Latest news with #Tempo
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Indonesian pilgrim dies trying to enter Makkah illegally via desert
JEDDAH: An Indonesian national travelling to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the haj died from severe dehydration after attempting to enter the city illegally via a desert route. Indonesian portal Tempo reported that the Indonesian citizen identified only as SM was stranded in the Jumum desert along with two other Indonesian nationals, identified as J and S. The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah said that the trio had tried to reach Makkah without following official procedures. "They were determined to enter Makkah illegally," said Indonesian Consul General Yusron Ambary in a written statement on Sunday (June 1). SM and the others held multiple-entry pilgrimage visas, which permit visits to Saudi Arabia but are not valid for performing the haj. Yusron said SM and 10 other Indonesian nationals had previously been detained during a security raid and deported to Jeddah. Despite this, SM, J, and S attempted to return using an illegal desert route arranged through a clandestine taxi service. The driver, reportedly fearing detection by security patrols, abandoned them in the desert, where they were later discovered by a local security drone. SM had died by the time help arrived, while J and S were hospitalised. "SM's body is currently in a Makkah hospital awaiting visa processing," said Yusron, adding that the consulate is in contact with SM's family in Madura to arrange the burial. He warned Indonesians against attempting to perform the haj through unofficial means, stressing the dangers involved. "Do not endanger lives or risk failing to perform the haj just to force it illegally," Yusron said.
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Raptors mailbag: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Steve Nash and the case to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Here we go again: Not many submissions, an awful lot of questions. Have fun and maybe Ye Olde Mailbag will grow next week once the Finals are set, the draft's a week closer and the rest of the sports world goes on. I see they're well into the WNBA season and it's got to be more interesting in Toronto given the Tempo debut next year. If fans are watching, what's the Tempo watching and what should fans be paying attention to? ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW -Evelyn W., Mississauga I saw this week that the Tempo added to the front office, poaching Eli Horowitz from the L.A. Sparks to be the team's assistant general manager. So there's stuff going on behind the scenes, for sure. Doug Smith's Sports Blog Opinion Doug Smith: Raptors mailbag: More Jakob Poeltl trade rumours, a Canadian MVP and comparisons to Maple Leafs fans In this week's mailbag, Doug Smith takes questions on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, the NBA playoffs, the Leafs, the NBA draft and more. Doug Smith's Sports Blog Opinion Doug Smith: Raptors mailbag: More Jakob Poeltl trade rumours, a Canadian MVP and comparisons to Maple Leafs fans In this week's mailbag, Doug Smith takes questions on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, the NBA playoffs, the Leafs, the NBA draft and more. But other than that, as I wrote in a story about Monica Wright Rogers before the season, there's not a lot of tangible work to do until there's more guidance on the process of stocking the team comes from the league and a new CBA is in place. One thing I'm watching on the court is how stacked the Liberty is and can they repeat or if the usually-dynastic Lynx can get revenge. Hi Doug, Thanks for the series on potential picks. Looking at past drafts in Wikipedia shows you how hard it is to find rotation players, let alone stars, among a sea of quite often overhyped kids. Finding Pascal siakam, Jakob Poeltl, and undrafted Fred VanVleet was just shy of miraculous work by the Raptors. Some questions: 1) Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Pascal Siakam. Three players leading their teammates to the conference finals … none drafted in the top 10! Is the real hard part of the draft identifying these less hyped future stars? To be fair, the 2018 draft year features Trae Young, Luka Doncic, SGA, and a second-rounder Jalen Brunson! ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 2) Sticking with the draft, typically the first picks are big forwards, is guard play undervalued? 3) Masai Ujiri mentioned earlier in the year how the Celtics had Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for several years, each year almost expected to win a championship, but it took several years of finding the right teammates to actually win. Do the Celtics need to do much besides get healthy in the future? 4) When reading about potential draft picks, many writers talk about a player's ceiling or floor. If I understand correctly, a guy with a 'high ceiling' is a player believed to have untapped potential and likely to improve significantly. On the flip side, players with a 'high floor' are ones who are currently good enough as is. