529NEWS – Page 8 – Seattle Sports News Report

NEWS Nov 5,2024

Group Condemns Incessant Declaration of Sit-at-home, Calls for Kanu’s Release

David-Chyddy Elekein Awka

In a recent statement, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), a prominent socio-political youth organization in the southeastern region of Nigeria, strongly condemned the ongoing sit-at-home orders impacting the area.

Mr. Goodluck Ibem, the President-General of COSEYL, expressed the group’s alarm over the arbitrary nature of these directives, which originate from unknown sources and are disseminated primarily through social media. “These orders come from anonymous individuals via voice notes and videos, causing widespread fear and compliance among the population. This cannot continue; it’s madness that must end immediately,” he stated.

Ibem criticized the absurdity of people being instructed to stay indoors by unknown figures, calling it a “joke taken too far.” He emphasized the need for immediate action, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, asserting that such a move could foster peace in the region. “The release of Nnamdi Kanu is vital not just for the economy but also for the security of the southeast and the nation as a whole,” he added.

The group also pointed out the irony that despite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Simon Ekpa, leader of a breakaway faction, distancing themselves from the latest two-day sit-at-home order, the order still managed to disrupt government and private businesses for two days. “It raises the question: who is actually behind these sit-at-home orders?”

Furthermore, COSEYL criticized the spreading of misinformation, citing instances where old footage of vehicles on fire from a 2022 incident was used to falsely claim it occurred recently in Okigwe, Imo State.

In conclusion, the coalition urged President Tinubu to take decisive action regarding Kanu’s release as a means to combat economic sabotage that hampers growth and development in the region and beyond.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

Xi’an International Youth Football Invitational Tournament will start with teams from Germany, Netherlands and other countries participating

On October 16th, the Xi’an Sports Bureau announced that the 2024 Xi’an International Youth Football Invitation Tournament will take place from October 24 to October 30 in Xi’an.

During a press conference held at the Xi’an Sports Training Center, organizers provided an overview of the event’s preparations and schedule.

The tournament, themed “Silk Road Chang’an, Dreaming on the Green,” aims to promote youth development through football, recognized as a universal language. It seeks to enhance the city’s image and foster communication among youth from different countries, thereby advancing the global youth football movement.

This year’s competition will feature an under-14 boys’ category, with group matches set to be held at the Xi’an Sports Training Center and the finals scheduled for the Xi’an Olympic Sports Center.

Zhang Wei, director of the Xi’an Football Management Center, expressed the goal of establishing the Xi’an International Youth Football Invitation Tournament as a long-lasting and impactful brand event. He mentioned future plans to incorporate technology exchanges and other engaging activities to enrich the experience.

Eight teams have been invited to participate, including the Oldenburg Youth Team from Germany, the Den Bosch Youth Team from the Netherlands, the Cotton Farmers Youth Team from Uzbekistan, the Hylati Youth Team from Kazakhstan, Xi’an’s own youth football team, the U14 Elite Team from the Shenzhen Base, the Yinghua Silin Youth Team from Guangzhou, and a team from Zhejiang.

Shi Wei, head of the Competitive Sports Department of the Xi’an Sports Bureau, highlighted that the tournament will also include a welcoming ceremony, a youth football exchange meeting, and various educational and cultural activities designed to deepen mutual understanding and friendship among young athletes from different nations, promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

Guangdong issues defense reminder for typhoon -Tami-

On October 24, the Guangdong Provincial Early Warning Center issued a reminder regarding Typhoon “Tammy.”

According to the Guangdong Provincial Emergency Management Department, along with the Department of Culture and Tourism and the Meteorological Bureau, the 20th typhoon of the year, “Tammy,” is expected to traverse the central region of the South China Sea from the night of the 24th until the 27th, potentially reaching typhoon strength. The combination of cold air and “Tammy’s” outer circulation will result in strong winds across Guangdong’s coastal waters, the Qiongzhou Strait, the Beibu Gulf, the Taiwan Strait, and the central and northern parts of the South China Sea from the night of the 24th through the 27th, with sustained durations. Mariners are advised to stay alert for strong winds, and those working on the water should prioritize safety. Local authorities are urged to close coastal tourist areas, halt maritime routes, cease high-altitude and water-related activities as needed, and warn travel agencies against organizing tours to typhoon-affected regions.

