Latest news with #Razon
The South African
02-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Is THIS the course that will host LIV Golf event in South Africa?
Ever since reports broke that LIV Golf will stage a tournament in South Africa in 2026, questions have been asked as to which course would be best suited to hosting the event. Predictably, many suggested the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City or Leopard Creek as possible options having held the Nedbank Challenge and Alfred Dunhill Championship, respectively, for decades. Others mentioned Blair Atholl or Durban Country Club as alternatives. However, another venue in the Cape has gained support. Earlier this year, Filipino ports and casino billionaire, Enrique Razon, whose company won an multi-billion-rand bid to revive sub-Saharan Africa's biggest container port, bought a development that includes one of South Africa's top golf courses, Pearl Valley. Entities associated with Razon bought Pearl Valley – a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course – and the hotel on the property in the Cape Winelands from a company controlled by shareholders that include South African businessman and Olympic swimming gold medal winner, Ryk Neethling. Pearl Valley has consistently been ranked among South Africa's top golf courses and has previously held the South African Open, among several other Sunshine Tour and co-sanctioned events. Razon, who chairs and is president of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and is a major supporter of the sport in his home country, has an estimated net worth of $13 billion, according to the Forbes Real Time Billionaires List. At the time of publishing he's the 202nd-richest person in the world. Razon is reportedly dead-keen on hosting the LIV Golf event and is prepared to throw money – lots of it – at realising his dream. LIV Golf's 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most internationally focused yet, with a schedule that includes nine tournaments outside of the United States. According to sources who have seen the preliminary schedule, LIV Golf's 2026 season will kick off with six straight international events, a significant increase compared to the four in the opening weeks of 2025. While the schedule has yet to be confirmed, reports are that these locations are '100 percent' confirmed, with the only expected changes being dates. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – February 5-7 – February 5-7 Adelaide, Australia – February 12-14 – February 12-14 Hong Kong – March 6-8 – March 6-8 Singapore – March 13-15 – March 13-15 South Africa – March 20-22 (first ever LIV event in South Africa) – March 20-22 Mexico City – April 17-19 – April 17-19 Washington DC/Virginia – May 15-17 – May 15-17 South Korea – May 29-31 – May 29-31 Spain – June 5-7 – June 5-7 New Orleans – June 26-28 – June 26-28 UK – July 24-26 – July 24-26 Chicago – August 7-9 – August 7-9 Indianapolis – August 21-23 – August 21-23 Michigan – August 28-30 South African tournament The 2026 schedule marks the first-ever LIV Golf event in South Africa. This highly anticipated addition is a win for the Stinger GC, the all-South African team consisting of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, and Branden Grace, all of whom have long pushed for a tournament on their home soil. The venue remains unconfirmed, but the event will be a landmark moment for the tour. No Japan Event A previously rumoured Japan event looks to have been delayed, with the 2026 schedule not including a stop. Instead, Hong Kong and Singapore will see action in March. International focus early in the season The 2026 season would begin with six consecutive international tournaments in February and March, including notable locations like Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This marks a shift toward a truly global LIV Golf tour and presents significant international opportunities for players and sponsors alike. US leg starts late in the season The first LIV event in the United States will not come until May 15-17 in DC/Virginia, just a week before the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. This marks a strategic move for LIV to avoid overlapping with the traditional PGA Tour schedule. No LIV Miami or Dallas In a notable omission, the LIV Golf Miami and LIV Golf Dallas events are absent from the 2026 calendar, despite the popularity of these locations in previous seasons. Instead, the tour continues its trend of visiting new cities and countries, suggesting that LIV Golf will continue to prioritise global expansion over returning to established US venues. If this schedule holds, LIV Golf will maintain its aggressive push to grow the sport globally, especially in emerging markets such as South Africa, South Korea, and Mexico. The addition of a South African event will undoubtedly be a significant moment for the country's golf scene, as well as a response to the growing call for more international representation on the tour. For LIV players, the extended international schedule provides more opportunities for travel, promotion, and securing sponsorships in regions where the tour is looking to make a lasting impact. With high-profile locations like Riyadh and Hong Kong, LIV continues to solidify its commitment to broadening the scope of professional golf. As the schedule remains unfinalised, LIV Golf fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, likely to come in the next few weeks. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Things DOGE Did in Trump's First 100 Days and How They Affected Your Wallet
