• This 6% ASX dividend stock can pay $100 cash every month

    On the ASX, investors can normally expect dividend payments every six months from their dividend shares. This biannual income schedule is decidedly the norm on the Australian markets. ASX dividend stocks that pay out quarterly payments are rare, and stocks that dole out a paycheque every month are rarer still.

    But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

    One such example is Plato Income Maximiser (ASX: PL8). This listed investment company (LIC) specialises in paying out fat, fully franked dividends. And it does so every single month, with its shareholders getting a paycheque in the proverbial mailbox 12 times a year.

    Plato Income Maximiser, like all LICs, manages a portfolio of underlying assets on behalf of its shareholders. In this case, those assets are a collection of diversified ASX dividend stocks, selected on their current and future income potential.

    Some of the largest ASX dividend stock positions in Plato’s portfolio include ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).

    Some of Plato’s highest-yielding ASX dividend stocks include Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC).

    Over the past 12 months, Plato shareholders have enjoyed a monthly dividend worth 5.5 cents per share. Each of those 12 dividends came with full franking credits attached.

    At the current Plato share price of $1.21, these payments give this ASX dividend stock a yield of 5.91%.

    $100 a month in cash from this ASX dividend stock?

    That means that if an income investor puts approximately $20,350 into Plato shares today, and the company at least maintains its dividend schedule, that investor can expect to enjoy around $100 in passive dividend income every month.

    Of course, we should never assume that an ASX dividend stock will continue paying out the dividends it has in the past into the future. But Plato does have a fairly strong record when it comes to maintaining its dividend. Since it was first listed back in 2017, the only significant income cuts came in the COVID-ravaged years of 2020 and 2021.

    Over 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date, Plato’s dividends have been remarkably consistent.

    That’s in addition to some healthy overall returns from Plato shares. The ASX dividend stock tells us that, as of 31 May, its shareholders have enjoyed a total return (including share price gains, dividends, fees and franking credits) of 9.6% per annum since its 2017 inception. That compares to an average of 9.5% per annum from its ASX 200 benchmark over the same period.

    The post This 6% ASX dividend stock can pay $100 cash every month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Plato Income Maximiser Limited right now?

    Before you buy Plato Income Maximiser Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Plato Income Maximiser Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Plato Income Maximiser. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group and Metcash. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Buy Telstra shares due to its ‘excessive’ discount

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares could be trading at an unwarranted discount right now.

    That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, which are urging investors to snap up the telco giant’s shares.

    What is the broker saying about Telstra’s shares?

    According to a note from this morning, the broker has been busy updating its financial model to reflect recent developments. It explains:

    We update our Telstra forecasts for the flagged restructuring costs of $200-250m across FY24 and FY25 due to the reduction of up to 2,800 staff. We assume the midpoint of the range and apply $100m in FY24 and $125m in FY25. Note there is no change in our underlying forecasts and our underlying EBITDA of $8.2bn and $8.6bn in FY24 and FY25 remain consistent with the guidance ranges of $8.2-8.3bn and $8.4- 8.7bn in each period.

    Its analysts concede that these job cuts could be a sign that Telstra is finding it harder to reduce costs than it was expecting. They add:

    Our overall view of the update last month was slightly net negative given the size of the job cuts suggests the $500m cost reduction target by FY25 is proving difficult and the turnaround in Enterprise is likely to be slow.

    However, one thing that Bell Potter was happy with was the removal of Telstra’s inflation-linked price increases. It explains:

    But the removal of annual CPI price rises for postpaid mobile price plans we did not view negatively – as it provides flexibility – and in our view does not indicate increased competition in mobile (as supported by the price rises by Optus in late May).

    ‘Excessive’ discount

    In light of the above, the broker has reaffirmed its buy rating and trimmed its price target by 1% to $4.20.

    Based on where Telstra shares currently trade, this implies potential upside of 16% for investors. In addition, 5%+ dividend yields are forecast each year through to FY 2026.

    Bell Potter believes that the company’s shares are trading at an excessive discount to its large cap peers and expects this to change in time. Particularly given its attractive dividend yield. It concludes:

    Telstra is trading on an FY25 PE ratio of 18.6x based on our underlying forecasts which is a 24% discount to the average 24.4x of the peers (ALL, COL, CSL, GMG, WES and WOW). We view some discount as appropriate but in our view this looks excessive, particularly given the forecast mid to high single digit EPS growth over the next few years, strong market position and the potential for some or all of InfraCo to be sold in the medium term. We also believe the forecast yield of c.5% is supportive of the share price which is higher than all of the peers.

