Latest news with #Hollands
7NEWS
22-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Carlton's Elijah Hollands takes indefinite leave for the second time in 2025 season
Carlton forward Elijah Hollands has taken indefinite leave for personal issues for the second time this year. The 23-year-old first took a break two days before the Blues' AFL season opener in March, telling teammates in an emotional mid-week address. He returned to the side for the 82-point win over North Melbourne on Good Friday then racked up 25 disposals and a goal in a win over Geelong the following week. Hollands has played every game since but has now sidelined himself for the foreseeable future, beginning with this Saturday's home game against the GWS Giants. Carlton have offered their 'full support' Hollands and will give him as much time away from the AFL program as he needs. 'Our support for Elijah remains ongoing, with the focus being on what is in the best interests of his personal health and wellbeing,' football boss Brad Lloyd said. 'As we know the journey is certainly not linear when it comes to this space, and as a club we will ensure Elijah is given all the time, care and support he needs.' The older brother of Blues teammate Ollie, Hollands was praised by the club for being open about his issues before the season. 'We applaud Elijah for having the courage to come forward and ask for help, and we will continue to work with him to ensure he gets all the support he needs,' Lloyd said at the time. 'While Elijah has been engaged with the football program, quite rightly it is our care for him as a person which matters most, so this period of leave will allow him to focus on himself and he will be afforded as much time as he needs to do that. Elijah's level of involvement within the football program during this period will be worked through at the appropriate time, however that certainly sits secondary to Elijah's wellbeing — which is our number one priority. 'We would once again like to acknowledge Elijah for his willingness to come to us for support, and we will certainly continue to provide him with that support through this next period.' Hollands was in good spirits in post-match interviews after his return to the team. 'It definitely gives me a different perspective on it now,' he told Fox Sports after the win over St Kilda in Spud's Game, dedicated to the late great Danny Frawley and mental health awareness. 'I didn't really know much about it and then it just smacks you between the face. 'It's such a great game and one that I'm really proud to be a part of, it sends a great message and it's great that we can honour Spud with this match.'
The Age
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
McKay's perfect strike seals Carlton's gutsy victory over St Kilda
'It's really important to talk about [mental health] with your friends. A problem shared is a problem halved. 'Your health and wellbeing is critical, so nights like tonight are really special and the more we can talk about it, the better.' Another Blue, Elijah Hollands, also took personal leave during the season to address his mental health, so this was a Spud's Game like no other for Carlton. Hollands, too, was playing his fourth senior match since returning from his sabbatical. 'It definitely gives me a different perspective on it now,' Hollands said. 'I didn't really know much about it, and then it sort of just smacks you between the face, but it's such a great game, and one that I'm really proud to be a part of. It sends a great message, so it's great that we're able to honour 'Spud' with this match.' There was a narrative five weeks ago that De Koning should not only choose to leave the Blues for significantly more money at St Kilda but also because the Saints' future was brighter. The much-hyped Blues had shockingly lost their first four games, whereas Ross Lyon's St Kilda upset Geelong then beat Richmond before travelling to Adelaide and doing the same to the Power in an impressive three-week stretch. In a reactionary industry obsessed with player movement, this was the perfect fodder for one of the biggest stories of 2025. The Saints also entered the round nine clash with Carlton fresh from a 61-point shellacking of Fremantle, and jumped the Blues with three of the first four goals on Friday night. However, Carlton never trailed once they rattled off six of the next seven goals to charge 24 points ahead midway through the second term. It came off the back of the type of clearance and contested possession dominance they were known for at their best under Michael Voss. St Kilda ended any thoughts of a landslide triumph for the Blues with a spirited end to the first half, and they sliced their deficit to single digits multiple times after half-time without going further. Carlton lost defender Mitch McGovern (chest) before quarter-time, then watched as Lachie Cowan (hamstring tightness), Blake Acres (right shoulder) and Nick Haynes (neck) all left the field in the second term. Cowan did not return, meaning the Blues had to desperately hang on with one fewer player on the bench. Beyond McKay, they had heroes in backmen Haynes (seven intercept marks) and Jack Silvagni (four) – who combined for 19 intercept possessions – while captain Patrick Cripps won nine of his 26 disposals in the fourth quarter, to go with match-highs of 15 contested possessions, eight clearances and 10 tackles. Charlie Curnow, defended by Callum Wilkie, matched McKay with three goals, but none after the third-minute mark of the second term. Star Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera led all players with 30 disposals, including 23 kicks, and briefly exited the match because of a foot issue before delivering another standout performance. Securing Wanganeen-Milera's signature is St Kilda's other major list management priority, with both South Australian clubs keen to lure him back home. Dual club champion Jack Sinclair (26) was also a good performer for the Saints. Sinclair's instinctual effort to rove a Rowan Marshall tap and blast through a close-range goal early in the last quarter dragged his side within eight points, but this latest loss tumbles St Kilda below Carlton into 11th place – and they could finish the round even lower. De Koning (21, eight clearances, 36 hitouts) shaded his potential future ruck partner Marshall (19, four, 33) across the night, but both had their moments. 