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Ghirardelli issues voluntary recall of 13 powdered beverage mixes

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Ghirardelli issues voluntary recall of 13 powdered beverage mixes

Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. is recalling 13 beverage mixes because they may be contaminated with salmonella, the company said.

The voluntary action follows a separate California Dairies Inc. milk powder recall that was initiated due to a concern about potential salmonella contamination, “which was supplied to a third-party manufacturer and used as an ingredient in powdered beverage mixes.”

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Ghirardelli said the affected beverage mixes are packaged in large formats intended for food-service and institutional customers, but some may have been available for purchase by consumers through e-commerce platforms.

The company said that to date, no illnesses have been reported. Consumers who purchased any of the recalled powdered mixes can contact Ghirardelli directly via phone for information on receiving a replacement or refund.

CHOCOLATE SOLD NATIONWIDE RECALLED OVER UNDECLARED ALLERGEN POSING POTENTIAL ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ RISK

Outside view of a Ghirardelli Chocolate shop.

The exterior of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop at the Empire State Building in New York, New York. (Plexi Images/GHI/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Products affected:

30-lb. Chocolate Flavored Frappe

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  • Lot numbers: S195260A03, S195261A03, S291260A03, S295260A03, S596260A03, S191260A03, S291261A03

30-lb Classic White Frappe

4/2lb. Premium Hot Cocoa Pouch Bulk

  • S550250A04, S149250A04, S249250A04, S349250A04, S449250A04, S549250A04

DOZENS OF ICE CREAM PRODUCTS RECALLED OVER UNDECLARED ALLERGENS POSING ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ RISK

6/3lb Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder

6/3.12lb White Chocolate Flavored Sweet Ground Powder

  • S394260, S494260, S594260
Multiple Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. products.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. is recalling 13 products over potential salmonella contamination. (Ghirardelli Chocolate Co.)

6/3lb Vanilla Frappe Mix

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  • S495260, S495261, S594262

6/3.12lb Chocolate Flavored Frappe Mix

  • S397261, S397262, S397263

6/3.12lb Classic White Frappe Mix

10# Chocolate Flavored Frappe Mix

CANTALOUPES RECALLED NATIONWIDE OVER SALMONELLA FEARS — WHAT SHOPPERS NEED TO KNOW

10# Classic White Frappe Mix

  • S296260A03, S292260A03, S292260A03, S292261A03
Outside the Ghirardelli headquarters.

6/3.12lb White Mocha Frappe Mix

  • S297261, S297262, S393262

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

6/3.12lb Mocha Frappe Mix

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  • S295261, S295262, S395260, S588260, S187260

6/3.12lb Frozen Hot Cocoa Frappe Mix

  • S195260, S195261, S295260, S393260, S487260, S587260
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The Complete FinAIBox Review of Leading Stocks Today

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The Complete FinAIBox Review of Leading Stocks Today

A lot of attention in the markets tends to revolve around the same familiar names, but the underlying drivers often shift without much warning.

Over the past months, leadership has not been limited to one sector. Instead, it has spread across energy, industrials, healthcare, and semiconductors, each reacting to a different piece of the global economic puzzle.

According to FinAIBox, a professional online broker, this kind of environment tends to reward companies that are closely tied to real demand rather than just expectations. It’s not only about growth anymore. It’s about how sustainable that growth looks when conditions become less predictable.

Chevron – Energy Markets Still Setting the Tone

Chevron remains one of the clearer examples of how macro conditions feed directly into stock performance. When oil prices rise, large integrated producers tend to benefit quickly through higher revenues and stronger cash flow.

Analysts at FinAIBox note that recent support for energy stocks has come from ongoing supply concerns and geopolitical uncertainty. When disruptions affect major production or transport routes, prices tend to react first, and equities follow shortly after.

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At the same time, the situation is rarely one-directional. If supply stabilizes or demand expectations soften, oil prices can retreat just as quickly. That makes companies like Chevron highly responsive to external developments, particularly those linked to global energy flows.

