Latest news with #REX
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Peru Two's Michaella McCollum opens up on terrifying prison conditions
Michaella McCollum has spoken about her experience in a Peruvian prison, after two girls were arrested abroad for drug trafficking. Ms McCollum, from Dungannon in Co Tyrone, was arrested alongside Scotswoman Melissa Reid after the pair, who became known as 'The Peru Two,' were caught with 12kg of cocaine. They both served just over two years in prison, with Ms Reid being expelled to Scotland and Ms McCollum returning to Ireland two months later. Following the arrests of two girls abroad in unrelated cases for trying to smuggle cannabis and kush, a synthetic drug which can be more powerful than fentanyl, Ms McCollum has spoken about her experience in the Peru prison, including eating maggot-filled paella and the extreme conditions she faced. Michaella McCollum has spoken about her experience in a Peruvian prison, after two girls were arrested for drug trafficking. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX 'I remember how I'd lay all the rice out, to see which grains I could eat and which were maggots,' Ms McCollum told the Daily Mail. 'Back home, it was reported that I'd gone on hunger strike, but I hadn't.' She also spoke about how her mother would have to wait hours in the Peruvian heat with bags of food for her daughter, with her adding that she would have to flick cockroaches away while eating chicken — something that she grew accustomed to during her time behind bars, but is horrified by now. 'She'd bring a whole chicken, which I'd eat with my fingers, and there would be cockroaches climbing up onto the table and I'd just flick them away. I mean, they didn't even bother me, by then,' she said. 'You become so used to it. And I suppose there is a level of guilt and shame that you feel it's acceptable, even though it isn't.' Ms McCollum and Melissa Reid were arrested and served two years in Peruvian prison for smuggling 26kg of cocaine. Pic: REX Speaking on Charlotte Lee May, 21, who faces 20 years in Sri Lankan prison for smuggling 46kg of 'kush,' as well as Bella May Culley, 18, who ellegedly tried to smuggle 14kg of cannabis to Georgia, Ms McCollum saw the two girls as victims — particularly in Ms Culley's case after she told the court in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi that she was pregnant. 'The [Bella Culley] situation was almost exactly the same,' she said. 'Her mum had reported her missing, then it emerged that she'd been arrested. There were such parallels with my case – except it was just in a different country. I couldn't help but feel bad for them. Whatever they have done, it's so young to be caught up in something like this, and I know what they are going to go through. And their families. It's the worst thing anybody can have to face. 'As a mum, I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to give birth in that sort of place, and to potentially have the child taken from you and put into care,' she added about the case of Ms Culley. 'That adds a whole new, terrifying, dimension. It's just incredibly sad.' Ms McCollum and Ms Reid, who had never met prior to their arrest, say that they were coerced into smuggling the cocaine while working in Ibiza, but pleaded guilty to drug trafficking. They were sentenced to six years and eight months in prison but were both released after serving just shy of three years. Ms Culley and Ms Lee both face 20 years in prison for their alleged role in drug trafficking, with Ms McCollum adding that she believes they were also coerced into doing so. 'I don't know the circumstances in detail here, but I do know that of all the women I came across who had been involved in drug smuggling, only about 10% were doing it as a business, who knew the risks and accepted them,' she said. 'The vast majority were the victims of some sort of coercion, usually by men. Prisons all over the world are full of women who have been caught up in something like this. And the men at the top rarely get caught. The men who pulled all the strings in my case were never held to account.'
