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Meghan Markle Faces New ‘Bullying’ Claims Ahead of MasterChef Australia Episode Amid Denials of Tension

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Nancy Guthrie & Savannah Guthrie

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is facing a fresh round of criticism from some social media users after Australian tabloid reports suggested behind-the-scenes friction with a “MasterChef Australia” judge during the filming of her upcoming guest appearance, even as multiple sources close to the production have publicly denied any serious conflict occurred.

The duchess is set to appear as a guest judge on “MasterChef Australia” this Sunday, July 26, at 7 p.m. local time on Channel 10. Her segment was filmed in April during a visit to Australia with her husband, Prince Harry, and will feature Meghan emphasizing seasonal ingredients and personal storytelling as she challenges contestants to prepare a “dish fit for a duchess” using a selection of produce and pantry items she curated herself.

What the reports allege

Australian magazine New Idea reported that tension developed on set when several contestants reportedly gravitated toward series judge Poh Ling Yeow for feedback and reassurance rather than directing their attention to Meghan as the episode’s headline guest. According to one unnamed source cited by the outlet, “It was a bit awkward at times. You could tell Meghan was wondering what was going on.”

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A separate point of friction reportedly involved Yeow introducing Meghan as “royalty” during the segment, despite Meghan and her team having asked producers beforehand not to use that word, according to Sky News reporting cited by multiple outlets. In a promotional clip for the episode, Yeow can be heard saying, “We’ve had royalty in the MasterChef kitchen before, but no one like this. All the way from sunny California, please welcome to MasterChef Australia, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.” Sky News reported that the introduction left Meghan “very frustrated,” which in turn reportedly left Yeow feeling upset about the moment.

Sources close to production push back on the characterization

Despite those reported moments of friction, several unnamed sources cited across multiple outlets have downplayed any suggestion of a serious rift. One insider told reporters that the issue had little to do with Meghan personally, saying Yeow “felt she had been unintentionally drawn into a royal protocol issue she never intended to be part of” and had wanted to reach out and apologize directly, but was advised by producers to let the matter be handled through standard production channels.

Another source explicitly rejected the idea that real tension existed on set, telling outlets, “There was no tension whatsoever, but it did feel like everyone was working hard to create those picture-perfect TV moments.” A third source offered a lighter take on the dynamic between the two women, describing Yeow’s high-energy, joke-filled personality as not always landing as intended when paired with Meghan, but characterizing any friction as minor. “It wasn’t major drama, just a few awkward moments during filming that were adjusted in the final edit,” the source said, adding, “Meghan was a great guest, and we feel very lucky she agreed to appear on the show.”

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Public reaction has been more pointed

Despite those efforts to downplay the situation, the story has generated notable pushback from some viewers on social media, many of whom referenced past allegations involving Meghan’s treatment of staff during her time as a working royal. One Instagram commenter wrote that the “bullying allegations” pattern had become repetitive, adding that “she can’t even go on a show without trying to create issues about random things.” Other social media users echoed similar sentiments across platforms including X, with some questioning why the story kept recurring around Meghan’s public appearances.

It’s worth noting that the characterization of the on-set moments as “bullying” originates largely from social media commentary and headline framing rather than from any on-the-record accusation of mistreatment made by Yeow, her fellow judges or MasterChef Australia producers.

What the judges themselves have said

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Speaking separately about Meghan’s approach to the episode, Yeow described the duchess as having been clear and intentional about what she wanted from the segment. “This was actually quite clear about wanting to get to know the contestants better,” Yeow said, describing Meghan’s interest in hearing personal stories from the competitors. “And she said, you know, you know these guys, but I don’t, so I really would like to see some stories and, yeah, food that’s gonna show us their personalities.”

Fellow judge Sofia Levin offered a positive reflection on Meghan’s connection to food as a home cook and gardener. “She’s a home cook and she’s a gardener herself,” Levin said. “So, when you think about it, you know, we’re getting more and more connected to our food.”

What to expect from the episode

Meghan will appear alongside judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli for the episode, with judge Andy Allen absent due to the birth of his son. During filming, Meghan reportedly told contestants that “there is a lot of pressure in that kitchen,” adding that she prefers cooking in “a really relaxed fashion” and encouraging competitors to “keep a sense of humour about it, and to cook from the heart.” She also spoke about cooking as an expression of care for the people in her life, saying that food is “how I show my nurturing and love for my friends, family and my kids.”

