The 2022 World Cup is just over a week away, and it is the first time that the tournament will be held during the winter. This was done to keep up with the extreme temperatures in Qatar, which will be lower during the final month of the year.
The squads for the competition are now being released, and the rules have also been confirmed by FIFA. As usual, the group stage will progress in the league format with three points for a win and one for a draw.
The first thing to note is that penalties scored during a shootout will not contribute to the overall goalscoring stats of a player during the World Cup. Moreover, only players that are on the field prior to full-time will be able to take the penalties during the shootout.
After extra time is completed, the teams must go forth with the players that were already on the pitch. Teams will be allowed to change goalkeepers if they have a change left. Otherwise, an outfield player needs to step up to the role.
If after five penalties each, the scores are still tied, the shootout will move to sudden death where the first to miss will lose. If a team has a player sent off, then the other team must also shoot with ten players. Lastly, no player will be allowed to repeat in the penalty shootout until the entire team has had their chance.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is just one week away and the hype surrounding it is just insane! EA Sports also aren’t behind in celebrating the festival of football. They rolled out Title Update #3 which included the World Cup DLC, which is now live in the game.
The content surrounding the World Cup in the FIFA Ultimate Team mode will be available from Friday 11th November. There are many contents planned for FUT, with the release of World Cup Path To Glory players, FUT 23 World Cup Heroes, etc.
EA Sports will introduce Path to Glory players in FIFA 23. The players’ attributes and overall will increase in the game depending on their team’s real-life performance in the World Cup.
Adds 10 Profile Pictures, Schedule a Koo, Save Drafts & Save Koo Functionality
Koo App announced the launch of four unique new features. It now enables users to upload up to 10 profile pictures, save a Koo, schedule Koos and save drafts. Koo recently clocked 50 million downloads making it the second largest micro-blog available to the world. Present in 10 languages, Koo is currently being used by users in 100+ countries while it looks to invite a larger global audience to its platform.
Being an inclusive platform that is built around a language-first approach, Koo’s mission is to connect like-minded users in the language of their choice. Koo has been the innovator of language-based micro-blogging, helping connect 80% of the world that speaks a native language.
Features like Multi-Language Kooing (MLK), translation ability, a language-enabled keyboard, topics in 10 languages, language translations, edit functionality, multiple profile pictures, up to 10 image uploads, longer video uploads and voluntary self-verification, makes the platform unique and provides its users the freedom to engage in meaningful and healthy conversations. In the near future, the platform aims to further announce a slew of features as part of its continuous effort to enhance the user experience.
Mayank Bidawatka, Co-founder, Koo, said, “We are very happy to announce new features to millions of our users. Some of these are a first in the social space. We are the first ones to enable users to upload up to 10 profile pictures. We’ve made it extremely easy for power creators to now save a draft and schedule Koos for a future date and time. Saving a Koo functionality is not available in any other micro-blog.”
“Users have taken really well to these features. We are happy to have crossed the 50 million user mark on the back of these enriching features. We have a very user-focused culture internally and with our ears close to the ground, we will keep building best-in-class features that users need to express themselves and connect with each other.”
Koo Announces Launch of Unique New Features
10 Profile Pictures:
Users can now upload up to 10 profile pictures. These pictures auto-play when someone visits the user’s profile. It’s easy to change the sequence of these pictures with a drag and drop functionality.
Schedule a Koo:
Power creators can now schedule a Koo to a future date and time. This makes it easy for creators who like to pen down multiple thoughts in one go but schedule it for different times to avoid crowding the feed of their followers. Users can also edit or re-schedule a scheduled Koo.
Save Drafts:
Creators that want to keep working on a draft before posting it can use the save drafts functionality. It gives them the freedom to keep making edits before posting.
Save a Koo:
Users can now save a Koo instead of the usual reactions such a Like, Comment, Re-Koo or Share. Saved Koos are visible to the user only and available in their profile page. This is useful for users who want to refer back to their favorite or important Koos without having to react to the Koo. This feature is unavailable on any other micro-blog.
Indian consumer technology brand Bluei has unveiled two new devices –Air Charge3 and Yolobuds – that are cut above the rest as the benchmark launches of 2022. Yolobuds from the house of Bluei promises nothing short of the most superior experience along with a playtime that never seems to end. Perfect for professionals, music lovers, and travelers alike, who love excellent sound quality with outstanding comfort fit, this TWS promise to take your aural experience many notches higher.
Bluei launches powerful benchmark devices- ‘Air Charger3 and Yolobuds’ for 2022
Bluei Air Charger3
It’s time to say goodbye to tangled wires, as Bluei one of the fastest growing Lifestyle Accessories Brand, announces its very stylish ‘Air’ Wireless Charging Pad. The 20W fast wireless charging supports all Android and iOS wireless charging devices. The charging pad charges much faster than the other alternatives in the market. With a 20W output, the charger delivers power quickly and smoothly to your smartphone without having to sacrifice any speed compared to a wired charger. The charger sensor supports multiple protection for extra safety, including automatic temperature control and input overvoltage protection that ensures the security of your smartphone.
