WA Day Festival attendees can meet their favourite 7NEWS presenters and win Scorchers tickets at Burswood ParkThe holiday hiatus offers a natural moment for reflection. The Colorado men’s basketball team isn’t anywhere near where it hopes to be when the calendar reaches March. Yet at the end of nonconference play, with the Buffaloes’ first Big 12 Conference game in nearly 13 years officially one week away as of Monday, head coach Tad Boyle is pleased with the progress his club has made since tipping off his 15th season at CU on Nov. 4. Offensively, the Buffs are shooting well, owning a .472 overall field goal percentage alongside a .372 mark from long range. CU (9-2) has shared the ball well, averaging 17 assists per game while gradually lowering its turnover rate. The Buffs averaged an untenable 18.3 turnovers through the season’s first three games but have averaged 12.6 in the eight games since, matching a season-low with 10 in three of the past four games. Defensively, the Buffs have surrendered enough good looks along the perimeter to allow four of their 11 opponents to make at least 11 3-pointers, but CU’s overall defensive 3-point percentage of .309 is a number the Buffs would be stoked to maintain during Big 12 play. The rebounding has been a group effort — team leader Trevor Baskin averages 6.5 rebounds per game — but the Buffs have posted an average rebounding margin of plus-5.5. “I think we’ve made progress in a lot of areas on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively,” Boyle said. “We’ve shown in stretches we can really guard, and we can really defend. That we understand the scouting report and play for each other. I think offensively, we share the ball. We had 22 assists (against Bellarmine) and 10 turnovers. We’ve done a better job of taking care of the ball here lately. Now, that will be tested sorely our first conference game. “But I think we’ve gotten better in a lot of areas. I really do. I still worry about our rebounding when we play a big, physical team. That’s going to be the ultimate test. The one thing you have to understand in conference play, you don’t know where the next win’s coming from. So you’d better try to win the one right in front of you. Which for us right now is Iowa State on December 30th. We know that’s not going to be easy.” Weekly honors Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams was named the Big 12 player of the week on Monday, while Arizona State freshman Jayden Quaintance collected the newcomer of the week honor. Williams recorded 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a win against Lamar, adding 10 points, nine assists and four rebounds earlier in the week against Oral Roberts. Quaintance was named the MVP of the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic as ASU topped Massachusetts. Quaintance posted his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds, adding four blocked shots. Notable Iowa State remained the front-runner among the Big 12 schools in the Associated Press Top 25, maintaining its spot at No. 3 in the latest poll released on Monday. Kansas moved up one spot to No. 7, Houston held steady at No. 15, Cincinnati moved up two spots to No. 17, and Baylor rejoined the poll at No. 25. ... With little movement expected over the holiday week, CU began the week on Monday ranked at No. 77 in the NET and at KenPom.com.
South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial lawNoneTEN, Ltd (TEN) reported results (unaudited) for the nine months and third quarter ended September 30, 2024. In the first nine months of 2024, with 11 vessels undergoing scheduled dry docking and three performing repositioning voyages, TEN’s fleet generated healthy gross revenues and operating income of $615.8 million and $236.1 million respectively, including $48.7 million in gains from vessel sales. This resulted in net income, for the first nine months of 2024, of $157.0 million, equating to $4.62 per common share. Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) for the 2024 nine months reached $314.1 million, a $100.1 million increase from the 2024 six-month level. Fleet utilization, reflecting the fleet’s increased dry dockings and repositioning activity over the first nine months of 2024, was at 92.2% making the average TCE per ship per day settling at $33,390, a healthy and accretive level. Vessel operating expenses were at $147.