    The post Buy Telstra shares due to its ‘excessive’ discount appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Telstra Corporation Limited right now?

    Before you buy Telstra Corporation Limited shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Telstra Corporation Limited wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    See The 5 Stocks
    *Returns as of 24 June 2024

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • These are the best airlines in the world, according to a survey of travelers — see the full list

    A Qatar flight in the air with clouds above it
    A Qatar Airlines flight prepares to land in London.

    • Airline ratings company Skytrax has released its 2024 list of the best airlines in the world.
    • Qatar Airways took the top spot from Singapore Airlines, 2023's winner.
    • No airlines from the US made it in the top 20.

    Qatar Airways has reclaimed the title of best airline in the world after losing out in 2023, according to travel industry rating company Skytrax.

    Skytrax announced the results of the World Airline Awards, which polled travelers from over 100 countries on their impressions of more than 350 airlines, at a gala on Monday in London.

    Once again, airlines from Asia and the Middle East dominated the awards, sweeping the top six spots and taking 12 of the top 20.

    European carriers accounted for seven of the top 20 spots, with Turkish Airlines ranked highest in seventh.

    No airlines from the US made the top 20 after Delta Air Lines fell one spot in this year's rankings to 21st. Delta was one of only two US airlines to crack the top 50, with United in 42nd.

    Here's a closer look at the 20 best airlines in the world for 2024 according to Skytrax:

    20. Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines)
    Saudi Arabian Airlines.
    Saudi Arabian Airlines Airbus.

    Saudia, which changed its name from Saudi Arabian Airlines last year, jumped up three spots to finish 20th in this year's rankings.

    Saudia is Saudi Arabia's flag carrier and is a member of the Sky Team alliance. It's also one of the few major airlines in the world the not serve any alcohol on board its flights.

    19. Etihad Airways
    Etihad Airbus A380
    An Etihad Airbus A380.

    Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways fell six spots in this year's rankings but managed to stay in the top 20 at 19th.

    Etihad reintroduced its Airbus A380 fleet and its luxurious The Residence suite after a four year hiatus.

    18. Lufthansa
    A Lufthansa Airbus A350 airplane taking off.
    A Lufthansa Airbus A350-900.

    Lufthansa jumped three spots to 18 this year. The German national airline is a member of the Star Alliance and recently introduced its first new aircraft with the long-awaited Allegris cabin.

    17. Virgin Atlantic Airways
    Virgin Atlantic.
    A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

    Virgin Atlantic jumped up five spots to 17th in this year's rankings. The British carrier, co-owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Delta Air Lines, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding this year.

    16. Vistara
    A Vistara aircraft.

    Vistara is ranked 16th for the second consecutive year and remains India's top airline. The carrier, founded in 2013 as a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, is in the process of merging with Air India.

    15. Iberia
    An Iberia A350.
    An Iberia A350.

    Spain's Iberia fell one spot to 15th in this year's rankings. The Spanish national carrier is an Oneworld alliance member alongside its International Airlines Group sibling, British Airways.

    14. Fiji Airways
    Fiji Airways Airbus A330 243
    Fiji Airways' Airbus A330-243.

    Fiji Airways moved up one spot this year to 14th. Fiji Airways is now Oceania's only representative in the top 20 after Air New Zealand fell to 23rd this year.

    13. British Airways
    British Airways Boeing 777-300 Extended Range Edition aircraft specifically 777-36N (ER) as seen on final approach landing at London Heathrow International Airport
    A British Airways Boeing 777.

    British Airways moved up five spots in the rankings to 13th place. BA is the highest-ranked of the International Airlines Group (IAG) carriers, which also include Iberia (15th), Aer Lingus (49th), and Vueling (56th).

    British Airways also won this year's award for the world's most family friendly airline.

    12. Hainan Airlines
    Hainan Airlines Boeing 737.JPG
    Hainan Airlines' Boeing 737-800.

    Hainan Airlines dropped one spot to 12th this year. Hainan has consistently been China's highest-rated carrier and the only one of the country's four major airlines not owned by the Chinese central government.

    11. Korean Air
    A Korean Air Airbus 380-800 plane sits at the gate at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, on July 26, 2023.
    A Korean Air A380.

    Korean Air slipped one spot to 11th place this year. South Korea's largest airline is still awaiting final approval from the US government for its proposed merger with Asiana, which was announced in late 2020.

    10. Swiss International Air Lines
    An Airbus A330 passenger aircraft of Swiss airlines arrives from Zurich at JFK International Airport in New York as the Manhattan skyline looms in the background on February 7, 2024.
    A Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A330.

