve the union
  • D. To end the union

27. What cause is Martin Luther King Jr. best known for?

  • A. Advocating for segregation
  • B. Advocating for the abolition of slavery
  • C. Advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion
  • D. Advocating for racial equality under the law

28. How did the Cold War end?

  • A. The US prevailed in the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • B. Russia invaded and occupied Ukraine
  • C. The Soviet Union collapsed
  • D. The US, the European Union and the Soviet Union signed a peace treaty

29. Who was President during the Great Depression and WWII?

  • A. Woodrow Wilson
  • B. Harry S. Truman
  • C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • D. Theodore Roosevelt

30. What is the name of the national anthem?

  • A. “The Star-Spangled Banner”
  • B. “America the Beautiful”
  • C. “This Land is Your Land”
  • D. “God Bless America”

31. Why are there thirteen stripes on the American flag?

  • A. One for each signer of the Declaration of Independence
  • B. To honor the Thirteenth Amendment
  • C. To commemorate America’s fallen soldiers
  • D. To symbolize the original colonies

32. Which national holiday honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military?

  • A. Armistice Day
  • B. Memorial Day
  • C. Veterans Day
  • D. Flag Day

33. Which of the following is a phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance?

  • A. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness 
  • B. Of, by, and for the people
  • C. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
  • D. One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

34. From whom does the United States government derive its power?

  • A. The Supreme Court 
  • B. The people
  • C. The president
  • D. The military

ANSWERS

1. B

2. D

3. C

4. B

5.  B

6. D

7. D

8. B

9. A

10. D

11. C

12. A

13. D

14. C

15. D

16. A

17. A

18. D

19. D

20. B

21. C

22. C

23. B

24. D

25. D

26. C

27. D

28. C

29. C

30. A

31. D

32. B

33. D

34. B



This story originally appeared on NYPost

Can Matthew Stafford stay healthy? Rams’ Super Bowl aims depend on it

LATimes
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Can Matthew Stafford stay healthy? Rams’ Super Bowl aims depend on it


Davante Adams did not make any bold declarations.

After the three-time All-Pro receiver signed with the Rams, he modestly described what he could provide a team that advanced to the NFC divisional round last season.

“I’m just here to be another piece to hopefully get over the hump,” he said.

Coach Sean McVay has grander designs for a team that will be led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, and an offense also featuring Adams, receiver Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams and as many as four tight ends.

After Stafford worked through a back issue and finally began practicing for the Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans, the 17th-year pro — like Adams many months before — kept it simple.

“I’m just happy I get to be back out there,” he said.

As are the Rams, a team regarded as a legitimate threat to make a third Super Bowl appearance under McVay.

“Having Matthew back is just like, ‘Yeah, all right, we’re ready to roll,” Williams said.

Stafford, 37, remains the key for an offense aiming to score much more than last season. Stafford passed for 20 touchdowns, with eight interceptions for a unit that averaged 21.6 points per game, which ranked 20th among 32 teams.

The Rams were 15th in offense (331.4 yards per game), 10th in passing (227.5) and 24th in rushing (103.8).

The Rams adjusted Stafford’s contract last spring — he will carry a $47.5-million salary-cap number this season, according to Overthecap.com — and now he will manage a back issue while seeking a second Super Bowl title.

“There’s unfinished business for him,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said.

Wide receivers Puka Nacua, left, and Davante Adams will be at the forefront of the Rams’ passing attack this season.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Adams, 32, and Nacua, 24, are seeking their first Super Bowl titles. And they could give the Rams their first pair of 1,000-yard receivers since Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp achieved the feat in 2019.

The remaking of the offense began after last season when the Rams decided to move on from Kupp, the 2021 NFL offensive player of the year and Super Bowl LVI most valuable player.

Adams played eight seasons for the Green Bay Packers, two-plus with the Las Vegas Raiders and a half-season with the New York Jets. He has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving seven times, including the last six in a row.

“He can win inside, he can win outside, he’s so smart, and he and Matthew really see the game through a similar lens,” McVay said.

