NEW YORK / KYIV — Shares of Kyivstar Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: KYIV) staged a dramatic recovery on Friday, March 13, 2026, as investors reacted to a “blowout” earnings report that showcased the operator’s ability to maintain double-digit growth despite the ongoing challenges of operating in a wartime economy.

After a volatile week for the broader NASDAQ exchange, Kyivstar closed the session at $11.07, up nearly 9% from its previous close of $10.20. The rebound follows a year of historic milestones for the company, which in late 2025 became the first Ukrainian-based firm to list directly on a major U.S. stock exchange.

Financial Performance: Growth Beyond Connectivity

The fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, released early Friday morning, outperformed both analyst estimates and the company’s own conservative guidance.

• Revenue Surge: Total revenue for 2025 reached $1.157 billion, a nearly 26% increase year-over-year.
• Profitability: The company reported an adjusted net profit of $289 million, with earnings per share (EPS) of $1.32.
• EBITDA: Kyivstar maintained a high-efficiency operation with an EBITDA of $648 million, reflecting a massive margin of 56%.
• Digital Pivot: Digital revenue grew by 4.7x in 2025, now accounting for over 10% of the company’s total revenue, driven by expansion into health-tech and fintech.

“These results are a testament to the digital transformation we have spearheaded in Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Komarov, CEO of Kyivstar. “We are no longer just a telecom company; we are a digital services ecosystem.”

The “Starlink Mobile” Revolution

A primary driver of investor optimism in early 2026 has been Kyivstar’s world-first integration of Starlink Mobile satellite technology.

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona earlier this month, the company announced it now serves 5 million customers via its “Direct-to-Cell” satellite network. This technology allows standard 4G smartphones to connect directly to satellites in areas where terrestrial towers have been damaged or destroyed by conflict.

“Kyivstar is shaping the global practice of integrating non-terrestrial networks,” noted industry analyst Daniel Lee. “The Ukrainian use case for satellite connectivity is being watched by every major carrier in the world as a blueprint for emergency resilience.”

Strategic Shifts and Ownership

The stock’s recent performance also reflects a more stable capital structure. In February 2026, Kyivstar’s parent company, VEON Ltd., successfully completed a secondary public offering of 14.3 million shares at $10.50 per share.

The offering was oversubscribed fivefold, indicating high institutional appetite for Ukrainian assets. Following the sale, VEON remains the principal shareholder with an 83.6% stake, but the expanded “free float” has significantly improved the stock’s liquidity on the Nasdaq.

Furthermore, Kyivstar continues to diversify its revenue through aggressive M&A activity. In February, the company finalized the $160 million acquisition of Tabletki.ua, Ukraine’s leading online healthcare marketplace, signaling a long-term pivot toward digital health.

2026 Outlook: 5G and EU Integration

Looking ahead, management has provided optimistic guidance for the remainder of 2026, forecasting USD revenue growth between 8% and 11%. Key drivers for the coming year include:

• The 5G Pilot: A large-scale 5G rollout that began in Lviv earlier this year.
• Expansion of Space Tech: Plans to increase Starlink Mobile users to 12 million by the end of 2026.
• Reconstruction: Participation in the government’s “Digital Marshall Plan,” prioritizing high-speed fiber connectivity for rebuilding efforts.

Market Context and Risks

Despite the positive momentum, KYIV remains a high-beta stock, currently trading with a beta of 1.59, making it more volatile than the broader market.

Investors remain wary of the geopolitical risks and the impact of the UAH/USD exchange rate, which management currently models at 44.5 for their 2026 projections. However, with a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of roughly 10.3, many value investors are viewing the current price as a favorable entry point for a dominant market leader.

KYIV Stock Snapshot (March 13, 2026)

DALLAS— In the high-stakes world of the NBA, comparisons to “Larry Legend” are usually reserved for the Hall of Fame wing of a museum. But as of March 15, 2026, those comparisons aren’t just being whispered; they are the loudest debate in professional sports.

Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old rookie sensation for the Dallas Mavericks, has spent the 2025-26 season turning the “generational talent” label into an understatement. After being selected No. 1 overall following a historic freshman year at Duke, Flagg is currently averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

But stats only tell half the story. The real question—the one sparking heated debates from the Road Trippin’ podcast to the desks of ESPN—is whether Cooper Flagg is actually better than Larry Bird was at the same stage.

