4 milyon
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SAND SPRINGS, Okla. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Webco Industries, Inc. (OTC: WEBC) today reported results for our first quarter of fiscal year 2025, which ended October 31, 2024 . For our first quarter of fiscal year 2025, we had a net loss of $0.1 million , or a loss of $0.13 per diluted share, while in our first quarter of fiscal year 2024, we had net income of $5.1 million , or $6.25 per diluted share. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 were $141.4 million , a 10.4 percent decrease from the $157.8 million of sales in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Dana S. Weber , Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair, stated, "The domestic manufacturing economy has been worsening over the past year. Further, we have certain markets that are being adversely impacted by foreign imports. We continue to focus on positioning Webco for various economic environments and opportunities by maintaining a strong balance sheet and good liquidity and making compelling investments in our business. Our total cash, short-term investments and available credit on our revolver were $89.0 million at October 31, 2024 , which we believe to be a competitive advantage." In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, we had income from operations of $1.1 million after depreciation of $4.7 million . The first fiscal quarter of the prior year generated income from operations of $8.0 million after depreciation of $3.7 million . Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $13.6 million , or 9.7 percent of net sales, compared to $21.6 million , or 13.7 percent of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $12.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and $13.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. SG&A expenses in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 reflect a decrease in costs related to lower profitability, such as company-wide incentive compensation and variable pay programs, offset by inflation we have experienced in wages and other expenses. Interest expense was $1.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 and $1.3 million in the same quarter of fiscal year 2024. Average construction-based investments decreased in fiscal year 2025 and, as a result, capitalized interest decreased $0.2 million when compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Capitalized interest decreases net interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Notwithstanding capitalized interest, the impact of increased interest rates was more than offset by lower average debt balances. Capital expenditures incurred amounted to $5.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, down from $10.1 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Included in our capital spending for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 was construction of our F. William Weber Leadership Campus, which houses our Tech Center and corporate headquarters. The Tech Center, which is the tip of the spear that leads Webco's trusted and technical brand throughout our industry, was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024. As of October 31, 2024 , we had $18.6 million in cash and short-term investments, in addition to $70.4 million of available borrowing under our $220 million senior revolving credit facility. Availability on the revolver, which had $44.0 million drawn at October 31, 2024 , was subject to advance rates on eligible accounts receivable and inventories. Our term loan and revolver mature in September 2027. Accounting rules require asset-based debt agreements like our revolver to be classified as a current liability, despite its fiscal year 2028 maturity. Webco's stock repurchase program authorizes the purchase of our outstanding common stock in private or open market transactions. In September 2023 , the Company's Board of Directors refreshed the repurchase program with a new limit of up to $40 million and extended the program's expiration until July 31 , 2026. We purchased 2,850 shares of our stock during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. Including the current fiscal year, Webco has purchased approximately 158,000 shares over the course of the last five fiscal years. The repurchase plan may be extended, suspended or discontinued at any time, without notice, at the Board's discretion. Webco's mission is to continuously build on our strengths as we create a vibrant company for the ages. We leverage our core values of trust and teamwork, continuously building strength, agility and innovation. We focus on practices that support our brand such that we are 100% engaged every day to build a forever kind of company for our Trusted Teammates, customers, business partners, investors and community. We provide high-quality carbon steel, stainless steel and other metal specialty tubing products designed to industry and customer specifications. We have five tube production facilities in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania and eight value-added facilities in Oklahoma , Illinois , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Texas , serving customers globally. Our F. William Weber Leadership Campus is in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and houses our corporate offices and our Webco TechCenterTM, providing a state-of-the-art laboratory and R & D facility to lead and develop technical solutions. Risk Factors and Forward-looking statements: Certain statements in this release, including, but not limited to, those preceded by or predicated upon the words "anticipates," "appears," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forever," "hopes," "intends," "plans," "projects," "pursue," "should," "will," "wishes," or similar words may constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied herein. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include the factors discussed above and, among others: general economic and business conditions, including any global economic downturn; government policy or low hydrocarbon prices that stifle domestic investment in energy; competition from foreign imports, including any impacts associated with dumping or the strength of the U.S. dollar; political or social environments that are unfriendly to industrial or energy-related businesses; changes in manufacturing technology; the banking environment, including availability of adequate financing; worldwide and domestic monetary policy; changes in tax rates and regulation; regulatory and permitting requirements, including, but not limited to, environmental, workforce, healthcare, safety and national security; availability and cost of adequate qualified and competent personnel; changes in import / export tariff or restrictions; volatility in raw material cost and availability for the Company, its customers and vendors; the cost and availability, including time for delivery, of parts and services necessary to maintain equipment essential to the Company's manufacturing activities; the cost and availability of manufacturing supplies, including process gases; volatility in oil, natural gas and power cost and availability; world-wide or national transition from hydrocarbon sources of energy that adversely impact demand for our products; problems associated with product development efforts; significant shifts in product demand away from internal combustion engine automobiles; appraised values of inventories that can impact available borrowing under the Company's credit facility; declaration of material adverse change by a lender; industry capacity; domestic competition; loss of, or reductions in, purchases by significant customers and customer work stoppages; work stoppages by critical suppliers; labor unrest; conditions, including acts of God, that require more costly transportation of raw materials; accidents, equipment failures and insured or uninsured casualties; third-party product liability claims; flood, tornado, winter storms and other natural disasters; customer or supplier bankruptcy; customer or supplier declarations of force majeure; customer or supplier breach of contract; insurance cost and availability; lack of insurance coverage for floods; the cost associated with providing healthcare benefits to employees; customer claims; supplier quality or delivery problems; technical and data processing capabilities; cyberattack on our information technology infrastructure; world, domestic or regional health crises; vaccine mandates or related governmental policy that would cause significant portions of our workforce, or that of our customers or vendors, to leave their current employment; global or regional wars and conflicts; our inability or unwillingness to comply with rules required to maintain the quotation of our shares on any market place; and our inability to repurchase the Company's stock. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any such forward-looking statements. No assurance is provided that current results are indicative of those that will be realized in the future. - TABLES FOLLOW - WEBCO INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data - Unaudited) Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 Net sales $ 141,386 $ 157,837 Cost of sales 127,740 136,231 Gross profit 13,646 21,606 Selling, general & administrative expenses 12,564 13,629 Income (loss) from operations 1,082 7,977 Interest expense 1,151 1,293 Pretax income (loss) (69) 6,684 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 37 1,600 Net income (loss) $ (106) $ 5,084 Net income (loss) per share: Basic $ (0.13) $ 6.43 Diluted $ (0.13) $ 6.25 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 798,000 790,000 Diluted 798,000 814,000 CASH FLOW DATA (Dollars in thousands - Unaudited) Three Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 13,851 $ 18,050 Depreciation and amortization $ 4,694 $ 3,696 Cash paid for capital expenditures $ 5,551 $ 12,588 Notes: Amounts may not sum due to rounding. WEBCO INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands - Unaudited) October 31, July 31, 2024 2024 Current assets: Cash $ 2,485 $ 1,171 U.S. Treasury Bonds 16,103 15,903 Accounts receivable 58,668 70,249 Inventories, net 174,673 169,513 Prepaid expenses 9,303 9,530 Total current assets 261,233 266,366 Property, plant and equipment, net 168,748 168,186 Right of use, finance leases, net 954 1,043 Right of use, operating leases, net 21,891 21,879 Other long-term assets 15,696 15,611 Total assets $ 468,522 $ 473,085 Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 30,230 $ 28,109 Accrued liabilities 32,706 33,066 Current portion of long-term debt, net 43,799 49,115 Current portion of finance lease liabilities 427 429 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 5,178 5,063 Total current liabilities 112,340 115,782 Long-term debt, net of current portion 20,000 20,000 Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion 574 657 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 16,577 16,653 Deferred tax liability 39 886 Stockholders' equity: Common stock 9 9 Additional paid-in capital 54,545 54,256 Retained earnings 264,437 264,842 Total stockholders' equity 318,991 319,107 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 468,522 $ 473,085 Notes: Amounts may not sum due to rounding. CONTACT: Mike Howard Chief Financial Officer (918) 241-1094 mhoward@webcotube.