LinkedPrime
Jobs

News from November 12, 2025

131 articles found

No one took her seriously, but this superstar continues to prove her critics wrong
Technology

No one took her seriously, but this superstar continues to prove her critics wrong

Braving the wind and rain on Tuesday evening, fans who were lucky enough to land a ticket to Rae’s first ever Australian show were met with oversized wrought iron gates bearing an oversized A on the stage of The Forum, as well as a chandelier and candelabra hanging for good measure. When the 25-year-old and her four dancers took to the stage blindfolded and wearing neon lingerie to open with Fame is a Gun, the entire crowd erupted and set the tone for the next hour. Having spent her childhood as a dancer (the very talent that helped her amass close to 90 million followers on TikTok and make her among the most followed content creators on the platform), Rae moved through the set to songs such as New York, Summer Forever, High Fashion and released a sea of rainbow balloons from the ceiling during Headphones On. As a whole, the highly choreographed moves and costume changes made the experience feel like a glorious mashup of early ’00s and ethereal pop, a high school theatre performance and a Dancing With the Stars special. When four fans were pulled onstage during Rae’s cover of Charli XCX’s Von Dutch to join in her now signature microphone scream mid-song, Rae told the audience, “just because I didn’t pick you tonight doesn’t mean you can’t prove to me why I should have picked you”. Her closing track, her biggest hit to date, Diet Pepsi, performed while she was clad in a giant tutu, felt like the natural culmination of an evening celebrating the evolution of someone many thought would never make it out of their dance studio into a bona fide pop icon-in-the-making.

Unknown
Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend speaks out over Cowboys star’s death
Sports

Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend speaks out over Cowboys star’s death

Marshawn Kneeland’s girlfriend is breaking her silence following the death of the Dallas Cowboys defensive end. “I’m grieving hard right now,” Catalina Mancera told the Daily Mail on Monday, November 10. “It will be a long time before I’ll feel ready to talk at any length.” Kneeland died on Thursday, Nov. 6, following a brief police chase. The NFL star was found dead near his abandoned car on the Dallas Parkway due to an apparent suicide. Mancera told authorities that Kneeland had “a history of mental illness.” As the family continues to grieve the loss of Kneeland, Mancera shared that they are planning the athlete’s burial services. “We’re still in the early stages of everything,” Mancera added. “We are working on the funeral arrangements. I don’t know where it’s going to be yet.” Kneeland’s cousin, Nicole Kneeland-Woods, also spoke to The Daily Mail and said that despite Mancera’s claim on the state of her late brother, “There were no previous signs or indications that Marshawn was dealing with mental issues.” “Marshawn was a strong, loving person who cared deeply about his family and everyone around him,” Nicole added. His family broke their silence on Kneeland as he spoke about his character and thanked fans for their support during this difficult time. “He was kind, determined, humble, and full of love,” they wrote in a post on Facebook. “His light shone brightly in every life he touched, and his spirit will continue to live on through the countless hearts he inspired.” “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, fans, and the community,” they concluded. “During this difficult time, we ask for privacy as we come together as a family to honor and remember Marshawn’s life and legacy.”

Autumn Hawkins
Blue Jays rumors: Toronto offseason free agency update will have fans thrilled
Sports

Blue Jays rumors: Toronto offseason free agency update will have fans thrilled

The Toronto Blue Jays have entered the offseason with a different kind of energy — one fueled by postseason success and newfound respect across baseball. Fresh off a World Series run, the club’s front office has emerged as one of the most aggressive groups at the MLB GM Meetings, signaling a new era for a franchise once viewed as a secondary destination. The surge in free agency buzz surrounding the Blue Jays has captivated both fans and agents across the league. In a report written by Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi, multiple agents detailed how the team’s postseason momentum has reshaped the perception of Toronto’s front office. The writers noted that the club’s early presence in Las Vegas has turned heads across league circles, especially as the Blue Jays aggressively pursue top-tier talent and establish themselves among baseball’s most active offseason contenders. One agent told the Canadian-owned network that baseball tends to have “a pack mentality,” and with the success players are having with the Blue Jays, the nationwide fan excitement, and the positive feedback on the team’s facilities, “it should be easier for them to get players” this offseason. A second agent echoed that optimism, saying Toronto is “hungry” and “acting like the big boys,” while confirming that the club is pursuing premier starting pitchers, late-inning relievers, position players, and talent from Asia. “They’re in every market,” said the second agent. That mindset is what makes this stage of the Blue Jays offseason so compelling. The front office isn’t satisfied with a pennant — it’s building toward another World Series run. The organizational approach from Toronto blends postseason credibility with financial muscle and elite scouting, proving this team now stands shoulder to shoulder with baseball’s true heavyweights. As the winter market unfolds, the message from Las Vegas is clear — the Blue Jays are no longer just chasing opportunities. They’re creating them and redefining their identity as one of baseball’s most ambitious, respected, and determined franchises heading into 2026.