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Pascal Siakam were drafted as high ceiling guys while Shaquille O'Neal, Rudy Gobert, and Zion Williamson were picked as high floor guys. Do I have it right? So, a high floor guy pretty much means low ceiling? (Not an insult, but comment on current skills. No one expected Shaq to become Steph Curry!) Raptors Insider Raptors NBA draft: Collin Murray-Boyles drawing comparisons to Draymond Green but is a risk for Toronto South Carolina product is a 3-and-D specialist without the '3' right now. Scouts are drawn to his defensive skills and a top-notch competitive nature. Raptors Insider Raptors NBA draft: Collin Murray-Boyles drawing comparisons to Draymond Green but is a risk for Toronto South Carolina product is a 3-and-D specialist without the '3' right now. Scouts are drawn to his defensive skills and a top-notch competitive nature. Bonus qu estions: I remember the gasps on draft night when Scottie Barnes was selected. Were you surprised at the time and how likely are Bobby Webster and Masai Ujiri to shock the world again? -Bernie M. The items on the draft possibilities is as much about educating me as you, to be honest. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW If there's one thing I've come to know it's with the exception of one or two or maybe three players who are set up for greatness every year or two, the entire process is a crapshoot and the results are as much to do with how franchises grow and teach young players than it does the players themselves. And I think it's so hard to master guard play at the NBA level, the tendency is to think of wings and bigs as more immediate contributors. So maybe not undervalued as much as needed more patience. The Celtics are screwed. They have to get younger and bigger and — most important — less expensive and I don't know how they will. I pay zero attention to 'floor' and 'ceiling' because they mean nothing. So I'd suggest reading right past them. The afternoon of that draft, I think I was the only guy suggesting Barnes was their guy and not Jalen Suggs if they couldn't move up to get Evan Mobley because Barnes was exactly the kind of player they love. I'm pretty proud of that. Basketball From Steve Nash to SGA, there's a Canadian secret recipe for NBA greatness It's not a stretch to think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sound precisely like Steve Nash should a third NBA MVP from Canada ever materialize. Basketball From Steve Nash to SGA, there's a Canadian secret recipe for NBA greatness It's not a stretch to think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sound precisely like Steve Nash should a third NBA MVP from Canada ever materialize. Has SGA surpassed Steve Nash as the best Canadian NBAer ever? Or does he have more to do? -Kyle, Niagara Falls You're not going to find a bigger Nash fan than I was/am but, at 26 years old, I'm giving the edge to Shai right now. It might revert over the next decade because Nash was utterly brilliant in his 30s but we'll have to see. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Giannis Antetokounmpo rumours continue in these parts. Given recent history, here, hard to take them seriously. At least there haven't been any reports about private jets on their way from Milwaukee yet. So allegedly, Giannis has let it be known he wants to stay in the East and Toronto would be an acceptable destination. I'm a bit skeptical of this allegation, but let's take the rumour as just that — a rumour. Now we've seen cases in the NBA where a player under contract wants to be traded and kind of/sort of gets serious input into his trade destination. Would Antetokounmpo pretty much get a destination of his choice? Or would it be like Kawhi Leonard — who ended up in Toronto — which was fairly apparently not his first choice? Raptors Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl changed basketball in Austria. But the game never changed him It's hard to quantify how being Austria's only NBA player changed the sport back home. Raptors Raptors big man Jakob Poeltl changed basketball in Austria. But the game never changed him It's hard to quantify how being Austria's only NBA player changed the sport back home. I'm assuming that we'd be not the only team wanting to add Giannis — so it would be a competitive situation. At the same time, similarly to how Kawhi was perceived, back then, Antetokounmpo isn't perceived as quite the value proposition he was a few years ago. Kawhi was coming from a season of injury. Giannis is also considered by some to be a bit broken down and not the player he recently was. Kawhi clearly wanted out of San Antonio. Giannis only maybe wants out of Milwaukee. The biggest difference between then and now is that the Raptors, deeper than they've been the last few years, are still not deep. Whereas the Raptors that won the Kawhi sweepstakes were infinitely deep. Almost all of our second unit are stars now with other teams. I don't see how it makes sense to take on Giannis but lose depth. I would never have traded DeMar DeRozan. But its clear the trade was crucial in winning us a championship. It's clear we 'won' the trade (taking into account Danny Green and Jakob Poeltl too). But I just can't help but feel that it will be nearly impossible to pull off a trade like that again to get Antetokounmpo. I've got to assume to make this happen, we'd have to sacrifice some of the depth the Raptors now have. And depth wins championships almost all the time. This is my roundabout way of saying I don't think its going to happen. Agree? Jeffrey V I don't know if it will happen but I do know there is mutual interest between Antetokounmpo and the Raptors. The wild card is the cost. