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Naomi Osaka is a 23-year-old Japanese tennis player who, despite being a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and the defending champion of the US Open, is famously recognized for refusing to participate in the French Open press conferences in May 2021.

From Hero To Villain Overnight

Osaka is a pioneer in her field. Yet, many individuals, including public figures, turned against Osaka after her media boycott. Piers Morgan called her an “arrogant spoiled brat,” while Oliver Brown, a sportswriter for the Telegraph, accused her of “diva behavior.” Osaka later pulled out of the competition.

Since then, Osaka has come under more scrutiny, following her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and her Netflix documentary, which hit screens on July 16. Clay Travis, Fox Sports Radio host, called her a hypocrite, tweeting that Osaka says she’s too introverted to talk to the media, but she can launch a reality show and be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. American journalist Megyn Kelly and Piers Morgan echoed Travis’ remarks.

In many ways, these recent moves by Osaka are textbook examples of “if you can’t beat them, join them.” When the tennis star refused to speak to reporters, people were confused: isn’t she a media personality? The answer was always no, but if people turned against her for her lack of media presence, why not do the opposite in the future? The Piers Morgans of the world wouldn’t have a problem with that — that’s what they wanted.

Alas, they did. However, for the 99%, those of us who watched journalists rip into Osaka, her recent moves, particularly her Netflix documentary, could prove vital in the global support she receives as she charges toward the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Redemption At The Olympics

If you follow tennis, then you know that, despite the negative attention Osaka has received this year, she’s still a favorite to take home the gold at the women’s singles tennis tournament. Osaka will represent Japan —the country has online sports betting odds of 29/10 to win over 55 medals at the event— instead of the United States. She relinquished her American citizenship in 2019.

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For those who don’t follow tennis, watching Osaka on the big screen could be a wake-up call that the media’s character assassination is unjust. Osaka’s documentary offers insight into the life of a young biracial woman, navigating triumphs and tough decisions as she makes history as the first Asian tennis player to be ranked number one.

It’s not unreasonable to think people with no prior interest in tennis and who only know Osaka because of the headlines will watch the series and support her throughout the Olympics. After all, if there’s one thing people love, it’s sports documentaries, as evidenced by The Last Dance series being watched by 23.8 million users outside of the US in its first four weeks.

Naomi Osaka is going into the Olympics as a gold medalist favorite in the tennis community and a villain in the media. However, I’m confident her recent ventures will be an eye-opener for bandwagon bullies, and she could become a fan favorite at this year’s event.

A United States State Department data reveals about 4 million Americans live abroad. About a half-million Social Security checks are annually sent overseas and the number is growing. Each month, more than 20,000 Americans cross the border on their way to establishing homes to the south.

Why Retiring Overseas

Some people are planning to buy a small condo in Arizona and grow vegetables in the winter months. Or they could perhaps move to Panama and live in an affordable house near the rain forest and grow orchids.

Live Large by Paying Less

In Ecuador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ghana, Thailand, or the Philippines, it is possible to live on somewhere around $20,000 or much less a year very comfortably along with enjoying a life with Rummy, Singapore, Malaysia and Ghana gambling industry. Many people can afford luxuries in developing countries that you couldn’t in the U.S.

Health Care and Other Benefits

Health care is the biggest concern for seniors and retirees. Author Barry Golson writes Europe and Latin America medical care, health insurance, hospital facilities, medical procedures or nursing-home care are comparatively more affordable. In many Latin American countries, retirees have privileges ranging from special residence visas to deep discounts on taxes, lodging, and transportation.

Volunteering – Finding Meaning in Retirement

Many people find meaning through volunteer activities abroad. Volunteering is fun and enjoyable. It is a great way to learn about the adopted country, to become part of the community and to give something back to society — teach English as a second language, look after orphans, join the rainforest conservation program, and so on.

Reasons Not to Retire Abroad

There are a few things to consider before moving abroad. How do you feel if you are separated from your family? Are you willing to learn the new language and adapt to the different culture and food? Do you easily get annoyed with long lines and lots of paperwork? Do you have something to do in your adopted country, such as a hobby, passion or job? Sitting on the beach and sipping a drink can make you old fast.

