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a few seconds ago
- Politics
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Editorial: Allies to the rescue — European leaders try to keep Trump on the correct side in Ukraine/Russia war
It's not often that you have eight European leaders, including one whose country is at war, descend on Washington in as close to an unplanned snap visit as you can get. Let's hope that the White House visit convinced the White House resident of the importance of the moment. Monday afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was joined by the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, the U.K., Finland, the European Commission and NATO in a surprise summit following President Donald Trump's Alaska meeting with Russian despot Vladimir Putin. Trump seems to have understood the Oval Office meeting as him, the genius dealmaker, convening the allies after a successful rendezvous with the Russian adversary, bringing everyone together in advance of brokering the peace deal that will win him the Nobel Peace Prize. Whatever it takes; and that perception was likely reinforced by the heavy praise heaped on him, though of course he doesn't grasp that his NATO counterparts have internalized the fact that flattery is the only language Trump will listen to. That and English, which fortunately they all speak well enough to have been able to tag team off each other without translators in bringing Trump around on not selling out Europe to an imperialist Russia, something European leaders probably did not expect to have to be doing 80 years after the end of WWII. In actuality, this was more like the adults rushing to stop a toddler who had announced his intention to put a fork in the light socket before any further damage could be done. They certainly all watched in horror as Trump accomplished little but once again parroting Putin talking points after rolling out the red carpet for his admired authoritarian on U.S. soil, a meeting at which the Ukrainians were not represented. This after having spent days talking about the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory as part of some sort of agreement, and chastising Ukraine — invaded unprovoked by a much larger neighbor — of starting the war itself. At least this frenzied intervention by our European friends does seem to have yielded some success, primarily in the form of Trump agreeing to some form of U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, which are likely to be the only thing that actually incentivizes Putin to back off and stay back when a peace deal is reached. Something akin to NATO's core Article 5 on joint defense comes to mind. The problem is that such guarantees are only really worth anything if they're credible; it is fundamentally a threat, and threats are meaningful when the target has reason to believe there will be follow-through. Unfortunately, we can't say that we expect Trump to stick to this message discipline. Given everything that we've seen so far in this administration, odds are that shortly Trump will be insisting that Ukraine handle its own affairs or that the U.S. will only provide security guarantees in exchange for some kind of pay or materials deal; either that or he'll simply back off from the position altogether. Even if he then comes around again, every time Trump wobbles on dead-serious international commitments, including support for the NATO alliance itself, it saps at their ultimate credibility and therefore makes them less potent. We guarantee this: neither Trump nor any of us want to live in the world in which Putin believes he is not going to face consequences for his aggressive expansionist agenda. Trump made the commitments, now prove us wrong by sticking to them. _____
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Business
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Cracker Barrel outrages conservatives with new logo: ‘This is your Bud Light moment'
Cracker Barrel's decision to revamp and simplify its longstanding logo has inadvertently become a new culture war flashpoint, with conservatives raging against the redesign. The southern-themed restaurant chain, which is based in Lebanon, Tennessee, and first opened its doors in 1969, originally had simple gold branding with its name spelled out in brown lettering, intended to evoke the atmosphere of a friendly wood-frame general store selling dry goods to the pioneers. Then, in 1977, it added the seated figure of a man wearing overalls leaning against a wooden cask alongside the name, in the process creating an icon of folksy Americana that has endured ever since. The revamp removes the leaning figure and marks a return to the original design, with the company saying that its new logo 'is now rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all.' In a statement, the business elaborated: 'Anchored in Cracker Barrel's signature gold and brown tones, the updated visuals will appear across menus and marketing collateral, including the fifth evolution of the brand's logo, which is now rooted even more closely to the iconic barrel shape and word mark that started it all.' As harmless as that may sound, the move has incensed members of President Donald Trump's MAGA movement, who have taken to social media in their droves to hammer out howls of complaint. 'WTF is wrong with Cracker Barrel ??!,' wailed Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, quote-tweeting the Woke War Room account, which attacked the company's CEO Julie Felss Masino. 'She scrapped a beloved American aesthetic and replaced it with sterile, soulless branding,' it wrote. 'Masino kept a DEI regime that promises to 'identify, recruit, and advance' hires by race – and now faces civil rights complaints from America First Legal to the [Equal Opportunities Employment Commission] and the Tennessee AG.' MAGA podcaster Benny Johnson called the new logo 'absolutely horrible' while right-wing pundit Owen Shroyer told Cracker Barrel: 'This is your logo. It's literally a cracker and a barrel. Yes, own the hilarious irony of using a racial slur against your main demographic. It will attract that younger crowd you're reaching for. Or serve better food.' Watching on with glee, anti-Trump poster Ron Filipkowski commented: 'They are melting the f*** down over the new Cracker Barrel logo and I'm here for it!' Many people compared the redesign to the Bud Light controversy of 2023, when conservatives, led by rapper Kid Rock, moved to boycott the beer label for featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a brief commercial. One person labelled Cracker Barrel 'the Bud Light of formerly great restaurants' and an account called Turbo Truther posted a picture of Felss Masino wearing a clown wig with the caption: 'Cracker Barrel... the Bud Light of Barrels.' At the other end of the political spectrum, one person posted their alternative logo, in which the leaning figure is posing next to a sign that reads 'Release the Files' about the Jeffrey Epstein furore. At the same time, AI developer Mario Pawlowski scolded conservatives for their hostility. Pointing out that the company employs 77,600 people across 660 locations, Pawlowski warned against an equivalent boycott on economic grounds, saying it would only hurt the company's staff. 'It's tradition terrorism,' he complained. 'Wrecking brands that employ thousands and support local communities, all for meme points. Wake the hell up!' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Business
