Hong Kong – NovationWire, the Asia based PR distribution newswire who is focusing on the fin-tech, AI, AR/VR/XR, digital marketing & blockchain industries, has released a report on ‘Key Branding Trends Fintech Business Should Watch Out in 2022’. Video marketing trends Video marketing is becoming a key revenue generation tool for most brands. But did users know marketers now consider video marketing as reliable brand creation and reputation management tool as well? How video marketing is shaping up the brand reputation is actually heavily influenced by data, technology, trends, and human behavior across digital media. Gen Z and millennials, in particular, spend more time – consuming videos than text content. That is evident in the shift toward Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts, and other similar video marketing tools. The recent trends also show that conventional marketers are more comfortable investing in video marketing for brand awareness than any other interactive content marketing channel, including podcasts, the latest emerging player. Today, almost every marketing tip, resource, guide, and prediction emphasizes the importance of including videos in customers’ marketing approach, including for mobile apps and gaming engagements. MGC MGC (Machine Generated Content) will start to be industrialized, starting on Facebook and Instagram. MGC will impact all creative fields, but it will be sharpened first on Facebook and Instagram. The ad auction is nearing a $100 Billion marketplace, powered by testing tools and fast, granular signal. By incorporating most of the data/ML into its own native tools, creative is now one of the few levers Facebook still wants businesses to pull. People’s research found “content marketing tools” was once again one of the most popular topics globally, indicating a strong need for more automation as content managers often handle labor – intensive processes. However, just as people discussed the importance of performing content audits, understanding the data behind high – performing content can give customers’ content marketing strategy a solid foundation for making gains in 2022. Leaders and influencers Content marketing is incredibly saturated with thought “leaders” and “influencers” however, they aren’t exactly helpful in determining what works and what doesn’t in an ever – evolving digital landscape. On the contrary, original research gives users deep insights into what industry professionals and startups alike are doing; good or bad. This entirely depends on what industry users are in or the audience segment users are after, which will determine the channel and the content that is appropriate for the channel. Is it B2B or B2C? For B2B, video has been hot for a while, but using 3D imaging and AR for e – commerce is coming into its own, giving customers more visibility into products and how they may fit in their own spaces. The difference between good and great will be a brand’s ability to leverage data – backed insights from external sources to inform content production. Content marketers have used internal data – backed insight for years, but that’s only half the picture. The other half is uncovered by using external audience, market and competitive insights to empower content marketers to create more impactful content. Mass media marketing is out of time People want to feel heard and appreciated as an individual and they have the power to ask for that, because there is so much market saturation. Mass media marketing is out of time. People want communication at a 1 to 1 level in a manner that’s relevant for them. Especially due to COVID – 19, empathy plays a strong role in making sure that customers are satisfied with customers’ marketing and communication strategy. These technical elements are as critical to getting customers’ content seen as a wall hook, or picture hanger is to a painting on customers’ wall. If users don’t have the proper structure or fundamentals, you’ll end up with a giant mess on the floor that nobody notices. Don’t let this type of disaster happen to customers’ content. Invest in technical SEO to keep customers’ content accessible to the masses. Think about it this way. If a prospective client wants to hire a virtual accountant, and customers’ firm’s site has a blog post that highlights tax tips or strategies customers’ accountants use, this person might find customers’ post or website via Google search, read customers’ post and explore customers’ website, and then decide that they want to contact users for a consultation or accounting assistance. About NovationWire NovationWire offers deep insight into industry trends in the financial market. NovationWire provides easy and quick solutions that allow customers to capture, monitor, and audit market data from a holistic view down to an individual task on market research and industry trend insights, especially in including Fin-tech, blockchain, NFT, Metaverse gaming, AR/VR/XR, AI learning and leading biotech industries. They also provide guidance to SMEs in PR distribution, Global News Release, Content Marketing in Southeast Asia. For a long time, NovationWire has based in East Asia and Southeast Asia (Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, etc.). To date, the company has provided data and analytics services to more than 1,000 enterprise clients. For PR contact Brand: NovationWire Market Research Contact: Tony Lee, Press Release Distribution Head at NovationWire Address: Room C21, G-Floor Greenland Court, No. 88 Ma Tau Wai Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Email: support@novwire.com Website: https://www.novationwire.com/ SOURCE: NovationWire Market Research
SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL, Jan 4, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Elektros Inc reveals they not only design, but will now rent EV's. Coupled with the adaptation of their Patent Pending Multi Charging assembly system. Elektros is poised to take on more Social responsibility with the advent of EV Rentals. The Green Energy initiative has sparked movement throughout the World. People are now looking to rent or subscribe to cars, instead of car ownership.The clearer path to the next generations is through the rental and subscription models. Separate your needs from your wants, and there is a need for Elektors to enter into this market. Many in Society today do not want the burden of owning a car. But something between a lease and car rental. This is where the Subscription model comes into play. Millennials and Gen Y are coming to age and the realization of not having or owning a car is advantageous. Unlike leasing a car they will not have to worry about insurance, any maintenance, nor depreciation. Lastly Subscriptions are shorter between a month to two years, and more flexible than a lease."Change happens, this is a constant by Creation. With a fast paced society that is getting more complicated by the day. If this is not a part of your business model, you're already behind", say's Shlomo Bleier CEO of Elektros. "Carpe Diem is our theme. The paradigm shift in society today is due to the use it, but not own it mentality. Which we see as opportunity. The EV market is our focus. We choose our Greener Earth centric theme to break into this market, and utilize our core with EV's. We will set the curve, be pioneers for others to follow. Elektros Rentals will be the first to rent only EV cars".About Elektros, Inc.Elektros is an American electric vehicle company that innovates mobility solutions for consumers and businesses. The automotive landscape faces existential disruption over the next decade to reach carbon neutrality. Elektros addresses this paradigm shift with mobility technologies that support sustainability for a transformative user experience. Elektros aims to present a compelling and completely new electric vehicle experience to consumers beginning as early as 2023. The company plans a product unveiling in early 2022.Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking statements" that include information relating to future events and future financial and operating performance. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in demand for Elektros, Inc.'s products, the introduction of new products, the Company's ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of the Company's liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in Elektros Inc.'s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Examples of such forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding future sales, costs and market acceptance of products as well as regulatory actions at the State or Federal level. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Elektros Inc., please refer to the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available at www.sec.gov. Elektros, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.CONTACT:Elektros, Inc. IR and Media InquiriesDavid MaddoxEmail: dmaddox@bullsimedia.comWebsite www.bullsimedia.comPhone: 813-687-5257SOURCE: Elektros, Inc. Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (REUTERS) - Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton made the early running on the new track in Jeddah as he clocked the fastest time in both practice sessions on Friday (Dec 3) for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, who will race in support of human rights and the LGBTQ+ community this weekend by wearing a rainbow-coloured helmet, posted a quickest time of 1min 29.786secs in the first session on the new street circuit. He later eclipsed that with 1min 29.018secs under the lights in the curtailed second session. It was the first time that the drivers had come up against the new Jeddah Corniche circuit with its series of high-speed bends which proved too much for Charles Leclerc who ploughed his Ferrari into the wall at Turn 22 towards the end of the second session. The Monegasque, who still pulled the 10th fastest time, confirmed he was okay over the radio but the session was red flagged and was not resumed. Other drivers appeared to give the thumbs-up to the new track. “This track is cool,” Valtteri Bottas told Mercedes engineers during the first session before clocking the day’s second quickest time of 1min 29.079secs, just 0.61secs behind his teammate. AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was third quickest, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who went round in 1min 29.213secs. Verstappen takes an eight-point lead over Hamilton into the penultimate race of the season and could potentially win the title on Sunday. More on this topic Related Story Formula One: Title rivals Verstappen, Hamilton play it cool ahead of crunch Saudi GP Related Story Formula One: Hamilton chasing hat-trick to set up last-race showdown Hamilton has won the last two races in Brazil and Qatar to trim Verstappen’s advantage but if the Dutchman wins on Sunday and Hamilton finishes outside the top six it will be the Red Bull man who takes his crown. The Alpines of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon were fifth and sixth quickest, ahead of the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda in the second AlphaTauri and Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez who appeared to struggle with the circuit. Qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takes place on Saturday from 1700GMT (1am on Sunday, Singapore time). More on this topic Related Story Motor racing: First Saudi female racer named ambassador for maiden F1 GP Related Story In The Driver's Seat: Evergreen Alonso serves up reminder of his driving ability
NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) - Teemu Pukki denied 10-man Newcastle a first win all season as Norwich earned a 1-1 draw at St James' Park on Tuesday (Nov 30), but wasted a huge chance to deepen the Magpies' relegation fears. Newcastle were a man short for more than 80 minutes after Ciaran Clark saw red for pulling down Pukki. However, Norwich were largely wasteful in trying to make that advantage count and fell behind to Callum Wilson's penalty on the hour mark. Pukki smashed home on the volley to equalise 11 minutes from time and Norwich should have claimed a massive three points in stoppage time when Martin Dubravka saved from Pierre Lees-Melou. Eddie Howe's men edge to within five points of safety in their bid to minimise the damage before they can turn to the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to strengthen in the January transfer window. Howe was on the sideline as Newcastle boss at St James' Park for the first time, having missed the 3-3 draw with Brentford 10 days ago after testing positive for coronavirus. The former Bournemouth boss could not have asked for a worse start to a crucial clash between the bottom two before kick-off when Clark inexplicably hauled down Pukki as he threatened to burst clear on goal. No side has conceded more goals in the Premier League than Newcastle this season, but Norwich are also the lowest scorers and their lack of quality in the final third was obvious as they laboured to create chances despite dominating possession. Newcastle looked to have snatched a first win under Saudi ownsership when Billy Gilmour was penalised for handball inside his own box after a VAR review. Tim Krul nearly denied his former club as he got a hand to Wilson's spot-kick, but saw the ball rebound in off the underside of the bar. Allan Saint-Maximin blazed over with a good chance to double Newcastle's lead on the counter-attack. And that proved costly as Norwich finally produced a moment of quality. Dimitris Giannoulis helped the ball back into the box after Dubravka flapped at a cross and Pukki smashed home a volley into the top corner. Norwich then piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but failed to find the winner as Dubravka made amends for his part in the equaliser with a crucial late save. The Canaries do at least remain unbeaten in three games under new manager Dean Smith as they moved to within two points of safety.
PARIS (REUTERS) - Argentina's Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world for a record-stretching seventh time on Monday (Nov 29), beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift soccer's most prestigious trophy yet again. The forward added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 trophies after winning the Copa America for the first time with his country last July. "It's incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was key", Messi said at Paris's Theatre du Chatelet. Messi, who joined Paris St Germain on a free transfer from Barcelona during the close season, collected 613 points, with Bayern Munich's Lewandowski, named best striker on Monday, getting 580. Jorginho, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and the European championship with Italy, ended up third on 460, ahead of France's Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante in fourth and fifth places respectively. More on this topic Related Story Football: Messi, Ronaldo and Salah on shortlist for Fifa Best Men's Player award
LONDON (AFP) - West Ham edged towards the Europa League knockout stage despite Tomas Soucek's own goal costing them victory in a 2-2 draw at Genk on Thursday (Nov 4) as Rangers were also held 1-1 by Brondby. The Hammers are on the brink of guaranteeing top spot in Group H which will book their place in the last 16, but needed Said Benrahma to score twice in Belgium to preserve their unbeaten record in Europe. In the 1,000th game of his managerial career, David Moyes took the opportunity to rest a number of his key players ahead of Liverpool's visit to the London Stadium on Sunday and paid the price with a slow start as Joseph Paintsil opened the scoring for Genk after just four minutes. Two of West Ham's regulars Michail Antonio and Declan Rice came close to equalising before half-time. But it was not until the introduction of Soucek, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen after the break that they turned the game around. Benrahma rounded off a brilliant team move to equalise before using his individual skill to wriggle free of the Genk defence and fire powerfully in at the near post. However, the visitors dropped points for the first time in the group when Soucek's diving header flew into his own net three minutes from time. West Ham's place in the knockout stages will be confirmed later on Thursday if there is a winner in the clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Rapid Vienna. Rangers still have plenty of work to do to reach the last 32 after coming from behind to claim a point in Copenhagen. Leon Balogun's own goal in first-half stoppage time gave Steven Gerrard's men a mountain to climb. The Scottish champions improved after the break and substitutes Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi combined for the equaliser as the Romanian fired into the far corner 14 minutes from time. Lyon guaranteed top spot in Group A with a 3-0 win over Sparta Prague. Sparta and Rangers are level on four points, but the Czechs have the advantage on head-to-head record ahead of the meeting between the sides at Ibrox on November 25. Serie A leaders Napoli came from a goal down to thrash Legia Warsaw 4-1 in Poland to go top of a tightly contested Group C. Leicester can join the Italians on seven points if they beat Spartak Moscow later at the King Power. Monaco maintain a two-point lead over La Liga leaders Real Sociedad after both games in Group B ended in draws. Sociedad could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Sturm Graz to give PSV Eindhoven hope of qualifying as they drew 0-0 in the Principality.