Retired People Struggle as the Average Cost of Living Rises

The over-60’s used to regard retirement as a time to relax and unwind, but money problems mean that this is no longer the case for many retired people. The average cost of living has been steadily rising at the very time that retirement incomes are falling. This has meant that increasing numbers of retired people are struggling with money problems and personal debt. To make matters worse, many over-60’s aren’t claiming state benefits, such as guaranteed pension credits, housing benefit and carers allowance because they don’t realise that they are available.

Average Cost of Living Increases Affect Retired People Disproportionately

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) found that households run by over-75’s spent 40 per cent of their weekly expenditure of £218 on gas and electricity, food, housing and council tax in 2007. However, those falling into the 65 to 74 age group spent only 30 per cent. A report in January 2009 by the Institute of Fiscal Studies showed that the average cost of living is rising at 5.4 per cent for over 60’s. The average cost of living is only increasing at 0.5 per cent for other age groups, thus explaining why money problems affect over 60’s more than others.

Whilst retired people have often paid-off their mortgage or enjoy lower rental payments, the cost of other household bills tends to be a lot higher for over-60’s. Increasing gas and electricity bills, higher food costs and increased social expenditure mean that many retired people struggle with money problems. An increasing reliance on credit cards and personal overdrafts has increased levels of personal debt for over-60’s.

Household Bills vs. Retirement Income for Over-60’s

According to a 2009 Prudential survey, UK workers are due to receive a retirement income of £17,779 per annum. This represents a fall of £884 compared to 2008; the reduction in retirement income can be largely attributed to falling interest rates on personal savings. The national average salary is £24,908 meaning that retired people receive £7,129 less. Whilst retired people have more time on their hands and incur higher gas and electric bills, household incomes are 29 per cent lower.

Fuel Poverty for the Over-60’s

A recent study by Age concern found that 22 per cent of over-70’s are living in fuel poverty compared to only 6 per cent of the population as a whole. Money problems have been exacerbated by rising gas and electricity costs and the fact that the elderly are at home for longer and feel the cold more. The £200 winter fuel payment used to cover 35 per cent of the average gas and electric bill, but it now only covers 20 per cent. This has placed an added strain on household bills for over-60’s.

Retired People Fail to Claim State Benefits

According to Age Concern, over-60’s fail to claim an estimated £4.6 billion in state benefits, such as pension credit, housing benefit and carers allowance, each year. Retired people fail to claim state benefits because they don’t realize they are available; other seniors are worried by the lengthy and complicated forms. Pension credit guarantees a weekly income for retired people of £189.35 per week. Other seniors are entitled to carers allowance or exemption from council tax. Access to these benefits can help over-60’s avoid crippling money problems.

Retired people can tackle personal debt and boost retirement income. Charities, such as age concern, will help over-60’s perform an assessment of state benefit entitlements. This can lead to pension credit, housing benefit, council tax exemption or even carers allowance for those with disabilities. This can help over-60’s cope with increases in the average cost of living and prevent money problems.

Individuals that have signed-up to credit agreements prior to April 2007 should check to see whether an illegal credit card or unenforceable loan agreement is in place. This could lead to the debt being written-off and any adverse credit entries being removed.

According to several reports, the online dating industry blossomed during the pandemic, albeit with certain changes. However, as the lockdowns are lifted, and things start going back to normal, what will happen to online dating? The world’s most popular dating apps will lead the way in reinventing themselves for the post-COVID-19 online dating space. 

It is apparent that Covid-19 recreated socialization completely. The online dating industry felt this re-imagination very acutely. Luckily it was well-prepared to deal with the emerging trends. Studies reveal that 82% of singles took to online dating platforms during the pandemic. In addition, the numbers from countries doing the most online dating show that engagement on online dating platforms have remained high. 

Most people were stuck in their homes because of restricted in-real-life (IRL) socialization. Socialization became digital, with people grappling through screen fatigue and isolation. During the same period, online dating operators were forced to strengthen their services. 

The evolution gave birth to new digital spaces and offerings to keep users engaged. These innovations were fruitful because the globally renowned dating apps registered more activity. Some of the apps saw a rise in downloads by up to 60%. 

As the whole world emerges from the lockdown and more in-person socialization returns to normal, singles are showing more eagerness to date. So what are the major trends shaping the industry’s direction today?

Virtual Dates And Video Chats Ain’t Going Nowhere! 

During the pandemic, necessity forced the growth of video chatting, audio memos, and voice calls. There is also lots of evidence pointing to the fact that these trends will shape the future of contemporary dating culture. 