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, corresponding to the increase of the fleet, both in terms of the number of vessels and vessel sizes since September 30, 2023, however, due to efficient management and enhanced fleet modernity, vessel operating expenses on a per ship per day basis experienced a 3.3% decline from the 2023 nine-month level and settled at $9,306. Depreciation and amortization combined experienced a slight increase, commensurate to both the higher number and larger size of vessels in the fleet and reached $118.4 million from $106.7 million in the 2023 same nine-months period. During the first nine months of 2024, debt repayments amounted to $155.9 million while total debt and other financial liabilities reached $1.8 billion, in line with the growth the fleet experienced from the same nine-month period in 2023, against a book value of $3 billion. Total finance costs for the first nine months of 2024 amounted to $87.4 million, mostly due to the continuing higher global interest rates and increased loans to support growth, compared to the 2023 equivalent period. Cash reserves remained solid at $386 million as of September 30, 2024, $9.2 million higher from the December 31, 2023, level, after payments of $258 million for common and preferred dividends, growth capital and the repurchase of two vessel lease options. During the summer months of 2024, lower oil prices steered an upsurge in Chinese oil imports that facilitated stockpiling and acted as a catalyst for the recovery of tanker spot rates. This resurgence also reinvigorated demand for secondhand tonnage, reinforcing market dynamics and bolstering overall sector performance. To this effect, TEN’s fleet, 43% of which operated under market-related contracts, generated over $200 million in revenue and achieved an operating income of $56.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $186.7 million and $53.0 million respectively for the same period in 2023. The resulting net income of $26.5 million or $0.67 per common share largely reflected the higher depreciation costs assumed during the quarter due to the higher number and larger size of vessels in the fleet when compared to the 2023 third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA in the 2024 third quarter amounted to $100.1 million, from $91.6 million in the 2023 third quarter. Depreciation and amortization combined were at $41.3 million, $5.0 million higher than the 2023 level, due to the increased size of fleet and number of vessels. With three vessels undergoing scheduled dry dockings during this quarter, fleet utilization settled at 92.8%, which resulted in an average TCE per ship per day of $32,539, 3.8% higher the 2023 third quarter level. Vessel operating expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were $49.1 million, $1.6 million lower than in the same period of 2023. On a per ship per day basis, these expenses experienced a 10% drop compared to the 2023 equivalent third quarter and settled at $9,188. Interest and finance costs were $32.2 million during the third quarter of 2024 after new loans for vessel acquisitions and still elevated global interest rates. In line with the Company’s semi-annual dividend policy to holders of its common stock and following the July 2024 payment of $0.60, TEN, will pay a dividend of $0.90 per common share on December 20, 2024, to holders of record as of December 16, 2024, increasing the total payments made for fiscal 2024 to $1.50, 50% higher than the 2023 distribution. Since its listing on NYSE, TEN maintains an uninterrupted dividend distribution for both common and preferred shares, totaling $870 million. In an environment where new vessel supply is at its lowest point for 30 years, tanker market prospects look promising for the near future. This, in a backdrop of increasing global energy demand, allows companies with modern diversified fleets and versatile employment structures to capitalize on the increasing appetite of energy majors for long-term contracts at healthy and accretive rates. The absence of a clear direction on future environmental engine propulsion, coupled with longer ton miles, due to geopolitical events, add to the positive environment. Our well-tested industrial shipping model places the Company in the forefront of those demands. With a strong balance sheet and ample liquidity, TEN offers environmentally friendly vessels to its client’s long-term requirements. The increased presence in the high-end dual-fuel LNG powered tanker sector is a testament to that. With 21 new vessels, three of which DP2 shuttle tankers under construction on long-term contracts to significant energy users, TEN’s long-standing presence in this high barrier to entry sector, is further enhanced. Management continues to actively explore strategic opportunities, across all sectors in which it operates. In view of the above, and in line with our commitment to always maintaining a modern fleet, TEN will also explore divestment opportunities for its earlier generation vessels and in that way monetize the full value of the assets the current market environment is providing for. Vessel employment strategies will continue to be flexible and versatile to safeguard the cash generating ability of the fleet while maintaining earnings visibility going forward. “With a fleet of 74 vessels, 11 of which underwent scheduled dry dockings this year, thus far, the fleet performed well, setting high standards for operational excellence, fleet growth and shareholders rewards. The $1.50 per common share total dividend for 2024 is proof to that,” Mr. George Saroglou, President of TEN commented. “With healthy cash balances and committed growth, we remain confident that TEN will be at the forefront of growth and value investors going forward,” Mr. Saroglou concluded. Source: TEN Ltd.
