Any chance to salvage a second playoff berth in three seasons evaporated amid a flurry of mistakes that dropped to the Tribe into a 17-0 halftime deficit against a Richmond team that was efficient offensively and on fire defensively. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse near Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse near Williamsburg Premium Outlets 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say 757Teamz football live scoreboard: Indian River visits Green Run, Maury hosts Warwick in region semifinals 757Teamz football live scoreboard: Indian River visits Green Run, Maury hosts Warwick in region semifinals Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Virginia live election results Virginia live election results Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Feeding with love: Williamsburg area’s 1st free grocery market opens in Grove community Feeding with love: Williamsburg area's 1st free grocery market opens in Grove community Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like New, old owners agree: NYC businessman’s push to save SS United States is too late New, old owners agree: NYC businessman’s push to save SS United States is too late Trending Nationally Series of racist text messages referencing slavery sent to New York state students, police say Netflix’s “Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” takes on Boulder murder in three parts Here’s how Orlando International Airport hopes to solve baggage delays A kayaker faked his own death and fled overseas. Now he’s telling how he did it Percival Everett, 2024 National Book Award winner, rereads one book often{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-18T21:44:45+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-18T21:44:45+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-18T21:44:42+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22696/sports/basketball/ferwaba-boss-mugwiza-talks-obstacles-triumphs-as-he-eyes-fourth-term-in-office", "headline": "FERWABA boss Mugwiza talks obstacles, triumphs as he eyes fourth term in office", "description": "Basketball executive Desire Mugwiza’s tenure as president of Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) has witnessed ups and downs. After 11 years in...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22696/sports/basketball/ferwaba-boss-mugwiza-talks-obstacles-triumphs-as-he-eyes-fourth-term-in-office" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/18/66715.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/18/66715.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Basketball executive Desire Mugwiza’s tenure as president of Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) has witnessed ups and downs. After 11 years in office, Mugwiza feels that he has unfinished business with Rwandan basketball, which is why he is running for yet a new four-year term, but this time unopposed, ahead of the December 21 polls. The basketball executive sat with Times Sport’s Damas Sikubwabo for an exclusive interview and discussed the sport’s development in the country, persisting challenges and what he would bring on table once elected FERWABA president again. Excerpts: In brief, what major milestones do you celebrate from the past four years in office? This term has seen a transformative period for basketball, demonstrating remarkable progress in both competitive performance and the organisational capacity to host world-class tournaments. On the competitive front, national teams registered notable rises in global rankings. The senior women’s squad climbed 12 places to 62nd worldwide (10th in Africa), becoming the biggest global movers in that period, while the U18 girls advanced 22 places to reach 45th globally (10th in Africa). At the same time, the senior men’s team rose to 90th globally and 15th in Africa, recognized as the second-biggest climbers. Beyond the traditional 5-on-5 format, there were significant accomplishments in Afro-CAN and 3x3 basketball. At the 2023 FIBA Afro-CAN, the national men’s team strong performance reinforced their reputation as an emerging force in African competitions with a bronze medal. Ranking improvements extended to the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2024, where the Men’s team stands second in Africa with 108 points—just behind Madagascar’s 122 points—while the Women’s team holds a commendable fifth position with 46 points. The federation also demonstrated its capability as a world-class tournament host. After successfully organizing the FIBA AfroBasket Men 2021 and FIBA AfroBasket Women 2023, the federation witnessed a new milestone in hosting the FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers, the first world level FIBA hosted in Africa for the first time. Off the court, development initiatives ensured a pipeline of emerging talent and coaching excellence. Training camps and mentorship sessions with NBA Africa, Giants of Africa and other partners ensured that young athletes learned technical skills alongside values like teamwork and leadership. Moreover, for the first time in history, a Rwandan official, Pascale Mugwaneza, was elected to the FIBA Central Board, representing Africa and serving as the first woman appointed as a FIBA Africa Executive Member. This historic development not only underscores Rwanda’s growing role in international sports governance and diplomacy, but also paves the way for more inclusive, forward-looking decision-making in basketball’s continental and global spheres. Locally we continue to witness the growing love for the sport. Fan engagement grew accordingly, with a 49 percent increase in game attendance. In 