Latest news with #JasonHart
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The paradise island where millionaires go to avoid death (and taxes): Isle for the libertarian super-rich attracts many more like Bryan Johnson - the biohacker who wants to live forever
The Caribbean is often seen as the ideal holiday destination, with turquoise seas, white sand, rum punch, and no stress. But on one Honduran island, a different kind of paradise is taking shape. This isn't a place for a break but one to escape bureaucracy, regulation, and the two forces that usually catch up with everyone: death and taxes. This is Próspera, a privately run, semi-autonomous city on the Honduran island of Roatán. Funded by international investors and backed by Silicon Valley money, it markets itself as a low-tax haven for libertarians, tech entrepreneurs and biohackers looking to escape regulation, and, increasingly, mortality. 'You get all kinds of wild stuff here,' Jason Hart, a 46-year-old investor from Denver who became a full-time resident in 2023, told the Times. 'One guy was building a jet pack, another doing "the Lord's work" with Bitcoin. I just thought, this is my people.' For residents like Hart, Próspera offers something close to a real-world Libertopia. Income tax is 5 per cent. Corporate tax is 1 per cent. A company can be registered via smartphone in a matter of hours. Regulation, where it exists, is optional with firms operating in the zone adopting the legal code of any country, or create their own. This has attracted a growing number of start-ups focused on experimental medical treatments, including longevity gene therapy, a technology not currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or other major regulators. Among those to visit the zone is American tech boss Bryan Johnson, 47, who is investing millions in his own effort to reverse ageing. Last year, he made two trips to Roatán to receive therapy from Minicircle, a Próspera-based firm. He later claimed that his biological ageing had slowed to the point that he only needed to celebrate his birthday every 21 months. Próspera was made possible by a 2013 Honduran law allowing for the creation of ZEDEs, special economic zones with independent governance and taxation. The model gained international attention after a 2009 TED talk by the economist Paul Romer, who argued that charter cities in the developing world could drive economic growth by offering clean governance and competitive markets. But the concept has long attracted criticism. Detractors argue that the sale of land in poor countries to foreign investors, who then impose their own legal systems, resembles 19th-century colonialism. Honduras, in particular, has been sensitive to the charge, with the the term 'banana republic' being coined after US fruit companies were granted extraordinary power in the region, including in Roatán. 'Who are the real beneficiaries?' asked Fernando Garcia, the Honduran government's commissioner against special economic zones. 'The great millionaires and billionaires who can go to live in a paradisiacal zone of our national territory, and who can then absorb ever more land.' President Xiomara Castro, elected in 2021, has vowed to dismantle the ZEDE system entirely. In 2023, she signed legislation to repeal the law that enabled Próspera and two other zones. Próspera's backers, including the billionaire PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, responded by filing a claim for $10.7 billion in damages, arguing that Honduras violated a 50-year legal stability agreement. The case is currently being heard by a World Bank tribunal. Another blow came when Castro's predecessor, Juan Orlando Hernández, a key supporter of the ZEDE legislation, was sentenced last year to 45 years in a US prison for trafficking hundreds of tonnes of cocaine. The original vision for Próspera was a self-contained smart city modelled on Dubai but that future has yet to arrive. The zone's flagship construction is a 14-storey luxury apartment block, the tallest building on Roatán, built, according to a local, 'without the use of a crane, labour is so cheap here'. Other planned towers remain unbuilt. Most of Próspera's current assets stem from its acquisition of a nearby hotel and golf resort. While there is no formal border separating Próspera from the rest of Roatán, visitors must register in advance and present a QR code to private security at the entrance. Registration comes with the right to purchase property and open a business. Just beyond the zone's perimeter lies the fishing village of Crawfish Rock, where English is widely spoken and the houses sit shaded beneath mango trees. The residents are descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the Bay Islands during British rule. Some locals see opportunity in the development, with Sara Stewart, a housewife saying: 'I'm OK with it. Maybe one day I could walk inside and I could get a job.' However, others aren't much fans of it: 'A president cannot sign away pieces of our country! 'And now they are suing for $11 billion. Who is going to end up paying for that? Us.' Supporters of the project argue that cities like Próspera are meant to rise above the dysfunction of traditional governments. But legal disputes and political blowback have already brought the future-facing experiment back down to earth.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tears of joy as charity horse wins a Redcar thriller for injured jockey Graham Lee
