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विशेष रुप से प्रदर्शित समाचार

Paris Olympics 2024 set to dazzle the world

The Paris 2024 Olympics are set to kick off with an unprecedented and ambitious opening ceremony along the iconic River Seine. Billed as the biggest open-air show on Earth, this spectacle will shut down the city centre and its airspace, mobilize 45,000 police officers, several army units, and has taken two years of secret rehearsals to prepare.

This much-awaited for event promises to be unforgettable, showcasing Paris’s rich cultural heritage and spirit of innovation. As the world watches, Paris will once again prove why it is known as the City of Light.

For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will take place outside a stadium. Instead of the traditional parade around a stadium track, over 8,000 of the world’s top athletes will be transported by boat along a 6km stretch of the River Seine. This sporting armada will be witnessed by more than 300,000 spectators from the bridges and riverbanks, with police, frogmen, and snipers ensuring security.

We decided it was the right moment to deliver this crazy idea and make it real”
– Emmanuel Macron

As the athletes glide down the river, a dazzling array of performances will unfold around them. Dancers, pop stars, tightrope walkers, and acrobats will perform daring feats on water, rooftops, bridges, and artificial islands. The show will feature pontoons, floating pianos, helicopters, and possibly even submarines, culminating in a vast laser show finale beamed from the Eiffel Tower. More than 1 billion people are expected to watch live on TV and social media.

The idea of staging such a grand event along a large stretch of river in a city under its highest terrorism alert was initially met with skepticism. Even French President Emmanuel Macron thought it was “a crazy and not very serious idea” at first.

The exact details of the nearly four-hour-long show have been kept tightly under wraps. However, as the decor, including floating skateparks, giant replicas of paintings, and oversized gold tinsel, began to be placed in and around the Seine, some clues have emerged.

Paris will transform into a spectacular sports stage

In the early evening, delegations of athletes from more than 200 countries will be bussed from the Olympic village to a spot at the Seine in the east of Paris. There, they will board boats from specially built pontoons under the guard of the French military. The delegations will then sail side by side down the Seine, past Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, towards the Eiffel Tower. The Greek federation will be first, followed by the Olympic Refugee team, and then other nations, with the French boat coming last.

The Paris Olympics river parade will follow the course of the Seine for 6km, starting from Pont d’Austerlitz and coming to a stop at the Pont d’Iéna before the opening ceremony’s finale at the Trocadéro.

As the athletes sail, a revolutionary and irreverent show will unfurl around them, full of surprises. Historical monuments, rooftops, bridges, the sky, and the water will provide simultaneous settings for overlapping dance, music, acrobatics, and light shows. These performances will explore the history of Paris in all its diversity and its tradition of rebellion. Tightrope walkers will cross the river on high wires, the star French ballet dancer Guillaume Diop will perform on a rooftop, and BMX freestyle bikers will backflip over the water. The French pop star Aya Nakamura, who faced a racist backlash earlier this year over the possibility that she would sing, will also perform.

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France: ANJ expects €240 million in bets for the Paris Olympic Games

The French regulator, ANJ, released a statement today (July 25) forecasting up to €240 million in bets for the Paris Olympic Games. The statement discusses potential developments for the Paris Olympics and assesses the outcomes of its actions during Euro 2024.

Olympic Games projections

The ANJ projects that betting during the Paris Olympic Games could reach €240 million, double the amount wagered during the Tokyo Games in 2021. A study by Toluna-Harris Interactive cited by the ANJ found that 25% of French people interested in the Olympics are considering betting. Of these potential bettors, 74% say that the Games being held in Paris increases their interest in betting, even though 64% did not bet during the Tokyo Games four years ago.

Among the 32 sports represented at the Olympic Games, the ANJ received licensing requests for all sports except breaking, skateboarding, surfing, swimming (artistic and diving), gymnastics (rhythmic and trampoline), and equestrian (dressage and eventing).

