Regional Environmental Health and Safety Manager

Job title: Regional Environmental Health and Safety Manager

Company: Statewide Safety Systems

Job description: of extraordinary team members committed to customer focus, growth, valuing each other, safety and quality, and a sense of urgency… behaviors and the design, development, and implementation of safety and risk control programs. Functions as a subject matter…

Expected salary: $100000 per year

Location: Sacramento, CA

Job date: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:33:23 GMT

Apply for the job now!

Marketing strategies for profitable growth in B2B SaaS

With predictions indicating another year of sluggish economic growth, many marketers are grappling with how to deliver improved results with relatively flat budgets. 

The economic outlook inevitably influences budget holders’ sentiment towards marketing spend and increases scrutiny on every pound invested. The latest IPA Bellwether report highlights this, projecting a real-term decline in advertising spend,  compounded by inflation and rising costs for ad inventory and labour.

For B2B SaaS brands, this environment is exacerbated by a decline in net new software purchases, with new sales of SaaS down 17% year-over-year. The extension of the buying cycle for B2B SaaS products brings additional challenges, demanding more from marketers in delivering growth from a dwindling pool of customers.

“What’s the ROI on that?”

The question we’re asked more than any other is now becoming increasingly difficult to answer.  This is largely due to the loss of data that’s historically been used to power digital attribution: Third party cookies.

Google’s commitment to phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome by the end of the year marks a significant shift in digital marketing targeting and measurement strategies. 

This means marketers are now facing two converging challenges; the need to squeeze as much as possible out of your budget, whilst at the same time adapting to the measurement challenges we face in order to prove what’s working. 

Strategies for profitable growth

To navigate these challenges, you need to adopt strategies that enable you to make the most of existing marketing budgets and prioritise bottom-line impact. Here, we’ve selected eight strategies that will help B2B SaaS brands thrive in a challenging market environment.

1. Optimise for Pipeline Impact

Recognising that not all conversions hold equal value is crucial for optimising media spend. Focusing on lower-funnel actions, such as meetings and opportunities, can significantly enhance the ROI of advertising efforts. 

This requires a meticulous process involving offline conversion tracking (OCT), single-stage optimisation of bid strategies, and assigning tangible values to key conversion actions. 

By prioritising actions that directly contribute to revenue, you can drive more meaningful outcomes from your campaigns.

Optimising for opportunities rather than conversions delivered a huge improvement in efficiency for one of our clients

 

2. Move to privacy-first measurement 

The deprecation of third-party cookies signals a seismic shift in digital marketing, propelling us from precision to predictive measurement. While challenging in the short-term, it will enable us to move towards more resilient, privacy-first marketing measurement frameworks .

To gain more clarity on marketing performance, many brands are increasingly investing in first-party data and exploring alternative measurement frameworks such as media mix modelling (MMM). 

Google’s recent launch of Meridian, its own MMM solution, underscores the industry’s pivot towards these methodologies, despite scepticism about the objectivity of advertising networks’ MMM solutions.

In summary, you should be focusing on two areas over the coming months:

  • Triangulate ROI: Employ a combination of MMM, multi-touch attribution (MTA), and experimentation to navigate the post-cookie measurement landscape.
  • First-Party Data Accumulation: Prioritise the collection and management of first-party data to mitigate the impact of third-party sources. This will ensure you are able to match your ‘owned’ data for more reliable ad targeting and measurement.

3. Be less boring!

In the quest for profitable growth, standing out is non-negotiable. Moving beyond conventional feature-based B2B brand positioning to embrace contrarian and emotionally resonant messaging can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your advertising. 

Distinctive positioning in action for one of our clients

Creative that breaks the mould not only captures attention but can significantly extend the reach of your budget. As an example, one of our clients outperformed the Linkedin average clickthrough rate by 164% due to the distinctive creative we were able to develop.

4. Adopt Creative Best Practices

One trend we’re seeing is more brands investing in contextual due to limitations in cookie based tracking – with 66% of brands increasing spend on contextual targeting in 2024.

As the landscape shifts towards contextual advertising, the importance of high-quality creative increases as we can no longer rely on personalisation. 

However, a recent study by Creative X emphasises the current state of creative quality in digital marketing, indicating that 52% of digital budgets are wasted on poor creative execution.

With a significant portion of digital budgets squandered on subpar creative, adhering to best practices in video length, aspect ratio, branding prominence, and sound optimization is essential.

5. Don’t ignore the passive majority

Research by LinkedIn’s B2B Institute reveals that only 5% of potential buyers are actively searching for solutions at any given time, highlighting the importance of long-term brand advertising targeting the passive majority or potential buyers.

Reaching the “passive majority” (the other 95%) requires a robust brand building strategy that reduces your reliance on existing search demand. Building a brand that resonates with potential customers before they actively seek solutions can ensure your company is top of mind when they are ready to purchase.

Ensuring potential customers know of your brand before they start searching for a solution is essential. A joint study by Google and Bain & Company found that 86% of tech B2B buyers have a list of vendors in mind before starting their research process, underscoring the value of brand awareness.

6. Integrate Search Data

Combining organic and paid search data, strategies and tactics can significantly improve your overall search performance. An integrated approach allows for more strategic allocation of marketing budgets, ensuring visibility where it’s most needed and greater efficiency in customer acquisition costs.

At Hallam, we combine keyword level data across paid and organic search to get a unified view of performance. This enables us to:

  • Analyse where organic rankings are strong and where PPC spend could be reduced
  • Map where organic rankings are weak and therefore paid media is needed to boost visibility on a key search term 
  • Bring down target CPA as long as the volume is picked up by organic search.
  • Experiment with budgets to optimise overall search CAC. 
  • Share keyword research from paid to organic and vice versa – i.e. top volume drivers, low CPA, low impr. share (high potential for paid), high conv. rate, high competition/ad presence

Blending organic and paid search strategies will enhance the cost-effectiveness of customer acquisition efforts.

7. Invest in Thought Leadership for the AI Era

As generative AI lowers the barrier to content creation, distinguishing your brand through thought leadership becomes increasingly vital. We also know that Google’s Search Generative Experience is poised to reshape how we think about SEO and content, with potential to significantly reduce organic traffic to websites, putting greater emphasis on UGC.

Thought leadership will not only help your brand stand out on search, it’s proven to influence the decision making process. A recent study from Edelman and Linkedin showed the impact of thought leadership on B2B decision makers, with 70% of decision makers more likely to consider a vendor after seeing them produce high-quality thought leadership.

Focusing on creating content that offers unique insights and expert perspectives can help your brand cut through the noise and establish a strong, credible presence in your industry. Furthermore, it will improve your E-E-A-T credentials with Google – a win win! 

Our advice to B2B marketers would be to double down on thought leadership as the centrepiece of your content strategy to stand out in the year to come.

8. Make it easy to buy!

Ensuring a frictionless buying journey is essential for converting interest (and website traffic) into sales. 

A seamless experience, particularly at critical decision points, can significantly reduce the chances of potential customers abandoning their purchase intent.

We recommend a heuristic review of your website to assess where improvements can be made to boost conversion rate. Of course, an ongoing programme of CRO is the gold standard, but it’s not always feasible depending on traffic volumes. 

As a starting point, why not review your own website through the lens of the 6 principles of persuasion to come up with an initial list of improvements.

The Road Ahead

By embracing privacy-first measurement strategies, optimising for down-funnel impact, refining creative approaches, and ensuring a seamless customer journey, you’ll better position yourself for sustainable growth.

The strategies outlined here offer a blueprint for more profitable SaaS marketing over the coming months. Of course, if you’d like any advice or are looking for support on the journey, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Looking to get more high-quality leads? Get in touch

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Luke Littler goads Liverpool crowd as he overcomes boos to record nightly win in Premier League Darts

Luke Littler has led a darting boom over recent months – but was subjected to some darting boos when he headed to Liverpool for Night 13 of the Premier League.

The Manchester United fan expected a rough ride from the crowd and dealt with the hostile atmosphere to secure his third nightly win of the season and move five points clear at the top of the table.