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Conor Maynard speaks out on paternity scandal in new TV interview
Conor Maynard has finally broken his silence in his first TV interview since his shock paternity scandal. Earlier this year the star claimed that he had taken a paternity test that proved he's not the father of a star of the Traitors' baby. Charlotte Chilton made the bombshell claim in June of last year, saying that Conor was the father of her 'miracle' baby — having previously suffered several IVF miscarriages with her ex-wife. Conor Maynard has finally broken his silence in his first TV interview since his shock paternity scandal. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock The baby girl, named Penelope, has since been born — with Conor 'ghosting' Charlotte and denying that he's the father. But now, Conor has said that he took a paternity test to confirm that he is indeed not the father. The 32-year-old singer appeared on ITV's This Morning on Friday, opening up to hosts Alison Hammond and Paddy McGuinness about the scandal. 'It was difficult to remain silent,' he began. Earlier this year the star claimed that he had taken a paternity test that proved he's not the father of a star of the Traitors' baby. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock 'I was instantly painted as a dead-beat dad. My comments on my social media were all about that.' When asked why he chose to speak out now, he continued: 'Realistically, one of the main reasons is, now is the right time. 'As you said, the last year has been really difficult and mental health is something I have struggled with for a huge portion of my life. The baby girl, named Penelope, has since been born — with Conor 'ghosting' Charlotte and denying that he's the father. But now, Conor has said that he took a paternity test to confirm that he is indeed not the father. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock 'And this year has been up there with my battle with it. There have been a lot of things that have happened and a lot of things that contributed to why it has been so difficult. When asked how it felt to discover the paternity, he added: 'Well funnily enough it wasn't an instant relief. I actually thought I was going to have a massive panic attack the second I found out. 'I think initially a lot of my friends were like, do you want to grab a drink, do something, hang out near your house and we can just talk. I didn't. I just stayed at home with my girlfriend and I tried to stay calm and have a relaxed night. Charlotte Chilton made the bombshell claim in June of last year, saying that Conor was the father of her 'miracle' baby — having previously suffered several IVF miscarriages with her ex-wife. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock 'It was more confusion not really understanding and feeling like, why did that all have to happen? 'A lot of us had kind of accepted that this had happened and this was the life we were preparing for. So when the result came in I can't even begin to explain to you the feeling,' he concluded. Charlotte made the bombshell claim shortly after the birth of Penelope, telling OK! magazine that 'he knows' she gave birth. I've not heard anything, I had real torment over whether to contact him when she was here or not. 'And I figured I don't want to speak to him, but he has a right to know. I knew if I didn't reach out people would say I hadn't bothered,' Charlotte added, saying that she also had post-birth anxiety about the alleged resemblance between Penelope and Conor. 'There have been days where I've been in tears because I'm sitting here thinking 'I've got a daughter that looks f***ing identical to you [Conor]'… If [Penelope] wants to walk away from him, that's fine, but she needs to make that decision for herself when she's older, I'm not going to deny her contact if he decides he wants to see her.' Charlotte appeared on The Traitors in 2024, where she was banished in episode nine. She first met Conor after the show's winner Harry Clarke — who was dating Conor's sister Anna — introduced them at a wrap party. Charlotte announced her pregnancy in April, and split from her then-wife Laura — claiming Conor was the father in June.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Tesco is making a major change to the way we shop past 7pm
Tesco is making a major change to the way we shop in the evenings in a move that will be lauded by many. The supermarket giant will now reduce the price of various baked goods from 7pm in a bid to 'prevent good food from going to waste.' A new incentive has been spotted by customers across the UK, with many wondering if the initiative will also make its way to Ireland. Tesco is making a major change to the way we shop. Pic: Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock The labels in the bakery aisle read 'From 7pm, our loose bakery products are reduced by 50%' with the popular Facebook page, Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, posting about the exciting move. In a post, the page told its 64k followers: 'Spotted this in my local Tesco Express – not sure if all stores, but maybe useful to someone.' The post was accompanied by a picture of croissants and chocolate twists on a shelf with the '7pm' label next to them, adding: 'Excludes bread and gingerbread.' The supermarket giant will now reduce the price of various baked goods from 7pm in a bid to 'prevent good food from going to waste.' Yorkshire Live reached out to the supermarket regarding the change, to which they responded: 'Markdowns on fresh products continue to be popular and help to prevent good food from going to waste.' They added: 'If we can't sell food, we redistribute it to charities and community groups, and offer it to colleagues for free.' The spokesperson explained that stores are making the reductions to bakery items each day to prevent food waste. 'Whilst this is generally at around 7pm, timings can vary by store,' they continued. Have you noticed this in any Tesco stores across Ireland?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
REX American Resources Corp (REX) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Market ...
