Latest news with #LosAngeles-based
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Adou Thiero on two NBA players he's trying to learn from
As the Los Angeles Lakers look to restock their roster with more complementary talent nearly five months after the Luka Doncic trade, they're hoping that incoming rookie Adou Thiero will be part of their core for years to come. They acquired his rights on Thursday after he was the No. 36 pick in the draft, and he seems to have the natural tools to become a legitimate rotation player, if not a starter, someday. While he cannot shoot straight from the perimeter, he's very athletic and attacks the basket relentlessly, and he has the ability to disrupt things on the defensive end. If he pans out, the 6-foot-8 forward could be the type of two-way wing the Lakers need more of. He joined Los Angeles-based Spectrum SportsNet for an interview and said he's studying two of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA to model his game after them. 'I watch a lot of defenders, trying to pick up on what they do in the league, that's a different level. It's a lot of different stuff offensive players do in the league, so just trying to pick up off of OG Anunoby, Jrue Holiday, he's a great defender. Just picking up on what they do, watching how they play defense.' Anunoby, who plays for the New York Knicks and helped transform them into contenders when they traded for him midway through last season, is an excellent perimeter defender who also averaged 18.0 points a game this season and is a dependable 3-point shooter. Holiday is one of the best defenders at the point guard position, and he absolutely covers opponents like a straitjacket. He helped the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics win the NBA championship in 2021 and 2024, respectively. The Lakers are hoping for similar results as Thiero gets acclimated to his new surroundings.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Unilever to pay $1.5 billion for men's grooming brand Dr Squatch, FT reports
Unilever is paying $1.5 billion (1.09 billion pounds) to buy men's personal care brand Dr Squatch from private-equity firm Summit Partners , the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing sources. The deal was announced earlier this week by all three parties, without disclosing financial details. Unilever reiterated on Friday that it will not disclose the terms of the deal, while Summit Partners did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside of regular business hours. Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report. Reuters reported last year that Summit was exploring a sale of the men's grooming brand at a valuation of more than $2 billion. Launched in 2013 by founder and CEO Jack Haldrup , and named after the mythical creature Sasquatch, Dr Squatch started out by selling handmade bar soaps for men. The Los Angeles-based company currently sells deodorant, hair care products, colognes, lotions and other personal care products through its website and at brick-and-mortar stores. Unilever said earlier that the acquisition of Dr Squatch would complement its men's personal care offerings, which include Axe and Dove Men+Care deodorants, and that it would scale Dr Squatch internationally.
India Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
Olivier Giroud set to sign for Lille after terminating LAFC deal: Report
Frenck footballer Olivier Giroud is reportedly set to make his return to Europe after a season-long stint in the United States of America. The veteran French striker is set to end his current deal with Los Angeles FC and make the move back to Ligue 1 side to a report by ESPN, the 38-year-old wanted to go back to his home country after over a decade of playing outside of France. LAFC did not stand in his way and decided to allow him to make the switch he desired. His last game for the club will be against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a league fixture. Following this, he will arrive in France next week to make the move his stint with the Los Angeles-based club, he was part of the team that reached the 2024 Leagues Cup final, scoring his first goal for the team. In addition, he also scored in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, which is also the club's first Open Cup trophy. He is also France's all-time top goal-scorer and was part of the team that went on to win the World Cup in Russia. 'I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career,' Giroud said. 'I am happy to have played a part in the success of LAFC. From winning a trophy last season to participating in the Club World Cup, this has been a great experience in L.A. for me and my family," Giroud said in a statement shared by the has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC. He brought humility and a winning mentality that helped elevate everyone around him. Olivier has been a tremendous ambassador for the club on and off the field. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him, his wife Jennifer, and his family all the very best in this next chapter," said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John have yet to officially announce the signing. But it is very likely that the signing will be made to fill the vacancy left by the Canadian striker, Jonathan David, who is also eyeing a move elsewhere.- Ends
Los Angeles Times
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Walter Scott of R&B group the Whispers dies at 81