Nacua established rookie receiving records in 2023. Despite playing in only 11 games last season, he finished with 79 catches for 990 yards and three touchdowns.

Tutu Atwell, who signed a one-year, $10-million contract, second-year pro Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith and rookie Konata Mumpfield are other receivers.

All have raved about Adams’ talent, experience and willingness to share information.

Williams carried the ball 316 times last season. In August, the Rams rewarded the fourth-year pro with a $23-million extension. McVay and LaFleur plan to give Blake Corum and, perhaps, rookie Jarquez Hunter opportunities to take the load off Williams.

“I expect, and kind of know, that my reps are going to get cut down,” Williams said. “So for me, it’s making the most of the ones I do get, and being able to not only run the ball, but contribute in the pass game, the blocking game, all that stuff.”

Running back Kyren Williams carries the ball during Rams training camp.

Running back Kyren Williams, left, will be a central component of the Rams offense, even if he doesn’t see 316 carries like last season.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Stafford and the backs will operate behind a line that has welcomed the return of center Coleman Shelton, but includes proven veteran tackles facing questions about their durability.

On Monday, left tackle Alaric Jackson, who received a $35-million extension, will be a full participant in practice for the first time since he was diagnosed with blood clots in his legs in June. Right tackle Rob Havenstein, an 11th-year pro, is coming off surgery on both shoulders.

The rushing and passing attacks are expected to morph with four tight ends — Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and rookie Terrance Ferguson — on the roster.

McVay has typically deployed one tight end. Now it could be two, three or possibly four.

“Not saying it’s going to be exponentially much more,” Higbee said, “but… when you’ve got that talent in the room you want to get it on the field and use it.”



This story originally appeared on LA Times

Travis Kelce’s Engagement With Taylor Swift Attracts Attention of Zoo

RealityTea
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Travis Kelce’s Engagement With Taylor Swift Attracts Attention of Zoo


Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s engagement is not just making headlines; it is sparking celebrations across Kansas City. Even the Kansas City Zoo could not resist joining in on the fun. The zoo marked the milestone with a playful nod that quickly caught fans’ attention.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Kansas City Zoo’s reaction to Travis and Taylor’s engagement.

How Kansas City zoo reacted to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s engagement

On August 28, 2025, the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium shared a post on its social media account. The post garnered significant media attention. Travis and Taylor’s engagement generated a buzz online throughout August. Following this announcement, the Kansas City Zoo decided to join in the fun. The zoo posted a humorous tribute to the couple on its Facebook page, with the caption reading:

“Hey Travis Kelce, You knew what you wanted and, boy, you gOTTER. Congratulations on your engagement!”

In the image, an otter is depicted holding a diamond ring, with the photo credited to Darcy, the lead of the animal care team. The zoo’s witty reply combined local pride with a hint of humor, illustrating how deeply their love story has resonated with the city’s residents. Otters rank among the most beloved inhabitants of the Kansas City Zoo, recognized for their lively and endearing characters. The post not only commemorated the couple’s significant announcement. It also highlighted how the city shared a sense of community pride as two of its most prominent icons got engaged.

However, Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce, were in a lively discussion on the New Heights podcast. They expressed great interest and amusement as they humorously proposed that a wild otter should serve as the podcast’s official mascot. They mentioned that they had received invitations to every zoo and aquarium across America. Travis candidly stated that he does not plan to visit the zoo, although he anticipates doing so in the future. He stated his preference for encountering wild otters rather than captive ones. He said he preferred to see otters that might swim toward him in the coastal waters.

Originally reported by Ayesha Zafar on Mandatory.




This story originally appeared on Realitytea

Trump’s trade adviser says tariffs aren’t permanent after court strikes down reciprocal duties

Fortune
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Trump’s trade adviser says tariffs aren’t permanent after court strikes down reciprocal duties

White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro said Sunday that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are not permanent as he sought to undercut a ruling from a federal court that dealt a major blow to the administration’s trade policy.

On Friday night, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that most of Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs on global trading partners are illegal.