    Swiss International Airlines jumped two spots in the 2024 ranking to 10th place. Swiss, founded in 2002 following Swissair's bankruptcy, is the highest-ranking member of the Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa (18th), Austrian (28th), and Eurowings (70th).

    9. Air France
    Air France Boeing 777
    An Air France Boeing 777-200.

    Air France slipped two spots to 9th place this year despite winning a host of awards, including the world's best first-class catering, best first-class lounge dining, and best airline in Western Europe.

    8. EVA Air
    EVA Air
    EVA Air Boeing 777

    Taiwanese carrier EVA Air moved up one spot to 8th this year. The carrier is a subsidiary of container shipping giant Evergreen Group.

    7. Turkish Airlines
    Turkish Airlines' 400th aircraft, an Airbus A350-941, is taking off from Barcelona Airport in Barcelona, Spain, on November 23, 2023.
    A Turkish Airlines Airbus A350.

    In seventh place is Turkish Airlines. It's once again Europe's highest-ranked airline.

    6. Japan Airlines
    japan airlines
    A Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

    Japan Airlines dropped one spot to sixth this year. The Japanese flag carrier also won this year's award for the world's best premium economy cabin.

    5. Cathay Pacific Airways
    A Cathay Pacific plane landing.
    A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350.

    Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific moved into the top five this year, up from eighth position in 2023. Cathay also took home the prize for this year's best economy-class cabin.

    4. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
    All Nippon Airways Airbus A321neo
    An ANA Airbus A321neo.

    All Nippon Airways or ANA fell one spot to fourth place this year. Despite that, the Japanese carrier managed to snag awards for the world's best airport services and the best airline staff service in Asia.

    3. Emirates
    An Emirates airplane, the double-decker Airbus A380 with registration A6-EOO is approaching Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport arriving at runway 27
    An Emirates Airbus A380.

    Dubai's Emirates Airline moves into the top 3 this year after spending 2023 in fourth position. Emirates remains the world's largest operator of the A380 Superjumbo, with more than 100 in its fleet.

    2. Singapore Airlines
    Singapore Airlines Airbus A380, specifically A380-841 aircraft as seen on final approach landing at New York JFK, John F. Kennedy International Airport on 14 November 2019
    A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380.

    After spending 2023 as the world's best airline, Singapore Airlines is back in second place, a position it also held in 2022 and 2021. Second place is nothing to scoff at. The airline also picked up honors for the world's best cabin staff and the world's best first-class cabin.

    1. Qatar Airways
     an Airbus A350 of Qatar Airways company after taking off from the Toulouse-Blagnac airport
    A Qatar Airways A350-900.

    Qatar Airways takes the No. 1 spot again after falling second behind Singapore Airlines last year. It's a familiar position for the airline, which also claimed top honors in 2022, 2021, and 2019.

    This year, Qatar Airways also won awards for the best business class cabin and lounge.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Best Ranger Competition 2024: See photos of the murderous 3-day event winners endured

    A US Army service member hangs on a rope that features a banner reading "Ranger"
    A member of Team 40, representing the 75th Ranger Regiment, navigates an obstacle course during the 40th Annual Best Ranger Competition at Ft. Moore, Georgia.

    • Over 100 US Army troops endure grueling challenges to determine the service's toughest soldier.
    • More than 50 teams of two competed in the annual Best Ranger Competition in April.
    • Two first-time competitors came out on top — the 75th Ranger Regiment's fourth win in a row.

    For four decades, US Army troops have tested their strength and endurance to determine the toughest soldiers during the annual Best Ranger Competition.

    Over the course of 62 nearly continuous hours, Ranger-qualified soldiers compete in two-person teams, participating in a gauntlet of challenges mirroring real-world Ranger operations.

    From the early hours of the morning to the dead of night, competitors demonstrate tactical skills, complete difficult obstacle courses, and traverse dozens of miles on both land and water.

    In April, more than 100 US soldiers competed in the Best Ranger Competition, a mix of an outdoor adventure course with the soldiering's most grueling tasks. This is a look at the contest's three unforgiving days and the first-time competitors from the 75th Ranger Regiment who took home the title.

    A measure of determination
    US Army soldiers catch their breath following an event during the Best Ranger Competition.
    US Army soldiers catch their breath following an event during the Best Ranger Competition.

    The Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition was first held in May 1982 at Fort Moore, then known as Fort Benning, near Columbus, Georgia.

    Initially a contest among members of the Ranger Training Brigade, it has since expanded to include personnel from across the service, including Special Operations and Army National Guard.

    "This competition is not just to see who is the toughest or the most physically fit," Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr., a commanding general of then-Fort Benning and namesake of the competition, once said. "It is to see who is mentally the strongest, the most determined to finish."