Littler loved engaging with the audience and even signalled ‘2-0’ as he walked to the stage for his quarter-final, referring to Everton’s win over Liverpool in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby.

The 17-year-old also celebrated right in front of the crowd after nailing double top to take his semi-final versus Nathan Aspinall to a deciding leg, before nicking that match 6-5 from 5-2 down.

Littler then averaged 105 as he breezed past Rob Cross 6-2 in the final and now looks all but certain to make the play-offs in London on Thursday May 23 in his debut Premier League campaign.

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Littler is now five points clear at the top of the Premier League table

Littler’s wild night in Liverpool: The best bits!

Littler spoke to Sky Sports before Night 13 got under way, saying Liverpool fans could not handle the banter…

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Littler said he was expecting the worst from the Liverpool crowd ahead of Night 13

He then irked the red half of Liverpool but delighted the blue…

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Littler referenced Everton’s 2-0 win over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby

The teenager was jeered by the crowd in his quarter-final versus Gerwyn Price…

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The fans in Liverpool jeered Littler’s opening dart

Have some of that! Littler gave it back to the fans after levelling his semi-final against Aspinall…

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Littler celebrated wildly after taking his semi-final with Nathan Aspinall into a deciding leg

Littler edged Aspinall 6-5 to reach the Liverpool final…

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Little pointed at Aspinall’s missed double before wrapping up victory and reaching the final

Is there anything Littler cannot do? Well, open a water bottle by the looks of it!

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Littler struggled to open his water bottle ahead of the final, so had to get one of the markers to do it for him!

I used to think Littler was an introvert!

Speaking about the youngster’s crowd-baiting antics in Liverpool, Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle said: “He was different. He showed more personality, more adrenaline.

“Maybe he came out of himself because of the booing? I don’t know. Up until now, I would have called him an introvert but there was nothing introverted [about what he did in Liverpool].

“He is right up there with Eric Bristow and Michael van Gerwen at 17 because he is that good.

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Wayne Mardle enjoyed Littler’s antics in Liverpool

“To show that confidence for someone so new to this – not new to darts or new to winning but he is new to this. He has fitted in and is going to be here for many a year.”

Littler told Sky Sports: “I knew what was coming this week, I was building up to it. I always engage with the crowd and in the semi-final I was playing with complete freedom. I felt comfortable.”

Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke said of Littler on the Love the Darts Podcast: “He looks so at home, nothing fazes him. He is just box office.

“On a Thursday night, the Sky Sports viewing figures go through the roof. Everybody wants to see Littler, we all want to see Littler. He is a 17-year-old superstar.”

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Littler was pleased to give himself breathing room in the race for the Premier League play-offs

Littler: Maybe I can top the table

On moving five-points clear of second-placed Luke Humphries in the standings, Littler added: “I am glad to push myself away from the other people.

“I can now look on to [winning the league phase]. There are only three weeks left so maybe I can top the table.”

Premier League Darts, Night 14, Aberdeen – live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Thursday May 2

Quarter-finals
Peter Wright vs Michael Smith
Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen vs Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price vs Luke Humphries

2024 Premier League Darts schedule

Night 1 Cardiff Feb 1 Winner: Michael Smith
Night 2 Berlin Feb 8 Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 3 Glasgow Feb 15 Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 4 Newcastle Feb 22 Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 5 Exeter Feb 29 Winner: Nathan Aspinall
Night 6 Brighton March 7 Winner: Luke Humphries
Night 7 Nottingham March 14 Winner: Luke Humphries
Night 8 Dublin March 21 Winner: Luke Humphries
Night 9 Belfast March 28 Winner: Luke Littler
Night 10 Manchester April 4 Winner: Luke Littler
Night 11 Birmingham April 11 Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 12 Rotterdam April 18 Winner: Nathan Aspinall
Night 13 Liverpool April 25 Winner: Luke Littler
Night 14 Aberdeen May 2
Night 15 Leeds May 9
Night 16 Sheffield May 16
Finals Night The O2, London May 23

Watch Premier League Darts Night 14, from Aberdeen, live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm on Thursday May 2 or stream with NOW.

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Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League and EFL, plus darts, cricket, tennis, golf and so much more.

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Adrian Lee: The Republicans, ‘America First’, and why Britain is best placed to understand Ukrainian fears | Conservative Home

Adrian Lee is a solicitor-advocate in London, specialising in criminal defence, and was twice a Conservative parliamentary candidate.

The recently resolved delay of Joe Biden’s $61 Billion aid package to Ukraine by Congress has drawn attention to the phoenix-like rebirth of an ancient Republican Party (G.O.P.) tradition: isolationism.

Isolationism is defined as a country unilaterally deciding not to engage in the affairs of others. This involves a reluctance to enter into international agreements, military alliances, treaties, or trade deals.

It may come as a surprise to those whose knowledge of American politics post-dates the 1952 Presidential election, but the political party most susceptible to isolationism has usually been the most conservative. Perceived as the foreign policy tough guys of American politics, up until WW2 the Republicans largely eschewed overseas intervention, sometimes to the point of pacifism.

On 8th December 1941, Jeannette Pickering Rankin, a feisty spinster Republican Congresswoman for Montana, became the sole Member of Congress to vote against the U.S. Declaration of War on Japan. Only 24 hours earlier, Japan had sunk most of the American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour and then declared war on the U.S.A.

Even when fellow G.O.P. members attempted to persuade her to at least abstain, Rankin stated “As a woman I can’t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.” Many years later, Rankin was asked if she regretted her actions in 1941. She replied: “Never. If you are against war, you’re against war regardless of what happens.”

During the War of Independence, it was to the advantage of the Continental Congress to cement an alliance with France, Britain’s greatest rival. Benjamin Franklin successfully negotiated the Franco-American Alliance of 1778, which was later formalised in the Treaty of Alliance. Under its terms, France agreed to supply military equipment and they even sent a naval fleet on two occasions to fight the British at sea.

After 1783, America adopted a very different attitude to the 1778 Treaty. When France and Britain went to war in 1793, America declared neutrality and refused the French the right to equip and re-arm in American ports. Thomas Jefferson once remarked that the motto of the United States should be “Commerce with all nations, alliance with none.”

President James Monroe in 1823, underlined the prevailing American opposition to overseas involvement, arguing that the Old World and the New World should remain distinctly separate spheres of influence:

“In the wars of the European powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken part, nor does it comport with our policy, so to do it. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced that we resent injuries, or make preparations for our defence.”

The first retreat from the Monroe Doctrine came in 1898 with the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. A year later, the U.S.A. embarked on a campaign to colonise the Philippines.  However, this did not change the fundamental attitude towards Europe during the Great War.

Whilst American sympathies lay with Britain and France, it seemed that no amount of German provocation could ignite a military response. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915, with 128 U.S. deaths, incurred American wrath, but not participation in the war. When 10 American merchant ships were sunk by Germany in early 1917 the reaction was the same.

Only the discovery of the Zimmerman Telegram finally brought America into the war. This was a secret diplomatic communication between the German Foreign Secretary and his Ambassador to Mexico. It instructed the negotiation of an alliance with the Mexicans to enter the war on Germany’s side, on an understanding that the U.S. territories of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico would be ceded to them.

America was horrified and declared war on the Central Powers. Woodrow Wilson later dominated the Versailles peace conference and pushed for the establishment of the League of Nations. However, when he returned home, the Senate rejected full American membership of the League.

By the mid-1930s, the isolationists were determined that America would not be dragged into a future European war. The U.S. Senate set-up a Special Committee on Investigation of the Munitions Industry, known henceforth as the Nye Committee, after the name of Robert Nye, its chairman and a Republican Senator.

The hearings stretched from September 1934 to February 1936 and concentrated on the munitions industry, war profits and the background leading up to U.S. entry into WW1. The Committee denounced the profits made by “the merchants of death” and argued that America had only entered the war in 1917 to aid banks and investors, the sub-text being that ‘Jewish financiers’ were to blame for U.S. intervention.

