Announcement

DC5m United States japan in english 15 articles, created at 2016-12-14 18:30 articles set mostly positive rate 5.4

1 0.0 U. S. military Osprey crash-lands off Okinawa, no fatalities TOKYO (AP) — A U. S. military Osprey aircraft crash-landed off Japan’s southern (4.22/5) island of Okinawa after its propeller was damaged during refueling training, and all five crewmembers were rescued, the U. S. Marine Corps said Wednesday. The Marine Corps... 2016-12-14 10:40 976Bytes article.wn.com

2 2.3 Video helps Japan's Antlers reach world club final Japan's shocked South American champions Atletico Nacional 3-0 on

(3.46/5) Wednesday to reach the Club World Cup final, helped by a controversial firs... 2016-12-14 09:45 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

3 0.6 Video evidence used for first time to award penalty OSAKA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Video evidence was used to award a penalty for the first

(3.38/5) time in a FIFA competition at the Club World Cup on Wednesday when the ref... 2016-12-14 10:06 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

4 2.4 Conversica raises $34 million to help sales teams convert leads through bot-powered email conversations (1.02/5) Conversica, a sales platform that taps artificial intelligence (AI) to convert in-bound leads using automated email conversation, has raised $34 million in an "oversubscribed" series B round led by Providence Strategic Growth (PSG), an affiliate of Providence Equity Partners... 2016-12-14 13:46 3KB feedproxy.google.com

5 2.2 Sundowns star Percy Tau introduces himself to the world in dramatic fashion in Japan Percy Tau says while he might have stunned the Fifa Club World Cup with a sublime goal as Mamelodi Sundowns bowed out with a 4-1 defeat against Jeonduk Hyundai Motors‚ he still has a long way to go perfecting his skills. 2016-12-14 11:22 2KB www.timeslive.co.za

6 1.6 This turbocharged Toyota Etios is the reimagined RSI you've been waiting for Ever since the Conquest RSI disappeared in the early 1990s Toyota has lacked a small, fun and reasonably affordable hot-hatchback in their range lineup. 2016-12-14 09:58 958Bytes www.timeslive.co.za

7 0.8 Fake police walk off with £4m of gold in Japan FUKUOKA--In a brazen heist, thieves disguised as police officers made off with a shipment of gold weighing about 160 kilograms, valued... 2016-12-14 09:23 3KB article.wn.com 8 2.6 5 things to know ahead of the Abe-Putin hot springs summit TOKYO (AP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be the first G-7 leader to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official visit since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Why? Territory. 5 things to know 2016-12-14 09:21 783Bytes article.wn.com

9 0.3 Thousands send Christmas cards for veteran who lost home, card collection in Louisiana flooding DENHAM SPRINGS, La. -- People all over the country are stepping up to help a 95- year-old U. S. Marine veteran who lost his home and card collection in the Louisiana floods in August. Philip Haley joined the Marines when he was... 2016-12-14 09:08 1KB myfox8.com

10 2.1 Uni students find Japan defies their expectations Fresh off the flight home — they touched down Tuesday night at Willard Airport — four of the 19 who visited shared their thoughts on the experience of a lifetime. 2016-12-14 09:00 4KB www.news-gazette.com

11 1.8 Japan’s upper house passes contentious casino bill despite opposition The bill, sponsored by a group of lawmakers mainly from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, would allow casino gambling in ‘integrated resorts’ that include hotels and entertainment facilities 2016-12-14 08:30 4KB www.scmp.com

12 2.9 Zinedine Zidane lavishes praise on Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo Real are in Japan looking to win the Club World Cup for a second time, having claimed the 2014 title in Morocco, and must beat Mexican giants Club America to book their place in the final. 2016-12-14 07:42 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

13 1.5 Lausa eager to bring Filipino fighting spirit to UFC Jenel Lausa has had only one fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship so far, but the Ilonggo fighter is definitely ready for more. Following his unanimous decision win over Zhikui Yao in 2016-12-14 00:00 1KB sports.inquirer.net