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Context around the visit

Meghan and Harry’s April trip to Australia marked their first joint visit to the country since their 2018 royal tour, and included humanitarian and mental health-focused engagements alongside Meghan’s MasterChef appearance. The guest judging segment, recorded in Melbourne, was teased extensively in the show’s promotional material ahead of Sunday’s broadcast.

With the episode set to air this weekend, it remains to be seen how the final edited version portrays the interactions between Meghan and the judging panel, and whether that broadcast will do anything to settle the competing narratives that have circulated in Australian and international tabloid coverage in the days leading up to its release.

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M&T Bank Down Today? Customers Report a Widespread Outage, Unable to Log Into Mobile App and Online Banking

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PNC Bank

Thousands of M&T Bank customers reported being locked out of their accounts Thursday morning, unable to access the bank’s mobile app or online banking platform in what appeared to be a widespread service disruption affecting users across multiple states.

Outage-tracking service Downdetector said user reports indicating problems with M&T Bank began climbing at 7:29 a.m. Eastern time, prompting the hashtag #MTBankDown to circulate on social media as affected customers sought answers. According to outage-monitoring service StatusGator, complaints had actually begun surging even earlier, around 5:45 a.m. Eastern, suggesting the disruption started well before it registered widely on public tracking platforms.

What customers are experiencing

Affected users reported being unable to log into either the M&T Bank mobile app or the bank’s website, with some encountering “Mobile Banking Unavailable” error messages on both Android and iPhone devices. Others described being unable to complete routine banking tasks, including checking account balances and transferring funds, after successfully logging in. As of Thursday afternoon, outage-tracking data showed complaint volume remaining elevated, with more than 500 user reports still active on Downdetector hours after the disruption first began.

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M&T Bank had not issued an official statement confirming the cause of the outage as of Thursday afternoon, though the scale and consistency of user reports across multiple tracking platforms strongly suggested a genuine, widespread service issue rather than isolated, localized problems.

A bank with a history of similar issues

Thursday’s disruption is not the first time M&T Bank customers have experienced widespread digital banking outages. According to StatusGator’s incident history, the bank has faced several previous service disruptions over the past year, including a 22-minute login outage detected as recently as July 10, a nearly two-hour outage on July 9, and a more serious incident last September in which customers reported both mobile banking outages and missing direct deposits, prompting the bank to issue a public statement at the time confirming the technical issues and later announcing that services had been fully restored.

That pattern of recurring, if generally short-lived, service disruptions has made M&T Bank a relatively frequent presence on outage-tracking platforms compared with some other regional banks, even though most individual incidents have historically been resolved within a few hours.

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About M&T Bank

M&T Bank is a regional financial institution headquartered in Buffalo, New York, serving individual, business and institutional customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast United States with a broad range of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, mortgages, business lending and wealth management services. The bank is one of the larger regional lenders in its footprint, making any widespread disruption to its digital banking platforms a significant inconvenience for a substantial customer base that relies on mobile and online access for day-to-day banking needs.

How outage tracking works

Downdetector and similar services compile their data primarily from user-submitted reports rather than direct access to a company’s internal systems, meaning spikes in complaints reflect customer experience rather than a confirmed technical diagnosis from the bank itself. Outage-tracking platforms typically classify a service as experiencing a “likely” or “possible” outage once the volume of reports significantly exceeds the typical baseline for a given time of day, a threshold Thursday’s reports appeared to cross well before 8 a.m. Eastern.

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What affected customers can do

For customers currently unable to access their accounts, outage-tracking services and consumer technology outlets have offered several general troubleshooting suggestions, including updating the M&T Bank mobile app to its latest version, clearing browser cache and cookies before attempting to log into online banking, and trying an alternative access point, such as an ATM, for time-sensitive banking needs. Customers experiencing more urgent issues, such as missing direct deposits or unauthorized account activity, are generally advised to contact the bank’s customer service line directly, since app-based troubleshooting is unlikely to resolve a server-side outage.

Customers can also check M&T Bank’s official online banking status page, when available, for any formal updates the bank may issue as its technical team investigates and resolves the underlying problem.

