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Japan’s Wataru Endo out of World Cup, worldwide profession over

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(Photo credit score: USA Today Network)

Japanese captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the World Cup because of damage Thursday and introduced his retirement from worldwide competitors.

The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder has been coping with an ankle damage that required surgical procedure in February. He hoped to be match for the competitors in North America, however skilled discomfort and performed solely the primary half in a May 31 tune-up pleasant in opposition to Iceland.

The news comes simply three days earlier than Japan open Group F play in opposition to Netherlands on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Endo has scored 4 objectives in 73 caps for Japan since his 2015 debut with the nationwide staff. He helped the staff attain the Round of 16 on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

‘As introduced, I will likely be stepping away from the World Cup squad,’ Endo wrote on social media.

‘Of course, there’s frustration at not having the ability to take part on this World Cup, however greater than that, I’m pleased with how we have grown collectively because the Qatar World Cup — me as captain, main this staff and turning our aim of ‘successful the World Cup’ into one thing we are able to say as a matter in fact.

‘The present staff is actually an exquisite staff. I consider they may overcome any adversity and present us sights we have by no means seen earlier than.

‘With this marketing campaign, I will likely be retiring from the nationwide staff. So from right here on, I’ll be cheering for the Japan nationwide staff as one of many followers. The second when the Japan nationwide staff wins the World Cup will certainly come some day. Let’s consider in that and cheer them on collectively.

‘And let’s unite Japan’s energy as one in order that second comes on this match –everyone, let’s tackle the North and Central America World Cup collectively!! Everyone, give it every part you’ve got obtained.’

Shuto Machino, a striker for Bundesliga membership Borussia Monchengladbach, changed Endo on the 26-man World Cup roster.

Japan will even face Tunisia on June 20 in Guadalupe, Mexico, and Sweden on June 25 in Arlington, Texas.

–Field Level Media

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Rare White Orca Spotted Off Hokkaido

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HOKKAIDO
A uncommon white orca has been filmed off the coast of Rausu in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko area, marking its first reported sighting in about two years.

The animal was noticed amongst a pod of killer whales swimming calmly via the waters east of Rausu Port, drawing excited reactions from vacationers aboard a sightseeing vessel. Standing out clearly among the many pod’s black dorsal fins was a single white orca.

The footage was recorded on the morning of June 8 about six kilometers east of Rausu Port.

According to the sightseeing boat operator that captured the video, the whale is believed to be a male primarily based on its estimated physique size of about eight meters and its tall dorsal fin. The operator mentioned sightings of the white orca are extraordinarily uncommon, even for native observers conversant in the realm.

Experts counsel the weird coloration could also be the results of genetic elements or an absence of pigmentation.

Source: HBCニュース 北海道放送

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Keith Urban didn't got down to file a yacht rock file. But then he entered the 'Flow State'

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He’s a rustic music star, however eager listeners know Keith Urban’s songwriting fashion is fluid throughout genres. Still, certainly nobody anticipated the shift of his 2026 album, “Flow State.” It options an authentic music with music legend, Michael McDonald, and 10 yacht rock covers.

The time period is used as a catchall for comfortable rock launched within the mid-to-late ‘70s and early ’80s. Think classics like Player’s “Baby Come Back” and Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us.”

Even Urban is shocked by his pivot. Few noticed it coming. “I didn’t either, no,” he laughed.

It started with the recording. Urban bought and restored the previous Tracking Room studio in Nashville, renaming it The Sound. To break within the house, he employed just a few session musicians. “I suggested that we do a yacht rock song just because I’ve always loved that loosely defined genre, and the songs are great and the arrangements are bulletproof,” he mentioned.

Urban, producer Dann Huff and the band recorded two songs in in the future. They have been on hearth, so just a few extra classes have been booked. And then just a few extra. “I thought, well, maybe this will be an EP, something that’s in between albums,” he mentioned. It stored rising, finally revealing itself to be a full-length launch. “It really took on a life of its own.”