THERE were emotional scenes at Redcar today as charity horse We've Got This won for The Graham Lee Racing Club under a determined ride by Jason Hart. The filly, trained by Ivan Furtado, runs in the colours of the club, run by The Good Racing Company. Advertisement Graham, who won the Grand National on Amberleigh House before switching to the flat, suffered life-changing injuries in a fall at Newcastle in November 2023. The Good Racing Company has so far raised around £250,000 for good causes, including £40,000 for Graham and his family. Graham, who watched the Free Racing TV At Handicap close to the winning post, said: "I'm chuffed to bits. Jason gave her a great ride, and I'm pleased for all the club members who've supported the club by buying shares. It's fantastic." We've Got This and Jason Hart winning at Redcar (Image: Tony Knapton) Former champion jockey Paul Hanagan acts as a director of The Good Racing Company and chose the horse, which was gifted by Wendy and Steve Burdett of Eboracum Racing. Advertisement Paul admitted to being moved to tears by the victory, saying: "It means a hell of a lot and it's very special to be involved. I've had a lot of sleepless nights over this filly but it's brilliant for everyone. She's going to keep improving. It's fantastic for Graham to be here to see her win for the first time.' Jason Hart went on to score a hat-trick by riding a double for Charlie Johnston on Marhaba Ghaiyyath and Hot Dancer. The Johnston horse are flying with a current 23% strike rate and the momentum continued with Marhaba Ghaiyyath landing the Marske Fabrications & Engineering Handicap. The 6-4 fav stayed on stoutly to deny Cruyff Turn a fifth Redcar win for Tim Easterby. Advertisement Johnston Racing's assistant trainer Jock Bennett said: "The horses are in really good form at the moment, including the second in the Derby (Lazy Griff)." Hart made it a treble when Hot Dancer cosily landed the Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Handicap by half a length from Yabher, trained at Newmarket by William Haggas. Jock Bennett said: "We'll see what the handicapper does – that'll dictate where he goes next." The day started with a victory for local businessman Gary Wood, whose Front Gunner – trained at Leyburn by Ann Duffield – stayed on well in the opening Racing TV Free Trial Handicap under David Nolan. Advertisement Construction consultant Gary, sponsor of the Straight Mile Series at Redcar last season, said: "I've been trying to have a winner here for 10 years!" Gary, who bought the chestnut gelding as a yearling, added: "We've had our ups and downs because he's a real character, but we were hopeful today – I had a good punt last night. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't kick on from here and there's got to be a couple more wins in him." Serenity Blue, a son of Lope de Vega, cost 360,000 guineas as a yearling and he scored for the second time in a row in the Visit To Subscribe Today Novice Stakes. Adam Farragher, riding for trainer James Horton, was impressed with the chestnut colt, saying: "He just does enough but it was pretty snug in the end. He's still green and I'd expect him to come on again." Advertisement Serenity Blue had built on a promising debut with a smooth win on his last run at Nottingham. It was also a promising, gutsy run by Stay In The Game, trained by John and Sean Quinn, in second. Marajito, trained by Tim Easterby and ridden by David Allan, fought off Michael Dods' Keep The Gold in the last race, the Come Racing On Ladies' Day Tomorrow Maiden Handicap, denying Jason Hart a four-timer. Assistant Trainer William Easterby said: "We bred her, so we're really pleased with that. She's got lots of speed and we found the right race for her."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aldi is cutting prices on hundreds of items to help consumers deal with ‘sticker shock' in the rest of the world
Aldi is slashing prices on more than 400 items, aiming to ease consumer concerns over rising grocery bills. The discount grocer announced efforts Tuesday to help its customers across its 2,400 US stores save over $100 million over the summer months. From now until Labor Day, shoppers can expect lower prices on about 25% of its products, including grilling meats, organic produce, pantry items, and other popular summer items. 'Our customers count on Aldi for the lowest prices of any national grocer, every day, and we never take that trust for granted,' Jason Hart, Aldi CEO, said in a news release. 'While customers may see higher prices at other retailers, we're working hard to unlock even more value for our shoppers, just in time for summer's lineup of holidays and gatherings where food takes center stage. It's another way we're doubling down on our commitment to help shoppers fill their carts with great products for less.' The lowered prices come after the Department of Agriculture announced it expects grocery prices to rise by at least 3.3 percent this year. There have been fears of higher prices in the wake of President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement of tariffs on goods from most countries around the world earlier this year, and the changing rates and policies since then. 'We want to do what we can to help shoppers,' Scott Patton, Aldi's chief commercial officer, said in a news release. 'Value isn't a trend at Aldi. It's been in our DNA since we opened our first store nearly 50 years ago.' In February, Aldi announced plans to open over 225 new US stores in 2025, aiming for 800 new locations by 2028 as part of a five-year growth strategy. There are currently over 2,500 Aldi stores in the US.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Aldi is cutting prices on hundreds of items to help consumers deal with ‘sticker shock' in the rest of the world
