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MIAMI — He is 39 years old. He stands 1.70 metres tall, shorter than virtually every defender he faces. He was never a sprinter, and he is slower now than he has ever been. None of that has stopped Lionel Messi from being the most dangerous player at the 2026 World Cup, co-leading the tournament in goals with six alongside France’s Kylian Mbappé, and continuing to confound everyone who watches him with the simple question: how?

The answer, according to researchers who have spent more than a decade studying elite soccer cognition, has almost nothing to do with what happens when Messi touches the ball. It has everything to do with what happens in the seconds before the ball arrives.

The explanation lies in a behavior that cameras rarely linger on and commentators rarely mention: scanning. The constant, deliberate movement of Messi’s head in the moments before he receives a pass, gathering information about the positions of defenders, teammates and open space that other players have not yet obtained or have not yet processed. By the time the ball reaches his feet, the decision has already been made. The touch, the turn, the pass that splits a defense open, those are, as researchers describe them, the easy part. The hard part happened earlier and mostly invisibly.

Johan Cruyff, the Dutch soccer philosopher and one of the most perceptive analytical voices the sport has ever produced, identified the principle behind this decades ago, even without the data to quantify it.

“What is speed? The sports press often confuses speed with insight,” Cruyff said. “If I start running slightly earlier than someone else, I seem faster.”

That observation, dismissed at the time by some as poetic misdirection, has since been validated in peer-reviewed research. Scientists who study visual cognition in elite sports have consistently found that what appears to be physical quickness in the game’s best players is frequently something different and more subtle: a head start bought by earlier and better perception.

Researchers studying how soccer players gather visual information before receiving the ball fitted small motion sensors to the backs of athletes’ heads, from youth academy players to senior professionals, recording how frequently and how widely players turned to look around during live match conditions. They were measuring what the field calls visual exploration, or, more plainly, scanning, and asking a straightforward question: does the frequency and quality of a player’s environmental awareness before the ball arrives actually change what they are able to do once it does?

The findings were consistent across subjects and settings. Players who scanned more frequently in the seconds before receiving a pass were measurably faster to release their next pass, more likely to turn forward with the ball rather than playing it safely back the way it came, and more likely to deliver a forward pass that created a genuine threat to the opposition. The information gathered before ball contact directly shaped the quality of decision-making once contact occurred.

The research separates scanning into two distinct functions. The first, which the researchers call orientation, is the broader, earlier phase of looking around to understand what the entire field is offering in a given moment: what options exist, where threats are developing, which spaces might open. The second, called specification, is the finer, later visual work that guides the actual execution of a pass or movement once a course of action has been chosen.

Orientation is the phase that tends to be overlooked, because it happens away from the ball at moments when nothing dramatic is visually occurring. Yet it is also the foundation. Without it, even technically gifted players are forced to make decisions with incomplete information, reacting to what they find when the ball arrives rather than acting on what they already knew.

Cruyff described the same concept in different language.

“There is only one moment in which you can arrive in time,” Cruyff said. “If you are not there, you are either too early or too late.”

Messi’s scanning behavior is, by any observable measure, among the most continuous and comprehensive in professional soccer. Watching him for 30 seconds when the ball is not near him reveals a pattern of constant, small head movements: a check left, a check right, a glance at the player on the ball, a scan behind. None of it looks especially significant in isolation. In aggregate, it means that by the time a pass arrives, Messi has assembled a mental map of everything happening around him that his marker, almost certainly taller and faster in a physical sense, has not finished constructing.

This is why the puzzle of Messi at 39, the question of how someone physically limited by every conventional athletic metric can still be the best player on the field at the most important soccer tournament in the world, resolves cleanly once you look at the right variable. He is not racing defenders. He has arranged, through earlier and better information-gathering, to never need to race anyone. He has already arrived.

