Latest news with #Varghese
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What the Israel-Iran Conflict Means for Sector ETFs
ETFs tracking energy, aerospace, and defense stocks have wiped out initial losses following the onset of the conflict between Iran and Israel, instead climbing to new highs amid speculation that a prolonged conflict might drive up oil prices and fuel demand for weapons. The attacks and Iran's retaliatory strikes, which also sent shock waves through Israeli-focused funds and broader markets, have far-reaching implications, with gains and losses expected to amplify the market turmoil of the first half of 2025. Still, some experts maintain that holding is the best strategy and that diversification will continue to keep portfolios afloat, particularly since US Treasury yields have actually risen. 'This just adds to the chaos we've already had this year,' said Sonu Varghese, a global macro strategist at Carson Group. 'How we're talking to advisors is, 'Diversification may not have worked for the last 10, 15 years, but it's really showing its colors now.'' READ ALSO: BlackRock Dumps 14 Funds, Many Being Sustainable Products and Fidelity, Franklin Prep Solana ETFs with Staking The iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) — which tracks an index of Israeli firms, including its major banks, and has $272 million in assets under management — fell from $86 to $82 a share Friday afternoon, per NYSE Arca data, but has since rebounded to a high of $86.70. The ARK Israel Innovative Technology ETF (IZRL), which also tracks Israeli companies, saw a similar dip Friday but is now up to a high of $25 a share. Other sector ETFs whipsawing in the aftermath include: The United States Oil Fund LP ETF (USO), which gained 12.4% last week and is now up 5.3% YTD, reflecting the potential for a longer-term spike in crude oil prices if shipping routes — primarily the Strait of Hormuz — are disrupted. The Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET), which tracks crude oil tanker freight rates, jumped 11% Friday and has remained elevated as shipping stocks surge. Back Away, Bonds: In the wake of the strikes, investors have flocked to so-called safe haven ETFs like those tracking the Japanese yen and the long end of the yield curve (such as bonds with a maturity of more than 20 years). However, a properly diversified portfolio doesn't just rely on bonds to diversify from stocks, Varghese said, but includes things like gold and managed futures. 'There's a bull case and the bear case, and that's directly being reflected in our portfolios,' Varghese said. 'I'm not saying this was exactly predictable, but our portfolios have been positioned to account for the fact that bonds may not be the best diversifier going forward.' This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive exclusive news and analysis of the rapidly evolving ETF landscape, built for advisors and capital allocators, subscribe to our free ETF Upside newsletter. 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
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Abin Joseph Interview: Gen Z crowd's response to Narivetta is surprising
Abin's familiarity with the Adivasi lifestyle and their struggles began from a young age as he hails from Keezhpally, a region close to the Aaralam farm tribal settlements. Recalling some of his earliest memories about the tribals, he adds, "We used to visit them from school during monsoon time to help with food items, bedsheets, and clothes. They used to live in huts and temporary sheds that were much smaller and congested than the ones we showed in the film. It was much later after the Muthanga incident that some of them got their own land and houses." Abin's familiarity with the community also helped him pen dialogues in the tribal language, with assistance from some locals. Unlike many films that have mocked the language and dialect, it is used effectively in Narivetta to convey the community's struggle to be heard, without ever simplifying it. "Many complain they don't understand the dialogues spoken by the Adivasi characters, but that's the whole politics of the film. We don't understand their language, similar to how we don't understand their struggles." Post-release, there have been divided opinions about the film's decision to narrate the story from a cop's perspective rather than the Adivasis. Many feel this "outsider" perspective doesn't allow the film to get into the details of the strike or the history of injustice meted out to them. Explaining the rationale behind his choice, Abin says he was well aware of the story's potential had it been narrated from the other side, but still opted to tell it through Varghese Peter as the character was conceived as the "society's representative." He adds, "Kerala's so-called mainstream society and the media don't have a proper understanding or empathy towards the Advasis, and Varghese Peter is also one among them. He is initially least interested in their struggles; it's only after being amidst all of it that the harsh realities dawn upon him. The audience is also like him. I wanted them to travel with Varghese and experience similar realisations." Another shared sentiment about the film is the lack of strong roles from the Adivasi community, despite having characters modelled on activists like CK Janu and Geethanandan, who spearheaded the strike. Citing screen space as a problem, Abin says, "If there are multiple important characters in the film, it takes a lot of time to establish an arc for each one of them. My idea was to show them through Varghese's lens. But I still think CK Shanthi was a strong and resolute character. Moreover, with a big star and a huge budget involved, Narivetta was always designed to be part of popular cinema. That's also why I didn't research much on the incident as I felt too many facts and information might make it look like a documentary. I wanted to create a fictional character and generate the intended emotions through him." Besides Varghese, Narivetta also has a strong character in Basheer, a veteran policeman who becomes one of the victims of the revolt. While it was a Dalit constable named KV Vinod, who was killed in the original incident, the decision to fictionalise it as a Muslim character has raised some eyebrows. However, Abin clarifies that the choice to name the character Basheer had nothing to do with representation. "Basheer is the only one in the force who is considerate towards Varghese. He is a mentor figure sharing profound life lessons in very few words, just like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. So it's just a tribute." When asked if Varghese was also named similarly after Naxal Varghese, who fought for Adivasi rights, Abin chuckles, "I thought it was obvious!"