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webco-industries-inc-reports-fiscal-2025-first-quarter-results-302320142.html SOURCE Webco Industries, Inc.NEW YORK , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A closed-end fund that invests in global equities using a disciplined value approach Average weekly trading volume of approximately 48,746 shares Fund's adviser has more than 50 years of small- and micro-cap investment experience CLOSING PRICES AS OF 11/30/24 NAV 13.80 MKT 11.79 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN AS OF 11/30/24 NAV (%) MKT (%) One-Month* 4.23 2.50 Year to Date* 17.75 20.89 One-Year 28.25 30.00 Three-Year 1.68 -1.71 Five-Year 7.89 7.98 10-Year 7.78 7.38 *Not Annualized Important Performance and Expense Information All performance information reflects past performance, is presented on a total return basis, and reflects the reinvestment of distributions. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than performance quoted. Returns as of the most recent month-end may be obtained at www.royceinvest.com . The market price of the Fund's shares will fluctuate, so that shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when sold. The Fund invests primarily in securities of small-cap and mid-cap companies, which may involve considerably more risk than investing in larger-cap companies. The Fund's broadly diversified portfolio does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its net assets in foreign securities, which may involve political, economic, currency and other risks not encountered in U.S. investments. PORTFOLIO DIAGNOSTICS Average Market Cap 1 $2686.5M Weighted Average P/E 2 23.3x Weighted Average P/B 2 3.0x Net Assets $87.8M Net Leverage 2.6 % 1 Geometric Average : This weighted calculation uses each portfolio holding's market cap in a way designed to not skew the effect of very large or small holdings; instead, it aims to better identify the portfolio's center, which Royce believes offers a more accurate measure of average market cap than a simple mean or median. 2 Harmonic Average : This weighted calculation evaluates a portfolio as if it were a single stock and measures it overall. It compares the total market value of the portfolio to the portfolio's share in the earnings of its underlying stocks. The Price-Earnings , or P/E, ratio is calculated by dividing a company's share price by its trailing 12-month earnings-per-share (EPS). The Fund's P/E ratio calculation excludes companies with zero or negative earnings (18% of portfolio holdings as of 11/30/24). The Price-to-Book, or P/B, Ratio is calculated by dividing a company's share price by its book value per share. The Price-to-Book , or P/B, Ratio is calculated by dividing a company's share price by its book value per share. Net leverage is the percentage, in excess of 100 %, of the total value of equity type investments, divided by net assets. Portfolio Composition TOP 10 POSITIONS % OF NET ASSETS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) FTAI Aviation 4.1 Tel Aviv Stock Exchange 3.0 SEI Investments 2.6 Sprott 2.3 ESAB Corporation 2.2 Protector Forsikring 2.1 Alamos Gold Cl. A 2.0 APi Group 2.0 Viper Energy Cl. A 2.0 Morningstar 2.0 TOP FIVE SECTORS % OF NET ASSETS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) Industrials 35.4 Financials 25.9 Information Technology 15.6 Materials 7.5 Health Care 5.4 Recent Developments The investment goal of Royce Global Trust is long-term growth of capital. Under normal market circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities, such as common stock and preferred stock, and at least 65% of its net assets in the equity securities of companies located in at least three countries outside of the United States . Royce & Associates, LP manages the Fund. Daily net asset values (NAVs) for Royce Global Trust are now available on our website and online through most ticker symbol lookup services and on broker terminals under the symbol XRGTX. For more information, please call The Royce Funds at (800) 221-4268 or visit our website at www.royceinvest.com . An investor in Royce Global Trust should consider the Fund's investment goals, risks, fees, charges, and expenses carefully before purchasing share's of the Fund's common stock. Important Disclosure Information Closed-End Funds are registered investment companies whose shares of common stock may trade at a discount to their net asset value. Shares of each Fund's common stock are also subject to the market risks of investing in the underlying portfolio securities held by the Fund. Royce Fund Services, LLC. ("RFS") is a member of FINRA and has filed this material with FINRA on behalf of each Fund. RFS does not serve as a distributor or as an underwriter to the closed-end funds. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royce-global-trust-nyse-rgt-as-of-nov-30-2024-302338581.html SOURCE Royce Global Value Trust, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