Aldi is slashing prices on more than 400 items, aiming to ease consumer concerns over rising grocery bills. The discount grocer announced efforts Tuesday to help its customers across its 2,400 US stores save over $100 million over the summer months. From now until Labor Day, shoppers can expect lower prices on about 25% of its products, including grilling meats, organic produce, pantry items, and other popular summer items. 'Our customers count on Aldi for the lowest prices of any national grocer, every day, and we never take that trust for granted,' Jason Hart, Aldi CEO, said in a news release. 'While customers may see higher prices at other retailers, we're working hard to unlock even more value for our shoppers, just in time for summer's lineup of holidays and gatherings where food takes center stage. It's another way we're doubling down on our commitment to help shoppers fill their carts with great products for less.' The lowered prices come after the Department of Agriculture announced it expects grocery prices to rise by at least 3.3 percent this year. There have been fears of higher prices in the wake of President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement of tariffs on goods from most countries around the world earlier this year, and the changing rates and policies since then. 'We want to do what we can to help shoppers,' Scott Patton, Aldi's chief commercial officer, said in a news release. 'Value isn't a trend at Aldi. It's been in our DNA since we opened our first store nearly 50 years ago.' In February, Aldi announced plans to open over 225 new US stores in 2025, aiming for 800 new locations by 2028 as part of a five-year growth strategy. There are currently over 2,500 Aldi stores in the US.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aldi Just Cut Prices on 400+ Products to Help Shoppers Save Over $100 Million This Summer
Aldi is cutting prices on over 400 items—nearly 25% of its inventory—nationwide through Labor Day to help shoppers save more than $100 million this summer. Discounts of up to 33% are being applied to popular seasonal items like fresh meat, produce, pantry staples, and snacks. The move underscores Aldi's commitment to offering everyday low prices, especially during peak grocery-spending months filled with holidays and all the recent talk about rising grocery prices, whether thanks to tariffs, supply chain issues, or other reasons, Aldi is taking steps to lessen the financial impact these price hikes are having on consumers. In fact, the Illinois-based grocer just announced that it's slashing prices on nearly 25% of its inventory ahead of the official start of summer. Per a press release from Aldi, shoppers can expect to see savings on hundreds of seasonal essentials such as fresh meat for the grill, organic produce, pantry staples, and more. The savings are slated to impact more than 400 items overall, across all of Aldi's 2,400+ stores nationwide. According to Aldi's chief commercial officer, Scott Patton, prices on the aforementioned products will be reduced by as much as 33%, and this price cut will remain in effect from now until Labor Day. 'Our customers count on Aldi for the lowest prices of any national grocer, every day, and we never take that trust for granted,' Jason Hart, Aldi CEO, said in a statement. 'While customers may see higher prices at other retailers, we're working hard to unlock even more value for our shoppers, just in time for summer's lineup of holidays and gatherings where food takes center stage. It's another way we're doubling down on our commitment to help shoppers fill their carts with great products for less.' Aldi estimates that by drastically reducing prices on hundreds of items, customers will save a whopping $100 million this summer. 'This summer, we're going further to deliver more of what sets us apart, great products at the lowest possible prices,' Patton shared in a statement. 'With price drops on the season's most-loved products in every aisle, we want to do what we can to help shoppers enjoy more of summer.'To find items on sale this summer, look for the red price drops logo while exactly what products will customers save on this summer? Here are a few items that are currently on sale: Clancy's Hot Chili Lime Flavored Potato Chips: reduced from $1.89 to $1.79 Simply Nature Organic Grass Fed 85% Lean Ground Beef: reduced from $5.99 to $4.99 Friendly Farms 2% Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk: reduced from $4.39 to $3.89 Millville Chocolate Chip Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix: reduced from $3.79 to $3.49. Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Pepperoni Pizza Bagels: reduced from $6.29 to $5.99. Summit Popz Cherry Lime Flavored Prebiotic Soda: reduced from $1.59 to $1.49. Southern Grove Dried Philippine Mango: reduced from $4.09 to $3.49 Simply Nature Sprouted 7 Grain Bread: reduced from $4.09 to $3.49 Pink Lady Apples, 3 lbs.: reduced from $3.95 to $3.49 Read the original article on Real Simple 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