Caterpillar – Reading the Real Economy

Caterpillar often acts as a reflection of what is happening outside financial markets. Its equipment is used in construction, mining, and infrastructure, which means demand is closely tied to economic activity on the ground.

Experts point out that recent strength in industrial stocks has been supported by ongoing infrastructure projects and steady demand for raw materials. When governments increase spending or when commodity demand rises, companies like Caterpillar tend to benefit.

However, the same link works in reverse. Any slowdown in global growth expectations can affect sentiment around industrial names fairly quickly. For now, the balance between solid order books and a more uncertain macro outlook remains central.

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ASML – Quietly Riding the Semiconductor Cycle

ASML continues to stand out as one of the key players in the semiconductor supply chain. The company produces the lithography systems needed to manufacture advanced chips, placing it at the center of long-term industry growth.

Recent data suggests that investment in chip production remains strong. Semiconductor capital expenditure is expected to continue growing into 2026, which tends to support companies like ASML that supply the equipment behind the scenes.

According to FinAIBox, the interesting part is how closely ASML tracks this investment cycle. When major chipmakers expand capacity, the company benefits directly. When spending slows or pauses, momentum can fade, even if demand for chips remains strong over the long term.

Novo Nordisk – Growth With a Different Profile

Novo Nordisk has built its recent performance on a mix of innovation and consistent demand. Its treatments in diabetes and weight management have attracted strong global interest, helping the company maintain steady growth.

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Experts at FinAIBox highlight that healthcare stocks often behave differently from cyclical sectors. They are less sensitive to short-term economic swings, but they still face pressure when expectations rise too quickly.

In this case, demand remains a key driver. The challenge is not whether demand exists, but whether it can continue to exceed already elevated expectations. That tends to shape how the stock behaves in the near term.

SanDisk – A Less Obvious Leader in the Tech Space

SanDisk has emerged as one of the more surprising performers in recent months. After being spun off, the company benefited from a sharp increase in demand for flash memory, particularly from data centers and AI-related infrastructure.

Recent figures show just how strong that demand has been. Revenue growth exceeded 60% in one quarter, while earnings surged significantly, driven by a shortage in NAND flash supply.

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According to FinAIBox, what makes SanDisk interesting is the combination of strong fundamentals and market positioning. Memory markets tend to move in cycles, and when supply tightens, pricing power can increase rapidly. That dynamic has played a major role in the stock’s recent performance.

At the same time, this is also where uncertainty comes in. When supply eventually catches up, pricing can normalize, and sentiment may shift just as quickly as it improved. The near-term outlook, therefore, depends heavily on whether current demand levels remain elevated.

A Market Driven by Multiple Narratives

What connects these five companies is not a single theme, but a set of overlapping forces. Energy prices, infrastructure demand, healthcare needs, and semiconductor investment all represent different parts of the global economy moving at their own pace.

FinAIBox emphasizes that this kind of environment tends to produce a broader set of leaders, rather than concentrating performance in one sector. It also means that market direction can feel less predictable, as different narratives compete for attention.

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Lowe's: Approaching Fair Value Amid Housing Weakness (Upgrade)

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Lowe's: Macroeconomic Headwinds Become More And More Concerning (NYSE:LOW)

Lowe's: Approaching Fair Value Amid Housing Weakness (Upgrade)

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Most Commercial Energy Audits Miss the Real Losses

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The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, risks fuelling inflation and damaging small business growth if she reduces the VAT registration threshold in the Autumn Budget, according to leading audit, tax and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.

If you visit enough factories, you start to see the same patterns repeat.

When a site owner complains about high power costs. An audit is commissioned. Metering is installed. Spreadsheets are produced. The conclusion usually assumes the same few points: total kWh consumption, peak demand, and, finally, how much solar could offset the bill.

On paper, everything looks very thorough.  On the factory floor, nothing really changes.

The machines and motors still regularly trip. Production still pauses. Equipment still fails earlier than it should. Operators keep resetting systems and working around problems that never appear in the audit report.

That gap is where the real losses live.

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Energy audits are good at counting electricity, not behavior

Most commercial energy audits are built around a simple question: how much energy does this site use, and when?

