SimpsonHaugh has designed landmark that is set to be one of ten towers at Kings development

Designs for Liverpool’s tallest ever building standing at 70-storeys tall have been revealed. Davos Property Developments Limited in conjunction with Beetham Davos Ltd have given the first look at its tower proposed to form the centrepiece of its £1bn Kings project on the city’s waterfront.

The tower, designed by SimpsonHaugh, would comprise a 5-star hotel and luxury residences managed by the hotel operator. The designs, revealed at the MIPIM international property trade fair at a private event for investors and end-users, comes after the scheme’s first tower of 28 storeys, named No. 1 Kings, received consent from Liverpool Council.

The hotel would occupy the first 23 floors of the building, offering 212 high-specification rooms, with the balance taken up by 563 luxury residences. Guest and resident amenities would include bars, restaurants, gymnasiums, banqueting and meeting facilities and a rooftop terrace.

The tower is one of 10 buildings anticipated in the emerging masterplan for the site, which will go out to public consultation later this spring, before an expected planning submission in late summer. The hybrid application will seek detailed consent for layout and site services and outline consent for each building plot and will include residential towers, two hotels, Grade A offices, a new arts venue, shared workspace for start-ups and tech businesses and a range of food and beverage outlets.

Hugh Frost, chairman of Beetham Davos, said: “This will be the scheme’s signature building and is the ultimate expression of our confidence in Liverpool and the council’s backing for our ambition.” He said talks are “well underway” with a global hotel brand to take the whole of the building.

Mr Frost added: “They share our view of Liverpool as outward-looking and international and therefore a good fit for their brand.” In all, the building would provide 924,000 square feet of space, making it the second largest building by floor space in Liverpool, after its famous Tobacco Warehouse.

Ian Simpson of SimpsonHaugh said: “This is a landmark intervention for Britain’s most dramatic waterfront skyline. It is rooted in the city’s architectural vernacular and its maritime history but offers a very contemporary expression of both.

“The tower’s setting optimises the high-quality public realm around it, whilst the soft corners maximise the panoramic views in every direction. I wanted to deliver a building that not only sat well with its neighbours, but also reflects the ambition of the city.”

Last month, Liverpool Council planners gave consent for a 28-storey tower to be built on a plot within the city centre. Beetham joined forces with KEIE – part of the TJ Morris group which owns Home Bargains – to buy the former King Edward industrial estate on Gibraltar Row on the edge of Liverpool city centre.

Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said it represented “one of the most significant and ambitious projects I believe our city will see this century.”

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Oil prices briefly spiked to more than $100 a barrel on Monday amid the ongoing war in Iran, before falling sharply, underscoring how initial fears of supply disruptions eased as contingency plans emerged.

Before the outbreak of war with Iran, oil was trading in the range of $60 to $70 a barrel, but prices soared after the conflict began, with crude oil futures reaching upward of $115 a barrel on Monday – the highest level since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Early headlines suggested global benchmark Brent crude could hit $150 a barrel due to the supply shock, though trading data showed the spike was short-lived. Crude prices were down 8%, while West Texas Intermediate fell nearly 9% on Tuesday afternoon.

HOW THE IRAN WAR COULD HIT AMERICANS’ GROCERY BILLS

Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group and a FOX Business contributor, said in an interview that panic buying ensued after reports of tankers and refineries being hit.

“But I think as the day went on into the overnight, the market realized that maybe things aren’t that bad – the U.S. is having incredible military victories, President Trump is saying, ‘hey, you know what, the war is probably not going to be going on that long.’ And even some signals that the world doesn’t have to just sit and stand and take it,” he said.

Oil prices surged amid uncertainty caused by the Iran war, though prices have since eased. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Leaders from the G7 nations and the International Energy Association (IEA) discussed potential releases from strategic oil reserves to respond to a potential price shock or shortage in the market on Monday and Tuesday, concluding that they weren’t immediately planning to do so while stating they’re prepared to take “necessary measures” to support the oil market if needed.

WILL TAPPING OIL RESERVES CURB SOARING GAS PRICES?

Oil production could increase in the next two years due to the price shock caused by the Iran war, the EIA said. (Reuters/Todd Korol)

“We have the possibility of a coordinated release from the G7 and the IEA of oil reserves that could cool prices,” Flynn noted. “There’s many things happening that usually happen when prices go up that can cool prices off very quickly.”

He added that Saudi Arabia built its east-to-west pipeline to avoid threats in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz and also increased its capacity to 7 million barrels a day, with expectations it will operate at full capacity in days.

