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Hong Kong stocks close down more than five percent

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Hong Kong stocks crumbled more than five percent on Tuesday, making it one of the worst performers on a painful day for Asian markets after a record-breaking collapse on Wall Street fuelled by concerns over rising US interest rates.

The Hang Seng Index dived 5.12 percent, or 1,649.80 points, to end 30,595.42 — its biggest close since the China-fuelled sell-off in August 2015.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 3.35 percent, or 116.85 points, to 3,370.65 while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, plunged 4.44 percent, or 80.21 points, to 1,726.09.

The HSI last month hit a series of records — hitting an all-time high of 33,484 on January 29 — as traders rode a wave of global euphoria following Donald Trump’s huge US tax cuts, strong earnings and optimism for the world economy.

The gains were also boosted by a flood of cash from mainland Chinese investors, attracted by cheaper valuations than at home, taking advantage of a cross-border stocks connect.

But the past week has seen the yield on US 10-year benchmark Treasury bills — a key guide for global rates — hit a four-year high and a strong US jobs report that also showed rising wage growth.

This sparked worries inflation would power higher, forcing the Federal Reserve to lift borrowing costs.

The losses Tuesday were the worst since August 2015, when a yuan devaluation by Beijing sparked concerns about the Chinese economy.

Still, some analysts were upbeat. “I actually think there’s buying opportunities, maybe not today, but through this week as this sell-off exacerbates,” Sean Fenton, a portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners in Sydney, told Bloomberg News.

– Energy firms tank –
Energy firms were some of the biggest losers as oil prices sank on the back of the global asset sell-off, while traders have also been spooked by news that US firms had brought more rigs online, offsetting production caps by OPEC and Russia.

At the end of the day CNOOC was down 5.17 percent at HK$11.74 while PetroChina had plunged 5.83 percent to HK$5.81 and Sinopec dived 4.59 percent to HK$6.45.

Tech companies were also handed a beating following another hammering for US titans Apple and Google parent Alphabet after they unveiled disappointing earnings reports.

AAC Technologies plunged 6.60 percent to HK$137.30 and Tencent was 7.03 percent down at HK$410.00.

Among other firms HSBC tanked 3.32 percent to HK$80.10 and Ping An Insurance was off 5.96 percent at HK$84.35.

While Shanghai avoided being dragged into a worldwide sell-off on Monday, it took a hit Tuesday, meaning it has lost about five percent since hitting two-year highs last month.

“Investor sentiment was largely affected by the slump overnight on Wall Street, which caused big selling pressure in China,” said Li Daxiao, an analyst with Yingda Securities.

China’s government, still smarting from a dizzying 2015 stock rise and crash followed by a moribund 2016, has taken increasing steps over the past year to steady the nation’s often volatile share markets.

Li said “we can’t exclude the possibility” that authorities played a role in helping limit China’s share losses on Tuesday.

Shanghai shares ended higher on Monday, bucking hefty selling elsewhere.

“China markets usually are independent from global markets, so investors do not need to worry too much,” Li said.

Insurance companies were among the biggest losers in Shanghai. Ping An Insurance gave up 2.56 percent to 73.77 yuan and China Life Insurance dropped 2.85 percent to 31.04 yuan.

Banking giant ICBC lost 2.32 percent to 7.57 yuan and China Construction Bank retreated 3.98 percent to 9.40 yuan.

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Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Officially Finalise Divorce Settlement 2 Years After Marriage

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Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Finalise Divorce Settlement | fab.ng

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck will finalise their divorce on February 20, 2025, following a mutual agreement confirmed in court documents obtained by E!

News on January 6. The couple reached an amicable settlement that allows each party to retain their individual earnings from their two-year marriage, with no spousal support requirements.

Lopez filed for divorce in Los Angeles on August 20, 2024, citing April 26, 2024, as their separation date. The filing date coincidentally aligned with the anniversary of their 2022 wedding ceremony in Georgia, which followed their initial Las Vegas elopement.

The settlement stipulates that Lopez will revert to her maiden name after previously changing it to Affleck during their marriage. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez agreed to the terms without dispute.