    Competitors and participants
    Best Ranger competitors hug after completing the last race of the competition
    US Army Cpt. Nicholas Yancey and 1st Lt. Anthony Capobianco hug after completing the full Ranger Competition.

    According to Ranger Training Brigade Staff Sgts. Kevin Teran and Jim Moran, who won the competition in 1999, there are "two basic types of people that enter the Best Ranger competition — competitors and participants."

    "Some arrive with the aim of simply surviving the challenges thrust upon them and to win a 't-shirt.' Such individuals usually fall out early on and even get injured," they wrote in an essay for the Association of the US Army. "Competitors are there to win. They exude the guts, mental toughness, intensity, and burning desire to succeed that characterize the US Army Ranger."

    "These are the folks that are champions, both at the Best Ranger Competition and in their units," they added.

    A challenge right at the start
    US Army soldiers complete a ruck march at night illuminated by the headlights of a vehicle behind them
    US Army soldiers complete a ruck march.

    Even before the sun rose on the first day of the competition in mid-April, soldiers were already put to the test in the first event — a 7-mile run wearing a weighted vest and carrying a 60-pound sandbag.

    Teams were required to cross the finish line together to complete the event, and the time to complete the race determined each team's ranking.

    Malvesti Obstacle Course
    A US Army soldier climbs up an obstacle during a competition
    US Army 1st Lt. Ethan Bates climbs up an obstacle during the Malvesti obstacle course.

    Competitors had to clear all six obstacles of the Rangers' notoriously difficult Malvesti Obstacle Course as quickly as possible.

    The obstacle course is part of the Army's Ranger School and tests students through a series of pull-ups, rope climbs, ladders, and the "worm pit," a shallow, muddy pit of water covered in barbed wire.

    Competitors had little time to recover before proceeding to the Ranger Mile, a series of events that included carrying two 40-pound kettlebells, doing six dead hang chin-ups, and running two runs totaling three miles.

    Fast-roping
    A US Army soldier propels down a rope from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during an urban operations event.
    A US Army soldier propels down a rope from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during an urban operations event.

    Teams were also tested on their fast-roping skills, following commands to load onto a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and exiting the aircraft in one minute.

    Marksmanship
    A US Army Soldier fires his shotgun during the Two-Gun event at Best Ranger Competition
    A US Army Soldier fires his shotgun during the Two-Gun event at Best Ranger Competition.

    Competitors demonstrated their marksmanship with several different firearms, including an M240 machine gun, an M17 pistol, and an M4 shotgun. Each team was given two minutes to familiarize themselves with the weapon, followed by one minute to load, fire at five targets, and unload the weapon.

    Rankings in the event were determined by the team's total number of targets hit, and in the event of a tie, the number of rounds remaining after the course was considered as the tiebreaker.

    Putting their skills to the test
    US Army 1st Lt. Andrew Winski aims the M252 mortar as another soldier observes.
    US Army 1st Lt. Andrew Winski aims the M252 mortar as another soldier observes.

    The second day of the Best Ranger Competition featured a round-robin series of events, including mortar emplacement. Lobbed mortars can rain explosives on enemy positions like trenches and can suppress fire for infantry movements.

    Heavy lifting
    US Army first lieutenant tries to turn over a tire during the Best Ranger Competition.
    A US Army first lieutenant tries to turn over a tire.

    Competitors put their physical strength to the test, lifting heavy objects like tires.

    Difficult maneuvers
    A US Army soldier has a pained expression as he carries a black sack while maneuvering on the ground.
    A US Army soldier has a pained expression as he carries a weighted sandbag while low crawling through razor wire.

    Other events included lifting, throwing, or crawling with weighted sandbags.

    Simulating real-world Ranger operations
    A US Army staff sergeant cuts through an obstacle designed to simulate a steel-reinforced window
    A US Army staff sergeant cuts through an obstacle designed to simulate a steel-reinforced window.

    Competitors tackled obstacles resembling real-world Ranger operations, such as cutting through a steel-reinforced frame or using tools to pry open a door.

    Zip-line to the finish
    A Best Ranger competitor propels down a zipline during an obstacle course.
    A Best Ranger competitor propels down a zipline during an obstacle course.

    After completing the day-stakes events, soldiers then underwent an arduous tactical water movement event, which included tasks on land, water, and air. First, competitors embarked on a run to a zip-line tower and zip-lined across the Chattahoochee River.

    Paddling along the Chattahoochee
    US Army soldiers paddle their kayaks down the Chattahoochee River.
    US Army soldiers paddle their kayaks down the Chattahoochee River.