2020, you said that your office would, among other targets, work to improve basketball infrastructure. Are you satisfied with the progress made? Working closely with NBA Africa, we upgraded the court at Lycée de Kigali, now offering a venue suitable for competitive matches. Meanwhile, our collaboration with Giants of Africa led to the construction of several courts including in Huye, Rusizi and Rubavu regions that previously lacked sufficient infrastructure. Additionally, a new court in Kimironko was built with the support of the Imbuto Foundation, and this facility now hosts youth camps regularly especially during school holidays providing young players with year-round opportunities to develop their skills. We are committed to sustaining this momentum. Together with NBA Africa, we plan to construct 10 new courts by 2025, ensuring that every district in Rwanda has standard basketball facilities. FERWABA has recently introduced the Instant Replay System (IRS) in league games. What is the rationale, and the likely impact? The introduction of the IRS was inspired by the zeal to align domestic competitions with international best practices, reassuring players and coaches that results are determined by performance rather than human error. It is also our commitment to ensure fairness, accuracy, and credibility in officiating. By providing referees with the means to carefully review pivotal decisions, the system has minimized disputes and improved the integrity of match outcomes. More training clinics for U13 children are organised in holidays as part of efforts to grow basketball from grassroots. How would you describe the progress? Together with our partners, we have organized camps that attracted over 500 participants. These camps focus on the foundational skills of basketball such as shooting, dribbling, and passing, as well as teamwork and leadership. We have partnered with organisations like NBA Africa and Giants of Africa to offer mentorship and leadership workshops for our young athletes. While the camps have been successful in urban areas, we plan to expand to rural regions in the next term. In short, by running annual Jr. NBA programs, conducting local and international camps, engaging the diaspora, and leveraging global partnerships, the federation has established a robust, recurring system to cultivate young talent. This sustained approach ensures that each new generation of players receives the guidance, resources, and exposure they need to grow, succeed, and ultimately strengthen the future of Rwandan basketball. What happened to the ambitious plan of setting up a basketball academy? Establishing a basketball academy involves securing the right infrastructure, partnerships, and educational components, and this process has taken longer than we initially anticipated. Logistical challenges, ranging from funding shortages and developing the curriculum development, have slowed our progress. However, we have not been idle. We’ve formed strategic alliances with the Ministry of Sports. We are now in the final stages of planning and expect to launch the academy as soon as the budget allows. The Rwanda Cup is one of the new things introduced in 2024. Why is it important? We introduced the Rwanda Cup to broaden competitive opportunities and introduce new energy into our basketball ecosystem. The idea was born from our desire to see more teams—especially those that are not in the topflight category compete on the same stage as the powerhouses. By doing so, we create a platform that encourages under the radar talent to emerge and thrive. Over time, we envision the Rwanda Cup becoming an annual highlight on the national sports calendar, a celebration of basketball that scouts, coaches, and communities eagerly anticipate. On the digital front, how is FERWABA leveraging technology to introduce new solutions? We implemented an online player registration system, the ‘FERWABA MAP platform’, making administrative tasks more efficient and transparent. Additionally, the adoption of a digital scoresheet used for the first time in Africa by Rwanda streamlined the record keeping process, providing accurate, real-time game data. How far have you gone in building the domestic coaching capacity? Multiple coaching clinics and workshops were organized in partnership with key basketball stakeholders, such as FIBA, NBA Africa and Athletes in Action. These sessions provided local coaches with hands on training led by experienced mentors from the NBA and NBA Academy, as well as international experts. By exposing coaches to advanced techniques, tactical philosophies, and player development methodologies, FERWABA ensured that they gained new insights and best practices. This professional growth at the coaching level has positively influenced the quality of training offered to players, ultimately elevating the overall standard of Rwandan basketball. What challenges have you faced down the road? One of the major challenges faced this term was the logistical and financial support delays in establishing a dedicated basketball academy. While strides were made in player identification, coaching development, and infrastructure expansion, the academy envisioned as a central hub for nurturing young talent and providing athletic and academic support did not materialize within the initially anticipated timeframe. These delays were largely due to complexities in securing the right location, facilities, and partnerships that align with the academy’s long term goals. Another ongoing challenge has been ensuring equal access to quality basketball facilities in every district. Although significant progress was made by constructing new courts, the