That upheld an earlier ruling by the Court of International Trade, which found that the tariffs’ legal basis under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) wasn’t valid, saying that the administration’s argument for the tariffs didn’t constitute an emergency.

“Both the Trafficking Tariffs and the Reciprocal Tariffs are unbounded in scope, amount, and duration,” the majority wrote. “These tariffs apply to nearly all articles imported into the United States (and, in the case of the Reciprocal Tariffs, apply to almost all countries), impose high rates which are ever-changing and exceed those set out in the [U.S. tariff system], and are not limited in duration.”

The Trump administration is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court, and Friday’s ruling is on hold until mid-October to give the high court a chance to consider the case.

On Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures, Navarro called the appeals court’s ruling “weaponized partisan injustice” and said the dissenting opinion in favor of the tariffs should give the White House a strong argument before the Supreme Court.

The judges who sided with the administration said IEEPA allows “broad emergency authority in this foreign-affairs realm, which unsurprisingly extends beyond authorities available under non-emergency laws.” 

Navarro also said the trade deficit does indeed constitute an emergency because it is “absolutely devastating to this country.” And he pushed back against the appeals court’s characterization of the tariffs as unlimited in duration.

“Hey memo to the court: we never said they were permanent,” he said.

If the flow of illegal drugs from China, Mexico and Canada stop, the tariffs will go away, Navarro added, likewise if the trade deficit shrinks to nothing.

In April, Trump was asked about comments from administration officials who said tariffs could be negotiated and that they were permanent.

“They can both be true,” he replied. “There could be permanent tariffs, and there could also be negotiations, because there are things that we need beyond tariffs.”

In May, Trump also said auto tariffs are permanent, but those duties weren’t affected by Friday’s court ruling as they were invoked under a different law.

He has also touted the long-term benefits of his tariffs, recently pointing to the CBO’s 10-year projection that tariffs will reduce the deficit by $4 trillion and that they will bring in enough revenue to lower the U.S. debt, which tops $37 trillion.

“The purpose of what I’m doing is primarily to pay down debt, which will happen in very large quantity — but I think there’s also a possibility that we’re taking in so much money that we may very well make a dividend to the people of America,” Trump said earlier this month.

Introducing the 2025 Fortune Global 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in the world. Explore this year’s list.



This story originally appeared on Fortune

Lloyds’ share price beat all FTSE 100 banks in August — but 2 FTSE 250 peers are still ahead

Motley Fool
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Lloyds’ share price beat all FTSE 100 banks in August — but 2 FTSE 250 peers are still ahead


Image source: Getty Images

Up 5.17%, the Lloyds share price has done well this month, beating out all the other major UK banks including NatWest, Barclays and HSBC. As Britain’s biggest retail bank, Lloyds is often seen as the bellwether of the sector. 

But while it’s led the FTSE 100 pack, two regional FTSE 250 players are actually ahead.

Close Brothers Group’s (LSE: CBG) jumped 17.73% this month, while Paragon Banking Group‘s (LSE: PAG) up 5.95% (as of 28 August).

Lloyds share price vs competitors
Screenshot from TradingView.com

That begs the question: do these smaller lenders offer the same long-term value as Lloyds? I decided to take a closer look.

Flying too close to the sun

Close Brothers has been one of the most remarkable performers of 2025, with its share price almost doubling year-to-date. The specialist financial services group provides lending, securities trading and investment management solutions across a range of sectors.

Much of the recent rally came after the Supreme Court overturned previous rulings on car loan sales practices. That decision lifted a cloud hanging over several banks – Lloyds included – and helped spark investor enthusiasm.

But here’s the catch: despite its soaring share price, Close Brothers is still unprofitable. Its latest results showed it swung to a loss of £102.4m, representing a 172% decline. That raises questions about how sustainable the rally really is.

To be fair, the stock does look cheap on paper, trading on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 8.2 and a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of just 0.47. Yet some analysts believe the good news is already priced in. RBC Capital Markets recently downgraded the stock to Sector Perform, keeping its price target at 525p.

The risk, in my view, is that Close Brothers may struggle to justify the recent surge if profitability doesn’t follow.