14 0.0 China tells Japan it opposes unilateral North Korea sanctions BEIJING, Dec 14 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with the international community to fully implement U. N. resolutions on North Korea, but opposes any uni... 2016-12-14 07:07 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk 15 1.1 Real's Zidane predicts tough semi-final against America YOKOHAMA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Mexican team America will be fired up by the thought of marking their centenary year by beating Real Madrid and becoming the fir... 2016-12-14 06:52 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk Articles

DC5m United States japan in english 15 articles, created at 2016-12-14 18:30

1 /15 0.0 U. S. military Osprey crash-lands off Okinawa, no fatalities (4.22/5) TOKYO (AP) — A U. S. military Osprey aircraft crash-landed off Japan’s southern island of Okinawa after its propeller was damaged during refueling training, and all five crewmembers were rescued, the U. S. Marine Corps said Wednesday. The Marine Corps said in a statement that the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft landed in shallow water off Okinawa’s east […]>...

US Osprey flights in Japan halted after crash digitaljournal.com

U.S. grounds MV-22 5 Marines Rescued After US military Osprey crash- US Military Osprey Crash- Ospreys in Japan after Osprey Goes Down Off lands off Okinawa, no Lands off Okinawa, No Okinawa crash Coast of Okinawa Video fatalities Fatalities upi.com abcnews.go.com dailymail.co.uk abcnews.go.com

2016-12-14 10:40 system article.wn.com

2 /15 2.3 Video helps Japan's Antlers reach world club final

(3.46/5) Japan's Kashima Antlers shocked South American champions Atletico Nacional 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Club World Cup final, helped by a controversial first-ever penalty awarded by video referee. Nacional's players reacted furiously after Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai referred to the new technology in Osaka following complaints from the Kashima bench protesting that Daigo Nishi had been tripped on the half hour mark. made history by converting the penalty before added a cheeky back-heeled goal and substitute completed the rout late on, Suzuki striking a Cristiano Ronaldo-style pose in celebration. The Antlers, who become the Japanese team to reach the final, face either Ronaldo's Real Madrid or, in the event of a seismic shock, Mexico's Club America for the title of the world's best team on Sunday. Those two sides meet in Yokohama on Thursday. Video technology is being trialed in FIFA competitions for the first time at the Club World Cup in Japan. The system involves assistant referees monitoring television screens and relaying information on so- called "match-changing decisions" to the match officials during the game. "They kept attacking relentlessly," Antlers coach Masatada Ishii told reporters. "I'm just relieved we held out. We hung in there and we've got our reward, we're in the final now. We will be fighting for all of Japan. " Kashima were fortunate not to be at least three goals down before the penalty incident, Nacional forward Jhon Mosquera going closest for the Colombians with a ferocious volley which rattled the crossbar. Antlers goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata was forced to make several sharp saves before Mosquera smashed another shot against the bar just before halftime as the Libertadores Cup holders went in search of the equaliser. The Colombian players continued to remonstrate as they trudged off, complaining -- with some justification on the evidence of television replays -- that Orlando Berrio had clipped Nishi's heel by accident. Nacional had been the tournament's sentimental favourites due to their incidental connection to the recent air tragedy that decimated Brazilian rivals Chapecoense, whose flags and replica shirts were waved in tribute by Atletico fans in Osaka. Chapecoense had been on their way to play the Colombians in the final of the Copa Sudamericana when their plane crashed into a hillside near Medellin last month, claiming 71 lives, including all but three of the Chape players. Earlier Wednesday, South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors thrashed South African side Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 to win the fifth-placed playoff.

Kashima beats Atletico 3-0 WATCH - History moment First penalty awarded using Refs use video replay to in Club World Cup penalty is awarded after ref video replays during Club award penalty at Club World semifinals watched video evidence at World Cup clash Cup charlotteobserver.com FIFA Club World Cup dailymail.co.uk cbs46.com article.wn.com

Club World Cup: Japan's Kashima beat Atletico to Antlers beat Atletico Kashima Antlers upset reach Club World Cup final Nacional to reach Club Atletico Nacional, set up dailymail.co.uk World Cup final probable final with Real dailymail.co.uk Madrid article.wn.com