Urban says he and his crew have been enjoying and recording purely for the enjoyment of it. He says yacht rock is the “perfect genre for that spirit” — one outlined by a sort of ease of presence.

But for his first album with covers, Urban wasn’t curious about corrupting the classics or making an attempt to completely replicate them. “Flow State” exists someplace within the center, along with his sonic signatures intact. Extended outros have been a pure place for experimentation. Take, for instance, “Summer Breeze.” After recording the monitor, Urban and engineer Mark Dobson determined to increase the top with keyboard and acoustic guitar. “We assembled it after the fact, and it became this other piece,” he mentioned. “Those moments kept presenting themselves, of where we could make it our own while still honoring the original.”

It’s prevalent all through the album, together with on the file’s collaborations: Little Big Town on Walter Egan’s “Magnet and Steel” and John Mayer on Bread’s “The Guitar Man.”

The sole authentic monitor on “Flow State” is “We Go Back,” a nostalgic tune a few couple who separate and meet up later in life. Urban wrote it with BRELAND, Sam Sumser and Sean Small in 2020. “I said to the guys, ‘Oh my God, if we’re going to write a yacht rock song, imagine Mike McDonald singing in the chorus,” he recalled.

Fast ahead to 2026, when the yacht rock covers album materialized, and Urban’s supervisor recommended he work with Kenny Loggins or McDonald for it. They despatched McDonald “We Go Back” and the remainder is historical past.

“Luckily, he loved it,” he mentioned. “But man, six years later to actually have him on this song when we just imagined him singing it all those years ago was just crazy. It was so surreal.”

Especially since Urban wasn’t fascinated with writing originals for the album within the first place — the items merely fell into place.

Urban describes the songs he selected to cowl on “Flow State” as feeling pretty much as good to sing now as they did after they have been preliminary launch.

“The music was almost an antidote to the stresses of the times. And I think the reason it hits now is for the exact same reason it did back then, which is — there’s just so much divisiveness,” he defined. The songs give audiences in 2026 the chance to flee and to revel within the joyfulness of the music.

They are a balm for listeners and for Urban.

In January, actor Nicole Kidman and Urban have been formally divorced after 19 years of marriage. The paperwork said that the couple has undergone “marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences.”

Urban describes “Flow State” as “an unexpected group of songs and a very unexpected record to find me when it found me, because it was very much a 180 of what was going on at the time.”

“The record’s called ‘Flow State’ for a really good reason,” he continued. “It really was about just constant movement. And yeah, it was a challenging record to make at the same time, for something that kind of sounds so effortless. It was quite a juxtaposition at the time. But I’m really grateful for the way that the record turned out and obviously I’m very, very protective of my family and I’ve remained that way the whole time.”

As for “Flow State,” he says there’s actual magnificence in the concept a yacht rock music can join folks to at least one one other. “One theme, one feeling, one emotion that just lets us all exhale for a minute — and look up and see a blue sky — just for three minutes and 30 seconds, is so needed,” he mentioned.

That, everybody can agree on.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.

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ATP roundup: Defending champ Taylor Fritz survives in Stuttgart

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(Photo credit score: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images)

Defending champion Taylor Fritz acquired an enormous take a look at in his first match on the BOSS Open, surviving 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (3) over Spain’s Martin Landaluce in second-round play at Stuttgart, Germany whereas notching his 350th profession tour-level victory.

The second-seeded Fritz was two factors away from dropping within the second set earlier than profitable three straight video games to remain alive. He then survived in a third-set tiebreaker to advance to the quarterfinals. Fritz completed the match with a 25-14 edge in aces.

Sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe had 22 winners towards 17 unforced errors whereas registering a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Rinky Hijikata. The Australian had 24 winners and 26 unforced errors.

No. 4 Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic outlasted Australia’s James Duckworth 6-7 (8), 6-4, 7-6 (3), and Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro posted a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over Australian wild card Nick Kyrgios.