The broader implication of this research extends well beyond understanding a single extraordinary player. Scanning frequency and quality are trainable skills. Data consistently shows that the habit of visually exploring the environment before the ball arrives can be developed deliberately and systematically in young players, from an early age, regardless of their physical dimensions or raw athletic capacity. The phrase coaches shout on training pitches everywhere, “check your shoulder,” is an intuitive, low-tech version of exactly this principle. The research suggests it should be formalized and made central rather than incidental to player development.

That matters at the population level because most players will never have Messi’s technique or his touch, but some of what makes him dominant is not genetic genius or exceptional physical gifting. It is habit. Perception is not a fixed attribute. It responds to practice, the same way passing does or first touch does, and coaches who train it systematically in young players may find they produce players who make better decisions even if they never make the physical charts.

For now, the immediate practical conclusion is simpler. The next time someone watches Messi at this World Cup and struggles to explain how a 39-year-old, standing shorter than virtually everyone else on the pitch, in his sixth and almost certainly final World Cup, is still doing what he is doing, the explanation is not in his feet. It has never been in his feet. Watch his head. That is where it all begins.

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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Tesla reported strong second-quarter deliveries Thursday, blowing past Wall Street expectations as a rebound in Europe helped fuel hopes that the electric vehicle maker can return to annual growth.

The Austin, Texas-based company delivered 480,126 vehicles from April through June, a record for the second quarter, up about 25% from a year earlier and well above the 402,776 vehicles analysts expected, according to Visible Alpha data.

Tesla produced 451,758 vehicles during the quarter, meaning deliveries outpaced production by roughly 28,000 vehicles as the company worked through inventory built up earlier in the year.

SPACEX MOVES TO LAUNCH HIGHLY ANTICIPATED IPO

Tesla electric vehicles fill a car lot in Smithtown, N.Y., July 5, 2023. (John Paraskevas/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Strong results from Tesla’s mainstay auto business offer a crucial cushion as CEO Elon Musk focuses on expensive ambitions in autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, the main drivers of the company’s roughly $1.6 trillion valuation.

Shares of the Austin, Texas-based company were down more than 7% at the close of Thursday. Analysts and investors said optimism had been priced in as the stock gained 12% earlier this week.

Tesla’s recovery in Europe was aided by a surge in fuel prices, government EV incentives, faster electrification of corporate fleets and easing of the consumer backlash over CEO Elon Musk’s politics.

“I think the huge growth in Europe is the key driver for Tesla right now. U.S. sales still appear to be down, albeit less than the broader U.S. EV decline, while China is seeing small growth,” Seth Goldstein, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said.

Goldstein, who had expected a third straight annual decline, said after the report, “I think it would be very hard to see a decline for the full year at this point.”

TESLA RECALLS MORE THAN 218K VEHICLES OVER REARVIEW IMAGE ISSUE THAT POSES CRASH RISK

A Tesla robotaxi travels on the street along South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, on June 22, 2025.  (Joel Angel Juarez/Reuters)

Tesla last year introduced stripped-down, lower-cost variants of its Model 3 compact sedans and Model Y SUVs and deployed attractive incentives and financing options.

“Their pricing and their products are helping the buyers overcome any issues they might have with Elon Musk personally,” said Sam Fiorani, vice president at research firm AutoForecast Solutions.

Demand in the U.S., Tesla’s biggest market, however, remained strained after removal of the EV tax credits late last year. 

“We’re cautiously optimistic for some growth this year,” Fiorani said.

Analysts said the elimination of incentives for new EV purchases in the U.S. last year continues to weigh on sales, while some refreshes to the aging model lineup have led to stronger performance in the Chinese market.

“We believe Tesla’s U.S. sales likely declined by at least 10% in the quarter,” said Freedom Broker senior analyst Dmitriy Pozdnyakov.

MUSK SAYS TESLA, SPACEX TO BUILD ADVANCED CHIP MANUFACTURING FACILITY

Elon Musk attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center June 16, 2023, in Paris, France.  (Chesnot/Getty Images)

The company’s China-made EV sales have risen this year, helped by production of the refreshed Model Y, despite intense competition from BYD and other domestic automakers.

