Latest news with #Hazen
The South African
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Cape Town woman who swam in 'sewage': 'Felt like a bubble bath'
A Cape Town woman who went viral for swimming in what appeared to be a sea full of sewage has laughed off the embarrassing ordeal. The video has made international headlines, appearing in publications like Daily Mail, The Mirror, and India Today. Last week, Cape Town kitesurfer and influencer Michelle Sky Hayward had South Africans cringing over a video of her swimming at a local beach in Bloubergstrand. In a viral TikTok video, the blonde woman was seen frolicking in the waves, containing a brownish foam, believed to be 'sewage'. 'This is one of my favourite spots to swim at, it's so beautiful', she said. With the mystery foam now covering her body and face, she continued: 'It's so warm here, I don't even feel the cold.' At one point, Michelle swallowed a bit of the murky water. 'I'm having so much fun', she added. @michelleskyhayward Let me know in the comments! ♬ GRR – Fantomel @michelleskyhayward Oops 💀 ♬ DIM – Yves After going viral over the mortifying moment, Michelle Sy Hayward answered questions from concerned followers. She said of the video, 'I'm not an American tourist…I'm a Cape Town local.' Of swimming in what was believed to be raw sewage, she said: 'No, I did not get sick. If anything, it boosted my immune system, because I've been feeling great ever since When asked if she encountered a foul smell, she answered, 'It smelled like how the ocean smells. I did notice that the water was super murky, and it's usually very clear in that spot. There was a lot of foam that I had not seen before. But honestly, I loved the foam! It felt like a bubble bath. I literally felt like a mermaid.' @michelleskyhayward Replying to @ ♬ original sound – Michelle Sky 🇿🇦👨👩👧 Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town has shot down claims that the water in Blouberg – as appeared in the viral video – was sewage. In a video clip, marine scientist Dr Barry Clark claimed that foam, coupled with murky waters, was a result of waves striking kelp, which was broken down into particles mixed with other pollutants. The city emphasised: 'Seam foam is a 100% natural phenomenon and a part of oceanic processes such as strong wave action from sea storms along Cape Town's exposed coastline.' CORRECTING FAKE NEWS ABOUT SEA FOAM Claims that the sea foam at Blaauwberg beach and surrounds in Cape Town is a result of sewage or pollution, is INCORRECT. The water quality samples taken at Big Bay, Small Bay and Table View over the past 12 months showed EXCELLENT results according to the Hazen percentile health risk categorisation. FACT: Sea foam is a 100% natural phenomenon, and part of oceanic processes such as strong wave action from sea storms along Cape Town's exposed coastline. Watch this video to learn more. Posted by City of Cape Town on Thursday 24 July 2025 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.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Eugenio Suárez trade scenarios: If D-Backs sell, which teams (and packages) could land him?
Eugenio Suárez looms as the biggest bat — by far — who could be available at the trade deadline. With a National League-leading 36 home runs and a majors-leading 86 RBIs, the 33-year-old slugger would provide a huge boost to any lineup. But which teams are the most motivated to land him, and will the Arizona Diamondbacks, who remain on the outskirts of the wild-card race, decide to trade him? Advertisement Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen has said he hopes the team has a strong finish leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, so that trading away key players — including Suárez, who will be a free agent after this season — becomes a moot point. 'I would love nothing more than to really help the 'sellers' by choking out the supply because D-Backs players aren't available,' Hazen recently told me. However, the Diamondbacks (50-53) enter Thursday 5 1/2 games out of the final NL wild-card spot, and they face an uphill climb after dealing with numerous injury setbacks, including Corbin Burnes' season-ending Tommy John surgery. Hazen doesn't want to sell, but he also knows that he holds several big trade chips if he does, players who could bring back valuable talent to propel his team in future seasons. Front and center among them is Suárez, an All-Star third baseman with 312 career homers and a .254/.325/.598 (150 OPS+) slash line this season. At least six contending teams have contacted the Diamondbacks with interest in Suárez, according to major-league sources. If traded, despite being a two-month rental, Suárez would secure a significant trade haul in return for Arizona. What could it take to land him in this seller's market? Here are six teams that have shown interest in Suárez and what the trade return could look like from each of them. The Yankees will not be trading top prospects Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. I'm told both are off limits. However, they probably would be willing to part with a package highlighted by middle infielder Roderick Arias and left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge. If the Diamondbacks wanted to expand a Suárez trade to include an impending-free-agent starter, either Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly, then perhaps the Yankees would be willing to add recently promoted right-hander Cam Schlittler or outfield power hitter Everson Pereira. There's certainly a path to a package that could make sense for both sides. Advertisement The Cubs should be able to land