That question is easy to answer. Utilities already provide the data. Data loggers or Smart meters refine it further. Half-hourly or five-minute intervals can be plotted and averaged. Solar simulations can be layered on top. Demand curves can be easily smoothed.

What audits rarely capture is how power behaves under stress.

They don’t show how the voltage changes when large motors start. They don’t record harmonics rising as loads stack on top of each other. They don’t explain why controls reset on certain afternoons or why drives fail well before their expected life.

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Those problems don’t sit comfortably in a kWh chart, so they tend to be ignored.

When the numbers look acceptable, but operations keep suffering

Recently, we were asked to look at a factory where the energy numbers appeared reasonable. Consumption was in line with production. Nothing in the utility bills suggested a crisis.

On-site, the picture was very different.

Power factor was sitting around 0.8. Harmonic distortion was elevated enough to matter, even if it didn’t trip protections outright. The combined effect translated into an estimated one to two percent energy loss before production even started. That loss never appears as a line item. It is baked into inefficiency.

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More damaging were the operational effects. Power interruptions were happening roughly once a week. Some were brief. Others lasted most of a day. Each interruption disrupted production sequences, caused spoilage, and forced shutdowns that took time and labor to unwind.

Over time, the site had also racked up significant replacement costs for electrical equipment. Drives, controls, and components were failing more often than their operating hours would suggest.

None of this was clearly shown in the audit.

From the audit’s perspective, energy consumption was roughly as expected. From the factory’s point of view, power was unpredictable and expensive in ways that weren’t being measured.

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Power quality losses are real, even when nothing trips

One of the biggest blind spots in most audits is power quality.

Harmonics, phase imbalance, poor power factor, and voltage instability don’t usually announce themselves dramatically. They don’t cause blackouts. They don’t always trigger alarms. Instead, they subject equipment to constant low-level stress.

Motors can run hot. Different types of drives can derate more often. Controls misbehave under certain load conditions. Components age unevenly.

Taken separately, these effects look minor. Collectively, they shorten equipment life and increase maintenance costs. They also create a background level of inefficiency that never gets attributed to power.

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Audits that focus only on energy quantity miss this entirely. They tell you how much electricity you used, not how much damage that electricity caused along the way.

Downtime is an energy cost, even if it isn’t billed

Another major omission is production downtime.

When power is interrupted, even briefly, factories lose far more than kilowatt-hours. They lose product. They lose labor. They lose process stability and predictability. They often lose entire batches.

Because downtime isn’t measured in energy units, it rarely appears in energy analysis. It sits in operations reports, maintenance logs, or simply in people’s heads.

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Over time, sites normalize it. One interruption a week becomes “just how the grid is.” A few hours lost here and there become part of planning assumptions. The cost is real, but it’s diffuse enough that no one owns it.

An audit that ignores downtime is ignoring one of the largest controllable losses on many industrial sites.

Why solar does not automatically solve these problems

Solar is often proposed as the fix once an audit is complete. And in fairness, grid-tied solar does one thing extremely well: it produces low-cost energy during the day.

What it doesn’t do on its own is improve how power behaves.

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A site can install a large solar system, reduce its daytime grid consumption, and still experience the same interruptions, instability, and equipment failures. From the audit’s perspective, the project is a success. From operations, frustration remains.

That’s because the underlying issue was never energy volume. It was power quality and control.

Measuring what actually matters changes the conversation

The moment proper measurement is introduced, the discussion shifts.

Instead of arguing about whether equipment is “too sensitive” or whether the grid is “getting worse,” teams can see exactly what is happening. They can correlate events. They can identify patterns. They can quantify losses that were previously dismissed as bad luck.

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This is where field-grade power quality measurement becomes invaluable. Not utility averages. Not billing data. Actual recordings of voltage, frequency, harmonics, and transient behavior at the point where equipment is connected.

Once those signals are visible, many fixes turn out to be surprisingly modest. Power factor correction. Harmonic mitigation. Better coordination of equipment starts. Adjustments to protection and control logic.