Studies by some top dating apps revealed that up to 65% of their users claimed that they would continue using video chats in their dating process even after the pandemic. The users love the convenience of video chats and the safety it provides. You can connect with someone through the apps without having to reveal your personal contact details. 

Based on these claims, most of the top dating sites have revamped their video chatting and virtual dating features in the past 18 months. The operators have also been forced to introduce more features to make the dating experience more immersive. 

For instance, one top dating app introduced virtual backgrounds, which enable users to set an imagined date setting. Other innovative features include video prompts as icebreakers, and audio messaging capabilities.  

The operators also believe that users will not drop the new behaviors developed during the pandemic overnight. They also believe many people will want to continue enjoying the benefits of the new features developed. 

Changing Dating Objectives

Studies on which countries are doing the most online dating have revealed that more singles are looking for more serious relationships. Some top dating platforms have stated that most of their users are looking for more serious partners post the pandemic. Moreover, many users claimed they had changed their relationship objectives after the past year’s experience. 

This trend is similar on all top dating apps with a global reach. Many people might be expecting a summer full of activities after the pandemic. But nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the singles on the dating apps revealed that they had spent the previous year reflecting on what are the essential things in their lives. They stated that they had become more honest with themselves. 

As a result, people no longer swipe right on a profile simply because the user is attractive. Instead, there is a more cautious approach as singles slowly search for a dating partner guided by their core values. The users are also more straightforward about what they want. 

These new dating objectives will guide online dating operators on the changes they need to make on their platforms. 

Health Transparency Is another New Normal

The social trends of dating during the pandemic were a tricky affair. Singles found themselves in a situation where they needed to navigate several obstacles in search of love. For instance, there were the complexities of dealing with the Covid-19 statuses, social distancing, and mask-wearing. 

Many dating sites had to come up with innovative ways of helping users deal with the complexities before them. In this regard, some dating apps introduced vaccination badges that users pin on their profiles. Other operators introduced an entire section called “Covid Preferences Center,” where users make known their preferences. 

More Community-Focused Solutions

The online dating sector has experienced an increase in community-focused solutions. Some dating operators have taken on the challenge and are offering environments that create a sense of community for the users. 

The dating apps are shifting from just being dating platforms to more social platforms where friendships can also thrive. The apps also use some users as brand ambassadors while others host reality shows that show inspired sessions of successful dates. 

Bottom Line

It is evident that after the pandemic dust has settled, the dating scene will have changed forever. Luckily, it is changing into a better industry. The singles’ dating needs have changed, and the online dating operators will have to adapt their systems to capture the emerging trends.   

Celebrities have the power to turn nothing into something. They can generate hype around a particular product, trend, or idea and make it mainstream. We’ve seen this happen many times over the years. Take, for example, Ghanaian songwriter and musician, Martin King Arthur. Otherwise known as Kofi Kinaata, he recently used his public image to raise awareness about the issue of illegal fishing. Although the song Illegal Fishing [Closed Season] might not solve the problem, it’s a start. Indeed, he won the Vodafone Green Award for his efforts and, more importantly, made the issue mainstream.

Celebs Shine a Spotlight on Trading

This type of influence can be used for all sorts of things, not just environmental policies. In 2020 and 2021, one thing of interest among the A-listers of this world was investments. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Dogecoin were the focus of people like Elon Musk. However, this has spawned a much broader interest in trading as an activity. In fact, even when celebrities aren’t trying to spark a rush of trading activity, their actions can impact the market. We saw that during a post-match press conference at Euro 2021 when Cristiano Ronaldo pushed aside two bottles of Coca-Cola in favor of water. The act caused shares in Coca-Cola to drop 1.6% and the company to lose $4 billion from its market capitalization.

This demonstrates the power celebrities have on the financial markets. However, more significantly, it makes people aware of the markets. Indeed, the very fact mainstream media outlets covered the Ronaldo incident and referenced shares in Coca-Cola made people aware of trading. That, in turn, plays into the recent online trading revolution. Today, more than ever, buying and selling stocks, commodities, and other financial instruments has become a mainstream pastime. Online broker sites make it possible for almost anyone to trade via their desktop or mobile.

