Latest news with #WAKA
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Will Tuberville run for Alabama Governor? Announcement expected at Auburn event
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is holding a private event Tuesday afternoon at Byron's Smokehouse in Auburn. While the campaign has not officially confirmed the purpose of the event, it is widely anticipated Tuberville will announce whether he intends to seek the Alabama governor's office. Earlier in the day, Tuberville's Deputy Communications Director, Hannah Eddins, spoke with WRBL's Elizabeth White inside Byron's restaurant, stating only friends, family, and Fox News would be allowed into the event. White requested reconsideration. Later, Communications Director Mallory Jaspers came out to the restaurant's parking lot to speak with WRBL and WAKA. She called the earlier restriction a miscommunication and said members of the press would be allowed inside briefly to capture video of Tuberville with his guests. Jaspers explained the campaign was trying to honor an exclusive agreement with The Will Cain Show on Fox News. Senator Tuberville is expected to come outside after the Fox interview and answer a few questions from the local press. The event is scheduled to begin around 4 p.m. day. Tommy Tuberville, born in Camden, Arkansas, is a former college football coach and the current U.S. Senator representing Alabama since 2021. He gained national attention as the head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008, leading the team to an undefeated season in 2004. Transitioning into politics, Tuberville capitalized on his coaching fame and strong support from President Donald Trump to win the 2020 Senate election, defeating incumbent Democrat Doug Jones. During his tenure, he has served on several committees, including Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs, and is known for his strong conservative positions on national defense, education, and border security. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
09-04-2025
- Miami Herald
17-year-old fatally shot in iPhone robbery, Alabama cops say. 2 brothers charged
Two brothers are accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old boy during a robbery, Alabama police said. Authorities responded to the shooting at about 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, in a modest residential area of Montgomery, police said in an April 8 news release. The Montgomery Police Department said the teen, identified as Zaveon Simpkins, was found with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead there. A pair of brothers — 19-year-old Christopher Kelly and 18-year-old Christian Kelly — were arrested April 8 and charged with capital murder and first-degree robbery in connection with the shooting, police said. According to court records, the brothers are accused of taking $500 and an iPhone, WSFA and WAKA reported. Simpkins was with another teen at the time of the robbery, according to the news reports. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is National Kickball Day? Here's how to celebrate on April 17
National Kickball Day, celebrated annually on April 17, invites individuals of all ages to relive the joy and camaraderie of this classic playground game. The history of National Kickball Day — and kickball Established in 2014 by the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA), the day emphasizes the sport's enduring appeal and encourages community participation. The game of kickball, meanwhile, was originally called 'kick baseball' (this tracks) by its inventor, Nicholas C. Seuss, back in 1917. Seuss was the Supervisor of Cincinnati Parks and Playgrounds in Ohio and he envisioned 'kick baseball' as a simpler version of baseball that could teach children the fundamentals of the game with less equipment. While kickball's roots are in the United States, that simplicity propelled it to international popularity over time. In South Korea, the game is known as "foot baseball," and in Japan, elementary school students play a version called "kick base." How to celebrate National Kickball Day National Kickball Day serves as an opportunity to engage in physical activity, foster teamwork, and enjoy outdoor fun. Here are some ways to celebrate: Organize a friendly game. Gather your friends, family, or colleagues for a match at a local park or playground. Or, make it unfriendly – challenge your least favorite neighbors or work frenemy. As long as kickball is involved, you're celebrating correctly. Join a league. Kickball leagues are still wildly popular in cities and suburban settings alike. Explore your local programs to connect with other enthusiasts. Refresh your memory on the rules. Before your games, familiarize yourself with the official rules of kickball to enhance your playing experience. Share the fun on social media. Brag about your greatest goal ever using the hashtag #NationalKickballDay. By participating in National Kickball Day, individuals can reconnect with a beloved pastime, promote physical well-being, and strengthen community bonds. So, lace up your sneakers, grab a bright red rubber ball, and kickstart the festivities on April 17!