Nye, the erstwhile “conservative” chairman, supported the subsequent report which called for the nationalisation of the American arms industry. His findings led to Congress passing three Neutrality Acts in 1935, 1936, and 1937.

The first Act prevented the trading of arms with parties in a war, the second forbade loans and credits to belligerents, and the third prohibited U.S. ships from transporting passengers or articles to belligerents. The U.S. had bolted the door on Britain and France and had pushed them towards appeasement.

At the outbreak of war in September 1939, Hiram Johnson, a Republican Senator for California, declared that he would “fight from hell to breakfast” to oppose loosening the restrictions.  Britain’s only hope of U.S. support rested with Democrat President Roosevelt, who argued that the Acts passively aided any aggressor nation. After a tough battle, Roosevelt eventually signed into law a new Neutrality Act of 1939, which allowed arms trading with Britain on a “cash and carry” basis.

On 4th September 1940, during the Battle of Britain, a new cross-party pressure group was established at Yale University: the America First Committee (A.F.C.). The A.F.C. argued that Nazi occupation of Britain would not endanger American national security and giving military aid to Britain risked dragging the U.S.A. into war.

One of the earliest members of the A.F.C. Gerald Ford, the future President, and then a law student at Yale. Another student sent a donation of $100, enclosing a note stating, “What you are doing is vital.” This note and cheque were both signed by a certain John F. Kennedy.

The A.F.C. was generously funded by corporate industry, including Ford Cars, Sears-Roebuck, Inland Steel and the Vick Chemical Company. A national headquarters was opened in Chicago, and membership reached 850,000 in 450 chapters. Celebrities rallied to the A.F.C.’s platforms, including Lillian Gish, a Hollywood actress, Laura Ingalls, the author of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls (who gave a Nazi salute at an A.F.C. rally) and Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect.

However, A.F.C.’s most prominent spokesman was the Charles Lindbergh, the legendary aviator. Lindbergh addressed A.F.C.’s rallies nationwide. In Des Moines, Iowa on 11th September 1941, Lindburgh made unfavourable mention of the Jewish community:

“Instead of agitating for war the Jewish groups in this country should be opposing it in every way possible, for they will be among the first to feel its consequences. Tolerance is a virtue that depends on peace and strength. History shows that it cannot survive war and devastation.”

Lindbergh concluded thus:

“Their greatest danger to this country lies in their (the Jews) large ownership and influence in our motion pictures, our press, our radio and our government.”

Unsurprisingly, the A.F.C. disbanded shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbour. They signed off with an unapologetic press release stating:

“Our principles were right. Had they been followed; war could have been avoided. No good purpose can now be served by considering what might have been, had our objectives been attained. We are at war.”

After the War, isolationism declined inside the G.O.P., as most joined the crusade against Communism. The corpse of America First briefly re-emerged during Pat Buchanan’s 1988 Presidential campaign, but it took Donald Trump to facilitate a full resurrection.

Of course, the adoption of an America First strategy today would have a different effect on global stability than it would have had 80 years ago, when the U.S.A. was yet to walk upon the world stage. Today isolationism would signal the collapse of the United States as a super-power. Nature abhors a vacuum.

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TV Doctor Michael Mosley tell us everything we need to know about the Keto Diet

‘Ketosis turns you into a fat-burning machine’ – TV Doctor Michael Mosley reveals everything we need to know about ketosis and the Keto diet

Doctor Micheal Mosley is a well-known TV doctor, famous for his appearances on the BBC since 1985. 

You may also know him as the man who popularised the famous 5:2 diet after appearing in the BBC documentary, Eat, Fast and Live Longer, where he discovered the powerful science behind the ancient idea of fasting. 

The reason for the 5:2 diet’s popularity, was because it allowed people to still enjoy their food five times a week and only restrict their calories twice a week. 

When Dr Mosley tested out the fasting diet himself, he saw life-changing results. In fact, the Fast Diet (5:2 diet), has become one of the health phenomena of our times. 

Doctor Mosley’s latest diet book is called, The Fast 800: How to combine rapid weight loss and intermittent fasting for long-term health 

Dr Mosley also provides a 12 week weight loss programme, available to purchase on the Fast 800 website and through their new App, where he brings together the latest science that suggests how 800 calories is the magic number when it comes to successful dieting and maintaining weight-loss. 

So how and why does this diet work so well? The answer is ketosis. 

What is Ketosis?

Your body is like a hybrid car; it runs on a combination of sugar and fat (glucose). When your stores of sugar (mainly found in the liver and muscles in the form of something called glycogen) start to run low through exercising, fasting to being on a low-carb diet, you switch to burning fat instead.

The way your body does this is by converting your stored fat into ketones, which it then burns for energy. Once this starts you become a fat-burning machine.

Put simply, ketosis is the process of the body burning fat for fuel. 

This is also known as the metabolic switch – where your body switches from sugar-burning mode to fat-burning mode.  

Experts think our bodies were designed to work in this way as a survival tactic when food was in short supply. 

Historically we – and most animals – have had to exist in periods of feast or famine back when we didn’t have exposure to food 24/7 like we do now. 

The brain had to learn to dig into our fat stores for energy, and cavemen would rely on this kind of energy to become mentally sharper during their fasted state so that they could find food and survive. 

Intermittent fasting and exercise can also increase the production of ketone bodies

People often get confused between ketosis and being on a Keto diet. 

The Keto diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet that involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with healthy fats such as avocado, cheese, lean meats and chocolate. 

The reduced intake of carbs (less than 50g a day) puts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis hence the name Keto. 

Going on a Keto diet will therefore induce ketosis, but being in a state of ketosis does not necessarily mean you’re on a Keto diet. 

Intermittent fasting and exercise can also increase the production of ketone bodies and put your body into a state of ketosis, forcing your body to burn fat from its fat reserves. 

READ MORE: The ketogenic diet – 10 steps to getting started from the world’s leading Keto expert

What are the benefits of a Keto Diet?

Originally developed to treat epilepsy in the 1920s, researchers have now unearthed a long list of health benefits associated with the keto diet, such as faster weight loss, improved blood sugar control and lower cholesterol levels. 

Research suggests that Keto offers neuroprotective benefits that may help treat or prevent conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. 

One study found that children following a ketogenic diet had improved alertness and cognitive functioning. 

when you go into ketosis you stop feeling hungry

Ketosis is also a word you’ll probably see when searching for information on diabetes. 

Halle Berry, 55 swears by the ketogenic diet. According to the Diet Doctor, Berry uses the keto diet, ‘as a means to stay in top shape and keep her type 1 diabetes in check’. 

Berry cuts out many high calorie foods such as bread, cakes and biscuits, and according to Women’s Health Magazine, she fills her diet with healthy fats such as avocado, coconut oil, and butter. 

Another reason the keto diet is so popular is when you go into ketosis you stop feeling hungry. 

Other health benefits include:

  • Rapid weight loss, and reducing the dangerous visceral fat (hidden fat) that hides around your organs.
  • Reduces your blood pressure, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s
  • Helps to manage type 2 diabetes
  • Less snoring
  • Better sleep
  • Improved focus
  • Feeling just generally much better. 

READ MORE: Fasting for weight loss – the nutritionist’s guide

weight-loss-keto-diet-ketosis.jpg

Which foods should we be eating on a Keto diet?

The keto diet is all about eating healthy fats, high protein, few carbohydrates and avoiding sugars. 

You avoid carbs containing a lot of sugars and starches such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes and some ketogenic diets limit or even cut out fruit due to its sugar content. 

If you are going to eat fruit it needs to be a low carb option such as berries, including raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries. 

On a typical UK diet, the average person consumes around 350 grams of carbs each day, which is usually ample to fuel the body. 

Foods that are high in protein, fibre and healthy fats should be the main focus when on a Keto Diet

However, this means we never really tap into fat stores (which can be used as an efficient source of fuel for the body on low-carb and keto-friendly diets) and any excess is stored as body fat – leading to weight gain. 

On the keto diet, you restrict your carb intake to less than 50 grams a day, your body eventually runs out of fuel and after three or four days it starts to break down fat for energy instead, which leads to weight loss. 