Trading Technology Takes Things to a New Level

Take, for example, gold. Africa is one of the largest gold mining regions in the world. From South Africa to Ghana, countries across the continent are responsible for a global market worth trillions of dollars. Using online broker sites, you can trade commodities using contracts for difference (CFDs). This type of trading allows you to speculate on the price of gold, rather than buying the underlying asset. The benefit of this is that you can speculate on the price increasing or decreasing. These provisions, in tandem with the proximity of the gold mining industry (i.e. it’s here with us in Africa), makes it a potentially interesting area of exploration.

Source: Pixabay

Of course, the rise in popularity of trading and it being the talk of the celebrity world doesn’t mean that it isn’t a risky financial endeavor. The point, however, is that the industry has moved into the spotlight due to the rise of technology and exposure. Trading sites have made it easier to buy and sell, while celebrity interest has made trading mainstream. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see more people discussing their investments on social media. It may not be the hottest trend forever but the recent hype surrounding the investment world is something that will have a positive impact for years to come.

Ghana boasts a fair few well-established veterans and up-and-coming talents dotted around the top European leagues. From players battling away in the Premier League to those honing their skills in the Netherlands, there’s plenty of reason for Black Stars fans to follow the competitions to the north.

With several classy players signed on for top teams coming into the 2021/22 season, we’re looking to see who could be on the side that enjoys the most success by the end of the new campaign. After all, the experience of claiming silverware for your club certainly comes in handy when joining up with the national team.

Stars of the show

Right now, without a doubt, Ghana’s best player is Thomas Partey. Having left the defensively astute Atlético Madrid for £45 million in October 2020, the defensive midfielder finds himself a core piece of a rebuilding Arsenal side. While injuries plagued his campaign, the Black Star of 28 caps did tee-up three goals and play 36 games for his new club last season.

Perhaps the most exciting player in Ghana’s football sphere right now, however, is Mohammed Kudus. The 20-year-old from Accra enjoyed a strong first season for Ajax, claiming the Eredivisie title and the Dutch Cup. Again, injury hampered this go-to selection for the national team, but the central midfielder still managed to score four goals and assist a further three in just 22 appearances.

The first transfer window of 2020 was certainly busy for Ghanaians, with Mohammed Salisu also playing his first season for a new club in 2020/21. The centre-back, who continues to put off making his debut for the Black Stars, made just 15 appearances for Southampton due to – you guessed it – an injury problem. Still, in his time on the pitch, he proved himself more than worthy of Premier League minutes.

More through their club and what they could achieve should they break into the first-team ranks proper, Daniel Amartey and Kama Sowah will hope to play key roles for Leicester City next season. Amartey has been a backup piece for some years, but Sowah returns to the King Power Stadium on the back of a stellar loan spell to Oud-Heverlee Leuven of the Jupiler Pro League.

Who will reign supreme in 2021/22?

To gauge which of these Ghanaian stars will find the most success this season, we’ve turned to one of the highest-rated expert oddsmakers in the country, bet365 Ghana, which more than earns its reputation as a leading sportsbook, offering a perfectly sorted sports betting platform that offers an impressive selection of markets. As a result, even this far out of the new season, we can see the odds given by their experts.

So, starting in the Premier League, Arsenal and Partey have an uphill battle ahead of them, while the two Foxes could be in for yet another season of unprecedented success. The Gunners are out at odds of 2.38 to get into the top-six of the league, but at 6.50 to be the top London club. Still, though, Leicester City are expected to do better, sitting ahead at 2.10 for a top-six spot, and a wishful 50.0 to win the league again.

While undoubtedly a great European team, Ajax aren’t expected to throw down with the biggest clubs on the continent next season, even with Kudus having another year under his belt. They’re at 67.0 to win the Champions League, but in the recent past, they’ve found European success by dropping into the Europa League.

Despite their early run all the way to the top of the league last season, Southampton crumbled in the second half, finishing 15th in the league. This season, they’ll hope to have Salisu for the whole campaign, and yet, they’re at 3.75 odds to crack the top half of the Premier League in 2021/22.

Of them all, it’s the crafty Kudus who stands the best chance of claiming some silverware. Yet, in the ever-competitive Premier League, the other top Ghanaians will fancy their chances of a high-finish and perhaps one of the cups.

The Best Online Games in 2021

There has been no better time for online games to thrive than 2021. These online games allow people to interact with other players worldwide while staying safe in the comfort of their homes. Online games are also an excellent way to unwind and have fun in your free time. 