2016-12-14 09:45 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk

3 /15 0.6 Video evidence used for first time to award penalty

(3.38/5) OSAKA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Video evidence was used to award a penalty for the first time in a FIFA competition at the Club World Cup on Wednesday when the referee gave Kashima Antlers a controversial spot kick in their 3-0 semi-final win over Colombia's Atletico Nacional. An off-field official known as a (VAR) called attention to an infringement by Orlando Berrio and Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai walked to the side of the pitch to review the incident on a computer screen. Kassai awarded the 33rd minute penalty that Shoma Doi converted to give a 1-0 lead to Japanese side Kashima, who will play either Real Madrid or Club America in Sunday's final. Berrio could clearly be seen tripping opponent Daigo Nishi as the players moved into the box to challenge for a free kick. However, the penalty decision provoked anger from fans worldwide on twitter, who believe the video evidence also showed Nishi was in an offside position when the free kick was taken. There was also concern that the referee was only permitted to watch the replay once the ball had gone out of play, which happened only after Atletico broke upfield on a counter attack. FIFA do not usually comment on refereeing decisions but officials will inevitably face questions over what they have called a 'big step forward' for technology in the sport. Soccer's world governing body said it was well prepared for the experiment but the game was entering "uncharted waters". "Ultimately, these tests should prove invaluable in terms of determining whether the processes are sound or whether any further refinements are needed," FIFA said in a statement issued on the eve of the tournament in Japan. The trial during seven matches involves off the field VARs monitoring the action and calling the referee's attention to "clear mistakes in match-changing situations," such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and mistaken identity. Its trial use at the Club World Cup - a tournament for the world's continental champions plus the host nation - follows the successful introduction of goal-line technology used to rule when a ball has fully crossed the goal line. Leagues in 12 countries have confirmed they will participate in a two-year experiment with VARs. (Writing by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Kashima beats Atletico 3-0 Atletico Nacional 0-3 WATCH - History moment Refs use video replay to in Club World Cup Kashima Antlers: Doi hits penalty is awarded after ref award penalty at Club World semifinals the spot in historic semi-final watched video evidence at Cup charlotteobserver.com article.wn.com FIFA Club World Cup cbs46.com article.wn.com First penalty awarded using Video replay used to award video replays during Club a penalty in a FIFA World Cup clash competition for first time dailymail.co.uk ever article.wn.com

2016-12-14 10:06 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

4 /15 2.4 Conversica raises $34 million to help sales teams convert leads through bot-powered email conversations

(1.02/5) Conversica , a sales platform that taps artificial intelligence (AI) to convert in-bound leads using automated email conversation, has raised $34 million in an “oversubscribed” series B round led by Providence Strategic Growth (PSG), an affiliate of Providence Equity Partners, with participation from Toba Capital, Wellington Financial, and Recruit Strategic Partners, as well as existing investors Kennet Partners and founder Ben Brigham.

Founded out of Foster City, California, in 2007, Conversica targets sales and marketing teams with a virtual sales assistant that automatically contacts, converses with, and qualifies potential customers who have contacted the company with questions. Conversica’s platform can scan the content of in-bound communications such as emails to understand the meaning of what is being asked and engage with the customer back-and-forth.

For companies that receive thousands of emails, automating the process saves a great deal of time and resources. Conversiva says that its system is used by 16,000 sales reps globally in companies that include IBM, CenturyLink, and Fiat Chrysler. The firm also offers industry- specific assistants for the automotive and financial industries, while a “Customer Success Assistant” works with existing customers.

The company had raised around $22 million in equity funding before, and its latest cash injection will be used to expand its sales and marketing and “support ongoing product development,” according to a company statement.

“Over the past six years, the Conversica team has created and evolved a unique and powerful way to solve a ubiquitous business problem — helping sales and marketing organizations better engage, qualify and delight their leads and turn them into paying customers,” said Alex Terry, CEO of Conversica. “We have already seen tremendous growth and success deploying our service into the sales and marketing sector, and are confident our unique AI technology can be deployed across a broad spectrum of customer engagement functions to automate and improve many types of important business conversations.”