By Conor Roche A familiar face for Celtics fans is on the cover of the latest edition of Men’s Health magazine. Celtics star Jaylen Brown donned the cover of Men’s Health ‘s Winter 2024 issue. Brown, who was shirtless on the cover, spoke with Men’s Health fitness director and certified trainer Ebenezer Samuel for the cover story, which was titled “Jaylen Brown vs. the NBA, Nike, and the World.” In the story, Brown shared some of his offseason workouts with Samuel. He also shared some basketball-related thoughts, who his heroes are, and disclosed new information about his relationship with Nike. Here are four things we learned about Brown from the Men’s Health profile, which can be read here . Jaylen Brown on the cover of Men’s Health https://t.co/HFCMv8Gnby pic.twitter.com/URMnvDv8hP Mavericks coach Jason Kidd created some headlines between Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals in June, calling Brown the Celtics’ best player. Kidd’s comment was viewed as a tactic to possibly create a divide by some with the Celtics getting a strong victory in Game 1 en route to their Finals win. At the time, Brown said he had “no reaction” to Kidd’s comment. After winning Finals MVP, Brown was asked about Kidd’s comment again by Samuel. “If you ask him, I think he meant exactly what he was saying,” Brown replied. “I think he honestly believed that was just his opinion.” Brown had a strong performance in Boston’s five-game victory over Dallas. He scored 20.8 points per game to go with 5.4 rebounds, five assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the series. But his greatest impact arguably came on the defensive end, where he was the Celtics’ primary defender on Luka Doncic. The Mavericks star shot just 40.9 percent from the field and 25 percent from distance while committing five turnovers when Brown guarded him, per NBA.com’s tracking stats. Kidd and Brown have also developed a relationship off the court. The duo, who are Cal alums, formed a partnership in August to bring XChange to Oakland. Brown formed Boston XChange with help from Jrue and Lauren Holliday earlier in the summer to help “empower underrepresented creators and entrepreneurs by providing the resources, support, and opportunities needed to thrive.” For much of his career, Brown has played second fiddle to Jayson Tatum on the Celtics. Ever since Kyrie Irving’s departure in the 2019 offseason, Tatum has led the team in scoring with Brown finishing second in the team in scoring in each of the last four years. As a result, Tatum has seemed to receive a greater share of the limelight than Brown. Comments like the one Kidd made during the Finals were also frequent before they won a title as some analysts felt Brown was good enough to lead his own team or thought the partnership between him and Tatum wouldn’t work. Brown told Samuel there were times when he thought he should be getting more than what he got in Boston. “I’ve always had the understanding of a process, of a team, and I never really complained about it,” Brown said. “Have I thought I deserved more at certain points in my career? One thousand percent.” Brown didn’t specify what “more” meant in the interview. He had been the subject of trade rumors, though, in recent years, most notably being rumored as the centerpiece of a deal to acquire Kevin Durant in 2022. Obviously, the Celtics kept Brown. They later signed him to a supermax extension in the 2023 offseason that was the largest contract in NBA history at the time, which was surpassed by the extension Tatum signed in July. Now, Brown seems more secure in his role, telling Samuel that he’s “the leader of this team.” “It’s my job to bring the best out of everybody,” Brown told Samuel. “Sometimes it’s okay to take a back seat in order for other people to shine.” Brown told Samuel that he wants to have a legacy akin to the likes of Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, and Kobe Bryant. “Bill Russell, for what he spoke towards in terms of inequalities and justice for people of color,” Brown told Samuel. “Muhammad Ali, for his belief system, his faith, his charisma, his fearlessness — and his affirmation that ‘I’m the greatest.’ Kobe had that I-don’t-give-a-[expletive] attitude. Kobe’s confidence was real fulfilling, like he really thought that highly of himself — but also because he worked hard.” Brown has often shared his admiration for Russell, a Celtics icon. He was actually tardy for a Celtics practice so he could attend and speak at the City of Boston’s ceremony in renaming the North Washington Street Bridge after Russell in October. “Bill Russell transcends sports,” Brown said at the event . “I can speak on and on about his résumé, but his character, his demeanor, and how he handled himself through adversity, I think that speaks volumes, especially in a time like today. I think it’s very fitting that the bridge is getting named after him, because what a bridge does is bring people together. And the leadership of sports and the role that sports play in our society is bringing people together.” Brown has also been vocal in spreading awareness of off-court issues, similar to Russell. He drove from Boston to Atlanta to be a part of a protest at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. He’s also started off-court initiatives, like the aforementioned Boston XChange, to help reduce wealth inequality. Prior to the interview with Samuel, Brown hadn’t shared too much about his admiration for Ali and Bryant in the past. He actually has a tie to Ali, who his grandfather said he boxed against in training sessions . Brown boxed with his grandfather during the NBA’s shutdown in 2020 to remain in shape. But Brown has also spoken a lot about his faith in recent years, observing Ramadan late in the Celtics’ season on multiple occasions. He also performed Umrah as he made the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with former Celtics teammate Tacko Fall in July. Ali was also Muslim, converting to Sunni Islam during his boxing career. As for his admiration for Bryant, Brown actually mentioned the Lakers icon as one of the inspirations for why he started 741, his performance brand, in an interview with Stephen A. Smith in October. “A lot of the reason why I started this shoe company is because I read an article around 2019 or so that Kobe was doing the same thing before he passed,” Brown told Smith . On the court, Brown and Bryant have some similarities. Before leading the Lakers to titles in 2009 and 2010, Bryant was also the second fiddle of a two-star tandem with Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant and O’Neal helped the Lakers win three championships in a row from 2000-02 before their falling out led to O’Neal being traded in 2004. Brown’s beef with Nike following his Olympics snub over the summer was one of the bigger storylines surrounding the Celtics after their title win. But he actually negotiated a shoe deal with Nike, along with Under Armor and Puma, after his deal with Adidas expired in 2021, according to Samuel. There was one hold-up that Brown had with Nike and each apparel brand he negotiated with, though, claiming none of them would allow him to design his own