goal of more court constructions with standard FIBA specifications remains a work in progress. Addressing these shortcomings will require continued collaboration, strategic planning, and resource allocation. Rwandans are still more appealed with football than other sports. Are you considering any measures to grow the basketball fan base? To broaden basketball’s appeal in a nation where football traditionally dominates, we have focused on creating a more engaging and enjoyable fan experience. Hosting major events like the FIBA AfroBasket and the Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers exposed local fans to elite level basketball and contributed to a 49 percent increase in game attendance. Beyond the court, we are also investing in efforts to enhance the game atmosphere with entertainment elements featuring youth artists and music performances, making match days more vibrant and appealing to a wider audience. Looking ahead, we plan to bring important matches to other districts, extending the live basketball experience beyond Kigali and offering communities throughout Rwanda a chance to engage with the sport directly. Given you are declared the winner of the upcoming elections, what is hot on your table? Key among these priorities is the establishment of a fully professional league, providing a structured, career oriented platform for athletes, coaches, and support staff. Infrastructure development will continue to be a cornerstone of our efforts. Maintaining the goal of constructing 10 new courts annually, we will also prioritize quality and innovation. Currently, we are in discussions with NBA Africa to cover the Kimironko court, transforming it into an indoor facility that can host activities all year round. This upgrade will protect training sessions, events, and competitions from weather related disruptions, thereby fostering consistent player development and fan engagement. Parting shot? Rwanda has been selected for the FIBA Plus program, joining a select group of African countries chosen to enhance their federations’ capacities across all operational areas. By leveraging the support and guidance provided through this initiative, we aim to strengthen our organizational structures, improve technical competencies, and maximize resources. We are optimistic that this approach of professionalising the league, the office, and infrastructure, while benefiting from FIBA Plus support will ensure that all stakeholders, from players and coaches to fans and partners, reap the rewards of a more robust, forward thinking basketball ecosystem.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Damas Sikubwabo" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
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NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As holiday shopping ramps up, so do the efforts of scammers looking to cash in on the season's spending frenzy. But you don't have to be a victim. Recently, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association (FTA), Penny Lee, did a satellite media tour in partnership with D S Simon Media to share simple yet powerful tips to protect yourself and your wallet from common payment scams. "Scams can happen to anyone, which is why it's important to stay vigilant during key moments like the holiday shopping season," said Penny Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Technology Association . "Our annual national campaign provides consumers with simple steps to protect their payments and be Smarter Than Scams." "Millions of Americans use Cash App daily to manage their financial lives securely and responsibly," said Brian Boates, Science Lead at Block , who oversees machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science at the company. "Given the increasing rate and complexity of scams, and the evolving tactics of malicious actors, Cash App adopts a multifaceted strategy to effectively combat scams and safeguard its customers - and this starts with education. We're excited to continue working with our peers in the industry through efforts like Smarter Than Scams to empower consumers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their finances." "Approximately a quarter of the world's digital commerce is powered by PayPal and Venmo each year reflecting that our brands are a trusted choice for consumers," said Aaron J. Webster, Global Chief Risk Officer at PayPal. "PayPal and Venmo do not tolerate fraudulent activity on our platforms. We leverage industry-leading fraud prevention and detection models, strategies, and tools to proactively identify and stop bad actors. We are proud to partner with the Financial Technology Association on Smarter Than Scams and will continue to demonstrate our leadership by empowering consumers with the education and innovative real-time transaction insights needed to avoid common scams and fraud." FTA's national "Smarter Than Scams" campaign brings awareness to the most common scams consumers face during the holiday season, such as charity, gift card, imposter, invoicing, pet deposit, phishing, and romance scams. The campaign outlines key steps consumers can take to protect themselves: Protect Your Personal Information by safeguarding your login details, using different passwords across accounts, and keeping any sign-in codes or magic links private. Be Aware of Account Activity by ensuring your account notifications, such as two-factor authentication and alerts for new device logins, are turned on. Pause Before You Pay by only sending money to people you know and trust and verifying and double-checking all recipient information. FTA represents industry-leading payment