No timeline for resolution

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As of Thursday afternoon, there was no indication of when the disruption might be resolved, and M&T Bank had not provided a public timeline or root-cause explanation for the outage. Based on the bank’s handling of previous incidents, including the multi-hour outage last September, a formal statement acknowledging the issue and confirming restoration of service would typically be expected only after the underlying technical problem has been identified and fixed, rather than during the early hours of an active disruption.

What to watch for

Customers looking for real-time updates on the status of their accounts are encouraged to monitor outage-tracking platforms directly or check M&T Bank’s official social media channels and website for any formal acknowledgment of the issue. Given the bank’s history of resolving similar disruptions within a matter of hours, Thursday’s outage may well follow a similar pattern, though the exact timeline remains uncertain until M&T Bank issues its own confirmation.

For now, the disruption adds M&T Bank to a growing list of financial institutions and consumer platforms that have experienced high-profile digital outages this year, underscoring how dependent everyday banking has become on mobile and online infrastructure, and how disruptive even a brief technical failure can be for customers trying to manage routine financial tasks.

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MaxLinear, Inc. (MXL) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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

Operator

Greetings, and welcome to the MaxLinear Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.

It is now my pleasure to introduce Leslie Green, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

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Leslie Green
Investor Relations Contact Officer

Thank you, Paul. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us on today’s conference call to discuss MaxLinear’s Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results. Today’s call is being hosted by Dr. Kishore Seendripu, CEO; and Steve Litchfield, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Corporate Strategy Officer. After our prepared comments, we will take questions.

Our comments today include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements relating to our guidance for the third quarter of 2026, including revenue, GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin, GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses, GAAP and non-GAAP interest and other expense, GAAP and non-GAAP income taxes and GAAP and non-GAAP diluted share count.

In addition, we will make forward-looking statements relating to trends, opportunities, execution of our business plan and potential growth and uncertainties in various product and geographic markets, including, without limitation, statements concerning the future financial and operating results, opportunities

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Form 13D/A BROOKFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION For: 23 July

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Form 13D/A BROOKFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION For: 23 July

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CIMB Thai Q2 Profit Surges Fivefold on Income Growth and Lower Credit Losses

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CIMB Thai Q2 Profit Surges Fivefold on Income Growth and Lower Credit Losses

CIMB Thai’s Q2FY2026 net profit surged over fivefold to 886.3 million baht, driven by lower credit losses and higher operating income. H1 net profit rose 47% to 1.49 billion baht. Loans grew 4.1%, deposits increased 2.6%, NPL ratio improved to 2.1%, with capital ratios remaining strong.


Key Points

Q2 FY2026 Performance:

  • CIMB Thai’s net profit surged fivefold to 886.3 million baht, driven by higher operating income and a 76.3% drop in credit losses
  • Net interest income rose 35.2%; operating expenses fell 4.5%

H1 FY2026 Results:

  • Six-month net profit grew 47% to 1.49 billion baht
  • NIM improved to 2%; credit losses dropped 30.4%

Balance Sheet Strength:

  • Gross loans rose 4.1% to 242.2 billion baht; NPL ratio improved to 2.1%
  • Capital adequacy ratio stood strong at 19.7%

Strong Second-Quarter Profit Growth

CIMB Thai Bank PCL, the majority-owned subsidiary of CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, reported a more than fivefold surge in net profit for the second quarter of FY2026, reaching 886.3 million Thai baht, up from 174.5 million baht a year earlier. The strong performance was driven by a 76.3% drop in expected credit losses to 104.9 million baht and a 21.1% rise in operating income to 2.63 billion baht. Net interest income climbed 35.2% to 1.37 billion baht, while net fee and service income grew 16.7% to 352.3 million baht. Operating expenses also eased 4.5%, reflecting improved cost discipline alongside stronger revenue generation.


Resilient First-Half Performance

For the six months ended June 30, 2026, CIMB Thai’s net profit rose 47% to 1.49 billion baht, compared with 1.01 billion baht previously. CEO Wut Thanittiraporn attributed this to higher operating income, tighter cost control, and reduced loan-loss provisions. Operating income increased 9.8%, while expenses fell slightly and expected credit losses dropped 30.4% year-on-year. The net interest margin improved marginally to 2%, from 1.9%, as lower funding costs offset weaker asset yields, underscoring the bank’s ability to sustain profitability despite a challenging rate environment.

