Latest news with #MBS
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sword Of The Demon Hunter Episode 10: Yotaka's Past Revealed—Recap, Release Date, Where To Stream And More
In ' The Night Flower Hairpin Part 2,' Jinya battles Somegorou Akitsu, who initially overwhelms him. However, Jinya's swordsmanship and demon powers allow him to corner Akitsu. Instead of killing him, Jinya demands answers about Natsu's condition. Akitsu explains the hairpin she bought contains a spirit, created alongside Sadanaga's kogai, making the two items spiritually linked. Natsu's altered behavior stemmed from this connection. Jinya reunites the items, breaking the spell. The episode ends with Jinya arriving at the Jinta Shrine in present-day Kadono. Expected plot in Sword Of The Demon Hunter Episode 10 Sword Of The Demon Hunter Episode 10 will focus on Yotaka and reveal more about her past. Set in May of 1855, it will begin with Naotsugu seeking shelter from the rain after drinking with Jinya. There, he will encounter a beautiful woman in a kimono who introduces herself as Yotaka. Naotsugu will initially be flustered by her appearance. Another person will then appear, who Naotsugu believes looks identical to his missing brother, Sadanaga. Yotaka will refer to the man as a former lover, hinting at a deeper tie to past events. Release date and where to stream Sword Of The Demon Hunter Episode 10, titled 'Yotaka in the Rain,' will premiere on June 3, 2025, at 12:00 am JST. The series spans two cours, covering both the Spring and Summer 2025 seasons. The episode will air on BS Fuji, Tokyo MX, and MBS. In Japan, Sword Of The Demon Hunter Episode 10 will also stream on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix. Internationally, the anime will be available on HIDIVE and bilibili, while those in South/Southeast Asia can stream it on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel. For more updates on the Sword Of The Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentōshō anime, stay tuned to Pinkvilla. *The release dates and times provided are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change at the discretion of the creators.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Witch Watch Episode 9: Nico Tries To Restore Kara's Letter—Recap, Release Date, Where To Stream And More
In ' Kanshi's Part-Time Job Diaries: The Superhero Show,' Kanshi takes a job at a hero show to earn money. Scheduled to play the villain due to a last-minute change, he switches roles to let the injured actor's son see his father's hero character on stage. The unscripted role swap makes the show a success, but the director refuses to pay him. In 'The Side Job,' Kanshi tries a screw-packing job. A speed spell backfires, trapping him in isolation for a perceived month, damaging his mental state. Expected plot in Witch Watch Episode 9 Witch Watch Episode 9 will show Nico and Morihito visiting Kara's house after she asks for help restoring shredded paper. However, Nico's restoration spell does not work on it as it contained mixed paper fragments. Kara will then explain that the paper was a letter from her late mother, destroyed by her father. The episode will focus on the emotional impact of this situation and their effort to reconstruct the letter. Additional segments will explore new relationships and a possible outing involving Morihito. Titled 'Dear Kara / New Friends / A Date with the Knight,' Witch Watch Episode 9 is scheduled for release on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm JST. This translates to a same-day release for most fans around the world, with release times adjusted to local time zones. In Japan, fans can watch Witch Watch Episode 9 on JNN networks, including MBS and TBS. International audiences can stream the English-subtitled version through various platforms such as Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu, although Hulu's availability is limited to viewers in the United States. Keep an eye on Pinkvilla for more updates from the Witch Watch anime.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Why MBS Is Keeping the Pressure on Iran
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Though Tehran and Riyadh appear to be getting closer, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is quietly boxing in Iran—replacing confrontation with containment through diplomacy, economic leverage, and nuclear pressure. When Saudi Arabia and Iran restored relations in 2023, the move was widely seen as a turning point. But behind the optics of smiles and handshakes, their core rivalry continued. MBS simply changed the game: masking the iron fist with a velvet glove. It may look like a thaw, but in reality, it's a recalibrated contest for influence. MBS is boxing Iran in Syria, Lebanon, and nuclear diplomacy. President Donald Trump speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) before posing for a family picture with Gulf leaders during a gathering of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh on May... President Donald Trump speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) before posing for a family picture with Gulf leaders during a gathering of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh on May 14, 2025. More BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Once on opposite sides of Syria's civil war, Riyadh and Damascus are now forging a strategic bond. Saudi Arabia is using investment to edge out Iran. In May 