Josh Davis
Plan for children to face life sentences draws wave of condemnation
Politics

Plan for children to face life sentences draws wave of condemnation

Proposed laws that would allow children as young as 14 to be sentenced as adults have drawn a wave of condemnation from human rights and legal experts, while the opposition insists the plan is not tough enough. Premier Jacinta Allan revealed that complex legislation required to change the way violent youth offenders are dealt with by the justice system was still being drafted, with a bill to be introduced to parliament by the end of this year. “I want adult time for violent crime to commence as soon as possible,” she said. “We must send a very clear message, and indeed deliver the serious consequences that need to come as a result from people who commit these violent crimes.” But the plan was immediately denounced by the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC), Youthlaw, and the Les Twentyman Foundation, 54 reasons (which implements Save the Children services in Australia) and the Greens as a shameful and punitive overreach.

Daniella White,Rachel Eddie
Dredging transforms the sea at St Kilda beach into smelly black treacle
Technology

Dredging transforms the sea at St Kilda beach into smelly black treacle

“We do sand testing prior to any dredging works being done so we know it’s not contaminated,” she told this masthead. “It comes out black and once it goes onto the beach they spread it out, and it dries and oxidises, and then it turns white.” The deep colour of the sand comes from naturally occurring organic material, including decomposed plants and animals on the sea floor. As it is dredged up, sulphur is also released, contributing to the strong smell. Workers are currently dumping the dredged sand onto the beach at Shakespeare Grove, near Luna Park. While it is smelly – locals on social media describe it as sulphuric, like rotten eggs – the Environmental Protection Authority said it should dissipate within days.

Bianca Hall
As Spyware Companies Get Chummy with White House, Apple and WhatsApp Say They’ll Protect Your Phone
World

As Spyware Companies Get Chummy with White House, Apple and WhatsApp Say They’ll Protect Your Phone

Statements that they’ll help thwart “mercenary spyware” are putting Apple and Meta on the side of platform users with fears about spying tools. The Guardian reports that two spyware firms with ties to Israel are seeking to “make inroads with the Trump administration.” Those companies include the NSO Group—the notorious seller of the powerful Pegasus mobile spyware—and a firm called Paragon, which has previously contracted with the government. Due to its many, many controversies over the years, NSO has had its fair share of financial problems, but the Israeli firm was recently bought by a U.S.-based group of investors. David Friedman, who previously served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel during his first administration, has been named NSO’s new head executive. Recently, Friedman told the Wall Street Journal that he wanted to cozy up to the White House and sell NSO’s services to American law enforcement agencies. “If the administration, as I expect they’ll be, is receptive to considering any opportunity that might keep Americans safer, it will consider us,” Friedman told the newspaper. Paragon, meanwhile, is another Israeli spyware firm that was also recently purchased by an American company. Last December, Paragon, maker of a piece of spyware called Graphite, was acquired by a U.S. investment firm called Red Lattice, Reuters previously reported. The Guardian notes that Paragon has worked in the past with the U.S. government, having “entered an agreement with ICE in 2024, under the Biden administration.” The outlet writes: Several people who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the relatively small contract had slipped under the White House’s radar until it was reported by Wired. The contract was then paused in order to determine whether the contract met the requirements of an ambitious executive order that had been signed by the White House in May 2023 and prohibited the operational use of spyware that poses “risks to national security or has been misused by foreign actors to enable human rights abuses around the world.” NSO has been accused of letting its products hack into some of the most prominent web messengers and platforms—including Meta’s WhatsApp and Apple’s iMessage. Paragon has also been accused of allowing its tool Graphite to target WhatsApp users. Now, The Guardian reports that both of those companies are pledging that they will protect mobile users from any future spyware. A spokesperson from Apple told The Guardian: “Threat notifications are designed to inform and assist users who may have been individually targeted by mercenary spyware and geographic location is not a factor in who they are sent to.” Apple did not respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment. When reached for comment by Gizmodo, a Meta spokesperson said: “WhatsApp’s priority is to protect our users by disrupting hacking efforts by mercenary spyware, building new layers of protection and alerting people whose device has come under threat, no matter where they are in the world.” Gizmodo reached out to NSO for comment. It was unclear how to reach Paragon Solutions, as its website didn’t appear to have a contact portal. NSO has previously claimed that its products do not target U.S. citizens. Authorities in the U.S. have had their eyes on these spyware firms for some time—albeit for different, often contradictory, reasons. On the one hand, in 2021, the Biden administration acknowledged that companies like NSO were having a detrimental impact and blacklisted it from U.S. investment. On the other hand, the FBI also spent years mulling whether to use the spyware for domestic law enforcement investigations. Now, the two powerful cyberweapons distributors seem to be attempting to cozy up to the Trump administration.