By Christian Agadibe Awalife Nigeria Limited has announced Habib Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, as its latest brand ambassador. Portable is no stranger to the Awalife family, having headlined Nigeria’s first-ever celebrity boxing match organized by the company, where he squared off against Charles Okocha. Commenting on the decision to bring Portable on board, Awalife spokesperson Prince Jothan said: “Despite his quirks, Portable embodies the spirit of a social enterprise and aligns with Awalife’s values. His authenticity and connection to everyday Nigerians make him the perfect ambassador to represent our mission of creating an ethical lottery platform that combines empowerment, fairness, and community impact.” Portable joins a growing team of distinguished ambassadors, including Nkechi Blessing, Dr. Jaiye Kuti, and Lekan Olaleye, also known as King Kong. Together, they form a star-studded lineup that represents Awalife’s vision of redefining the lottery landscape in Nigeria. Awalife’s ethical lottery model continues to garner nationwide acclaim. Recent winners include a man from Abeokuta who won an iPhone 16 Pro Max but opted for a ₦1 million cash prize instead; a University of Ibadan student who hit the first-ever Winner Guarantee Jackpot of ₦1 million. These inspiring success stories highlight the fairness and accessibility of Awalife’s platform which provides participants with both opportunities to win big and Awalife Nigeria Limited is the trailblazer of the ethical lottery model, redefining the industry through fairness, transparency, and social impact. By combining entertainment with empowerment, Awalife is creating a revolutionary platform that brings value to participants.UK prepares to stave off Musk’s power that he has flexed in US and GermanyLast-minute bargain hunters send holiday retail sales higher than last year, Mastercard says
The Prime Minister will this week kick off what he has called the “next phase” of Government, as he announces the markers for his “missions” that Number 10 say will allow the public to hold Sir Keir and his team to account on their promises and will be reached by the end of the Parliament. The milestones will run alongside public sector reform, Downing Street said. This will include a focus on reforming Whitehall, spearheaded by the as-yet-unannounced new chief civil servant the Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet ministers, so it is geared towards the delivery of Labour’s missions, according to Number 10. The same focus will also influence decisions for next year’s spending review, it has been suggested. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, the Prime Minister compared “focusing the machinery of government” to “turning an oil tanker” and said that “acceptance of managed decline” has “seeped into parts of Whitehall”. “The British people aren’t fools. They know a ruthless focus on priorities is essential,” he wrote. The Sunday Times reported that one of the milestones would focus on early education, with the aim to raise the number of children who are ready for school, educationally and socially. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said that “it’s estimated that more than a million school days worth of teacher time each year is spent dealing with” children who are not prepared for school. Labour’s missions, as laid out in their July election manifesto, focus on economic growth, energy security and cleaner energy, the NHS, childcare and education systems, as well as crime and criminal justice. Ahead of revealing the details, Sir Keir said in a statement: “This plan for change is the most ambitious yet honest programme for government in a generation. “Mission-led government does not mean picking milestones because they are easy or will happen anyway – it means relentlessly driving real improvements in the lives of working people. “We are already fixing the foundations and have kicked-started our first steps for change, stabilising the economy, setting up a new Border Security Command, and investing £22 billion in an NHS that is fit for the future. “Our plan for change is the next phase of delivering this Government’s mission. “Some may oppose what we are doing and no doubt there will be obstacles along the way, but this Government was elected on mandate of change and our plan reflects the priorities of working people. “Given the unprecedented challenges we have inherited we will not achieve this by simply doing more of the same, which is why investment comes alongside a programme of innovation and reform.” The so-called “missions” outlined in Labour’s election manifesto focused on five key policy areas: kickstart economic growth; make Britain a clean energy superpower; take back our streets; break down barriers to opportunity; and build an NHS fit for the future. 🚨 New polling with @ObserverUK Keir Starmer has seen an 8 point drop in his net approval rating after a significant uptick in the number disapproving of his performance. 22% approve of his performance vs. 54% who disapprove. This gives Starmer a net rating of -32%. pic.twitter.com/J33nMnwflP — Opinium (@OpiniumResearch) November 30, 2024 The announcement comes after a first five months in office that has seen anger over Budget proposals and reports of tension in Number 10. Polling for The Observer newspaper by Opinium indicates that more than half of the public disapprove of the Prime Minister’s performance. According to the survey of approximately 2,000 adults, 54% of people disapprove of his performance, compared with 22% who approve, leaving him with a net rating of -32%.Our editors’ favorite products from 2024
TROY, N.Y. — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers (5-5-1) men’s hockey team faced a tall task as they hosted the No. 5 University of Maine Black Bears (9-2-2) at Houston Field House on Saturday afternoon in Troy. In the first of a two-game set, the Black Bears slowly built up a lead and busted it open in the third period for a 6-0 victory. The Black Bears opened the scoring at the 9:37 mark of the first frame. Sophomore forward Charlie Russell, from Owen Fowler and Lynden Breen, made it 1-0. Speaking of Breen, the graduate student forward had quite [...]
