Breaking with tradition, SoftBank chose not to disclose operating profit in its quarterly results on Tuesday (August 11). It said the measure was "not useful" to gauge performance. Instead it pointed to a $2.8 billion gain at its Vision Fund. Chief Executive Masayoshi Son has long emphasised the total value of assets as his preferred yardstick. But the move could further stoke investor complaints about a company long seen as difficult to value. SoftBank said the $2.80 billion investment gain in the April-June quarter was driven by the sell-down of assets and upwards revaluation of its portfolio. But Son, who is known for his persistent optimism, said the company was taking a defensive stance during the global health crisis. "Every day is like a war," he told an earnings briefing. "Cash is the defense for us." Analysts had expected SoftBank to report a first-quarter operating profit on Tuesday, after three consecutive quarters of loss. In the last financial year, the Japanese conglomerate plunged to a record loss following huge writedowns at its $100 billion Vision Fund. But the fund is benefiting from a global rally in tech stocks and demand for listings. Softbank reported a 12% rise in net income in the first quarter It's propped up its share price with a massive buyback plan funded by asset sales. Its shares ended down 2.5% ahead of the earnings announcement. But the stock has risen almost 140% since March lows.
An elderly couple who fell after being “chased” by a cow in Solano County, California, were rescued via helicopter on August 9, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).This footage shows rescuers hoisting the couple off the ground and up into a CHP helicopter. The highway patrol said the rescue took place in Lynch Canyon.The CHP said it sounded the helicopter’s sirens to get the cow and its calf to move away from the couple.The couple were taken to the hospital and treated for injuries, according to the highway patrol. Credit: CHP – Golden Gate Division Air Operations via Storyful
Boris Johnson has said the UK economy faces more "bumpy months" ahead following the latest rise in unemployment. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Herefordshire, the Prime Minister said the Government was committed to making the "colossal investments" needed to rebuild the economy.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden could announce his running mate this week. That's according to a Reuters source familiar with the campaign's vetting process, who says Biden has finished interviewing all the candidates. The New York Times reported earlier on Monday that Biden's campaign plans to announce a decision as soon as Tuesday (August 11), but more likely on Wednesday (August 12). A Biden campaign spokesman declined to comment. Biden, the former vice president under Barack Obama, has committed to picking a woman as his running mate and has come under increasing pressure from some Democratic leaders and activists for her to be African American. Among the top contenders, U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California and former national security adviser Susan Rice. According to Democratic officials and Biden allies half a dozen other women are under serious contention, including California Representative Karen Bass, senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth, Florida Representative Val Demings, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Biden's choice, the most weighty of his political career, has drawn an unusual amount of attention given his age. If he defeats Trump, he would be 78 on inauguration day, the oldest U.S. president in history. It is possible he may only seek one four-year term, teeing up the vice president for the highest office in just a few years. Biden and his potential vice president will formally accept the party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention next week.
Debenhams is to axe 2,500 jobs across its stores and warehouses as the retailer looks to slash costs after sales were impacted by the coronavirus lockdown. The department store business is scrapping several roles as part of a management restructuring process. The move comes four months after Debenhams collapsed into administration. Debenhams said it has no plans to shut more stores as part of the restructure.
''The Chinese Communist Party had the chance to warn the world and work with the world on battling the virus. But they chose not to, and the costs of that choice mount higher every day," Azar said during speech at a university in Taipei, capital of self-ruled Taiwan. Azar praised Taiwan's virus response, adding that he thought the world should recognize Taiwan's health accomplishments. Azar arrived in Taiwan on Sunday (August 9) as the highest-level U.S. official to visit in four decades, a trip condemned by China. Taiwan has been praised by health experts for its early and effective steps to control the outbreak, with only 480 infections, including seven deaths.