Conversica operates at the crossroads between two closely connected emerging trends in 2016: AI and chatbots. With Facebook’s Messenger opening as a platform for third-party customer service functions, the social network recently revealed that it’s now home to 34,000 chatbots , which are being used to help drive subscription sign-ups, small transactions, and customer service.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance firm Lemonade recently launched in the U. S., and the company revealed that its customer service was largely being powered by automated agents within its mobile app — this approach helps companies scale their support operations significantly.

“Applying data science techniques to machine-human interactions is an area where we are seeing incredible growth and innovation,” said Toba Capital and Quest Software founder Vinny Smith, an investor in Conversica’s latest funding round. “We have spent considerable time looking for the right company to invest in. Conversica has a proven track record of success and client satisfaction, but also has a real vision for the broader application of this technology.”

Artificial Intelligence Software Firm Conversica Raises $34 Million fortune.com

2016-12-14 13:46 Paul Sawers feedproxy.google.com

5 /15 2.2 Sundowns star Percy Tau introduces himself to the world in dramatic fashion in Japan As Downs left the tournament as the sixth-placed finishers with a disappointing defeat against polished Jeonduk‚ the Asian champions from South Korea‚ Tau scored a goal of beauty as a consolation that will have boosted the 22-year-old’s international standing.

With Downs 3-0 down at half time‚ three minutes back from the break Tau chased a long ball into space down the left‚ cut in and beat centreback Lim Jongeun‚ then struck a superb shot from an impossible angle to beat goalkeeper Hong Jungnam.

Tau was singled out by his coach‚ Pitso Mosimane‚ as having displayed at a young age that he has the potential to be able to perform on any stage. Tau‚ though‚ said he still has much to learn.

“I still have a long way to go. But I’ll get better – I’m still maturing‚” he said after being arguably Downs’ man-of-the-match against a Jeonduk side who were excellent stifling the Brazilians’ dangerous attack‚ but struggled to contain Tau’s dangerous running. “Playing at this international level helps a lot. And it comes early for me at 22 – so it’s quite OK.

“But for me‚ if we were winning I was going to celebrate the goal. Given we were losing‚ I was just thinking about getting the ball back to the halfway line and try and see if we can’t get another one.

“Because they scored three in the first half‚ and we could have done the same.

"Like it happened in our previous game against Antlers‚ where we played better and created a lot of chances in the first half‚ then they did in the second.”

Sundowns lost their opening quarterfinal 2-0 against host club and J-League champions Antlers having missed a string of chances in the first half.

They found superbly organised Jeonduk‚ whose physicality and work-rate were immense‚ far tougher to break down.

Antlers’ 3-0 deconstruction of Colombians Atletico Nacional in the semifinal later on Wednesday in a match of high intensity reinforced the step up a level that Sundowns have had to make as the first Southern African team at the Club World Cup.

2016-12-14 11:22 Marc Strydom www.timeslive.co.za

6 /15 1.6 This turbocharged Toyota Etios is the reimagined RSI you've been waiting for Cape Town City owner John Comitis has lashed out at the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after his club was forced to play a league match just two days after returning from an arduous journey to the Telkom Knockout final in Polokwane.

2016-12-14 09:58 IgnitionLIVE www.timeslive.co.za

7 /15 0.8 Fake police walk off with £4m of gold in Japan FUKUOKA--In a brazen heist, thieves disguised as police officers made off with a shipment of gold weighing about 160 kilograms, valued at 600 million yen ($5.2 million), ...

The victims gave the pretend police what they asked for and watched as they drove off ...

Gold bars worth �600 million ($5 million) were stolen by men disguised as police officers in the city of Fukuoka sometime around spring this year, investigative sources ... Gold worth $5 million was stolen in broad daylight by men disguised as police officers on a street in a Japanese city. ...

In my career as a newspaper reporter, no assignment has ever made me feel as helpless as the so-called Glico Morinaga serial extortion case. The investigation was going...

PARIS: Four men armed with assault rifles escaped with gold worth 2.5 million euros ($2.65 million) after ambushing an armored transport van in southeast France on Monday, police and media said. The thieves used burning vehicles to block the security van on a highway south of the city of Lyon before raiding it and seizing 70 kilos (155 pounds) of gold. They locked the van’s two...