LONDON (AFP) - West Ham ended Manchester City's four-year hold on the League Cup on Wednesday (Oct 27) as Liverpool and Tottenham booked their places in the quarter-finals. City's record run in the competition came to an end at the London Stadium as the Hammers emerged 5-3 winners from a penalty shootout after both sides were guilty of missing plenty of chances in a 0-0 draw. Phil Foden was the only man to miss from the spot as Mark Noble, Jarrod Bowen, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell and Said Benrahma all found the net for David Moyes' men. Pep Guardiola characteristically named a strong side and will feel City should have continued their run of 21 League Cup games without defeat. Nathan Ake, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling all wasted big opportunities as the scoreline belied a contest which raged from one end to the other. Tomas Soucek also side-footed wide two big chances to win the game for the hosts. Foden was thrown on along with Jack Grealish in an attempt to win the game from Guardiola. But the England international pulled City's first penalty wide and stand-in goalkeeper Zack Steffen could not bail his teammate out despite getting a hand to Bowen and Benrahma's strikes. Liverpool will now fancy their chances of winning the League Cup for the first time in nine years, but had to overcome a poor start to win 2-0 at Preston. The Reds had scored 30 goals in eight previous away games this season, but a much-changed side from Jurgen Klopp failed to hit the heights of Sunday's famous 5-0 win at Manchester United. Preston had by far the better of the first-half as Adrian made a point-blank save from Sean Maguire, Neco Williams cleared off the line and Brad Potts fired over within a matter of seconds. Liverpool were clinical as they went in front with their first shot on target just after the hour mark as Williams' cross was acrobatically flicked home by Takumi Minamino. Klopp's men then controlled the final half hour and doubled their lead in spectacular fashion when Divock Origi's backheel dinked the ball over Delcan Rudd. Tottenham's bid for a first trophy since they last won the League Cup in 2008 remains on course as Nuno Espirito Santo was rewarded for naming a strong side with a 1-0 win at Burnley. Lucas Moura scored the only goal 22 minutes from time with a powerful downward header from Emerson Royale's cross. Leicester also needed penalties to see off Brighton after an entertaining game ended 2-2. The Foxes twice pounced on Brighton gifting possession away in dangerous areas to take the lead through Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman in the first-half. Adam Webster and Enock Mwepu levelled for the Seagulls, but Mwepu and Neal Maupay failed to beat Danny Ward from the spot. Brentford reached the last eight for the second consecutive season with a 2-1 win at Stoke thanks to first-half goals from Sergi Canos and Ivan Toney.
AUSTIN (AFP) - Max Verstappen held off a charging Lewis Hamilton to win the United States Grand Prix on Sunday (Oct 24) and extend his Formula One world championship lead to 12 points. Verstappen, in a Red Bull, claimed his first victory at the Circuit of the Americas in front of 140,000 fans. Mercedes star Hamilton, the reigning world champion, had cut the deficit in the race to under a second on the penultimate lap but could not find a way through the Dutchman's impressive defence. Sergio Perez completed the podium for Red Bull ahead of Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari and McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo. The victory by 1.33 seconds was Verstappen's eighth of the season at a track where Hamilton had won five times. "I think I've aged about 25 years in that race," said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. "I really didn't think we were going to hang on." Hamilton admitted Red Bull were stronger. "Max did a great job today," he said on the podium. "It was such a tough race. I got a good start, gave it absolutely everything but at the end of the day, they just had the upper hand this weekend and we couldn't really have asked for more." Hamilton, starting second on the grid, stunned pole-sitter Vertsappen at the start. The Briton edged ahead at the first turn and stayed in front for 10 laps until Red Bull pulled off what they hoped would be a tactical coup. "He's sliding a lot and I have a lot more pace," Verstappen told his team over the radio. By calling in the Dutchman, who had a sluggish Hamilton in his sights, for an early pit stop, he was able to under-cut the champion. By the time Hamilton had pitted and reappeared, Verstappen had constructed a 6.7-second lead. "We pulled the trigger early, but Max is doing a good job," Horner told Sky Sports from the pit wall. "It's like a game of chess this race. You can rest assured there's not much in it between the teams." Hamilton closes in Hamilton consistently chipped away at the lead and by half-distance in the 56-lap race, he had slashed the deficit to 3.3 seconds. His efforts were further aided by a virtual safety car period called so marshals could collect some debris off the track. Again Verstappen pitted for a second stop, relinquishing the lead to Hamilton. That's 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ podiums for @redbullracing 🤯👏And, @Max33Verstappen's very first win in America! 