'We just couldn't quite gain the ascendancy,' Lyon said. 'They were on top around clearances early [after] we started OK, but ... ultimately, they were able to take opportunities a bit more easily than we were. 'I thought we never gave up … and there were some good lessons for [young players Darcy] Wilson, [Hugo] Garcia and [Hugh] Boxshall that we need to learn, and learn pretty quick.' Loading The Blues are back on the fringes of the top eight after their horror opening month, and coach Voss was proud of how hard his players fought, as well as Lord's and McKay's clutch goals in the final quarter. 'It's been a long time [since] we had a win like that,' Voss said. 'It didn't have a lot of brilliance in it; it had some brilliant moments, but it largely took a grind and [we had to] get in the trenches, fight our way out of it, hang in for as long as we possibly could, and then just wait for our moments. 'When it was needed, we had a group stand up. '
The Independent
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Four ways to invest in property without becoming a landlord
SPONSORED BY TRADING 212 The Independent Money channel is brought to you by Trading 212. The appeal of managing your own buy-to-let portfolio has been hit in recent years with increased taxes and restrictions on reliefs that have dented landlord profits, as well as increased regulations. The Renters' Rights Bill currently going through Parliament will also introduce tougher requirements to evict renters and limit mid-contract rent rises. All this is driving many landlords to exit buy-to-let. But the returns from property can still be attractive, especially compared with volatile stock markets. Luckily, there are ways to invest in property without the added responsibilities and headaches of being a landlord. Here is what you need to know - with plenty of options to start smaller than having enough for a full house deposit. From housebuilders such as Persimmon to property websites such as Rightmove, there are plenty of listed companies on the London Stock Exchange in the housing sector that you could put money into. You would then share in their success if the share price grows and if they pay dividends. Of course, you will also lose money if their share price drops. There are extra responsibilities with shares though. You will need to build a diversified portfolio across different sectors so that you don't lose all your money if the property sector crashes. There may also be fees to pay for holding your shares on an investment platform, which can eat into your returns. Property funds If you don't have the time or confidence to research shares, you can get exposure to the property market through property funds. These are run by fund managers who will build a diversified portfolio typically invested in commercial properties such as offices, warehouses, industrial units or shopping centres – rather than housing. Some will either invest across a mix of property sectors, others special in a narrow part of the market or a particular region. Jason Hollands, managing director of investment platform Bestinvest, said: 'Physical property funds offer investors diversification beyond equities and bonds and a stream of rental income can be useful for those who are retired. 'With many people already having significant exposure to residential property through their own home and mortgage, investing in a commercial property funds provides a slightly different dimension. Here they can benefit from the security of long leases by business tenants and accompanying rental income.' When choosing a property fund, Hollands said the quality of the tenants and the length of their unexpired leases - the longer the better - low vacancy rates and the exposure to attractive locations are important considerations over portfolio resilience. One big risk though is that property is an illiquid asset so you cannot sell in a hurry in the way you could decide to ditch some shares. Hollands added: 'A fund can't part-sell an office block or warehouse it owns and in times of uncertainty this may be difficult to achieve at a reasonable price. Open ended property funds have therefore experienced periods in the past when they have had to suspend dealing – the ability for investors to take their cash out – when large numbers of investors want to take their cash out at the same time. 