Latest news with #JSA
The Mainichi
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Israel-born sumo hopeful in Japan faces age limit obstacle despite having skills
TOKYO -- After nearly 40 seconds of intense grappling in a sumo training bout, Yarden Yatkovski, 27, throws down a wrestler ranked in the makushita division, the third highest of the six divisions in professional sumo. Footage of this powerful display at Tokyo's Tatsunami stable shows him performing at a level rivaling professional wrestlers, or rikishi. Having moved from Israel to Japan some 2 1/2 years ago, Yatkovski dedicates each day to training intensively. Yet, despite his commitment and visible skills, the door to becoming a professional sumo wrestler remains closed. What exactly is preventing his dream from becoming reality? Yatkovski lives by words adopted from the creed of one sumo stable: "Watch with your eyes, listen with your ears, then act without fear of failure." Daily, he repeats this maxim as he trains diligently, practicing at Tatsunami stable in the mornings and building strength at a gym in the afternoons. His fascination with sumo began early. At age 4, he watched satellite broadcasts with his grandfather, captivated by large rikishi clashing with strength and skill. Although he dreamed of becoming a sumo wrestler, Israel had no sumo dojos, prompting him instead to train in judo and wrestling. At 18, he fulfilled his compulsory military service in Israel, during which he increased his food intake and studied sumo fundamentals such as "shiko" (stamping), "teppo" (pillar striking) and "suriashi" (shuffling footwork). He adapted his diet, gradually becoming accustomed to "chanko" stew which contains pork and shrimp -- ingredients not typically eaten in Jewish dietary culture. After completing his mandatory military duty of two years and eight months, however, Yatkowski's initial attempt to move to Japan in March 2020 was disrupted by the global spread of COVID-19. Subsequently, he traveled to Mongolia through a connection with an acquaintance and continued to build experience in wrestling. He finally arrived in Japan in October 2022, already 24. But under current Japan Sumo Association (JSA) regulations, new recruits must join prior to turning 23. Although special exemptions allow those under 25 to join if they have outstanding results in sumo or another sport, Yatkovski's highest athletic achievement was winning a domestic judo event in Israel, insufficient for the exemption. Still, he refused to give up. In 2023, a stable accepted him as a "trainee," letting him train and attend Japanese language school concurrently. He also reached out to the JSA via supporters in Japan, emphasizing that his age overrun resulted from circumstances beyond his control: mandatory military service followed by travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Thus far, however, the JSA has remained reluctant. Further complicating matters, JSA rules limit each stable to one foreign-born wrestler. Earlier this year, a foreign recruit joined the stable where Yatkovski was practicing, forcing him to leave. Currently, he trains at Tatsunami stable, the home stable of Mongolian-born yokozuna Hoshoryu, where he reportedly holds his own even against wrestlers in the sandanme division, the fourth highest in sumo. Despite his evident skill, prospects are bleak. One influential stablemaster told him frankly that many aspiring wrestlers have had to give up their dreams because of age restrictions, urging him to pursue other paths. However, Yatkovski remains adamant, stating, "Sumo is my life itself. I don't want to live without sumo," hinting at the pain that would result from losing his dream due to factors outside his control. Since April of this year, Yatkovski has been uploading videos of his training sessions to YouTube, including the clip showing him taking down a makushita wrestler. He says he wants to show his skills to many people. In the 1990s, when no age limit existed, older recruits succeeded in entering sumo. One example is former komusubi Tomonohana, who joined at age 27. An online petition calling for the JSA to allow Yatkovski's entry has already gathered support from over 10,000 people. Today, he continues to train while caring about his family in Israel, where war persists. He has not yet given up his dream of becoming a sumo wrestler.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- General
- India Gazette
"More Village More Water": Chhattisgarh Govt. celebrates Water Conservation Week
ANI 04 Jul 2025, 12:31 GMT+10 Balrampur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 4 (ANI): The Chhattisgarh Government is celebrating Water Conservation Week under the 'More Village More Water Campaign' from 30 June to 7 July. Nayantara Singh Tomar, Chief Executive Officer of District Panchayat Balrampur, shared information about the water conservation campaign with ANI. Ministry of Jal Shakti had launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in the year 2019 in 1,592 blocks out of 2,836 blocks in 256 water-stressed districts of the country. In 2021, 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain' (JSA: CTR) with the theme 'Catch the Rain - Where it Falls When it Falls' was launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister subsuming Catch the Rain (CTR) campaign to cover all the blocks of all districts (rural as well as urban areas) across the country. JSA: CTR has become an annual feature since 2021. C R Paatil, Minister, Jal Shakti, launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain - 2025 with the theme 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari - Jan Jagrukta Ki Or' on 22nd March 2025, World Water Day. It has been implemented from 22.03.2025 to 30.11.2025, emphasising deeper grassroots engagement, inter-sectoral convergence and innovative financing mechanisms with special focus on 148 districts identified by CGWB. Five focused interventions, like in the previous years, include (i) water conservation and rainwater harvesting; (ii) enumerating, geo-tagging & making inventory of all water bodies; preparation of scientific plans for water conservation based on it; (iii) setting up of Jal Shakti Kendras in all districts; (iv) Intensive afforestation; and (v) awareness generation. 