Foods that are high in protein, fibre and healthy fats should be the main focus when on a Keto Diet.

Protein: plays an essential part in ensuring you stay fuller for longer on a low carb keto diet, and helps maintain muscle mass while losing weight. Animal proteins such as fatty fish (like salmon, mackerel and sardines), quality meat and poultry, and eggs are all keto-friendly.

Fibre: is essential for a healthy gut microbiome. It is digested by bacteria that have been linked to the prevention of weight gain and chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy greens are all excellent sources.

Healthy fats: are an essential way of providing energy for your body to run on, instead of carbohydrates. They’re also shown to increase feelings of fullness. Olive oil is a healthy fat stable, which has shown to hugely benefit the heart. Greek yogurt has been shown to increase feelings of fullness and is thought to decrease intake of unhealthy foods.

READ MORE: A Mediterranean diet is proven to ease these 5 menopause symptoms

high-carb-foods-not-suitable-for-keto-diet.jpg

Foods that have more carbs in than you think?

All the usual culprits like bread, pasta and rice are well known for their high carb content.

But if following a Keto diet, be cautious of the following:

  • Certain fruits, like bananas (berries and apples are good alternatives) and dried fruits.
  • Low fat dairy products
  • Sauces – particularly store-bought salad dressings and tomato sauce (ketchup)
  • Starchy veg like potatoes, sweet potato, peas and corn; beans and chickpeas.

For most of these though, small amounts can be incorporated into your intake without going over the recommended >50g carbs per day. 

Signs you’ve reached ketosis? (even the unpleasant ones…)

  • You’re losing weight 
  • Your appetite has reduced 
  • Your mood and energy has stabilised 
  • Your breath smells like acetone (nail polish) or very sweet 
  • You’ve recovered from the ‘keto flu’ (low energy, brain fog, flu-like symptoms for some) 
  • Testing will show a reduction in blood glucose levels, blood pressure and keto sticks will show that you’re in ketosis. 

Are there any side effects of being on the Keto diet?

A traditional keto diet can be restrictive. Cutting out carbohydrates isn’t as simple as avoiding pasta or bread, it also involves the restriction of certain vegetables, legumes and beans as well, which many find difficult to avoid. 

Some people also notice side effects that can come with the traditional keto diet, such as headaches, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, and dizzines. This is known as the ‘keto flu’, and can make it hard to stick to.

Additionally, people often find that they have a ‘yo-yo’ effect, finding difficulty in keeping the weight off long-term. 

READ MORE: Dr Michael Mosley reveals 3 benefits of intermittent fasting – plus how to get started

fast 800 michael mosley and claire bailey

How low can you go? (Carbs we mean…)

You still need some carbohydrates in your diet but the optimal amount varies between individuals depending on activity levels, current metabolic health, and many other factors.

Under 50g of carbs per day will push most people into ketosis while still providing all important fibre and nutrients that are most easily accessible from veggies. There’s generally no need to go as low as less than 10g in a day. 

The Fast 800 Keto is slightly higher in carbohydrates than a traditional ketogenic diet but it is still considered a ‘very low carb’ diet. For this reason many people find it easier to follow and sustain, with fewer side effects yet brilliant weight loss and health benefits. 

The Fast 800 Keto is slightly higher in carbohydrates than a traditional ketogenic diet

The Fast 800 Keto is different from your typical keto diet – as well as being slightly higher in carbs it’s also lower in saturated fats, and focuses more on quality protein, and is more filling and nutrient-dense. It was designed to combine the keto principles with a Mediterranean diet, allowing 

When following a low carb diet, it can be difficult to ensure you’re getting the right amount of nutrients, so The Fast 800 programme does it for you. 

Follow The Fast 800 Keto approach on The Fast 800 programme – all the thinking (and tracking) is done for you. 

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Portugal’s far-right seduces youth, 50 years on from dictatorship

Portugal’s far-right Chega party made historic gains in the country’s national elections held in early March. Taking 18% of the vote, the party sought to seduce Portugal’s youth, in a year which marks 50 years since Portugal overthrew its dictatorship.

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André Ventura, the leader of Portugal’s far-right party is popping red balloons with darts, under a sign which reads “Socialism explodes in Portugal”. He is celebrating the gains made by his political party “Chega” (“enough” in Portuguese), at Futurallia, Portugal’s biggest student fair.  

Chega came third in the snap elections held in early March, surging from 12 to 50 seats. The rise of the far-right comes as the country marks fifty years since the right-wing military dictatorship led by Antonio Salazar was overthrown. 

A crowd of young people aged between 15 and 18 years old are cheering André Ventura on. This moment is being recorded and will later be shared on the party’s social media accounts – namely TikTok – where the party and its politicians have amassed a large following. Ventura boasts over 280,000 followers on TikTok, while the Conservative Prime Minister Luis Montenegro doesn’t have an account*.

18-year old Tiago watches on, his face hidden behind a mask of André Ventura, “it’s funny that they even thought of handing out masks. I know Ventura isn’t the perfect candidate, but he’s trying to change things, and that’s why I voted for him.” 

Besides him, 19-year old Joaqim who voted for the centre-right Democatic Alliance party which won March’s elections. He may not be a Chega supporter, but he still wanted to catch a glimpse of the action, “I am originally from the Cape Verde, I think that André Ventura focuses too much on immigration but I think he wants to make changes for the youth.”

Young people in Portugal face two major problems, according to political scientist António Costa Pinto, “they are dealing with a very low average wage and an economy that cannot absorb educated young people. Emigration is in many cases the only alternative for this skilled labor.” Young men “aged between 18-34 years old with lower levels of education voted for Chega in the highest numbers”, adds Costa Pinto. 

Banking on “negative perceptions of immigration”

Once his show of darts is over, André Ventura heads for the exit of the student fair. His every move is calculated as he stops to take selfies with fans. But there’s one thing that he can’t control: his opponents.

“You are fascists”, shout a group of young people at the edge of the crowd. “Chega, Chega, Chega”, reply his supporters. 

16-year old Inez watches on, “I would never vote for him. Portugal had a dictatorship under Salazar, so it’s frightening to see this today. I don’t feel safe around these people.” Her friend Raquel, worries about her future, “I see a lot of teenagers in this crowd, but one day they’ll be able to vote.”

A hate group according to NGOs

According to anti-discrimination organisations, Chega represents a threat to minorities, with the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism labelling the party a hate group

“Chega is a form of propaganda because they wash away the racist ideas. People usually say they are voting against the system because they are tired of politicians. But it’s a vote in support of racism and discrimination, which stands against minorities”, 20-year old Lou, an activist for the NGO SOS Racismo tells Euronews.

In 2020, André Ventura told a politician to “go back to her country”. He was targeting Joacine Katar Moreira, who is originally from Portuguese Guinea and had proposed a law for the restitution of art work to former colonies. Ventura has targeted the Portuguese Roma community, claiming its members are “addicted” to welfare. During the COVID-19 pandemic he also called for a separate isolation policy for the community.

Young Chega activists

25-year old Ricardo Reis waits outside the Chega party’s headquarters, located a few hundred metres away from the Portuguese Parliament. Wearing a sleek suit, Reis may work in the tech industry, but he spends his spare time campaigning for the party’s youth wing.

The young activist does not mince his words, using the term “parasite” to refer to immigrants who receive benefits from the Portuguese state, “we are experiencing a new wave of immigration, where you don’t see families coming for a better life or trying to integrate themselves.” Reis insists that the party is “not racist”, all members are welcome but “what matters is that the person works and contributes to society.”

This rhetoric mimics the words and slogans used by many far-right parties across Europe. In Portugal’s case, a new wave of immigration has become the movement’s focus, while others would say its scapegoat. 

“In the last five years Portugal has experienced a new wave of immigration from South Asia, which marks a change from the historic immigration from former Portuguese colonies like Mozambique and Angola. This immigration may be essential to the economy, but a negative perception of immigration related to insecurity has allowed Chega to make gains”, explains Professor Costa Pinto. The southern Portuguese region of the Algarve which has a tourism-based economy and “relies on a migrant workforce”, voted for Chega in the highest numbers. 