2025, MBS arranged a private meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa—positioning Riyadh, not Tehran, as Syria's international diplomatic guarantor. In Lebanon, the 2023–24 Israel–Hezbollah war devastated Iran's top proxy. Israeli strikes killed much of Hezbollah's leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah, and crippled its infrastructure. With Tehran financially constrained, Saudi Arabia stepped in. Riyadh now plays a gatekeeping role in Lebanon's reconstruction, with foreign aid increasingly tied to Gulf approval. The rise of pro-Gulf leaders such as Army Chief Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former ICJ judge, signals a political pivot. Iran's "Shiite Crescent," once central to Tehran's power projection across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, is giving way to a "Saudi Full Moon"—a widening sphere of influence built on investment, diplomacy, and institutional leadership. The regional battlefield has shifted. Riyadh's former reliance on confrontation and harsh rhetoric has given way to diplomatic pressure. Saudi Arabia recently offered to mediate U.S.–Iran nuclear talks. Though seemingly de-escalatory, it was a strategic bid for influence. MBS cast himself as a global statesman, positioning Riyadh as a neutral convener with deeper intent. Excluded from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Riyadh has now inserted itself into the architecture of diplomacy to ensure its red lines on nukes, missiles, militias, and regional destabilization shape any future agreement. In May 2025, the U.S. and Iran concluded their fifth round of indirect nuclear talks. Washington called them beneficial, but Tehran's foreign minister admitted complex issues remain. Saudi Arabia welcomed the talks—on terms aligned with its interests. Whether in the room or not, MBS is setting the diplomatic tone. A striking example came during the May 2025 summit in Riyadh, where MBS hosted Trump and Syria's al-Sharaa. The meeting marked Syria's diplomatic return—on Saudi terms. Trump announced a "cessation of sanctions" against Syria and secured nearly $4 trillion in Gulf investment pledges, including up to $1 trillion from Saudi Arabia. The summit cemented Riyadh's role as the region's financial and strategic anchor, sidelining Tehran, Qatar, and the UAE. It also spotlighted Trump's personal bond with MBS: "I like him too much. That is why we give so much." This is a gesture he has never extended to the UAE's Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan or Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. The optics crystallized a regional reversal. Where Iran once posed as the vanguard of resistance, Riyadh now hosts Iran's former allies, reopens the Syria file on its terms, and presents itself as a future-oriented Arab power. Across much of the region, it is Saudi Arabia that now looks like the victor. Alongside its regional diplomacy, Saudi Arabia has embraced nuclear hedging—keeping the domestic capability option on the table to pressure both Tehran and Washington. MBS has made his position clear: "If Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible." This is strategic signaling, not bluster. During Trump's first term, U.S. officials explored nuclear cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Those talks have resumed, and Trump has removed the prior requirement that Riyadh normalize relations with Israel in exchange for nuclear cooperation. This break from Biden-era conditionality exposes Riyadh's unprecedented leverage. The message is twofold: if Iran expands its nuclear program, Riyadh will not remain idle. And if Washington wants regional influence, it must reckon with a Saudi Arabia no longer content to play the passive security client. It forces the U.S. to make a choice: either accommodate Riyadh or risk proliferation. It also underscores Saudi Arabia's refusal to be left behind diplomatically, militarily, or strategically. Is Saudi restraint truly de-escalation or a subtler form of coercion? MBS has not abandoned the rivalry with Iran—he has recalibrated it. The Kingdom has shifted from proxy wars and religious conflict to a more finessed strategy: strategic displacement, narrative control, and institutional gatekeeping. Whether by sidelining Iran in Syria, reshaping Lebanon, injecting himself into the United States via Iran nuclear diplomacy, or leveraging nuclear ambiguity, MBS is dictating the pace. The goal is redefinition. This is not rollback. It is replacement. MBS is working within a U.S.-led order while preparing for a post-American Middle East. Dr. Talal Mohammad is an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and an independent consultant in government affairs, geopolitics, and strategic intelligence. He is the author of Iranian-Saudi Rivalry Since 1979: In the Words of Kings and Clerics, and his work has appeared in leading international outlets. You can find him on X @DrOxbridge. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AGNC Investment Thrives on Portfolio Management Amid Market Volatility