President Trump proclaimed at the beginning of his second term through several executive orders and initiatives designed to reshape the government and economy. One of the most controversial was the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In just 100 days, DOGE officials slashed federal programs, eliminated thousands of jobs and froze spending across agencies. For You: Discover Next: While officials touted billions in savings, the financial fallout for everyday Americans was more complicated. From weaker consumer protections to longer wait times and higher out-of-pocket costs, here are three things DOGE did in Trump's first 100 days and how they affected your wallet and the economy. One of DOGE's most immediate and far-reaching actions was the mass restructuring of the federal workforce. Aaron Razon, personal finance expert at Couponsnake, said for thousands of families, this meant the sudden loss of a stable income and the ability to manage day-to-day finances confidently. 'This move has had one of the most significant impacts in the financial lives of many American individuals and their households,' Razon said. 'It directly cuts off the income of federal employees putting them in an uncomfortable financial situation and because it directly cuts their regular income, it puts them in a position where managing their finances becomes even more challenging.' Check Out: The mass layoffs forced families to adjust their financial behavior, from cutting back on extras to delaying purchases and prioritizing essentials. 'The ripple effect of this reduction in consumer spending, also creates far reaching consequences for businesses, especially those in the retail and service sector because as consumers attempt to put a leash on their wallets,' Razon explained, 'these businesses expenses decreased sales, which potentially leads to reduced revenue, inventory management and staffing adjustments.' Another major decision by DOGE was to cancel or freeze thousands of government grants. 'Federal agency reforms led by DOGE have disrupted services, such as delays in Social Security or IRS processing, increasing financial strain for consumers reliant on timely government support,' said Kevin Brancato, senior vice president of product strategy at TechnoMile. Many of the grants and services supported housing, childcare, utility assistance and food access. Without this support, many households had to absorb those costs directly, tightening already fragile budgets and cutting into local business revenues. According to the Center for American Progress analysis, many of the DOGE cuts impact women and girls. The analysis explains that DOGE withdrew financial support from a housing aid initiative in Alaska, eliminating close to $500,000 in funds that had previously supported vulnerable populations in addressing housing discrimination and securing solutions to help them recover and move forward. In February, DOGE effectively cut nearly 90% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) staff, eliminating about 1,500 jobs and crippling enforcement capacity. Established in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the CFPB was created to stop abusive debt collection, crack down on predatory lending, hold banks accountable for hidden fees and serve as a financial watchdog. According to the latest CFPB data, the agency's investigations and enforcement resulted in over $21 billion in monetary compensation, principal reductions, canceled debts and other consumer relief. In addition, the Associated Press reported that a federal judge halted the move in April, citing significant concerns because the cuts would severely weaken the agency and make it impossible for it to fulfill its legal responsibilities. Although the CFPB remains officially open, the agency's dramatic downsizing and operational freeze have forced it to abandon or withdraw major enforcement actions, according to Reuters. Notably, it canceled a $60 million settlement with Toyota's financing arm. It dropped a lawsuit against Walmart related to junk fees for delivery drivers, effectively closing the book on high-impact consumer protection cases. Toyota was accused of steering customers into buying expensive and unwanted product bundles. In a statement, Eric Halpern — former CFPB director who resigned in February 2025 — said the agency's decision to cut back on enforcement amounted to a corporate pardon, according to Reuters. For allegedly harmed consumers, it means Toyota doesn't have to provide refunds or restitution. Looking ahead, experts said the next phase of DOGE's agenda could bring even more direct impacts to household finances. 'In the next 100 days, consumers should watch for early efforts to reduce the deficit, likely through proposed changes to entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare — moves that could affect household budgets,' Brancato said. 'At the same time, new tariffs may raise prices on everyday goods, putting upward pressure on consumer costs,' Brancato added. 'However, these tariffs could also encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, potentially creating new jobs and long-term economic resilience.' Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 5 Types of Cars Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks This article originally appeared on 3 Things DOGE Did in Trump's First 100 Days and How They Affected Your Wallet 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