Libema Open

Top-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime served six aces and did not face a single break level whereas recording a 6-3, 6-4 second-round victory over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Auger-Aliassime, who stands at a career-best No. 4 within the ATP rankings, wanted simply 73 minutes to complete off Fucsovics, who dedicated 29 errors towards simply 9 winners. Auger-Aliassime additionally had extra errors (22) than winners (16).

Adrian Mannarino knocked off No. 4 Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3 in a battle of Frenchmen. Benjamin Bonzi took down No. 5 Ugo Humbert 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in one other match that includes two French gamers.

China’s Zhang Zhizhen upset No. 6 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 7-6 (5), 6-4, and Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak sailed to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Australia’s James McCabe.

–Field Level Media

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Four Arrested After Festival Brawl Leaves Seven Injured

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EHIME
Four males have been arrested in reference to a mass assault that erupted throughout a conventional competition in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture, leaving seven folks injured after greater than 30 individuals grew to become concerned within the violence.

Video filmed by a viewer in October 2025 captured the chaotic scene on a nighttime avenue, the place shouting could possibly be heard as greater than 30 folks exchanged blows. One particular person seemed to be carrying what regarded like a bladed weapon.

The incident occurred in the course of the Saijo Festival, a centuries-old occasion believed so far again to the Edo interval. The competition is famend for its elaborate danjiri floats, that are carried by the streets by residents from particular person neighborhood associations.

Police arrested 4 suspects on June 10, together with 34-year-old Kyodai Suzuki and 34-year-old Yuki Ochi. According to investigators, all 4 have been concerned in carrying danjiri floats as members of the identical neighborhood affiliation.

The suspects are accused of assaulting seven folks linked to a different neighborhood affiliation utilizing expandable batons and their fists, inflicting accidents.

According to folks conversant in the incident, a dispute had damaged out between danjiri bearers from the 2 neighborhood associations shortly earlier than the assault occurred.

Source: FNN

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Deadly Blaze Rips Through Densely Packed Fukui Neighborhood

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FUKUI
A fireplace that broke out in a densely populated residential space of Fukui City early on June 10 left one particular person useless, destroyed a number of properties, and triggered panic amongst native residents as flames unfold quickly by the neighborhood.

Residents watched anxiously as huge flames illuminated the streets earlier than daybreak. The blaze unfold from one constructing to a different, finally engulfing a complete of seven buildings.

During firefighting operations, a strong flash was seen immediately in entrance of firefighters who had been spraying water into one of many buildings. Authorities consider the burst of sunshine might have been brought on by {an electrical} element short-circuiting.

The fireplace was reported at round 1:30 a.m. on June 10. In addition to the house the place the fireplace is believed to have began, an adjoining home was utterly destroyed, whereas 5 different buildings additionally suffered fireplace harm.

After the flames had been extinguished, firefighters found the physique of an unidentified particular person within the stays of the residence the place the fireplace originated.

Authorities have been unable to contact a 76-year-old man who lived alone in the home, elevating considerations that the physique could also be his. Identification efforts are persevering with.

Neighbors stated the person had not too long ago turn into much less lively. One resident recalled that he had stopped using his bicycle and solely left dwelling briefly when a cellular vendor got here by the realm.

The man had reportedly been discharged from the hospital only some days earlier than the fireplace occurred. Police and fireplace officers are investigating the reason for the blaze.

Source: FNN

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ContentLens Appoints Hari Nair, Former CEO of Tips Music, as Pro Bono Strategic Advisor

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PRNewswire

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 11: ContentLens, an AI-powered content material intelligence platform pioneering proprietary options in music IP safety, superstar likeness detection, content material provenance, and deepfake identification, immediately introduced the appointment of Hari Nair as Pro Bono Strategic Advisor.