Solid Balance Sheet and Capital Strength

CIMB Thai’s balance sheet remained healthy as at end-June 2026. Total gross loans rose 4.1% to 242.2 billion baht, while deposits increased 2.6% to 309.2 billion baht. Asset quality improved, with the gross NPL ratio easing to 2.1% from 2.2%, and the loan loss coverage ratio strengthening to 179.3%. Total allowances for expected credit losses stood at 8.9 billion baht, exceeding regulatory requirements by 1.5 billion baht. The bank’s capital position remained robust, with total capital funds of 59.4 billion baht and a BIS ratio of 19.7%, including 15.4% Tier 1 capital—reflecting strong resilience and a solid buffer against potential risks.

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Source : CIMB Thai’s 2Q profit jumps over fivefold on operating income, lower credit losses

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Contentious submarines up for debate at Labor meeting

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Contentious submarines up for debate at Labor meeting

Labor’s party faithful will “definitely” have the opportunity to debate Australia’s nuclear submarine deal, as billions of dollars in extra funding is committed for the construction of the boats.

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Patrick Kane Returns to Chicago Blackhawks on Two-Year, $16 Million Deal After Detroit Red Wings Stint

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Patrick Kane

It’s “Showtime” again in Chicago.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms with free agent winger Patrick Kane on a two-year contract worth $16 million, carrying an $8 million average annual salary cap hit and a full no-move clause. The deal reunites Kane with the franchise where he became a superstar, three weeks into his free agency and roughly three years after the team traded him away to kick-start a rebuild.

Coming home to Chicago

Kane, 37, won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, in 2010, 2013 and 2015, after Chicago selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft. He spent the first 16 seasons of his 19-year NHL career with the franchise, serving as the cornerstone of a dynastic run that saw the Blackhawks reach the playoffs nine straight seasons and advance to the conference finals five times.

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Kane remains second all-time in points for the Blackhawks with 1,225, trailing only Hall of Famer Stan Mikita’s 1,467, and sits third in franchise history in both goals, with 446, and games played, with 1,161. His individual accolades with Chicago include the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2007-08, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2013, and both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL Players’ Association’s player of the year in 2015-16, a season in which he led the league with 106 points.

What the team is saying

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, who originally traded Kane to the New York Rangers in 2023 to help launch Chicago’s rebuild, praised the winger’s return in a team statement. “Day in and day out for 16 seasons, Patrick captivated the city of Chicago with his dazzling skill, creating some of the most memorable moments in Blackhawks history as he helped bring our storied franchise back to the pinnacle of our sport,” Davidson said. “He’s shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels, and we couldn’t be prouder for Patrick to once again call the United Center home and continue to shine in Chicago’s brightest lights.”

Davidson’s tone marks a notable shift from his earlier public stance on a potential Kane reunion. In 2024, Davidson said he did not “foresee us going back on” the decision to move on from Kane. More recently, however, Davidson signaled a change of heart, telling the radio show OverDrive on TSN 1050 Toronto that Chicago’s door remained open. “We’ll await his decision, but he knows our door is always open,” Davidson said. “He’s a Blackhawk at heart for life, even if he’s not wearing our jersey.”

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A decision between two hometowns

Kane, who grew up in Buffalo, spent much of free agency weighing a return to Chicago against the possibility of signing with his hometown Buffalo Sabres. In the end, he chose Chicago, a decision Blackhawks star Connor Bedard had publicly campaigned for throughout the process.

Bedard, 21, was drafted first overall by Chicago just months after the team traded Kane away, meaning the two franchise-defining players never shared the ice together in Chicago. With Kane a free agent, Bedard made his case for a reunion directly. “I can’t imagine his first game back at the United Center, just the reaction he’d get and how much juice that would bring not only to our team but our fans as well,” Bedard said. “That would be incredible to get to play with him and learn from him.”

Bedard signed his own five-year, $75 million extension with the Blackhawks last week as a restricted free agent, cementing his long-term future with the franchise just before Kane’s return was finalized.