In many cases, the capital required is far lower than the cost of continuing to absorb hidden losses year after year.

The difference between audited systems and engineered systems

Well-engineered industrial systems tend to age quietly.

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They don’t demand constant attention. They don’t suffer from mysterious failures. Their equipment degrades evenly rather than catastrophically. Maintenance becomes routine rather than reactive.

You can see this clearly on sites where power quality has been treated as a design input rather than an afterthought.

One example is an industrial installation such as the Atlantic Grains facility, where system design focused not just on energy production but on maintaining clean, stable power under real operating conditions. That kind of approach doesn’t eliminate the grid’s imperfections, but it prevents them from cascading through the plant.

The result is not just lower energy cost. It’s calmer operations.

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Why audits stay shallow, and why that’s unlikely to change

To be fair, most audits are not designed to miss these issues. They’re constrained by scope, budget, and expectation.

Clients often ask for savings numbers, not operational insight. Consultants deliver what is requested. Measuring deeper requires time, equipment, and a willingness to deal with uncomfortable findings.

But as operations become more automated and margins tighter, the cost of ignoring these losses keeps rising. Factories today are less tolerant of power irregularities than they were a decade ago. Controls are faster. Processes are tighter. Small disturbances propagate further.

The gap between what audits measure and what factories experience is widening.

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Experience changes what you look for

Teams that spend years operating in facilities begin to approach energy very differently. They stop asking only how much power is used and start asking how it behaves when things aren’t ideal.

That perspective comes from seeing the same failures repeat across different sites and sectors. From watching equipment fail early for reasons that never appear in reports. From understanding that reliability is not a binary state but a spectrum.

Operators like Solaren Renewable Energy Solutions Corp., working across industrial and commercial sites, often encounter factories that believed their problems were mechanical or operational, only to discover that power quality was the silent trigger all along. Once that trigger is addressed, many long-standing issues simply stop occurring.

What a useful energy assessment should really answer

A meaningful assessment should go beyond energy accounting.

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It should answer questions like:

How stable is the supply under real operating conditions?
Where does power quality move outside acceptable tolerances, and when?
How much does each interruption actually cost the business?
Which losses are structural, and which are fixable?

Those answers don’t fit neatly into a single spreadsheet. They require measurement, context, and experience.

Without them, businesses risk spending heavily on solutions that improve the optics while leaving the underlying problems untouched.

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The uncomfortable truth

Most commercial energy audits don’t miss losses because they are careless. They miss them because those losses are harder to see, measure, and attribute.

Unfortunately, those are often the losses that matter the most.

Factories don’t usually struggle or fail because they lack energy. It’s because the power they receive isn’t consistent enough to keep modern operations stable.

Until audits start treating power quality, downtime, and equipment stress as first-class costs, businesses will keep solving the wrong problem.

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Counting kilowatt-hours is easy.
Understanding what power is really doing takes more work.

That difference is where the real savings are found.

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‘Resilient’ Manchester office market driven by Q1 SME deals as city has another 1m sq ft year in 2025

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Agents say number of large requirements set to complete later in the year

Manchester skyline

The Greater Manchester property market remained resilient in Q1, agents said(Image: LDRS)

Property agents say office demand in Manchester remained “resilient” in the first quarter of the year as SMEs drive the market ahead of larger deals expected to complete later in the year.

The latest report from the Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF) showed office take-up for the first three months reached 286,000 sq ft across 51 deals, which is “in line with the five-year average” It is down on last year’s Q1 figure of 319,995 sq ft across 53 deals, which was the best first quarter take-up for five years.

Key transactions this quarter included the Government Property Agency’s acquisition of 114,000 sq ft at Havelock, X & Why taking 25,000 sq ft at The Hive, Jacobs securing 9,000 sq ft of expansion space at The Lincoln, and Sheppard Robson moving into 9,000 sq ft at its own scheme at Pall Mall.

But MOAF said activity was driven largely by smaller moves, with 42 deals each for under 5,000 sq ft of space.

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Meanwhile, another study by JLL has shown that Manchester kept its position as the UK’s biggest regional office market in 2025 – and was the only Big Six city to record more than a million sq ft of take-up.