'Khandwa is the district that has done the best work in water conservation across the entire country. The Ministry of Jal Shakti of the Government of India has recognised it... Awareness about water has also increased throughout the state...' Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had said on the Jal Ganga Conservation Campaign on June 30. (ANI)
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payment dates and exact amount pensioners can get
Eligible households will receive letters telling them how much they will get later this year TO YOUR BENEFIT DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payment dates and exact amount pensioners can get Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE DWP has confirmed key dates for the Winter Fuel Payment including the exact amounts pensioners can get. The website has been updated with eligibility criteria and how much people will receive based on their circumstances. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Millions of pensioners will get a Winter Fuel Payment this financial year Credit: Getty The up to £300 payment was axed for millions of pensioners last winter and only those on certain benefits qualified. But this winter it will be paid to individuals with a taxable income over £35,000 following pubic outcry. The U-turn means nine million pensioners will get a Winter Fuel Payment this year. But there is still eligibility criteria to meet including your age and where you live. Who is eligible? You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959, and live in England and Wales. The amount you will receive is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 15 and September 21 this year. This is known as the "qualifying week". If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment you will get either: £200, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 £300, if you were born before 22 September 1945 If you live with someone else who's eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment and are not on benefits you will get a payment of: Keir Starmer confirms huge winter fuel payment U-turn £100, if you and the person you live with were both born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 £100, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 but the person you live with was born before 22 September 1945 £200, if you were born before 22 September 1945 but the person you live with was born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 £150, if you and the person you live with were born before 22 September 1945 If you and your partner jointly claim one of the following benefits, you will receive a different amount: Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Income Support. If you are on one of these benefits, one of you will get a payment of either: £200 if both of you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 £300 if one or both of you were born before 22 September 1945 The payment will be made into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into. If you get any of the same above benefits, but not as part of a joint claim, you'll get a payment of either: £200 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 £300 if you were born before 22 September 1945 However, in all the above cases, if your taxable income is more than £35,000, your Winter Fuel Payment will be taken back either through PAYE or through Self Assessment. If you are living in a care home will get either: £100, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 £150, if you were born before 22 September 1945 Do I need to claim? Most people eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment don't need to claim it and will receive it automatically. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following benefits: State Pension Pension Credit Universal Credit Attendance Allowance Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Carer's Allowance Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Income Support income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) awards from the War Pensions Scheme Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Incapacity Benefit Industrial Death Benefit If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply: you've not got the Winter Fuel Payment before you've deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment You can claim the payment by post from September 15, or by phone from October 13. The ultimate deadline to claim for this winter is March 31, 2026. More details on how to claim can be found via Most Winter Fuel Payments are made in November or December. If you are eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November telling you how much you're in line to get. If you don't receive one by January 28, 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Universal Credit claimants could be missing out on £1,149 a month