FED OFFICIALS CLOSELY MONITOR IRAN CONFLICT FOR POTENTIAL INFLATION IMPACT

U.S. Navy vessels in the region have also participated in the strikes on Iran. (DVIDS/U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin M. Langer)

Flynn added that the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a short-term outlook on Tuesday that indicated the higher oil prices are likely to prompt U.S. producers to increase their output of crude oil in 2027. 

The EIA said that while “changes in oil prices take time to affect production – moving from investment decisions to rig deployment to well completion and first oil,” which is why it sees the current price rise having a bigger impact on production in 2027 and 2028.

AMID IRAN WAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTS SHORT-TERM OIL PRICE SPIKE IS ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR PEACE

The U.S. military has conducted airstrikes on targets in Iran. (U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier/51st Fighter Wing/DVIDS)

As the war in Iran continues, Flynn noted that if the conflict is able to remove the longstanding threat of Iran’s regime closing the Strait of Hormuz and fomenting conflict throughout the Middle East via proxies like the Houthis in Yemen, it could result in lower long-term oil prices with that risk mitigated.

“We’ve had an Iranian risk premium in oil since Jimmy Carter… it’s never quite gone away,” Flynn said, noting that insurance costs and the perceived risk have remained embedded in oil prices despite the market’s fluctuations over the years.

The latest price spike bears some similarities to what occurred during the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, though oil prices had gradually risen above $90 a barrel before the invasion itself prompted a spike above $115 a barrel. They remained around $100 a barrel into the summer before they gradually eased closer to $80 by the end of that year.

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Flynn said that conflict presented a different challenge than the latest oil spike amid the ongoing Iran war, explaining that the “situation there was different because it wasn’t a lack of supply that drove up prices – it was the desire to stop buying Russian oil that the market wasn’t prepared to replace, and a lot of that was bad energy policy, you know the green energy policies of Europe and Joe Biden.”

Jennifer Karkula
Head of Communications

Hello, and welcome to the Realbotix Financial Update Call. My name is Jennifer, and today, we are joined by CEO, Andrew Kiguel; and CFO, Scott Meyers. [Operator Instructions] I will now turn the call over to Andrew.

Andrew Kiguel
Co-Founder, CEO & Director

Thanks, Jennifer. Welcome, everybody, to our call, I guess, for year-end and Q1. As you will know, I don’t do sort of the traditional thing, but I sort of want to just chat about the business and some various things. I want to talk first about some of the areas in the business, our business that need work and then talk somewhat about the positives and then outlook. So not in any particular order, but our reporting and finance structure certainly proved — last year certainly proved to be a weakness for the company.

Our previous CFO was a contractor, not an employee and in retrospect, not well equipped to handle the business as it was growing and we were pivoting out of crypto. He also had a bunch of personal issues to deal with, and this had a negative impact in a few ways, primarily in us not having the adequate controls to ensure a smooth and efficient audit within the reporting timeline, which is why we need to request those extensions. What we’ve done since then, we really had to start our audit on the back foot, just being late. You saw from the numbers, there were no issues.

There’s no money missing or anything like that. It was just really a function of starting late with our new CFO and a new

Nicole Germino

All right. Good morning, everyone. I’m Nicole Germino, one of the biopharma investment bankers here at Barclays. And today, we are joined by Harout Semerjian, President and CEO; and Joseph Eid, Executive Vice President of Research and Development and CMO of Geron.

Thank you both so much for being here today. So Harout, to kick us off, you have a robust experience in big pharma and biotech. What are the reasons that attracted you to Geron? Since joining the company in August of last year, what has the company done in 2026 to align Geron for success?

Harout Semerjian
CEO, President & Director

Yes. Thank you very much, Nicole, and thanks for Barclays for — this is a very nice invitation and the opportunity to continue to share our Geron story.

Yes, you’re right. I’ve been in pharma for more than 30 years between pharma, biotech and particularly in hematology/oncology for 20-plus years. And really what attracted me to Geron and what keeps me motivated 6 months in is a drug that works. First of all, imetelstat, a new option for lower-risk MDS patients and really one where we can actually make a difference for even more patients with a more robust and refined commercialization plan.

And that’s what we’ve been doing over the last few months and really making sure that we are reaching more and more patients. In 2025, we did announce that overall in the year, we have in our first full commercial year, sold $184 million of sales, which is a very good starting point. But more

After more than a decade of speculation, Apple’s first foldable iPhone appears poised for a debut later this year, with supply-chain reports, analyst forecasts and recent leaks converging on a fall 2026 release. The device, widely referred to as the iPhone Fold, is expected to join the iPhone 18 lineup alongside the Pro and Pro Max models, marking Apple’s bold entry into the foldable smartphone market long dominated by Samsung, Google and Huawei.