Rosie Veitch of Sixteen Real Estate said: “The Manchester office market continues to perform well year on year. The bulk of Q1 transactions were under 5,000 sq ft, highlighting SMEs’ confidence in Manchester as a city. This is supported by the city’s strong talent pool, excellent transport links, and the high-quality office space being delivered by landlords with 34% of all deals under 10,000 sq ft being fully fitted and furnished.

“There also remains a number of large requirements in the market from both existing Manchester occupiers and new entrants, which we expect to transact later in the year.”

Beyond the city centre, MOAF reported that office activity was steady in the key sub-markets of South Manchester, Salford Quays & Trafford and Warrington, which together delivered more than 160,000 sq ft of take‑up in Q1.

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South Manchester saw 82,400 sq ft across 64 transactions, again driven by SME demand and smaller lettings, while Salford Quays & Trafford saw 35,500 sq ft of take‑up. Warrington reported 42,300 sq ft of take-up from “larger strategic lettings” to smaller deals for less than 2,000 sq ft at the borough’s business parks.

Simon Roddam, head of OBI’s regional/out-of-town office in Warrington, said: “The Q1 figures underline that demand remains resilient outside the city centre. While occupiers are taking a more considered approach, South Manchester, Salford Quays & Trafford and Warrington continue to perform well by offering the right blend of quality accommodation, flexibility, and competitive occupational costs.”

MOAF members include Avison Young, CBRE, Colliers International, Canning O’Neill, Cushman & Wakefield, Edwards, Fisher German, TSG Property Consultants, Hallam Property Consultants, JLL, Knight Frank, LSH, OBI, Savills, and Sixteen.

JLL’s research showed Manchester recorded 1.06m sq ft of transactions in 2025 – down on the 2024 peak of 1.22m sq ft but close to the five-year average of 1.1m sq ft.

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READ MORE: Grosvenor picks Manchester for first regional flexible workspace with redevelopment of The Hive alongside x+whyREAD MORE: BLOCK launching Manchester and Birmingham workspaces after £6m investment

Key deals included AutoTrader’s 130,000 sq ft commitment at 3 Circle Square, which was the the largest single deal across the Big Six in 2025. Six of the top 20 regional deals, totalling 307,000 sq ft, were in Manchester.

JLL is now forecasting prime rents will reach £60 per sq ft by 2030, up from £45 at the end of 2025. But it says the supply pipeline remains a challenge, as several new schemes under development will not complete until 2027 and 2028 at the earliest.

Manchester also led the Big Six in investment, with £257m transacted across 14 deals – up 22% on 2024.

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Richard Wharton, director of Office Agency in Manchester at JLL, said: “Manchester’s fundamentals remain the strongest of any UK regional market. The demand pipeline for 2026 is robust, but occupiers looking for best-in-class space need to be moving now.

“With the new-build pipeline not delivering until 2027 at the earliest, we expect competition for prime space to intensify and rents to continue their upward trajectory. The refurbishment market is filling some of the gap, and we’re seeing strong appetite from occupiers for well-executed retrofit schemes in core locations.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

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Georgia Capital PLC (GRGCF) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Irakli Gilauri
Chairman, CEO & Director

[Audio Gap]

I am pleased to give you the overview of our performance. Let me give you some content for today’s call.

So we’ll start with — I’ll talk about the Q1 performance. Then our CEOs of our large portfolio companies will talk about their particular performance of their companies and how it’s progressing. Giorgi, our CFO, will talk about portfolio valuation and liquidity and dividend income outlook. And in the end, we will have a Q&A session. And as always, we’ll answer all of your questions.

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Now let me give you the key developments — overview of the key developments. Our NAV per share was flat in Q1. In pound sterling terms, it went up 2.1%. This is due to the decline in share price of Lion Finance Group. It was in Q1. However, as share price recovered — and year-to-date, we have NAV per share growth of more than 9%. So basically, our large portfolio companies performed well and then LFG share price performed well post Q1. And that was the result of the 9.2% year-to-date growth in Lari terms.