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New proposal for unit that 'failed to secure tenant' for six years
A planning application has been submitted for a unit which "failed to secure a tenant". The property is on the first floor of Foundry Courtyard, a luxury student accommodation on Kennedy Street in the city centre. According to papers, despite a marketing campaign between 20217 - when the flats opened - and November 2023, the site has not been able to secure a tenant. This is due to high fit-out costs, competition from a nearby Tesco Express, low visibility and limited parking. But now, applicant Glasgow Residences is proposing to use the empty space as part of the existing student housing block. Proposed layout (Image: Sourced) The building is already equipped with a gym, a TV room, a gaming area, laundry facilities, informal seating, and private study booths. Documents explained: "While these spaces are well-utilised, we believe there is a strong operational case for expanding the amenity offering elsewhere within the site. "An additional communal area would allow for a more balanced and diverse range of facilities across both student accommodation blocks, better supporting the needs of our residents." READ NEXT: Residents oppose this to be built near Ibrox Stadium Opening date of Scotland's first Haribo store revealed If the bid is successful, the unit will serve this purpose. It is 257 sq m and is a self-contained space at the south-west corner of the site. The development would also mean the underutilised space would get a new life, creating a more welcoming space for the students and a more vibrant street view. Foundry Courtyard is within walking distance of several educational establishments, including Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Strathclyde and the City of Glasgow College. Glasgow City Council planning officials are reviewing the application and a decision is expected by Friday, September 12, 2025. The last day for comments is Monday, September 15, 2025.
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Business
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ScanSource (NASDAQ:SCSC) Reports Strong Q2, Stock Soars
Technology distribution company ScanSource (NASDAQ:SCSC) beat Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, with sales up 8.9% year on year to $812.9 million. The company's full-year revenue guidance of $3.2 billion at the midpoint came in 1.5% above analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.02 per share was 10.5% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy ScanSource? Find out in our full research report. ScanSource (SCSC) Q2 CY2025 Highlights: Revenue: $812.9 million vs analyst estimates of $776.9 million (8.9% year-on-year growth, 4.6% beat) Adjusted EPS: $1.02 vs analyst estimates of $0.92 (10.5% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $38.64 million vs analyst estimates of $36.63 million (4.8% margin, 5.5% beat) The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $3.2 billion at the midpoint from $3 billion, a 6.7% increase EBITDA guidance for the full year is $155 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $151.2 million Operating Margin: 3.3%, in line with the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 0.6%, down from 7.2% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $961 million 'We delivered strong free cash flow for our fiscal year and achieved excellent profitability growth across the board,' said Mike Baur, Chair and CEO, ScanSource, Inc. Company Overview Operating as a crucial link in the technology supply chain since 1992, ScanSource (NASDAQ:SCSC) is a hybrid distributor that connects hardware, software, and cloud services from technology suppliers to resellers and business customers. Revenue Growth A company's long-term performance is an indicator of its overall quality. Any business can experience short-term success, but top-performing ones enjoy sustained growth for years. With $3.04 billion in revenue over the past 12 months, ScanSource is a mid-sized business services company, which sometimes brings disadvantages compared to larger competitors benefiting from better economies of scale. As you can see below, ScanSource struggled to increase demand as its $3.04 billion of sales for the trailing 12 months was close to its revenue five years ago. This shows demand was soft, a rough starting point for our analysis. We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within business services, a half-decade historical view may miss recent innovations or disruptive industry trends. ScanSource's recent performance shows its demand remained suppressed as its revenue has declined by 11.4% annually over the last two years. This quarter, ScanSource reported year-on-year revenue growth of 8.9%, and its $812.9 million of revenue exceeded Wall Street's estimates by 4.6%. Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to grow 3.7% over the next 12 months. While this projection indicates its newer products and services will fuel better top-line performance, it is still below average for the sector. Unless you've been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report one of our favorites growth stories. Operating Margin ScanSource's operating margin might fluctuated slightly over the last 12 months but has generally stayed the same, averaging 3.1% over the last five years. This profitability was lousy for a business services business and caused by its suboptimal cost structure. Looking at the trend in its profitability, ScanSource's operating margin might fluctuated slightly but has generally stayed the same over the last five years, meaning it will take a fundamental shift in the business model to change. This quarter, ScanSource generated an operating margin profit margin of 3.3%, in line with the same quarter last year. This indicates the company's overall cost structure has been relatively stable. Earnings Per Share We track the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) for the same reason as long-term revenue growth. Compared to revenue, however, EPS highlights whether a company's growth is profitable. ScanSource's EPS grew at a remarkable 11.7% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years, higher than its flat revenue. This tells us management responded to softer demand by adapting its cost structure. Like with revenue, we analyze EPS over a shorter period to see if we are missing a change in the business. For ScanSource, its two-year annual EPS declines of 3.7% mark a reversal from its (seemingly) healthy five-year trend. We hope ScanSource can return to earnings growth in the future. In Q2, ScanSource reported adjusted EPS of $1.02, up from $0.80 in the same quarter last year. This print easily cleared analysts' estimates, and shareholders should be content with the results. Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects ScanSource's full-year EPS of $3.57 to grow 5.8%. Key Takeaways from ScanSource's Q2 Results We enjoyed seeing ScanSource beat analysts' revenue expectations this quarter. We were also glad its EPS outperformed Wall Street's estimates. Zooming out, we think this was a solid print. The stock traded up 5.6% to $44.97 immediately following the results. ScanSource may have had a good quarter, but does that mean you should invest right now? If you're making that decision, you should consider the bigger picture of valuation, business qualities, as well as the latest earnings. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free.