'Even in stable times, such funds have to hold significant cash balances to address day to day demands for possible withdrawals which can water down returns.' There are also investment funds and exchange traded funds that invest in property stocks. Both types of property fund will have manager and platform fees to consider. An alternative to property funds are real estate investment trusts (REITs). This is a type of investment trust - backing a mix of commercial properties - that is listed on a stock exchange. Rather than your money going directly into properties, you are purchasing a share in the trust and share in the ups - as well as the downs - of its share price and market performance. Many REITs also pay regular and attractive dividends, often quarterly. Nick Britton, research director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), said: 'Being a landlord isn't for passive income – you will find yourself running a property business, grappling with complex tax, legal and regulatory requirements. By contrast, investing in a REIT is as easy as buying any other share. 'A particular perk is that REITs are very tax-efficient – there is no tax to be paid by the REIT itself, so if you hold REIT shares in an ISA or pension you'll effectively receive rental profits tax-free. 'Although you can sell the shares at any time, REITs should still be seen as a long-term investment. Their share prices will fluctuate and when the property market is in the doldrums, this will be reflected in the prices. You need to be patient and ideally take a five to 10 year view.' Property funds and shares can be held in an ISA, so any returns can be taken tax-free, unlike direct rental income. Peer-to-peer lending You could also fund buy-to-let or development loans directly through peer-to-peer lending platforms such as Kuflink and LandlordInvest. These can offer double digit returns for funding landlords or developers directly. However it can also be more risky and you need to check the P2P lending platform is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Risks include borrowers falling into arrears and even defaulting, potentially leaving you with nothing. There is also no Financial Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection if a platform goes bust. There are also platforms such as TAB Property that provide fractional ownership of assets such as hotels and office spaces, as well as residential property. Any returns earned from a property's income will be paid in proportion to your stake. Duncan Kreeger, chief executive of TAB Property, said: 'Fractional ownership now allows investors to enter high-grade real estate markets without the usual high minimum investment thresholds. This approach diversifies exposure and mitigates the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. 'For anyone considering this type of diversification, my advice is to start with a clear investment plan. Determine your investment horizon and desired returns. Look for platforms offering access to diverse asset classes and conduct thorough research on each opportunity. 'Understand the terms, risks, and potential rewards associated with your chosen investments.' When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
The Independent
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
What are bonds? Risks, rewards, when to buy and why they're so important
When most people think of investing, their minds will jump to the stock market. But there's another key player in investment that quietly powers economies while providing important stability for portfolios: bonds. Although generally less well understood by investors than shares, the global bond market is enormous. It's currently valued at around $140 trillion (£105tn) - more than the stock market at $124tn (£93tn). Bonds play a fundamental role in the world economy as they provide crucial funding for both governments and companies. For investors, high quality bonds - such as those issued by the UK or US governments - are seen as a safe place to earn a return on their money. Here, we look at what bonds are, their risks and rewards and why they play a vital function on the health of economies. What are bonds? A bond is essentially an 'IOU' note. When you buy a bond, you are lending money, usually to a government (government bonds) or company (corporate bonds). In return, the borrower promises to repay the money you have lent in full after a set amount of time such as five, ten or even 30 years. In the meantime, they must also pay you a fixed rate of interest for the duration of the agreed term (known as a coupon). This provides you with a predictable amount of income on your investment over a known timescale. Dividends from shares, as a comparison, can rise and fall with the stock markets. Therefore, bonds mostly appeal to investors who are looking for a stable income and a predictable final return. 'Bonds are traditionally seen as 'steady Eddies' of the investment world,' said Jason Hollands, Managing Director at wealth manager Evelyn Partners. 'They can appeal to lower risk investors and are often held alongside shares to help offset some of the risks of investing in equities.' Once they've been issued, bonds can be bought and sold on a secondary market for below or above their original price. Their price moves according to perception of how likely it is the bond will be repaid, as well as interest rates set by central banks: when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and vice versa. The yield of a bond is the amount of interest it pays to its owner, expressed as a percentage of the price. When the price of a bond falls, its yield therefore rises. For example, you buy a bond for £1,000 and it pays you £50 per year in interest. This means your yield is five per cent. If you buy that same bond for £900 (because it got cheaper), you'll still get £50 in interest so your yield is higher at 5.56 per cent. What are the risks and rewards? Government bonds are issued and backed by a country's central government. In the UK, government bonds are known as gilts, while in the US they are known as treasuries. Bonds from developed countries are considered very low risk and as a result, typically offer low interest rates. Hollands said: 'Major G7 developed market economies like the UK and US are seen as virtually free of default risk, hence UK government bonds are known as 'gilt-edged' securities. 