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Filling a gap left by injury

Kane’s arrival carries added significance for Chicago given Bedard’s health status entering next season. Bedard underwent shoulder surgery this offseason and is expected to be sidelined into early November, leaving the Blackhawks without their top-line center for the start of the 2026-27 campaign. The team may look to Kane to help offset some of that lost offensive production early in the season, with the possibility of eventually pairing the two on the same line once Bedard returns to full health.

Kane’s recent form in Detroit

Before returning to Chicago, Kane spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings on a series of one-year contracts, worth $2.75 million in 2023-24, $4 million in 2024-25 and $3 million in 2025-26. He remained a productive player throughout that stretch, totaling 163 points across 189 games in Detroit, including 57 points, 16 goals and 41 assists, in 67 games last season. Despite Kane’s consistent production, the Red Wings missed the playoffs in each of his three seasons there, extending Detroit’s postseason drought to 10 straight years.

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A career still adding to the record books

Kane enters his 20th NHL season ranked fourth among active players with 1,400 career points and sixth with 508 goals. Along the way, he scored his 500th NHL goal in January, broke Mike Modano’s record for career points by a U.S.-born player when he reached 1,375 points later that same month, and surpassed 1,400 points in April. He has also posted 138 points in 143 career Stanley Cup playoff games and was named one of the 100 Greatest Players in NHL history during the league’s centennial celebration in 2017.

Reflecting on his continued ability to perform at a high level, Kane said after last season ended, “I still think I have the ability to elevate my game at the most important times.”

With Kane now under contract through the 2027-28 season, the Blackhawks head into next season hoping his return can help accelerate a rebuild that has been underway since his 2023 departure, while Chicago has not made the playoffs since 2020. For Kane, the reunion offers a chance to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023, this time alongside a new generation of Blackhawks talent led by Bedard, in the arena where he first became a star nearly two decades ago.

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6 Best Cosmetic Dentists in the UK for Founder-Level Smile Upgrades

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6 Best Cosmetic Dentists in the UK for Founder-Level Smile Upgrades

Running a company leaves little room for downtime, yet founders and senior executives are under more visual scrutiny than most. Investor meetings, media appearances and constant video calls all put a smile under a spotlight that most professionals never had to think about a decade ago.

Cosmetic dentistry has responded to this shift, with several UK practices now specialising in subtle, natural-looking work designed to fit around demanding schedules rather than disrupt them. The goal for this audience is rarely a dramatic transformation, but a refined, long-lasting improvement that looks effortless rather than obviously “done”.

This list covers six UK cosmetic dentists worth knowing about for founders and professionals considering a smile upgrade, with an emphasis on subtlety, efficiency and results that hold up under constant public attention.

Bespoke Smile

Bespoke Smile has built a reputation as a premium, founder-led practice known for its focus on natural-looking results rather than the more dramatic, uniform look associated with older cosmetic dentistry trends. The clinic takes a patient-first approach, spending time understanding what a subtle upgrade should actually look like for each individual face and existing smile.

For busy founders and professionals, this matters as much as the treatment itself. Bespoke Smile offers advanced treatments designed around efficient scheduling, making it a practical option for people who cannot afford weeks of disruption around a demanding calendar. The focus throughout stays on long-lasting, understated upgrades rather than a visibly overhauled smile.

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Established Central London Cosmetic Practices

Several long-standing cosmetic dental practices across central London offer comprehensive smile makeovers, ranging from whitening and bonding through to full veneer work. Many of these clinics have decades of experience and cater to a mix of local patients and international visitors seeking a full course of treatment during a single trip.

These practices tend to suit patients who want a wide range of options under one roof, though appointment availability can be more limited given the volume of patients they see.

Boutique Smile Design Studios

A newer category of boutique studios has emerged, focusing specifically on digital smile design and minimally invasive techniques. These studios typically use 3D imaging to preview results before any treatment begins, which appeals to detail-oriented professionals who want to see the outcome in advance.

The trade-off is usually price, since boutique studios often charge a premium for the personalised design process and one-to-one consultation time involved.

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Multi-Location Dental Groups

Several dental groups with multiple UK locations have expanded their cosmetic offerings in recent years, making treatment more accessible outside London for founders based elsewhere in the country. These groups often standardise their processes across locations, which can mean more predictable pricing and scheduling.

The consistency comes at some cost to the highly individualised approach that boutique or founder-led practices tend to offer, which is worth weighing depending on personal priorities.