So the performance of our large portfolio companies, as I said, was exceptional. It continued to grow top line at 13.7% and resulted in 27% year-over-year EBITDA growth. It’s a phenomenal growth. I must say that our base for last year was pretty high. Our base was already grown quite — Q1 2025 was already — we had experienced a high growth. And

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Resorts World casino opens in New York City

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Resorts World casino opens in New York City
First Vegas-style casino opens in New York City

New York City’s first full-scale casino with live table games opened to gamblers Tuesday, more than a decade after voters approved an expansion of gambling in the state.

Resorts World, owned by Malaysia-based company Genting, beat out gaming giants such as Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts to land one of three new casino licenses.

It’s the first to launch because it was already operating a slots and electronic gambling facility, one of the most profitable in the world. Resorts World New York City is adjacent to the Aqueduct Racetrack and just a few miles away from John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“We got the license Dec. 15, and here we are, April 28 welcoming our guests to the new casino floor,” Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, said in an interview.

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Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of Genting Bhd, center, takes a ceremonial first dice roll alongside rapper Nasir “Nas” bin Olu Dara Jones, center right, and Donovan Richards Jr., Queens borough president, third right, at Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) casino in the Queens borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Adam Gray | Bloomberg | Getty Images

To run roulette, craps, baccarat and blackjack, Resorts World recruited some dealers from casinos in other states. But it also is running a kind of dealer college, training locals to handle the table action.  

The company says the current expansion has already created more than 1,200 new jobs, with another 500 new hires anticipated by this summer.  

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Though it’s not yet open, the company is also building a sportsbook, which will be the city’s first. 

“We have hit the jackpot, Queens!” pronounced Borough President Donovan Richards at the ceremonial opening.

“I have always dreamt of Queens being an international entertainment hub, and this certainly is part of that puzzle,” Richards said.  

Queens-raised hip-hop star Nas is a partner in the project and performed at the opening.

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“This is just the beginning. So this is about to expand and do things that everyone’s going to be excited about. So Queens is where it’s at,” he told CNBC.

The project has faced criticism, as some locals are concerned about a potential rise in crime and traffic as a result of the development.

For now, the casino will have a city monopoly, for which it says it’s paying 63% state taxes on slots revenue and 30% on table game revenue. In its bid for a license, the company included a clause that stipulates its tax rate will lower to the levels its competitors pay once they’re up and running.  

It will take years for the other casinos to open. Bally’s is building a casino on a Bronx golf course purchased from The Trump Organization. Meanwhile, Hard Rock has planned a massive development in partnership with hedge fund manager and Mets owner Steve Cohen near Citi Field, where the baseball team plays.

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The three companies were selected by the state’s gambling commission in 2025 following a years-long process to award licenses to New York’s downstate region following an approved 2013 referendum.

The state says the three casinos could produce $7 billion in gaming tax revenue over a decade and CBRE projects annual gaming revenues at maturity of up to $5.6 billion under a bull case scenario.

“We are changing the landscape of New York forever with a building that will never close,” said Kevin Jones, chief strategy officer of Resorts World New York.

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10 Key Facts on Shocking Exit

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates

DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it will leave both OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance effective May 1, delivering a major blow to the oil producers’ group and its de facto leader Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing Iran conflict that has severely disrupted Gulf energy exports.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UAE Quits OPEC Effective May 1: 10 Key Facts on Shocking Exit

The surprise decision, confirmed by state news agency WAM, reflects the UAE’s “long-term strategic and economic vision” and its desire to pursue independent production policies focused on national interests. As the world’s seventh-largest oil producer and OPEC’s third-biggest member, the UAE’s exit marks one of the most significant departures in the cartel’s history.