The Statistical Tale of the Tape

To understand the Flagg-Bird comparison, one must look at their respective trajectories. Larry Bird entered the NBA at age 23, having stayed four years in college to lead Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA title game. Cooper Flagg, by contrast, is a “one-and-done” prodigy who is already a top-tier NBA producer while Bird was still dominating the Missouri Valley Conference.

While Bird’s rookie rebounding numbers remain superior, Flagg’s scoring efficiency and defensive versatility at age 19 have scouts suggesting his “ceiling” is exponentially higher.

The “Star Power” Factor: Carmelo Anthony and Paul George Weigh In

The comparison gained massive traction earlier this year when NBA veterans Carmelo Anthony and Paul George discussed Flagg’s impact.

“We haven’t seen a white boy like that in a long time,” Anthony remarked on 7PM in Brooklyn. “It’s got to be [Larry Bird] as far as that star power.” George agreed, noting that while Flagg doesn’t necessarily do any one thing at an elite level yet, he does “everything very, very good.”

Why the Comparison Sticks (and Why It Doesn’t)

The Case for Flagg:

• Defensive Prowess: Unlike Bird, who relied on elite positioning and “basketball IQ” to defend, Flagg is a modern-day physical specimen. At 6-foot-9 with elite verticality, he is a “five-tool” defender capable of switching onto guards or protecting the rim.
• Modern Shooting: Flagg’s 38.5% clip from three-point range during his Duke tenure showed a perimeter threat that took Bird years to fully develop in an era that didn’t value the long ball.
• Early Professionalism: Flagg is arguably the most prepared 19-year-old in history. His performance during the 2024 Team USA scrimmages—where he famously held his own against LeBron James and Anthony Davis—proved he was “NBA-ready” before he even stepped foot on Duke’s campus.

The Case for Bird:

• Passing Genius: Larry Bird is widely considered the greatest passing forward in history. While Flagg is a willing and capable facilitator, he has yet to show the “no-look,” telepathic vision that earned Bird three consecutive MVPs.
• The “Killer” Instinct: Bird’s psychological dominance over opponents is legendary. Flagg has shown incredible poise, particularly in his 42-point outburst against Notre Dame in 2025, but Bird’s resume of “clutch” moments is the gold standard.

The Mavericks’ New Era

The timing of Flagg’s arrival in Dallas is poetic. Following the departure of Luka Dončić, the Mavericks needed a new cornerstone. Flagg has stepped into that void with a maturity that belies his age. Despite a mid-season foot injury that sidelined him for eight games in February 2026, he returned on March 5 to post 18 points and four blocks against Orlando, signaling he is ready for the playoff push.

“He doesn’t play like a rookie,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “He has the IQ of a ten-year vet. When people talk about Bird, they talk about the mind. Cooper is in that same stratosphere.”

The Verdict: Is He Better?

Is Cooper Flagg better than Larry Bird? If we are talking about peak performance, the answer is clearly not yet. Bird is a three-time champion and three-time MVP.

However, if the question is who was better at 19?, Flagg wins in a landslide. By the time Larry Bird was 19, he was dropping out of Indiana University and working for the French Lick municipal department. Cooper Flagg is currently the frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year and the face of a billion-dollar franchise.

The 2025-26 season has proven that Cooper Flagg isn’t just “the next Larry Bird”—he is the first Cooper Flagg. And for the rest of the NBA, that is a terrifying prospect.

Cooper Flagg: 2025-26 Season Highlights

• Draft Status: No. 1 Overall Pick (Dallas Mavericks).
• NCAA Accolades: Wooden Award Winner, ACC Player of the Year, First-Team All-American.
• NBA Milestone: Second-youngest player to reach 1,000 career points (achieved March 2026).
• Key Game: 25 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds vs. Cleveland (March 13, 2026).

Television icon Kathie Lee Gifford has ignited a public feud with the producers and hosts of ABC’s The View, labeling the long-running talk show “vicious” and its panelists “miserable” after they reportedly declined to host her for her latest book tour.

The legendary former co-host of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee and Today has been on a whirlwind media blitz for her 37th book, Nero and Paul: How the Gospel of Grace Defeated the Ruler of Rome, which hit shelves on March 10, 2026. However, what began as a spiritual promotion has turned into a headline-grabbing clash of daytime titans.

The “Viciousness” of Modern Media

The sparks began to fly during Gifford’s March 9 appearance on the podcast Tomi Lahren Is Fearless. When asked about the current state of political and social division in media, the 72-year-old Emmy winner didn’t hold back.

