Latest news with #417
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Aussie shares reset peak as Westpac, Origin impress
Australia's share market has pipped its intraday record for a fourth-straight session, as worries about lofty bank valuations evaporate for three of the big four. By noon, the S&P/ASX200 was up 66.4 points, or 0.75 per cent, to a fresh intraday high of 8,894.2, as the broader All Ordinaries gained 66.6 points, or 0.73 per cent, to 9,169.7. The uptick followed encouraging earnings updates from Westpac and Origin, and a fresh record for the S&P500 overnight as bets on US interest rate cuts in September gather momentum. Australian unemployment also eased 0.1 per cent to 4.2 per cent, in line with expectations, IG Market Analyst Tony Sycamore said. "They are also in line with the Reserve Bank's view of the labour market as outlined ... at Tuesday's interest rate meeting and validate its cautious approach to rate cuts in 2025," he said. The RBA cut the cash interest rate to 3.6 per cent on Tuesday, and rates markets predict another 25 basis point cut in November. Seven of 11 local sectors were trading lower by midday, with utilities (+2.7 per cent), financials (+1.6 per cent) and consumer staples (+1.0 per cent) leading the gains. Westpac led a recovery in financials after valuation concerns prompted a post-earnings CBA sell-off on Wednesday. Westpac was up more than six per cent to $36 per share after posting a $1.9 billion third quarter statutory net profit, up 14 per cent on the first half average. NAB and ANZ rose more than two per cent each, indicating a potential broader investor rotation from CBA shares, which are down more than six per cent since the bank posted record profits on Wednesday that couldn't ease concerns about its lofty $283 billion valuation. Origin also enjoyed a post-earnings rally, up 4.8 per cent to $12.41 after return on capital from its LNG gas business surged by almost a quarter. Telstra shares fell 2.9 per cent to $4.84, despite a bumper profit net profit of $2.3 billion for the 2025 financial year as the result was broadly in-line with expectations and skewed by a one-off cost booked in the prior period. The materials sector chalked up a 0.6 per cent gain, with an continued strength in gold prices buoying local miners. Gold futures are trading at $US3,417 ($A5,205) an ounce. Large cap miners were mixed, with BHP and Fortescue up 0.7 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively, while Rio Tinto slipped more than two per cent to $115.17, despite iron ore holding its ground above $US102 per tonne. Bitcoin also hit a fresh record above $US124,470 ($A189,600), the cryptocurrency's continued rally driven by institutional demand, BTC Markets analyst Rachael Lucas said. "Public and private companies, along with sovereign entities, now control over 3.64 million BTC, worth roughly $US447 billion, which is more than 17 per cent of the total supply," she said. The Australian dollar is buying 65.65 US cents, up from 65.32 US cents on Wednesday at 5pm.
New Straits Times
20-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Frozen chicken feet worth RM1.4mil seized in Thai border smuggling attempt
PADANG BESAR: The General Operations Force (GOF) thwarted an attempt to smuggle frozen chicken feet worth over RM1.4 million into Thailand during an operation near the Jalan Baru Sadao duty-free complex here yesterday. The operation led to the seizure of a Volvo container lorry, two Thai-registered pickup trucks, and the arrest of a man caught transferring the items at the location. GOF Northern Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Shahrum Hashim said a total of 2,646 cartons of frozen chicken feet were found stored in the vehicles, with the haul estimated at RM1,417,520. "A 48-year-old man from Penaga, Penang, who was the lorry driver, was arrested during the operation," he said in a statement today. He added that investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining members of the smuggling syndicate believed to be active along the Padang Besar border. "The frozen chicken feet are believed to be without valid veterinary health certificates under Section 13 of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) Act, which is required for export," he said. The suspect and all seized items have been handed over to MAQIS for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 15(1) of the MAQIS Act 2011. If convicted, the offence carries a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of up to six years, or both.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield Chamber of Commerce names winner of 2025 small business award
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce handed out its 2025 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award to multi-media company FourOneSeven (417) at an event on Wednesday. 417 was selected among a group of five finalists. The other four finalists included Advanced Car Care Center, Kids Inn Child Care Center, Kinetic Design + Development and Maxon Fine Jewelry. 417 was previously a finalist for the 2024 award, and their Biz 417 brand also used to sponsor this event. 417 was established in 1998 as 417 Magazine before being acquired by Gary and Joan Whittaker, who went on to found Whitaker Publishing. The current owner and publisher of 417 is Logan Aguirre, who took ownership of the company in 2020. 'FourOneSeven exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that drives our local economy,' said Chamber President Matt Morrow in a statement. 'Their commitment to fostering connections and elevating quality of life in Springfield is truly commendable.' Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco hosting youth football camp in Springfield The W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award has been given out by the Chamber's Small Business Council since 1992 to recognize and celebrate its small business members. The Chamber says over 80% of its members have 50 employees or fewer. Finalists for the award are chosen through applications consisting of essays submitted by companies regarding their business's history, philosophy, community contributions and more. They are scored by an independent panel featuring past winners, local business experts and Chamber Small Business Council volunteers. 'FourOneSeven's win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team, and their ongoing commitment to shining a light on the community and inspiring pride in 417-land,' said the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. 'The Chamber congratulates FourOneSeven on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to their continued impact on the Springfield region.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Haj preparations finalised for Oman's 14,000 pilgrims
Muscat – Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) announced on Tuesday that a total of 13,944 pilgrims from the sultanate have completed formalities to perform haj this year. The remaining 56, from the country's full quota of 14,000, are currently completing procedures. The figures were released at a press conference on the 2025 haj season held on Tuesday. H E Ahmed bin Saleh al Rashdi, MERA Undersecretary and Head of Oman Haj Mission, informed that Oman's quota includes 13,530 citizens and 470 expatriates. Allocation across governorates was based on population density of residents aged 18 and above. Muscat received the highest share at 24%, followed by North Batinah with 19%, while Musandam received less than 1%. According to H E Rashdi, eligibility was determined through an electronic registration system using mathematical models grounded in sharia and jurisprudential principles. The process also took into account social and ethical criteria. Of the total, 11,780 pilgrims (84%) are undertaking haj as an obligatory religious duty. The remaining are voluntary pilgrims – individuals performing haj on behalf of the deceased, the incapacitated or terminally ill patients. H E Ahmed bin Saleh al Rash-di, MERA Undersecretary and Head of Oman Haj Mission Thirty-nine per cent pilgrims are in the 30-45 age group, followed by those aged 45-60. Pilgrims aged over 60 account for 16%, while 5% are aged between 18 and 30. Travel preferences showed 63% pilgrims chose to travel by air, while 37% opted for land transport. The average cost by land is RO1,417, compared to RO2,063 by air. Several new initiatives have been introduced by Oman Haj Mission this year. Beit al Rabat Endowments Initiative is providing support worth more than RO150,000 to over 150 pilgrims from social security categories. To assist the elderly and disabled pilgrims, vehicles have been introduced for use during the Tawaf and Sa'i rituals, benefiting approximately 450 individuals. Electronic bracelets have also been issued to the elderly and medically vulnerable pilgrims to enhance tracking and safety.
Observer
20-05-2025
- Observer
13,530 Omanis, 470 residents to perform Hajj from Oman
Muscat: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) and Head of the Omani Hajj Mission said that the Hajj quota allocated for the Sultanate of Oman this year is for 14,000 pilgrims, including 13,530 Omanis and 470 residents. |The total quota was distributed among the Sultanate's governorates based on the population density of each governorate, aged 18 and above. Muscat Governorate topped the list of governorates in terms of the number of pilgrims, representing 24 percent of the total quota, followed by North Al Batinah Governorate with 19 percent. Musandam Governorate received the lowest percentage, representing less than one percent of the total approved quota. The Head of the Mission indicated that eligibility to perform Hajj is granted through the electronic registration system for pilgrims from the Sultanate of Oman, using mathematical equations based on Sharia principles and jurisprudential considerations that take into account various aspects and objectives, including the social aspect. Hajj pilgrims accounted for the largest proportion of the total quota, with 11,780 pilgrims, representing 84%. They were followed by voluntary pilgrims, those performing Hajj on behalf of the disabled, those performing Hajj as a will, those performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased, and finally those with incurable diseases. The head of the mission explained that the age group from 30 to 45 years old constituted the highest percentage of pilgrims this year at 39%, followed by the age group from 45 to 60 years old with a slight difference (0.1 %), then those over 60 years old at 16%, and finally those from 18 to 30 years old at 5%. 63% of Omani pilgrims chose to travel by air, while 37% opted to perform the rituals by land. The average cost of Hajj by land was RO1,417, compared to RO2,063 for Hajj by air. Omani Hajj Mission has launched several initiatives this season, including the Rabat House Endowments Initiative to support more than 150 pilgrims from social security categories. The first Hajj and Umrah Exhibition with local and international participation and mobile vehicles to serve 450 elderly and disabled pilgrims Facilities: 75 new toilets and 250 new sinks in Mina Increasing the number of split air conditioning units to 900 units. In Arafat, 100 new restrooms, 250 sinks, and improved air conditioning systems to cover 32 sqm per unit instead of 40. The mission also launched other initiatives, including Electronic bracelets for the elderly and the sick An initiative to measure the readiness of Hajj companies according to performance indicators. Expanding the Hajj pilgrims' transit plan through land ports, reducing waiting time from 4 hours to just 45 minutes.