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Government formulating action plan for State Child Policy
The State government is formulating an action plan for the State Policy for Children, said Johny Tom Varghese, Director of Child Welfare and Special Services, at a State-level consultation in Chennai on Wednesday, ahead of World Day Against Child Labour. The consultation was organised by the Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He was speaking in a panel discussion on Collaboration between CACL and Government to Eradicate Child Labour. Speaking on Uninterrupted Childhood: Confronting New Realities and Formulating Strategies to Eradicate Child Labour, the Director pointed out the newly announced initiative 'Urimai Mutrum' will tackle child safety, healthy relationships and drug-related effects in the beginning phase. 'The School Education and the Children Welfare departments will work together for this initiative,' he said. Further to ensure that children who are deemed in need of care and protection continue to remain in school, Mr. Varghese stated that through the Child Welfare Committees , the child would be registered in the Education Management Information System and tracked if they miss school for over 15 days. 'An individual child care plan on nine categories is formulated and a State-level programme management unit with the School Education department will be formed to follow up on the child. We are aiming for 100% enrollment,' he stated. Advocate David Sundar Singh touched upon the various legal services offered by the State Legal Service Authority while Deputy Commissioner of Labour Ramesh Kumar spoke about the department's role in eradicating child labour. It is learnt that the action plan for the policy is expected to be out by July-end.
Economic Times
10-06-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw applauds Bengaluru professor who turned leaf into a straw: Know how it's now a global hit
— kiranshaw (@kiranshaw) Who is this professor? How did the idea come about? Live Events How did it help others? What happened next? Swadeshi Startup Award 2018 from IIT Delhi Swiss Re Shine Entrepreneur Award Climate Launchpad Award 2018 for social impact from Scotland (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Bengaluru-based billionaire Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw recently shared a video on social media that caught many people's attention. It featured a unique invention by an English professor who turned dry coconut leaves into eco-friendly straws . Her caption said it all: "Local ideas with global opportunities!"The man behind the innovation is Prof Saji Varghese , an English professor at Christ University Bengaluru . Though he holds a PhD in English, his work in sustainability has earned him praise both in India and all began on October 3, 2017, when Prof Varghese was walking home after class and spotted a dry coconut leaf on the ground. He noticed that part of it had naturally curled into the shape of a straw. Curious, he took it to a lab and steamed it under high pressure. To his surprise, the heat brought out a shiny surface on the leaf, sparking the idea of making it a plastic began experimenting with food-grade glue and different techniques. After months of trials, he developed a multi-layered straw in early 2018 that was strong, anti-fungal, and could stay firm in water for more than six hours. Even better, the straws had a shelf life of over 12 Varghese didn't stop with just creating the straws. He set up small production units in villages across Madurai Tuticorin , and Kasargod, giving jobs to rural women. The straws were launched under the brand name SunBird, and soon, local food businesses started placing innovation gained popularity quickly. Within a year, Prof Varghese's straws were being exported to 25 countries, including the US, Australia, and several European work has not gone unnoticed. He has won several awards, including:Inputs from TOI
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw applauds Bengaluru professor who turned leaf into a straw: Know how it's now a global hit
Bengaluru-based billionaire Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw recently shared a video on social media that caught many people's attention. It featured a unique invention by an English professor who turned dry coconut leaves into eco-friendly straws . Her caption said it all: "Local ideas with global opportunities!" — kiranshaw (@kiranshaw) Who is this professor? The man behind the innovation is Prof Saji Varghese , an English professor at Christ University , Bengaluru . Though he holds a PhD in English, his work in sustainability has earned him praise both in India and abroad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo How did the idea come about? It all began on October 3, 2017, when Prof Varghese was walking home after class and spotted a dry coconut leaf on the ground. He noticed that part of it had naturally curled into the shape of a straw. Curious, he took it to a lab and steamed it under high pressure. To his surprise, the heat brought out a shiny surface on the leaf, sparking the idea of making it a plastic alternative. He began experimenting with food-grade glue and different techniques. After months of trials, he developed a multi-layered straw in early 2018 that was strong, anti-fungal, and could stay firm in water for more than six hours. Even better, the straws had a shelf life of over 12 months. Live Events How did it help others? Prof Varghese didn't stop with just creating the straws. He set up small production units in villages across Madurai , Tuticorin , and Kasargod, giving jobs to rural women. The straws were launched under the brand name SunBird, and soon, local food businesses started placing orders. What happened next? The innovation gained popularity quickly. Within a year, Prof Varghese's straws were being exported to 25 countries, including the US, Australia, and several European nations. His work has not gone unnoticed. He has won several awards, including: Swadeshi Startup Award 2018 from IIT Delhi Swiss Re Shine Entrepreneur Award Climate Launchpad Award 2018 for social impact from Scotland Inputs from TOI