“There’s just more of us, and we’re meaner now,” Gifford told Lahren. “People, at least, would pretend to have some manners. Now, there’s a viciousness.”

Gifford specifically signaled out The View—a show she has visited numerous times over the decades—as a prime example of this atmospheric shift.

“I mean, I used to be able to go on The View and talk to Joy [Behar] and Whoopi [Goldberg]… and never had a problem with anybody because they weren’t trying to proselytize everything,” Gifford remarked. “Now, everybody seems like they’re just miserable people.”

Insiders Point to a Promo Rejection

While Gifford framed her comments as a critique of cultural “meanness,” industry insiders suggest the grievance is far more personal. According to reports from television veteran Rob Shuter, Gifford’s team had been “pushing hard” to secure a guest spot or even a guest-hosting gig on the ABC program to coincide with her book launch.

Insiders claim the show’s producers passed on the invitation, citing a crowded schedule and a shift in the show’s current direction. The View has recently relied on a rotation of guest hosts while regular panelist Alyssa Farah Griffin is on maternity leave, but Gifford was notably absent from the roster.

“It’s funny hearing her attack the show now,” one production source told Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack. “Just weeks ago she was practically begging to come on. Getting turned down clearly stung, and now she’s hitting back.”

‘Nero and Paul’: The Book at the Center of the Storm

Despite the drama, Gifford’s primary focus remains her new historical thriller, Nero and Paul. Co-written with theologian Dr. Bryan M. Litfin, the book is the second installment in her Ancient Evil, Living Hope series.

The narrative juxtaposes the “glamour, sex, and power” of the Roman Emperor Nero against the “unwavering faith” of the Apostle Paul. Gifford has described the project as a “page-turner” intended to show how the Gospel can overcome even the most entrenched systemic evil—a message she claims is more relevant in 2026 than ever before.

A Tale of Two Daytime Philosophies

The conflict highlights a growing rift between Gifford’s brand of “faith-first” positivity and the highly charged, often confrontational political debate that defines The View in 2026.

Gifford, who frequently refers to herself as “joy personified,” argued that she prefers to share her faith without being “mean-spirited.” Her critics, however, point to her recent criticisms of the LGBTQ+ community and her alignment with more conservative media outlets as the reason for her alleged “blacklisting” from mainstream daytime couches.

The “Today” Contrast

Interestingly, while the bridge to The View appears to be burning, Gifford’s relationship with her former home at NBC remains rock-solid. She returned to the Today show on March 9 to a warm reception from Hoda Kotb and Al Roker, where she was given a dedicated segment to discuss Nero and Paul.

“I follow Him, and I’m going to use every opportunity that comes my way to proclaim Him, because people are hurting,” Gifford said during her Today appearance.

As of Sunday, March 15, representatives for The View have not issued an official response to Gifford’s “miserable” characterization.

Kathie Lee Gifford: Career & Net Worth Snapshot (March 2026)

• Estimated Net Worth: $60 Million.
• Current Project: Nero and Paul (Released March 10, 2026).
• Key Honors: 4-time Daytime Emmy Award winner.
• Family News: Gifford recently celebrated the arrival of her fourth grandchild.

The company became employee-owned three years ago

Profits have risen at well-known Newcastle creative agency Drummond Central which has boosted its client roster and invested in staff.

The 64-strong business works with a number of high profile brands including Greggs, KitKat and bet365, developing and launching creative campaigns designed to grab audiences. In recent years it has been employee-owned with founders Julie and Stephen Drummond selling their shares to a trust.

Newly published accounts for the Jesmond-based firm cover the year to June 30, 2025 and show that while turnover dipped from £22.4m to £18.2m, operating profit grew slightly from £4.47m to £4.82m. Gross profit was up 7.7% to £8.89m, which bosses said was in line with expectations and due to a phased delivery of some high value projects.

Drummond became a viral hit and made national headlines in 2016 when it livestreamed a puddle that could be seen from its offices. Thousands of people watched the footage of people trying to navigate the obstacle on a pavement.

Last year the firm secured global drinks giant Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey as a client – going on support its on-trade advertising activity. Creatives in Newcastle were tasked with reigniting the brand’s presence in bars, pubs and venues in the UK.

Managing director Dan Appleby said: “Over 20-odd years we’ve been steadily building up to be the best strategic creative agency we can be that happens to be in the North East. What really contributed to that is that over the last six or seven years, we’ve been adding the right kind of client for a business like ours.