The company said it will report quarterly results on July 22 after markets close.

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Musk briefly became the world’s first trillionaire last month after SpaceX began trading publicly on the Nasdaq at $150 a share, above its $135 IPO price.

Musk’s net worth stood at $982 billion as of Wednesday, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Reuters contributed to this report.

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. — Two New York residents face multiple charges after they were arrested at a Costco store here Sunday afternoon for allegedly trying to purchase merchandise with fraudulent credit cards during what police described as part of a serial shoplifting scheme.

Brittany A. Howard, 35, of the Bronx, and Kasheem M. Williams, 34, of Brooklyn, were taken into custody around 3 p.m. at the warehouse club on Tamarack Avenue, according to the South Windsor Police Department.

Officers responded to reports of two individuals actively stealing and attempting to pay at self-checkout using fraudulent cards. Store staff had been alerted that the same suspects had reportedly tried a similar scheme earlier at a Costco location in nearby Enfield.

A search of the suspects’ vehicle turned up 28 stolen financial documents, each bearing different names, along with additional merchandise believed stolen from the Enfield store, police said.

Both individuals had active out-of-state warrants at the time of their arrest. Williams faces an extraditable warrant from Suffolk County, New York, on charges including burglary, strangulation and assault. Howard has an extraditable warrant from Hudson County, New Jersey, related to credit card theft.

The pair now face additional local charges including 28 counts of payment card theft, larceny, identity theft and conspiracy. They were held on $250,000 surety bonds each and were scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges retailers face with organized retail crime and identity theft. Costco and other big-box stores have ramped up security measures, including enhanced surveillance and staff training, in response to rising theft trends across the country.

Broader Context of Retail Theft

Retail theft has become a significant issue for businesses nationwide, with organized groups often targeting high-value or easily resold items. Losses from shoplifting and fraud contribute to higher prices for consumers and strain law enforcement resources.

In Connecticut, police departments have coordinated with retailers to share information about repeat offenders. Sunday’s arrests demonstrate how such collaboration can lead to swift intervention.

South Windsor police noted that store employees played a key role by recognizing the suspects from prior alerts. Rapid response prevented further losses at the location, which serves customers across the greater Hartford area.

The use of fraudulent credit cards adds layers of complexity, involving identity theft that can affect victims far beyond the immediate retail setting. Authorities recovered numerous documents, suggesting the operation may have broader implications.

Suspects’ Alleged Pattern

Police described Howard and Williams as suspected serial Costco shoplifters. The proximity of the Enfield and South Windsor locations — roughly a 30-minute drive — allowed the pair to allegedly move between sites quickly.

Investigators are examining whether the duo is connected to similar incidents at other retail outlets. The volume of stolen financial instruments points to a potentially sophisticated approach to obtaining and using others’ information.

Such cases often involve skimming devices, online data breaches or physical theft of cards and documents. Federal agencies like the Secret Service typically investigate larger credit card fraud rings due to the interstate nature of the crimes.

Connecticut has seen increased focus on retail crime, with prosecutors pursuing felony charges to deter repeat offenders. Enhanced penalties for organized retail theft have been discussed in state legislatures across the Northeast.

Impact on Retailers and Consumers

Costco Wholesale Corp., known for its membership model and bulk sales, has invested heavily in loss prevention. The company reports theft as part of its overall shrinkage metrics, which also include employee theft and administrative errors.

Incidents like this one contribute to what industry groups call organized retail crime, estimated to cost billions annually. Retailers pass some costs to consumers through higher prices or reduced services.

Membership warehouses like Costco rely on high-volume, low-margin sales. Theft of even moderate quantities can erode profitability, particularly for high-demand electronics, health products and household goods commonly targeted.

Consumer advocates urge shoppers to monitor accounts closely and report suspicious activity. Using virtual cards or credit monitoring services can provide additional protection against fraud.