The Guangdong Meteorological Bureau noted that as of 5 PM on the 24th, Typhoon “Tammy” (classified as a tropical storm) was located just west of Luzon Island in the Philippines, with maximum wind speeds of 23 meters per second (about 9 on the Beaufort scale) and a minimum central pressure of 990 hPa. The area affected by severe winds has a radius of approximately 400 kilometers. As of 9:25 PM on the same day, 21 typhoon warning signals had already been issued in Guangdong Province.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

Teens targeted in sex blackmail scams Instagram keeps watch_1

Instagram has recently introduced new settings aimed at combating fraud rings and preventing teenagers from becoming victims of sextortion. The platform urges parents to be vigilant. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has noted that the use of sexual images, videos, or discussions to extort money from victims is becoming increasingly prevalent. Criminal groups are reportedly teaming up to force teenagers into sharing explicit photos of themselves or their friends.

In response to the growing concern of sextortion, Meta has rolled out a series of updates for Instagram. For instance, the follower lists of teenage users will automatically remove potential extortionists, making it more difficult for these criminals to contact young users. Furthermore, it will provide teenagers with additional resources to recognize the signs of falling into a sextortion scheme.

Instagram disclosed that teenage users in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia will see educational videos in their accounts that teach them how to spot sextortion scams.

One significant feature introduced is “Nudity Protection,” which blurs images that may be identified as nude. It also offers courteous reminders to think carefully before sharing such images. This feature will be available to teenage accounts globally.

Antigone Davis, Meta’s Global Head of Safety, mentioned that Instagram has removed the “screen capture” feature from its messaging app, as it was being exploited by scammers to acquire sensitive images that only briefly appeared.

Recently, Meta launched a new set of parental controls aimed at helping parents better monitor their children’s online activities, alongside the updated sextortion prevention settings. Experts suggest these initiatives were a response to pressure from parents and lawmakers. Critics, however, remain dissatisfied, arguing that Meta’s responses are merely a way to sidestep larger, more fundamental issues regarding the negative impacts of Instagram on the mental and physical health of teenagers.

Scammers often impersonate individuals from the same country and of similar age to gain the victim’s trust, subsequently requesting “friends” to share explicit photos or videos. Once they have succeeded, they threaten to expose the victim unless they pay up. Davis emphasized that the new suite of features aims to eliminate such criminal activities.

Behind the scenes, Meta reported that it had shut down 63,000 accounts linked to sextortion rings, with thousands tied to a group based in Nigeria.

Despite Instagram’s claims of enhancing protections for teenagers over the past three years, the pressure to address issues related to sexual abuse and cyberbullying continues to grow.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

Ali, Tibet continues to deepen reform and opening up and achieves remarkable results in economic and social development

On October 21, a press conference was held in Lhasa, marking the 14th event in a series celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The conference highlighted the economic and social development in the Ali region for the current year.

During the event, Zhou Xunju, the deputy commissioner of the Ali region government, shared insights on the ongoing reforms and development initiatives since 2024. He emphasized that Ali has been actively driving reforms in key areas and expanding its open zones to enhance overall openness.

Zhou noted that in optimizing the business environment, Ali has launched a “first loan” program aimed at nurturing small and micro enterprises. As a result, the total credit balance for these businesses reached 1.636 billion yuan, reflecting a 54.92% year-over-year increase. The region organized six business-to-bank matching sessions, facilitating loans totaling 346 million yuan for 81 enterprises. Furthermore, they have intensified policies to alleviate financial pressures on businesses, implementing significant tax reductions and refunds amounting to 156 million yuan. Private investment saw a notable boost, hitting 1.359 billion yuan, which is a 55.8% increase from the previous year.

Zhou also discussed the deepening of reforms in critical sectors. The region has made strides in tax administration reform, collecting 380 million yuan in taxes while addressing arrears of 7.53 million yuan. In terms of state-owned enterprise reforms, the progress is on track with seven state-owned enterprises undergoing asset verification and valuation. These enterprises generated 261 million yuan in revenue and contributed 11.76 million yuan in taxes.