Walter Scott, who with his twin brother Wallace founded the Los Angeles-based R&B group the Whispers — a hit-making force in the 1970s and '80s with songs like 'And the Beat Goes On,' 'Rock Steady,' 'Lady' and 'Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong' — died Thursday, according to multiple media outlets, including Billboard and the Los Angeles Sentinel. He was 81. The Sentinel reported that Scott's family said he died in Northridge after a six-month bout with cancer. With a smooth, danceable sound built on sturdy post-disco rhythms and carefully arranged group vocals, the Whispers put 15 songs inside the Top 10 of Billboard's R&B chart; 'And the Beat Goes On' reached No. 1 in 1980, followed by 'Rock Steady,' which topped the tally in 1987. The band's music was widely sampled in later years, including by 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, J. Cole and Will Smith, the last of whom used 'And the Beat Goes On' as the basis for his late-'90s hit 'Miami.' In a post on Instagram, the musician and filmmaker Questlove described Scott as 'one of the most trusted voices in '70s soul music' and compared him to 'the talented uncle in the family….who btw could DUST you inna min w his dizzying blink & you lost him squiggle gee doo dweedy scatlibs.' Scott was born in 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas, and later moved to L.A. with his family; he and his brother started singing as students at Jordan High School, according to the Sentinel, and formed the Whispers in the mid-'60s with Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordy Harmon. The group spent time in San Francisco before Scott was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. The group recorded for a series of record companies but found its biggest success on Dick Griffey's Solar label. The Whispers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Billboard said Scott is survived by his wife, Jan; two sons; three grandchildren and his brother.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Energize Builders Celebrates Historic Federal Ruling Allowing Bitcoin Holdings for U.S. Mortgages
Los Angeles Construction Pioneer Who Accepted Crypto for Decade Says New FHFA Directive Validates Industry Innovation LOS ANGELES, CA - June 26, 2025 - Alik Konovalenko, founder and CEO of Energize Builders, today applauded the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) groundbreaking directive ordering Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrency holdings as assets in mortgage loan assessments. The ruling, announced Wednesday by FHFA Director William Pulte, represents a watershed moment for the construction and real estate industries. 'This federal recognition of cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset for mortgage qualification is exactly what our industry has been working toward,' said Konovalenko, whose Los Angeles-based construction company has been accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for home renovations and new construction projects for over a decade. 'We've seen firsthand how crypto holders have been shut out of traditional homeownership opportunities simply because lenders couldn't properly evaluate their digital wealth.' Energize Builders, a family-owned boutique design and remodeling company serving Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, began accepting cryptocurrency payments in 2015, making it one of the first construction companies in Southern California to embrace digital assets. Over the past ten years, the company has completed more than 200 projects funded partially or entirely through cryptocurrency transactions, ranging from luxury home renovations to ground-up custom builds. Breaking Down Barriers to Homeownership The FHFA directive specifically instructs mortgage giants to develop proposals for considering cryptocurrency assets 'without conversion of said cryptocurrency to U.S. dollars,' addressing a major pain point for crypto investors who previously had to liquidate their holdings to qualify for traditional mortgages. 'We've had clients with substantial Bitcoin portfolios who were forced to sell their digital assets at inopportune times just to show liquid capital for mortgage applications,' Konovalenko explained. 'This new policy preserves their investment strategies while enabling them to access homeownership – it's a win-win for financial innovation and housing accessibility.' The directive aligns with President Trump's stated vision to make the United States 'the crypto capital of the world' and requires that only cryptocurrencies 'stored on U.S.-regulated centralized exchanges subject to all applicable laws' be considered in mortgage assessments. Industry Validation After Years of Innovation Konovalenko's early adoption of cryptocurrency payments positioned Energize Builders at the forefront of a financial revolution that is now receiving federal recognition. The company's crypto-accepting business model has attracted tech entrepreneurs, early Bitcoin adopters, and forward-thinking investors throughout the greater Los Angeles area. 'Ten years ago, people thought we were crazy for accepting Bitcoin for construction projects,' Konovalenko reflected. 'Today, the federal government is recognizing what we've known all along – cryptocurrency represents real wealth and should be treated as such in major financial decisions like home purchases.' The construction industry has been particularly impacted by housing affordability challenges, with high interest rates and strict lending criteria limiting access to homeownership. Industry experts suggest that including cryptocurrency holdings in mortgage assessments could expand the pool of qualified borrowers and stimulate housing market activity. Looking Forward As Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac develop their implementation proposals over the coming months, Konovalenko anticipates increased demand for crypto-friendly construction and renovation services. Energize Builders is already expanding its cryptocurrency payment infrastructure to accommodate additional digital assets and streamline the transaction process for clients. 'This federal directive validates not just our business approach, but the broader principle that innovation should enhance opportunity, not restrict it,' Konovalenko concluded. 'We're excited to continue leading this evolution in how Americans finance their dream homes.' About Energize Builders Founded by Alik Konovalenko, Energize Builders is a family-owned boutique design and construction company based in Los Angeles. For over 20 years, the company has specialized in residential remodeling, custom home construction, and innovative project financing solutions. Energize Builders serves clients throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County, with a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and forward-thinking business practices. For more information about Energize Builders and cryptocurrency payment options, visit Media Contact Company Name: Energize Builders Inc Contact Person: Alik Konovalenko Email: Send Email Phone: +1 310-963-1567 Address:13910 Fiji Way Ste 270, Marina del Rey City: Los Angeles State: CA 90292 Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Energize Builders Celebrates Historic Federal Ruling Allowing Bitcoin Holdings for U.S. Mortgages