Lucas Ropek
Jaire Alexander stepping away from football after Eagles trade
Sports

Jaire Alexander stepping away from football after Eagles trade

Jaire Alexander is one of the more popular names in the NFL. Football fans across the country are aware of how talented Alexander is at playing the cornerback position against some of the best wide receivers in the league. The former Green Bay Packer is a two-time second-team All-Pro player in 2020 and 2022. He played for the Packers for six seasons but was released from the team in June. Roughly 10 days later, Alexander signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Alexander’s tenure with the Ravens did not go nearly as planned, as he ended up being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline. The cornerback played in only two games and was a healthy scratch for five of them. It’s unclear why he wasn’t involved more, but you never know what a player/athlete can be going through. Alexander recently explained why he was riding the bench in Baltimore. Jay Glazer with the NFL on Fox reported that Alexander is now stepping away from football, just ten days after being traded to Philadelphia. “Former Pro Bowl CB Jaire Alexander has decided to step away from football to try to focus on getting himself right physically and mentally before deciding on his future. Alexander informed the Eagles of his decision today, @nflonfox has learned.” Dianna Russini is also saying that Alexander is “contemplating retirement.” “I’m told Jaire is contemplating retirement but for now is stepping away to think through his next steps. Sources tell me and @MikeSilver the Eagles have kept conversations private over the last few days.” The hope is that this time away can be exactly what he needs. At 28 years old, the former All-Pro has a lot left in his gas tank.

Chris Spiering
Virtual reality: How a Sydney golfer qualified for the NSW Open on a fake golf course
Sports

Virtual reality: How a Sydney golfer qualified for the NSW Open on a fake golf course

The 35-year-old, originally from Glasgow, is a professional golfer who came to Australia a decade ago to pursue a career as a footballer; he was a semi-pro player for Stirling Albion and played for Hakoah in Sydney. But after getting a job at Royal Sydney golf course, he switched studs for golf spikes and is now in his third year of the membership pathway program with the Australian PGA. Macpherson competes occasionally but practices often using a simulator, so he was well-prepared when Golf NSW announced it was launching a virtual tournament, with a first prize of $10,000 and a start in the NSW Open. “I play a fair bit of indoor golf,” Macpherson said. “I’m a bit of a gear head, so I like to look at all numbers and data and stuff like that. Then I saw Golf NSW had come up with this pathway, and so I entered the qualifying and got into the final, and then it all paid off, thankfully.