“Young people join us in secret”

25-year old Rita Maria Matias who defines herself as an ‘anti-feminist’ and stands against abortion was reelected to the Portuguese Parliament last month. Hailing from a political family, her father Manuel Matias, was the leader of Portugal’s defunct anti-abortion party Pro Vida. 

“We have lots of young people coming to us in secret, some have created tensions in their families in order to join the party. There are a lot of scars in Portugal but I’m not responsible for an authoritarian period during which I wasn’t living,” Matias tells Euronews. In 2021, the party adopted the slogan “God, country, family and work”, strikingly similar to Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar’s “God, country, family” motto.

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Matias worked as a campaigner in the party’s youth wing and managed André Ventura’s Tiktok account. “We have a formal communications team which manages Mr. Ventura’s content but then we all are responsible for our own personal accounts, where we try and be as natural as possible”, says Matias.

In 2022, she became the party’s first female politician and its youngest – until 20-year old Madalena Cordeiro overtook was elected last month. 

“We are tired of feeling that in France, in England, in Switzerland, young people have more opportunities than in Portugal”, says the young politician who blames this situation on immigrants “we are being replaced and nobody cares”. 

For Matias, making ties with the rest of Europe’s far-right remains a priority ahead of June’s European elections. Jordan Bardella, head of France’s far-right Rassemblement National for the upcoming European elections “is a friend”, she says with a smile.

As for Chega’s stance on Europe, the party remains cautious, “they do not play Eurosceptic card too much because they know that the European Union is quite popular in Portugal, due to its association with economic development,” says Professor Costa Pinto.

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* at time of publication

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#Portugals #farright #seduces #youth #years #dictatorship

Dublin still bears the scars of the 1916 Easter Rising

The 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland was over a century ago, but Ireland’s capital city of Dublin still bears the scars from the battles.

Author and Irish military historian Paul O’Brien and University of Bristol reader in archaeology Dr. Joanna Brück traced the physical reminders of the 1916 Easter Rising for The Journal.

The uprising began on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916. It was on that day that seven Irishmen proclaimed the establishment of the Irish Republic, with themselves as its government, and attempted to break away from British rule.

Involved were the Irish Volunteers, led by Pádraig Pearse, the much smaller Irish Citizen Army, led by James Connolly and members of Cumann na mBan.

The Irish force numbered around 1,600 people and occupied buildings around Dublin’s city center, buildings that still hold the physical proof of the fighting that is nearly a century passed.

The week-long uprising cost about 1,500 lives – mostly civilians – and left another 2,000 people wounded. It also left its mark upon many spots around Dublin which are still palpable today.

Mount Street Bridge and Northumberland Road

O’Brien says that “one of the biggest battles of the rising happened on that road.

“25 Northumberland Road was occupied by Lt Michael Malone of the Irish Volunteers. The schoolhouse was occupied by another group of volunteers as well.”

The old schoolhouse is still standing today but has since been converted into The Schoolhouse hotel and restaurant.

The battle there occurred when members of the British 59th North Midlands Division ran into 17 volunteers who were positioned on that street. 214 British soldiers met their deaths.

“They had them in crossfire – the British didn’t know what direction they were coming from or what position the Irish had,” explained O’Brien. “That battlefield is still there bar one building that was burnt down and is now an office block.”

St. James Hospital

While most of the hospital in Dublin 8 today is new, the area around it was the site of “fierce battles,” according to O’Brien.

“It was known as the South Dublin Union. It was a workhouse for impoverished people. A man called Eamonn Ceannt was one of the Irish Volunteers and occupied the workhouse.

“The battlefield and the majority of the buildings are still there within the modern complex. You can see the nurse’s home; the convent is still there,” said O’Brien.

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The Four Courts Area

“A lot of it was damaged or destroyed in the civil war – in relation to 1916, many battles took place in streets and alleyways behind the Four Courts,” said O’Brien. The area now is mostly new and rebuilt.

“Urban combat was very new to the British Army, and they had to adapt very quickly to what was happening in Dublin,” said O’Brien.

“One of the biggest battles in the area happened at North King St and involved the Irish Volunteers and the British South Staffordshire regiment. The army suffered heavy casualties at that spot.”

Four Courts in 1916 (Ireland's Content Pool)

Four Courts in 1916 (Ireland’s Content Pool)

While many of the houses there were knocked down, some originals still remain. The Irish Volunteers occupied a public house at the junction of North King St called Reilly’s which is still standing but under a different name. Similarly, the Capuchin hall, where Comdt Edward Daly set up his headquarters, is also standing.

Also near the Four Courts was a medical mission, where a group of British lancers took shelter after being intercepted making their way up the quays. This building still stands today, but “The whole front of that building is peppered with bullet holes.”

St. Stephen’s Green

Now a bustling hub for Dublin city, St. Stephen’s Green was used to dig trenches during 1916.

“The rebels dug trenches, probably at the four entranceways and other places – the written sources aren’t very specific about where they were.” Dr. Brück added that with it being a Victorian park, the Irish Citizens Army takeover of the area was quite symbolic.

“The rebels took St Stephen’s Green over on Easter Monday,” said Dr. Brück.

“There has been debate over whether it was a strategically good location to take over or not. Some would say it was stupid to take over Stephen’s Green as it was looked over by different buildings and they didn’t have enough men to take control of buildings overlooking the green. Others would say there is a water source so that was good.

“The rebels were led by Michael Mallin and Countess Markievicz – there is a limestone bust of Markievicz in the park today. There, they dug trenches and put barricades up around entrances and smaller entrances in the park, and also commandeered passing vehicles to help them in their task,” said Dr. Brück.

An aerial shot of St. Stephen's Green today.

An aerial shot of St. Stephen’s Green today.

O’Brien added that “one photograph taken of the trenches for a newspaper at the time showed them facing straight down Dawson St.”

Today, you can see pock-marks and bullet holes on the Fusilier’s Arch at the entrance to St Stephen’s Green.

Shelbourne Hotel

Still a popular spot in Dublin today, The Shelbourne Hotel became a takeover spot for British forces beginning on Easter Monday in 1916. At first light, they began shooting at the rebels from the windows of the hotel.

The soldiers barricaded downstairs in the Shelbourne, and some guests were wounded by fire from the rebels in the park. The guests were moved to the rear of the building to avoid more injury.

While the inside has since been refurbished, the outside of The Shelbourne remains the same as it was back then.

Royal College of Surgeons

“The buildings they took over were very symbolic,” said Dr. Brück, “with this spot being no exception. Irish rebels retreated to here and remained there until they surrendered on Sunday. The masonry outside the college today still bears the pockmarks of bullets exchanged between the Irish and British.”

The Royal College of Surgeons in 1916 (Ireland's Content Pool)

The Royal College of Surgeons in 1916 (Ireland’s Content Pool)

GPO (General Post Office)

This landmark on O’Connell Street, then called Sackville Street, served as headquarters for the Irish Volunteers during the Uprising. Though it was burned down during the week of rebellion, its remaining facade bears the scars of bullet holes still visible today.

Damage at the GPO in 1916 (Ireland's Content Pool)

Damage at the GPO in 1916 (Ireland’s Content Pool)

H/T: TheJournal.ie

* Originally published in October 2012, last updated in April 2024. 



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#Dublin #bears #scars #Easter #Rising

Betzillion Reviews: Discover The Best Football Betting Sites For 2024

When it comes to sports betting, choosing the right soccer betting site is crucial for both novices and experienced bettors looking to maximize their betting success. In this review, we take a look at why your choice of platform can have a significant impact on your betting experience, from the variety of betting options available to the quality of odds on offer. Betzillion conducts a thorough selection of the best soccer betting sites, paying particular attention to factors such as licensing, market depth, user experience and customer support. By synthesizing expert analysis with user reviews, Betzillion ensures that its recommendations not only meet high standards of safety and reliability, but also effectively meet the diverse needs of soccer bettors around the world.