Nair brings over three many years of management within the Indian and international media and leisure trade, having held senior roles at Tips Music Limited, Sony Music India, PPL India, and TikTok — the place he led the worldwide launch of TikTok Music (often known as Resso). Most just lately, he served as CEO of Tips Music Limited, one in every of India’s most valued music labels, the place he spearheaded international partnerships with TikTok, Sony Music Publishing, and Warner Music Group, constructed a data-driven, high-performance tradition, and delivered sustained shareholder returns. Upon his departure, the music trade legend Kumar Taurani, Chairman and MD of Tips Music, credited Hari for ‘driving revenues and reaching targets as dedicated to shareholders’ and described him as ‘a passionate, income and data-driven chief’.

In an trade the place advisory roles routinely carry fairness or paid preparations, Nair’s resolution to affix professional bono is a deliberate sign of conviction. As a former shopper of ContentLens, he has first-hand expertise of the platform’s capabilities — and selected to again it based mostly on that direct evaluation of the expertise.

In his advisory capability, Nair will present strategic counsel on ContentLens’s go-to-market technique throughout the Indian and international media & leisure trade, help the corporate’s investor relations, and leverage his intensive community throughout main music, media, and leisure firms.

ContentLens has already commercialised its expertise with 5 giant clients within the media and leisure sector. The firm has filed patents on its core fingerprinting, watermarking, and audio-visual content material intelligence applied sciences, and is advancing towards its subsequent section of economic development.

ROHAN SAHU, Founder & CEO, ContentLens:

‘When somebody of Hari’s standing chooses to again ContentLens — not for a price, however out of real perception in what we’re constructing — it’s among the many strongest types of validation an organization at our stage can obtain. His three many years of working expertise throughout each layer of the music and leisure ecosystem, mixed along with his direct familiarity with our platform, offers us each strategic depth and credibility as we scale. We are deeply grateful for his belief and dedication.’

HARI NAIR, Pro Bono Strategic Advisor, ContentLens:

‘I’ve spent my profession constructing worth throughout the music and leisure ecosystem, and I can see clearly that the following frontier of that worth lies in AI-driven content material safety. ContentLens is fixing an issue that each label, each artist, and each media firm on this planet already faces: IP infringement in an age the place content material might be replicated, repurposed, and monetised with out consent. I’ve labored with this expertise as a shopper and I do know what it could possibly do. I’m becoming a member of as a result of I genuinely consider this platform will matter — for file labels, musicians, artists, celebrities and each type of IP proprietor.’

ABOUT CONTENTLENS

ContentLens is an AI-powered content material intelligence firm constructing proprietary expertise throughout 4 verticals: music IP safety, superstar likeness detection, content material provenance, and deepfake identification. Headquartered in Bangalore, ContentLens works with main content material house owners and media firms to detect, defend, and monetise authentic mental property. The firm has filed patents on its core fingerprinting, watermarking, and audio-visual content material intelligence applied sciences, and has already commercialised its merchandise globally with 5 giant clients within the media and leisure sector.

ABOUT HARI NAIR

Hari Nair is one in every of India’s most achieved media and leisure trade executives, with a distinguished profession spanning music, digital media, and international content material platforms. He has held management roles at Tips Music Limited, Sony Music India, PPL India, and TikTok, the place he led the worldwide launch of TikTok Music (Resso). As former CEO of Tips Music Limited, he led the corporate by way of a interval of transformational development and delivered distinctive shareholder returns. He is broadly recognised for his dealmaking potential, performance-driven management, investor relationship administration, and deep experience in content material monetisation.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2996838/CONTENTLENS_Hari_Image.jpgPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2996839/CONTENTLENS_Rohan_Image.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press launch has been supplied by PRNewswire. ANI is not going to be accountable in any approach for the content material of the identical.)

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Weeds May Be the Most Highly Evolved Plants, Scientists Say

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SHIZUOKA
Weeds, usually seen as symbols of toughness and perseverance, might in actual fact survive not as a result of they’re sturdy, however as a result of they’ve developed extremely environment friendly methods that keep away from pointless competitors and maximize their probabilities of copy, in keeping with current analysis.

The newest installment of the science program targeted on a well-recognized however usually misunderstood topic: weeds. Many folks affiliate weeds with resilience, believing they’ll develop anyplace and proceed thriving irrespective of how usually they’re eliminated. The fashionable Japanese expression “weed spirit” is usually used to explain somebody who endures hardship and retains preventing.