Bluei Yolobuds
With the Bluei Air Buds Mini Truly Wireless Bluetooth earbuds, can take calls, groove to your favourite music, or exercise to adrenaline-pumping hits. Yolobuds is equipped with 10 mm speaker drivers, these earbuds are powered by True Bass technology to offer an immersive audio experience. These earbuds also offer extended playback time with their charging case, so that you can have your favourite music accompanying you on your road trips, leisure time, or during your daily commute to work.
Furthermore, these earbuds feature a lightweight and ergonomic design, which ensures a comfortable wearing experience. Bluei Air Buds have 30 days standby time and Bluetooth 5.0 version, earbuds feature intuitive touch controls so that you can skip tracks, adjust volume, manage calls, or launch your phone’s voice assistant effortlessly.
The retail price of the Air Wireless Charger is Rs. 3199 and Yolobuds is Rs. 2199 with a 12-month warranty.
Meta, the parent of Facebook released a message, revealing more than 11,000 “talented employees” will be released, which is 13% of the total workforce. The founder of Facebook said he takes accountability and is “especially sorry” to the impacted. He also pointed out misjudgments in investments, the weak ad market and the macroeconomic downturn as some of the reasons for the mass layoff.
Meta fires 11,000 employees to save costs
Meta Platforms Inc said on Wednesday it will let go of 13 percent of its workforce, or more than 11,000 employees, in one of the biggest tech layoffs this year as the Facebook parent battles soaring costs and a weak advertising market. The broad job cuts, the first in Meta’s 18-year history, follow thousands of layoffs at other major tech companies including Elon Musk-owned Twitter and Microsoft Corp.
“Not only has online commerce returned to prior trends, but the macroeconomic downturn, increased competition, and ads signal loss have caused our revenue to be much lower than I’d expected,” Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said in a message to employees.
The executive revealed that predictions on how the online world will move forward after COVID did not play out as expected, and the company faced increased competition, ad loss, leading to diminished revenue. Meta “needs to become more capital efficient” and will shift resources onto a smaller number of high-priority growth areas like the AI discovery engine, as well as the long-term vision for the metaverse.
The company will also scale back budgets, reduce perks and will shrink the real estate footprint, meaning employees will have to share desks in the future. All these measures are not enough to keep the revenue growth, and that’s why Zuckerberg decided to release 13% of the total workforce.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, reported gross ad revenue of ₹16,189 crore, growing at 74 per cent year-on-year. Globally, Meta posted third-quarter earnings of $4.39 billion, down from $9.2 billion. Meta’s flagship platform Facebook has been losing users in the face of competition from the likes of TikTok, and the company’s pivot to the metaverse is yet to bear fruit.
Meta’s stock rose about 4% in premarket trading on Wednesday after Meta announced the layoffs and was up more than 7% as of 11:25am EDT. The stock has fallen 70% on the year on concern about the company’s spending and weak earnings. It fell to its lowest since 2016 last Thursday, wiping out more than $89 billion of market value, after reporting a drop in revenue in the second quarter.
AC Milan have announced the contract renewal of Pierre Kalulu until 2027. The defender has emerged as one of the key players in the line-up and has now committed his future to the Serie A champions.
“AC Milan is delighted to announce that Pierre Kalulu has signed a new contract with the Club until 30 June 2027,” the official statement read.
“Pierre joined the Rossoneri in the summer of 2020 and, since then, has made 75 appearances for the Club, cementing himself as one of the team’s key defenders.”
Pierre Kalulu extends contract with AC Milan
Pierre Kalulu has just signed new contract with AC Milan, valid until June 2027. It's done and sealed as expected. 🔴⚫️🤝 #ACMilan
Kalulu, one of the best talents in Serie A now with new long-term deal completed. pic.twitter.com/fWfy1vkd93
Kalulu will be earning a salary worth €2 million per season as per his new contract. The 22-year-old has played every game for the Rossoneri this season, and has been able to keep a 90% pass accuracy, while winning over 50% of all duels and tackles.
Over the next few years, the Frenchman is only expected to develop further which will increase his value to the team. And his new deal will keep him at the club until he is at his physical peak at 27 years of age.
AC Milan are also working hard to renew the contract of Rafael Leao, but are struggling to meet his financial demands. This has put clubs like Chelsea on high alert, and could result in a transfer next summer.
The FSG put Liverpool up for sale as per a recent statement released by them. Bids to take over the Merseyside club are now arriving, with uncertain times ahead for the fanbase.
Stephen Pagliuca, the co-owner of NBA side Boston Celtics and Serie A team Atalanta has emerged as one of the candidates to take over the club. Interestingly, his valuation is £119 million, while that of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansoor is £17 billion.
Stephen Pagliuca considering an offer for Liverpool
🥇| Steve Pagliuca, who owns the Boston Celtics, could be a contender to buy Liverpool, with the American "familiar with some guys in FSG's group". [@mjshrimper for @offtheball] pic.twitter.com/wDdxJsYY2z
In the modern game, it is important to remember the power that money has. A huge portion of Manchester City’s success can be attributed to the fact that they built a sustainable model through the cash injection brought by the new owners.