    They then used rafts to paddle along the river, after which they carried on land to the finish line to complete the event.

    Another obstacle course
    US Soldiers sprint toward swinging ropes to clear a wooden obstacle
    US Soldiers sprint toward swinging ropes to clear a wooden obstacle during the Best Ranger Competition.

    The final day of the competition included yet another obstacle course, requiring competitors to climb a rappel tower using a rope. The rest of the course was split into two tracks, allowing teams to compete side-by-side.

    3-gun event
    A US Army soldier competing in the Best Ranger Competition aims a rifle while positioned on the ground.
    A US Army soldier competing in the Best Ranger Competition aims a rifle while positioned on the ground.

    The third day featured another marksmanship event using an M1911 pistol, an XM7 assault rifle, and an M1 rifle.

    Competitors were tasked to move through the course as quickly as possible while engaging with as many targets as they could, with time penalties given for missed targets.

    Helocasting
    Two US Army Soldiers descend into the water from a UH-60A Black Hawk during the Helocast event.
    Two US Army Soldiers descend into the water from a UH-60A Black Hawk during the Helocast event.

    As part of the competition, soldiers also had to complete a "helocast," a little-known insertion and exfiltration technique used by US special operations in hostile territory.

    Competitors had 10 minutes to construct a poncho raft, which they had to load onto a UH-60 helicopter. The helicopter carried them to an exit point over a pond, where competitors had to swim and transport the raft and equipment to a finish point on shore.

    Final buddy run
    US Army soldiers run toward the finish line of a race course lined with flags
    US Army soldiers run toward the finish line of a race course lined with flags during the Best Ranger Competition.

    The final event of the three-day competition is a buddy run, in which both team members carry an inert M4 while traveling together toward the finish line.

    Newcomer team named Best Ranger
    US Army 1st Lt. Andrew Winski and Sgt. Mathew Dunph holds up their SigSauer P320-M17 next to the Best Ranger Competition Trophy.
    US Army 1st Lt. Andrew Winski and Sgt. Mathew Dunphy hold up their SigSauer P320-M17 pistols next to the Best Ranger Competition Trophy.

    At the end of the competition, scores from all of the events were tallied to determine team rankings — and a team of newcomers came out on top.

    Team 40 — First Lt. Andrew Winski and Sgt. Matthew Dunphy — earned the highest cumulative marks out of all 56 teams, granting them the title of Best Ranger. Among more than 100 competitors, Winski had the highest marks on marksmanship.

    Both first-time competitors, the duo represented the 75th Ranger Regiment, marking the fourth year in a row that members of the unit won the competition.

    "It means a lot to me, mostly for my partner, I didn't want to let him down, and we didn't want to let the regiment down," Winski said after completing the buddy run event.

    Winski said he was "truly grateful" for the opportunity to participate in the competition and show "what the Army's Ranger Regiment is and … what kind of Rangers we produce."

    Gen. James Mingus, the Army's vice chief of staff, acknowledged that completing the competition is no small feat.

    "At the end of the day, the physical, mental — all those things have got to come together in a technical way," Mingus said during the awards ceremony after the competition. "You have to be a master at your craft, you have to be at the top of your game physically and intellectually and mentally, which sets this apart from, I think, any other long endurance event that's out there."

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Killer of dismembered tech CEO found guilty of murder

    Tyrese Haspil
    Tyrese Haspil being escorted out of the 7th precinct by NYPD detectives on July 17, 2020 in New York City.

    • Tyrese Haspil was found guilty on all counts in the murder of his former boss, tech CEO Fahim Saleh.
    • Haspil admitted to fatally stabbing and dismembering Saleh in 2020.
    • Haspil embezzled nearly $400,000 from Saleh while working as his personal assistant. 

    A Manhattan jury on Monday found Tyrese Haspil guilty of all counts in the brutal murder of his former boss, tech CEO Fahim Saleh.

    Haspil, 25, admitted to fatally stabbing and dismembering Saleh, who was CEO of the ride-hailing and delivery service Gokada, to hide a $400,000 embezzlement. Saleh was found beheaded and sawed into six pieces in his Manhattan condo in July 2020.

    A jury found Haspil guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree grand larceny, one count of second-degree burglary, tampering with evidence, and concealing a human corpse, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced.

    "Today, a jury found Tyrese Haspil guilty of brutally murdering Fahim Saleh, his former mentor and boss, after stealing approximately $400,000 from him," Bragg said in a statement. "Tyrese Haspil tragically cut Mr. Saleh's life short — a man who came from a close-knit immigrant family and followed his passions to become a successful entrepreneur.

    Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Haspil meticulously planned the gory murder to hide his financial crimes, while Haspil's legal team tried to convince the jury that he killed Saleh in a misguided attempt to impress his French girlfriend, citing an "extreme emotional disturbance."

    Saleh hired Haspil as a personal assistant in May 2018, in a role that allowed him access to the CEO's finances. For several months, prosecutors said Haspil conducted a complicated embezzlement scheme to purchase lavish gifts for his girlfriend.

    Haspil is set to be sentenced in September.

    This story is breaking. Please check back for updates.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • This state could soon be the first to give every resident a $750 universal basic income each year with no strings attached

    Republicans worry that basic income programs grant an edge to their Democratic supporters.
    Oregon could be the first state to vote on an expansive universal basic income program.

    • UBI advocates in Oregon say they collected enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot.
    • The first-of-its-kind initiative would give each resident $750 a year by taxing corporations.
    • Basic income programs throughout the country have delivered promising results.

    Oregon voters may soon decide if the Beaver State will be the first in the country to implement a universal basic income program that would put cash in residents' pockets by taxing corporations.

    Advocates of Initiative Petition 17 have said they collected thousands more signatures than required to get the guaranteed income proposal on Oregon's ballot this fall, according to The Oregonian. The Secretary of State's office must still certify the signatures before the measure can officially be added to the November ballot. Voters would then approve or reject the initiative.

    The Oregon proposal comes as increasing numbers of US cities and counties pilot basic income programs. The programs typically involve a recurring cash payment given to all people within a certain population, and program participants receive the money regardless of their employment. Recipients also have no limitations on how the money can be spent.

    Oregon's proposed UBI program would be a first-of-its-kind initiative, granting every state resident about $750 a year, according to The Oregonian. To fund the program, a 3% tax on corporations' sales above $25 million would be implemented, and the resulting money would be distributed evenly to residents of all ages.

    Oregon's State Department of Revenue would be responsible for doling out the money, and residents would choose to receive their funds either as a cash payment or a refundable tax credit, according to the initiative draft. Any leftover funding from the corporation tax would be put toward services for the elderly, the healthcare system, and education.

    Support for the proposal appears to have some business leaders worried, The Oregonian reported. Business groups are preparing for a fight over the measure and readying a campaign to fight the proposal, arguing it would hurt the state's economy.

    The results from more than 100 basic income pilots that have run in the US in recent years suggest the concept is overwhelmingly successful.

    While data is still limited, more and more places are piloting their own basic income programs, including North Carolina, which has given cash to formerly incarcerated people, and Oregon, which has already handed out funds to homeless youth.

    Participants in these programs typically fall below the federal poverty line, though some pilot programs have zeroed in on specific populations, like households with children or the formerly incarcerated.

    Many people who have received basic income payments primarily use the money to pay for basic living costs like food, housing, and transportation, Business Insider previously reported.

    As basic income programs become more commonplace, however, the concept is gaining political and economic opposition. Conservative lawmakers have accused guaranteed basic income of being a "socialist" tactic and suggest the programs could discourage low-income people from working.

    But basic income pilots, for the most part, seem to be workingeven in red states.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Alicia Vikander says she never really got used to Jude Law’s ‘repulsive’ smell as King Henry VIII in ‘Firebrand’ — but they still had a blast reuniting on set

    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in "Firebrand"
    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in "Firebrand."

    Jude Law was already a major star with two Oscar nominations under his belt when he played Count Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin in Joe Wright's 2012 film "Anna Karenina."

    Alicia Vikander, on the other hand, was near the beginning of her career — and four years away from her Oscar win for "The Danish Girl" — when she had her breakout role playing the supporting character Kitty in the same movie.

    Over a decade later, the two have reunited for "Firebrand," director Karim Aïnouz's film about King Henry VIII's sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr.

    The movie spotlights the lesser-explored Parr, whose story hasn't been told, and retold, the way the Tudor royal's other wives have (read: Anne Boleyn). Giving a revisionist history of their relationship (and Henry's death), "Firebrand" places Parr's accomplishments within a more modern feminist context. For instance, she's considered the first Englishwoman to print an original work under her own name in English.

    "Karim has done a really great job of looking at the past in a way that makes it feel incredibly relevant on so many levels — the abusive relationship, the power and strength, the wit of this woman, and the appalling behavior of this man in power," Law told Business Insider.

    For Vikander, it was a no-brainer to sign onto the project when she learned Law was involved, telling BI she "had this instant feeling" she had to do it.