Here are 10 essential things to know about the UAE’s dramatic withdrawal:

  1. Timing and Effective Date: The exit takes effect May 1, 2026, just days before a key OPEC meeting. This rapid timeline leaves little room for negotiation and signals a firm break from collective decision-making.
  2. Motivation Tied to National Interests: UAE officials cited the need for greater flexibility to respond to market dynamics and invest in domestic energy production. The move comes as the Iran war has choked the Strait of Hormuz, slashing UAE crude output by more than half.
  3. Blow to OPEC Unity: Losing the UAE weakens OPEC’s influence over global supply and prices. The group, already strained by internal disagreements and external pressures, faces potential further fragmentation.
  4. Impact on Oil Markets: Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel on the news, reflecting fears of reduced cartel cohesion and tighter supply amid the Hormuz disruptions. Brent crude rose sharply as traders digested the implications.
  5. Long-Standing Tensions: The UAE has long complained about OPEC production quotas limiting its export potential. Disagreements over compliance and capacity have simmered for years, exacerbated by the current crisis.
  6. Shift Toward Independent Strategy: By leaving, the UAE gains freedom to ramp up production independently when conditions allow, prioritizing economic diversification and long-term energy investments over cartel solidarity.
  7. Broader Geopolitical Context: The decision arrives during unprecedented regional turmoil. The ongoing conflict has forced Gulf producers to shut in output and seek alternative shipping routes, straining traditional alliances.
  8. Effects on OPEC+: The wider OPEC+ group, which includes non-OPEC producers like Russia, loses a key participant. This could complicate future production agreements and market stabilization efforts.
  9. Market Reactions: Global energy markets reacted with volatility. Energy stocks mixed, while related currencies and bonds adjusted to the new uncertainty. Analysts expect continued price swings in coming days.
  10. What Happens Next: OPEC has not yet issued a formal response. The UAE’s departure may prompt other members to reassess their positions, potentially reshaping the global oil governance landscape for years to come.

The UAE joined OPEC in 1967 and has been a major player in shaping the organization’s policies. Its exit ends nearly six decades of membership and removes roughly 3-4 million barrels per day of production capacity from the cartel’s coordinated efforts.

Energy analysts describe the move as a watershed moment. While OPEC has survived previous exits and internal rifts, the loss of a heavyweight like the UAE at a time of historic supply disruptions could accelerate the group’s diminishing influence in a world increasingly focused on energy transition and diversified supply sources.

For oil-importing nations, the development adds another layer of uncertainty to already elevated prices. Higher energy costs could exacerbate inflation and slow economic growth globally. For Gulf economies, it highlights the urgent need to accelerate diversification away from traditional hydrocarbon dependence.

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Saudi Arabia, as OPEC’s de facto leader, now faces the challenge of maintaining group cohesion without one of its most important partners. Riyadh has historically pushed for disciplined production cuts, while the UAE has advocated for higher output quotas to reflect its growing capacity.

The timing aligns with broader shifts in the energy sector. Many producers are balancing short-term revenue needs with long-term sustainability goals. The UAE’s decision may reflect a strategic pivot toward maximizing near-term production while investing heavily in renewables and non-oil sectors.

Investors and traders should monitor developments closely. Further statements from OPEC, reactions from other members and actual production decisions by the UAE will shape market direction in the coming weeks. Volatility is expected to remain high.

The UAE’s exit underscores the fragile nature of international energy alliances when national interests diverge sharply. As the world navigates overlapping challenges of geopolitical conflict, energy security and climate goals, traditional power structures in oil markets continue evolving rapidly.

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Whether other producers follow suit or OPEC adapts remains to be seen. For now, the UAE’s bold move has reshaped the global oil conversation and injected fresh uncertainty into an already volatile market.

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Earnings call transcript: Ultra Clean beats Q1 2026 forecasts, stock dips

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United Ends Pursuit of American Airlines. Why the Deal ‘Can’t Get Done.’

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United Ends Pursuit of American Airlines. Why the Deal ‘Can’t Get Done.’

United Ends Pursuit of American Airlines. Why the Deal ‘Can’t Get Done.’

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Lakers Star Begins On-Court Work but Running Still Weeks Away

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Luka Doncic

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic has begun light on-court activities as he rehabilitates from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered in early April, but the Slovenian sensation remains far from full basketball activity with running still considered weeks away, according to the latest updates from the team and medical experts.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided the most recent positive development Tuesday, confirming that Doncic has started “some court work” after weeks of off-court rehabilitation. “Most of his stuff before had been standstill,” Redick said. “Luka is going to start some court work here soon.” However, the coach emphasized there is no firm timeline for his return to competitive play.