Sasol, the world's top producer of motor fuel from coal, warned on Tuesday (August 11) that it will report an annual loss after a slump in oil and chemical prices, and amid a world in lockdown. The South African company said its headline loss per share is expected to be between 8.72 rand - or around half a U.S. dollar - and 14.86 rand in the year to June 30. That compares with headline earnings of 30.72 rand per share during the same period a year ago. Sasol said lower global chemical and refining margins and an 18% decrease in the rand-per-barrel price of Brent crude oil had hurt earnings. EBITDA, or adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, is also expected to fall by as much as 37%. The company said it had recorded impairments in some of its cash generating units as well as the fair value impact of starting discussions to find a partner for its U.S. Base Chemicals assets. That search is an effort to avoid a potential $2 billion rights issue as the economic headwinds weigh on its ability to service its debt - something that has concerned investors. Sasol is expected to release its full-year results on August 17.
Pupils at Kelso High School have mixed emotions about returning to school in the Scottish Borders. Having been out of school since March, today was the first day back for the students. While some were pleased to be reunited with friends again, others were apprehensive about future closures.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that it will be safe for England's schoolchildren to return to classes in September. He told reporters during a visit to Herefordshire: "I have no doubt that it can be done safely. Schools are doing a huge amount to make sure that it is done safely”.
After marking 100 days without a single known domestic transmission of the coronavirus on Sunday (August 9), New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Tuesday (August 11) it was shutting down its largest city, Auckland, after four new cases were discovered there. "After 102 days, we have our first cases of COVID-19 outside of a managed isolation or quarantine facility in New Zealand." New Zealand has been globally praised for its fast reaction to the pandemic and extremely low infection rate. Ardern said Auckland would move to level 3 restriction from noon on Wednesday (August 12) as a "precautionary approach," which would mean people should stay away from work and school, and gatherings or more than 10 people are again restricted. The restriction would be applied for three days until Friday (August 14). The country's director general of health says the four confirmed cases were within one family, and it's not known how they were infected.
Debenhams has announced plans to cut a further 2,500 jobs as the retail sector reels from the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
While hanging out with his aunt and uncle in New Jersey, this little guy couldn’t get enough of their dog.The baby can be heard screaming in delight every time his uncle moves him close to the terrier on his aunt’s lap.The baby’s mom, who recorded the video, told Storyful that her son loves dogs, describing him as “a true animal lover from such a young age.” Credit: lkgalatians13 via Storyful
An amateur football referee was punched in the head several times after sending off a player in a friendly match in London.
A 15-year-old boy died and a two-year-old girl was on life support after they were pulled from a car submerged in a canal in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 8.Police released body camera footage of the incident, which shows officers at the scene as well as traumatized family members who were able to escape the vehicle. One person is heard screaming for his brother, and telling police one of the trapped children is “just a little girl, she’s only two.”The incident was at the Jordan Surplus Canal, near Delong Street and Indiana Avenue, police said.The deceased was named as Justin Bates, 15. A Facebook fundraiser for funeral costs said he died two days after the crash.Police said the boy was one of five people in the vehicle that entered the water. Police said the driver and two older children, ages 16 and 17, were able to escape but the two youngest were still trapped when officers arrived.“Upon arrival, four officers quickly removed their vests and belts and ran into the water to save the children as the car slipped under the surface,” police said. “One officer dived into the water several times to enter through a window but was unable to get in due to the murkiness of the water.”Police said several firefighters arrived to assist and dove into the water. The two children were rescued from the sinking car and paramedics were able to resuscitate them, police said. The children were taken to hospital, police said, where Justin Bates later died.“Our hearts go out to the family at this time,” police wrote on Twitter upon news of the teenager’s death. Credit: SLCPD via Storyful
Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanouskaya has left the country after two nights of violent clashes following the contested re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. She's joined her children in neighboring Lithuania, where they were moved during campaigning. In a YouTube video on Tuesday (August 11) she denied being forced out - contradicting comments from her own campaign team. "I made a very difficult decision," she said. "It's a decision I made absolutely independently." She said she knows some will "hate" her for her decision, but that "children are the most important thing. At least one person died as police clashed with protesters on Monday (August 10) after the opposition accused Lukashenko of rigging the vote amid widespread criticism from Western leaders. Protesters set up barricades in several areas and threw petrol bombs. Local media reported clashes in other towns. Lukashenko has been in power for more than a quarter of a century. He's compared the protesters to criminal gangs and dangerous revolutionaries with shadowy foreign backers. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the election was, quote, "not free and fair." Foreign observers have not judged an election to be free and fair in Belarus since 1995.
