reason

Altria (MO 0.45%) is one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, with well-known brands under its umbrella that include Marlboro, Black & Mild, Parliament, Copenhagen, and Skoal. Although some investors may have reservations about investing in a tobacco company, those who do invest in the company typically do so for one reason: Its ultra-high-yield (and growing) dividend.

If you’re interested in investing in Altria, you might want to do so before Sept. 15, because that is its ex-dividend date. When it comes to stocks, a company’s ex-dividend date is the day by which an investor must own shares of the company to be eligible to receive its next dividend payout. In Altria’s case, owning the stock before Sept. 15 will ensure you receive the dividend payout scheduled for Oct. 10.

Image source: Getty Images.

One of the stock market’s top dividend stocks

When Altria recently announced that it was increasing its quarterly dividend to $1.06 per share (up from $1.02), it marked the company’s 56th consecutive year increasing its dividend, and the 60th total increase in that span. That track record of growth helped Altria earn the designation as a Dividend King.

At the time of writing, Altria’s dividend yield is around 6.16%, which is slightly below its average over the past decade, but more than five times the S&P 500’s current average of 1.2%.

Data by YCharts.

While Altria’s appeal has long been its dividend, the stock has had an impressive 2025 so far, up 26%. I wouldn’t invest in the stock expecting these returns year in and year out, but if you’re looking for a company that can provide reliable dividend income, Altria is a good choice.

Sept. 10 (UPI) — The exit of 300 Korean workers detained in Georgia has been delayed due to “a cause from the U.S. side,” according to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The detainees were scheduled to board a Korean Air charter plane from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to head home Wednesday afternoon. The ministry hasn’t said what is causing the delay, The Korea Times reported.

“The government is continuing consultation with the U.S. for as swift a departure as possible. We will provide further updates once a new schedule is confirmed,” it said.

Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement conducted the raid on Thursday and said those who were detained are not authorized to work in the United States.

Three of those detained are from Japan, and others were from Central and South American nations.

The electric battery plant in Ellabell, Ga., near Savannah, is still under construction. It’s a joint project by Hyundai and LG Energy Solution to provide batteries for Hyundai electric vehicles.

Many of those working at the plant had B-1 visas, which are issued for short-term business travel, The Korea Herald reported.

Many others got electronic travel authorization to visit the United States, but neither B-1 visas nor the travel authorizations allowed their respective holders to work.

The Korean government has stressed that the workers will leave under the rules of voluntary departure, which don’t have the same legal consequences as deportation. But, U.S. immigration law allows for bans depending on the length of the unlawful stay, so individual penalties are possible.

Complicating matters, some detainees signed forms early on that included a $1,000 payment for voluntary departure to avoid a 10-year entry ban, The Korea Times reported.

Adding to the confusion, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Monday that the Korean nationals detained in the raid will be “deported.”

In South Korea, people are upset, said James Kim, chair and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul.

“The sentiment is obviously very, very negative,” James Kim, told CBS News. “In my office, I usually have my TV turned on to the news — and this is obviously covered from morning to evening constantly. But everyone who I speak to, they view America as its number — one partner here from South Korea. Yes, we’re going to have some challenging times.”

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heard demands from angry lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Seoul on Monday, before he departed for meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials, CBS News reported.

Lawmaker Kim Joon-hyun demanded that Cho respond to the ICE raid by launching investigations into every U.S. national teaching English in South Korea who could be working illegally on a tourist visa.

“Are we giving our money, technology, and investment to the United States only to be treated like this?” CBS News reported that Kim Joon-hyun said.

During his meeting Wednesday in Washington with Cho, Rubio said, “the United States welcomes ROK (South Korea) investment into the United States and stated his interest in deepening cooperation on this front,” according to a readout shared by the State Department.

Rubio and Cho discussed advancing U.S.-South Korean ties “through a forward-looking agenda” that “revitalizes American manufacturing through ROK investment in shipbuilding and other strategic sectors, and promotes a fair and reciprocal trade partnership,” the State Department said.

Seoul and Washington have clashed over administrative and technical procedures, including the terms under which the Koreans are released and the conditions for their transfer to the airport, The Korea Herald reported.

Kim Yong-beom, presidential chief of staff for policy, on Tuesday also said that “(U.S.) law enforcement authorities have their own methods they insist on when it comes to transporting detainees by bus.

“They insist on certain practices, such as handcuffing detainees again, but we are making every effort in the final administrative negotiations to ensure that such methods are not applied,” Kim Yong-boem said.

“We are working to complete the procedures so that our nationals can safely return in the form of voluntary departure, not deportation, and are striving to conclude this within a timely period – within a day or two.”