Moreover, in terms of both internal and external openness, Ali has significantly improved the functionality of the Purang port. Construction projects are underway for the standardized Tangga border trade market and the Xie’erwa river crossing bridge. Three traditional border trade points, Dingga, Lazila, and Bailingla, have been opened, resulting in a total import and export volume of 4.9797 million yuan through the Purang port. The Tangga border trade market has welcomed 301 merchants, achieving transactions worth 2.1613 million yuan.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

The new tea market is booming with summer and autumn tea, and Jiangnan green tea production areas are experiencing strong growth

Title: The Rise of Summer and Autumn Teas in the Jiangnan Region Sparked by the New Tea Drink Market

INTERVIEWER: Thank you for joining us today. It seems like fresh ingredients are becoming a staple in the new tea drink market, especially among younger consumers. Can you tell us more about this trend?

INTERVIEWEE: Absolutely! Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see everyone holding a cup of new tea drinks. It’s become a fashionable way for young people to enjoy life and indulge in trendy beverages.

INTERVIEWER: And what about the quality of the tea leaves? How does that play into this?

INTERVIEWEE: The quality of tea leaves is crucial when it comes to making delicious new tea drinks. For example, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, which sits on the south bank of Hangzhou Bay, we have over 600,000 acres of tea plantations, making it a renowned core production area for green tea.

INTERVIEWER: Historically, what has the focus been like for tea production in this region?

INTERVIEWEE: Traditionally, Shaoxing has concentrated on producing premium spring teas, while the utilization of summer and autumn teas has been relatively low. However, with the surging demand in the new tea drink market, tea companies and farmers are now striving to enhance the quality and utilization of summer and autumn teas, turning them into a new growth opportunity for the local tea industry.

INTERVIEWER: I understand that there has been a significant increase in activity in tea harvesting recently?

INTERVIEWEE: Yes, absolutely! For instance, in the Yucha Village of Fusheng Town, you can see tea farmers busily harvesting with machines for matcha processing. As Liu Zhirong, the manager at Yucha Village Tea Industry, mentioned, “Matcha has evolved from being just an ingredient to showcasing the freshness of tea. Its utilization rate is now at 100%, with stable flavors that blend seamlessly with fresh milk.”

INTERVIEWER: Interesting! What initiatives have been made to meet this growing market demand?

INTERVIEWEE: Three years ago, under the guidance of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, our company began digital transformations across nearly 5,000 acres of tea gardens to improve the comprehensive utilization of summer and autumn teas. We also implement shading techniques during high temperatures to enhance color and reduce caffeine content, leading to fresher tea.

INTERVIEWER: Wow, that’s impressive! What’s the outcome of these initiatives?

INTERVIEWEE: Thanks to our scientific management, we can add around 200 tons of high-quality tea yearly, translating into a value of nearly 10 million yuan.

INTERVIEWER: And let’s not forget about Longjing tea. How is it performing in the new tea drink market?

INTERVIEWEE: Longjing tea is indeed flourishing. We are not just focusing on the rare pre-Qingming Longjing but are also viewing summer and autumn teas as “golden leaves.” For example, Spring Water Hall, which contracts over 8,000 acres in Shengzhou, can produce 20 tons of Longjing tea daily, supplying renowned tea drink brands.

INTERVIEWER: That sounds like a well-strategized approach! What’s your method for maintaining quality?

INTERVIEWEE: Typically, we blend spring, summer, and autumn teas together. This combination not only retains the freshness of spring teas but also brings in the richness of summer and autumn teas, ensuring stable quality and cost-effectiveness.

INTERVIEWER: Technology seems to play a crucial role here. How has it impacted the industry?

INTERVIEWEE: New technologies and methods are effectively addressing the underutilization of summer and autumn teas in Jiangnan, transforming what used to be considered waste into valuable resources.

INTERVIEWER: What’s the broader picture for the tea industry in Shaoxing?

INTERVIEWEE: Currently, Shaoxing produces around 39,000 tons of tea with a comprehensive output value of 15.5 billion yuan. As Xing Hai, the head of the local Economic Crop Technology Promotion Center, stated, our focus moving forward will be on solidifying our traditional green tea and export advantages while advancing black tea, matcha, and raw tea.

INTERVIEWER: That sounds like a comprehensive plan for growth! What are your projections for the future?