Industry observers view the move as a potential game-changer, with Apple aiming to address persistent pain points in foldables—such as visible creases, durability concerns and battery drain—while commanding a premium price tag. Analysts project the iPhone Fold could drive significant upgrades across Apple’s ecosystem and boost overall iPhone sales by double-digit percentages in 2026.

Here are the key details emerging from the latest reports as the company finalizes its ambitious new form factor.

1. **Confirmed Development and Timeline**
Multiple credible sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, have affirmed Apple’s active work on a book-style foldable iPhone. Mass production is slated for the second half of 2026, with Foxconn and other partners ramping up component stockpiling. Gurman has indicated a fall launch window, likely September, aligning with Apple’s traditional iPhone event cycle. While some earlier concerns raised the possibility of a 2027 delay due to hinge design decisions, recent updates suggest the project remains on track for 2026.

2. **Design: Book-Style with Minimal Crease**
The iPhone Fold will feature a book-style fold, opening vertically to reveal a large inner display while closing to a compact form. Rumors point to an approximately 7.8-inch inner OLED screen and a 5.5-inch outer display. Kuo has emphasized Apple’s focus on thinness, targeting around 4.5-4.8mm unfolded and 9-9.5mm folded—thinner than most current foldables. A key differentiator is the near-crease-free experience, achieved through advanced hinge technology using liquid metal and stress-distributing components. Leaks from China claim the crease depth is under 0.15mm with a fold angle below 2.5 degrees, potentially making it the closest to truly seamless yet seen in the category.

3. **Display Technology and Durability**
Apple is reportedly testing protective films, including clear polyimide (CPI) alongside traditional PET, to enhance scratch resistance and longevity. The inner screen is expected to use cutting-edge coating and engineering to minimize visible folding wear over time. Suppliers like Samsung Display are believed to be providing the panels, with production of foldable-specific components already underway. This addresses one of the biggest criticisms of existing foldables: fragile, easily damaged screens.

4. **Battery Life Breakthrough**
One of the most exciting rumors centers on battery capacity. Leaks suggest the iPhone Fold could feature Apple’s largest-ever battery, exceeding 5,500 mAh—surpassing even the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 5,088 mAh. This would counter the typical foldable drawback of split or constrained batteries that limit endurance. By prioritizing a single large cell and optimizing power management for dual-screen use, Apple aims to deliver all-day performance comparable to or better than its slab iPhones.

5. **Camera System and Biometrics**
The device is rumored to include four cameras: dual rear lenses, an inner-facing camera for video calls and selfies, and a front-facing one on the cover display. Notably, it will ditch Face ID in favor of Touch ID integrated into the power button—a shift seen in recent iPads to save space in the slim chassis. This decision frees up internal room while maintaining secure authentication.

6. **Connectivity and Modem**
Apple’s custom C2 modem, supporting advanced cellular speeds, is expected to power the foldable. The device will rely exclusively on eSIM, eliminating the physical SIM slot—a first for iPhones. This aligns with Apple’s push toward fully digital connectivity and could streamline the design further.

7. **Materials and Build**
The frame will combine titanium and aluminum for durability and lightness, expanding Apple’s use of premium metals seen in recent Pro models. The hinge is a focal point, engineered for reliability and smoothness without compromising the thin profile.

8. **Pricing and Market Positioning**
Expectations place the iPhone Fold in ultra-premium territory, with estimates ranging from $2,000 to $2,500—potentially the most expensive smartphone Apple has ever sold. This reflects the advanced materials, custom components and R&D investment. Analysts like Kuo anticipate initial shipments of 8-10 million units, signaling confidence in demand despite the high cost.

9. **Impact on 2026 iPhone Lineup**
The foldable’s priority may reshape Apple’s annual release strategy. Reports indicate the standard iPhone 18 could be delayed to early 2027, with only Pro models and the Fold launching in fall 2026. This shift underscores the device’s importance as a flagship innovation. Apple reportedly forecasts a 10% sales increase across the iPhone lineup, driven by upgrade enthusiasm for the new form factor.

10. **Future Outlook and Competition**
The iPhone Fold arrives years after competitors established the category, but Apple’s entry could legitimize foldables for mainstream users. A follow-up clamshell-style model (potentially an iPhone Flip) is already in discussion for later years. Success here could accelerate Apple’s foldable ambitions, including rumored foldable iPads or MacBooks. For now, anticipation builds as prototypes move toward production, with leaks expected to intensify in the coming months.