Law Enforcement Response

South Windsor police worked efficiently to secure the scene and process evidence. The discovery of warrants added immediate custody justification while opening avenues for extradition proceedings.

Inter-agency cooperation between Connecticut, New York and New Jersey authorities will likely follow as cases progress. Digital forensics on recovered devices may yield further leads.

The $250,000 bond amount reflects the seriousness of the charges, including multiple felonies. Court appearances will determine next steps, potentially including pretrial detention or conditions if released.

Prosecutors will present evidence from surveillance footage, witness statements and physical recovery of goods and documents. Defense attorneys may challenge aspects of the investigation or seek plea negotiations.

Preventing Future Incidents

Retailers continue experimenting with technology solutions such as AI-powered cameras, electronic article surveillance and self-checkout monitoring. Some locations have limited high-value item access or added security personnel during peak hours.

Public awareness campaigns encourage shoppers to report suspicious behavior. Community policing efforts aim to build relationships between stores and local departments for faster response times.

Legislative efforts at state and federal levels seek tougher penalties for organized theft rings. Balancing enforcement with rehabilitation remains an ongoing policy challenge.

For now, the arrests in South Windsor provide a measure of relief to local retailers and serve as a warning to would-be offenders. Police continue investigating the full scope of the alleged activities.

The case underscores the persistent battle against retail fraud in an era of sophisticated criminal tactics. As technology evolves, so do the methods used to combat it, requiring constant adaptation by law enforcement and businesses alike.

Authorities urge anyone with information about similar incidents to contact police. Tips can be submitted anonymously through many departments’ hotlines or online portals.

This incident joins a series of retail theft stories making headlines, keeping the issue in public focus as stakeholders seek comprehensive solutions.

Amazon.com Inc. shares gained more than 1% to trade near $245 Thursday as investors cheered strong early performance from Prime Day sales and continued momentum in the company’s cloud and artificial intelligence businesses.

The e-commerce and technology giant is benefiting from robust consumer spending during its major summer shopping event while its Amazon Web Services division capitalizes on enterprise demand for AI infrastructure. With fiscal second-quarter results scheduled for late July, analysts expect another solid report highlighting growth across retail, advertising and cloud segments.

Amazon reported first-quarter revenue of $181.5 billion, up 17% year-over-year, with AWS posting 28% growth to $37.6 billion — its fastest pace in several years. The performance underscored the company’s dual strengths in consumer retail and high-margin cloud services amid heavy investments in AI capabilities.

Prime Day, traditionally one of Amazon’s largest sales events, has reportedly generated billions in sales this year, building on the company’s dominance in online shopping. Early indicators suggest strong participation from Prime members, who benefit from exclusive deals, fast shipping and digital content perks.

AWS remains a key growth engine, with analysts highlighting accelerating demand for generative AI services. The division’s operating margins have expanded as Amazon optimizes its infrastructure and introduces specialized chips and tools for AI workloads.

The company has committed substantial capital expenditures — projected around $200 billion for the year — to expand data center capacity and support AI training and inference needs. While such spending has pressured near-term cash flow, executives express confidence in long-term returns from increased cloud usage.

Retail Resilience Amid Economic Uncertainty

Amazon’s core e-commerce business has shown resilience despite fluctuating consumer confidence. Improvements in logistics, including expanded fulfillment networks and automation, have helped maintain competitive delivery times and control costs.

Advertising revenue continues as a high-growth, high-margin segment, benefiting from more sophisticated targeting and integration across Amazon’s platforms. Sellers increasingly rely on Amazon’s tools to reach customers, creating a virtuous cycle for the company’s marketplace.

International expansion, particularly in key markets, contributes to overall sales growth even as the U.S. remains the largest contributor. Currency fluctuations and regional economic conditions can impact results, but diversified operations provide some buffer.