However, Shizuoka University Professor Hideo Inagaki, a number one researcher on weeds, says that picture is essentially incorrect.

Inagaki, a professor within the college’s Faculty of Agriculture and the creator of greater than 150 books on weeds, argues that the standard understanding of “weed spirit” doesn’t mirror how weeds really survive.

“If people imagine weeds as recklessly pushing forward and working harder than everything else, that’s wrong,” Inagaki stated.

According to the professor, the first purpose of any plant is to flower and go away behind seeds. From that perspective, repeatedly utilizing power to face again up after being trampled is inefficient. Instead, weeds deal with producing flowers and seeds even below unfavorable situations.

“The real weed spirit is not getting back up every time you’re stepped on,” Inagaki defined. “It’s continuing to flower and leave seeds behind even while being stepped on.”

He stated weeds by no means lose sight of their final goal, a lesson which will additionally apply to human life.

Another stunning discovering is that weeds will not be notably sturdy opponents. While they might outperform cultivated vegetation reminiscent of greens, flowers, or lawns, they’re usually weak in contrast with many vegetation in pure ecosystems.

“Weeds cannot survive in deep forests,” Inagaki stated. “They are plants that escaped from competition.”

Rather than preventing stronger vegetation head-on, weeds have developed methods that permit them to thrive in locations the place competitors is lowered, together with city environments and disturbed floor.

Their survival ways will be remarkably subtle. One instance is a weed generally known as michitane-tsukebana, whose seed pods burst open when disturbed. When folks pull the plant from the bottom, the drive of the motion helps scatter its seeds over a wider space. Some seeds can even connect themselves to clothes, permitting people to unknowingly transport them to new areas.

“In a sense, the plant is using human behavior,” Inagaki stated.

Weeds additionally keep giant reserves of seeds within the soil, ready for favorable situations. When gardeners take away weeds, daylight all of a sudden reaches the soil floor. For many weed species, mild serves as a sign that competing vegetation have disappeared and that situations are perfect for germination.

Unlike many greens and flowers, which sprout after being buried in soil, quite a few weed species use publicity to mild because the set off to start rising.

As a outcome, eradicating weeds can typically encourage extra of them to emerge.

“The more you weed, the more weeds increase,” Inagaki stated. “For weeds, that’s exactly what they want.”

The analysis means that weeds have survived not by brute energy, however by versatile, environment friendly methods that prioritize copy, exploit alternatives, and adapt to uncertainty—traits which have made them among the most profitable vegetation on Earth.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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“Mbappe’s already proven, Yamal and Haaland want to…”: Bhaichung Bhutia forward of FIFA World Cup 2026

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By Utkarsh Rathour

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 11 (ANI): Former Indian soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia has shared his views on the younger skills anticipated to shine on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting them as potential defining gamers of the subsequent decade.

Speaking to ANI, Bhutia famous the spectacular monitor document of those rising stars whereas reflecting on the event’s alternatives for them to determine themselves on the worldwide stage.

‘I feel for Lamine Yamal, it is his first World Cup, so I feel it will be very fascinating to see, although there have been some damage points with him, however he is coming again,’ Bhutia stated.

At simply 18 years, Yamal’s trophy cupboard boasts a number of La Liga titles (2), a UEFA Euro 2024 championship, and back-to-back Kopa Trophies because the world’s finest under-21 participant.

The Indian soccer legend additionally praised Haaland’s performances on the membership degree and expressed anticipation for his first World Cup exhibiting.

The 25-year-old has already constructed a formidable trophy cupboard, claiming one European Golden Shoe, one UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award for the 2022-23 season, and the Golden Boy award in 2020.

Haaland has additionally secured the Premier League Golden Boot twice (2022-23, 2023-24), the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot twice (2020-21, 2022-23), and was named Premier League Player of the Season in 2022-23.

