Latest news with #FCB
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayern Munich join race to sign Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens
Kicker reports that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are getting serious about acquiring young English talent Jamie Gittens. Chelsea have also set their sights on the Borussia Dortmund professional, but the English and German club remain far apart in negotiations over the transfer fee. Bayern board-member-for-sport Max Eberl has left the Club World Cup and returned to Germany in order to take a more active role in shoring up his club's summer purchases. The German publication has plenty of news to offer up on other candidates Eberl and the FCB front office are considering. Advertisement Kicker notes that FCB moves for Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Rafael Leo (AC Milan), and Cody Gakpo (Liverpool are appearing less likely to join the German giants. Williams is reported to prefer a move to FC Barcelona. Gakpo – with a price tag of €70m – is considered a disproportionate investment. Leo could still head to Bavaria, with former Serie A defender Kim Min-jae serving as a bargaining chip in a potential swap deal. Other players such as Bradley Barcola of Paris St. Germain and Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion, are no longer serious targets for Eberl and his staff. Kicker cites its own sources to claim that Eberl has already held talks with Gittens' entourage. Given that Dortmund held firm against Chelsea's pursuit of the 20-year-old, organizing a transfer sham, not prove easy. Even a fourth Chelsea bid totaling some €55m was said to be rejected by BVB. GGFN | Peter Weis
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mathys Tel joins Tottenham permanently
After rumors began surfacing Saturday evening, Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel's permanent move to Tottenham was confirmed Sunday morning. In a recent interview, FCB board-member-for-sport Max Eberl noted that the Bundesliga Champions wished to conclude the deal as promptly as possible. Everything is now sewn up. Kicker confirms reports that the Premier League club will pay €35m for the 20-year-old. Tel departs Germany having scored 16 goals in 83 competitive appearances for his German club. Thus far, he's notched only three tallies for his new North London outfit. The 2024/25 Europa League winners nevertheless prepare to bank on his potential. Advertisement 'Mathys Tel joined FC Bayern as a very young player and took his first steps in top-flight international football here,' Eberl noted in an FCB statement. 'He was a popular figure in our team who always gave his all for the club and the team. It has become clear that the move to Tottenham is the right step for his development.' GGFN | Peter Weis
Sunday World
10-06-2025
- Sunday World
Irishman allegedly tried to steal €200k of drugs he found floating in sea near Santa Ponsa
A pre-trial indictment drafted after the 24-year-old was charged accused him of wading into the water to pick up a 31 kilo bundle PUBLIC prosecutors have demanded a four-and-a-half year jail sentence for an Irishman who allegedly tried to steal more than €200,000 of cannabis he found floating in the sea off a Majorcan beach. A pre-trial indictment drafted after the 24-year-old was charged accused him of wading into the water to pick up a 31 kilo bundle of hash "with the intention of selling the drugs." He was arrested just after 3pm on October 24 2023 along with a second Spanish suspect aged 25 at a beach called Cala Blanca near the popular holiday resort of Santa Ponsa. Santa Ponsa. Photo: Getty News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10 A security guard called police when he spotted them leaving the sea with the bale of cannabis, with Barcelona Football Club initials stamped on it, after it was abandoned by traffickers during a failed drug drop in a storm. Cops found them soaking wet and sitting near a Volkswagen Golf with the same package hidden behind it after following a trail of blue raffia from the cannabis bale. Spanish prosecutors, who valued the drugs at €211,967 in a three-page indictment, flagged up how the blundering alleged thieves had lost the keys to the car as they tried to 'flee the scene' with the drugs. The suspects have been on bail for the past near two years since their arrests and appearance before an investigate magistrate who decided there was enough evidence to charge them with a drugs offence following a lengthy behind-closed-doors criminal probe. Police had been placed on alert around the time they were held after drugs washed ashore in the Majorcan municipalities of Calvia and Andratx. Officers were pictured at the time recovering a blue bale of cannabis with the initials FCB - Futbol Club Barcelona - stamped on it in black which appeared near the Brismar Hotel in Port Andratx. Subsequent local reports said 19 bales had been recovered in just three days between October 21 and 24 2023. Some holiday beaches were briefly cordoned off after the drugs washed ashore. The cannabis resin finds were linked to a failed attempt to smuggle the drugs into one of the Balearic Islands during a storm. As well as a lengthy prison sentence if they are convicted, public prosecutors are also seeking fines of €840,000 for each man. It was not immediately clear this morning if the Irish national lives in Majorca or was holidaying in the area at the time, and when he will go on trial. In October 2020 Spanish police seized an estimated £14 million of drugs thanks to Storm Barbara. Nearly 90 bales of cannabis resin weighing three tons washed up on Isla Canela beach near Ayamonte close to Spain's south-west border with Portugal. Police had to use several vehicles to move them. A high-speed boat that had run aground and is thought to have been employed by the unlucky drugs smugglers was also seized so forensic experts could go over it for clues. A number of young Brits including several women have been arrested in the last few weeks and accused of trying to smuggle drugs in different parts of the world. A glamorous British OnlyFans model is languishing in prison near Barcelona after being caught trying to smuggle nearly £200,000 worth of drugs into Spain. Clara Wilson, from Huthwaite, Notts, has been charged with a drug running offence after more than 34 kilos of cannabis were found in her suitcase at the Catalan capital's El Prat airport. And the pretty 36-year-old has been warned she faces being caged for up to four years and ordered to pay more than £750,000 in fines if convicted. Clara was held as she got off a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on January 20 although she is thought to have travelled to Barcelona from Bangkok with stopovers in India and Qatar. She was remanded to prison two days after her arrest and has been held there ever since as part of her pre-trial detention. British OAP William Eastman, 79, is currently languishing in a Chilean prison after being arrested at Santiago International Airport with five kilos of methamphetamine worth an estimated £200,000. A 23-year-old British woman in Ghana was arrested last month after being accused of attempting to bring up to 18kg of cannabis into the UK on a May 18 British Airways flight to Gatwick. Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation in early May after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. However, it was later revealed that the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, had been arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia, allegedly carrying 30 pounds (14kg) of cannabis into the ex-Soviet nation. And recently 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo after police discovered 46 kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase. The former flight attendant, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted, is claiming she had 'no idea' about the drugs worth up to £1.2 million and insisting they must have been planted in her luggage without her knowledge.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Avangaad posted steady financial performance in Q1 FY25
KUALA LUMPUR: Avangaad Bhd, a marine transportation and offshore storage specialist, reported a relatively steady financial performance for the first quarter (Q1) of the financial year ending December 31, 2025 (FY25). The group recorded a revenue of RM29.97 million for Q1, a decrease of 3.94% from RM31.20 million recorded in Q1 FY24. The marginal year-on-year revenue decline was primarily due to the anticipated transition between the expiry of existing fast crew boat (FCB) contracts and the commencement of replacement engagements. Net profit for Q1 FY25 decreased 32.49% to RM4.654 million from RM6.89 million posted in Q1 FY24. Avangaad said the succession contracts for three FCBs have already commenced within the current quarter, with the remaining expected to come online in Q2 2025 — a development expected to support topline recovery progressively. Importantly, the dip in Q1 earnings was mitigated by the group's solid operational fundamentals and high earnings visibility. The group has a secured order book of RM141.7 million and an additional RM214.6 million available under optional contracts. The consistent structure and tenure of Avangaad's contracts continue to anchor a stable revenue base and a resilient earnings trajectory. Meanwhile, the group's proactive resolution of key outstanding matters has markedly strengthened its financial position, reflected in the cash balance rising 138% from RM19.1 million to RM45.5 million within the quarter. This substantial improvement in liquidity enhances the group's financial flexibility, supporting ongoing operational momentum and providing headroom to capitalise on future growth opportunities. Avangaad has sustained a structured and client-centric engagement strategy despite ongoing market volatility, offering relevant marine service solutions tailored to evolving operational needs. The group's fleet contracts remain resilient, supported by high committed utilisation rates and consistent demand across its deployed vessels. This operational strength is reflected in the group's healthy operating cash flow, which rose to RM32.03 million, an over fivefold increase from RM6.27 million in the corresponding period last year. For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the group's charter hire segment recorded stronger customer concentration, with three external customers contributing 68% of total group revenue, up from 41% contributed by two customers in the corresponding period last year. Revenue attributable to these key customers rose to RM20.42 million, representing a 60.5% year-on-year increase from RM12.72 million. This reflects growing demand and strategic traction in the group's core marine services operations, underpinned by sustained fleet deployment and deeper penetration in key accounts. Avangaad has proposed acquiring the marine consultancy company Bumi Jaya Shipcare Sdn Bhd (BJSSB) and two tugboats for RM49.0 million in March 2025, which aligns with its strategic growth plans. This move is expected to expand the fleet from 26 to 31 vessels by the third quarter of 2025. It will strengthen the group's service capacity and operational readiness to support regional offshore activities and shape its role as a dependable, scalable marine service provider. Avangaad executive director Datuk Wira Mubarak Hussain Akhtar Husin said the company's fundamentals remain strong, with solid operational cash flow and a substantial order backlog driving its growth strategy forward. 'We will continue to optimise fleet utilisation and cost efficiency, positioning the group for sustained performance and long-term profitability. 'Backed by a diversified contract portfolio and long-term tenures, the group is strategically positioned to scale as a leading marine service provider. 'Enhanced capacity and operational readiness continue to support sustained performance and strengthen the Group's market positioning for long-term growth. 'Looking ahead, Avangaad is committed to improving operational efficiencies, maximising fleet utilisation, and continuously exploring new business opportunities to sustain earnings stability and cash flow certainty,' he said. Mubarak Hussain said the company's fundamentals remain strong, with solid operational cash flow and a substantial order backlog driving its growth strategy forward.