A 17-year-old driver spooked a resident who saw what she thought was a real gun coming from his car. KENILWORTH -- A 17-year-old driver pointed a fake gun at resident and then led cops on a chase as they tried to pull him over, according to Kenilworth Police. Police responded to the area of Washington Avenue & Cross Street on Sunday after receiving a report of a driver pointing...

An unarmed 73-year-old man refused to take his hand out of his pocket and stop walking toward officers who believed he had a gun when they fatally shot him, the incoming police chief of Bakersfield, California, said. Two different people who encountered Francisco Serna in the hours leading up to the shooting had believed he had a gun, and police were answering a 911 call of a...

A man was arrested in connection with a triple shooting early Monday morning (Dec. 12) at a gas station on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East, NOPD said. An employee of the station was shot in the leg, and two other victims received gunshot wounds to the knee and the buttocks, the department said. All victims were transported to the hospital with what police said were...

A major threat to liberty is the assault on the right to discuss political issues, seek out alternative information sources, and promote dissenting ideas and causes such as non-interventionism in foreign and domestic affairs. If this ongoing assault on free speech succeeds, then all of our liberties are endangered. One of the most common assaults on the First Amendment is the...

2016-12-14 09:23 system article.wn.com

8 /15 2.6 5 things to know ahead of the Abe-Putin hot springs summit TOKYO (AP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be the first G-7 leader to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official visit since Russia 's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Why? Territory. 2016-12-14 09:21 system article.wn.com

9 /15 0.3 Thousands send Christmas cards for veteran who lost home, card collection in Louisiana flooding DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — People all over the country are stepping up to help a 95- year-old U. S. Marine veteran who lost his home and card collection in the Louisiana floods in August.

Philip Haley joined the Marines when he was 18, Fox News reports. In 1942, he was captured and spent three and a half years in a Japanese POW camp.

So when he was finally released, he often discussed his experiences with neighbors, friends, students and strangers, who in turn thanked him with cards.

After Haley lost his home, his granddaughter Sarah Haley Cannon asked the nonprofit organization, Honor Flight , if they would help provide her grandfather with Christmas cards.

Since her request, cards are pouring in. Haley, who currently lives in an assisted living facility, drives home each day to get the mail.

To send Haley a Christmas card, click here .

2016-12-14 09:08 Web Staff myfox8.com

10 /15 2.1 Uni students find Japan defies their expectations URBANA — Nothing reinforces what's taught in a high school Japanese class quite like a quick trip to Tokyo.

So Uni High teacher Mari Innami did just that — rounding up 19 of her students, plus a chaperone, and taking them on a December field trip of sorts to Japan's capital, as well as Naha, Okinawa.

The adventure happened courtesy of the Kakehashi Project, a Japanese-American program for youth designed to help promote leadership and strengthen relations between the two countries.

Fresh off the flight home from Japan — they touched down Tuesday night at Willard Airport — four Uni students shared their thoughts on the experience of a lifetime.

On the landscape

"Watching the scenery pass by, it's not at all what I expected," said Alyssa Rauschenberger, a junior. "In Tokyo, I was looking for an industrialized society, with crowded streets and tall, colorful skyscrapers. Instead, the buildings are whites and pastels, and even during rush hour, it's much quieter than Chicago. It's a much more comfortable feel than any city I've visited and certainly than I expected. "

Added sophomore Xanthe Brown: "I really enjoy seeing the natural landscape and the architecture of Japan. Especially in Okinawa, but in all of Japan, the trees and brush are really different from the ones we have in Champaign. They're a lot more delicate-looking — and in Okinawa, they have palm trees, which is really exciting to an Urbana native.

"Also, I like seeing the mix of older architecture with tiled roofs and modern-looking architecture. It creates a unique look. And seeing the sea in Okinawa and the reefs was beautiful, too. I really love coral reefs. "

On the language

"It was a little difficult to adapt to speaking and listening on a daily basis. At first, it was just overwhelming — so many words, some that are familiar, but most that were not," said Irina Cheng, a Uni sophomore. "But as my brain slowly began to catch up to everything, I was able to hear and understand some sentences, and could actually respond appropriately. "

"We only learned informal speech in class recently, which is a speech pattern you use with peers, versus the formal speech that you use with superiors," Brown said. "I used informal speech with my host student to show her I was comfortable around her, and used formal language with the parents to show respect. I think it helped me become closer with my host student.