    And even though Law went to great lengths to capture the truly "appalling" nature of the king, who manhandles Katherine and others throughout the film, the two had a surprising amount of fun making it.

    In a joint interview, the two discuss what it was like making "Firebrand," from working with Law's decaying-body perfume to the movie's unexpectedly "hilarious" sex scenes.

    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in "Firebrand"
    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in "Firebrand."

    Jude, I read you worked with someone to get that decaying-body smell just right. What were the ingredients that went into creating that kind of stench?

    Jude: I have no idea. I just know it was repulsive. But it sort of summed up the state he was in, I think, emotionally and spiritually and physically at that time: decaying and disgusting.

    Alicia, what was that like for you, being up close and personal with that smell?

    Jude: She got used to it.

    Alicia: I didn't really, it was that bad! I'd never really had that kind of incense on set before, but I work…a lot with music. I always keep my AirPods close and have them in between takes.

    With music it's the same kind of thing as with smell. It kind of just instantly emotionally takes you somewhere…Joe Wright actually did that on "Anna Karenina" too. He used to play music, like techno, over the scenes in take just to give us a vibe.

    Jude: And the animals on set obviously brought their own odor.

    Was this the first time either of you have used smell to get into a character, to get into a mindset?

    Jude: I use it quite a lot because, as Alicia said, it's a really good way of… You've got to step into these characters every day. And so sometimes if you can do something that just is, not really a shortcut, but it's about really finding a place. It's a ritual, and it can just put you in a certain frame of mind or mood. It can help or it certainly helps me.

    There are a lot of frankly kind of gross sex scenes that really drive home just the unbalanced, fraught nature of Henry and Katherine's relationship. Henry had previously beheaded two of his wives and was, at this point in his life, a little unstable, to put it lightly. How was it filming those intimate scenes?

    Jude: I mean, there's always a certain awkwardness, but it's also hilarious, I mean, as I'm remembering it. There's something hilarious about when you're playing someone who's in that kind of physical shape and who is also wielding so much power. There were certain moments where you can't help but be slightly embarrassed.

    Alicia: But that's also the interesting part because they're people. You realize that even this man with this power, he will still have it creep up on him in those extremely intimate moments that she was there for. She knows that she sees him in this position and she needs to show him that that doesn't take away from his image and it doesn't ruin it.

    Jude: It ultimately gives her the upper hand. They were key moments, really, looking back to understanding Katherine's patience and her ability to navigate this relationship to her benefit and ultimately to her advantage.

    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in Firebrand
    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in "Firebrand."

    Did you guys have an intimacy coordinator on set for those sequences?

    Alicia: I've had it since the world changed.

    Jude: Caught up.

    Alicia: I've now had it on every film I've done.

    Jude: Me too, and they've only gotten better and better. She was particularly good on this one, I remember because it didn't just apply to sex scenes. I made this decision early on that I really wanted Henry to manhandle people, men and women and the animals, and treat them all the same — as if he owned them and could touch them and prod them and poke them, investigate them.

    So I had to make sure everybody who came within range of me knew that that was what was going to happen. And if they didn't want that to happen, they had to be very clear about it. Once that's dealt with, you are able to perform; you're able to lose yourself in a moment.

    Alicia: And I notice, above anything, it is a way to get the directors to actually talk about it. In the room, the first thing they do is go, "OK, Mr. or Ms. Director, what do you want? Can you explain it in detail?" And that's when they're like, "Oh…" And that's been sometimes the issue before — that they just kind of let you figure it out, which is not cool.

    Now, I can't believe we didn't always have it because it's so weird, so strange.

    Alicia, you mentioned that intimacy coordinators would've helped earlier in your career. Was there ever an instance for either of you in an intimate scene earlier in your career where, looking back at it, you're like, "Oh, that one in particular really could have benefited from an intimacy coordinator"?"

    Alicia: Yes, I definitely had that in the beginning of my career. I had an incident when I was on set, and I don't blame one particular person — everyone was super professional. But it's that thing when you're on a film shoot, and there's not much time, and there's a lot of shots that need to be done in a day and everyone's trying to figure out their stuff. And I was left without anything on, just a little piece of fabric square, and sat on that floor for about 10 hours, two days in a row with not anything on.

    I was like, I'm very professional. I'm doing my job. Everyone's very professional with me but it's like — this is strange, and it kind of just creeped up on me. And it was not until the second day when I was in the car on the way back and it kind of, then I physically, I had a reaction to it.

    Jude: Because you dealt with it and suppressed it and obviously something like that comes up eventually.

    How old were you when that happened?

    Alicia: My early 20s.

    Jude Law and Alicia Vikander in "Anna Karenina"
    Law and Vikander previously both starred in 2012's "Anna Karenina."