Growth of the online sports betting market in the first half of 2024

Compared to 2023, the amount wagered has increased by 24% (€5.2 billion) in the first half of 2024, with gross gaming revenue rising by 16% (€871 million). The number of active player accounts has also grown by 16%, exceeding 2 million accounts.

Euro 2024: betting revenue below expectations

During Euro 2024, however, only half of the anticipated betting revenue was collected. French operators registered €650 million in bets, roughly the same amount as during Euro 2021.

Factors cited by the ANJ for this shortfall include the political context in France during the tournament and limited media coverage due to the upcoming Olympics.

Additionally, France’s fewer goals and absence from the final contributed to the lower revenue.

One reason many stakeholders have cited for the anticipated amounts being nearly halved is the weak channelisation. However, the ANJ clarifies that although the number of illegal operators and websites has increased, the actual volume of bets placed on these platforms remains relatively low.

Increased regulatory monitoring during the Olympic Games

A new risk monitoring system will be in place during the competition to prevent sports manipulation, involving cooperation among the ANJ, COJOP (Comité d’Organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques), IOC (International Olympic Committee), and various national and international partners. This is the first time the Olympics are hosted in a country with a dedicated national platform for combating sports manipulation, explains the ANJ.

This platform, led by the Minister of Sports, includes various government ministries, sports organisations, and gaming operators. The ANJ will oversee betting activities, manage alerts, and coordinate actions.

Internationally, a network of national platforms, supported by the Council of Europe and comprising nearly forty countries, will facilitate information exchange to fight international organised crime.

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सट्टेबाजों का अनुमान: राष्ट्रपति पद की दौड़ में Harris Trump से आगे

हाल ही में Reuters/Ipsos पोल के अनुसार, उपराष्ट्रपति Kamala Harris ने पूर्व राष्ट्रपति Donald Trump पर मामूली बढ़त हासिल कर ली है। राष्ट्रपति Joe Biden ने हाल ही में अपने पुनर्निर्वाचन अभियान को समाप्त किया है और हैरिस का समर्थन करने के निर्णय लिया है। इसके बाद हुए पोल से संकेत मिलता है कि Trump के 42 प्रतिशत से 44 प्रतिशत के साथ Harris आगे हैं।

यह बदलाव पिछले सप्ताह के सर्वेक्षण से एक उल्लेखनीय बदलाव दर्शाता है, जिसमें Biden को Trump से दो प्रतिशत अंकों से पीछे दिखाया गया था। रिपब्लिकन नेशनल कन्वेंशन और Biden की घोषणा के तुरंत बाद किए गए नए सर्वेक्षण में राष्ट्रपति पद की दौड़ की तेज़ी से विकसित हो रही गतिशीलता पर प्रकाश डाला गया है।

***स्रोत: SiGMA Kamala Harris के अमेरिका के अगले राष्ट्रपति बनने की संभावना***

Harris को डेमोक्रेटिक नामांकन हासिल हुआ है। अब वह पोल के तीन प्रतिशत-बिंदु त्रुटि मार्जिन के भीतर Trump से आगे हैं। जुलाई के मध्य में, दोनों उम्मीदवार 44 प्रतिशत पर बराबर थे, और महीने की शुरुआत में, Trump ने एक अंक की मामूली बढ़त हासिल की। अभियान के आगे बढ़ने के साथ दौड़ की प्रतिस्पर्धी प्रकृति में उतार-चढ़ाव और आगे के बदलावों की संभावना की उम्मीद है।

Reuters/Ipsos पोल ने रिपोर्ट की कड़ी टक्कर

देशभर में किये गए इन सर्वेक्षणों का महत्व राजनीतिक उम्मीदवारों के लिए अमेरिकी समर्थन को दर्शाने की उनकी क्षमता में बसा है। हालांकि, राष्ट्रपति चुनाव में अंतिम निर्णय यूएस इलेक्टोरल कॉलेज के कुछ महत्वपूर्ण राज्यों पर निर्भर करता है। चुनावी युद्ध वाले ये राज्य अक्सर अंतिम परिणाम निर्धारित करते हैं, जिससे उनके मतदान परिणाम चुनाव विजेता की भविष्यवाणी करने में महत्वपूर्ण हो जाते हैं।