The drive from the ICE detention facility in Folkston, Ga., to the Atlanta airport takes about four and a half hours.

Uber Technologies (UBER 1.05%) is a monster success story in the mobile age. The company, which was founded in 2009, has become a dominant platform that has a presence in more than 70 countries across the globe. Uber is so highly regarded that the company name is used interchangeably as a verb, a standing not many businesses achieve.

This transportation-as-a-service stock has been a huge winner. Just in the past three years, shares have rocketed 213% higher (as of Sept. 5). Besides this momentum, here’s one reason every investor should know about Uber.

Image source: Getty Images.

Uber’s most impressive trait

Uber benefits from a powerful network effect. This favorable setup supports its competitive position. Its mobility segment connects riders with drivers. As the number of riders increases, drivers find the platform much more valuable, as they can generate more income from a bigger customer base.

On the other hand, more riders will come on board as well because the experience will improve with greater driver supply. Riders might see better pricing and lower wait times.

The same situation applies to the delivery segment. Only this time, a larger number of restaurants is introduced on the supply side.

Only getting better

There are key indicators that reveal the strength of the network effect. For instance, Uber’s user base continues to grow at an impressive pace. The company had 180 million monthly active platform consumers (MAPCs) (as of June 30), up 15% year over year. What’s more, the average number of trips per MAPC was 18.2 in Q2, up from 17.7 in the same period of 2024, showcasing impressive levels of engagement.

In recent years, Uber’s revenue and operating income have soared. The business is finding remarkable success, which has supported the stock’s rise. Credit goes to the network effect, a competitive advantage that investors should understand about Uber.

The Italian journalist who — for some reason — excluded Ayo Edebiri in a question about Hollywood and the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements has spoken out about the now-viral interview.

Federica Polidoro posted a statement Monday on Instagram defending her work, saying that she has been subject to “violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying” following the “question that, for some reason, was not well received by some members of the public.”

“Rather than focusing on the thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield, the discussion continues solely on how I should have phrased the question,” Polidoro wrote.

The exchange in question occurred at a press event with Edebiri, Roberts and Garfield at the Venice Film Festival, where their film “After the Hunt,” directed by Luca Guadagnino, made its world premiere. In a video that has been shared widely, Polidoro is heard asking Roberts and Garfield what they thought was “lost during the politically correct era” and what people can expect from Hollywood now that “the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matters are done.”

After Roberts asks the journalist to clarify who the question is directed to, Polidoro reiterates that her question is for Roberts and Garfield. As the actors share a look, Edebiri raises her hand to respond instead.

“I know that that’s not for me and I don’t know if it’s purposeful that it’s not for me — but I am curious — but I don’t think it’s done,” the star of “The Bear” says. “I don’t think it’s done at all.”

“I think maybe hashtags might not be used as much,” she continues, “but I do think that there’s work being done by activists, by people, every day, that’s beautiful, important work that’s not finished. That’s really, really, really active for a reason. Because this world is really charged. And that work isn’t finished at all. Maybe there’s not mainstream coverage in the way that there might have been, daily headlines in the way that it might have been, eight or so years ago, but I don’t think it means that the work is done. That’s what I would say.”

“The movements are still absolutely alive,” Garfield says in agreement. “Just maybe not as labeled or covered or magnified as much in this present moment.”

In her statement, Polidoro pushed back against accusations of racism, saying she has “interviewed people of every background and ethnicity” over the course of her 20-year career.

“My own family is multi-ethnic, matriarchal, and feminist, with a significant history of immigration,” wrote Polidoro, who in her Instagram bio mentions being a Golden Globes voter and awards season analyst. “In my view, the real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism, limiting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and the plurality of perspectives.”

Polidoro’s statement also said, “Censoring or delegitimizing questions considered ‘uncomfortable’ does not fall within the practice of democracy. … Journalism’s role is to ask questions, even on delicate topics, with respect and responsibility.”

THE real reason Pete Wicks avoided Olivia Attwood’s TV launch after their wild holiday has been revealed – and it’s not what you think. 

Last night Olivia, 34, was supported by husband Bradley Dack at a party celebrating series two of Bad Boyfriends. 

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Pete, 36, was absent from the bash after it was reported Brad, 31, was left fuming over his wife’s trip with the former Towie star. 

But The Sun can reveal the real reason Pete was forced to skip the party. 

A spokesman for Pete confirmed: “Pete had to travel up north to film for his TV series.

“He goes weekly and has been for months. There is a Dogs Trust Centre there and he was staying overnight on Monday to film all day today.”

Pete presents the Dogs Trust documentary For Dogs’ Sake which airs on channel U&W. 

Former Towie star Pete has opened up about going “off radar” during the trip, which Olivia has described as “feral”. 