🏆#USGP 🇺🇸 #F1 pic.twitter.com/rC2YIrFZkr— Formula 1 (@F1) October 24, 2021 When he returned, Perez conceded track position to allow the Dutch driver to slip into second spot, albeit more than 16 seconds back from the seven-time champion. "This race is all going to be about the last five laps so we'll see how it pans out," Horner said. "The pace was just starting to drop off and with three seconds behind there was a chance for an undercut." Behind Perez, as the race entered the last 20 laps, Leclerc and Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas were scrapping over fourth place. At the back, Pierre Gasly, who had started on the fourth row, was forced to retire when the suspension failed on his AlphaTauri. Both Alpines of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon were also soon forced into an early finish. On lap 37, Hamilton pitted for the second time as Verstappen again inherited the lead with an 8.45sec advantage. More on this topic Related Story Formula One: Verstappen calls Hamilton a 'stupid idiot' as F1 rivals clash Related Story In The Driver's Seat: Hamilton's instincts paid off in Istanbul in 2020, but not this time The British driver ate away at the advantage, aided by Verstappen running into a wall of backmarkers. With 10 laps left, the gap was down to 2.3sec while Perez was a distant third almost 30 seconds off the lead. However, Verstappen held on under intense pressure over the last two laps to secure a crucial victory.
KOHLER, WISCONSIN (REUTERS) - The United States, led by a new generation, reclaimed the Ryder Cup on Sunday (Sept 26), reaching the 14-1/2 points required to beat holders Europe and heralding what could be an era of domination by the Americans at the biennial competition. Having romped to a commanding 11-5 advantage after the foursome and fourball sessions, the Americans entered the singles needing just 3-1/2 points to get to the target needed to hoist the little gold trophy. Collin Morikawa ended European hopes when he birdied the 17th to go 1Up in his match with Viktor Hovland, guaranteeing the US a deciding half-point. The 24-year-old Ryder Cup rookie would make it official a few minutes later with a par on 18 to end the match in a tie, sending a thundering chant of "USA, USA" rumbling across Whistling Straits. "To clinch this and bring it back on home soil feels so good," said Morikawa, one of six rookies on the 12-man US team. "The guys pulled through; we didn't let up." It was just the second time in six competitions and third in 10 that the US had claimed golf's most coveted team title. Never before in 42 previous Ryder Cups had a team come back from more than a four-point deficit on the final day and Padraig Harrington's men, while defiant, never threatened to make history. Whistling Straits provided a stunning backdrop and perfect party spot for 40,000 mostly flag-waving American fans who flooded into the links-style Pete Dye jewel on the Lake Michigan shoreline on Sunday, ready to celebrate. Morikawa sent the party into overdrive but it would be some time before all his team mates could join in with seven matches still out on the course to be completed and the only thing left to be decided the margin of victory. Given their commanding lead, there were worries about a lack of intensity by the US players but a raucous crowd on the first tee assured their batteries were fully charged heading out. Needing something magical, Harrington turned to a player who had so far provided little of it at Whistling Straits, tasking a winless Rory McIlroy with sparking a European fightback. McIlroy, who laboured so badly in the foursome and fourballs that Harrington stood down the Northern Irishman for the first time in his Ryder Cup career, was first out against Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and found a spark, going 2up after four holes and never trailing in a 3&2 win. But behind McIlroy an American red wave was forming on the scoreboard as Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia and Shane Lowry, who had accounted for most of the European points in the foursome and fourballs, failed to fire. Patrick Cantlay defeated Lowry 4&2 and Scottie Scheffler slayed Europe's best Rahm 4&3. More on this topic Related Story Golf: Delayed Ryder Cup returns to raucous reception Related Story Golf: Europe drop Rory McIlroy for Saturday's foursomes line-up in Ryder Cup Scheffler, a captain's pick still without a PGA Tour win, was handed the daunting task of taking on the world number one and did not wilt from the challenge, going 4up on the Spaniard after four holes and never letting him back into the match. Big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau, the crowd favourite with his monster drives, pounded Garcia into submission 3&2 to leave the US a half-point from mission accomplished. Who would get that crucial point was a toss-up between several matches but Morikawa got the honour when he nearly aced the 17th, leaving a short tap-in that secured nothing short of a draw.