'The UK's public finances may be challenging, but the chances of the UK government going bust and being unable to meet its obligations to borrowers is extremely low.' Corporate bonds are issued by companies and are considered riskier than gilts or treasuries, as a company's financial health can fluctuate and affect its ability to repay its debts. However, as is usually the case in investing, higher risk comes with higher potential reward. The balance of these will depend on what type of company is issuing the bond. 'Investment grade' bonds are issued by large, stable companies (such as Microsoft or Apple) with strong financials. These are considered relatively safe and therefore come with lower yields. The quality ratings of bond issuers reflect their credit-worthiness and generally range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). 'High yield' bonds (also known as junk bonds) are issued by companies with lower credit ratings and have a higher chance of default. These are attractive to investors willing to take on more risk for more potential return. Bonds are not just investment tools; they are core to how governments finance themselves and have enormous influence over the health of economies. Governments generally spend more than they raise in taxes so they borrow money to fill the gap, usually by selling bonds to investors. Rising bond yields can increase borrowing costs for governments and slow economic growth. Gilt yields recently hit their highest level in 30 years, according to Reuters, largely in response to Donald Trump's tariffs sparking a sharp rise in treasury yields. The tariff war has prompted fears of a US recession, unusually making it seem riskier to lend to the US. In response, investors have sold treasuries in huge quantities, driving down their price and sending the yield higher, making future government debt more expensive to issue. This was seen as a driving force behind Trump being forced to step back from his initial tariff announcement, with a 90-day pause. Hollands said: 'When bond yields rise, as they have done in recent months, it is a serious problem for governments, as it puts the cost of borrowing up, meaning more of the public finances are spent on interest payments.' Bond yields also have a ripple effect on the wider economy. Yields from bonds issued by stable governments like the UK and US serve as a benchmark for interest rates. When yields rise, it signals that borrowing costs are likely to increase. As a result, everything from mortgages to business loans can become more expensive. Hollands said: 'Lower bond yields are therefore good for the economy, making it easier and less costly for governments, companies and home buyers to borrow money, whereas higher bond yields can be attractive to those looking to lock-in a better return than cash savings rates.' When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Fighter jets were alerted to intercept a plane when it stopped communicating — and the pilot got fined over $5,000
A pilot has been fined for losing contact with air traffic control. Britain's Royal Air Force then scrambled to intercept the plane due to hijacking concerns. Pilots in UK air space can face two years in prison if they don't maintain radio communication. A pilot has been fined after failing to maintain communication with air traffic control, which led to a flight being intercepted by Britain's Royal Air Force. An investigation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority found that Captain Christopher Hollands did not appropriately communicate via radio with air traffic control during an SAS flight from Oslo to the English city of Manchester in February last year. This is against British law per the Air Navigation Order of 2016. Hollands was sentenced to pay £4,511 ($5,849) on March 20 at Manchester Magistrates' Court. According to the CAA, communication was lost for more than 30 minutes during the flight. This led to air traffic control alerting the RAF over fears that the lack of communication could be a sign of a hijacking. Two Typhoon fighter jets intercepted the Airbus A320 aircraft, which was carrying 58 passengers. When the plane landed in Manchester, it was sent to an isolated part of the airport and boarded by armed police. Glenn Bradley, the head of flight operations at the CAA, said in a statement that incidents of lost communication like this "are a matter of great concern both for us as the aviation regulator, and for the Government." "Aviation is one of the safest methods of transportation, and it relies on pilots maintaining radio communication with air traffic control through the standard channels during flight," Bradley said. "We continue to work with pilots, airlines, and the Government to reduce similar incidents, including by prosecuting offenders when appropriate to maintain confidence in UK aviation's safety and security." Hollands is the first pilot to ever be prosecuted under this law in the UK. The CAA is now warning other pilots that if an incident of lost communication is deemed serious enough, they could face up to two years imprisonment. Read the original article on Business Insider