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Things DOGE Did in Trump's First 100 Days and How They Affected Your Wallet
President Trump proclaimed at the beginning of his second term through several executive orders and initiatives designed to reshape the government and economy. One of the most controversial was the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In just 100 days, DOGE officials slashed federal programs, eliminated thousands of jobs and froze spending across agencies. For You: Discover Next: While officials touted billions in savings, the financial fallout for everyday Americans was more complicated. From weaker consumer protections to longer wait times and higher out-of-pocket costs, here are three things DOGE did in Trump's first 100 days and how they affected your wallet and the economy. One of DOGE's most immediate and far-reaching actions was the mass restructuring of the federal workforce. Aaron Razon, personal finance expert at Couponsnake, said for thousands of families, this meant the sudden loss of a stable income and the ability to manage day-to-day finances confidently. 'This move has had one of the most significant impacts in the financial lives of many American individuals and their households,' Razon said. 'It directly cuts off the income of federal employees putting them in an uncomfortable financial situation and because it directly cuts their regular income, it puts them in a position where managing their finances becomes even more challenging.' Check Out: The mass layoffs forced families to adjust their financial behavior, from cutting back on extras to delaying purchases and prioritizing essentials. 'The ripple effect of this reduction in consumer spending, also creates far reaching consequences for businesses, especially those in the retail and service sector because as consumers attempt to put a leash on their wallets,' Razon explained, 'these businesses expenses decreased sales, which potentially leads to reduced revenue, inventory management and staffing adjustments.' Another major decision by DOGE was to cancel or freeze thousands of government grants. 'Federal agency reforms led by DOGE have disrupted services, such as delays in Social Security or IRS processing, increasing financial strain for consumers reliant on timely government support,' said Kevin Brancato, senior vice president of product strategy at TechnoMile. Many of the grants and services supported housing, childcare, utility assistance and food access. Without this support, many households had to absorb those costs directly, tightening already fragile budgets and cutting into local business revenues. According to the Center for American Progress analysis, many of the DOGE cuts impact women and girls. The analysis explains that DOGE withdrew financial support from a housing aid initiative in Alaska, eliminating close to $500,000 in funds that had previously supported vulnerable populations in addressing housing discrimination and securing solutions to help them recover and move forward. In February, DOGE effectively cut nearly 90% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) staff, eliminating about 1,500 jobs and crippling enforcement capacity. Established in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the CFPB was created to stop abusive debt collection, crack down on predatory lending, hold banks accountable for hidden fees and serve as a financial watchdog. According to the latest CFPB data, the agency's investigations and enforcement resulted in over $21 billion in monetary compensation, principal reductions, canceled debts and other consumer relief. In addition, the Associated Press reported that a federal judge halted the move in April, citing significant concerns because the cuts would severely weaken the agency and make it impossible for it to fulfill its legal responsibilities. Although the CFPB remains officially open, the agency's dramatic downsizing and operational freeze have forced it to abandon or withdraw major enforcement actions, according to Reuters. Notably, it canceled a $60 million settlement with Toyota's financing arm. It dropped a lawsuit against Walmart related to junk fees for delivery drivers, effectively closing the book on high-impact consumer protection cases. Toyota was accused of steering customers into buying expensive and unwanted product bundles. In a statement, Eric Halpern — former CFPB director who resigned in February 2025 — said the agency's decision to cut back on enforcement amounted to a corporate pardon, according to Reuters. For allegedly harmed consumers, it means Toyota doesn't have to provide refunds or restitution. Looking ahead, experts said the next phase of DOGE's agenda could bring even more direct impacts to household finances. 'In the next 100 days, consumers should watch for early efforts to reduce the deficit, likely through proposed changes to entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare — moves that could affect household budgets,' Brancato said. 'At the same time, new tariffs may raise prices on everyday goods, putting upward pressure on consumer costs,' Brancato added. 'However, these tariffs could also encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, potentially creating new jobs and long-term economic resilience.' Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks This article originally appeared on 3 Things DOGE Did in Trump's First 100 Days and How They Affected Your Wallet 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