"Also, when I didn't know how to express what I wanted to say, I had enough Japanese words and the family had enough English words to communicate. It was fun trying to piece things together, sort of a challenge for all of us. "

On interactions

"I was surprised and amazed at how highly hospitality is valued in the society," said John Easley, a sophomore. "Especially during the home stay, I was blown away at how much kindness and generosity was shown to me by my host family. Though hospitality is certainly valued in the United States, I was not expecting how much more it is valued in Japanese culture. " Rauschenberger seconds that: "I was expecting interactions to be more formal or stiff, but everyone is quite sociable, more so than in America. They stop to give directions or take photos. And while it's not an extremely industrialized society, it's also not the strict traditional society I was expecting either. "

On Western influence

"I've been really surprised at how much English I see everywhere," Brown said. "In museums, under Japanese explanations of exhibits, there's always an English one. Lots of brand names are written in English, as well as names on some restaurants. Also, my host family almost never listened to Japanese music in the car — it was always either Taylor Swift or American Christmas songs. Almost everyone speaks at least a little English. "

Cheng said she saw bits and pieces of America in the southern islands: "In Okinawa, I've enjoyed seeing the unique culture that is very different from the rest of Japan. I was honestly very surprised by how different Okinawa is in terms of culture from the rest of Japan. If you think about it, it makes sense — it used to be its own kingdom and then was occupied by America before becoming a part of Japan, so there would be different influences. "

2016-12-14 09:00 Nicole Lafond www.news-gazette.com

11 /15 1.8 Japan’s upper house passes contentious casino bill despite opposition The House of Councillors passed a bill to legalise casino gambling on Wednesday – the final day of the current extraordinary Diet session – despite opposition parties’ attempts to delay the vote. The bill, sponsored by a group of lawmakers mainly from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, would allow casino gambling in “integrated resorts” that include hotels and entertainment facilities. It cleared the House of Representatives on December 6 but was subsequently altered, so the new version will now need to be sent back to the lower house. Opponents of the bill, including members of Komeito, the junior partner in the ruling coalition, have argued that casinos could worsen problem gambling and compromise public safety. Party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi was among the Komeito lawmakers who voted against the bill in the upper house after the party allowed a conscience vote. Opposition parties have also railed against what they see as steamrolling of legislation through the current Diet session, which was extended for two weeks from the originally scheduled November 30 end by the ruling coalition. Wednesday’s upper house plenary session went into recess in the afternoon after the Democratic Party submitted a censure motion against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But the chamber’s steering committee decided not to deliberate the motion, allowing the debate over the casino bill to resume and a vote to be held. The Democratic Party, Japanese Communist Party, Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party submitted a no-confidence motion against the Abe Cabinet in the House of Representatives as a way of obstructing action on the bill. “[The casino bill] threatens the dignity of the legislature, so we want to find a way for it to be scrapped,” Democratic Party leader Renho told a party meeting on Wednesday morning. Also Wednesday morning, the secretaries general of the LDP and Komeito agreed to consider extending the Diet session by around two more days, buying time to pass the casino bill. However, any further extension of the current session will overlap with Abe’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Japan on Thursday and Friday. The casino bill cleared the upper house’s Cabinet Committee on Tuesday after its executive members agreed to hold a vote on the condition that alterations were made, including enhanced provisions to combat problem gambling. The original version of the bill passed the lower house on December 6 after just a few hours of deliberation. Legislation on pension reform, which the opposition has also protested, was enacted Wednesday afternoon after a vote in the upper house. It had passed a vote in the chamber’s health, labour and welfare committee the day prior without any alterations. International gaming companies have been mulling investments in Japan amid a boom in tourism, particularly from China. Wynn Resorts Ltd, MGM Resorts International and Las Vegas Sands Corp. are among the operators that have expressed interest. Opening two integrated resorts in major population centres could bring in US$10 billion in revenue, with potential for US$30 billion if they spread across the country, according to a new report by CLSA this month. “This is a landmark occasion and should be a shot in the arm as it relates to investor sentiment in all gaming names that could be players in Japan,” Grant Govertsen, an analyst at Union Gaming, said in a research note. There was little movement in casino-related stocks in Tokyo ahead of the vote.