Mint
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Monsoon & Musings: India's ad brains ponder Goafest's future
In the thick, humid air beneath Goa's monsoon clouds, where lanyards wilted and creative egos clashed in beachfront banter, India's advertising tribe came together once again. Marking its 20th edition and held at a brand-new venue, the country's most prominent advertising and media congregation served up its trademark cocktail of panels, parties, and the Abby Awards. But this time, the aftertaste wasn't just celebratory. Beneath the cheers and chilled beer, a sobering sentiment simmered: Is Goafest still the North Star of Indian advertising? Also Read | Patanjali pulled up by the SC: Truth matters in advertising 'We must count our blessings," said Dheeraj Sinha, group chief executive officer (CEO)—India and South Asia, FCB, and a key organizer. 'We're back in Goa, the scale is bigger, participation is much higher than in Bombay... more agencies are winning... a lot of thought has gone into the programming." Indeed, the numbers were up, a record 4,076 Abby entries were filed by 233 organizations. Attendance surpassed the previous year's Mumbai edition. There was a visibly wider spread of winners. Newer agencies and emerging voices were finding space. The intermittent rains added a romantic, reflective mood to the fest, with delegates lingering in open courtyards for deeper conversations. But not all was well in paradise. Also Read | Advertising sentiment remains subdued during festive quarter The celebrity sessions were packed, and the awards nights were electric. But the knowledge sessions, which were intended as the intellectual anchor of any serious industry event, struggled for footfall. 'You can't just inject people into rooms; you have to attract them in," Sinha conceded. 'There are questions around the show's format, the content, the awards... and our approach is to be extremely open." The call for a bigger tent Ashish Sehgal, chief growth officer—ad revenue at Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said, 'The industry has a unique opportunity to steer the coveted Goafest towards a more future-ready vision, positioning it as India's answer to Cannes. While the event continues to be a strong platform, there's room to enhance its value by going beyond sponsored narratives and include broader, skill-driven sessions centred around emerging media trends." He pointed to the absence of upskilling opportunities for young talent. 'While some star presence helps draw crowds, real value lies in offering fresh learning and meaningful engagement. Masterclasses were a welcome step, and the Abbys continue to be the prestigious and credible highlight. However, more exposure and access are needed for younger talent to learn from seasoned professionals, showcasing new-age insights blended with the power of traditional media." Also Read | Are advertising agencies dying? Long may the art of persuasion live There is also a fundamental question of access. 'Greater inclusion of mid-tier advertisers, regional agencies and emerging entrepreneurs is crucial and will only strengthen the platform. With collaboration across sectors, Goafest can continue to evolve into a true celebration of creativity, learning and innovation," he said Beyond the awards-driven psychology Shashi Sinha, executive chairman of IPG Mediabrands India, was just as direct. 'The business has moved completely, and maybe we haven't caught up. The people who run this — people like us — are still mainstream agency folks. We talk about data and tech, but we are not really integral to this event." For him, the awards have become the centrepiece rather than the outcome. 'Plan a Goafest without the awards first," he challenged. 'Build it around learning, innovation, and industry evolution. That will change the entire psychology. There's nothing wrong with the awards per se. But if you build the festival around them, that's a problem. We need a high-quality, working festival that begins with the right priorities. Think of this as a festival for the industry. What is the main agenda? That's what needs clarity." But the emotional heft of recognition cannot be dismissed. 'It still matters," said Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi India, BBH India and Saatchi Propagate. 'To that kid who picks up an award? It's a moment of recognition." Still, Srivastava isn't blind to the cracks. 'This year, we let delegates vote on session topics. We're also floating the idea of collecting feedback... the intent is there." The real pivot, he argued, must be philosophical, shifting from a pure celebration to a platform that helps the industry evolve through panels that provoke and conversations that challenge. Surfing the waves of change That sentiment resonated with Shubhranshu Singh, chief marketing officer (CMO) at Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles. 'There are high waves of change: automation, AI and the decline of globalization. Brand builders need to learn surfing. Being an expert swimmer is becoming a basic requirement," he warned, adding that 'mistakes should be celebrated, too." Abraham Thomas, CEO of Reliance Broadcast Network, a Goafest regular for over a decade, concurred. 'The panels need to move beyond casual chat. It's time to infuse structure, data, diverse perspectives, and fresher voices. Let's break the old boys' club and reimagine this for the next 20 years, not the last." Even Manisha Kapoor, CEO of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), while acknowledging the value of formal sessions, emphasised the informal ones. 'Beyond the formal events, the informal conversations and reconnections are extremely valuable." That, perhaps, is Goafest's enduring paradox. Its structured sessions might falter, but its unstructured moments, the impromptu brainstorms, poolside provocations, and chance reconnections, are where its pulse lies. But as Kapoor's insight suggests, in a modern festival, even serendipity must be designed for. Charm and legacy can only take it so far. Not in an industry fuelled by disruption. Not when younger creatives are asking harder questions. Not when brands are demanding proof, not praise. Goafest 2025 had the weather, the winners, the whisky, and yes, the will to listen. What it now needs is the courage to reinvent. Because, as one executive murmured, raising a toast under the Goan drizzle, 'You can't call it the festival of creativity if the conversations have stopped being creative."