Claire Walker, co-executive director at the British Chambers of Commerce, is asked if the furlough scheme should now be extended.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the first cases of coronavirus have been reported in Auckland after more than 100 days without any reported transmission of the virus.
A stranded dolphin has been saved after a five-hour rescue operation in Cornwall. The mammal was stuck in shallow water at Mawgan Creek in the Helford Estuary, near Helston. The area is well known as a strandings trap for dolphins with many tidal muddy creeks and a team from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue was dispatched to help.
Lion poo is in high demand at Circus Krone's zoo Location: Munich, Germany The zoo is making a tidy profit by selling off big cat feces from its 26 lions and tigers Customers say it keeps pests away (SOUNDBITE) (English) LION TRAINER FOR KRONE CIRCUS, MARTIN LACEY, SAYING: "For many many years they come to us and ask for lion poo and I always ask, what's that for and I am told it keeps cats away from the garden and since then we have learned that also it keeps the animals away from the car where they eat all the electric cables. Therefore a local garage has bought from us and they are very very happy. And like I said, until now everybody is happy. 2,000 lion poos we have sold till now. And I always say: if you've got bad neighbors put some in the garden and the neighbors will also stay away." Their new 'turd pop-up shop' is a way to entertain visitors and raise some extra money The brown jars sell for just under $6 with some proceeds going to a charity to improve living conditions for captive animals
A professional stuntman proposed to his girlfriend - whilst on fire. Riky Ash (CORR), 52, asked his sweetheart to marry him as he was covered in flames spreading up his back and legs. Coronavirus nurse Katrina Dobson, 48, was left speechless by the stunt, but eventually regained her composure and said yes. Katrina, who at 6'3 towers above 5'3 Riky, knew he would be set alight, but thought she was just taking part in a photo shoot and had no idea he would propose. This video was shot on the 7th August 2020.
More migrants in dinghies have been picked up by UK Border Force officials and taken to Dover today. Over 4,000 people have successfully crossed the Channel from France in small boats so far this year. More than 700 people were intercepted crossing the English Channel last week.
Belarusian presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video on her husband’s YouTube channel on August 11, after leaving the country following her election loss.Tsikhanouskaya arrived in Lithuania on August 11, Tut.by reported.Lithuania’s foreign minister, Linas Linkevicius, tweeted, “Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is safe. She is in Lithuania.”“I made this decision completely on my own,” she said, according to a translation by TASS news agency. “I know that many will understand me, many will judge me, and many will hate me. But, you know, God forbid to face the choice I faced. So, people, take care of yourselves, please. Not a single life is worth what is going on now.”Tikhanovskaya, who entered the election after her activist husband was arrested, earlier sent her children out of the country, the AP said. “Children are the most important [thing] in our life,” she says in the video.Belarus’s Interior Ministry said that thousands of people were arrested at demonstrations following the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko for his sixth term with an overwhelming majority. One person was reported to have been killed.Tsikhanouskaya claims the vote was rigged. Credit: Страна для жизни/Country for Life via Storyful
US president Donald Trump has erroneously claimed that a pandemic in 1917 ended the Second World War during a press briefing at the White House.
This clever cat has learned to play the piano when he's hungry or when his litter tray needs changing. Winslow the seven year-year-old tabby was taught to play to counteract some bad behavior. "He used to run around screaming all the time and I was like, 'this is no good'," said Winslow's owner Kate Nyx, 29, of Philadelphia. Filmed on 10th August 2020
The Aug. 4 detonation at a port warehouse of what authorities said was more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate injured more than 6,000 and destroyed swathes of the Mediterranean capital, compounding months of political and economic meltdown. Excavators were seen removing the rubble on Tuesday (August 11). The explosion gutted entire neighborhoods, leaving 250,000 people homeless, razing businesses and destroying critical grain supplies. Lebanese security officials had warned the prime minister and president that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut's port posed a security risk and could destroy the capital if it exploded, according to documents seen by Reuters and senior security sources. A report by the General Directorate of State Security on events leading up to the explosion included a reference to a private letter sent to President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab on July 20. Rebuilding Beirut will likely run into the billions of dollars. Economists forecast the blast could wipe up to 25% off of the country's GDP.