Suárez in a straight-up deal for pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins, who was a second-round pick in 2023. The right-hander has dominated at High A and Double A this season, posting a 2.02 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts). He has 78 strikeouts and only 33 hits allowed over 62 1/3 innings. That would be quite a return for two months of Suárez. The Diamondbacks' biggest need is starting pitching, so it would be hard for them to turn that offer down. The Cubs could offer outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara first to see if they bite. Alcántara, 23, has slashed .264/.349/.457 this season with 11 homers and nine steals in Triple A. The Cubs match up well with the D-Backs on a Suárez deal due to their strong farm system. The Tigers' most-pressing need is in the back of the bullpen, and if they swing big at the deadline, that's probably what they should address. However, they continue to be linked to Suárez as well as the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado, who would need to waive his no-trade clause, so it seems they could want to upgrade at third. Adding Suárez's power behind Gleyber Torres, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson for a playoff run would be huge for their lineup in terms of power and balance. Detroit is not going to part with its trio of top prospects: middle infielder Kevin McGonigle, shortstop Bryce Rainer and outfielder Max Clark. All three would be off the table. However, I think the Tigers would include catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo, whom they acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last year in the Jack Flaherty deadline trade, and right-hander Jaden Hamm, who profiles as a future middle-of-the-rotation starter. Liranzo, 22, has a .349 on-base percentage with 10 home runs in 230 at-bats this season at Double A. Hamm, 22, has a 4.27 ERA over 14 starts this season between Low A and Double A; he could be major-league-ready by September of next year. The Brewers have been the hottest team in baseball, and with GM Matt Arnold, the reigning MLB executive of the year, at the helm, don't be surprised if they make a big splash at the deadline. They have the pitching staff to run the table in October, and adding a power bat like Suárez would be a game-changer for the lineup. The Brewers' front office has made it clear that their biggest weakness has been the lack of offense on the left side of the infield; they would love to upgrade there, and Suárez is the best-available solution. Advertisement The Brewers could offer minor-league starter Bishop Letson, who has a 1.33 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in 27 innings this season at High A. The 20-year-old is on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, so a review of his medical reports would be an important part of any deal. In addition, the Diamondbacks could also ask Milwaukee to include Caleb Durbin, who could fill in at third base for Suárez until prospect Jordan Lawlar is fully healthy and major-league-ready. (Durbin has a 106 OPS+ over 249 at-bats this season and has been worth 2.1 WAR, according to Baseball Reference.) If those two for Suárez didn't work, perhaps the Brewers would greenlight a straight-up trade for righty Logan Henderson, considering their starting pitch depth. Henderson, 23, is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA over four major-league starts and has logged a 3.36 ERA over 15 appearances (14 starts) with 82 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings this season in Triple A. The Mariners regret trading Suárez to the Diamondbacks in 2023, so nothing would be better than to reacquire him at this year's deadline. He would seriously upgrade their lineup and perhaps be the missing piece needed for a deep October run. A package highlighted by middle infielder Michael Arroyo and right-hander Ryan Sloan could be enough to get a deal done. Arroyo, 20, has reached base at a .417 clip this season between High A and Double A. He has 17 homers and 49 RBIs. A second-round pick in 2024, Sloan has a 3.43 ERA over 15 starts this season at Low A. The 19-year-old has logged a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.82. The Reds seem like a long shot to land Suarez, but they have the farm system to do it if they are motivated. Options abound. They could offer Arizona two of the following three pitching prospects — lefty Adam Serwinowski, righty Ty Floyd, righty Luke Holman — or one of those pitchers along with middle infielder Peyton Stovall or infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan, who is currently on the injured list. However, based on the offers Arizona should get from the rest of the field, it might take one of Cincinnati's top prospects, third baseman/second baseman Sal Stewart or corner infielder Cam Collier, to get a deal done; I doubt the Reds would do that for a two-month rental, especially since acquiring bullpen and outfield help is their top priority at the deadline. On Wednesday night, The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans reported that there is mutual interest between the Reds and Diamondbacks in a potential Suárez trade, according to major-league sources, with right-hander Chase Petty named as a player who could interest Arizona. So, how will this play out? With a week until the deadline, it's still unclear. None of us know if Suárez will be traded, but teams are submitting offers to the Diamondbacks, and at some point, I expect they'll get an offer so good they'll trade him. If so, it will be among the deals that define this deadline.