Trump के अभियान के एक पोलस्टर ने Harris के समर्थन में हाल ही में हुई वृद्धि को कम आंका, और इसका श्रेय उनकी नई उम्मीदवारी के बाद व्यापक मीडिया कवरेज को दिया। Trump के अभियान के पोलस्टर Tony Fabrizio ने पत्रकारों को भेजे गए एक ज्ञापन में कहा, “यह उछाल अगले कुछ दिनों में खुद को दिखाना शुरू कर देगा और कुछ समय तक रहेगा।” उन्होंने सुझाव दिया कि उम्मीदवारों को आम तौर पर हाई-प्रोफाइल सम्मेलनों के दौरान अपनी पार्टी के नामांकन को स्वीकार करने के बाद लोकप्रियता में वृद्धि का अनुभव होता है।

सम्मेलन के बाद Trump के लिए बढ़त की उम्मीदों के बावजूद, सर्वेक्षण में उनके समर्थन में कोई उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि नहीं देखी गई। यह दर्शाता है कि Harris की बढ़त शुरू में लगाए गए अनुमान से अधिक स्थिर हो सकती है।

Biden के दौड़ से बाहर निकलने और Harris का समर्थन करने के निर्णय पर कई कारकों का प्रभाव पड़ा, जिसमें उनकी मानसिक तीक्ष्णता के बारे में लोगों की धारणा भी शामिल है। सर्वेक्षण से पता चला कि 56 प्रतिशत रजिस्टर्ड मतदाताओं का मानना है कि 59 वर्षीय Harris “मानसिक रूप से तेज हैं और चुनौतियों से निपटने में सक्षम हैं”, जबकि 49 प्रतिशत ने 78 वर्षीय Trump के बारे में यही कहा। केवल 22 प्रतिशत मतदाताओं ने 81 वर्षीय Biden के बारे में यह राय साझा की।

Biden के रेस से बाहर होने के बाद ट्रंप के साथ Trump हुई, जिसमें उन्होंने पूर्व राष्ट्रपति के हमलों का प्रभावी ढंग से जवाब देने के लिए संघर्ष किया, जिनमें से कुछ में झूठ भी शामिल थे। इस प्रदर्शन ने Donald Trump के खिलाफ प्रभावी ढंग से प्रचार करने की उनकी क्षमता के बारे में चिंताएँ पैदा कीं।

जैसे-जैसे दौड़ तेज़ होती जा रही है, लेटेस्ट Reuters/Ipsos पोल Biden के हटने और Harris के डेमोक्रेटिक उम्मीदवार के रूप में उभरने के पीछे के तर्क को रेखांकित करता है। आने वाले सप्ताह यह निर्धारित करने में महत्वपूर्ण होंगे कि क्या Harris अपनी बढ़त बनाए रख सकती हैं और अपनी उम्मीदवारी से उत्पन्न गति का लाभ उठा सकती हैं।

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China welcomes Philippine President Marcos’ ban on POGOs

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has expressed strong approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to ban all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). In a statement, the embassy highlighted that this move would benefit both Filipino and Chinese communities.

“We have noted President Marcos’ announcement of banning all POGOs and welcome this development. We believe this decision echoes the call of the Philippine people and serves the common interests of people of both countries,” the Embassy stated on Thursday.

Impact on crime and law enforcement

The Chinese government has been actively cracking down on its citizens involved in gambling businesses abroad, including POGOs. The embassy underscored that these operations are linked to serious crimes such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and murder. It was emphasised that POGO activities harm the interests and images of both nations and negatively affect China-Philippines relations.

“The Chinese law prohibits all forms of gambling,” the statement added. “The Chinese government strictly cracks down on Chinese citizens engaging in overseas gambling businesses including POGO.”

Commitment to joint efforts

The embassy reiterated China’s readiness to continue its strong law enforcement cooperation with the Philippines to protect the safety and well-being of their citizens. They emphasised that many Chinese citizens involved in POGO-related crimes were victims of the industry.