LEEDS, ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Leeds United winger Raphinha blasted in a second-half equaliser as the battling Yorkshire side came back twice to secure a 2-2 draw with Everton in the Premier League on Saturday (Aug 21) and pick up their first point of the season. Raphinha, who was called up to the Brazilian squad for the first time last week, lashed one past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 72nd minute after Everton winger Demarai Gray thought he had sealed a second straight win for the visitors. "We're disappointed not to take the three points, after a great finish from Raphinha. We all know what kind of player he is, and to put it in the bottom corner first time like that was great," Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips said. "It wasn't the best of us today. It's early in the season, and I feel like (I) could be a lot fitter, a lot stronger. Every team will create chances against us. We could have done better in the goals they scored." Gray, who joined Rafa Benitez's side from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in July, rifled the ball past goalkeeper Illan Meslier from a tight angle inside the box to make it 2-1 in the 50th minute of a physical contest. "Against a team like Leeds you have to kill the game off. They're always going to apply the pressure and with the fans here, they're not going to give up. We could have taken more today but we'll take the point," Gray said. Everton went up 1-0 against the run of play through Dominic Calvert-Lewin's 30th-minute penalty, following a Video Assistant Referee check after the on-field official did not spot Leeds skipper Liam Cooper's tug on the striker's shirt. The goal silenced a raucous Elland Road, where a full house was attending a top-flight match for the first time in 17 years, but the home fans found their voices again as Mateusz Klich ran on to Patrick Bamford's fine pass to equalise before the break. Leeds looked steadier in midfield than in last weekend's 5-1 defeat by Manchester United with Phillips back, but were still carved open easily at times by Everton who were left to rue several missed chances by Calvert-Lewin. Everton, who won their opener 3-1 against Southampton at home, visit Brighton & Hove Albion in the league next Saturday while Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds could face a tricky challenge at winless Burnley a day later.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Karim Benzema picked up where he left off last season by scoring twice to fire Real Madrid to a 4-1 win away to Alaves in their opening game of the LaLiga campaign. Real had an uninspiring first half in Carlo Ancelotti’s first league game since taking charge of the club for a second time but Benzema settled their nerves by blasting the ball into the net in the 48th minute after being teed up by Eden Hazard. Defender Nacho Fernandez added to Real’s lead eight minutes later, sliding in to stab a Luka Modric through ball into the net from close range. Benzema scored a scrappy second goal in the 62nd but moments later Alaves pulled one back when striker Joselu slotted in a penalty after a foul by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Substitute Vinicius Jr added a final goal for the visitors in stoppage time, netting with a diving header as he met a cross from debutant David Alaba. French striker Benzema was Real’s standout player last season with 23 league strikes, more than a third of the team’s goal haul, and his form earned him a recall to the France squad for the first time in six years. Ancelotti marvelled at Benzema’s performance and said he was a better player than when he coached him at Real between 2013 and 2015, when the Frenchman was more of a support striker for Cristiano Ronaldo. “To call Benzema just a striker does not do him justice. He is a very complete player, far more complete than five years ago,” the Italian coach said. “He is the one who finishes our moves off but he also reads the game so well.” The Italian also criticised his side for their sluggish start but was pleased with how they improved after halftime. “The first half we were a little slow when we had the ball and when we didn’t have it, we needed to press with more intensity, the game was slow and that’s not what we wanted,” he added. “But we were much better in the second half, we showed more intensity and had more quality.” Real got to play in front of fans for the first time in a league game since March 2020 although fewer than 4,000 spectators were allowed into Alaves’ Mendizorrotza stadium due to the local government’s coronavirus restrictions. The few supporters present were nearly given an early treat when midfielder Pere Pons pounced on a loose ball inside the area but failed to keep his shot under the crossbar. Alaves also appealed for a penalty in the first half against Real’s Lucas Vazquez when he blocked a cross although the referee correctly ruled that the ball had struck his chest rather his arm. Madrid lined up with a front three of Benzema, Hazard and Gareth Bale, who was making his LaLiga return after spending last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. Hazard has hardly got going in his two seasons with Real but looked sharp while Bale had a couple of attempts on goal without causing goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco too much trouble.