Speaking on their Sunday Roast Reheated podcast, he said: “Do you know what I think it’s to do with?

“Obviously we were out there working for a couple of days and then we had a couple of days off.

“It was… the people we were with made it such an amazing trip but also, we don’t get a lot of time off, and it was nice to go off radar a little bit and just be present in the moment with the people we were with.”

He added: “Every day was just f****** great.”

During the episode, Olivia said: “People wanted to know what my most feral moment was.”

Pete quipped: “This podcast isn’t long enough to go through them all.”

Olivia continued: “I’m not going to lie, it was very feral. There’s a lot that happened that we can’t even discuss on this podcast.”

Confessing their holiday was so wild that she ran out of clothes and was forced to buy a dress from a local store for their final night, Olivia added: “I went with six hats and I returned with one.”

YOUTUBE star KSI has been announced as Bruno Tonioli’s replacement on Britain’s Got Talent – after Simon Cowell got advice from an unlikely source.

The head judge turned to his 11-year-old son Eric for advice about who should take over from the professional dancer who had to quit due to filming clashes with Dancing With The Stars in the US.

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Music mogul Simon was then convinced to give guest judge KSI, 32, a permanent spot on the panel by his little boy who’s a huge fan of the influencer.

A TV insider told The Sun: “Simon’s been friends with Bruno for over 35 years and loved working with him on BGT.

“It was really tough knowing he had to let Bruno go because they couldn’t get the filming dates to work out with his commitments on Dancing with the Stars.

“Simon is always looking for new ways to keep the show evolving and loves to get the opinion of his young son.

“Eric was a big influence for Simon in choosing Bruno’s replacement. He’s obsessed with him and adores him, KSI is Eric’s favourite influencer.

“Plus, he’s been such a hit as a guest judge and Simon recognises they need to keep the show different by moving forward to keep attracting the younger audience.

“Bruno was popular with the grannies, but KSI is for the youngsters.

“KSI has a huge social media presence and Simon knows how important it is to keep the show more modern.”

KSI also showed he had a real gift for spotting talent because it was his live show golden buzzer act, Harry Moulding, who was crowned winner of BGT, bagging the £250,000 cash prize and a place performing at the Royal Variety Performance.

After being confirmed as the new full-time judge, music artist and boxer KSI said: “I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of the Britain’s Got Talent team for another season.

“I had such a good time last year and I can’t wait to see some more top talent.

“I’m full of energy, ready to go, and can’t wait to make this the most entertaining BGT season ever. Let’s do this.”

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In crypto, it’s a truism that wherever liquidity sits, the biggest money will congregate. Scale makes every transaction cheaper, cleaner, and safer to execute, and given that crypto markets are only now starting to become liquid enough for financial institutions to really engage with deeply, there’s simply no way to beat it.

That’s one big reason to buy Ethereum (ETH 0.13%) today. Let’s take a closer peek at the most important asset class that’s providing the liquidity to this chain to see why it’s worth buying.

Image source: Getty Images.

This liquidity base is hard to ignore

Ethereum is home to the deepest pool of fiat currency-pegged stablecoin liquidity in crypto. If you want exposure to one of the networks that global finance is most likely to use, buying the network that already holds the most dollars is a good move.

Stablecoins are crypto tokens designed to hold a steady value, typically $1. They’re the grease for nearly everything in decentralized finance (DeFi), from lending to trading, payments, and settlement.

By value, Ethereum hosts the largest stack of stables in the industry, with roughly $146 billion in stablecoin value on its base layer alone, far ahead of all of the runner-up chains. To put that into context, Tron holds about $82 billion in stables, and Solana holds about $12 billion.

So Ethereum’s broader ecosystem commands the largest on-chain dollar float by a wide margin. That helps explain why its DeFi total value locked (TVL) also leads all other networks. It’s also why new DeFi projects have a big incentive to operate on the chain. If you want your project to bring in a lot of revenue, positioning it on the network where the most money is parked and flowing is an obvious move.

In other words, the biggest pools of tokenized cash beget more inflows of value seeking to capture a portion of that cash, making a virtuous cycle of sorts.

Big money is coming, but competition remains an issue

For a pension fund or asset manager, moving capital with size through thin pipes is operationally risky and expensive. Liquidity lowers slippage and simplifies post-trade workflows, saving costs.

On that front, stablecoin settlement is scaling rapidly, with $27.6 trillion in transfer volume across various major blockchains in 2024.

That matters because these dollars need a home with reliable rails. Overall, there’s thus a good chance that at least some financial institutions will flock to do business on Ethereum. And the institutional inflows are another facet of why stablecoins are such an important part of the investment thesis for buying the coin.

