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Kelly McParland: Epstein scandal is the essence of Trump

Kelly McParland: Epstein scandal is the essence of Trump

National Post6 days ago
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This puts the president in the very position in which he so enjoys trapping others. He once promised to release the Epstein files. Then he said there's nothing worth releasing. Now he says he's ordered the release of the files he said aren't worth releasing.
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Is he telling the truth, or is he part of a coverup? That's hard to gauge, as you'd first have to establish which of his contradictory positions the question pertains to. And the one thing about a conspiracy is that denying you're part of one only feeds suspicions that you're lying.
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So there's no easy escape for Trump and it's driving him batty. He dedicates entire head-spinning diatribes to the unfairness of his devoted followers wasting their time on Epstein, Epstein and more Epstein when they should be focusing on other issues, like whether Coca-Cola is switching to cane sugar like he says it is. (It probably isn't).
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It was entirely predictable that he'd launch a suit against the Journal after successfully extracting a US$16 million payout from CBS and parent company Paramount Global over a 60 Minutes interview with former vice-president Kamala Harris. It's reasonable to assume Paramount caved rather than risk Trump using his position to complicate a planned merger with Skydance Media, and saw US$16 million as a small price to pay. Journal owner Rupert Murdoch's news and entertainment empire has at least as much at stake in its U.S. operations but evidently concluded the Epstein story is just too juicy to resist, scandal having been the lifeblood of Murdoch's fortune.
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Murdoch's Fox News, a fiercely dedicated Trump admirer, paid US$787 million to settle a suit for cheerleading fake claims of ballot box fraud in the 2020 election, and shuttered one of its oldest and widely-read UK publications over a hacking scandal, so the Australian billionaire fully understands the potential cost of titillating journalism.
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But what the heck? Murdoch can afford it, and fun is fun. The Journal may well have calculated a court fight would force more explicit Epstein details into the light — as happened with Trump's lost sex abuse battle against author E. Jean Carroll — and the chance to watch Trump squirm was well worth the price.
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Prediction: Quantum Computing Stock Will Be Worth This Much in 2030
Prediction: Quantum Computing Stock Will Be Worth This Much in 2030

Globe and Mail

time38 minutes ago

  • Globe and Mail

Prediction: Quantum Computing Stock Will Be Worth This Much in 2030

Key Points Quantum Computing has emerged alongside other popular quantum stocks such as IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum over the last year. While the company's approach to building quantum applications is interesting, past ambitions in other markets and an inconsistent financial profile should make investors pause before blindly buying the hype narrative. Although Quantum Computing has interesting potential, the amount of unknowns surrounding the company's future are hard to ignore. 10 stocks we like better than Quantum Computing › One of the more curious companies that has piqued investor intrigue in the quantum computing market is a business called (wait for it!) Quantum Computing (NASDAQ: QUBT). With a name like that, I wonder how it landed on so many radars. Sarcasm aside, Quantum Computing (the business) deserves a look -- and not just because of its 2,400% share price gains over the last year. To me, the company's technological promises and its actual business just don't align. Let's explore how Quantum Computing is attempting to disrupt the artificial intelligence (AI) realm and then dig into whether or not the company has what it takes to fulfill its lofty ambitions. Is Quantum Computing the next multibagger AI stock? Read on to find out. Quantum Computing might look like an exciting company on the surface, but... Quantum-based applications have the potential to transform the computing industry thanks to their fundamentally differentiated architectures. In simple terms, classical computing is based on binary code, written through a series of bits expressed as 1 or 0. Quantum computing uses qubits, which means they can exist as both 1 and 0 at the same time -- a process known as superposition. This allows for more complex information processing compared to today's classical computers. There are multiple ways that companies are developing qubits. IonQ relies on a process called trapped-ion, which essentially uses lasers to trap atoms and use them as the foundation of a qubit. Meanwhile, other competitors such as Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum use superconducting circuits and quantum annealing techniques to make qubits. Quantum Computing, on the other hand, is using light (photons) as opposed to Rigetti and D-Wave's electricity-based foundation or IonQ's trapped atom technology. In theory, photonic qubits may be more energy efficient and easier to scale than other approaches that are heavily reliant on sophisticated cooling systems. ... there are quite a few red flags to point out Before buying into the idea that Quantum Computing is on the verge of a technological breakthrough, consider the following: Quantum Computing was once known as Innovative Beverage Group Holdings (IBGH). Why did the company pivot from beverages to qubits? Well, consider that IBGH went out of business, and the leftover management team decided to acquire a small company called QPhoton and completely shift its focus to quantum computing. Over the last year, Quantum Computing has generated $385,000 in sales. While the idea of photonic qubits is interesting, Quantum Computing is far from building a competitive moat over its rivals. The company's nominal revenue base and unproven roadmap hint at possible liquidity crunches down the road. For now, Quantum Computing appears to be relying on issuing stock as a means to raise cash and fund the operation. Despite these red flags, Quantum Computing has seen its market value climb from $55 million to $2.4 billion in just one year. QUBT Market Cap data by YCharts The company's valuation is far higher than what investors witnessed during prior stock market bubbles during the internet boom and the COVID-19 stock market euphoria. Where will Quantum Computing stock be in five years? Given the ideas explored above, it's clear that Quantum Computing has virtually nothing to show for its supposed innovative photonic processes. The lack of strategic partners and product-market fit has me thinking that Quantum Computing offers more along the lines of vaporware than anything groundbreaking at this time. With ongoing research and development (R&D) and capital expenditures (capex) required to explore quantum technology, Quantum Computing is likely going to continue tapping the capital markets for liquidity unless some transformative deals begin to take shape -- which I suspect is highly unlikely. In my eyes, Quantum Computing stock is benefiting for one reason above all else. The company's name isn't just associated with one of AI's hottest new themes -- it's literally the name of the actual trend. To me, this is a case study revolving around the idea of investors blindly chasing narratives over sound fundamentals. I think that Quantum Computing is headed toward insolvency and could wind up bankrupt by 2030 (if not sooner). Alternatively, regulators could begin to scrutinize the company more heavily, and Quantum Computing could end up as a delisted stock. Regardless of how things shake out, I think Quantum Computing's equity value will diminish significantly in the coming years. For this reason, I think the company will have little-to-no value by the end of the decade. Should you invest $1,000 in Quantum Computing right now? Before you buy stock in Quantum Computing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Quantum Computing wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. 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Can Cava Become the Next Chipotle?
Can Cava Become the Next Chipotle?