    You two worked together before, in 2012's "Anna Karenina," which was near the beginning of your career as an international star, Alicia. What was it like for you to reunite a decade later on "Firebrand"? Did each of you understand how the other had changed as an actor during that time?

    Jude: I'd obviously followed her work and seen the majority of it… I think you share a potential, share the promise of the potential of something.

    And it was pretty clear to me very, very early on that we were both invested in this and in Karim and excited by it, and we had a very, very quick rapport and a sense of trust, and that just grew and grew and was also fun.

    We've mentioned this a few times, but it sounds odd, perhaps perverse to some, but when you are delving into this kind of dark material, it helps to also kind of relish it. And there's got to be a sense of humor, weirdly, to survive it, I think, and to feel safe.

    I've said this so many times, but I was just so bowled over by how brave and just up for the challenge Alicia was. It always felt every day like, OK, we've gone this far, how much further can we go? And I don't just mean in the physical way, I mean emotionally and in truth.

    And for a lot of it, a two-hander, it felt that the two of us were trying to navigate this relationship at the core, and it always felt like we could do more or let's keep looking and simplifying. And that's a wonderful experience to have as an actor.

    Alicia: When I worked with Jude on "Anna Karenina," I just remember him being so, kind of, considerate and open and he really took the time for someone like me — who did my first job — to make me feel safe and welcomed and dare to even step onto the stage in front of these people. That was a huge part of why I wanted to do this project because I knew that Jude was attached.

    I think we just said hi a few times over the years, and I know your work and I had this instant feeling. I could feel, with the amount of preparation for this role and what you were going to achieve doing Henry, that I just wanted to, kind of, come in and be a part of it and collaborate with you. It was really something that really drew me to this.

    And like you said, we did have a lot of fun along the way.

    Having followed one another's careers between "Anna Karenina" and "Firebrand," do each of you have a favorite role of the other's?

    Alicia: I did shoot him a text just like two weeks ago because I was on Netflix — as you do, when you put babies to bed in the evening — and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" came up first thing on the screen. And I rewatched it and I [was] just like, "Wow, you're so good in it."

    Jude: It was a lovely text to get!

    I'm so bad at choosing favorites. I mean the physicality and just the evolution in "Ex Machina" is absolutely amazing, but "The Danish Girl" also has this really grounded open heart, which is something you do so well. It's like a really human quality there, but it's sort of effortless. …I mean, I found that film heartbreakingly moving, and you are the sort of heartbeat of it.

    And then I recently just saw "Irma Vep" as well, which is insane and brilliant. It's so bloody funny. It's one of those things where I watched it just sort of thinking, "Was this made for me?" Because it's so quirky and also a bit of my life.

    Jude, in another interview, you have one line that's getting quite a lot of pickup. You joked about wishing you didn't try to play against your looks when you were younger now that you're, as you called yourself, "saggy and balding." Were there any roles you were offered in your younger days when you were trying to play against your looks that you turned down because you didn't want to just do handsome guy stuff?

    Jude: In my 20s, people were trying to steer me toward more sort of…romantic comedies and play the good-looking boyfriend, or the lover — and it just wasn't to my taste.

    I really wanted to try to mine drama and so I think I just gave myself a hard time mentally. Like, "OK, how can I steer this away from him being attractive or how can I steer this character away from being seen as good-looking or attractive?"

    And I just remember putting so much time there into it and I look back when I was 25, and I'm like, "God, you were really cute. You were really pretty. Just enjoy it, mate." Because now it's like, "OK, how can I make myself look young again?"

    But that's just also one of those lessons I guess you learn after time. The memory we all probably have…in [our] 20s, where you think, "Oh, I won't go out tonight because I look really tired, or "Oh, I better not go to that place because I've got nothing to wear." You look back and go, "Go out! Go and enjoy yourself. You're 23, you'll be fine."

    Rafferty Law and Jude Law
    Law's oldest son Raff is following in his dad's footsteps.

    Jude, two of your older kids are following in your footsteps now, is that right?

    Jude: Yeah, well, certainly my son. My eldest son [Raff] is working hard. He's just done another film with Glen Powell, actually, in South Africa.

    I'm immensely proud. I just have great respect for anyone who is in the arts or puts themselves out there. There's such a vulnerability to it, and it requires such passion and self-motivation and belief and bravery.

    It's also jolly nice to be able to really share my enthusiasm and now experience, I suppose, in a way with him on the same level. It's a really beautiful thing, actually.

    This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

    "Firebrand" is now in theaters.

    Read the original article on Business Insider