University-Affiliated Dental Hospitals

For patients seeking complex reconstructive or cosmetic work, university-affiliated dental hospitals offer access to specialists working at the more advanced end of the field, often at a lower cost than private clinics. Waiting times are typically longer, which makes this option less practical for anyone needing a quick turnaround.

This route suits professionals with more flexible schedules or those planning treatment well in advance of a specific event or milestone.

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Choosing the Right Fit

According to the General Dental Council, patients considering cosmetic dental work should always confirm a practitioner’s registration and experience with the specific procedure being considered, regardless of how the practice is marketed.

This kind of due diligence matters even more for founders and executives, since a rushed choice made purely on convenience can end up costing more time to correct later than it saved at the outset.

More Coverage for Business Leaders

For more coverage of business leaders and the choices shaping their daily lives, BM Magazine’s leadership section regularly covers similar founder-focused lifestyle decisions.

These pieces often show how small, personal choices, from wellness routines to grooming, quietly support the bigger picture of how a founder is perceived by clients, investors and staff alike.

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Conclusion

For founders and senior professionals, the right cosmetic dentist is less about the most dramatic transformation and more about a subtle, natural result that holds up under constant scrutiny and fits around an unpredictable schedule. Practices like Bespoke Smile that combine a patient-first approach with advanced, efficient treatment options are increasingly the preferred choice for this kind of client, though the right fit ultimately depends on individual priorities around cost, location and pace of treatment.

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Temasek-backed Manipal Health to line up $1-billion IPO

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Temasek-backed Manipal Health to line up $1-billion IPO
Mumbai: Temasek-backed Manipal Health Enterprises is set to launch its billion-dollar initial public offering (IPO) later this month on the heels of SBI Funds Management‘s successful issue mid-July, said people familiar with the matter.

The company will announce the price band on July 24, with the issue expected to be open for subscription between July 29 and July 31. An email sent to Manipal Health Enterprises seeking comment remained unanswered.

The offering, which will be among the largest IPOs by an Indian healthcare services provider, comprises a fresh issue of shares worth up to ₹8,000 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 4.32 crore shares by promoters and existing investors.

Read more: Xtranet Technologies IPO Day 1: Issue booked 51% so far on retail push. Check GMP & other details

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Promoter entities Imperius Healthcare Investments and Manipal Education and Medical Group India will pare their holdings through the OFS. Existing investors TPG SG Magazine, Seventy Second Investment Company, Novo Holdings Invest Asia and Phoenix Bear Investments are also expected to sell shares. The company plans to use most of the proceeds from the fresh issue to reduce debt. Around ₹5,378 crore has been earmarked to repay or prepay borrowings at subsidiary Manipal Hospitals, while about ₹574 crore will be used to acquire a minority stake in step-down arm Sahyadri Hospitals.

This will be the second billion-dollar IPO in 2026 after SBI Funds raised ₹9,813 crore through the IPO, the largest in 2026 so far. The issue was subscribed 41.66 times.
Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, DBS Bank India, Goldman Sachs India Securities, Jefferies India, JP Morgan India and UBS Securities India are the book-running lead managers to the Manipal issue.

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Freddie Mac says 30-year fixed mortgage rate reaches 11-month high

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First-time homebuyers get some relief, but affordability remains a challenge

Mortgage rates rose again this week and reached the highest level in nearly a year, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said on Thursday.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed the average interest rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.58% this week, up from 6.55% last week.

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This week’s reading is the highest in about 11 months, as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was last at 6.58% on Aug. 21, 2025. At this time a year ago, the rate was 6.74%.

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY TO IMPROVE AS HOME PRICE GROWTH COOLS, REALTOR.COM FORECASTS

A home is seen in California with a an "open house" sign in front of it.

An “Open House” sign in front of a home for sale in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on July 13, 2025.  (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week,” said Freddie Mac chief economist Sam Khater.

“As market conditions continue to evolve, borrowers should remember that shopping around for a mortgage rate can make a meaningful difference, potentially saving them thousands over the loan’s lifetime,” Khater added.

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The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage also moved higher to 5.96%, up from 5.93% last week. A year ago, the 15-year fixed mortgage had an average rate of 5.87%.