Globe and Mail

time38 minutes ago

  • Globe and Mail

Can Cava Become the Next Chipotle?

Key Points Cava plans to expand its store presence from less than 400 locations today to 1,000 in 2032. Bullish investors would love for the up-and-coming fast-casual concept to become as big as Chipotle. Chipotle not only has 10 times as many stores as Cava, but the Tex-Mex chain is still growing. 10 stocks we like better than Cava Group › Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) brought innovation to the restaurant sector, pioneering the fast-casual dining concept and scaling it across the U.S. and beyond. The Tex-Mex chain is a leader in the industry, with strong growth and impressive profitability. Its success has spawned copycats. Cava (NYSE: CAVA) is a Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant chain that's expanding rapidly itself. But it's much smaller today. That hasn't prevented investors from asking what the business might look like down the road. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Does Cava have what it takes to one day become the next Chipotle? Here's what investors must know. Opening new stores rapidly Cava is finding success thanks to some key factors. It's betting on consumers' rising interest in healthy food choices. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest in the world. What's more, Cava is trying to copy what has worked so well for Chipotle: The fast-casual dining concept. This combines the speed, convenience, and accessibility people appreciate with fast-food restaurants, but it does so with higher-quality ingredients. By benefiting from these two trends, Cava has seen tremendous growth. The company opened 15 net new stores in the fiscal 2025 first quarter (ended April 20), bringing the total to 382. This supported a 28.2% year-over-year gain in revenue, which was boosted by impressive same-store sales (SSS) growth of 10.8%. That figure is noteworthy because it happened during a time when consumer sentiment has been under pressure. Cava's profitability is getting better. Last fiscal quarter, the operating margin came in at 4.7%. This was a meaningful improvement from the 3.6% operating margin from the year-ago period. Looking ahead, the leadership team has plans to get to 1,000 stores by 2032. Expanding the physical footprint by about three-fold would unquestionably lead to much higher revenue and earnings down the road. Cava's biggest bulls hope this happens, and it would get the business closer to Chipotle's size. Don't question Chipotle's dominance To be clear, Chipotle is experiencing a slowdown, as people prioritize getting more value from the money they spend. The company's same-store sales dipped in each of the last two quarters, a very unusual occurrence for the industry leader. Nonetheless, Chipotle is still a top-notch performer in the restaurant market. The business has developed durable competitive advantages, thanks to its scale. Chipotle has 3,839 stores right now, and it raked in $3.1 billion in revenue in the second quarter, both numbers that are light years ahead of Cava. Chipotle has a more visible brand, and its huge sales base allows it to better leverage marketing, product, and technological investments. At its current size, it's easy to argue that Cava hasn't built an economic moat. Its brand is becoming more well-known, and as it scales, there could be some cost advantages. However, I don't see there being any strengths today. I believe there's a very low probability that Cava will get to Chipotle's store count or market cap. Chipotle isn't sitting still. It might be approaching 4,000 stores soon. But over the long term, the company wants to have 7,000 locations open in North America. I don't see Cava ever reaching that level. Chipotle plans to open 330 stores just this year, which is nearly as many as Cava has in total. Investors who are hoping that the Mediterranean chain can catch up to the purveyor of burritos and bowls must seriously temper their expectations. Chipotle has a commanding lead that Cava likely won't chip away at. Cava's valuation is also very expensive. Shares currently trade at a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.9, a whopping 78% more expensive than Chipotle. Cava isn't worthy of investment consideration. Should you invest $1,000 in Cava Group right now? Before you buy stock in Cava Group, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Cava Group wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. 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US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies and consumers
US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies and consumers