You can also bond with friends and family. Now, if you are a fan of exploring releases and trending titles, here are some of the best online games in 2021. 

Among Us

This game was developed by American game studio and released in 2018. It is an online, space-themed, multiplayer game that requires the players to choose to be either a crewmate or an imposter. The objective of the imposter is to kill all the crewmates without getting caught, while crewmates should identify and eliminate the imposter.

Fortnite

Epic Games developed and launched this game in 2017. Fortnite was designed such that players can choose from three different game modes. They include Fortnite Save the World, Fortnite Creative and Fortnite Battle Royale. Fortnite Battle Royale has done exceedingly well of the three, earning Epic Games roughly $9 billion in revenue within the first two years of its launch. 

Minecraft

Minecraft is said to be arguably the best-selling video games of all time. The game has no specific objectives whatsoever, and this allows one to think outside the box. Players use the 3D sandbox structure to craft tools and extract materials from the earth that they use to create various designs. There also exists a virtually infinite train track that floats over the “world.”

PUBG

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is a battle royale game by PUBG Corporations and is a must-have for players that enjoy a good brawl. The full release was in December 2017 and is set in an open arena. Players parachute from the skies and engage in a death match as they scavenge for weapons while trying to stay alive.

CS: GO

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the fourth game in the Counter-Strike series and was developed by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment in 2012. The objective of this game is for two teams, the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists, to go head to head while accomplishing in-game tasks. Players have eight game modes to choose from. 

League of Legends

The player is required to control a character known as a champion who possesses various unique abilities. The winner gains strength with each level he completes and with each character he kills. There are currently a total of 155 champions. League of legends was developed and published by Riot Games and is a multiplayer online battle arena game.

Pokemon Go

This game is set in an augmented reality where one must locate and capture creatures known as Pokemon. They appear as if they are life-sized, thus allowing players to be fully immersed in this game. Pokemon Go was developed by Niantic and is used with devices that contain GPS. 

Apex Legends

This is a battle royale free to play shooter game released in February 2019. It was developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. Players assemble into groups and select Legends, which are characters each containing special abilities. There are two game modes, namely, Battle Royale mode and Arenas mode.

Hearthstone

Blizzard Entertainment designed this free-to-play online game in 2014. The player is provided with a deck of 30 cards and a hero who possesses extraordinary abilities. The goal of this game is for one to be able to destroy the opponent’s hero. Winners can purchase new cards through microtransactions or gold earned after winning. 

Call of Duty Warzone

Infinity Ward and Raven Software designed Call Of Duty Warzone to be a free-to-play battle royale game released in March 2020. The game contains three modes, namely, Plunder, Resurgence and Battle Royale. It includes the use of in-game currency, which is used at buy stations. 

Final Fantasy XIV

This massively multiplayer online role-playing game designed and developed by Square Enix is the fourteenth entry to the Final Fantasy series. The game is set in a fantasy world known as Eorzea. Players chose an avatar to explore the land and battle with the Garlean Empire and the Primals. 

Splatoon 2

This game was released in July 2017 by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Splatoon 2 is a third-person shooter video game. Characters known as Inklings and Octolings use coloured ink as ammunition and can morph into different forms.

Division 2

This game is set in Washington DC after a deadly genetically engineered virus known as Green Poison. Players create their agent from the Strategic Homeland Division to try and rebuild the city. Division 2 was developed by Massive Entertainment and released in 2019.

Legends of Runeterra

Riot Games developed and released this game in April 2020. Legends of Runeterra is a free to play, digital collectable card game. The objective of the game is for the players to reduce the health of their opponents to zero. 

Wrapping up

Online games are getting better and popular over time. We have seen this first-hand in 2021. Most of these games feature intricate visuals, meticulous implementation of sound effects and well thought out gameplays. They unite players all over the world and keep them yearning for more. Just take your pick and enjoy playing solo or with family and friends!

The Best NFL Coaches of the Past Decade

As an avid sports fan, you will concur that a winning team consists of more than just the players’ ability on the field. A lot is hinged on having skilled coaches to lead them out in the battle.