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But I also think the Raptors are uniquely placed to make an attractive offer that won't ruin their franchise or roster. I would make the case that a logjam at the wings makes them deep enough that if they had to pay even two out of Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Ja'Kobe Walter, RJ Barrett, Jonathan Mogbo would still leave enough to fill out a pretty good team with promising young players still developing. Plus, they have all their picks, so giving a first-rounder every year for, say, four years, leaves enough. The question is if you think the remaining players will develop, just as that group of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and Jakob Poeltl did. Not to that level — that's a historic young group no one's come close to matching — but if it can come close, that's pretty darn good. Again, the odds of doing a Giannis deal are long but the remnants of paying a steep price isn't too bad. 30 somethings Pizza! Pizza! Some loved the Raptors' promotion. Others hated it. But the chants were undeniably a part of the franchise's lore From merchandise giveaways to jackpots, no Raptors promotion has been more popular — and divisive — than Pizza Pizza's Score a Slice. 30 somethings Pizza! Pizza! Some loved the Raptors' promotion. Others hated it. But the chants were undeniably a part of the franchise's lore From merchandise giveaways to jackpots, no Raptors promotion has been more popular — and divisive — than Pizza Pizza's Score a Slice. Sir: Could Sportsnet have switched away any quicker from Oklahoma City's conference clinching win? I blinked and there was pre-recorded UFC stuff on. Bush league. Do you think the playoffs have changed the perception of the West being a vastly superior conference to the East? A lot of the West teams seemed to display various weaknesses in their squads. -Paul M. I was actually in Our Nation's Capital watching my sister-in-law and brother-in-law inducted into the city's sports Hall of Fame and only glanced at the score on the phone. But I have heard from a handful of friends expressing dismay at the post-game Canadian TV shenanigans and must say I was shocked at how it was handled. Bush league, disrespectful, cheating viewers all come to mind. We can only hope that NBA Finals coverage includes post-game analysis but at least there's a chance the Buffalo ABC affiliate will show some of it. Not sure if there's any change in perception, I am absolutely convinced the West is the most powerful conference by a wide margin because of the number of good teams and it's going to stay that way when the top two draft picks go West next season.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia calls in Singapore oil traders over Pertamina probe
Motorists queue at a PT Pertamina gas station in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. - Bloomberg JAKARTA: Indonesian investigators have invited Singapore-based oil traders to meet in the city-state next week as part of a US$12 billion corruption probe into state-owned oil firm PT Pertamina. The requests from the Indonesian attorney general's office come after earlier notices, sent over the past month, seeking cooperation in the investigation. Some Singapore-based traders have been asked to attend meetings from Monday (June 2) onwards, said Harli Siregar, a spokesman for the office, adding there was no confirmation that they would attend. "What matters is that they're willing to be questioned,' Siregar said by text message. "If investigators have to go [to Singapore], that's not a problem.' There is no suggestion that those called to assist in the wider investigation have been accused of any wrongdoing. Indonesian newspaper Tempo reported Tuesday that the attorney general had asked a unit of Pertamina to assist in calling in nine individuals in Singapore, citing an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the investigations. The report identified the individuals as employees of large trading companies including BP Plc, Glencore Plc and Vitol SA, among others. BP and Glencore declined to comment. A Vitol spokesperson said the company works in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and "seeks to have an open and transparent relationship with the relevant authorities in the jurisdictions in which it operates.' Singapore-based traders and companies that have received the requests have sought external legal advice to determine the extent of their obligation to foreign investigators, according to people directly involved in these efforts, who asked not to be identified as they are not authorised to speak publicly. It is not clear if Indonesia has formally sought Singapore's help under an existing mutual legal assistance treaty. The Attorney-General's Chambers in Singapore did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. - Bloomberg
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
HPM Exclusive: Brenmiller Energy COO on Navigating Tight Markets and Powering Toward Profitability
Brenmiller Energy (NASDAQ: BNRG) is stepping into a pivotal moment. With commercial thermal energy storage projects taking shape in the U.S., Europe, and Israel, the company is transitioning from proof-of-concept to proof-of-scale and laying the groundwork for a capital-efficient, profitable growth phase. As the world accelerates its push toward decarbonization, Brenmiller's bGen™ technology is positioned to meet soaring demand for clean, reliable, and industrial-grade energy storage. Hawk Point Media recently met with Nir Brenmiller, Chief Operating Officer of Brenmiller Energy, to discuss the company's latest developments, including a recent financing round, major near-term milestones, and how Brenmiller plans to capitalize on global market momentum. In a candid conversation, Mr. Brenmiller addressed the realities of raising capital in a tight small-cap market, while reiterating the importance of