companies taking action to combat fraud and protect consumers from scams. FTA members deploy advanced technologies to monitor, detect, and combat bad actors, including sophisticated identity verification methods, strong authentication processes, and robust transaction monitoring. FTA has called for a coordinated national strategy to combat scams, including more resources for law enforcement, greater information sharing, ongoing consumer education, and modern identity verification, including digital ID. For more information about the common payment scams during the holiday season and how Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo work to protect consumers to transact safely, visit SmarterThanScams.com . About Financial Technology Association (FTA): The Financial Technology Association (FTA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing industry leaders shaping the future of finance. We champion the power of technology-centered financial services and advocate for the modernization of financial regulation to support inclusion and responsible innovation. About D S Simon Media: The firm is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Financial Technology Association (FTA). Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f84529d-17be-4847-a278-00e436ec30ea © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The broadcaster’s former technology correspondent, 66, was formally made an OBE by the Princess Royal for his services to journalism on Wednesday. Cellan-Jones announced in 2019 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and he has since contributed to a podcast, Movers And Shakers, discussing life with the disease. Discussing the success of the podcast, which also features Jeremy Paxman, Cellan-Jones told the PA news agency: “It’s been an absolute scream. “We’ve had the most extraordinary reaction from the Parkinson’s community. “There is a community which felt absolutely left out in the cold and this award was for services to journalism, but I can’t help but think that maybe that played some part too.” Cellan-Jones said he talked to Anne about fundraising for Parkinson’s and how technology could possibly be used to monitor the disease. The journalist added: “She showed real interest in it. “Mike Tindall, whose father’s got it, is very active in fundraising – so we talked about that.” Cellan-Jones said the OBE was “very unexpected when it came”, adding that he felt “very privileged”. He said his rescue dog from Romania, named Sophie, was “making slow progress” after becoming a social media sensation with thousands of people following her recovery online. Speaking at Buckingham Palace, Cellan-Jones said several courtiers had asked after Sophie, adding: “She’s still incredibly nervous. She’s waiting at home, she wouldn’t have liked it here – a bit too busy. “She’s making slow progress, but she’s wonderful, and she’s been very important to us.” Earlier on Wednesday, broadcaster Alan Yentob, 77, was formally made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the King for services to the arts and media. The retired television executive, who was born in Stepney, London, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968. He devised the flagship arts programme Imagine..., which he presented on, and was creative director of the broadcaster from 2004 until 2015. Yentob stepped down from the role in the wake of the collapse of the charity Kids Company, where he was chairman. The broadcaster said Charles had been “incredibly supportive” of him. Discussing Charles, Yentob told the PA news agency: “He’s been incredibly supportive, as I said to him, on many fronts, including the fact that I was the chairman of Kids Company, and he was incredibly supportive of that in the most difficult times. “And I think the way he’s come out about his illness, and the way the Princess of Wales has too, has been admirable.” Yentob said it would be “reckless” to not support the BBC, adding “it’s a place which embraces everyone”. The broadcaster added: “If you look at the figures, it’s still doing well, even though a very substantial part of its income has been removed.” Roxy Music lead guitarist Phil Manzanera, 73, was formally made an OBE by the Princess Royal for his services to music. His most well-known band, featuring singer Bryan Ferry, is famed for hits such as Love Is The Drug and More Than This – topping the singles charts once with a cover of John Lennon’s Jealous Guy. Discussing the honour, Manzanera told the PA news agency: “It’s very moving and humbling to be amongst all these people who do absolutely incredible things. “But, obviously, I am very happy to get it for services to music and music production, because I think music helps us all in our lives in terms of improving the fabric of our lives, and it’s a great support for so many people.” The musician said he discussed his upbringing in South America and central America with Anne, having grown up in Colombia, Venezuela and Cuba. Manzanera said Anne told him that her father, Prince Philip, “once flew a Viscount plane to Caracas airport”. He said his upbringing was central to his musicianship, adding: “It’s in my DNA, the rhythms of South America. “And the musicians that we’ve all come to know through the Buena Vista Social Club were the kind of music that I started playing guitar with. “It wasn’t Bert Weedon’s Play in a Day for me, it was the music of Cuba.” Actress Shobna Gulati, 58, was formally made an MBE for services to the cultural industries, Scottish professional golfer Stephen Gallacher, 50, was made an MBE and former Arup deputy chairwoman Dervilla Mitchell, 66, received a damehood for services to engineering.