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Coliform scare in Chennai waterbodies as corporation shies away from collecting fine
CHENNAI: The city corporation has now revised the fines for illegal sewage connections to the city's storm water drains, which eventually make their way into the major waterbodies. However, it remains to be seen if the fines would be enforced, as despite a 2017 amendment of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919 allowing for fines from Rs 5,000 (residential) to Rs 2 lakh (commercial), the corporation officials told TNIE they have not collected any fine yet. Setting the alarm bells ringing, a recent test on the water sample drawn from a stormwater drain in Thirumangalam showed faecal coliform levels were five times higher than the permissible limit prescribed by the TNPCB. The test was conducted by civil contractor R Rama Rao. According to the private laboratory report dated July 2, the sample contained 490 MPN/100ml of faecal coliform, higher than the TNPCB's permissible limit of 100 MPN/100ml. In addition to microbial contamination, the chemical parameters revealed the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was measured at 490 mg/l, almost 10 times the acceptable limit of 50 mg/l, indicating a high level of organic pollutants that can severely reduce oxygen levels in water and endanger aquatic life. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) was found to be 185 mg/l, far exceeding the prescribed limit of 10 mg/l. Other test results including Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was at 120 mg/l, against the standard of 30 mg/l, and a total hardness level of 340 mg/l, further indicating poor water quality. The sample also emitted disagreeable odour and showed a high colour intensity of 90 Hazen units, which measures the 'yellowishness' of water.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diamondbacks Rare Trade Chips Could Transform MLB Deadline
Diamondbacks Rare Trade Chips Could Transform MLB Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Entering Friday, the Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves in a precarious spot: 34-34, fourth in the National League West. They're seventh in the NL Wild Card race, sitting 4 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final spot. Advertisement Arizona's path to the postseason took a major hit with the loss of Corbin Burnes, who's out for the season following Tommy John surgery. The pitching woes may deepen, as reliever Justin Martinez could also be facing surgery for a UCL sprain. While the standings and injuries have sparked interest from other clubs, Mark Feinsand reported that general manager Mike Hazen still hopes his team can stay in the buyer's conversation as the trade deadline approaches. Jun 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third base Eugenio Suarez (28) and first base Josh Naylor (22) talk in the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images 'I'm hopeful this is going to turn around and we put ourselves in the conversation to be buying,' Hazen said earlier this week. 'I hope the players put us in a conversation to be buying a month from now, a month-and-a-half from now, but we got to get going.' Advertisement Even though Hazen remains hopeful Arizona can climb back into contention, he knows what comes with their current position in the standings: plenty of inquiries about his roster. 'When you're sitting in the standings where we are, it's inevitable, you're going to start receiving phone calls about your players,' Hazen said. 'We have a lot of good players, so I'd imagine we would get a lot of phone calls. It's not something necessarily that we want to be tackling right now, but it's not stopping anybody from calling you to ask where you're at.' Hazen may not want to engage in those talks yet, but that decision could be forced on him if the team struggles. Related: Brewers All-Star Hopes to Remain Key Piece of Future Related: Giants Get Concerning Matt Chapman Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BOOT Q1 Earnings Call: Revenue Miss and Margin Expansion Amid Tariff Uncertainty
Clothing and footwear retailer Boot Barn (NYSE:BOOT) fell short of the market's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales rose 16.8% year on year to $453.7 million. Its GAAP profit of $1.22 per share increased from $0.96 in the same quarter last year. Is now the time to buy BOOT? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $453.7 million (16.8% year-on-year growth) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $487 million at the midpoint, roughly in line with what analysts were expecting EPS (GAAP) guidance for the upcoming financial year 2026 is $5.95 at the midpoint, missing analyst estimates by 4.7% Operating Margin: 11%, up from 9.8% in the same quarter last year Locations: 459 at quarter end, up from 400 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 6% year on year (-5.9% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $4.94 billion Boot Barn's first quarter performance was shaped by broad-based sales growth across both its physical stores and e-commerce channels, with management highlighting a 6% increase in same-store sales. CEO John Hazen attributed the quarter's results to 'increased transactions