‘For Haaland, I feel he is, you understand, everyone is aware of about what he is achieved on the membership degree. So for him to return and play his first World Cup and present that on the world stage is one thing which I sit up for,’ Bhutia added.

Turning to Mbappe, Bhutia stated the French star has already confirmed himself as one of many biggest footballers of his technology, together with profitable the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reaching the finals of the final World Cup.

‘Mbappe’s already confirmed that he’s the best and the perfect footballer, particularly with the final World Cup, the way in which he actually virtually single-handedly received it for France,’ he acknowledged.

Bhutia additionally highlighted the ambitions of Yamal and Haaland, who shall be keen to depart a mark of their debut World Cup.

‘So yeah, I feel for Lamine Yamal and Haaland, that is going to be a World Cup the place they wish to show and present that even within the largest stage, these guys can nonetheless ship and nonetheless win it and may go on to turn into possibly the very best purpose scorer within the World Cup, which goes to be robust. But yeah, I feel that is one thing which each would need,’ the 49-year-old added.

Bhutia recognized potential underdog nations that might shock followers on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting Brazil, Japan, and Ecuador as groups able to making a deep run within the event.

Bhutia famous that whereas Brazil has traditionally been synonymous with World Cup success, the 2026 version may even see the five-time champions getting into the competitors as underdogs.

‘Quite a number of. For me, surprisingly, if you say World Cup soccer, Brazil was related to the World Cup soccer. But now, if you’re coming to this World Cup, in the event you have a look at the variety of groups which might be going to win within the prime six or prime eight, even Brazil doesn’t come into it. I’d go together with Brazil being the underdog as a result of, normally, I feel Brazil is meant to be the world champion,’ Bhutia stated.

The former Indian captain additionally praised Japan for his or her constant performances in qualifiers and friendlies, together with victories towards prime groups like England.

‘But this time, one in all them is Brazil as a result of they don’t seem to be the favourites in the event you have a look at the highest six or prime eight as effectively, they don’t seem to be in that checklist. But they’ll be one underdog crew that may go on to win. Another one is my favorite, which I’d be supporting, Japan. I feel they have been incredible all through the qualifiers and the friendlies. They’ve crushed groups like England in England and among the huge matches. And what a terrific crew they’ve,’ he added.

Bhutia expressed warning concerning Norway, citing the potential problem of adapting to sizzling and humid situations, regardless of having star striker Haaland in kind.

‘People are speaking of Norway, however I really feel Norway has certified for the primary time, taking part in in sizzling and humid situations, the place they arrive from may be very totally different altogether once they play in humid and sizzling situations. So they’ve nice gamers, Erling Haaland is in nice kind, however I do not see them due to the climate situations may wrestle,’ he stated.

The 49-year-old additionally pointed to Ecuador as a potential darkish horse, emphasising the significance of strong defensive play in knockout tournaments.

‘Another nation that may very well be a darkish horse is Ecuador, as a result of everytime you play a knockout event just like the World Cup, I feel defence is vital for any crew to go additional. And particularly within the knockout levels, as a result of in the event you preserve your defence compact, any crew, the perfect on this planet, we have seen going out with a crew that has nice defence. Ecuador could be one other darkish horse,’ Bhutia added.

Tune in to ZEE5 and expertise each purpose, each upset, and each unforgettable second of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in your most popular language – English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali. (ANI)

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Seven-Eleven, Dentsu Launch New Advertising Venture

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TOKYO
Seven-Eleven Japan introduced that it’s going to set up a brand new firm with CyberAgent and Dentsu to develop promoting providers, utilizing digital signage put in in its shops to ship focused commercials primarily based on real-time situations.

The new enterprise will distribute commercials on digital shows in Seven-Eleven shops, tailoring content material in response to elements such because the time of day, climate situations, product stock ranges, and different store-specific circumstances.

Seven-Eleven plans to increase the variety of shops geared up with digital signage as a part of a broader effort to develop its promoting enterprise. The firm goals to extend income from promoting and associated operations to twenty billion yen by fiscal 2030.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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