Baltimore’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office has arrested a record-breaking 175 sex offenders this fiscal year. That tramples their previous high of 152 arrests in 2023, despite being the smallest of 25 field offices nationwide, serving just the state of Maryland. “A lot of that is due to the cooperation that we have with Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County,” said Baltimore Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. Looking back, Elliston attributes much of the success to repairing relationships with once-strict sanctuary jurisdictions. Mends were made by emphasizing ICE’s targeted enforcement strategies, only allowing for the arrest of accused and convicted criminals. “Instead of us, you know, chasing people around the state, they’re now transferring those sex offenders directly to us in jail. Which makes the whole process much safer for the community, safer for my officers, and much more efficient,” said Elliston. But looking towards a Trump presidency, promising to push mass deportations on day one, some local leaders are already threatening to pull back corporations. “I believe that it is very important to welcome immigrants,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman at a press conference this week, announcing new protections for undocumented immigrants. “We refuse to aid and abet outside agencies attempting to detain deport or remove any residents from our community,” said Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor at a similar event. “What I’m concerned with is that we go back to what has happened in the past, where people have not seen past the politics of it and have sacrificed public safety in order for political benefit,” said Elliston, “The only thing that a local, county or state government really can do to hinder Immigration and Customs Enforcement is to not turn over prisoners, people in jail for a local crime that their police officers arrested them for.” As some jurisdictions scramble to implement new protective policies for noncitizens, Elliston stresses ICE is only asking for access to local law enforcement agencies. Cooperation a Gonzales poll, released earlier this year, found 84% of Maryland residents support. “We are not asking to work with social services. We are not asking to identify victims. We don’t do that. We want to continue working with police departments to make Maryland the safest place we can,” said Elliston, “And the idea that you would create legislation to prohibit that, it’s just not smart. It’s dangerous.” “I think there is a very real fear, though, that essentially, anyone who is undocumented will suddenly be at risk under a Trump administration. Do you foresee that being a reality?” questioned a FOX45 reporter. “So, if you look back to what happened in the last trump administration, right, the policy was enforce the law,” Elliston replied, “But you have resource constraints, right? If somebody’s bicycle that’s stolen in Baltimore City, they’re not assigning a detective to that case.” Although he can’t say exactly what new policies a Trump presidency will bring, Elliston explains his field office has a very limited amount of manpower and prison space. Adding, the priority, no matter who is in office, will always be taking violent offenders off the streets. “Now, that does not mean that everyone will get a pass. It’s just, we won’t be specifically going out looking for those people. If we come across them in another scenario, you know, we may end up taking action,” he said, “But we won’t be out doing some sort of large dragnet. ICE does targeted enforcement operations, and we will continue to do targeted enforcement operations.” Elliston also says he plans on taking to Annapolis this legislative session to push for new statewide policies that would ensure all jurisdictions turn inmates over to ICE.
No. 4 Penn State tries to keep playoff picture out of focus in prep for tough trip to Minnesota
Bill responding to drone sightings is blocked in the Senate