But Ethereum’s victory over the long term is not assured, as its biggest competitive threats are real. Tron dominates retail peer-to-peer stablecoin flows in several regions, and it often processes more transfer volume than Ethereum for those use cases. If those flows become the benchmark for liquidity for financial institutions, Ethereum’s lead could compress over time.

In contrast, Solana’s high speed and low fees make it a formidable venue for certain stablecoin-heavy applications as well, which ensures that some liquidity will continue to be siphoned from Ethereum. Assuming that low-latency payment apps become a larger share of on-chain finance, Solana could take larger slices at the margin, even if Ethereum remains the anchor for institutional purposes. It could also just attract those institutions to its chain directly, so it’s a major threat.

Nonetheless, Ethereum is still worth buying today, and it has a long runway for growth in stablecoins and DeFi, among many other segments that operate on its chain.

If stablecoins keep growing and institutions continue to prefer the deepest, most connected liquidity pools — and both of those things are very likely to continue — Ethereum is positioned to benefit for years. The precise mix of venues, applications, and assets will ebb and flow, but the center of financial gravity is already likely set, at least for now.

Hotel irons are often used for more than just smoothing out wrinkles, and travellers are being warned to avoid using them

When it comes to packing for a holiday, no matter how meticulously we fold our clothes, they always seem creased on the other side of the journey. But before you reach for your hotel’s iron to smooth out those wrinkles, you might want to think twice as it may have been used in ways you’d never imagine.

In this era of viral TikTok hacks and unconventional uses for everyday appliances, the humble hotel iron has often found itself under scrutiny – and frequently for all the wrong reasons. Oddly enough, it’s not just being used for smoothing out wrinkles anymore.

TikTok content creators promoting alternative uses for regular household appliances are, in many instances, creating these ‘hack’ videos not at home, but in hotel rooms, reports the Express.

So when you’re stepping into a freshly-booked hotel room, you’ve no idea what the provided appliances might have been used for by previous guests.

However, clothing experts Stock have unveiled information about why you should steer clear of hotel irons.

Why should you avoid hotel irons?

Hotel irons get passed around by countless guests, and not everyone uses them solely for clothes.

Some guests have resorted to using them to heat food items like pizza and sandwiches, and one TikTok user even attempted cooking a steak with one.

A swift Google search also uncovers several travel blogs advocating for this hack. It’s a startling and cautionary revelation about the potential misuse of these appliances.

A travel website even suggested using an “ironing board as a hot plate” and the iron itself as a heat source.

Beyond their unintended culinary adventures, hotel irons pose several risks.

One Stock expert explained: “They may not always be as clean as you’d hope, potentially transferring residues from previous uses onto your clothes.

“Using them for non-ironing purposes can damage the appliance and leave unsavoury smells on your garments.

“Moreover, irons can be old and rusty, risking stains that are tough to remove.”

What to do instead

Stock offers the following unconventional yet practical alternatives to hotel irons.

Steam it out

Forget the iron in the wardrobe and harness the steam from your hotel bathroom. Suspend your garments near the shower and allow the steam to work its magic in releasing creases.

Quick steam with water

Fill a spray bottle with fresh water and lightly spritz your clothing. Your body heat will help dry them swiftly, naturally smoothing out wrinkles.

Inspect before you iron

Always examine the iron’s state before using it. Check for any visible grime or corrosion.

Test it on a concealed section of your garment to ensure it’s clean and won’t harm your outfit. If the iron leaves any unpleasant marks or odours, it’s best to steer clear of using it.

EXCLUSIVE: The 25-year-old actor, who plays the son of shopkeeper Dev, Aadi Alahan, left the soap on Wednesday night – but says it was his decision to ‘spread his wings’ and play other characters

After an emotional farewell last night as his character, Aadi Alahan, left Coronation Street’s famous cobbles to start a new life in India, actor Adam Hussain reveals it was his decision to quit.

Having joined Corrie in April 2020 as Dev and Sunita’s son, Aadi, Adam took over from Zennon Ditchett, who had left Weatherfield to concentrate on his A-levels. Prior to that, Aadi and his twin sister Asha were played by triplets Hannah, Harris and Ria Ahmed.

But after five years, the actor says he decided to leave to “spread his wings” and play other characters. And his brave move has clearly proved to be a good one as Adam reveals today he has already bagged himself a role in a new feature film, overseen by award-winning horror director Richard Stanley.

In his only newspaper interview talking about his departure, the actor, 24, tells the Mirror: “My life has changed for the better since I joined Corrie and it has been such an honour to be part of the amazing cast.

“I joined during the Covid pandemic, which was a weird and surreal time to take on a new character. I’ve loved playing Aadi, I have made good friends on the set, and I am going to miss Corrie dearly.