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Business
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Ondas Secures $2.7 Million Order from a Leading Defense Customer for Iron Drone Counter-UAS Systems
Order underscores ongoing customer trust and strengthens Company's position in global security markets Iron Drone is redefining how militaries and governments protect their skies BOSTON, MA / / August 21, 2025 / Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) ("Ondas" or the "Company"), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, today announced that its subsidiary, Airobotics Ltd., has received a $2.7 million purchase order from a leading defense customer for multiple units of the Iron Drone Raider System, the Company's autonomous counter-UAS platform. "This order highlights the continued trust placed in our Iron Drone platform by a key defense partner as they expand their counter-UAS infrastructure deployments," said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas Holdings. "Iron Drone is demonstrating its effectiveness in real-world operations, where autonomous protection from aerial threats is essential to safeguard strategic facilities, mission-critical assets and populations. We believe this trust further solidifies our role as a leading provider of advanced autonomous defense solutions." The continued expansion of the Irone Drone Raider program underscores Ondas' execution of its strategy to deliver advanced autonomous aerial defense systems to global defense and homeland security markets. This order reflects recurring demand and validates the operational maturity of the Iron Drone platform, which is increasingly recognized as a critical element within layered defense architectures. As the counter-drone security market accelerates worldwide, there is growing recognition that the interception, or mitigation layer, is indispensable for protecting the most sensitive facilities and strategic assets. "We believe the Iron Drone is redefining how militaries and governments protect their skies," said Oshri Lugassy, Co-CEO of Ondas Autonomous Systems. "By providing a rapid, automated, and effective response to drone threats, the system enables persistent protection without adding operational burdens. We believe this program expansion shows the increasing recognition of Iron Drone's unique value in addressing today's evolving security challenges." The Iron Drone system is a cornerstone of Ondas' expanding portfolio of autonomous defense and security technologies, which also includes the Optimus drone-in-a-box ISR platform and the Wåsp FPV+ attritable multirole patrol and strike drone. Together, these platforms deliver a fully integrated suite for surveillance, intelligence, aerial threat interception, and precision strike missions. With this new order, Ondas is not only reinforcing its leadership in the counter-UAS domain but also broadening its global defense presence, positioning the Company to accelerate growth through additional strategic partnerships and large-scale deployments worldwide. Ondas Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:ONDS) is a leading provider of autonomous drone and private wireless solutions through its business units Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS) and Ondas Networks. Ondas' technologies offer a powerful combination of aerial intelligence and next-generation connectivity to enhance security, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making across essential industries. OAS offers a portfolio of best-in-class AI-driven defense and security drone platforms that are currently deployed globally to protect and secure sensitive locations, populations, and critical infrastructure. Operating via its wholly owned subsidiaries, American Robotics and Airobotics, OAS offers the Optimus System-the first U.S. FAA-certified sUAS for automated aerial security and data capture-and the Iron Drone Raider-an autonomous counter-UAS system designed to neutralize hostile drones. Ondas Networks provides software-defined wireless broadband technology through its FullMAX platform, based on the IEEE 802.16t standard. This standards-based system delivers high-performance connectivity for mission-critical IoT applications in markets such as rail, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, and government. For additional information on Ondas Holdings: X and LinkedInFor Ondas Autonomous Systems: LinkedInFor Airobotics: X and LinkedInFor American Robotics: X and LinkedInFor Ondas Networks: X and LinkedIn Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law. Contacts IR Contact for Ondas Holdings Inc.888-657-2377ir@ Media Contact for OndasEscalate PRondas@ Preston GrimesMarketing Manager, Ondas Holdings SOURCE: Ondas Holdings Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire 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