AGNC Investment Corp. AGNC continues to navigate the evolving financial landscape with an active portfolio management strategy, leveraging interest rate hedges and strategic asset repositioning to mitigate risks. While the company has maintained a solid liquidity position, challenges such as market volatility and yield curve fluctuations remain key factors influencing its performance. Strong Portfolio Management: AGNC Investment adheres to an active portfolio-management policy, continuously re-evaluating and adjusting its holdings to optimize returns. The company is operating in a more defensive position with significant hedge protection due to market volatility. As of March 31, 2025, the company-maintained interest rate hedges covering 91% of its investment securities, reinforcing its defensive stance against market uncertainties. Additionally, AGNC has trimmed non-agency holdings and increased exposure to higher-coupon securities, aiming for greater stability in cash flows. Agency MBS Investments Driving Returns: The company's investment in Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) continues to drive attractive risk-adjusted returns, supported by government-sponsored enterprise guarantees on principal and interest payments. With $77.9 billion in Agency MBS holdings, AGNC is positioned to capitalize on spread-widening opportunities in the fixed-income market. Stable Financial Position: AGNC displays a decent financial position. The company's liquidity position remains strong, with $6 billion in unencumbered cash and Agency MBS, providing flexibility for future investments. The company's leverage increased modestly to 7.5X at the end of the first quarter (from 7.2X in the prior quarter). Operating at a conservative leverage level, in anticipation of any spread widening, will enable the company to deploy capital in investment opportunities in the upcoming period. Impressive ROE: The company's return on equity (ROE) of 20.36% compares favorably with the industry average of 7.82%, indicating its superiority in managing shareholders' funds. Volatile Mortgage Market: The performance of mortgage REITs is influenced by the overall financial markets and economic conditions. Factors like mortgage market volatility, changes in the yield curve, interest-rate fluctuations, and worsening financial conditions can impact investment performance. In recent years, the financial markets have seen high volatility. In response to market challenges, the company cut its dividend by 25% in 2020 and has continued to maintain that amount. Fluctuating Interest Rates: The company is changing its investment portfolio to sync with current interest rates and the global economy. The company is cutting its portfolio size by reducing Agency RMBS due to the Federal Reserve's actions and market volatility. It focuses on managing risk and liquidity and reducing leverage, but expects strong returns to be difficult in the short term. Further, AGNC Investment uses hedging strategies to manage interest rate changes, but these do not protect against shifts in tangible net book value from spread changes with benchmark rates. Over the past month, shares of the company have risen 3.1% compared with the industry's growth of 4.3%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research AGNC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks worth a look are Ares Commercial Real Estate ACRE and DigitalBridge Group DBRG, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Estimates for ACRE's current-year earnings have been revised upward in the past 30 days. The company's shares have risen 13.3% over the past month. Estimates for DBRG's current-year earnings have remained unchanged for the past 30 days. The company's shares have gained 33.6% over the past month. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation (ACRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (DBRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9: Arthur Ventures Into The Nether—Recap, Release Date, Where To Stream And More
In ' Holy Mother of Darkness,' Hibana confronts Sister Sumire about the Spontaneous Human Combustion at St. Raffles. Sumire confesses she fed Adolla bugs to the sisters for doppelganger experiments. Hibana learns doppelgangers are Adolla versions of individuals, and combustion occurs when they merge. Sumire reveals the Great Cataclysm aims to merge Adolla with the real world. During battle, Sumire's Adolla Link with Amaterasu lets Hibana's group escape. Sumire is revealed as the seventh Pillar. Meanwhile, Arthur misunderstands Vulcan's clue and heads to the Nether. Expected plot in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9 Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9 will follow Arthur Boyle's mistaken journey into the Nether, where he believes he'll find metal to forge a new Excalibur. While exploring the underground, Arthur will likely encounter mysterious figures. The episode may introduce new characters tied to Arthur's past, offering insight into his development. Elsewhere, Shinra Kusakabe might form an Adolla Link with a familiar person, pushing the story toward its next confrontation. Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9: Release date and where to stream According to the anime's official website, Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9 is titled 'Holy Sword, Resurrected' and will be released on May 31, 2025, at 1:53 am JST. Due to time zone differences, many international viewers will be able to watch it on May 30. In Japan, Fire Force Season 3 Episode 9 will air on networks such as MBS, TBS, CBC, BS-TBS, and NBC and will also stream on Netflix. Outside of Japan and select Asian regions, the episode will be available on Crunchyroll with a subscription. For more updates from the third season of the Fire Force anime, keep up with Pinkvilla.