“POGO breeds serious crimes and gravely undermines the interests of both Philippine and Chinese people,” the statement said. “In line with this commitment, China is ready to continue its strong law enforcement cooperation with the Philippines and better protect the safety and well-being of the two peoples.”

Enforcement and prospects

The Associated Press reported that Marcos’ order targets over 400 online gambling operations employing tens of thousands of Chinese and Southeast Asian nationals. These operations have often been linked to illegal activities and poor working conditions.

Marcos emphasised the need for strict enforcement of this ban, citing the severe abuse and disregard for Philippine laws by these operators. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has been tasked with winding down these operations by the end of the year, with labour officials working to find alternative employment for displaced Filipino workers.

In a joint House committee hearing, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco clarified that the President’s order encompasses all offshore gaming operations, including the licenced Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs). Speaking with local reporters, Tengco also shared that around 20,000 Filipino workers are set to be displaced.

Complex China-Philippines relations

The Philippines’ relationship with China remains complex, balancing significant trade engagements and cooperation against crime with ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. While Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, fostered closer ties with China, Marcos has shifted towards strengthening defence ties with the U.S. and other allies.

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Philippine basketball icon makes ESPN’s top Asian athletes list

Philippine basketball icon June Mar Fajardo (pictured in centre) has cemented his status as one of Asia’s sporting legends after being named in ESPN’s Top 25 Asian Athletes of the 21st Century. The seven-times ‘PBA Most Valuable Player’ shares the spotlight in the 25th spot with fellow Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

The 6-foot-10 Cebuano centre’s unparalleled dominance in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has earned him global recognition. His impressive resume, highlighted by ten championships with San Miguel Beer, four Finals MVP awards, and a Defensive Player of the Year title, among others, made him a standout choice for ESPN.

***Fajardo has become synonymous with Philippines basketball over the course of his career. Source: Ernie Sarmiento/ESPN5***

“Known as ‘The Kraken,’ Fajardo has won seven MVP awards, the most in league history, and has led the San Miguel Beermen to 10 PBA championships,” ESPN lauded, accentuating Fajardo’s brilliance and hard work. The sports giant also acknowledged Fajardo’s contributions to the Philippine national team, Gilas Pilipinas, where he has been a stalwart since the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships

The ESPN recognition is yet another milestone in Fajardo’s illustrious career. Hailing from Compostela, Cebu, the “Kraken” started his basketball journey at the University of Cebu before being draughted first overall by Petron Blaze Boosters in the 2012 PBA Draft. His rookie season was marked by a silver medal with Gilas Pilipinas at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

Fajardo’s route to the pinnace of sport

Fajardo, known for his formidable presence on the court, was born in 1989, in Compostela, Cebu, Philippines. Raised in the modest town of Pinamungajan, Fajardo’s journey to basketball stardom began in his youth, where his towering height and natural athleticism set him apart. He honed his skills at the University of Cebu, leading the Webmasters to multiple championships in the CESAFI league. Drafted first overall by the Petron Blaze Boosters in 2012,

Fajardo quickly became a dominant force in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He earned seven MVP awards, the most in league history, and he has led the San Miguel Beermen to ten PBA championships. Beyond his accolades, Fajardo is celebrated for his humility and dedication, often attributing his success to hard work and perseverance.

Despite his imposing stature, those close to him describe him as a very gentle character off the court, a quality that endears him to his fans.