MONTREAL (AFP) - Top seed Aryna Sabalenka dismissed Rebecca Marino 6-1, 6-3 in an hour on Thursday (Aug 12) to leave one just Canadian remaining in the WTA hardcourt event in Montreal. Defending champion Bianca Andreescu remains the last Canadian hope, aiming for the last-eight later against Tunisian 13th seed Ons Jabeur. Sabalenka will play for the semi-finals on Friday when she takes on double Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka - a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2) winner over Maria Sakkari - in an all Belarussian clash. Azarenka will be playing the Canadian quarters for the first time in seven years. "It was a very good battle with a lot of rallies," Azarenka said. "Maria played very well." "I was able to take advantage in the important moments of the third set. After taking a break (since Wimbledon) those matches where I have to find the winning solution are very important." Sabalenka has won two of three prior meetings with Azarenka, a compatriot nine years her senior who counts a pair of Australian Open titles in her trophy collection. Sabalenka halted Marino's progress as the number 220 continues to resurrect a career she interrupted for five years from 2018 to work out mental health concerns. Marino marked her home week by winning back-to-back matches for the first time since November 2018. But she lost serve four times against Sabalenka, who finished with six aces and saved all five break points she faced. "My plan was to put pressure on her and not give her much time," Sabalenka said, "She had nothing to lose and had the crowd support. I played aggressive from the start." Sabalenka, who has not lost a match to a player outside the Top 200 since June 2019, will be playing her eighth quarter-final of the season. Fourth seed Karolina Pliskova duplicated her Canadian career best by reaching the quarters with a 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) victory over Amanda Anisimova while fellow Czech and seventh seed Petra Kvitova was eliminated by Italy's Camilla Giorgi 6-4, 6-4. Britain's Johanna Konta, who upset third seed Elina Svitolina in the third round, withdrew with a knee injury, handing a walkover to Coco Gauff. The 17-year-old American has played only one full match so far this week after Russian Anastasia Potapova quit their third-rounder with an ankle problem.
SINGAPORE - A train fault caused delays of up to 30 minutes on the Circle Line (CCL) towards the end of morning peak period on Thursday (July 29). Rail operator SMRT first notified commuters about the delay in a tweet at about 9.10am. It told those taking the CCL to add 30 minutes of travel time between Caldecott and Kent Ridge stations, and later reduced the additional travel time between the seven stations to 15 minutes at 9.50am. Regular bus services between Bishan and HarbourFront stations were made free for commuters during the fault, which was cleared by about 10.05am, according to SMRT's tweets. A train shuttle service was also available between Caldecott and Kent Ridge stations during this time.