Prime membership, with its annual fee and bundled benefits, continues to drive customer loyalty and higher spending. The program underpins much of Amazon’s retail ecosystem, encouraging habitual use of the platform for everyday purchases.

Strategic Investments in Future Growth

Amazon has positioned itself at the forefront of AI innovation through both internal development and partnerships. Investments in custom silicon, such as Trainium and Inferentia chips, aim to reduce reliance on third-party providers while lowering costs for customers.

The company’s logistics network, already one of the world’s largest, incorporates more robotics and machine learning for efficiency gains. These advancements support faster delivery and better inventory management, key differentiators in competitive retail.

Content and entertainment offerings, including Prime Video, continue expanding with original programming and sports rights. Advertising opportunities within streaming further monetize the subscriber base.

Amazon’s bet on physical retail through formats like Amazon Go and Whole Foods integration provides omnichannel presence, though online remains the primary growth driver.

Competitive Landscape and Challenges

Amazon faces stiff competition in cloud computing from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, both of which are also investing heavily in AI. Pricing pressure and customer multi-cloud strategies require continuous innovation to maintain market share.

In e-commerce, rivals including Walmart, Shopify-powered merchants and emerging platforms challenge Amazon’s dominance. Regulatory scrutiny over antitrust concerns and labor practices adds another layer of complexity.

Supply chain disruptions, inflation and shifting consumer preferences toward value can impact margins. Amazon has responded with cost controls, efficiency programs and selective price adjustments.

Analysts project mid-teens percentage revenue growth for the full year, with AWS potentially outpacing overall sales. Operating income guidance reflects continued investment but also operating leverage as fixed costs are spread across larger revenue bases.

Outlook and Market Sentiment

Wall Street largely maintains bullish stances on Amazon, citing its diversified business model and leadership in key growth areas. Consensus price targets suggest further upside, though valuations remain premium given the scale.

Short-term focus centers on Prime Day results and any updates on AI deal flow or capex execution. The upcoming earnings report will provide fresh insight into second-quarter trends, including early back-to-school and holiday preparation signals.

Broader technology sector performance influences Amazon’s stock, given its weighting in major indexes. Positive sentiment around AI has provided tailwinds, though concerns over spending levels and return timelines create periodic volatility.

Amazon’s founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos has maintained significant involvement, while CEO Andy Jassy oversees daily operations. The leadership team has emphasized disciplined capital allocation alongside aggressive innovation.

For consumers, Amazon represents convenience and selection, while for investors it embodies exposure to multiple secular trends: e-commerce penetration, cloud migration and artificial intelligence adoption.

The company’s ability to balance growth investments with profitability has improved over time, though the current AI spending cycle represents a significant commitment. Early indications suggest strong customer uptake, supporting optimism for future returns.

As Amazon prepares for its next earnings release, the narrative remains one of transformation and opportunity. From online bookstore to global technology leader, the company continues evolving to meet changing customer and enterprise needs in an increasingly digital economy.

Apple Inc. shares rose more than 3% to trade near $306 Thursday, extending gains as investors responded positively to recent software advancements unveiled at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference and ongoing strength in services and hardware sales.

The iPhone maker has rolled out significant updates to its artificial intelligence capabilities, including a major overhaul of its Siri digital assistant, as it seeks to close the gap with competitors in generative AI features. The announcements at WWDC have helped reinforce confidence in Apple’s ecosystem and long-term growth prospects despite a competitive technology landscape.

Apple Intelligence features have expanded across iOS, iPadOS, macOS and other platforms, with enhanced on-device processing for privacy and new capabilities for productivity and creativity. The updated Siri promises more natural conversations, better context awareness and integration with apps and on-screen content.

These developments come as Apple navigates a maturing smartphone market while investing heavily in services, wearables and emerging technologies. The company’s services business, which includes App Store, Apple Music, iCloud and advertising, continues delivering high-margin, recurring revenue.

Fiscal second-quarter results earlier this year showed resilience, with overall revenue growth supported by iPhone sales recovery in key markets and double-digit services expansion. Analysts expect similar trends in upcoming reports, with AI features potentially driving future device upgrades.