Korea Herald
17-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
'Korean diaspora is driving force behind Hallyu'
President of World Assembly of Korean Associations vows support for Korean groups worldwide where government efforts fall short South Korea's rise in soft power, driven by the global surge of its popular culture, has garnered significant attention both in Korea and worldwide. Ko Sang-goo, president of the World Assembly of Korean Associations, seeks to highlight the often-overlooked role of the Korean diaspora -- the approximately 7.3 million Koreans or individuals of Korean descent living abroad who, through their everyday lives and hard work, have quietly contributed to the mother country's growing global recognition. "The global popularity of Korean music, dramas, films, fashion, food and other aspects of Korean culture is largely the result of the hard work and talent of Korean artists and businesses. However, we must not overlook the role of overseas Koreans," said Ko in an interview in Seoul. He has been leading WAKA since October last year. "As expatriates, they have worked diligently, gaining the recognition of local communities, which has transformed the way foreigners perceive Korea. I believe they have made significant contributions to public diplomacy and have effectively served as cultural ambassadors." The Korean diaspora remains deeply connected through a shared national spirit, he said, with approximately 500 overseas Korean groups operating across 10 regions, including Asia, the Americas and Europe. WAKA, founded in 2021, aims to serve as a global platform for the "mutual development of Koreans at home and abroad, as well as the broader welfare of humanity." Under this vision, the non-profit organization has published guidebooks to help overseas Korean associations expand their public diplomacy activities, hosted related seminars, and organized educational events to promote the Korean language. Additionally, it has been at the forefront of protecting their interests by advocating for the expansion of their voting rights. WAKA's headquarters is located near Seolleung Station in Gangnam District, Seoul. From entrepreneur to spokesperson for overseas Koreans Ko, who took office as WAKA's second president on Oct. 4 last year, resides in Vietnam and embodies the success story of overseas Koreans. He is the founder and chairman of K-Market, a major food distribution company in Vietnam with over 150 stores across the Southeast Asian nation and annual sales exceeding 100 billion won ($68.8 million). His business journey in Vietnam began in 2002, when he invested 2.3 billion won in a local department store in Hanoi, during his first year in the Southeast Asian country. He described the investment as a complete failure. "The department store closed after just six months as it was ill-suited for Hanoi, where traditional markets better matched the economic status of the local population at the time," Ko said. Despite the failure, Ko didn't give up. With the 300 million won he earned from the store's clearance sale, he tried a new business model -- ginseng. It was one of the few Korean products that had sold relatively well during his initial venture. In 2003, he opened a ginseng shop named Star Korea, which turned out to be a huge success as an increasing number of Korean construction workers visiting Hanoi bought ginseng liquor in bulk as gifts for Vietnamese officials. His business gained further momentum after introducing suits he imported from Korea. The suits flew off the shelves as many foreign diplomats and business leaders began visiting Vietnam following its economic opening, which boosted the influx of foreign investment, he explained. "Failure is a stepping stone to success. After a lot of trial and error, I gained valuable lessons and know-how." Ko's K-Market has been listed among Vietnam's top 100 companies, selected by Forbes Vietnam and global consultancy Brand Finance, for five consecutive years since 2017. The successful Korean entrepreneur expressed his pride and sense of duty not only as a business leader but also as a representative of overseas Korean groups. Stressing that there are still many small countries where Korean associations are not yet part of WAKA, Ko said, "When disaster, crisis, disease or war strikes a country, there may be Koreans who are left without protection. One of the main initiatives this year is to grow into a global platform that identifies and supports overseas Koreans that the government may not be aware of." Building a strong Korean identity among young overseas Koreans is the organization's most important long-term goal, according to Ko. "The Korean diaspora community is also aging. We must encourage young overseas Koreans to take the lead in their communities and uphold their pride as Koreans. It is essential to develop diverse educational programs for them," he explained. WAKA seeks to collaborate with the Office of Overseas Koreans on several of its key initiatives. Launched in 2023 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government agency aims to enhance policies and services for overseas Koreans. Urging the government to recognize overseas Koreans as a more valuable national asset, the WAKA president expressed regret over the lack of government funding for projects to support the overseas Korean community. "The (annual) budget for the Office of Overseas Koreans is just over 100 billion won, which is far from sufficient. Of the 7.3 million overseas Koreans, over 1.9 million have voting rights. North Gyeongsang Province, with a population of around 2.4 to 2.5 million, has a budget exceeding 13 trillion won. There is no organization that manages a network of 7.3 million people with a budget of just 100 billion won," he said. "The cultural and economic infrastructure built by overseas Koreans holds immense value, something the government could never replicate. The government must recognize that Korean culture is more respected abroad because overseas Koreans have earned recognition in their communities."