The injury occurred on April 2 during a game against an opponent, forcing Doncic to miss the remainder of the regular season. Medical evaluations confirmed a Grade 2 strain — a partial tear involving moderate damage to muscle fibers — which typically requires four to eight weeks of recovery depending on severity, individual healing rates and re-injury risk management.

As of late April 2026, the Lakers trail in their first-round playoff series but have shown resilience without their MVP-caliber leader. Doncic has been ruled out for the entire first round against the Houston Rockets, with a realistic target for return potentially in the Western Conference semifinals if the Lakers advance. Rushing the Slovenian star back too early carries significant risk of re-aggravation or a more serious injury.

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Physical therapists and sports medicine experts monitoring the situation note that while on-court movement is a positive step, true running and change-of-direction work remain critical milestones that are still weeks away. “This does not look like a player that would be back in a week from the hamstring strain,” one analyst observed after reviewing recent footage of Doncic’s controlled activities.

The Lakers have taken a cautious approach, prioritizing long-term health over short-term playoff heroics. Specialised treatment in Europe, including advanced therapies, has reportedly accelerated early healing phases, but the organization continues to manage expectations carefully. Austin Reaves, dealing with his own oblique strain, has begun a return-to-play process but also lacks a firm timeline.

Doncic’s absence has created a significant power vacuum in the Lakers’ offense. LeBron James has shouldered a heavier load, while role players like Luke Kennard have stepped up with career performances. The team’s ability to compete without their primary ball-handler and scorer has surprised many observers and kept playoff hopes alive heading into critical games.

Medical experts explain that Grade 2 hamstring strains involve significant pain, swelling and weakness, with recovery timelines influenced by the player’s age, prior injury history and position demands. As a 27-year-old guard/forward who relies heavily on explosive movements, deceleration and change of direction, Doncic’s return requires careful ramp-up to avoid chronic issues.

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Fan reaction on social media has been a mix of optimism and impatience. Many Lakers supporters celebrate the on-court work update as a sign of progress, while others express concern that rushing his return could jeopardize both the current postseason and next season. The injury has dominated basketball discourse, with daily speculation about potential timelines.

The broader implications for the Lakers’ playoff run are substantial. Without Doncic, the team has relied on collective effort and defensive intensity. Should they advance, his potential return in the second round would dramatically shift series dynamics against stronger Western Conference opponents. However, medical staff will likely err on the side of caution to protect one of the NBA’s most valuable assets.

Doncic has been a transformative figure since joining the Lakers, elevating the franchise’s contention window. His injury highlights the physical toll of the modern NBA schedule and playoff intensity. The Slovenian star’s work ethic and competitive fire have been evident during his recovery, with teammates and coaches praising his dedication to rehabilitation protocols.

Looking ahead, the Lakers face pivotal decisions. Game 5 against the Rockets looms large, with Austin Reaves potentially nearing a return. For Doncic, the focus remains on progressive loading — moving from controlled on-court drills to eventual running, cutting and full-contact scrimmages. Any setback could push his return into the Western Conference Finals or beyond.

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Sports medicine professionals stress the importance of patience with hamstring injuries. Premature return often leads to recurrent strains that can sideline players for months. The Lakers’ medical team, known for its conservative management of star players, appears committed to a measured approach that prioritizes long-term availability.

As April 2026 draws to a close, Luka Doncic’s recovery represents both hope and uncertainty for Lakers fans. While on-court work marks meaningful progress, full basketball readiness — including unrestricted running — remains weeks away. The coming days will bring more clarity as the team balances competitive urgency with medical prudence.

For now, the message from the Lakers organization is one of cautious optimism. Doncic continues progressing through his rehabilitation protocol, and while he is not yet running at full speed, each step forward brings him closer to rejoining his teammates on the court when it matters most.

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