Unknown
‘Warning cops!’: new tech coming to Aus
Technology

‘Warning cops!’: new tech coming to Aus

Read Today's PaperTributes 1:58AMWednesday, November 12th, 2025 Set your local weather Read Today's Paper Today's Paper The Daily Telegraph Tweed Daily News The Coffs Coast Advocate North Shore Times Wentworth Courier Mosman Daily Liftouts & Magazines Body + Soul Real Estate Sydney Weekend TAB Form Guide Campbelltown-Camden St George and Shire Canterbury-Bankstown Eastern Suburbs North Shore South East Sydney Sydney City Blue Mountains Byron Shire Central Coast Coffs Harbour Port Macquarie South Coast Tweed Heads Wagga Wagga Local Sport Breaking News Police & Courts Bush Summit I Catch Killers JMO Confidential Mates Under Fire Read Today's Paper Classifieds Back Australia Let Them Be Kids Northern Territory South Australia Western Australia The Chart Room Dear Rachelle The Mushroom Cook Birtles and the Bean Middle East North America New South Wales Northern Territory South Australia Schools Hub Early Education Exam Results Higher Education Future of Work Student Life Mental Health Technology & Digital Safety Family Health Heart Health Endometriosis Neurodivergence Mental Health Anxiety & Depression Weight Loss Strength Training Cosmetic Health Mindfulness Sexual Health Mental Health Health Funds Piers Akerman Andrew Bolt Peta Credlin Joe Hildebrand James Morrow James Campbell James O'Doherty Vikki Campion Public Defender Business News New South Wales Northern Territory South Australia Australian Economy Small Business Stocks & Shares Entrepreneurs Leaders & Companies Women in Leadership Opinion & Analysis Barefoot Investor Cryptocurrency Aviation & Frequent Flyers Superannuation & Retirement Entertainment Books & Magazines Celebrity Life Celebrity Style Competitions Delicious 100 Cryptic Crossword Real Estate Relationships Pets & Wildlife Sydney Weekend Safe Driving SuperCoach NRL NRL Tipping Schoolboy Cup SuperCoach AFL AFL Tipping Women's Sport SuperCoach BBL Women's Cricket SuperCoach NBL Horse Racing Super Rugby Local Sport More Sports American Sports Paralympics Daily Telegraph NRL SuperCoach NRL The Matty Johns Podcast Live Streams Other Sports KTV Partners Motoring News Lexus and Toyota consider drones for sports cars New cutting-edge car technology set to be introduced to Australia could keep an eye out for cops on the road - far beyond simply warning about speed radar traps. David McCowen @davemccowen November 12, 2025 - 11:39AMMotoring Прослушать эту статью Copied URL to clipboard news.com.au Deep dive: Future of car design with Lexus and Ian Cartabiano Lexus designer Ian Cartabiano leads reporters on a tour of the manufacturer's stand at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Motoring News Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Toyota is working on technology that will help car lovers make the most of every drive. The brand showed off upcoming features at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo that promised to help drivers have fun in cars, avoid accidents and become better drivers. They might even use it to avoid fines for speeding and other forms of dangerous driving. Lexus unveiled a planned rival to the Porsche 911 in the Lexus Sport concept, a sleek two-door expected to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine. MORE: Auto giant to ditch annoying tech Lexus LS Sport Concept. Picture: Supplied Lexus designer Ian Cartabiano says one of the more interesting features on the model is a high-speed drone integrated into its bodywork. In the same way that military reconnaissance forces might use a drone to scout ahead for potential trouble, the Lexus drone can identify potential hazards on the road ahead. “The idea on this car is that it would launch at speed and it could, in this car, follow you on a track day, recording your ultimate track day, and you could review it later at home with your buddies,” he said. “Or it could fly ahead of you and it could help you find the perfect apex line around the corner, it would feed that back to the head up display or to the computer control system in the interior. Lexus is experimenting with connected drones. “Could it look ahead for cops? I’m not saying anything about that.” Toyota executive Akihiro Sarada, president of the manufacturer’s software development centre, said an electronic warning system currently under development could help drivers understand when to be extra cautious, and when they can enjoy the performance of sports cars. “With connected technology, one thing we realised is this can avoid dangers,” he says. “Drivers want to have excitement in driving. The new tech could potentially look ahead for police. Picture: Alan Barber “By using connected data, thy are able to receive announcements that if it is this state, or under this condition, they are able to have more fun when driving - ‘right now it’s safe’, then several seconds later there is this kind of risk that might come to you. MORE: Toyota stuns with Rolls-Royce rival 2025 Lexus LS Sports Concept car. Picture: Supplied “By receiving that warning beforehand they are able to confidently drive with fun.” Sarada says the system could warn of the potential presence of pedestrians. Toyota, which makes some of the most engaging sports cars on sale, is wrestling with increasingly strict driver monitoring systems and safety features that may not be welcomed by enthusiasts. Copied URL to clipboard news.com.au New Toyota Corolla shocks in Tokyo The humble Toyota Corolla... Acknowledging that warning systems can be “a nuisance for drivers”, Sarada says Toyota “will enable AI to sense what is not a nuisance and what is a nuisance”, and work to make sure customers can “decide the way they drive their cars”. The brand is also working on ways to help coach drivers to be better on track, and experience the true performance potential of cars like the Toyota Supra or GR86. “One thing that we are technically trying is to have the autonomous driving behave like a professional race driver, and let the car drive on its own on a race circuit,” Sarada says. MORE: Toyota fires back at Tokyo motor show Lexus Concept cars for the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Picture: Supplied “You could be in the passenger seat and enjoy that professional circuit racing as if you are driving with a professional.” Several high-performance brands working on features such as augmented reality to help drivers experience thrills. Several cars have drift modes that help drivers enjoy sideways thrills, and Ferrari’s latest tech can even add a touch of torque to the steering wheel to help customers understand when to catch a slide before their car spins out of control. More Coverage ‘Retro’ ute to take over Australia David McCowen Mega change to Aus roads began at midnight Danielle Collis Originally published as Lexus and Toyota consider drones for sports cars Join the conversation (0 Comments) Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Join the conversation, you are commenting as More related stories Motoring News ‘Recipe for tragedy’: Aus expert’s Tesla fear An Aussie motoring expert has delivered a grim assessment of Tesla’s newest and much-hyped piece of car technology. On the Road Massive changes to Aus’ favourite ute Australia’s favourite car is undergoing some huge changes that drivers have waited almost a decade for. Trending now Confidential Model shamed by Double Bay waiter over lunch order Celebrity Life ‘Acting out’: New details into Kidman-Urban split How a number plate worth $1m changed hands for just $238 ‘Hours take their toll’: Major shake-up as star quits brekky radio Wentworth Courier Bondi drug dealers exposed Celebrity Life ‘Acting out’: New details into Kidman-Urban split The unlikely rise of history-maker who could’ve been a Don Couple quit Australia for Thailand, expose costs Black Friday warning: How ‘ghost stores’ are targeting shoppers Sad detail in Big Brother house shocks Subscription Packages Group/Corporate subscriptions The Daily Telegraph app Today's Paper Newsletters Meet the team Job opportunities Code of conduct Subscriptions FAQs Subscription terms Financial Hardship Policy Help & support Standards of practice Letter to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Advertise with us Our News Network Courier Mail The Advertiser news.com.au The Australian The Mercury Geelong Advertiser The Cairns Post Gold Coast Bulletin Townsville Bulletin The Chronicle The Weekly Times CODE Sports Our Partners Buy Search Sell Classifieds Find Your Local My Tributes odds.com.au racenet.com.au realestate.com.au A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out.Sometimes our articles will try to help you find the right product at the right price. We may receive payment from third parties for publishing this content or when you make a purchase through the links on our sites. Privacy policy Relevant ads opt-out Cookie policy Terms of use Nationwide News Pty Ltd © 2025. All times AEDT (GMT +11). Powered by WordPress.com VIP