Their relationship history spans over two decades, beginning on the set of their film “Gigil” in 2002. At that time, Lopez was married to her second husband, Cris Judd. Following her divorce from Judd in 2003, Lopez and Affleck publicly announced their relationship.

Lopez’s marriage to Affleck marked her fourth union. Her previous marriages include a brief partnership with Ojani Noa (1997-1998). Marriage to Cris Judd (2001-2003) followed. Furthermore, a decade-long marriage to Marc Anthony (2004-2014) produced twins.

Between her marriages, Lopez maintained a high-profile relationship with former baseball player Alex Rodriguez from 2017 until their engagement ended in 2021.

The 55-year-old Lopez and 52-year-old Affleck’s divorce proceedings concluded a relationship that garnered significant public attention.

This is throughout its various phases, from their initial meeting in 2002 to their reunion and subsequent marriage in 2022.

Check out more updates here.

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Beyoncé Achieves Historic Milestone As Most Certified Female Artist

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Beyoncé is most RIAA certified female artist of all time | fab.ng

Renowned singer Beyoncé has solidified her position as the most certified female artist of all time, a distinction bestowed upon her by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Her recent surge in song certifications has propelled her to an impressive total of 103 RIAA-certified titles, surpassing all other female artists in this category.

The RIAA celebrated this monumental achievement in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Crowning achievement! Congratulations to @Beyonce, who now holds the record for the most certified titles for a female artist in RIAA history, including her first two Diamond singles! @parkwood @columbiarecords,” RIAA announced in a post on X on Tuesday.

Among her numerous accolades are Diamond certifications for two iconic singles: “Halo” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” These certifications signify extraordinary sales and streaming figures.

Additionally, Beyoncé boasts a string of impressive certifications for her albums. “Renaissance” has achieved 2x Platinum status, “Lemonade” has attained 4x Platinum, and both “Sasha Fierce” and “Dangerously In Love” have earned 7x Platinum certifications.

This latest milestone further solidifies Beyoncé’s legacy as one of the most influential and successful artists of all time.

Her ability to consistently deliver groundbreaking music that resonates with audiences worldwide has undoubtedly contributed to her unparalleled success.

Check out more music updates here.

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“Gladiator II” Becomes Denzel Washington’s Most Successful Movie With $320 Million Worldwide Gross

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Gladiator II is Denzel Washington's Most Successful Movie | fab.ng
Gladiator II has become the highest-grossing film of Ridley Scott’s career. The movie features the legendary actor Denzel Washington.

Known as one of Hollywood’s most respected figures, Washington has built an extraordinary career filled with iconic performances and critical acclaim.

His influence extends far beyond Hollywood, earning him global admiration. However, despite his illustrious career, Washington has not always been the first name associated with record-breaking box office success compared to some of his contemporaries.

His recent collaboration with Ridley Scott has now changed that narrative. Gladiator II has shattered expectations, becoming Washington’s highest-grossing film worldwide.

The movie has earned an impressive $320.2 million globally. This surpasses his previous record-holder, American Gangster, which grossed $267.9 million.

This milestone solidifies Gladiator II as Washington’s most financially successful film directed by Scott.

Domestically, American Gangster has maintained its position as Washington’s top-earning film for 17 years, with a domestic gross of $130.1 million.

However, this record may soon be eclipsed by Gladiator II, which has already reached $111.4 million domestically and continues to draw large audiences.

The success of Gladiator II marks a significant achievement in Washington’s career. It shows his enduring appeal and the powerful collaboration with Ridley Scott.

 

This box office triumph not only highlights Washington’s versatility and star power but also sets a new benchmark for future projects.

Fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely, anticipating how far this latest release will go in redefining the actor’s box office legacy.

READ ALSO: Gladiator II” Records ₦99.1 Million In Its Opening Weekend At The Nigerian Box Office

Throughout his decades-long film career, Washington has taken on a variety of action roles, many of which have been box-office successes.

The Equaliser franchise, for instance, has grossed approximately $190 million worldwide per installment.

Even some of his less critically acclaimed films, such as 2012’s Safe House, achieved significant commercial success, grossing $208.1 million against a budget of $85 million.

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