“But I am going to be 25 in October, and I felt it was the right time to leave. It was my decision, and the producers were so understanding.

“I want to spread my wings a little, go out in the big world and see what else I can do. I am really excited as I’ve got a new role in a horror feature film. I can’t say too much yet, but I am looking forward to it.

“I feel lucky as I’ve also been to lots of other auditions since I finished filming my Corrie scenes in June, and I’ve filmed a part in a short film, Spice For Life, too. We are sending it off to film festivals at the moment. It’s an exploration of cultures coming together.”

He is, however, glad Corrie bosses decided not to kill Aadi off. “It’s very relieving to know I can always return whenever I want to,” smiles Adam. “And they’ve told me the door will always be left open if I ever want to come back. My friends on set were gutted when I first told them, but they also understood. They now have high aspirations about what I am going to get up to in the coming years!”

Over the past few weeks, Aadi’s life has spiralled out of control as he turned to booze to get over the guilt of Lauren accidentally drinking his laced drink and the stress of running a business.

It was his dad, Dev, who told him to go and start a fresh life in India with his cousin, Vikram. Initially, Aadi was opposed to the idea, but eventually he came to the realisation that it was the perfect chance to wipe the slate clean.

“He has been really struggling financially with keeping the business running,” explains the star. “But his life spiralled because he also felt so guilty about what happened to Lauren. He started drinking a lot. At first, Aadi was distraught that his dad wanted to send him away, but he knew eventually it was the right decision to get away and have a fresh start.”

Adam says he had mixed emotions filming his final scenes. “It was both scary and exciting,” he adds. “I had a whole mix of emotions because I did get very nostalgic. I also knew it was the right decision to go.”

But thankfully, he says he didn’t fall to pieces shooting the emotional farewell scenes. “I actually had to use a tear stick for when Aadi started crying,” he reveals. “It’s been fun to film this storyline and I also think it has been good to show business owners who are struggling that they aren’t alone. It can be really tough running a business, as Aadi found.”

Admitting he has grown up a lot during his time on Corrie, Adam says he is particularly proud to have been involved in some gritty storylines. From being shot at while protecting his fiancée, Kelly Neelan, and accidentally letting Lauren Bolton drink LCD to having an affair with married woman Courtney Vance and staging a fake robbery at the corner shop, the actor says he has loved the many twists and turns his character has faced.

“I was 20 when I joined Corrie and I’ve learnt so much,” he says. “I still feel like a kid at heart but I am older now and these five years have flown by. It seems like only yesterday I was arriving on set for the first time to play Aadi. I’ve grown in confidence and I’ve learnt so much about how it works on a soap set as well as the industry as a whole.”

He picks out a car explosion in 2021 that saw Aadi fight for his life as one of his favourite plotlines. He also loved filming scenes a year later with Millie Gibson, who played Aadi’s fiancée, Kelly. She had been kidnapped by her dad’s criminal associates and was about to be shot. But loved-up Aadi jumped in to save her and took the bullet. Thankfully, the gunshot missed vital organs, but he was then left distraught when Kelly decided to leave Weatherfield for good.

“Aadi got shot trying to protect Kelly,” he recalls fondly. “It was such an honour and pleasure to work alongside Millie. We used Hollywood-style equipment, which was exciting. It was also great fun filming the car explosion stunt in the countryside.

“Filming in the pandemic was also obviously a surreal time, too. We had to keep a seven-metre distance with only two people in each scene at a time, which made filming quite difficult.

“But it’s been fun playing Aadi. I like how he enjoys playing the hero, but he has a flawed side as well. I love his awkwardness!” He also admits he is going to miss Jimmi Harkishin, who plays his on-screen dad, terribly. “I find Jimmi so funny,” he says. “He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. I learned a lot from him, and he became my second dad – my work dad.

“I’ve kept the ‘golf ball’ set Dev gave Aadi when he asked him to be his best man as a memento. It’s in a chest at home, along with other mementoes from all my other acting jobs.

“I grew up watching Corrie and it’s been so surreal to be able to say I’ve been part of the cast. I have to pinch myself sometimes!” Both his charity shop worker mum, Nora, and dad, Azark, a retired hospitality worker, are very supportive of his decision to leave and have even let him move back in with them in Manchester.

Adam – one of four siblings – says they’ve always encouraged him to follow his dreams. “I got into acting when I was in secondary school. I was a quiet child and getting up on the stage was therapeutic for me. It helped me come out of my shell. Mum and Dad are so proud and we watched last night’s scenes together at home.”

After dropping out of college to attend an acting class run by his now-agent Darren Gordon, Adam landed several TV roles including playing Josh Nubhai in ITV’s The Bay for two seasons. He also starred in Absentia and No Man’s Land.