Betzillion: The bettor’s companion for informed decisions

Betzillion is a leading online platform to bettors around the globe that offers in-depth reviews of betting sites, expert strategies, and timely sports news. Betzillion aims to equip its users with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed betting decisions, supported by detailed analyses of odds, market trends, and betting site reliability. By fostering a well-informed betting community, Betzillion enhances the betting experience for both novice and experienced bettors, ensuring access to trustworthy information and strategic insights that maximize betting success.

The platform is committed to empowering its users by supplying detailed analyses of betting odds and market trends, which are crucial for making informed betting decisions. Betzillion’s extensive resources also include guidance on betting site features, security, and customer service quality, reinforcing its role as a trusted advisor in the sports betting community.

Benefits of choosing the right betting site

Choosing the right site for betting is crucial for ensuring a satisfying and secure gaming experience. Here are some key benefits to selecting a reputable and well-suited bookmaker:

Benefit Description
Enhanced security Advanced security measures protect personal and financial information through data encryption and secure servers.
Fair play Ensures unbiased game outcomes with Random Number Generators (RNGs) and compliance with regulatory standards.
Quality and variety of games A wide array of high-quality games from reputable software providers, catering to different tastes and bankrolls.
Attractive bonuses and promotions Includes welcome bonuses, free spins, loyalty programs, and regular promotions to enhance the gaming experience.
Customer support Available 24/7 via live chat, email, and phone, providing timely and helpful assistance to players.
Payment flexibility Offers various deposit and withdrawal options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and sometimes cryptocurrencies.
Responsible gaming resources Provides tools to help manage gaming habits, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options.
Enhanced player experience User-friendly interface and mobile compatibility ensure a smooth gaming experience on both desktop and mobile.

Criteria for selection by Betzillion

When Betzillion selects the top betting sites, it employs rigorous criteria to ensure that users have access to the safest and most reliable platforms available. Here’s an overview of the key factors Betzillion considers in its selection process:

Licensing and Security

  • Licensing: Betzillion prioritizes betting sites that are licensed by reputable regulatory authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. These licenses ensure that the sites adhere to strict operational standards and ethical practices.
  • Security: The platform reviews the security measures in place to protect user data, such as SSL encryption, secure payment gateways, and compliance with data protection laws. This ensures that personal and financial information is safeguarded against unauthorized access.

Range of Football Markets

  • Betzillion evaluates the diversity and depth of football betting markets offered by each site. This includes not only major leagues like the Premier League or La Liga but also lower-tier and niche markets that might interest specific segments of bettors.

Odds and Pricing

  • The odds offered by the betting site are analyzed to ensure they are competitive within the industry. Betzillion looks for sites that regularly offer the best odds on various football markets, as well as those providing value bets that might not be available elsewhere.

User Experience

  • Navigation and Design: The ease of navigating the website or app, the aesthetic appeal, and the overall design are considered. A good user experience is characterized by intuitive navigation and a clean, functional layout that enhances the betting process.
  • Mobile Experience: With mobile betting becoming increasingly important, Betzillion assesses how well each site’s mobile platform performs, ensuring it offers full functionality and a user-friendly interface.

Customer Support

  • Betzillion considers the accessibility and quality of customer support offered by the betting site. This includes the availability of support channels like live chat, email, and phone, as well as the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team. Effective customer support should be available 24/7 to assist with any issues or queries bettors may have.

Related: All You Need To Know About The History Of Nigerian Cricket

Top Football Betting Sites for 2024

  1. Stake – renowned for its strong focus on cryptocurrency betting, accepting a wide variety of digital currencies.
  2. BC.game – offers a unique community chat feature where bettors can interact and share betting tips.
  3. Megapari – features an expansive selection of live events to bet on, with comprehensive in-play markets.
  4. Paripesa – boasts high betting limits, making it ideal for high rollers and professional gamblers.
  5. Betwinner – known for its fast bet processing, ensuring that even last-minute bets are accepted quickly.
  6. 1win – offers a seamless multi-platform experience that works flawlessly on desktop and mobile devices.
  7. Betway – provides detailed statistical analysis on sporting events, helping bettors make more informed decisions.
  8. 22Bet – features a flexible and extensive multi-live betting system, allowing simultaneous bets on numerous events.
  9. Gamdom – integrates gaming and betting with features like skin gambling, appealing to a younger, tech-savvy audience.
  10. 888Sport – known for its high-quality customer service, including quick response times and multiple support channels.

Stake

Stake, launched by its parent company, offers an engaging and intuitive online gaming environment. With its distinctive and user-friendly design, Stake presents an easy-to-navigate platform enriched with a plethora of online games. The site’s layout includes a well-organized display of game categories on the left side and a top bar showing user balances in cryptocurrencies or USD, which are approximations based on current crypto values. Additional functionalities like live chat and betting slips are strategically placed to enhance user interaction.

Pros

  • Stake is celebrated for its intuitive navigation, featuring numerous shortcuts and helpful links.
  • It hosts a diverse array of online games from top developers like NetEnt and Red Tiger.
  • The platform supports an impressive VIP program, offering tailored rewards and benefits.
  • Stake is known for its excellent betting features and significant bonuses that enhance the gaming experience.

Cons

  • A notable drawback is the absence of a traditional welcome bonus, which may deter new users.
  • The platform currently does not offer a dedicated mobile app, limiting on-the-go gameplay options.

Bonuses

Stake compensates for the lack of a traditional welcome bonus with a unique offering that includes a 10% rakeback using the code SILENTBET, which significantly enhances the betting value for new and existing players. Additionally, the site periodically introduces robust deposit bonuses, such as a 200% match on deposits up to $1000, to attract and retain players.

Betting Options

Stake excels in providing a vast selection of betting options. Players can enjoy everything from cutting-edge slot machines like Money Train 2 and Sweet Bonanza to high-stakes jackpot slots and engaging buy-in slots. The platform also offers a range of table games including variants of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, each displayed with the house edge to help players make informed decisions. Betting is diversified with options for single and multi bets across various sports markets, allowing predictions on the first goals, total goals, and dual team scores. The odds formats are adjustable and include decimal, fractional, American, Indonesian, Hong Kong, and Malaysian, ensuring that users can easily adapt the interface to their preferences and betting strategies.

BC.Game

BC.Game, launched in 2017 and operated by BlockDance B.V., is a dynamic online betting platform licensed under the jurisdiction of Curaçao. Known for its focus on blockchain technology, BC.Game combines advanced security and user-friendly features, making it an attractive choice for digital currency users.

Pros

  • The platform is fully optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring a seamless gaming experience across all interfaces.
  • It accepts an impressive range of over 149 cryptocurrencies, providing flexibility and ease for crypto transactions.
  • Round-the-clock live support ensures that users receive assistance whenever needed, enhancing user satisfaction and support accessibility.

Cons

  • As a crypto-focused platform, it may not appeal to traditional currency users, limiting its accessibility to those familiar with digital currencies.
  • The absence of a welcome bonus might deter new users who are accustomed to receiving initial deposit bonuses or incentives upon joining.

Bonuses

BC.Game stands out for not following traditional bonus structures but instead offers unique promotional opportunities tailored to cryptocurrency betting. Players can take advantage of tasks and missions to earn cryptocurrencies, and participate in community contests to win prizes. While this approach differs from conventional deposit bonuses, it provides an engaging way for users to increase their holdings and enjoy various games.

Betting Options

BC.Game offers a comprehensive suite of betting options that cater to a diverse audience. Sports betting enthusiasts can find markets on major sports events, providing a well-rounded betting environment. The integration of cryptocurrencies into all aspects of betting establishes BC.Game as a pioneering platform in the digital currency gambling space.

MegaPari

MegaPari is an expansive online gambling platform that launched with a Curacao license, quickly attracting over 400,000 users globally due to its extensive range of betting and gaming options. Besides a robust sportsbook, MegaPari excels with an impressive array of online games.

Pros

  • Extensive variety of sports betting markets.
  • Generous promotional offers and bonuses enhance the betting experience.
  • Flexible odds formats available, including decimal and American.
  • Features live streaming, enriching the live betting experience.