2016-12-14 08:30 Kyodo Kyodo www.scmp.com

12 /15 2.9 Zinedine Zidane lavishes praise on Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese claimed his fourth Ballon d'Or. Speaking ahead of Real's Club World Cup semi-final clash with Club America on Thursday, Zidane spoke warmly about his player and believes Ronaldo is capable of further honours. 'It is very rare that one player wins so many awards,' the winner of the 1998 Ballon d'Or said. 'His fourth Ballon d'Or is a great achievement. It is not something you can easily achieve. Maybe he deserves a fifth Ballon d'Or.' Real are in Japan looking to win the Club World Cup for a second time, having claimed the 2014 title in Morocco, and must beat Mexican giants Club America to book their place in the final. Ronaldo also won the competition with Manchester United in 2008, with that victory over LDU Quito coming in Yokohama, Japan, the same venue staging this year's final. The 31-year-old had a glint in his eye as he and his team- mates trained at the city's International Stadium on Wednesday, as he was pictured sharing a joke with his colleagues and indulging in some fun and games with Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. Real will be looking to extend a winning run which now stands at a club-record 35 matches when they face the Mexicans. But they will be without captain Sergio Ramos, though, with the defender not being risked due to a minor injury. 'He is not in a serious condition but he is a little bit tired after a long journey and I don't want to put him under any physical pressure,' Zidane said. Club America came from a goal down to beat South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai 2-1 in Sunday's quarter-finals, in what is their centenary year, with Zidane believing a game against Real represents a good opportunity for them. 'Some clubs only have one chance in a lifetime to play against Real Madrid and I think it is a very good opportunity for them,' the former France great said. 'Real Madrid is always under pressure because we must win, people expect us to win,' Zidane said. 'Winning 50 or 40 games, there is not much difference.' The winners of Thursday's semi-final will face either South American champions Atletico Nacional or Japanese representatives Kashima Antlers in the final.

2016-12-14 07:42 Andy Warren www.dailymail.co.uk

13 /15 1.5 Lausa eager to bring Filipino fighting spirit to UFC Jenel Lausa has had only one fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship so far, but the Ilonggo fighter is definitely ready for more.

Following his unanimous decision win over Zhikui Yao in UFC Fight Night 101, Lausa said he’s ready to carry the Philippines to greater heights in the premier mixed martial arts promotion in the world.

“Pag sinasabi Filipino, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko ‘ibang klase’ (When you say Filipino, I say to myself, this is surreal),” said Lausa Wednesday at HID Burgers in Makati. “Nakakamangha kasi ikaw nagdadala sa Pilipinas sa buong mundo (It’s amazing because you represent the Philippines to the whole world).”

READ: PH fighter Lausa dominates Chinese foe in UFC debut

Lausa was the PXC flyweight champion before he fought his first UFC match in Australia.

The first homegrown Filipino fighter in the UFC admits there is pressure to try to live up to the achievements of Filipino-Americans Mark Muñoz and Brandon Vera, but he knows he’s ripe for the big leagues.

“Of course there’s pressure, but after my first fight I know I can make it here,” said Lausa. “For me it’s normal because I’ve been a champion before and I went through challenges before arriving at the UFC.” 2016-12-14 00:00 Bong Lozada sports.inquirer.net