Now, the last ten years of the NFL have been exciting on the pitch but how frequently do we credit the marvelous play to coaches on the sidelines? Well, here are the best NFL coaches who have stood a cut above the rest in the past decade:

Bill Belichick-New England Patriots

One of the easier choices on the list has got to be Belichick. The New England Patriots coach is one of the NFL stars of the last decade. He has picked up 3 Super Bowl wins coupled with 3 more AFC championships in the past decade. Belichick has an incredible 141 consistent season and playoff wins in this decade alone! The fact that his New England Patriots have won their division virtually every season of this decade should say plenty about Belichick’s extraordinary coaching talents. He has got to be one of the best NFL coaches ever! 

Andy Reid-Philadelphia Eagles/Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Reid began the decade by winning the NFC East with the 2010 Eagles. He also managed to lead them to the playoffs six times before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. The only blip to his star was the elusive Super Bowl title. Well, Andy Reid finally hoisted the Super Bowl 2020 crown, ending that 21-year winning run without a trophy to show for his talents. 

John Harbaugh-Baltimore Ravens

The last decade was quite bumpy on the Ravens. They had to bear with many changes. That said, John and his troops have had quite a success in his thirteen-year tenure. He has had one of the highest playoff wins in the history of the NFL!  He is known for his capability to change his tactics as new members join and leave the Ravens. It serves to highlight the influence he has had as a coach. Many even argue that he is currently the best head coach in the league!

Sean Payton-New Orleans Saints

Payton began the decade by winning the Super Bowl in February of 2010. He has kept that winning run for most of the decade, even though he missed the playoff for three consecutive years and got suspended for an additional season over what was known as the Bounty scandal. He has a 133-77 record over his 13 seasons with the New Orleans Saints. 

Mike Tomlin-Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin recently signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Steeler through to 2024.  In his 14 seasons at the helm, he has led the Steelers to AFC North titles, nine playoffs, and two Super Bowl appearances. The 2019 season might be his most remarkable coaching achievement to date. Tomlin is also the only coach to win the Super Bowl twice under the age of 40. He is also the second-ever African American coach to win the Super Bowl! 

Sean McVay-Los Angeles Rams

The Rams had a bumpy 2019 season attracting critics, but they still managed to keep one of their most significant assets with a 5-year contract. He was hired in 2017 at the tender age of 30, taking the Rams to a first Super Bowl appearance in 17 years. He also managed a 24-8 regular season record coupled with a pair of postseason victories.

Kyle Shanahan-San Francisco 49ers

Shanahan is 41 years old and, just like Andy Reid, is a great tactician, particularly on the offensive side. It’s hard to judge Shanahan’s overall performance because until the 2019 season came about, he had quite a bumpy ride. Credit to Shanahan, though. He managed to change fortunes around leading them to the NFC championship win in 2020. He is also known as one of the most diverse and progressive coaches in the NFL. He has a team featuring women and people of all colors!

Pete Carroll-Seattle Seahawks

When Pete Carroll joined the Seahawk from USC, many critics dismissed his credentials at the top level. They couldn’t have been more wrong! He has won one Super Bowl in this decade, nearly won another, and has turned the Seattle Seahawks into serial winners. He is already the longest-tenured and winningest coach in the team’s history. 

Doug Pederson-Philadelphia Eagles

Doug has been around as a player and most recently returning to lead the Eagles. He delivered one of the great coaching achievements ever in winning a Super Bowl in 2017. In this third season, Pederson had to deal with many injuries in his time with the Philadelphia Eagles that eventually led to his sacking in January 2021.

Riverboat Ron Rivera-Carolina Panthers/Washington Football Team

Last but not least, there is another familiar name in Ron Rivera. For the better part of the decade, he led the Panthers for 9 seasons. He managed to take them to four playoff appearances and a Super Bowl showdown in 2014. He lost to the Denver Broncos. He is also two-time NFL coach of the year. Sadly, the arrival of a new owner led to his sacking in 2018 but he now has a home with the Washington Football Team (previously the Washington Redskins). He has already led them to an NFC East title, despite facing hurdles like fighting Cancer, the ongoing Pandemic and transitions in the team. We hope there is more to come from the veteran! 

Wrapping up

There is no denying that any top sporting team needs a good coach driving them from the sidelines. You will see them barking instructions, crafting play strategies and urging their teams on, even in tough situations. The best coaches are judged by the impact they make and the trophies they pick along the way!