Taking a look at the performance of Atalanta in recent years, it could be encouraging for Liverpool fans to think that Pagliuca could help improve the team further. His ability to invest financially in the team will only be more advantageous in the current scenario.
Pagliuca was in talks over a move for Chelsea earlier this year, before Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital won the race. The 67-year-old now has another opportunity to own a Premier League club in Liverpool, and whether he takes the opportunity is what remains to be seen.
The England squad for the 2022 World Cup has been revealed, and the 26-man list for the trip to Qatar has been confirmed. As per the Daily Mail, the players will be accompanied by WAGs on a £1billion cruise liner off the coast.
The footballers will be staying in a secure COVID bubble at the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Doha.
England squad announced for 2022 World Cup
To recap, here is the full squad that Gareth Southgate has named to make the trip to the Middle East.
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton, loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United),
Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)
Callum Wilson and James Maddison have made the England squad on the back of their red-hot form in the Premier League. Serie A duo Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori miss out on selection alongside Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse. Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell and Reece James will not be making the trip due to respective injuries that they won’t be able to recover from in time.
Omid Singh, an Iranian winger, has informed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) via a representative that he is willing to surrender his Iranian nationality in exchange for an Indian passport in order to play for his nation internationally.
He said, ” My father, family members, and close friends all want me to play for the (Indian) national team. They feel I have a better future with India. There is a powerful mafia ruling the Iranian national team and they invite only their own players. It’s difficult for half Iranians.”
Iranian footballer Omid Singh wants to represent India
Iranian winger Omid Singh told the All India Football Federation (AIFF) through a representative that he is ready to give up his Iranian citizenship and hold an Indian passport to represent Iran in international competitions.
Born to a Punjabi father and an Iranian mother, Omid is an Indian (PIO) and entitled to a passport. He has made more than 100 appearances in the Persian Gulf Pro League, the top tier of Iranian football, representing clubs such as Naft Masjed Soleyman, Esteghlal Khuzestan, Pars Jonoubi and Nassaji.
In the 2012–13 Persian Gulf Pro League, Omid Singh made his professional debut with Gahar Zagros. The next year, he played in the Azadegan League with Naft Masjed. He joined Esteghlal Khuzestan in 2016 and won his first Persian Gulf Pro League championship with them. The next year, he joined Pars Jonoubi Jam and was a crucial part of the team’s first-ever Azadegan League championship.
In 2019, Indian manager Igor Stimac, who had supervised Cefahan SC in Iran, was contacted and asked to join the national team. But at the time, Omid wasn’t sure if he wanted to get the essential Indian passport he needed to represent the country.
“According to my contract with East Bengal, a popular Iranian TV program said that I did not want to play for the Iranian national team. I want to be in India. “It was tough for me (in Iran) when East Bengal refused to comply,” said Omid, who signed a two-year deal with the Kolkata giants before being acquired by Shree Cement in 2020.
“I have not signed any contract with any team here. Because I see it as a way of protesting the current situation in our country. I got offers from other leagues, other countries, but I didn’t want to go to another country because India remained on my mind,” he said.
Apple’s long-rumoured mixed reality headset is reportedly due to enter its mass production phase in March 2023. Apple has entered an agreement with supplier Pegatron to work on the production of the new product.
Apple’s new foray into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is nearing the horizon. A supposed mixed reality headset has long been said to be in the works. Now, reports claim that with production expected to ramp up in March of next year, an official reveal of the headset will soon follow the month after.
Apple’s Mixed Reality headset production to start March 2023
Apple has reportedly entered into an exclusive partnership with supplier Pegatron for the final assembly of the rumored AR headset. The latest information claims that the device will enter mass production from March 2023, meaning that a launch is expected to happen sometime after.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had said that the vast potential demand in the Chinese market and “Apple AR/MR, which would likely release in January 2023, would also favour the continued rapid growth of the headset sector”. “Although Apple had repeatedly reiterated its focus on AR, I believe Apple AR/MR supporting video see-thru could also offer an excellent immersive experience,” Kuo had predicted.
If Apple’s goal works out, this Mixed Reality headset is just one of several headsets the company plans to introduce in the next few years, such as a cheaper version of this product, an Augmented Reality headset only, and a new generation of this upcoming product.
It has been speculated that production for the headset could be limited, and the headset might have a high sticker price and be sold to only commercial customers. The report also claims that Apple’s partners are only willing to work on the headset due to the technical expertise involved, and to set a benchmark for future AR and VR technology, and not due to profitability.
The Apple Reality Pro is expected to use processors similar to those seen in Apple’s laptops and iPad Pro, making it a standalone device rather than something you plug into a computer. It’s more Meta Quest 2 than Sony PSVR 2. This means it’s a powerful computer in its own right, ramping up how much it costs to make. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests it could cost more than $2,000 (£1,754), making it a niche product many will not be able to afford.