INTERVIEWEE: Shaoxing aims to build a complete tea industry chain and reach a production goal of 45,000 tons by 2027, with the tea industry’s overall value surpassing 20 billion yuan.

INTERVIEWER: Thank you for sharing these insights! It’s exciting to see how the tea landscape is evolving in Shaoxing.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

The 6th National Police Dog Skills Competition concluded with 219 police dogs competing in the same field

On October 22nd, the sixth National Police Dog Skills Competition concluded successfully in Beijing, showcasing an impressive display of talent and teamwork. A total of 255 trainers and their 219 police dogs from 38 teams representing various public security departments across the nation, including the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration, competed fiercely for top honors. Ultimately, teams from Beijing, the Capital Airport Public Security Bureau, and Shandong secured the first, second, and third places in the group category.

To deepen the implementation of directives from the Ministry of Public Security regarding police dog operations, the Criminal Investigation Bureau organizes this nationwide competition every four years. The aim is to standardize, professionalize, and enhance the practical application of police dog functions, thereby improving their operational effectiveness in real-life situations.

This year’s event marked a record high in terms of the number of participants, dogs, and competition categories. The competition format emphasizes real-world relevance, featuring six practical individual events, including tracking, suspect apprehension, drug detection, bomb searching, bloodstain searches, and evidence retrieval, alongside assessments for onsite investigation and analysis. Notably, a new wilderness search category was introduced, simulating crime scenes in outdoor settings, while drug and bomb search events utilized double-blind testing methods to rigorously assess the capabilities of teams and their dogs in real-life scenarios.

The event included both team and individual competitions. In the team event, the Beijing team, the Capital Airport Public Security Bureau team, and the Shandong team took home the top three spots. Individually, Huang Cheng from the Zhejiang team excelled in tracking, while Song Zheng from the Beijing team achieved first place in evidence retrieval. Li Suwei from Yunnan led in suspect apprehension, Yu Shiyong from Jiangsu triumphed in bloodstain searches, Yuan Yuanyuan from the Ministry of Public Security Special Operations team excelled in bomb searching, and Bai Xiaojun from Shaanxi won in drug detection.

During the event’s demonstration exercises, eight units, including the Ministry of Public Security’s Kunming and Nanchang Police Dog Bases, along with public security agencies from various provinces and the National Immigration Administration, presented meticulously arranged drills tailored to practical needs. These showcased police dog obedience, tactical team operations, collaborations between humans and dogs, and the use of robotic dogs, highlighting the vital roles dogs play in crime investigation, patrol, smuggling detection, and search and rescue missions. A particular highlight was the debut of various domestically bred police dog breeds adapted to specific environments, such as the high-temperature and humidity-resistant “Taicang Dog,” the mountain terrain-suited “Guangxi Mountain Dog,” and the high-altitude “Tibet Linzhi Hound,” reflecting significant advancements in domestically bred police dog capabilities.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

National Bureau of Statistics- Optimistic about the late real estate market

On October 18, a press conference was held by the State Council Information Office to discuss the performance of the national economy in the first three quarters of 2024. During the event, Deputy Director of the National Bureau of Statistics Sheng Laiyun expressed optimism about the future of the real estate market, citing the implementation of a comprehensive set of real estate policies.

Sheng shared that a recent survey conducted among real estate developers and agencies in 70 major and mid-sized cities showed a positive shift in sentiment. In September, the optimism among new housing professionals increased by 10 percentage points compared to the previous month, while second-hand housing professionals reported a 6.5 percentage point increase in confidence. This improvement in sentiment is seen as quite significant.

Moreover, Sheng noted noteworthy changes in the real estate landscape during the National Day holiday (Golden Week). There was a marked increase in foot traffic and transaction volumes for various housing projects. According to some market organizations, the contracted transaction area for new homes surged by 102% during the holiday, and for second-hand homes, it rose by 205%. This indicates a clear positive shift, leading to a belief that the real estate market is poised for a constructive transformation.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

Guangxi builds a preferred location for ASEAN international commercial dispute resolution

On October 21, during a press conference in Nanning, Liang Yuekui, the Deputy Chief Judge of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region High Court, highlighted the court’s commitment to efficiently adjudicating international commercial maritime cases since 2021. He emphasized that these efforts have positioned Guangxi as a preferred destination for resolving international commercial disputes, particularly in relation to ASEAN, thereby supporting China-ASEAN efforts to align with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade rules.