NBA fines Minnesota guard Edwards $75,000 for outburstCINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots. At 7-8, the Bengals are on the bubble along with two other teams that have the same record, the Colts and Dolphins. To have a chance, the Bengals will need to beat the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) on Saturday, then try to take down the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale. They’ll need some help from other teams, too. The rub for the Bengals is that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. Now with some momentum for the first time, the Bengals will have to clear that hurdle. “It’s just what it’s supposed to feel like for us. This is our expectation,” coach Zac Taylor said after the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 24-6 on Sunday. “We just put ourselves in a position to now play some real meaningful games. ... We found a way to get the win and now we can turn our focus to a short week and the Denver Broncos.” What’s working Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven consecutive games. One of his TD passes, to Tee Higgins, came as he was falling down. He finished 23 for 30 for 252 yards. ... Ja’Marr Chase continues to build his resume as he strives to win the receiving “triple crown.” He had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and leads the league in receptions, yards and TDs. ... K Cade York tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal. “The guys have responded this way all season,” Taylor said. “We lost some heartbreakers to be quite frank, and games that just came down to the end. It doesn’t mean that we’ve had a bad football team and we weren’t in it. We’ve been in this, and now — I don’t want to say getting our confidence back, because we’ve had confidence — but we’re just making the plays necessary at the critical points of the game to take control of these games. That’s really what’s happened the last three weeks, and we’ve got to continue that.” What needs help Burrow has fumbled 10 times this season. Against the Browns, he lost a fumble on a strip-sack with the Bengals on the Cleveland 2-yard-line. Stock up Last week, S Jordan Battle scooped a fumble and ran it all the way back, only to fumble as he crossed the goal line, leading to a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone. The Bengals’ defense has nine takeaways in the past two games. Stock down Cincinnati’s depleted offensive line allowed four sacks. Injuries The offensive line took a hit when tackle Amarius Mims went out with an ankle injury and didn’t return. Key number 5.1 — Yards per carry by RB Chase Brown, who seems to get better every week. He had 18 carries for 91 yards. Next steps The Bengals continue their improbable effort to slip into the playoffs when they host the Broncos in their home finale on Saturday. They finish the season the following week at Pittsburgh. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Nanaia Mahuta was honoured at the Labour Party conference with a life membership. Photo: RNZ By Lillian Hanley of RNZ Former Labour minister and Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta says it is an "important" and "exciting" time to be "re-entering" politics. She made the comments during her first public appearance with the party since its election defeat last year. During the party conference in Christchurch on Saturday, Mahuta's 27 years of service was honoured and she was presented with a life membership. Leader Chris Hipkins handed over the award to acknowledge, thank and celebrate an "outstanding member of the Labour whānau and an extraordinary New Zealander". He said she had dedicated her life to being a "servant of the people" and was a "true source of hope, vision and aspiration". Hipkins spoke of Mahuta's work establishing Māori wards and working to implement the Three Waters policy, which saw her face "outright racism" as a result. In accepting the award, Mahuta spoke to members who she said gave her the "great honour of serving a party I believe in". "I am here because of you, the faithful members of the Labour Party who continue to fight the fight day in, day out, for the values that we all believe in." Those were social justice, workable solutions to address inequity and poverty, and building a shared vision for the country, she said. She told the audience to look around the room, "look at the person next to you". "This is New Zealand. This is the New Zealand we want, for our tamariki, for our mokopuna, and it embraces everybody." She encouraged the audience to support the current Labour caucus, "charged with the responsibility of navigating a political system that has to bring everybody with us, whether they voted for us or not". One year on It was the first party-related event Mahuta had attended since taking a year off after losing her seat at the last election. Mahuta told RNZ it was great to "re-enter" the political perspective of the Labour Party one year on. "I gave myself one year post the election to be able to reflect on the 27 years that I've spent serving, and I needed that time for me." But she said she had come back specifically to ensure the party delivered a Labour government that could support the types of issues she believed were core to New Zealand. "For example, Te Tiriti in its place within the constitutional foundation of this country is not negotiable, and it's important to me that Labour