Adam, who is single, says he hopes to one day travel the world with his job. “I’ve already travelled quite a lot before I took on the Corrie role,” he explains. “I would love to travel everywhere, especially America. I want to get into films and the feature film I’ve been signed up to do is a great stepping stone.

“I am single at the moment. I want to concentrate on my work.” However, he stresses he’s not about to change careers. One newspaper report suggested he was working for his family tailoring business in between roles. “My brother-in-law owns a tailor,” he explains. “So, every now and again I go and help out!”

As for whether he thinks he will ever return to Corrie’s cobbles in the future and the actor smiles as he stresses: “Never say never! But I do hope Aadi does get a second chance in India. He is going to live with his rich aunt, so you never know, he might turn out to be the new Prince of Mumbai!”

– Coronation Street runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1. Episodes can also be downloaded on ITVX.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

When Bitcoin was created in 2009, it was seen as nothing more than a niche internet experiment. There are plenty of stories about people using the cryptocurrency to buy items like pizza, gift cards, or coffee (a decision they likely rue now).

But as Bitcoin became more popular, many other cryptocurrencies emerged. Some of these have legitimate use cases, and some can be viewed as nothing but a quick cash grab from their creators and early insiders. One cryptocurrency that falls into the former category is XRP (XRP 3.48%).

XRP is a cryptocurrency that enables fast and cheap cross-border payments, and it has had a great run over the past 12 months, up over 390%. That’s over five times the returns of Bitcoin and Ethereum in that span. The recent rally may have investors thinking they missed the wave, but there’s one big reason why there’s still time to hop on the boat.

Image source: Getty Images.

Cross-border payments are becoming more frequent

Sending money from one country to another has traditionally been expensive because of the reliance on banks (and pre-funded accounts) and high intermediary fees. However, with the introduction of XRP and other nontraditional sources, these transactions are increasingly becoming cheaper and more frequent.

According to Allied Market Research, the global cross-border payments market was around $206 trillion at the end of 2024. By 2034, it’s expected to be around $414 trillion. This is great news for XRP because it feeds right into its main use case of being a bridge currency to facilitate these transactions.

What traditionally could cost someone 5% to 7% of the transfer amount , XRP is able to do it for fractions of a cent and much faster. If XRP can capture even a small fraction of the cross-border payment flow, it can be a good investment for some time. 

The TV star has revealed they are ‘very pleased’ with their decision to stop drinking alcohol

Gogglebox star Gyles Brandreth has revealed he gave up alcohol because he hated hangovers and feeling “groggy”.

The TV star opened up on ITV’s This Morning, where he is a regular on the sofa, sharing that he didn’t like not feeling “sharp” when he got up and that he also battled migraines after a tipple.

The 77-year-old ended up quitting booze altogether and hasn’t looked back, telling presenters Rylan Clark and Josie Gibson that he’s “very pleased” with his decision.

Opening up during a segment about how much time Brits spend recovering from drinking, he said: “One of the reasons I gave up drinking 25 years ago was because I did occasionally have a hangover. I felt groggy, I didn’t feel sharp in the morning.”

“Yeah, it’s the worst feeling,” host Rylan agreed.

“It is a terrible feeling,” Gyles replied. “I thought, ‘I don’t want this anymore.’ So I actually gave up for a month, then three months.

“Started drinking again and again having migraines , so I gave up forever. And I am very pleased that I did!”

As well as being a staple on This Morning, Gyles has been entertaining Celebrity Gogglebox viewers with his witty comments and observations since 2019.

He has appeared in the Channel 4 series with several different celebs, including Carol Vorderman, Sheila Hancock, Joanna Lumley and Maureen Lipman. Last year saw him do a stint with singer Lulu.

Gyles previously told OK! he’s been impressed with the co-stars that Gogglebox bosses pick for him – and that he’s got his sights set on his next fellow armchair critic.

“They choose the people for me – they choose the celebrity friend and they seem to give me all these Dames which is marvellous. Lovely Dame Maureen Lipman and Dame Sheila Hancock are fabulous – and the singer Lulu of course,” he said.

He went on: “I have a wish list, though, for who I would love for next year if they ask me again – I would love Dame Twiggy… I’m keeping my fingers crossed!”

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Aug. 25 (UPI) — An ex-Maui police officer is facing the possibility of multiple years behind bars for unreasonable force after admitting he used a Taser on an arrestee who was not a threat.

Carlos Frate, a former member of Hawaii’s Maui Police Department, on Friday pleaded guilty to a single count of deploying unreasonable force after tasing a citizen during an arrest last year in January.