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ताज़ा समाचार

यूके जुआ आयोग का विवादास्पद सर्वेक्षण आखिरकार हुआ रिलीज़

यूके जुआ आयोग ने आज (25 जुलाई) जुए के परिणामों पर एक नया सर्वेक्षण जारी किया है। उद्योग के स्टेकहोल्डर्स ने इस विवादास्पद डेटा की आलोचना इसके प्रकाशित होने से पहले ही कर दी थी, क्योंकि वे संभावित नए नियमों और अपने क्षेत्र के लिए महत्वपूर्ण प्रभावों के लिए तैयार थे।

जुए के परिणाम

सर्वेक्षण में कहा गया है, “कुल मिलाकर, सभी प्रतिभागियों में से 11.4 प्रतिशत ने बताया कि उन्होंने पिछले 12 महीनों में या तो अपनी जान लेने के बारे में सोचा था या ऐसा करने का प्रयास किया था।” “ये अनुमान 2014 में सबसे लेटेस्ट वयस्क मनोरोग रुग्णता सर्वेक्षण द्वारा बताए गए अनुमानों से अधिक हैं, जिसमें अनुमान लगाया गया था कि 5.4 प्रतिशत ने पिछले 12 महीनों में आत्महत्या के बारे में सोचा था और 0.7 प्रतिशत ने पिछले 12 महीनों में आत्महत्या का प्रयास किया था। आत्महत्या करने या प्रयास करने के बारे में विचार करने वाले सभी प्रतिभागियों में से 11.4 प्रतिशत में से 4.9 प्रतिशत ने बताया कि यह उनके जुए से थोड़ा या बहुत अधिक संबंधित था। 1.1 प्रतिशत ने बताया कि यह उनके जुए से बहुत अधिक संबंधित था।”

Among adults who gambled in the past year, severe consequences included relationship breakdowns (1.6 percent), reducing spending on everyday items (6.6 percent reported this at least occasionally), lying to family (6.4 percent), and feeling isolated (5.5 percent).

Proportion who gambled in the past 12 months experiencing potential adverse consequences due to own gambling – Gambling Commission.

The data confirmed the relevance of the PGSI (Problem Gambling Severity Index) as it demonstrated the link between high PGSI scores and the severity of gambling-related consequences. Among those with a PGSI score of 8 or more, 41.3 percent reported experiencing at least one severe consequence. This contrasts sharply with 0.6 percent of those with a PGSI score of 0, who reported severe consequences.

Most risky gambling activities

The PGSI scores reveal the relative risk of severe gambling problems associated with different gambling activities.

Betting on non-sports events in person showed that participants were over nine times more likely to have a PGSI score of 8 or more compared to the average gambler.

Similarly, playing online slots made players more than six times more likely to have a PGSI score of 8 or more.

Impact on gamblers’ relatives

For the first time, the survey explored the consequences of gambling on individuals close to the gambler. Nearly half (47.9 percent) of adults reported knowing someone who gambled. Severe consequences observed included relationship breakdowns (3.5 percent), as well as embarrassment, guilt, shame, conflicts or arguments, and health issues such as stress and anxiety.

Feelings towards gambling

Among adults who gambled in the past 12 months, 41 percent expressed a positive attitude towards their last gambling experience, while 21 percent had a negative perception of their last gambling activity.

When lottery participation was excluded, the pattern remained similar, but with a slightly higher positivity rate of 50 percent.

Motivations for gambling

Motivations for gambling among adults reveal some clear trends. The chance of winning big money was cited by 86 percent, while 70 percent gamble for “fun”.

Among younger adults (aged 18 to 24), the fun of gambling was a more prevalent reason (83 percent) than the chance of winning big money (79 percent).

A controversial survey

Before the new data was released, industry stakeholders expressed concerns about it. They questioned the methods, stating that an online survey would be over-representing gamblers, as the participation rate was only 50 to 60 percent. Industry executives also feared backlash from out-of-context data.

Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller defended the survey, arguing that relevant agencies and recognised experts had worked on the data in an “open and transparent” process. Miller also declared that the survey findings should not lead to a change in regulations: “I don’t think it would be appropriate to change government policy based on one set of data. The absolute number is not the key thing; it’s how that number develops over time.”

The commission has published guidelines to ensure that the data provided is not reported wrongly. For instance, the Commission explained, while the findings can describe the range of consequences someone may experience as a result of their own gambling and someone else’s gambling, or look at patterns within the data among different demographic groups, it cannot be used as a measure of addiction to gambling, nor to calculate an overall rate of gambling-related harm in Great Britain.

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