continues to ensure that that is the case, and they're doing that." It was an "exciting time" to be re-entering politics, but that it was important as well, she said. When asked if she would be running in the next general election, she said that was not her "intention". "My intention is to be able to support a strong Labour bid to earn the trust of voters to say, 'this is what we stand for'." She said it was going to be a "battle" to pitch in 2026 in a way that would convince a broad range of people that "there's nothing to fear from having a strong foundation and vision for our future". Over the past year, she felt Labour had been more emboldened to say it did stand for "Treaty-based decision making", which would lead to a path of building "our sense of national identity and who we are as a country", she said. That was "unlike the others who want to turn the clock back and want to put all of this in question". Reflecting on the previous term, she said while she was proud of Labour's achievements, it might have "tried to do too much in the period of time that we had the opportunity to govern". "We have to reflect on that. We have to show the constituents and the voters of New Zealand that, on questions like CGT, we've got to take people with us. So that's our aim now, is to build the constituency of support to go forward." Mahuta was unseated in Hauraki-Waikato by Te Pāti Māori's Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who recently started a haka in Parliament's debating chamber during the first reading of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. Maipi-Clarke was young, and "her passion should be applauded to the extent that she is not defined by an opinion of what's not right", Mahuta said. "She has been growing in a community of being positively and confidently, Māori, Waikato, Ngāpuhi and everything that she can whakapapa too. That's important, and that's the generation that my kids are growing up in." The important task ahead for Maipi-Clarke was to develop her skill set to "translate that into political capital that delivers to her people", and she should be given "time to grow that talent", Mahuta said. "There's one thing doing the haka, there's another thing delivering to her electorate. "The threshold of expectation is to deliver. It's not what you say, it's what you do."
LOS ANGELES — It certainly seems calculated. Pete Carroll, scheduled to begin teaching at USC this spring, has reportedly expressed interest in the Chicago Bears' head coaching job. Likely of no coincidence is that the Seattle Seahawks — the team Carroll coached for 14 seasons — visit the Bears on "Thursday Night Football." The broadcasters are spoon-fed a talking point while noting that the Bears have lost nine games in a row, including all three under interim coach Thomas Brown. A delicious detail is the shared USC history of Carroll and Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Carroll coached the Trojans from 2001-2009, posting a 97-19 record and winning national championships in 2003 and 2004. Williams was an appendage to new Trojans coach Lincoln Riley, transferring to USC as a sophomore in 2022 and winning the Heisman Trophy. Although 2023 didn't go as well, Williams was the first pick in the NFL draft. Chicago needs an impact coach. Carroll is one, or at least was for a long time, leading the Seahawks to nine consecutive winning records, 10 playoff berths and a Super Bowl title. He is one of four head coaches — Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson and Jim Harbaugh are the others — to have led teams to a college national championship and a Super Bowl appearance. But Carroll is 73 and appeared done when he was nudged out the door by the Seahawks after the 2023 season — although his contract paid him $15 million through this season. In August, he seemed lukewarm, replying to a question about his coaching future on a Seattle radio station by saying, "I could coach tomorrow. I'm physically in the best shape I've been in a long time. I'm ready to do all the activities I'm doing and feeling really good about it. I could, but I'm not desiring it at this point." Yet sitting at home watching 17 weeks of football apparently rekindled the fire. Carroll initiated this story. He wants it known. He's interested in coaching the Bears, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Carroll declined to comment when reached by The Los Angeles Times. Remember that in his final days in Seattle he repeatedly said he wanted to continue coaching, putting an exclamation point on his intentions shortly after his last game by saying those comments were "true to the bone." NFL head coaches have been skewing younger. If Carroll were hired, he'd be seven years older than the current oldest NFL head coach, Andy Reid, although it bears mention that Reid's Kansas City Chiefs are 15-1 and defending Super Bowl champions. Carroll has always appeared younger than he is, exhibiting boundless energy and enthusiasm in a profession that can jade men. The Bears are one of at least three teams — the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets are the others — that will be shopping for a head coach when the season ends. Chicago fired Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, one day after a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions that concluded with perplexing clock mismanagement by the coach and his quarterback. Williams has had a roller-coaster season, mixing brilliant plays with poor decisions. He's been sacked a league-leading 60 times yet hasn't thrown an interception in nine games. Working under Carroll, who developed Russell Wilson even though the pair had their share of differences, could accelerate Williams' improvement. All of a sudden, the USC class Carroll is scheduled to co-teach this spring is in jeopardy. The Marshall School of Business offering is called "The Game Is Life: a new course designed to help students develop their personal game plan for life after graduation, while using their USC education to conquer challenges along the way." Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit can unpack it all Thursday night while the Bears try to win for the first time since Oct. 13 against the Seahawks, whose sideline still seems strange without Carroll bounding, grimacing and grinning. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Colorado U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert broke new ground over the weekend when she became the first sitting member of Congress to offer personalized messages for sale — starting at $250 — through . The Windsor Republican, who won election to this month after moving across the state, started the account Saturday. The website allows customers to buy personalized video messages from celebrities. On Monday morning, Boebert advertised her messages starting at $250, though she stopped taking requests by 10:45 a.m. mountain time. “Whether you or someone you know needs an America-first pep talk, if you want to surprise friends or family with a message for a special day, or if you just want to know my thoughts on whatever’s on your mind, Cameo is the place to connect with me,” Boebert says in an introductory video. Brandon Kazimer, a Cameo spokesperson, confirmed that the account belonged to Boebert. Boebert’s office declined to comment Monday. Kazimer said she’s the first sitting member of Congress to sign up for the service as talent. At least two other former members of Congress, George Santos of New York and Matt Gaetz of Florida, have sold videos on the platform. Santos soon after he was expelled from Congress last year over allegations he for personal financial gain. Gaetz, who is a friend of Boebert’s, Friday, days after he withdrew his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to be the U.S. attorney general following that he paid a teenage girl for sex. Boebert does not appear to have advertised the service on her other social media accounts on X or Facebook. will limit how much Boebert can earn from the videos. In 2023, members were limited to making $31,815 in outside income beyond their annual $174,000 salaries. She will have to report any earnings from Cameo on her annual disclosures. The law also prohibits people from using their public office to make outside money, said Kedric Payne, a vice president and senior director of ethics for the Campaign Legal Center. Ultimately, the restriction is meant to give voters confidence that elected officials aren’t using public office for personal gain — or putting that gain ahead of their public service. Boebert describes herself on Cameo as “Not your typical Colorado Republican politician. Jesus loving, Constitutionalist, America first, freedom fighter.” An earlier version of her Cameo page listed Boebert as a politician and categorized her as a political commentator, but it was updated to list her under the influencers category. Because she doesn’t use her title or appear to use other facets of her public job for the videos, such as filming in her congressional office, “that should take away any concern she’s trying to use her public job for personal gain,” Payne said. He added that the limit on outside income also anticipates these kinds of problems by limiting the incentive for members to spend more effort on outside business ventures than their public service. But, he noted, people can cross that line quickly if it’s not clear if they’re acting in their public or private capacity. The earned income that’s subject to the annual cap is considered separate from passive income made through things like stock market investments, Payne said, because it is actively made by selling goods and services. “We’ll be watching to see if this becomes a trend,” Payne said of the Cameo side work. “If this is just a one-off where someone does this for a month or so, that’s one thing — but if it becomes a trend, where members of Congress are trying to act as influencers and get paid, that could point to a bigger problem.”Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause
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Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes wrapped up a successful regular season on Friday with a 52-0 blowout win over Oklahoma State. Sitting at 9-3, the Buffs spent Saturday awaiting a potential spot in the Big 12 title game. Amid some chaotic finishes on Saturday, a notable coaching shakeup in the state of Florida has some wondering whether it could impact Sanders' coaching future in college football. ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported that UCF head coach Gus Malzahn has resigned from his position to join Florida State's coaching staff heading into 2025. According to Thamel, Malzahn will now serve as FSU's offensive coordinator and primary play caller. That duty was previously held by current Florida State head coach Mike Norvell. Norvell fired both his offensive and defensive coordinators on Nov. 10 after a 52-3 blowout loss to Notre Dame. © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Sanders, who played for FSU from 1985-88 before going on to have a Hall of Fame NFL career, has long been connected by fans and media to the Florida State job since his time leading Jackson State. The 57-year-old has repeatedly stated that he's content at Colorado, and as recently as November following speculation connecting him to one of his former teams, the Dallas Cowboys. Much could still change as the 2024 season wraps up, but Malzahn's move makes it even more unlikely Sanders will be patrolling the FSU sidelines anytime soon. "I'm happy where I am, man," told reporters on Nov. 19. "I've got a kickstand down. You know what a kickstand is? ... That means I'm resting. I'm good, I'm happy, I'm excited. I'm enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here, truly do." “I got a kickstand down...I’m happy, I’m excited, I’m enthusiastic about where I am. I love it here." - Deion Sanders when asked about his name being brought up in conversations about other jobs pic.twitter.com/mHKYK9N5wN Plus, Colorado recently landed five-star quarterback recruit Julian "JuJu" Lewis to replace Deion's son Shedeur Sanders, who will enter the 2025 NFL draft as a likely first-round pick . Florida State proved to be one of the best teams in college football a year ago with a 13-1 record after a loss in the Orange Bowl. Still, Norvell, currently in his fifth season at the helm, has been under fire all season long. The 2-9 Seminoles have played to their worst record since 1974 when the school went 1-10 under then-head coach Darrell Mudra. Muddying the waters, though, is Norvell's bloated contract. The 43-year-old signed an eight-year, $80 million extension in the offseason, making him the sixth-highest paid coach in the sport. As of Nov. 15, his buyout — if FSU wanted to move on in order to make a new hire — would be $61.4 million, according to USA Today . Related: Deion Sanders Earns Huge Bonus After Colorado-Oklahoma State Blowout Related: Terrell Owens Gets Brutally Honest on Controversial Travis Hunter DecisionPublished 16:47 IST, November 30th 2024 Bengaluru techie loses Rs 91 lakh in stock market scam; fraudsters used fake apps, lured with profits. Zerodha CEO Kamath shares safety tips. Bengaluru: A 39-year-old software engineer, Ranjan (name changed), lost nearly Rs 91 lakh in a sophisticated stock market scam involving fake trading apps and promises of massive returns. The incident highlights the growing menace of financial frauds, as noted by Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath, who shared preventive tips and expressed concerns about scammers leveraging artificial intelligence. How the Scam Unfolded The ordeal began when Ranjan (Name Changed) received a WhatsApp message offering stock market training and asking him to vote for fraudsters in a so-called "Global AI Smart Trading Competition." He was added to a Telegram group where a person named Chandra Takal, claiming to be a trading expert, provided guidance on trading strategies and directed him to download two apps. One app displayed investment and profit details, while the other, named Dwaai, facilitated transactions. Initially, Ranjan was lured with small profits of 5-10% on his trades. Convinced by the returns, he invested progressively larger amounts and even participated in IPOs under the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) category, with promises of at least 50% profit on listing day. When Ranjan's investment reached ₹28 lakh, he was persuaded to borrow funds through a fraudulent banking app. His total investments eventually reached ₹91 lakh. The scammers then blocked his access to the app, claiming he needed to repay a ₹63 lakh loan before selling his "IPO stocks." Despite paying the demanded amount, further withdrawal attempts were blocked under the pretext of foreign transaction fees and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. Realizing he had been defrauded, Ranjan approached the police. Kamath’s Warnings and Tips Highlighting the rise of financial scams, Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath stated, "The trend of these frauds is increasing. The past 9 months alone have had scams worth ₹11,000 crores! I dread to think what it will be like once the fraudsters use AI. 😔" Kamath advised users to safeguard their digital presence, suggesting, "Change the settings on your WhatsApp and Telegram so strangers can't add you to groups. Here's screenshots of the settings screen that show how to do it." Scammers’ Modus Operandi Scammers often lure victims by mimicking legitimate platforms. “You are asked to install fake trading apps that look exactly like those of major brokers. On the first couple of trades, you will make money. This is designed to convince you that you can make a lot of money,” Kamath explained. Legal Action Initiated The East CEN Crime Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 318 (cheating). Investigations are underway to trace the fraudsters and recover the lost funds. This case underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of trading platforms and exercising caution in digital interactions to avoid falling victim to similar scams. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 16:47 IST, November 30th 2024