keeping momentum ahead of a major inflection point: the commissioning of the company's flagship Tempo project later this year. He also shared why the company's 2030 roadmap isn't just ambitious—it's actionable. Here's what he said: Q: Nir, can you provide context on the recent financing round? Investors are asking why now, and why on these terms. A: Let's be blunt—this wasn't our dream financing. But the markets don't care about our preferences, and we're not here to wait for perfect conditions. While major indexes are sitting near all-time highs, the small-cap environment remains brutally tight. Capital is scarce, terms are tough, and most companies are sitting frozen. We're not. We executed this raise because we had to keep momentum and move the ball closer to the goal line. This is not about dilution for dilution's sake—it's about execution. We knew the Tempo project is approaching a critical stage, and getting there required capital, plain and simple. Sitting on our hands wasn't an option. We didn't love the terms, but we accepted them strategically because this is a bridge—not a blueprint for future financing. Once the Tempo platform is live, our entire financing playbook changes. We'll have flexibility to access non-dilutive capital, whether through factoring receivables, project-level financing, or other structures tied to revenue-generating assets. Tempo gives us leverage, not just operationally but financially. That's our inflection point. And this financing gets us there. No one is under the illusion that this was ideal, but in this market, good teams adapt and advance. We're doing exactly that. Q: How should shareholders think about dilution in the context of your broader strategy? A: Dilution is never easy. But we're not here to play defense—we're here to win. This raise is about short-term pain in the service of long-term positioning. Shareholders should be focused on where this capital gets us: operational milestones, commercial delivery, and Tempo's go-live moment. When Tempo comes online, the value proposition of this company changes materially. We're building toward a business model that doesn't require constant dilution. In fact, with Tempo, we unlock financial mechanisms that were simply unavailable before—non-dilutive tools that allow us to scale without sacrificing shareholder value. We made this move to keep control of our trajectory. And once Tempo is operational, we'll have earned the flexibility to do things differently. Q: Speaking of that, your flagship Tempo project is progressing toward commissioning during Q3. Can you share an update on the project's milestones and what it represents for industrial decarbonization? A: Tempo is a turning point for Brenmiller and for industrial energy at large. This is the largest industrial thermal energy storage deployment in Israel and one of the biggest anywhere. It's not a demo—it's a tangible replacement of fossil boilers with a 32 MWh bGen™ ZERO system for Tempo Beverages, a Heineken company that produces Pepsi, and more. This project estimates eliminating 2,000 tons of heavy fuel use every year and offsetting 6,200 tons of CO₂ annually. Even more importantly—it's expected to save Tempo $7.5 million in energy costs over 15 years. That's industrial decarbonization with a business case that speaks for itself. As for the milestones. We're on schedule. Stage 1 is on schedule to finish in July. System construction is then expected to wrap in September, with commissioning in October. Once this system goes live, it will make an undeniable statement: thermal energy storage isn't a future solution. It's here, it's working, and it's saving money. Q: With Tempo, you now have commercial traction on three continents— Europe, the U.S., and Israel. What do these geographic footholds say about the demand for your solution? A: Foremost, it says that global demand is no longer theoretical. And the important point about that is that, unlike almost every other known TES company, we're beyond pilot hype—we're executing commercial deployments across three continents. Europe is feeling the squeeze from carbon taxes and energy volatility, and industrial users are scrambling for alternatives. In the U.S., our recent update about our SUNY/NYPA partnership signals that public institutions are ready to deploy, not just plan. In Israel, Tempo is a landmark that proves our tech works at full industrial scale. And as the world just witnessed, grid balancing is needed in Spain, Portugal, and the entire Iberian Peninsula. We believe that market will be in play far faster than anyone might expect. Again, we're ready to provide solutions, which puts us in an excellent competitive position to capitalize. This isn't early innings. This is the start of the commercial ramp. We're delivering real systems, real savings, and real carbon cuts to a world starving for solutions. Not hoping to like others, but right now. Q: Between your Technology Roadmap 2030 and the real-world momentum, what should investors watch for next? A: Investors should watch for execution—and we're executing at speed. The commissioning of Tempo will be a headline moment, not just for Brenmiller Energy but for the broader energy market. It will prove that thermal energy storage can operate at scale, drive strong returns, and slash emissions in real industrial settings. Beyond that, we're expanding deployments in the U.S. and Europe, especially with public-private partnerships and commercial clients that need energy resilience and carbon reduction now, not five years from now. And we're focused on closing and delivering on a commercial