As March 2026 progresses, the foldable iPhone remains one of the most anticipated Apple products in years. While no official confirmation has come from Cupertino, the mounting evidence points to a transformative device that could redefine premium smartphones—if Apple delivers on its promises of durability, battery life and seamless design.

A burst of seismic activity shook northwest Louisiana early Monday when four earthquakes struck within a 10-minute window near the small village of Edgefield, intensifying concerns in a region that has seen unusual tremors in recent weeks.

The United States Geological Survey confirmed the sequence occurred between 4:33 a.m. and 4:41 a.m. CT on March 9, with magnitudes ranging from 3.1 to 4.0 (initially reported as up to 4.4 for the strongest after review). All quakes were shallow, at depths around 3 miles, and clustered tightly within a few miles of each other northwest and northeast of Edgefield in Red River Parish.

The events follow a magnitude 4.9 earthquake on March 5 near Coushatta — about 10 miles southeast — that ranks as the strongest inland quake in Louisiana’s recorded history and the second-largest overall in the state behind a 5.3 offshore event in 2006. That March 5 tremor was felt across the ArkLaTex region, including Shreveport, parts of Texas and Arkansas, waking residents and rattling homes for up to 10 seconds.

USGS geophysicists classify the March 9 cluster as aftershocks linked to the larger March 5 mainshock. William Barnhart, a USGS seismologist, told local media that additional aftershocks remain possible as the fault system adjusts. Monitoring teams have deployed extra seismic instruments in Red River Parish to better track the sequence and gather data on subsurface structures.

Residents in Edgefield, Coushatta and surrounding rural areas reported feeling the shaking vividly. “It was like a big truck drove by, but then it kept going and another one hit,” said one Edgefield homeowner interviewed by KSLA News. No immediate reports of major damage or injuries emerged from the March 9 quakes, though minor items fell from shelves and some residents described brief power flickers. The area, largely agricultural with scattered homes, experienced light to moderate intensity shaking according to USGS “Did You Feel It?” citizen reports.

The four confirmed events unfolded as follows, per USGS data:

– Magnitude 3.1 at 4:33 a.m., about 2.5 miles northwest of Edgefield, depth 3.1 miles.
– Magnitude 3.1 at 4:34 a.m., less than 2 miles north-northeast of Edgefield, similar depth.
– Magnitude 3.9 at 4:40 a.m., roughly 3 miles northeast of Edgefield.
– Magnitude 4.0 (upgraded from initial 4.4 estimate in some reports) at 4:41 a.m., 4.9 miles northwest of Edgefield, depth approximately 3.1 miles.

This swarm marks part of a broader uptick in seismic activity in northwest Louisiana. Since December 2024, the region has recorded at least 16 events of magnitude 1.5 or greater, with the March sequence pushing totals higher. Seismologists note the area sits near the northern edge of the Gulf Coast sedimentary basin, where faults are typically inactive compared to California or the New Madrid zone. The recent activity has surprised experts, prompting discussions about potential triggers.

Possible causes under investigation include natural tectonic stress release along minor faults or induced seismicity linked to industrial activity. Louisiana has seen increased oil and gas operations, including wastewater injection in nearby states like Oklahoma and Texas, which have triggered swarms in the past. While no direct link has been confirmed here, researchers say the shallow depths and tight clustering warrant closer scrutiny. A USGS team continues fieldwork, with preliminary findings expected by early summer.

The March 5 magnitude 4.9 event — centered at 32.038°N, 93.415°W, depth 11.1 km — was widely felt, with reports from as far as central Louisiana and southern Arkansas. It prompted the highest number of “Did You Feel It?” submissions in state history. Probabilities posted by USGS indicate a 72% chance of magnitude 3+ aftershocks following that mainshock, 16% for magnitude 4+, and low odds for stronger events.

Local emergency officials urged calm while advising residents to prepare basic earthquake safety measures: drop, cover and hold on during shaking; secure heavy furniture; and keep an emergency kit ready. No tsunami risk exists given the inland location, and no structural collapses were reported from any recent quakes.

The string of tremors has heightened awareness in a state rarely associated with earthquakes. Historical records show Louisiana experiences infrequent, low-magnitude events, mostly offshore or near the Mississippi River delta due to sediment loading. The current inland swarm near Red River Parish stands out as anomalous.

As of March 11, no additional significant quakes have followed the March 9 cluster, though minor aftershocks below magnitude 2.5 continue to register on sensitive instruments. USGS continues to update its interactive map and encourages public reporting to refine models.

For many in the ArkLaTex, the back-to-back sequences serve as a reminder of the Earth’s unpredictability even in stable regions. While experts stress the events remain minor on a global scale, the frequency has residents watching closely for any escalation.