David McCowen
Why Bucks shouldn’t be worried about Myles Turner’s scoring
Sports

Why Bucks shouldn’t be worried about Myles Turner’s scoring

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised NBA fans this offseason by waiving and stretching future Hall of Fame point guard Damian Lillard. The move opened up the team’s financial situation enough to bring in center/forward Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers, a move that received mixed reviews by basketball pundits at the time. But looking at Turner’s numbers through the first 10-plus games of the season have some (particularly some salty Pacers’ fans) questioning if bringing him in was the right fit for the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Bucks. Looking at his stats, there’s at least some reason to pause: he’s averaging just 11.6 points per game so far, which is four points off his average across 72 games last year in Indianapolis. But the Bucks would not be wise to panic about their major acquisition. And according to head coach Doc Rivers, all signs point to Milwaukee feeling very happy about what Turner is bringing to the team. Myles Turner has time to turn into Bucks’ second scorer It’s important to remember we’re just 11 games in as of Nov. 11. Turner’s 11.6 scoring average, while not quite the figure he’s put up the last three seasons, isn’t too far off his career scoring total of 14. With 71 games remaining in this NBA season, Turner could raise that figure as he gets accustomed to Milwaukee’s offense and young roster. And Rivers admitted that his staff is still figuring out how best to unlock Turner’s potential in the system. Following a home win against the Chicago Bulls earlier this month, Turner was spectacular. He scored 23 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-8 from distance. He also hauled in eight rebounds and finished with four steals and a block. “I think we kind of screwed him up,” Rivers said after that contest. He said to start the season, the coaching staff was asking Turner to “pop more” off screens. The suggestion may have, unintentionally, forced Turner to play against his instinct. Rivers continued, “This morning [before the Bulls game], we said, ‘Just do what you feel. Roll, pop, we’ll figure it out. Just do you.” With plenty of time and practice, it would not be a stretch to imagine Turner having more games like he did against Chicago, especially if Antetokounmpo continues his current MVP-caliber pace (33.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.2 APG). Turners brings more to Milwaukee than just scoring Since his 23-point showing, Turner scored closer to his career average in the next two contests. He pitched in 13 (6-11 shooting, 1-3 from three) in a home loss to the Houston Rockets. The next day, he put up 14 in Dallas (3-12 shooting, 1-7 from three) in a win against the Mavericks. He pulled in six and seven rebounds, respectively, in the back-to-back and also added three steals against the Rockets. Before the Houston game, Rivers noted his value extends much deeper than his ability to score in bunches. “He just does everything,” Rivers said. “The other night, he made shots, and he’s going to make more shots.” Milwaukee’s coach noted point blank, an off shooting-night from Turner is not a high stressor. “He hadn’t shot the ball great [throughout the season], but he will. I’m not concerned by that.” Instead, Rivers and staff have been figuring out how to leverage Turner’s high basketball IQ and ability to set up other players on the team. “Defensively, he’s been incredible,” Rivers added. “He’s also been the most unselfish player on our team. Shooters don’t typically dive out of the way to give another shooter a shot. He does it all the time. It’s one of the reasons our spacing has been so good, because he’s so intelligent.” So even though Turner’s statistical production hasn’t screamed “blockbuster signing” thus far, there’s plenty of season left and reason to believe the Bucks can make the most of the multi-faceted big man.