From 2021 to 2023, Liang reported that the Guangxi courts processed a total of 23,025 cases involving foreign parties and those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, spanning 75 countries and regions. To enhance judicial efficiency and accessibility for both domestic and international parties, the Guangxi High Court established the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone Nanning International Commercial Court at the Nanning Railway Transportation Intermediate Court, a specialized tribunal for ASEAN-related cases at the Beihai Maritime Court, and a special circuit court for Sino-Vietnamese commercial disputes at the Guangxi Border Court.

Moreover, the Guangxi High Court has initiated measures such as the establishment of a case study base focused on ASEAN to standardize adjudication criteria and improve trial efficiency. They are also advancing the development of smart court technologies, exploring the implementation of cross-border litigation applications, electronic notifications, online mediation, and virtual court proceedings.

In terms of international judicial cooperation, the Guangxi High Court has signed memorandums of understanding with the courts of Vietnam’s Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces. These agreements focus on case sharing, border trade dispute resolution, and judicial assistance, all aimed at fostering deeper judicial collaboration between China and Vietnam. The court also hosted the third China-ASEAN Chief Justices Forum, facilitating online processing of judicial assistance requests, including document delivery and evidence gathering.

Additionally, the Guangxi High Court is working on the development of a judicial exchange and information center website for China-ASEAN countries to provide bilingual (Chinese and English) electronic notifications for ASEAN-related cases.

The white paper titled “Guangxi Courts’ International Commercial Maritime Trials (2021-2023)” was officially released on that day.

by 529mai.com

NEWS Nov 5,2024

China’s smartphone shipments have increased for the fourth consecutive quarter Vivo continues to rank first

In a recent interview, IDC reported a promising growth trajectory for China’s smartphone market in the third quarter of this year. According to their findings, smartphone shipments reached approximately 68.78 million units, marking a 3.2% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth represents the fourth consecutive quarter of expansion, indicating a strong demand propelled by a new cycle of device upgrades.

“Vivo continued to lead the market with an impressive year-on-year growth of 21.5% in shipments, maintaining an 18.6% market share,” stated IDC’s China Research Manager, Mr. Guo Tianxiang. “Their performance showcases the company’s resilience and ability to cater to consumer needs during this upgrading phase.”

Following Vivo, Apple’s iPhone 16 series, which launched in September, captured a 15.6% market share despite experiencing a slight decrease in shipments of 0.3% year-over-year, reclaiming its spot among the top five brands.

Huawei showed noteworthy performance with a robust 42% increase in shipments year-on-year, resulting in a 15.3% market share, placing it third overall. Xiaomi also reported strong growth for five consecutive quarters, climbing to the fourth position with a 14.8% market share. Honor rounded out the top five with a 14.6% share.

“Since the fourth quarter of last year, the Chinese smartphone market has steadily rebounded as pent-up demand from the past three years is gradually being released,” Mr. Guo explained. “Many consumers find themselves in a position where they must upgrade their devices, and the overall economic climate has not significantly dampened this demand for new phones.”

The average price of smartphones in China has risen from last year, driven not only by increased upstream costs but also by a willingness among consumers to invest in higher-priced models. IDC’s analysis indicates a steady increase in the proportion of high-end smartphones, with devices priced above $600 comprising 29.3% of shipments, up 3.7 percentage points year-over-year.

In addition, both IDC and another research firm, Canalys, highlighted challenges in the foldable smartphone segment. While shipments reached 2.23 million units in the last quarter—indicative of growth—this was a marked slowdown from the previous eight quarters. The market penetration for foldable phones still sits at just 3.2%.

Canalys further reinforced these trends, noting a 4% year-on-year increase in China’s smartphone market during the back-to-school season, with total shipments reaching 69.1 million units. Vivo led again with a 19% market share, while Huawei, with shipments of 10.8 million units, secured second place with a 16% share and a notable 24% increase year-on-year. Honor followed closely behind with 10.3 million units shipped, despite a 13% overall drop in its performance, highlighting the mixed success in the foldable market, which has garnered consumer interest.

by 529mai.com

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