STARTER HOME AFFORDABILITY IS CRAWLING BACK. THESE REGIONS ARE BEST FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

Mortgage rates are affected by several factors, including the Federal Reserve and geopolitics. Though mortgage rates are not directly affected by the Fed’s interest rate decisions, they closely track the 10-year Treasury yield. The 10-year yield rose slightly to 4.699% as of Thursday afternoon.

“While mortgage rates remain elevated, homebuyers may be better served focusing on the full cost of homeownership rather than trying to guess where rates will be a few months from now,” said Jeff DerGurahian, chief investment officer and head economist at LoanDepot.

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“The tug-of-war between inflation and the renewed conflict between the U.S. and Iran is reflected in today’s rates, as higher oil prices raise concerns that elevated energy costs could filter into future inflation readings,” DerGurahian added.

RECORD DECLINE IN HOME ASKING PRICES OFFERS BUYERS AN AFFORDABILITY BOOST

home for sale

A “New Listing” sign outside a home in Napa, California, US, on Monday, May 6, 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The latest mortgage data comes as conditions in the housing market have improved somewhat for buyers, many of whom have been on the sidelines as tight inventory has supported higher home prices and mortgage rates have held relatively steady.

Realtor.com recently released a midyear update to its 2026 housing market forecast that estimates home price growth will slow to 1.2% this year, a rate that’s slower than the original forecast for the year and is below the current pace of inflation. That means home prices would be effectively declining in real, inflation-adjusted terms.

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FDA says 1.5 million dozen eggs recalled over possible salmonella contamination

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Justice Department settles with top US egg producers over alleged price manipulation

More than 1.5 million dozen shell eggs sold in six states have been voluntarily recalled over potential salmonella contamination, federal regulators announced Wednesday. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Midwest Poultry Services initiated the voluntary recall, affecting 1,589,577 dozen cartons of white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs. 

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Officials said the recalled products were sold under several brands, including Kroger, Brookshire’s, Country Morning, Simple Truth, and Sunups, as well as various bulk Grade A and Grade AA eggs. 

The eggs were ultimately distributed to retail and food service customers in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi, as well as other smaller retail outlets, according to the FDA. 

ALLERGY MEDICATION RECALLED OVER POSSIBLE DRUG MIX-UP THAT COULD TRIGGER ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ REACTIONS

Country Morning and Brookshire's cartons

Country Morning Grade A Large 12-count eggs (top) and Brookshire’s Jumbo White Eggs 12-count (bottom) are among the recalled retail egg cartons. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Fox News)

The affected products were produced at two farms in Texas, according to the FDA.

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Officials said the issue was discovered during routine environmental testing. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the eggs. 

“When we learned of a possible issue with egg safety, we began diverting eggs to a breaking plant where they would be pasteurized to kill any foodborne pathogens,” Midwest Poultry Services told FOX Business in a statement on Thursday. 

“We also began a robust internal investigation and initiated testing protocols to identify potential sources of SE,” the company added, referring to Salmonella Enteritidis. 

“Producing safe, quality food for those who eat our eggs is our highest priority, and this voluntary investigation and recall demonstrates that commitment.”

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Kroger Medium Grade A carton

A 12-count carton of Kroger Grade A Medium eggs are subject to the Salmonella recall notice. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Fox News)

TARGET, KROGER, MEIJER FRUIT PURÉE POUCHES RECALLED OVER PLASTIC RISK: FDA

The recall includes various carton sizes and egg counts.

Consumers can identify affected products by the codes printed on the side of the carton. The eggs were packed and distributed between June 6 and July 3, with sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through Aug. 17.

The affected cartons also bear plant code P-1950 or 840962 with a Julian Date between 157 and 184.

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Consumers who purchased the recalled eggs should not eat them and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

According to the FDA, salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults, frail individuals and people with weakened immune systems. 

Healthy people infected with salmonella may experience fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. 

In rare and severe cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause more serious illnesses, including arterial infections, infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis. 

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Cal-Maine Sunups egg box label

A 2.5-dozen box of Cal-Maine Sunups Grade A Medium eggs is included in the Midwest Poultry Services recall. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Fox News)

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Consumers with questions can contact Midwest Poultry Services’ consumer helpline at 574-405-9531, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, or email recallassistance@mpseggs.com.

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