Mitchell Keller
Nets’ Day’Ron Sharpe receives positive injury update after hamstring scare
Sports

Nets’ Day’Ron Sharpe receives positive injury update after hamstring scare

The Brooklyn Nets dodged a significant injury to a key contributor. Day’Ron Sharpe exited Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks with what was reported as left hamstring tightness. However, following evaluation, the team concluded that the injury is a left glute contusion. Sharpe was ruled out for Tuesday’s home matchup with the Toronto Raptors but is considered day-to-day. “No hamstring. It’s a glute contusion, and he’s day-to-day. We’re not concerned,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “And we want to make sure he feels good and is mentally in a good place to be ready to play. So, that’s all good news, and it’s an opportunity for the next man up.” Sharpe missed 21 games to start last season due to a left hamstring strain. However, he returned and emerged as one of the NBA’s top backup centers, averaging 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 52/24/76 shooting splits in 18.1 minutes per game. The Nets re-signed the fifth-year big man to a two-year, $12 million contract this summer. Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe avoids hamstring injury scare Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Sharpe has continued to produce this season, averaging 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 64.9 percent shooting in 15.9 minutes per game. However, his production hasn’t translated to team success with Brooklyn’s revamped second unit. The 24-year-old has posted a -9.5 net rating swing (team points scored minus team points allowed per 100 possessions), the worst mark among Nets players who have played at least 50 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass. With Sharpe sidelined, rookie big man Danny Wolf could play his first meaningful NBA minutes during the coming games. “I’m not going to tell you who’s going to play, but obviously, Danny is here, Ben [Saraf] is here. So, excited for all these guys, whether they play or not,” Fernandez said. “They all know that next-man-up mentality is always important, and just go out there and play as hard as you can.” Wolf posted back-to-back double-doubles during a pair of G League appearances last week. The former Michigan star scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting with 13 rebounds, two assists and three turnovers during a 112-105 loss to the Capital City Go-Go on Sunday. Noah Clowney could also see minutes at center in Sharpe’s absence.

Erik Slater
Matthew Reilly orders the $76 toothfish – and settles a literary score
Entertainment

Matthew Reilly orders the $76 toothfish – and settles a literary score

The move was also partly to get closer to Hollywood and to build better connections in the movie industry (Tobey Maguire once lived in a neighbouring house!). Reilly is the best kind of film nerd: enthusiastic and encyclopaedic. Our lunch is peppered with references to cinema blockbusters; he talks about cinema with a contagious, almost boyish delight. He owns a DeLorean DMC-12 (the Back to the Future car) and keeps a life-sized Han Solo mounted on his office wall. His favourite book of all time is Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and on the flight to Sydney, he attempted the latest in the film franchise, Jurassic World: Rebirth. “I gave it 30 minutes and that was 25 too many,” he says. He is not just a lover but a student of film. A lifetime of watching making-of documentaries, reading director biographies and listening to commentary tracks helped prepare him long before he ever stepped onto a set. All of it fed into the Netflix frantic action movie Interceptor, which he wrote and directed, starring Elsa Pataky and Luke Bracey. Critics were harsh (I am intrigued to see what lunch the New York Post will have to buy him after its reviewer labelled the film “torturous”), but it was watched by 120 million Netflix accounts and hit No.1 in 91 countries. Reilly hopes to work more in screen, but he’s realistic about its fickleness – rights bought and held for years, projects collapsing days before a green light. It’s why he won’t quit writing. That, and he’s still got work to do on his golf game. “This last summer, when I was writing the sequel of The Detective. I had nothing on my plate. I had no Hollywood meetings. I said, I’m going to write every morning and play golf in the afternoon, and I just devoted myself to that,” he says. “Whereas writing a book … my wife would say it’s efficient. I can be ultimately efficient because it’s me, and I’m working hard and focused.” So there’s going to be more of our Hooters VIP Sam Speedman. But now that the debt has been settled – Reilly’s toothfish-devoured plate offering all the evidence required – it feels only fair to turn over a new leaf at lunch and ask for a scoop. Fans have been begging for more novels featuring Shane Michael Schofield, the United States Marine Corps officer (called Scarecrow because of the scars on his face) and the hero of Ice Station (1998), Area 7 (2001), Scarecrow (2003), the spin-off Hell Island (2005), plus a cameo in The Four Legendary Kingdoms (2016). And while Reilly has teased a comeback before, this time it sounds definite: he has finally found an international villain and geopolitical threat worthy of Scarecrow. “So let’s just say I’m very close, and there is a good chance,” he says, with planning under way and writing to start next year. “I think it will be supercharged because I am a lot better at it … it will be fast, it’ll be big, and it will be off the leash.” The toothfish, it seems, has done its job. The Detective is out now. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.