According to several reports, the online dating industry blossomed during the pandemic, albeit with certain changes. However, as the lockdowns are lifted, and things start going back to normal, what will happen to online dating? The world’s most popular dating apps will lead the way in reinventing themselves for the post-COVID-19 online dating space. 

It is apparent that Covid-19 recreated socialization completely. The online dating industry felt this re-imagination very acutely. Luckily it was well-prepared to deal with the emerging trends. Studies reveal that 82% of singles took to online dating platforms during the pandemic. In addition, the numbers from countries doing the most online dating show that engagement on online dating platforms have remained high. 

Most people were stuck in their homes because of restricted in-real-life (IRL) socialization. Socialization became digital, with people grappling through screen fatigue and isolation. During the same period, online dating operators were forced to strengthen their services. 

The evolution gave birth to new digital spaces and offerings to keep users engaged. These innovations were fruitful because the globally renowned dating apps registered more activity. Some of the apps saw a rise in downloads by up to 60%. 

As the whole world emerges from the lockdown and more in-person socialization returns to normal, singles are showing more eagerness to date. So what are the major trends shaping the industry’s direction today?

Virtual Dates And Video Chats Ain’t Going Nowhere! 

During the pandemic, necessity forced the growth of video chatting, audio memos, and voice calls. There is also lots of evidence pointing to the fact that these trends will shape the future of contemporary dating culture. 

Studies by some top dating apps revealed that up to 65% of their users claimed that they would continue using video chats in their dating process even after the pandemic. The users love the convenience of video chats and the safety it provides. You can connect with someone through the apps without having to reveal your personal contact details. 

Based on these claims, most of the top dating sites have revamped their video chatting and virtual dating features in the past 18 months. The operators have also been forced to introduce more features to make the dating experience more immersive. 

For instance, one top dating app introduced virtual backgrounds, which enable users to set an imagined date setting. Other innovative features include video prompts as icebreakers, and audio messaging capabilities.  

The operators also believe that users will not drop the new behaviors developed during the pandemic overnight. They also believe many people will want to continue enjoying the benefits of the new features developed. 

Changing Dating Objectives

Studies on which countries are doing the most online dating have revealed that more singles are looking for more serious relationships. Some top dating platforms have stated that most of their users are looking for more serious partners post the pandemic. Moreover, many users claimed they had changed their relationship objectives after the past year’s experience. 

This trend is similar on all top dating apps with a global reach. Many people might be expecting a summer full of activities after the pandemic. But nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the singles on the dating apps revealed that they had spent the previous year reflecting on what are the essential things in their lives. They stated that they had become more honest with themselves. 

As a result, people no longer swipe right on a profile simply because the user is attractive. Instead, there is a more cautious approach as singles slowly search for a dating partner guided by their core values. The users are also more straightforward about what they want. 

These new dating objectives will guide online dating operators on the changes they need to make on their platforms. 

Health Transparency Is another New Normal

The social trends of dating during the pandemic were a tricky affair. Singles found themselves in a situation where they needed to navigate several obstacles in search of love. For instance, there were the complexities of dealing with the Covid-19 statuses, social distancing, and mask-wearing. 

Many dating sites had to come up with innovative ways of helping users deal with the complexities before them. In this regard, some dating apps introduced vaccination badges that users pin on their profiles. Other operators introduced an entire section called “Covid Preferences Center,” where users make known their preferences. 

More Community-Focused Solutions

The online dating sector has experienced an increase in community-focused solutions. Some dating operators have taken on the challenge and are offering environments that create a sense of community for the users. 

The dating apps are shifting from just being dating platforms to more social platforms where friendships can also thrive. The apps also use some users as brand ambassadors while others host reality shows that show inspired sessions of successful dates. 

Bottom Line

It is evident that after the pandemic dust has settled, the dating scene will have changed forever. Luckily, it is changing into a better industry. The singles’ dating needs have changed, and the online dating operators will have to adapt their systems to capture the emerging trends.   

1xBet is a platform that can benefit different kinds of people. On one hand there are the punters, who can take advantage of the extensive library of sports wagering opportunities and online casino games, including their great odds. On the other hand, there are many sports betting affiliate programs on 1xBet platform. The bookmaker is eager to attract new people into these kinds of partnerships that can be beneficial for all parties involved. There are a few kinds of deals available, they include:

  • CPA or click-per-action;
  • rev-share or revenue sharing;
  • hybrid schemes;
  • and customized arrangements as well!