pipeline that already exceeds our current capacity. Demand is there. We're scaling to meet it. End interview Transcriber's Note:This transcript has been prepared to preserve the integrity and tone of the original conversation. Punctuation and minor edits have been applied at the transcriber's discretion for the sake of clarity, readability, and continuity. Any changes made do not alter the meaning or intent of the participants' statements. Additional Disclaimers and Disclosures:Hawk Point Media Group, LLC. (HPM) has not been compensated to produce and distribute this content. It should be expressly understood that HPM is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. It should also be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. HPM reports/releases are commercial advertisements and are for general information purposes ONLY. The information made available by HPM is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. The contributors do NOT buy and sell securities covered before or after any particular article, report and/or publication. HPM holds ZERO shares in Brenmiller Energy Ltd. Always do your own due diligence prior to investing in any publicly traded company. While HPM has not been compensated for creating and syndicating this content, HPM discloses having a prior services agreement with the company, and third parties, that expired in April 2025 and 2024, respectively. HPM is a digital marketing and consulting company. Therefore, it is possible that HPM will be retained in the future to create and syndicate digital content for Brenmiller Energy. Accordingly, while fact-based and sourced, our content may portray featured companies in only the most favorable way. A complete disclosure for all services provided and compensated for is linked Statements: Media Contact Company Name: Hawk Point Media Contact Person: Editorial Dept. Email: [email protected] Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: HPM Exclusive: Brenmiller Energy COO on Navigating Tight Markets and Powering Toward Profitability
Cision Canada
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
TORONTO TEMPO MARKS ONE YEAR TO TIP-OFF WITH IMMERSIVE TEMPO LIVE EVENT
TORONTO, May 16, 2025 /CNW/ - The countdown is on! For the first time ever, the Toronto Tempo is giving fans the chance to come together in person at Tempo LIVE, a can't-miss celebration at STACKT Market on May 24 & 25. The event kicks off a countdown to tip-off - the team is just one year away from making its WNBA debut. Tempo LIVE, presented in partnership with Destination Toronto, will feature a collection of immersive and interactive fan experiences, including: Tempo Fan Camp, presented by founding partner CIBC – the ultimate rally spot where visitors can make their own pennant flags, get Tempo airbrush tattoos, and sign a banner that will hang at future Tempo home court Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Tempo Talks Speaker Series, presented by founding partner Sephora Canada – featuring an array of conversations on the beauty of basketball culture. Scheduled speakers include General Manager of the Toronto Tempo, Monica Wright Rogers, Juno Award-winning artist, Jully Black, VP of Product of October's Very Own (OVO), Michael Kerr, and the newest addition to the Tempo ownership group – Canadian actress, writer and advocate, Lilly Singh. Merchandise pop-up shop featuring Peace Collective, Roots, and Nike. An interactive and inclusive basketball skills course called the "Tempo Drill," where fans can show off their hustle on the court to win a pair of tickets to a future Tempo game. Fans will be able to place a deposit on season tickets and memberships on-site. Deposits can also be made online at "Our fans are at the heart of this team," explains Whitney Bell, Chief Marketing Officer, Tempo Basketball Club. "There's no better way to mark a year to tip-off than by bringing that community together and letting them experience the Tempo brand in person. We can't wait to get a first taste of the passion, energy and excitement that is going to power this team into 2026 and beyond." The team is also marking a year to tip-off with the release of a :60 film centred on the concept of 'tempo' – the heartbeat of competition and the unseen force that drives the game. Set to the rhythm of our city and the pace of the game, the spot captures the unstoppable energy and diversity of a team—and a country—on the rise. Tempo LIVE is taking place on May 24 & 25, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. EST at STACKT Market (28 Bathurst Street, Toronto). Fans can sign up for more information about the event and RSVP to panels at Entry will be subject to capacity. While registering doesn't secure a spot, registrants will be kept close to event details as they unfold. About Toronto Tempo In May 2024, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced its expansion into Canada by awarding Toronto an expansion team, the league's first outside the United States. The new team, owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA's 14th franchise. Sephora Canada and CIBC are the team's first announced founding partners. Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and a 30-year veteran of building championship-caliber teams, is also Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors and Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NBA's Toronto Raptors, NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS' Toronto FC and other professional sports franchises. Under his leadership, the Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019.