Melanie Kembrey
'Wage-weighted' US visa plan is legally dodgy, disruptive'
Politics

'Wage-weighted' US visa plan is legally dodgy, disruptive'

IT industry body Nasscom has termed the US government's move to replace the H-1B work visa lottery with a new "wage-weighted" system as legally questionable, economically flawed, and operationally disruptive.In response to consultations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Nasscom warned that the new system creates geographic and sectoral inequality. For instance, an employee at Level 2 wage in New York could be placed higher than Level 4 in Iowa, it said.There are also possibilities to game the system; it might encourage inflated salaries on paper to get more lottery entries, Nasscom said."For nearly two decades, US employers have structured their hiring cycles, budgeting, and project timelines around the existing random lottery framework. A sudden shift to a wage-weighted model would upend these long-standing expectations," Rajesh Nambiar, president, Nasscom, said in a written submission to the DHS on October 30, a copy of which was seen by ET. He said companies plan recruitment months in advance, coordinating with clients, academic calendars, and product release cycles. "Introducing variable selection probabilities based on fluctuating wage formulas would add layers of compliance complexity," he added.

Himanshi Lohchab
Capillary Technologies trims IPO on strong cash flows, fewer exits
Technology

Capillary Technologies trims IPO on strong cash flows, fewer exits

Capillary Technologies is trimming its initial public offering (IPO). The customer loyalty and engagement software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm doesn’t need to raise as much capital as initially planned due to sufficient free cash flows, its founder and CEO Aneesh Reddy told ET in an interaction.The valuation has also been aligned to what institutional investors are willing to pay rather than a predetermined number, Reddy said.With many existing investors who had initially opted to sell now deciding to hold on, the secondary sale portion of the IPO has also been reduced.According to the final red herring prospectus, the company will raise Rs 345 crore through fresh shares against Rs 430 crore proposed in its draft prospectus filed in June. The offer for sale (OFS) has been nearly halved to 9.2 million shares from 18.3 million earlier. The total IPO size now stands at around Rs 878 crore.Capillary has set a price band of Rs 549-577 per share, translating to a post-money valuation of around $521 million (Rs 4,624 crore) as per the upper price band, compared to its last private valuation of $475 million.“The business continues to generate cash. The free cash generated in the first half is about Rs 55 crore, which is why we thought for primary, we won't need the entire Rs 430 crore and we brought that down,” Reddy said.He said the company did not insist on a fixed valuation and has instead priced the IPO at a level where institutional investors are comfortable participating. “There is a good set of institutional investors we have met and that way we’ve not been very rigid about what the valuation should be,” he said.According to Reddy, the valuation, at about six times Capillary's annual revenue, offers significant upside for potential investors. “There are hundreds of public SaaS companies globally, and there are very few which are profitable, and we are one of them,” he noted.He explained that profitable companies in this sector typically command an enterprise value-to-sales multiple of six to ten. Therefore, even at the highest end of the current price range, its six-times multiple provides substantial room for growth in value, Reddy said.Capillary has maintained an Ebitda margin of over 10% for the last few quarters.SaaS valuations have moderated from the peak of 2021–22. Freshworks, which debuted on Nasdaq at a valuation of over $10 billion during the boom, now trades at around $3.2–3.3 billion, while several privately held SaaS firms have recently raised capital at flat or lower valuations.Winner of The ET Startup Awards 2025 in the Comeback Kid category, Capillary Technologies is part of a growing pipeline of Indian enterprise software firms heading for the public markets.Others that have filed draft IPO papers include cloud platform Amagi Labs, AI analytics firm Fractal Analytics, and ecommerce software provider Shiprocket.Capillary has seen a profitability turnaround, with revenue rising from around Rs 200 crore in FY23 to nearly Rs 600 crore in FY25, driven by technology investments, said Anant Choubey, its chief financial officer and chief operating officer.Also Read: Capillary Technologies’ DRHP highlights rising competition, AI impact on businessThe company posted an operating revenue of Rs 359.2 crore for the six months ended September.It turned profitable in FY25, recording a net profit of Rs 13.2 crore compared with a net loss of Rs 59.3 crore in FY24, and remained in the black with a net profit of Rs 1.03 crore for the six months ended September.“We are beginning to see economies of scale. Only about 30% of our costs increase linearly with revenue,” Choubey said. As a result, Ebitda margins improved from –4% in FY23 to around 12.5% in FY25, while margins moved from a 44% loss margin to 2% profit margin during the period, he said.Discussing the plan behind choosing to list in India despite IPO windows reopening in the US for software firms, Reddy said the decision was intentional. “We’ve always wanted to build a leading product company out of India. Listing here is part of that story,” he said.