Winnipeg Free Press

timean hour ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

US-EU trade deal wards off further escalation but will raise costs for companies and consumers

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have announced a sweeping trade deal that imposes 15% tariffs on most European goods, warding off Trump's threat of a 30% rate if no deal had been reached by Aug. 1. The tariffs, or import taxes, paid when Americans buy European products could raise prices for U.S. consumers and dent profits for European companies and their partners who bring goods into the country. Here are some things to know about the trade deal between the United States and the European Union: What's in the agreement? Trump and von der Leyen's announcement, made during Trump's visit to one of his golf courses in Scotland, leaves many details to be filled in. The headline figure is a 15% tariff rate on 'the vast majority' of European goods brought into the U.S., including cars, computer chips and pharmaceuticals. It's lower than the 20% Trump initially proposed, and lower than his threats of 50% and then 30%. Von der Leyen said the two sides agreed on zero tariffs on both sides for a range of 'strategic' goods: Aircraft and aircraft parts, certain chemicals, semiconductor equipment, certain agricultural products, and some natural resources and critical raw materials. Specifics were lacking. She said the two sides 'would keep working' to add more products to the list. Additionally, the EU side would purchase what Trump said was $750 billion (638 billion euros) worth of natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel to replace Russian energy supplies, and Europeans would invest an additional $600 billion (511 billion euros) in the U.S. What's not in the deal? Trump said the 50% U.S. tariff on imported steel would remain; von der Leyen said the two sides agreed to further negotiations to fight a global steel glut, reduce tariffs and establish import quotas — that is, set amounts that can be imported, often at a lower rate. Trump said pharmaceuticals were not included in the deal. Von der Leyen said the pharmaceuticals issue was 'on a separate sheet of paper' from Sunday's deal. Where the $600 billion for additional investment would come from was not specified. And von der Leyen said that when it came to farm products, the EU side made clear that 'there were tariffs that could not be lowered,' without specifying which products. What's the impact? The 15% rate removes Trump's threat of a 30% tariff. It's still much higher than the average tariff before Trump came into office of around 1%, and higher than Trump's minimum 10% baseline tariff. Higher tariffs, or import taxes, on European goods mean sellers in the U.S. would have to either increase prices for consumers — risking loss of market share — or swallow the added cost in terms of lower profits. The higher tariffs are expected to hurt export earnings for European firms and slow the economy. The 10% baseline applied while the deal was negotiated was already sufficiently high to make the European Union's executive commission cut its growth forecast for this year from 1.3% to 0.9%. Von der Leyen said the 15% rate was 'the best we could do' and credited the deal with maintaining access to the U.S. market and providing 'stability and predictability for companies on both sides.' What is some of the reaction to the deal? German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the deal which avoided 'an unnecessary escalation in transatlantic trade relations' and said that 'we were able to preserve our core interests,' while adding that 'I would have very much wished for further relief in transatlantic trade.' The Federation of German Industries was blunter. 'Even a 15% tariff rate will have immense negative effects on export-oriented German industry,' said Wolfgang Niedermark, a member of the federation's leadership. While the rate is lower than threatened, 'the big caveat to today's deal is that there is nothing on paper, yet,' said Carsten Brzeski, global chief of macro at ING bank. 'With this disclaimer in mind and at face value, today's agreement would clearly bring an end to the uncertainty of recent months. An escalation of the US-EU trade tensions would have been a severe risk for the global economy,' Brzeski said. 'This risk seems to have been avoided.' What about car companies? Asked if European carmakers could still sell cars at 15%, von der Leyen said the rate was much lower than the current 27.5%. That has been the rate under Trump's 25% tariff on cars from all countries, plus the preexisting U.S. car tariff of 2.5%. The impact is likely to be substantial on some companies, given that automaker Volkswagen said it suffered a 1.3 billion euro ($1.5 billion) hit to profit in the first half of the year from the higher tariffs. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Mercedes-Benz dealers in the U.S. have said they are holding the line on 2025 model year prices 'until further notice.' The German automaker has a partial tariff shield because it makes 35% of the Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold in the U.S. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but the company said it expects prices to undergo 'significant increases' in coming years. What were the issues dividing the two sides? Before Trump returned to office, the U.S. and the EU maintained generally low tariff levels in what is the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, with some 1.7 trillion euros ($2 trillion) in annual trade. Together the U.S. and the EU have 44% of the global economy. The U.S. rate averaged 1.47% for European goods, while the EU's averaged 1.35% for American products, according to the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. Trump has complained about the EU's 198 billion-euro trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more from European businesses than the other way around, and has said the European market is not open enough for U.S.-made cars. However, American companies fill some of the trade gap by outselling the EU when it comes to services such as cloud computing, travel bookings, and legal and financial services. And some 30% of European imports are from American-owned companies, according to the European Central Bank.

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