“Officers who abuse their position of authority to inflict excessive force must be held accountable,” stated Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.

Frate, 40, initially pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court and was released on a $50,000 bond.

According to Frate’s plea agreement, he repeatedly tased an unidentified arrestee on January 6 despite no threat or resistance from the suspect.

“Our police officers are entrusted to protect our citizens and perform their duties professionally, and it is the norm here in Hawaii that our law enforcement officers faithfully serve and protect us,” Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii said in a statement.

The case was based on an FBI referral by Maui police officials.

A 2020 report suggested that police officers subject to a previous civilian complaint — regardless if for excessive force, verbal abuse or unlawful searches — pose a higher risk of engaging in serious future misconduct.

On Monday, Justice Department officials pointed to how Frate admitted he knew force was unjustified but continued to tase the victim despite pleas to stop.

“In those rare instances where an officer abuses the public trust by using excessive force, that officer will be held accountable and prosecuted,” added Sorenson.

Frate faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“We entrust our law enforcement officers with vast power and authority, and when they abuse it, they’re not just depriving victims of their civil rights, but they are also degrading the public’s trust in our criminal justice system,” commented David Porter, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Honolulu.

FBI officials in Washington said the bureau will investigate and hold accountable any person who violates federal law regardless of position.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May made it easier for the public to legally challenge unwarranted and unreasonable force stemming from a deadly traffic-stop-gone-wrong in Texas.

The nation’s high court ruled that the totality of the circumstances and not just the “moment of threat doctrine” must be used to assess if the use of police force was “objectively reasonable.”

However, Frate’s final outcome will be based on federal advisory sentencing guidelines and “other statutory factors,” the Justice Department added.

Sorenson stated that his Hawaii office will “continue to safeguard the constitutional rights of all of Hawaii’s citizens, including individuals under arrest.”

Meanwhile, Frate will be sentenced on January 6 at a hearting presided by U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith, an appointee of U.S. President Joe Biden.

XRP (XRP 0.20%) has recently seen pullbacks following news that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed its decision on whether the cryptocurrency can be included in new exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Higher-than-expected inflation and recent reports from major U.S. retailers suggesting that inflationary pressures could be poised to worsen in the near term have also weighed on the token’s valuation.

While XRP is still up 39% across 2025’s trading, it’s also down 20% from its high. On the heels of recent sell-offs, there’s one significant catalyst on the horizon that suggests that now could be a good time to invest in the cryptocurrency.

Image source: Getty Images.

Buying XRP before October could be a smart move

With a recent update, the SEC said that it had pushed out decisions on whether it would allow two new ETFs centered around the XRP token that were expected to arrive this month. A decision on the application for the Grayscale XRP trust is now expected to arrive Oct. 18, and one on the 21Shares Core XRP Trust is expected by Oct. 19.

While the SEC’s recent decision to postpone how it will respond to applications for these ETFs has seemingly added to uncertainty surrounding whether the cryptocurrency will become part of publicly traded funds listed on major exchanges, there are good reasons to think that the token will receive approval for fund inclusion. Current SEC chairman Paul Atkins’ support for the crypto industry and general advocacy for a more lax regulatory approach to the space is one of the key points where he differed from previous chairman Gary Gensler.

Along with executive orders on the crypto industry and other moves from the Trump administration to support the adoption of cryptocurrencies, signs of policy shifts at the SEC support the thesis that the regulatory agency will approve XRP’s inclusion in ETFs. While higher-than-expected inflation and a slower path to interest rate cuts could introduce bearish pressures for the token, political and regulatory catalysts suggest paths to more gains this year.

The low-altitude economy is on the verge of rocketing higher over the next few decades. Bank of America sees the global adoption of electric vehicle take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to increase by 62% by 2030.

While Joby Aviation is one way to profit from this opportunity, it’s worth noting that Cathie Wood of Ark Invest has placed her bet on Archer Aviation (ACHR 2.93%) for the Ark Innovation ETF, which holds almost 18 million shares. There’s one reason that may explain why Wood is bullish, and it’s also why I hold shares — and that’s a steady flow of positive developments in the past year that position Archer to be a leader in the air taxi market.

The Midnight model eVTOL aircraft. Image source: Archer Aviation.

Why buy Archer Aviation stock

Over the past year, there have been a number of announcements that show the company progressing toward receiving the required certifications and launching commercial operations. This has had a significant impact on the stock price, which has doubled over the past year despite the company not generating significant revenue yet.

Archer has previously announced partnerships with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines to operate air taxi networks across major cities in the U.S. It also has financial backing from Stellantis and other investors as it works toward its goal of manufacturing 50 aircraft per year. In its second-quarter earnings report, Archer reported there were six Midnight aircraft in different production stages, with three in final assembly at its Georgia and Silicon Valley facilities.