Ajay Rag
Late-stage funding dip is mostly supply-side driven: Verlinvest CEO
Business

Late-stage funding dip is mostly supply-side driven: Verlinvest CEO

Verlinvest, the Belgium-based investment company backed by the family that owns beer giant AB InBev, is sharpening its India focus, chief executive Roberto Italia said.The company is targeting startups that are between the early and growth stages with investments of $5–20 million, Italia told ET in an interview. Its V3 Ventures arm invests in early-stage companies while Verlinvest supports startups in the growth stage.“This is an interesting sort of way to connect the dots between the very early stage (V3 Ventures) and what we do in growth for Verlinvest. And then we are trying to get ready for us to address that market opportunity and we plan to do it both in India and elsewhere,” said Italia.The fund is targeting roughly 15 investments a year across stages with plans to deploy up to $20-25 million in the early stage and about $30-40 million in the early growth stage, followed by $125-150 million in the growth stage where it has been operating the longest in India. Overall, it aims to double its India deployment from the current average of $100 million to about $200 million, Italia said.Verlinvest’s focus remains on four key sectors: food and beverages, FMCG, healthcare services and lifestyle, he said.With about €2 billion in assets under management—India represents 20% of that—the firm has been active in India since 2010, backing over 25 consumer brands including Blue Tokai, Epigamia, Lahori Zeera, Veeba, Purplle and Ferty9. This year, it acquired a 20% stake in South India-based hospital chain The Eye Foundation for $75 million. Between 2023 and 2024, it fully exited Sula Wines, monetising its long-standing investment in two tranches for almost Rs 1,000 crore.IPOs a 'mega plus’Amid the rush of new-age IPOs, Italia said the public-market window is a 'mega plus' for risk investors and one of the main exit avenues in a complex market like India. Several large consumer companies such as Lenskart, Urban Company and Groww have tapped the public market this year, while another cohort is waiting in the queue.“You have to be mindful of the liquidity in the public capital markets, because they represent a quality alternative for anyone seeking capital...When that market is liquid, it largely determines pricing conditions for the private market as well,” Italia said, adding that for private investors, every new deal must factor in what the public markets are willing to pay for the right opportunity. “This provides perspective on the ability to invest in a complex market like India with some light at the end of the tunnel. Ten years ago, you wouldn’t have contemplated going public as an exit route but now, if not the only, it is certainly one of the main exit avenues.”Next in the pipeline for the fund include Wakefit, which filed its IPO papers in June, as well as online beauty retailer Purplle and sauce manufacturer Veeba, which Italia said are about 18 months away from hitting the public market.Apart from having products with fundamental attributes that resonate with customers, he said companies, especially in the food and beverage space, must demonstrate consistent “quality growth in excess of 15% per annum” to be considered listable.This trend of going public in India, Italia said, mirrors western markets two to three decades ago and contrasts with the founder sentiment today to stay private owing to “plenty of liquidity in the private secondary market.” He added that the drying up of late-stage funding is more supply-side-driven than demand-side, because of slowing down of investment by funds that had made excess investments but were not seeing adequate returns.India remains investable because it has consistently delivered an average net return of at least 20%, he said.Commenting on valuations soaring after consumer brand deals like Haldiram in India, Italia said trophy assets, regardless of geography, often set the tone for the market. “Any trophy asset commands a new price, and that usually lifts the spirits of the entire sector. We come across opportunities that look excessively priced, but it boils down to figuring out whether you are the one who can sort of marry... At times, we’ve decided to invest at a price point we were initially not comfortable with,” he said. “It’s a function of the work you carry out on the opportunity as such. Inevitably, there are also cases where we’ve decided not to invest.”

Apoorva Mittal
Previous 3 4 5 6 7 Next