“We’ve been working with bet365 for around 20 years but in the last seven years we’ve started working with Greggs, Triumph Motorcycles, Dreams Beds, Hello Fresh, Jack Daniels – big household names.

“The type of work we’re doing now is national, if not international. That’s really what’s driven the way that we’re performing as a business. The work we’ve done in the past is proving that we’re credible enough to win this kind of work from big clients.”

Mr Appleby said the company’s location in the North East was no longer a barrier to success in the creative sector. And he said the company – which became employee-owned three years ago – would remain true to its roots, even as it embraced new technology.

He said: “We’re really nicely placed as 60-person agency. We’re not too big and we’re not too small. We’re big enough to be able to demonstrate capability and put really talented people around projects but we’re small and nimble enough to try things out.

“It’s about attracting clients that believe in the same sort of things that we do, that believe in creativity and collaboration. If we can keep doing that, that’s what will keep everyone happy at DC. As an employee-owned organisation, that’s what we’re all about – it’s about running a profitable business but also a business that’s good for the people that are part of it.”

DALLAS — A man identified by law enforcement as a former member of the security detail for U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) was shot and killed by Dallas SWAT officers late Wednesday night following a tense barricade situation in a hospital parking garage.

The deceased, known publicly as Mike King, was a wanted fugitive at the time of the encounter. His death has sparked a wave of questions regarding how a man with a reported criminal history and a penchant for impersonating law enforcement managed to secure a high-level security role for a sitting member of Congress.

The Standoff at Children’s Medical Center

The incident began on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, 2026, when a fugitive task force tracked King to the parking garage of Children’s Medical Center Dallas in the city’s Medical District. According to Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, King refused to surrender and “barricaded” himself inside his vehicle.

After several hours of unsuccessful negotiations, SWAT officers deployed tear gas into the vehicle to force King out.

“When the suspect eventually emerged from the vehicle, he pointed a firearm at the officers,” Chief Comeaux stated during a press briefing. “The SWAT team was forced to open fire.”

King was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers or hospital bystanders were injured during the confrontation.

The Fugitive’s “Double Life”

Investigation into King’s background reveals a complex web of aliases and alleged criminal activity. Law enforcement sources told CBS News Texas that King operated a business called Off Duty Police Services, an online platform that claimed to connect North Texas police officers with off-duty security work.

Authorities allege that King:

• Impersonated Law Enforcement: He reportedly posed as a licensed officer to gain trust within the Dallas police community and the public.
• Operated a Replica Police Vehicle: King was known to drive a vehicle that closely resembled an undercover police cruiser, complete with emergency lighting.
• Used Stolen Tags: Investigators found that King used license plates stolen from vehicles parked outside a local military recruitment center to evade detection.

The Connection to Rep. Jasmine Crockett

The most startling revelation following the shooting is King’s proximity to Rep. Jasmine Crockett. King was a “familiar figure” in Crockett’s inner circle, frequently seen providing close-proximity security at public events and during her recent, high-profile run for the U.S. Senate.

• Documented Payments: Financial disclosure documents obtained by local media show that Crockett’s campaign or office paid an individual named Mike King for “security services” as recently as 2025.
• Visible Presence: Images and campaign footage from early 2026 show King standing immediately behind or beside the Congresswoman at various rallies in Dallas and Houston.

Rep. Crockett, who is currently transitioning her office after a narrow defeat in the March 3 Democratic Senate primary to State Rep. James Talarico, has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter. Her office declined to answer questions regarding the vetting process used to hire King.

A Pattern of Security Concerns

The shooting comes at a time of heightened security anxiety for Rep. Crockett. In late 2025, her Washington D.C. office was targeted by an individual making “white supremacist threats,” an event she cited as a reason for her robust security detail.

The fact that an alleged fugitive was able to infiltrate the security team of a federal lawmaker has raised alarms on Capitol Hill. “This is a significant lapse in security protocol,” said one former Secret Service agent. “When you have a member of Congress who is already a target for threats, the vetting of their personal detail must be beyond reproach.”

Ongoing Investigation

The Dallas Police Department and the Texas Rangers are conducting a joint investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Authorities have yet to release King’s legal name, as he was reportedly using multiple sophisticated identities at the time of his death.

As the investigation continues, the focus has shifted toward Off Duty Police Services. Investigators are looking into whether the platform was used to facilitate other criminal activities or if any legitimate police officers were knowingly involved in King’s operations.

This article was written by

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