SINGAPORE - Madam Ong Bee Ai was overjoyed when the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) told her in April last year (2020) that she was finally receiving a kidney transplant after a four-year wait. But the hawker's joy turned to devastation when SGH later informed her she was unable to have the transplant after a Covid-19 swab test revealed she had contracted the virus. Madam Ong, now 52, who used to run marathons and practise taekwondo, felt like her life had collapsed when she found out in 2016 that she had IgA nephropathy, a condition that left her with just 5 per cent kidney function. This meant her kidneys were limited in their ability to clear waste and regulate the water balance in her body. As a result, Madam Ong had water retention and vomited often; her weight plummeted from 58kg to a mere 38kg. She needed to undergo dialysis thrice a week, with the treatments costing $3,000 a month. A kidney transplant would improve her quality of life, but she was able to undergo surgery only in January this year after she recovered from Covid-19. Dr Ho Quan Yao, a consultant at SGH's department of renal medicine, explained that after a kidney transplant, patients have to take medication to control their immune systems to prevent their bodies from rejecting the kidney. He said: "This is perhaps when the doses of medication are higher and the degree of immunosuppression is probably more intense. If the transplant is not urgent or life saving, it's probably better to treat the underlying infection." Dr Jasmine Chung, a consultant at SGH's department of infectious diseases, said the hospital makes sure that donors and recipients of transplants are not carrying the Covid-19 virus. She said: "(This is) so they won't have the possibility of passing (the virus) to staff or other patients in the ward." SGH has a rigorous Covid-19 screening protocol in place for organ donors and recipients. Dr Ho said: "They will have to be asked questions on whether they have specific risk factors, for example, were they exposed to any clusters, were they put on home isolation?" Patients are also reminded to abide by public health measures such as wearing a mask, washing their hands and safe distancing, Dr Chung said. After her brush with Covid-19, Madam Ong received another call from SGH last November informing her of another possible organ match. But she lost out again because she was second in line for the donor kidney. More on this topic Related Story More people in S'pore getting kidney failure, but at a slightly later age Related Story NKF launches new initiative to raise awareness of kidney health When she was called up by the hospital for the third time on Jan 18, Madam Ong said: "I told myself, this time will be the jackpot for me. I will receive it." She was right. On Jan 19, she became what is believed to be the first recovered Covid-19 patient to receive a transplant in Singapore. After her operation, Madam Ong said, she has been able to enjoy more time with her brother and two sisters. "No more dialysis means I get back 12 hours (a week). I can go out with my family any time," she said. What is kidney failure? Kidney failure occurs when a person's kidneys stop functioning properly, and cause waste products and toxins to accumulate. Symptoms include diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing and nausea. Besides removing waste, kidneys also regulate blood pressure and stimulate the production of red blood cells. Some leading causes of kidney failure include diabetes and hypertension. Kidney failure can be treated with dialysis or by undergoing a kidney transplant. More on this topic Related Story New dialysis centre at Toa Payoh West CC; NKF steps up community outreach Related Story Generation Grit: Once gravely ill, dialysis patient is now training for an Iron Man race For the first option, there is haemodialysis, where a patient's blood is cleansed in a machine before it is returned to the body. There is also peritoneal dialysis, where a cleansing fluid is introduced into the abdomen through a tube. The fluid is then drained from the body. Patients can also opt for a kidney transplant, which is widely regarded as the best means of treatment, as it can substitute almost fully the lost functions of a failed kidney. But there is a long waiting list for donor kidneys, which must also match the recipient before the transplant can be done. Key numbers Average number of people diagnosed with kidney failure in Singapore every day (as at last year): 5.5 Average waiting time for a kidney transplant in Singapore: Nine years Number of patients on the waiting list for kidney transplants (as at last year): 340 Sources: National Kidney Foundation, National Organ Transplant Unit
Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, July 18. Businesses scramble for alternative supplies of fresh seafood as Jurong Fishery Port shuts over Covid-19 cases Consumers snapped up seafood amid growing concern over impending shortage after the Jurong Fishery Port was closed until July 31. READ MORE HERE S'pore's F&B operators fear falling into a deeper hole with new Covid-19 restrictions on dining in Some in industry say there’s not enough time to react, while others call for more government assistance. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news 12 more markets and food centres linked to Covid-19 cases: MOH Most cases are fishmongers who came into contact with stallholders at Jurong Fishery Port. READ MORE HERE URA seeks ideas from Singaporeans for long-term land use plans The long-term planning review will focus on resilience, flexibility and inclusiveness. READ MORE HERE He's 34, she's 51: More couples in Singapore bridging the age gap Age gap is less of an issue now due to changing gender norms, say experts. READ MORE HERE A time to repair, build and make things better The Straits Times has seen its fortunes ebb and flow over its 176 years. Now comes a time to build on the trust that ST readers have in it as it transitions to a new era, says ST editor Warren Fernandez. READ MORE HERE ISD watching social media, gaming platforms for terror-related activity With kids spending more time online, extremist groups may be indoctrinating them there. READ MORE HERE Fewer high-income earners feel very happy: IPS study While money is important, a recent survey shows your level of happiness is not dependent on how much you earn. READ MORE HERE K-pop stars, K-pop dramas hit by anti-China sentiment in South Korea Some Chinese K-pop stars deemed insensitive amid growing wave of anti-Beijing sentiment. READ MORE HERE 8 lookout towers to check out in S'pore You can trek, bird watch and soak in sweeping views of nature. READ MORE HERE