Ethanol Sales Volume: 70.9 million gallons in Q1 2025, down from 74.5 million gallons in Q1 2024. Average Ethanol Selling Price: $1.76 per gallon during the quarter. Dry Distiller Grain Sales Volume: Approximately 153,000 tons with an average selling price of $145.65 per ton. Modified Distiller Grain Sales Volume: Approximately 22,000 tons with an average selling price of $73.44 per ton. Corn Oil Sales Volume: Approximately 21.4 million pounds with an average selling price of $0.46 per pound. Gross Profit: $14.3 million compared to $14.5 million in Q1 2024. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Approximately $5.9 million, down from $6.1 million in Q1 2024. Interest and Other Income: $4.2 million compared to $5.9 million in Q1 2024. Income Before Taxes and Non-Controlling Interest: Approximately $13.6 million compared to $16 million in Q1 2024. Net Income Attributable to REX Shareholders: $8.7 million or $0.51 per diluted share, down from $10.2 million or $0.58 per diluted share in Q1 2024. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments: $315.9 million at the end of Q1 2025. Share Repurchase: Approximately 822,000 shares repurchased for $32.7 million during Q1 2025. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with REX. Release Date: May 28, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. REX American Resources Corp (NYSE:REX) maintained its position as one of the industry's most consistent performers despite uncertain regulatory and market conditions. The company continued its share buyback program, repurchasing approximately 822,000 shares for $32.7 million, reflecting confidence in its undervalued stock. REX's ongoing projects, including carbon capture and ethanol production capacity expansion, are progressing well, with investments totaling $122.7 million. The company reported its 19th consecutive profitable quarter, demonstrating strong financial performance and operational efficiency. REX remains debt-free, maintaining a strong financial position with cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $315.9 million. Ethanol sales volumes decreased to 70.9 million gallons in Q1 2025 from 74.5 million gallons in Q1 2024, primarily due to shipment timing. Net income attributable to REX shareholders declined to $8.7 million from $10.2 million in Q1 2024, impacted by lower cash balances and interest income. The company's gross profit slightly decreased to $14.3 million from $14.5 million in Q1 2024, reflecting lower sales prices for dried distiller grains. Regulatory uncertainties, particularly regarding carbon capture projects and federal pipeline regulations, pose potential challenges to future operations. Natural gas price volatility could negatively impact REX's business, as it is a major expense in ethanol production. Q: What drives REX's ability to consistently deliver superior returns on capital and profitability? A: Stuart Rose, Executive Chairman, attributes REX's success to the leadership of CEO Zafar Rizvi, who closely monitors market conditions and operational details. Additionally, REX benefits from strategic plant locations and a strong team that supports the company's mission and operational goals. Q: What specific deregulation measures could help REX, and what is the status of federal pipeline regulations? A: Stuart Rose explains that regulatory developments are currently uncertain, with ongoing discussions in Washington. However, the inclusion of 45Q and 45Z tax credits in the Big Beautiful Bill is seen as positive. Zafar Rizvi adds that Illinois legislation is favorable for REX's ethanol location, as it is situated away from restricted aquifer areas. Q: What are the current industry fundamentals and outlook for ethanol margins as we approach summer? A: Zafar Rizvi notes that ethanol margins remain positive, with expectations of a strong corn harvest boosting profitability. Ethanol exports are up 19% compared to last year, and potential tariff eliminations could further benefit the industry. However, natural gas prices are a concern and are being monitored closely. Q: How is REX progressing with its carbon capture and ethanol expansion projects? A: Zafar Rizvi reports ongoing technical reviews and coordination with the EPA for the Class 6 injection well permit, expected by January 2026. The projects are within budget, with a total investment of $122.7 million so far, and are expected to enhance long-term operational efficiencies. Q: Can you provide an update on REX's share repurchase program? A: Stuart Rose highlights that REX repurchased approximately 822,000 shares in Q1 2025 for $32.7 million, reflecting confidence in the company's future prospects. The buyback program aims to deliver shareholder value, with 1,182,000 shares remaining authorized for repurchase. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
REX Financial launches covered call Nvidia ETF hours before earnings release
By Suzanne McGee (Reuters) -REX Financial launched a single-stock exchange-traded fund tied to Nvidia, the powerhouse chipmaker that has dominated stock market returns over the last two years, on Wednesday morning, hours ahead of the release of Nvidia's earnings. The new fund, the REX NVDA Growth & Income ETF is a form of covered call ETF that uses option strategies to generate income while at the same time giving investors exposure to a portion of the upside in Nvidia's stock price, REX said. "We think it will allow people to have their cake and eat it, too," said Scott Acheychek, REX's chief operating officer. "They can stick with the stock that they follow and know and like, but with a risk profile that they're comfortable with and some weekly income" from the sale of options on Nvidia, he said. These single-stock option-based ETFs made their debut in late 2023, and now have about $10 billion in total assets. Overall interest in single-stock ETFs, a broader category that includes 1.5x or 2x leveraged products, continues to grow, said Bryan Armour, ETF analyst at Morningstar. "They're all aimed at self-directed individual investors," Armour said. While an ETF with this kind of structure likely would outperform the underlying stock if that stock is flat to lower, Armour said it makes more sense for investors either to buy individual stocks outright or to turn to options-based ETF strategies that are tied to broader portfolios. "A product like this is not trying to maximize either growth or income." Acheychek said this new approach to covered call single-stock ETFs is aimed at investors who increasingly are looking for alternative income-generating products. Nvidia shares closed at $134.81 a share, down 0.5%, in exchange trading on Wednesday, ahead of the AI chipmaker's earnings announcement. 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