In June, Archer, along with the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, announced an alliance with the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand in streamlining the certification and commercial launch of eVTOL aircraft.

Finally, Archer Aviation was recently named the official air taxi service for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which will be valuable marketing in demonstrating its capabilities. Given these developments, Archer Aviation is a potential breakout growth stock to watch over the next year.

For all the warnings, lectures and advice given to high school football players before their first game of the season to hydrate so they can avoid cramping, it still happens. For whatever reason, the pain begins, gets even more painful, then walking off the field becomes a chore.

“Game 1, for some reason in football, they cramp,” said Loyola High athletic trainer Tim Moscicki, in his 37th year. “Whether it’s lactic acid building up, anxiety or excitement, I’ve seen it for years.”

North Hollywood players were cramping repeatedly in their opening game on Thursday night against Granada Hills. Certainly hot weather doesn’t help, but everyone seemingly has a different strategy for dealing with cramps. There are so many supplements people could try a different one each day of the week.

“Once they start to cramp, it’s usually an uphill battle,” Moscicki said. “I don’t think it’s just the weather. I’ve seen cramps in cold weather, hot weather, in rain. Everyone has their own list how to treat — coconut water, bananas, pickle juice, mustard, Gatorade.”

St. John Bosco is using a supplement added to water called Lytening Hydration during its trip to Florida to help with cramping.

“There’s no cure-all for cramps,” Moscicki said.

He advises players prepare two or three days before games with hydration. Just starting on game day won’t work.

What’s certain is players cramping on opening weekend and coaches asking their athletic trainers, “Why are we cramping?”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

Brookfield Asset Management (BAM -0.61%) manages over $1 trillion in assets, making it one of the largest alternative investment managers in the world. The company is growing briskly as more investors look to diversify into alternative assets.

The company’s robust growth potential makes it one of the best financial stocks you can buy today. Here’s a look at its impressive growth profile.

Image source: Getty Images.

Rapidly rising fee-based income

Of Brookfield’s $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM), about $563 billion currently generates fees. Over the past year, this fee-bearing capital produced $2.7 billion in fee-related earnings. Brookfield returns most of this income to shareholders through a dividend that currently yields close to 3%.

Brookfield sees strong growth ahead for its fee-bearing assets, earnings, and dividend payments through 2029. The company expects to more than double its fee-bearing capital to $1.1 trillion by the end of the decade by putting more of the capital it has already raised from investors to work and attracting new capital. Key growth drivers include rising investor demand for alternatives, new fund launches, and expanding into new capital sources, such as insurance companies and high-net-worth investors.

As Brookfield’s fee-bearing capital grows, the company expects it to drive 17% compound annual fee-related earnings-per-share growth through the decade. Distributable earnings per share are on track to rise even faster at 18% annually, helped by the realization of carried interest (its share of the profits from funds it manages above certain return thresholds). By 2029, Brookfield estimates it will generate $2 billion in carried interest alone.

With earnings rapidly rising, Brookfield expects to grow its dividend by more than 15% per year. This combination of rising earnings and dividends positions the company to deliver strong total returns over the next five years.

Strictly Come Dancing star Kristian Nairn has quit the BBC show just a week into training – as sources now reveal to us why he decided to leave the programme

Kristian Nairn’s real reason for quitting Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed after it was announced today that the actor and DJ had quit due to “unexpected medical reasons”.

The Game of Thrones actor and DJ was confirmed today to not be taking on the Latin and ballroom competition for an undisclosed health complaint. Kristian will be replaced by another celebrity, due to be announced later today.

He said in a statement: “With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons. I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor. Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian.”

Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios, added in a statement: “We’ve absolutely loved getting to know Kristian in this short time, and he has all the makings of a brilliant Strictly Come Dancing contestant. We’re incredibly sorry to lose him from this year’s series and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”

Now, a source has revealed to The Mirror just why Kristian had quit the competition so early into training. A BBC source told us: “Kristian sadly just wasn’t up to competing on Strictly and so he had to pull out.

“The celebrities have not been paired up yet but he had a couple sessions doing the group number and they were a real shock to the system. I think by his own admission he found them a struggle and may have been surprised how much of a challenge it was physically for him. He wasn’t feeling great and the best option for everyone was for him to leave the show at this stage. It has been a bit of a scramble but we have got a replacement.”

When he was announced for the show, Kristian said he was excited for the physical challenge. He said: This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!”

The new celebrity joining Strictly Come Dancing will be announced on Thursday’s (21.08.25) episode of The One Show. Strictly will return in just a few weeks time – with the celebrities and their professional dance partners being announced in a special launch show.

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