Ecosystem Strength and Hardware Momentum

The iPhone remains Apple’s flagship product, with the latest models incorporating advanced cameras, displays and performance improvements. Trade-in programs and financing options help sustain upgrade cycles, while enterprise adoption grows through security and management features.

Apple Watch and AirPods continue contributing to wearables growth, with health tracking and audio innovations keeping the categories vibrant. Vision Pro, the company’s spatial computing device, targets professional and high-end consumer segments despite premium pricing.

Services revenue has become increasingly important, now representing a significant portion of total sales with strong profitability. Subscription growth across music, video, news and fitness platforms provides stable income less susceptible to hardware cycles.

Advertising within apps and search further diversifies revenue streams. Apple has expanded its ad business cautiously while maintaining user privacy standards that differentiate it from competitors.

AI Strategy and Developer Focus

At WWDC, Apple previewed iOS 27 and other operating system updates packed with AI enhancements. New parental controls and child safety features demonstrate the company’s emphasis on responsible technology use.

The focus on on-device AI processing addresses privacy concerns while enabling faster, more secure experiences. Partnerships with other technology firms supplement Apple’s models for complex tasks requiring greater computational power.

Developers gain new tools to integrate Apple Intelligence features into their apps, potentially creating a rich ecosystem of AI-enhanced experiences. This approach leverages Apple’s massive installed base to accelerate adoption.

Cybersecurity remains a priority, with early software updates addressing potential vulnerabilities related to AI features. The company continues investing in robust protections as capabilities expand.

Market Challenges and Global Dynamics

China remains an important but challenging market for Apple, with competition from domestic brands and economic conditions affecting demand. The company has worked to strengthen relationships and localize offerings while navigating regulatory requirements.

Supply chain efficiencies and component cost management help protect margins amid component price fluctuations. Apple’s manufacturing partners continue advancing production technologies for future devices.

Regulatory scrutiny persists globally, particularly around app store policies and digital markets. Apple has adjusted some practices while defending its approach to security and user experience.

Valuation concerns occasionally pressure the stock, given its size and premium multiples. However, consistent cash flow generation and share repurchases provide support.

Financial Performance and Outlook

Apple maintains a fortress balance sheet with substantial cash reserves, enabling investments, dividends and buybacks. Shareholder returns remain a priority alongside research and development spending.

Analysts project steady revenue growth in the mid- to high-single digits for the fiscal year, with services and wearables outpacing hardware. AI features could catalyze a new upgrade super-cycle if consumer reception is strong.

The upcoming holiday season will test demand for new products, including potential hardware refreshes. Back-to-school sales and enterprise deployments provide earlier indicators of momentum.

Apple’s stock performance reflects its status as a bellwether for consumer technology spending. Strong brand loyalty and ecosystem lock-in provide durable competitive advantages.

As the company executes on its AI roadmap, investors will watch for evidence of monetization and user engagement. Early feedback from developers and beta users suggests promising capabilities.

Apple’s evolution from personal computing pioneer to mobile and services leader demonstrates consistent innovation. The current focus on artificial intelligence represents the next chapter in that ongoing transformation.

With Tim Cook at the helm and a deep bench of executives, Apple continues balancing creativity with operational excellence. The coming quarters will reveal how effectively new AI features translate into business results.

Kismet Kebabs remains one of the UK’s largest kebab meat suppliers.

In 2024, the company was accredited by BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards), a global food safety standard recognised in 130 countries.

Once BRCGS became aware of court proceedings against Kismet Kebabs, its accreditation was reviewed and last month the firm was found to still be compliant.

In a statement, Kismet Kebabs Ltd said the business was “significantly different” to how it was run five years ago.

“It is important to recognise that the matters in question relate to historical events and do not reflect the standards, systems, management structure, or operational controls that exist within the business today,” a spokesperson added.