14 /15 0.0 China tells Japan it opposes unilateral North Korea sanctions BEIJING, Dec 14 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with the international community to fully implement U. N. resolutions on North Korea, but opposes any unilateral sanctions outside that framework, a senior Chinese diplomat told Japan on Wednesday. Japan and South Korea said this month they would impose new unilateral sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, following a new U. N. Security Council resolution imposed on the reclusive country. North Korea has rejected the U. N. resolution, aimed at cutting its annual export revenue by a quarter after its fifth and largest nuclear test in September. It says the resolution is a conspiracy hatched by the United States to deny its sovereignty. Both South Korea and Japan already have comprehensive unilateral sanctions in place against North Korea. Speaking by telephone to Kenji Kanasugi, director- general of Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau at Japan's foreign ministry, China's special envoy for the Korean peninsula Wu Dawei said China had always pushed for denuclearisation via talks. "China is willing, along with the international community, to fully and completely enforce Security Council resolutions, and opposes unilateral sanctions imposed outside the framework of Security Council resolutions," China's Foreign Ministry cited Wu as saying. "The situation on the Korean peninsula is complex and sensitive. All sides should work hard together to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula," Wu said. China also hopes all parties can create conditions for the early resumption of a six-party talks process, he said, referring to a stalled dialogue mechanism involving the two Koreas, China, Japan, the United States and Russia. China is North Korea's sole major ally though their relations have been seriously strained by North Korea's repeated missile and nuclear tests. While China has signed up for several rounds of U. N. sanctions it has repeatedly said civilians and normal trade contacts should not be affected. China has long feared that cutting off North Korea completely could lead to its collapse, pushing waves of refugees into China's poor northeast. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel)

2016-12-14 07:07 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

15 /15 1.1 Real's Zidane predicts tough semi-final against America YOKOHAMA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Mexican team America will be fired up by the thought of marking their centenary year by beating Real Madrid and becoming the first team from the CONCACAF region to reach the Club World Cup final, Real manager Zinedine Zidane has said. America, the CONCACAF Champions League holders, beat South Korean side Jeonbuk Motors 2-1 to set up a semi-final clash with Real in Yokohama on Thursday and Zidane said the prospect of facing the Spanish giants would motivate the Mexicans. "I think Club America are very motivated because they want to celebrate their centenary," Zidane was quoted as saying by Kyodo. "Some clubs only have a once in a lifetime chance to play against Real Madrid and I think it is a very good opportunity for them. " Zidane denied that Real were favourites to win the game, saying his players would have to work hard to reach Sunday's final against Atletico Nacional or Kashima Antlers. "I never think that we have a better opportunity to win than our opponents. We have to play football and many people expect Real Madrid to win the game very easily but that is not what I think," he added. "We will be playing against great opponents and I am sure we will have a tough time during that match and that is what I will be telling my players. The Real manager is unlikely to risk captain Sergio Ramos for Thursday's game, with the defender not having trained for the past two days, and would not be drawn on whether talisman Cristiano Ronaldo would feature. "I have to think about the starting XI and I will disclose who will be playing tomorrow," Zidane said. "Of course, he (Ronaldo) is as motivated as always. He is always motivated regardless of who the opponents are or whether it is a friendly or even training. " Ronaldo won his fourth Ballon d'Or award on Monday, and Zidane paid tribute to the Portugal forward's achievement. "It is very rare that one player wins so many awards," he said. "His fourth Ballon d'Or is a great achievement and not something that can easily be achieved. What he's doing now is very wonderful. Maybe he deserves a fifth Ballon d'Or as well. " (Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)

2016-12-14 06:52 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

Total 15 articles.

Items detected: 1751, scanned: 1751, accumulated: 15, inserted: 15, empty media: 124, not matched limits: 111, skipped: {total: 1736, by unique value: 254, by limits: 4, by similarity: 14, by unicity: 0, dates: 2, by classifier: 1464, by blacklist: 0, by mandatory tag: 1736}, bad dates: 0, similar from same domain: 185; tag `description` the same value found 18 times; tag `title` the same value found 361 times; the same images URLs found 8 times; total 17 languages detected: {u'fr': 6, u'en': 1498, u'nl': 6, u'ro': 1, u'pt': 3, u'af': 5, u'sq': 1, u'de': 5, u'it': 6, u'da': 6, u'cy': 2, u'so': 1, u'no': 2, u'ca': 1, u'tl': 1, u'id': 2, u'es': 2}; {u'text': {u'chars': 585596, u'bytes': 2503636, u'words': 88870, u'sentences': 3486}}

Created at 2016-12-14 18:30