and full price selling,' supported by strong performance in categories like denim and women's western boots. Merchandise margin expanded due to supply chain efficiencies, better buying economies of scale, and growth in exclusive brand penetration. Hazen emphasized that the company's customer loyalty database continued to expand, reaching 9.6 million active members, which has helped tailor merchandise and marketing strategies. The company also noted that its ongoing store expansion into new and legacy markets contributed to increased brand awareness and incremental online demand, particularly in regions such as New York and Alaska. Looking forward, Boot Barn's guidance reflects caution around the impact of tariffs on both pricing and consumer demand in the coming quarters. Management stated that while same-store sales trends have been strong in the early part of the year, they expect momentum to moderate as price increases tied to tariffs take effect. CFO Jim Watkins noted, 'Our goal is to maintain merchandise margin rate, but we may give up some margin in order to maintain or gain market share.' The company's outlook includes a range of potential outcomes, reflecting the fluid situation with tariffs, anticipated mid-single-digit price increases from vendors, and possible consumer demand softness. Boot Barn plans to leverage its diversified sourcing strategy and ongoing exclusive brand development to help mitigate tariff-related headwinds, while continuing disciplined investment in new store openings and the in-store customer experience. Management attributed the quarter's sales and margin growth to robust store expansion, exclusive brand penetration, and supply chain efficiencies. However, they flagged the evolving tariff landscape and vendor price increases as emerging pressures that could influence demand and profitability. Exclusive brand penetration gains: Boot Barn increased exclusive brand sales to 38.6% of revenue, with management crediting this strategy for over one-third of merchandise margin growth. CEO John Hazen said this focus 'balanced expanding exclusive brands while driving growth within our third-party partners.' Store network expansion: The company opened 60 new stores over the year, extending its reach into four new states and ending the quarter with 459 locations. New stores contributed directly to revenue growth and were cited as a driver of both in-store and online sales gains. E-commerce and omnichannel growth: E-commerce same-store sales grew 9.8%, with accounting for about 75% of online sales and performing at low double-digit growth. Management noted that opening physical stores in new markets led to immediate online demand increases in those regions. Supply chain and inventory management: CFO Jim Watkins attributed improved merchandise margin to supply chain efficiencies, lower inventory shrink, and proactive inventory purchases ahead of anticipated tariffs. The company accelerated receipts to mitigate tariff exposure and diversified sourcing, reducing exclusive brand production in China from 24% to an expected 12%. Category performance variation: While most categories saw growth, denim and women's western boots led with mid-teen gains, and work boots remained a soft spot with low-single-digit declines. Hazen said renewed marketing focus will target work boot sales in the coming quarters. Management expects future results to be shaped by tariff-related cost pressures, pricing strategies, and continued investment in exclusive brand and store growth. Tariff impact and mitigation: Boot Barn anticipates $8 million in incremental tariff costs in the year, primarily affecting the second half. The company is responding by shifting sourcing away from China, raising select retail prices, and balancing margin preservation with the goal of retaining market share. Management cautioned that consumer demand may soften as price increases are implemented. Exclusive brand and pricing strategy: The company plans to hold or selectively raise prices on exclusive brand products, especially where psychological price points are at risk. Hazen explained that pricing decisions are made style-by-style to maximize competitiveness, with potential for exclusive brand penetration to rise if third-party prices increase more sharply. Continued store expansion: Boot Barn aims to open 65–70 new stores in the coming year, spanning both new and legacy markets. Management believes this expansion will support incremental sales, improve fixed-cost leverage, and enhance omnichannel performance as new stores typically drive a 'halo effect' on regional online sales. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will focus on (1) how effectively Boot Barn navigates tariff-driven cost pressures through sourcing and pricing actions, (2) the pace and profitability of new store openings across diverse markets, and (3) the trajectory of exclusive brand penetration, especially as consumer demand responds to higher price points. Sustained merchandise margin and the ability to drive category growth, particularly in work boots and apparel, will also be key indicators of execution. Boot Barn currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 26×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. 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