Cons

  • Relatively new in the market, which may concern some users about its long-term reliability.

Bonuses and Promotions

MegaPari attracts new users with a competitive welcome bonus offering 100% up to $100, which is a great incentive for first-time depositors. The platform continuously rolls out various promotions to keep the gaming experience engaging and rewarding for returning players.

Betting Options

MegaPari’s sportsbook is comprehensive, covering a wide range of sports from football and basketball to more niche sports like table tennis and netball. The betting coverage is extensive, ensuring bettors can access a wide array of betting types, such as the 1X2 wager, double-chance bets, and over/under on total goals. Additionally, the platform’s global reach is evident in its coverage of major sports leagues and tournaments around the world, making it a versatile choice for international bettors. The inclusion of eSports and other modern betting markets reflects MegaPari’s commitment to catering to a diverse audience.

Paripesa

Paripesa is gaining traction within online gambling scene, primarily due to its extensive sportsbook alongside other gambling offerings. This platform caters comprehensively to the betting needs of gamblers by providing a wide array of sports and betting markets. From football to eSports and more niche sports like biathlon and alpine skiing, Paripesa ensures a variety for all types of bettors.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of daily betting markets across diverse sports.
  • Supports multiple odds formats, including decimal, American, and Indonesian, catering to various preferences.
  • Features a cash-out option, allowing players to manage risks effectively during gameplay.

Cons

  • Lacks live streaming, which could hinder in-play betting effectiveness.
  • Limited promotional offerings compared to some competitors.

Bonuses

Paripesa offers a competitive welcome bonus to new users, matching 100% of the first deposit up to $100. To activate this bonus, a minimum deposit of $1 is required, and it must be wagered five times on accumulator bets with at least three events and odds of 1.40 or higher. This promo encourages thoughtful wagering and extends players’ playtime and potential winnings.

Betting Options

Paripesa facilitates both pre-match and in-play betting, with a robust menu of bet types available. Popular betting options include the 1X2 wager, where players predict match winners or a draw, and goals betting, where bettors can wager on the total goals scored, often presented in an over/under format. The platform also supports accumulator bets, allowing the combination of different bets to increase potential returns. For sports markets, Paripesa covers all major sports, ensuring it caters to the preferences of a wide audience. This includes extensive coverage of top football leagues like the English Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A, as well as prominent tournaments in basketball, ice hockey, and more.

Betwinner

Betwinner stands out as a comprehensive betting platform launched to cater to a variety of betting preferences ranging from sports to online games. This platform’s extensive sportsbook includes an impressive array of global sporting activities, ensuring it caters to almost every type of bettor.

Pros

  • Extensive selection of sports and betting markets.
  • Feature-rich live betting section enhances the in-play betting experience.
  • Multiple betting features that enhance user engagement and betting flexibility.

Cons

  • The site layout can be overwhelming and appears cluttered, making navigation difficult at times.
  • Inconsistent odds across different sports can lead to uncompetitive pricing.

Bonuses

Betwinner offers a compelling welcome bonus that can significantly enhance the betting power of new users. Initially, the bonus provides up to $100, but with the exclusive promo code $130, new users can receive an additional 30%, boosting the maximum bonus to $130. This extra betting credit can be a great starting point for new users to explore the extensive betting options available.

Betting Options

Betwinner’s betting coverage is extensive, covering sports from Alpine Skiing to eSports and even virtual sports, making it a go-to platform for diverse betting needs. While the site offers competitive pricing on popular events like tennis matches, some less mainstream betting markets may have less competitive odds. This necessitates the use of Betwinner alongside other betting platforms to ensure the best returns. The virtual sports section is particularly robust, powered by leading developers and featuring a range of sports including football, horse racing, and darts. The integration of eSports betting within the main sportsbook structure simplifies access to betting on popular gaming tournaments without the need to navigate away from the central sports betting hub.

Betting options and market depth on Betzillion betting sites

In the section a detailed analysis is provided to help bettors understand the breadth and variety of wagering options available. Betzillion helps bettors gauge how these options can cater to their diverse preferences and betting strategies, focusing particularly on football events.

Types of Bets Available:

  • Standard bets: Coverage includes classic betting options such as match results (win/lose/draw), over/under goals, and both teams to score. These are essential for both novice and seasoned bettors.
  • Advanced bets: For more experienced bettors, Betzillion reviews include information on Asian handicaps, goal line bets, and half-time/full-time scores, which offer deeper engagement and potentially higher returns.
  • Prop bets and specials: A highlight of Betzillion’s reviews is the inclusion of less common prop bets, which may cover specific player performances, such as the number of goals or assists, or event-specific occurrences like a player receiving a card.
  • Accumulators and System Bets: For those looking to maximize potential returns, the availability and flexibility of placing accumulator and system bets are evaluated, detailing how bettors can combine multiple selections for greater payouts.

Coverage of international and local football events:

  • International coverage: Betzillion provides insights into how well betting sites cover major international competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Copa America. This includes pre-match analyses, live betting options, and special promotions tied to these events.
  • Local and lesser-known leagues: The scope of coverage for local leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and other lesser-known leagues is also assessed. This ensures that bettors interested in niche markets have access to betting options.
  • Youth and women’s football: An emerging market in sports betting, the availability of betting options for youth and women’s football tournaments is also reviewed, reflecting the growing interest in these areas.

This thorough examination not only informs bettors of the types of bets they can place but also assures them of the comprehensive market coverage, from global showdowns to local matchups, ensuring they have plentiful opportunities to engage with the sport they love through various betting avenues.

How football odds work

Betzillion simplifies understanding football betting odds for its users, covering the three main types of odds formats found in sports betting: American (moneyline), fractional, and decimal. Each type caters to different regional preferences, with decimal odds being most prevalent globally due to their straightforward nature.

American odds (Moneyline)

These odds feature a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, which distinguishes the underdog (+) from the favorite (-). For example, if the odds are displayed as -150, it means you would need to bet $150 to win an additional $100. Conversely, if the odds show +250, it indicates that a $100 bet on the underdog would yield a $250 return if they win. This format is primarily used in the US and offers bettors clear insights into the potential risk and payout for each wager.

Fractional odds

Predominantly used in the UK, fractional odds show the potential profit relative to the stake. For example, 3/1 odds mean that for every £1 bet, the bettor would win £3 in profit. This format is particularly common in the UK’s football betting markets, providing a straightforward calculation of winnings.

Decimal odds

Favored in Europe and increasingly popular in online betting, decimal odds show the total amount that will be returned per dollar bet, including the original stake. For example, a $10 bet at odds of 2.5 will yield a total return of $25, translating to a $15 profit. Decimal odds are appreciated for their ease of understanding, allowing bettors to quickly ascertain potential returns.

Betzillion ensures that bettors can easily switch between these odds formats on their platform, enhancing user convenience. A built-in calculator within the system automatically computes potential winnings, eliminating the need for manual calculations and making it simpler for users to make informed betting decisions. This feature, combined with Betzillion’s expert guidance on odds, ensures that both novice and seasoned bettors have all the tools they need to engage effectively with football betting.

Strategies for football betting from Betzillion

Betzillion offers a variety of strategic insights for football betting that cater to both novice and experienced bettors. Here are some of the key football betting strategies derived from Betzillion’s expert analyses:

Strategy Category Key Strategies
Understanding the Odds
  • Value betting: Identifying bets where the odds are better than the actual probability of the event.
  • Odds comparison: Comparing odds across different platforms to ensure the best possible returns.
Market Selection
  • Diverse market options: Exploring various betting markets beyond the standard win/loss, including Over/Under and BTTS.
  • Specialized markets: Delving into niche markets like corner bets or individual player performances for potentially higher gains.
Statistical Analysis
  • Use of data: Leveraging team statistics, head-to-head records, and player conditions to inform bets.
  • Predictive models: Utilizing or developing models based on detailed statistics to predict match outcomes more accurately.
Bankroll Management
  • Setting a budget: Establishing a betting budget to prevent overspending and manage finances responsibly.
  • Unit betting system: Using a system to determine bet sizes based on confidence and potential return.
In-Play Betting
  • Live betting strategies: Adjusting bets based on game developments and using live events to gauge bet timing.
  • Cash out options: Deciding when to cash out during live betting to maximize profits or minimize losses.
Emotional Discipline
  • Avoiding bias: Making objective bets free of personal bias towards teams or players.
  • Handling losses: Managing the emotional response to losses to maintain effective betting discipline.