More than seven million people in the UK are currently in receipt of Universal Credit, but there could be more cash support available to them Thousands of Brits could be missing out on up to £1,149 from the Government. Many people living with a disability or health condition may not realise they are eligible for extra cash support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The most recent data from the DWP reveals that as of January's end, 7.5 million individuals across Scotland, England, and Wales were receiving financial assistance through Universal Credit. This income-related benefit is intended to support those with low incomes, whether they are employed or not, with daily living expenses. However, as reported by the Daily Record, many who claim Universal Credit or income-related Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and have a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition may be unaware that they could be eligible for additional financial aid through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP). The latter has replaced all new PIP claims in Scotland and can assist with daily living or mobility costs. Both PIP and ADP are tax-free, non-means tested payments that do not impact the benefit cap. This means that a single claimant over 25 on Universal Credit or JSA making a new claim for either benefit could potentially receive up to £749.80 every four weeks, separate from their other benefits. When combined with a monthly Universal Credit payment of £400.14 (single, over-25 rate), this could provide up to £1,149.94 each month. It's crucial to note that this figure is based on someone receiving the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components of either PIP or ADP. It's also important to understand that having a health condition does not automatically qualify someone for PIP or ADP. Instead, it's how the condition affects a person's daily living and/or mobility needs that matters. PIP and ADP payment rates You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility. Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you. Payments are issued every four weeks. You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances. Daily living Standard rate: £73.90 Enhanced rate: £110.40 Mobility Standard rate: £29.20 Enhanced rate: £77.05 Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. PIP health conditions These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which more than 530 other conditions fall under. This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for. Multisystem and extremes of age Malignant disease Haematological Disease Cardiovascular disease Psychiatric disorders Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract Infectious disease Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) Diseases of the immune system Genitourinary disease Musculoskeletal disease (general) Musculoskeletal disease (regional) Metabolic disease Visual disease Neurological disease Respiratory disease Skin disease Gastrointestinal disease Hearing disorders Endocrine disease Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you: Have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for three months Expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply In addition to what we have outlined above, if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP: Preparing, cooking or eating food Managing your medication Washing, bathing or using the toilet Dressing and undressing Engaging and communicating with other people Reading and understanding written information Making decisions about money Planning a journey or following a route Moving around There are different rules if you are terminally ill. DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at: Whether you can do it safely How long it takes you How often your condition affects this activity Whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the website here. To find out more about ADP or apply, visit the dedicated pages on here.
Geek Dad
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – JSA #9: Enemy at the Gates
JSA #9 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Despite the huge scale, there's a sense of claustrophobia to this series – as the JSA finds themselves under attack from every possible corner, including from within. The heroes are scattered to the winds, with some being trapped in unknown locations. Beth Chapel has found the real Obsidian and is trying to escape with him, but is pursued by Scandal Savage – who has returned to her villainous ways, same as her wife Knockout over in another title. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but at least Lemire gives a good explanation for the change her. Obsidian's mind, meanwhile, is stuck in a maze with Jakeem Thunder – and Johnny Thunder, the original voice behind the Thunderbolt. This is a very clever visual segment, with a great reveal about the villain, bringing in one of the JSA's most obscure villains but also one of its most powerful with surprising ties to another big franchise. Escape. Via DC Comics. But the biggest threat might be right here on Earth, as the team is falling apart from within. Yolanda Montez has quit, out of grief and rage after she killed a Kobra member to avenge Ted Grant. Ted's not entirely gone, but she doesn't know that, and it falls to Khalid to try to pull her back from the brink. Meanwhile, the impostor Obsidian gets close to Alan Scott, as he tries to manipulate the team against each other and collect some valuable information to transfer back to Wotan. While we know exactly who this villain is under the disguise, it still packs a punch when he's revealed as arguably the JSA's arch-nemesis. This series took a little getting used to compared to the lighter JSA run by Johns, with its denser tone and higher stakes, but it's really grown with every issue, pulling in some compelling plot threads from the history of the JSA and giving some less-known characters an excellent spotlight. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