A reliable income stock

Paragon Banking Group, on the other hand, offers a steadier story. Known for its focus on specialist mortgages, consumer loans, and buy-to-let lending, the bank has built a reputation as a dependable dividend payer. It currently yields 4.6%, backed by a 20-year history of payments and a payout ratio of around 40%.

Valuation looks undemanding too, with a forward P/E ratio of 8.6 and a P/B ratio of 1.2. Importantly, Paragon’s profitable – it boasts a 21.5% operating margin and a return on equity (ROE) of 14.7%. In its Q3 trading update, loan balances rose 4.8%, underlining steady business growth.

Broker sentiment remains cautious but constructive. On 26 August, Jefferies issued a Hold rating with a target of 1,015p, while the broader analyst consensus sits at around 1,000p – implying a potential 12% increase from today’s price.

My verdict

Despite outperforming Lloyds this month, Close Brothers has still shed 58% of its value over the past five years. This year’s recovery has rewarded shareholders handsomely, but with little to back a long-term thesis, I wouldn’t consider the stock.

Paragon however, looks more attractive. For income investors seeking a reliable and fairly valued opportunity, it seems like a stock worth considering. Lloyds may remain the UK banking heavyweight but, on balance, I think Paragon deserves a place on any watchlist.



This story originally appeared on Motley Fool

Eldorado Expands Its Digital Offering with Digital Video Game Gift Cards – Computerworld

Computerworld
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Eldorado Expands Its Digital Offering with Digital Video Game Gift Cards – Computerworld



Eldorado, the global digital marketplace for gamers, has officially expanded its product lineup to include a range of digital video game gift cards, including the highly anticipated Xbox gift cards. This strategic move reinforces Eldorado’s mission to simplify digital access to gaming content and elevate the experience for players worldwide.

A Response to Changing Gamer Behavior

According to a Rimvydas Vaičiūnas from Eldorado, the expansion comes as a natural response to evolving user demand. “We’ve seen growing interest in fast, secure, and versatile digital content. Gift cards offer that flexibility, whether users want to purchase new games, subscribe to services, or send a gift to a friend.”

The Xbox gift cards now available on Eldorado can be used for purchases on the Microsoft Store, in-game items, or Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. This aligns with the platform’s focus on practical, user-driven solutions in the ever-changing gaming ecosystem.

Instant Delivery and Global Access

Unlike physical cards or region-locked purchases, Eldorado’s digital gift card offering is designed with global accessibility in mind. All gift cards are delivered instantly after purchase and require no shipping or waiting time.

“Our priority is ease of use. Gamers want convenience and reliability, and our system is built to deliver just that,” a Rimvydas Vaičiūnas added. “With real-time delivery and support for multiple currencies, we’re removing barriers for users across different regions.”

Safety and Transparency Built In

In an industry often challenged by fraudulent sellers or vague transaction processes, Eldorado emphasizes security. Each digital gift card is sourced from verified suppliers, and transaction transparency is ensured through order tracking and user support.

This reflects a wider focus on platform integrity, which has become a cornerstone of Eldorado’s operations. Alongside the launch, the platform continues to offer educational content, such as its Free Blox Fruits Accounts resource, accessible through the Eldorado blog, aimed at helping users navigate the gaming marketplace safely and effectively.

Part of a Larger Ecosystem

This launch is not an isolated update but part of a larger effort to turn Eldorado into a one-stop platform for digital gamers. From in-game currency and skins to full account access and now gift cards, the platform is steadily covering all the essential tools a modern gamer needs.

“Gift cards represent both utility and opportunity,” a company spokesperson shared. “They’re not just about convenience. They’re about empowerment – giving users full control over how they engage with digital content.” – said Rimvydas Vaičiūnas.

About Eldorado

Eldorado is a peer-to-peer digital marketplace that connects gamers worldwide through secure, fast, and user-friendly transactions. The platform provides a wide range of digital products including gaming accounts, items, currency, and now digital gift cards.

Contact

Rimvydas Vaičiūnas

support@eldorado.gg



This story originally appeared on Computerworld

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