Technology and user interface at best betting site for football

Betzillion examines the integration of the latest technological advancements to enhance user experience and accessibility. This thorough analysis covers essential aspects such as mobile compatibility, the functionality of betting apps, and overall user interface design, which are crucial for ensuring efficiency and enjoyment in the betting experience.

Mobile compatibility and betting apps

Betzillion evaluates each betting site’s performance across various mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets on Android and iOS platforms. This ensures consistent and reliable experiences for all users, regardless of their device. The functionality of mobile apps is meticulously reviewed, noting features like full account management, live betting, secure payments, and withdrawal capabilities directly from the app—essential for bettors who prefer to engage on the go. Also, Betzillion pays close attention to the user experience on mobile apps, assessing touch responsiveness, ease of navigation, and loading times of different sections within the app to guarantee a seamless mobile betting experience.

Ease of navigation and site speed

Betzillion assesses the overall design of the website, focusing on how the layout facilitates easy navigation. This includes the organization of betting markets and the visibility of essential features like account settings, support, and promotional offers. The loading speed of pages and responsiveness of the betting platform are tested under various conditions. This ensures that bettors can place bets efficiently without delays, crucial during live events where timing is key. The experts highlight any innovative features that improve user interaction, such as customizable dashboards, one-tap betting options, or predictive text inputs, which can significantly streamline the betting process by making it quicker and more intuitive.

By detailing the technology and user interface aspects of its betting sites, Betzillion aims to inform bettors about the technological prowess and user-centric designs of the platforms, empowering them to make informed decisions based on technological reliability and ease of use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Betzillion has thoroughly vetted and reviewed a variety of football betting sites to bring forward only the best for 2024. By examining critical aspects such as licensing, market variety, competitive odds, user experience, and customer support, Betzillion ensures that each recommended site meets the high standards expected by UK bettors. Betzillion’s guide equips you with all the necessary information to choose a betting platform that is safe, reliable, and suited to your football betting needs. Trust in Betzillion’s selections to enhance your betting strategy and elevate your football wagering experience in the coming year.

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Challengers is a killer love triangle romance that hates love | CBC News

There’s something to be said about the movies on our marquees lately.  

A presciently pessimistic war drama is spurring on conversation on the future of American democracy. A psychedelic, worm-heavy space opera is topping the box office. A black comedy on lesbian bodybuilders is solidly outperforming expectations. 

And despite hardly being about sports or love at all, topsy-turvy tennis ménage à trois Challengers is already hotly anticipated — so much that if CBC added its similarly named 1991 film The Challengers to Gem, it could probably make up its entire deficit from confused new subscribers hoping to spot Zendaya.

That’s not to say mainstream movie-going is perfect, but it’s hard not to feel optimistic walking out of the Zendaya-led and -produced feature.

Because even in spite of occasional messy plotting — and line delivery so stilted it must be camp — Challengers does pretty much exactly what it says it will on the tin.

It’s a slow-building marvel that challenges everyone: its characters, on how far they’ll go for the film’s central theme; its writer, on the division between reality and fiction; and its viewers, on what they personally define as admirable and, conversely, as villainous.

WATCH | Challengers trailer: 

That’s a lot to ask for a story that essentially begins with teenagers looking to grab a beer at a party. But Challengers has a lot more going on beneath the surface.

Unpacking starts with looking at its three pro-tennis leads. First, there’s Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), a human doormat stuck in an athletic slump, and so figuratively retiring you start to wish he’d do it literally, instead.

There’s his boarding school bedfellow and supposed best friend Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), a rugged natural superstar who seems immune to every obstacle except his unrelenting self-confidence. 

Mike Faist as Art, Zendaya as Tashi, in Challengers. (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures)

Then there’s Zendaya’s Tashi Duncan. A true self-possessed force of nature, Tashi is the paragon of power and control, in a drama that looks to find out why we need those both so much.

That’s true on and off the court here. We start at the end, in an ostensibly low-stakes match between mid-30s Patrick and Art — with Tashi watching in the stands — and spend the rest of the film figuring out how we got there. 

Though we meet Tashi as Art’s wife and coach, Patrick as a meandering bum sleeping in his car outside of tournaments and Art as a celebrity on a losing streak, there’s a history.

In a stylishly disjointed style, we jump around to see the come-up of all three, the plotting and feints in their playing as well as in their ways of winning their partner.

And most prophetically, there’s Tashi’s belief that tennis — and specifically winning — is not a sport; “it’s a relationship.” 

It’s this slickly cynical interpretation of affection that guides the action. And as the three swirl in and out of dysfunctional and cutthroat relationships with one another — almost entirely based on ulterior motives — the line between love and competition gets impossibly blurry.

Head to head to head

Challengers is not really about tennis, and is only interested in its love triangle as far as it can be used to show the two are the same thing.

While love triangles in cinema are about as common as fuzzy headbands in tennis, Challengers moves its players into more rarefied territory. Instead of centring one character’s perspective, all three get equal footing — and audience sympathy.

There’s obvious allegiance owed to Jules and Jim, the 1962 film about two friends in love with the same woman.

But the workings under the hood closer reflect more recent throuple dramas. Like the genre-defining Y Tu Mamá También — about a pair of oversexed adolescents on an impromptu road trip alongside an older woman with poor decision-making skills — Challengers is about control. 

Surface comparisons make this clear. In both, the female character subtly and gleefully prods the two young men into a physical relationship with each other.

Y Tu Mamá‘s protagonist angrily laments, “You get babies to look after, and you end up changing their diapers!” In Challengers, the same dynamic between the three is cemented by Zendaya’s already iconic line: “I’m taking such good care of my little white boys.”

But what’s most compelling about Challengers is how it works like a dark version of the 2001 film.

Y Tu Mamá‘s cast squabbles, before drifting into a quiet finale about accepting life for what it is. The message of Challengers is the opposite. The three use relationship and sport to use and belittle each another so often that the concept of love gets abstracted to its absolute basest form: who’s in control, who’s leading — and in the end, who wins?

Is it Art, for being more interested in comfort than competing? Is it the woolgathering Patrick, for refusing to give up on his dreams already? (And ignoring Tashi’s joyfully ridiculous line, “You’re 31, you have a better shot with a handgun in your mouth”?)

Or is it Tashi, who manipulates and lies for the sake of winning — something she values above all else?

Your choices for hero, villain and victim among the three may be completely different from those of the person sitting next to you.

A woman and man sit across from one another. The man is holding a glass of whisky and the woman lightly puts her hands on the same glass while the two look into one another's eyes.
Zendaya stars as Tashi and Josh O’Connor as Patrick in Challengers. (Niko Tavernise/Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures)

The assertive female character as the villain

That said, intentionally or not, films do tend to position assertive female characters as villains simply for upending an expected power dynamic. 

But those films usually include an explanation as to why. From Atonement‘s youthfully innocent and high-class Briony, to The Reader‘s and Kung Fu Master‘s older women corrupting their much younger loves, there’s always a comforting reason inserted to explain or excuse the shift in power. 

Challengers doesn’t let you off that easily. In her first starring feature role, Zendaya shines as a deeply complex, and conflicted, Svengali.

A similar age to her partners, in the same relative stage of her career and the only non-white character of the bunch, Tashi does not have an ancillary trait to explain how she could dare manage to get one over on the boys.

As the truly athletically gifted one among them — and as both coach and manipulator of the other two — she dares us to see her as the villain. And she might just succeed.

But with so many other, and vastly more interesting, readings available, Challengers‘s biggest achievement is how its audience itself is challenged to choose one interpretation — and examine what about themselves made them choose it. 

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