In a CPA kind of deal, the affiliate will get a previously agreed amount every time that someone clicks on the banner and signs up at 1xBet. On the other hand, in a revenue-sharing kind of deal, a fraction of the total revenue obtained by the sportsbook will be given to all partners.

What is expected from the affiliates

The affiliate’s task can be quite simple once the proper kind of partnership has been identified and implemented. Most of the time, affiliates will need to put a banner on the website that they manage or own. This banner, when clicked, will take people to the main 1xBet website. Also, they will be able to sign up immediately if they wish to. In a CPA kind of deal, if a person decides to become a member of the sportsbook, the affiliate will get a fixed amount every time that this takes place.

These banners can be a great source of passive income if properly managed. However, there are a few things that affiliates must do in order to improve their income even more. First of all, it is essential that their website has content related to sports or online casinos. Otherwise, a banner of this kind will be out of place, and reduces the chances that someone will click on it.

Also, normally some minimum activity or performance is expected from everybody taking part in a sports betting affiliate program on platform 1xBet. This means that if the website receives very few or no visitors at all after a while, the deal could probably be terminated. However, it is not something to scare people away. On the contrary, the deals offered by 1xBet are the best in the entire industry. Their conditions are beneficial for affiliates and the revenue tends to be more generous than what other sportsbooks can currently offer. That’s why it is such a great idea to consider becoming part of the 1xBet family as a partner.

We already know that Africa has produced some stupendous basketball players over the years with the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo etched into our brains. 

The continent is a conveyor belt of stars though and here we look at the African players that could well feature in the NBA draft this year.

Number 5. Ochai Agbaji

The first name on our list of the African players to watch out for in the NBA draft is Ochai Agbaji of the Kansas Jayhawks. Agbaji, who was born in Wisconsin, has a Nigerian father; it was him who encouraged his son to partake in sports from a young age. 

Given he’s on the brink of becoming a NBA draft pick, it was a wise choice. The player has established himself as a key part of the Jayhawks team starting every match he’s appeared in across the last two seasons whilst his stats are good too; his college highs are game averages of 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 14.1 points.

Number 4. Ibou Dianko Badji

Standing at 7’1 Ibou Dianko Badji would instantly become one of the tallest players in the NBA if he is selected (check out who is the tallest NBA player of all time here: edge.twinspires.com/nba/top-10-tallest-players-in-nba-history/). 

His physical stature is one of the main attractions the Senegalese has. His wingspan of 7’8 is obviously vast too and he cuts an imposing figure moving through the court. There have been plenty of links made between him and the aforementioned Mutombo and you can see why; Badji has everything in his locker to become a great shot blocker. 

The question marks arise when looking at the number of points he chips in with. For Barcelona B, his most impressive game haul is just 12.

Number 3. Joel Ayayi

If you’re being 100% rigid, you might classify Ayayi as French given he was born there and has opted to represent the nation at the international level. Despite that, Africa wants to lay claim to him too given both his parents hail from Benin. The shooting guard spent his high school years in his homeland but jumped at the opportunity to head Stateside when Gonzaga came calling. 

He’s just posted his best PPG record at 12.0 along with 6.9 rebounds; whether he can mix it up at the very top remains to be seen but we’re going to find out just how good here is.

Number 2. Usman Garuba

This 19-year-old has already made quite the name for himself in Europe after winning the Rising Star and ACB Best Young Players awards for his performances for Real Madrid. Now though, the Spanish born Nigerian is looking to move on to bigger and better things; namely, Garuba would like his shot at the NBA. 

His game is well spread between offensive and defenses phases with 1.6 offensive rebounds, 3.7 defensive rebounds and 5.6 points per game averages are proof of that. He’s also one step ahead of a lot of the draft – they know already that he can deliver on the court with true pros.  

Number 1. Jonathan Kuminga

Topping our list of the African players to watch out for in the NBA draft is Jonathan Kuminga. It would be an absolute disaster for him if he isn’t the first African called. The 6’6 small forward was born and raised in Congo before heading to the States as a 14-year-old. 

He quickly became a star at high school level with his point scoring and rebounding ability particularly impressive. After school, Kuminga turned his back on college basketball and instead opted for the G league. There he’s averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

There you have it, the African players to watch out for in the NBA draft. Did we miss any prospects? Let us know!