signature shoe. “They wasted my time,” Brown said. “They pretended that they would listen. Once it gets to the contract, they’re like, ‘Well, our superstars that we have here that are — that at the time were bigger than I was — this is the contract they have.’” Brown told Samuel that his approach in negotiations probably cost him “millions of dollars worth of deals.” He opted to launch 741 ahead of the Celtics’ regular season, releasing his first signature shoe, the Rover, shortly after. In September, Brown told reporters that he’s hoping the launch of 741 will help inspire other star athletes to do something similar. “My whole ideology is being able to create other options,” Brown said. “There’s a lot of guys who feel like they want to do other things, and they’re afraid, or don’t know how. As a Player’s Association rep, I listen to them. I listen to guys’ stories as they get older. I listen to guys’ stories as they transition through their career and they wish they had other options. “So, the solution for me was to start using my platform to create [those], spark others, and show them exactly how they can do it.” Sign up for Celtics updates🏀 Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season. Be civil. Be kind.Indiana encouraged by 'total team effort' with Miami (OH) up next
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former prime minister began a “long march” from the restive northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing nighttime operation, and police are also seeking to arrest Bibi. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorized the police to respond as necessary,” Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Ali said. “If they fire bullets again, we will respond with bullets,” he said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in a hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Most demonstrators had the flag of Khan’s party around their shoulders or wore its tricolors on accessories. Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information Minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. He said the government did not want Bushra Bibi to achieve her goal of freeing Khan. “She wants bodies falling to the ground. She wants bloodshed,” he said. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed. Pakistan's Stock Exchange lost more than $1.7 billion Tuesday due to rising political tensions, according to economist Mohammed Sohail from Topline Securities. Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- Surf Air Mobility Inc. (NYSE: SRFM) (“the Company”,“Surf Air”), a leading regional air mobility platform, announced last week its four-phase Transformation Plan and a $50 million term loan that positions the Company to achieve profitability in its airline operations. Today, the Company is announcing that it has posted details about its Transformation Plan and a new investor presentation on the Events & Presentations page of the Company’s investor website here . Deanna White, Interim CEO & COO of Surf Air Mobility, said: “We are excited to introduce our four-phase Transformation Plan, which we’re confident positions us on a path to profitability. Securing the $50 million term loan completes the first phase of our Transformation Plan, and we are now entering the Optimization phase. As a result of our optimization initiatives, we expect our airline operations to be profitable in 2025.” About Surf Air Mobility Surf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based regional air mobility platform and the largest commuter airline in the U.S. by scheduled departures as well as the largest passenger operator of Cessna Caravans in the U.S. In addition to its airline operations, Surf Air Mobility is currently developing an AI powered airline software operating system and is working toward certification of electric powertrain technology. Surf Air Mobility plans to offer our technology solutions to the entire regional air mobility industry to improve safety, efficiency, profitability and reduce emissions. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995., including statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the $50 million term loan financing; Surf Air’s implementation of its transformation strategy; Surf Air’s ability to anticipate the future needs of the air mobility market; future trends in the aviation industry, generally; Surf Air’s profitability and future financial results; and Surf Air’s balance sheet and liquidity. Readers of this release should be aware of the speculative nature of forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the beliefs of the Company’s management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company and reflect the Company’s current views concerning future events. As such, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among many others: Surf Air’s future ability to pay contractual obligations and liquidity will depend on operating performance, cash flow and ability to secure adequate financing; Surf Air’s limited operating history and that Surf Air has not yet manufactured any hybrid-electric or fully-electric aircraft; the electrified powertrain technology Surf Air plans to develop does not yet exist; any accidents or incidents involving hybrid-electric or fully-electric aircraft; the inability to accurately forecast demand for products and manage product inventory in an effective and efficient manner; the dependence on third-party partners and suppliers for the components and collaboration in Surf Air’s development of electrified powertrains and its advanced air mobility software platform, and any interruptions, disagreements or delays with those partners and suppliers; the inability to execute business objectives and growth strategies successfully or sustain Surf Air’s growth; the inability of Surf Air’s customers to pay for Surf Air’s services; the inability of Surf Air to obtain additional financing or access the capital markets to fund its ongoing operations on acceptable terms and conditions; the outcome of any legal proceedings that might be instituted against Surf Air, the risks associated with Surf Air’s obligations to comply with applicable laws, government regulations and rules and standards of the New York Stock Exchange; and general economic conditions. These and other risks are discussed in detail in the periodic reports that the Company files with the SEC, and investors are urged to review those periodic reports and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov , before making an investment decision. The Company assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121114985/en/ CONTACT: Surf Air Mobility Contacts Press:press@surfair.com Investors:investors@surfair.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AUTOMOTIVE AIR EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORT SOFTWARE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: Surf Air Mobility Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 03:00 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 03:01 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121114985/en‘Defund the police’ activist goes viral after everything she owned was stolen