The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Billionaire Razon enters Philippines' booming online gambling platform
A photo taken on Sept 16, 2016, shows billionaire Enrique Razon, chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc and Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, during an interview in Manila. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG MANILA (Bloomberg): Tycoon Enrique Razon's Bloomberry Resorts Corp. launched its online casino platform in the Philippines' booming internet gambling sector, taking aim at market leader DigiPlus Interactive Corp. Revenue from electronic games overtook those from large brick-and-mortar casinos for the first time in the Philippines last year, marking a shift in Asia's second-largest gambling hub, according to the nation's gaming agency. Bloomberry's gaming site is accepting bets of less than $1 for games such as slots, baccarat and roulette, as the company targets mass consumers. Razon, with a net worth of $11.3 billion according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, told stockholders in April that his online gaming foray would diversify the company's revenue streams. Bloomberry runs two integrated resorts in the metropolitan Manila region under the Solaire brand, and a casino in Jeju in South Korea. Bloomberry shares rallied as much as 18.8% on Monday, marking its largest intraday gain in more than six weeks and making it the top-performer among Philippine blue chip stocks. While the Southeast Asian nation's expanding online gaming market has room for another player like Bloomberry, the company will face tough competition from entrenched DigiPlus. "Competing with DigiPlus, an established player with 40 million registered users, presents notable challenges for Bloomberry,' said Toby Allan Arce, an analyst at Globalinks Securities & Stocks Inc. in Manila. DigiPlus attracted 40 million registered users in 2024, double its 2023 numbers, according to the company. It is already looking at other markets after securing a license in Brazil, where the company will offer sports betting. It is also setting up a Singapore unit to drive international growth. -- ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 Finance Influencers on TikTok that Actually Give Good Advice
Financial literacy is a skill that very few can master, let alone teach on a public platform. As social media platforms become increasingly flooded with misinformation, it's hard to know who or what to trust, particularly when it comes to money. Read More: Find Out: That being said, there are a few TikTok influencers in the financial space who are dubbed as 'finfluencers' who know what they are talking about when it comes to money management, some even being recognized by apps like Chime as the experts on 'FinTok.' Looking to social media for money advice and tips? Here are four finance influencers on TikTok who actually give good advice. 'TikTok isn't where I learned finance — but it's where a surprising number of people are learning it right now,' described Kraig Kleeman the founder and CEO of The New Workforce. Kleeman admitted that the financial advice landscape on TikTok can feel like the Wild West, but creators like Vivian Tu — who labels herself on the platform as an 'ex-Wall Streeter Helping you get rich' — offer truly valuable content that can help people take control of their money. 'I have a lot of respect for creators like Vivian Tu for her clear myth-busting content regarding everyday money issues,' Kleeman said. Beyond TikTok, Mady Mills is best known for being a financial influencer and an on-air host for Yahoo Finance, adding to her clout and credibility. 'Mady's ability to break down complex financial concepts for her audience into easily understandable insights show that she is worth her salt as a financial influencer,' said Aaron Razon, a personal finance expert at Couponsnake. 'Not only are her contents informative and empowering, but they also help her audience make informed financial decisions, as well as make it possible for them to stay up to date with market trends and economic developments,' Razon stated. Discover Next: Chelsea Fagan's message of fiscal responsibility is designed for young women, especially ones who are looking to improve their overall understanding of money and finances for themselves. Razon pointed out that Fagan, 'Creates content that emphasizes the importance of budgeting and saving, financial literacy, lifestyle and finance, and investing and debt management.' The lessons that Fagan offers on her TikTok channel help empower young women with clear, uncomplicated tools and resources to help young women take control of their financial lives. Josh Brown is a registered investment advisor, as well as the co-host of the Compound and Friends Podcast, making him a notable finance expert by bringing years of credentialed experience to his TikTok videos. According to Razon, Brown's resume and track record proves 'that he knows what he is saying and that it is safe to take both himself and his advice seriously, especially when it comes to investing and financial planning.' More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region 12 SUVs With the Most Reliable Engines Sources: Chime, 'Chime Declares 2024 as 'The Year of #FinTok' Kraig Kleeman, The New Workforce Aaron Razon, Couponsnake This article originally appeared on 4 Finance Influencers on TikTok that Actually Give Good Advice
