Month: March 2024

‘Parrot fever’ outbreaks cause 5 deaths in Europe, sparking warnings

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A bacterial infection known as parrot fever has killed five people in Europe, according to an announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The illness is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci), which often originates from birds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

An increase in cases was reported by Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands, starting in late 2023 and continuing into 2024. 

BUBONIC PLAGUE IN THE US: DO YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT CATCHING THE RODENT-BORNE DISEASE?

Five deaths have been reported.

“Exposure to wild and/or domestic birds was reported in most of the cases,” WHO wrote in the announcement.

A bacterial infection known as parrot fever has killed five people in Europe, according to an announcement from the World Health Organization.  (iStock)

“Human infections occur mainly through contact with secretions from infected birds and are mostly associated with those who work with pet birds, poultry workers, veterinarians, pet bird owners and gardeners in areas where C. psittaci is epizootic in the native bird population.”

The countries are investigating exposures in the cases and analyzing samples from wild birds that were originally obtained for avian influenza testing.

‘ARCTIC ZOMBIE VIRUSES’ COULD BE RELEASED BY CLIMATE CHANGE FROM THAWING PERMAFROST, SOME SCIENTISTS CLAIM

“The World Health Organization continues to monitor the situation and, based on the available information, assesses the risk posed by this event as low,” the statement said.

The condition is rare in the U.S., only affecting about 10 people per year, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor.

How is this illness spread?

“Parrot fever can easily spread among birds when they are in close contact or confined in small spaces,” Donal Bisanzio, PhD, a senior epidemiologist with RTI International, a research institute in North Carolina, told Fox News Digital.

While not all infected birds will show symptoms, most will have some behavioral changes.

Pet bird

Those at highest risk for parrot fever include people who own birds or work closely with bird pets. (iStock)

“Birds affected by parrot fever will often have reduced appetite, lethargy, weight loss, diarrhea (usually with yellowish droppings), ocular discharge and breathing issues,” said Bisanzio.

“Parrot fever is also a zoonosis, meaning it can be transmitted to humans by infected birds,” he added.

Most people are exposed by breathing in airborne dust particles from infected birds’ droppings and respiratory secretions, which contain the bacteria. 

Direct contact with birds can also transmit the infection.

WHAT IS ALASKAPOX? FIRST FATALITY REPORTED FROM ANIMAL-BORNE VIRUS, LIKELY CONTRACTED FROM STRAY CAT

Those at highest risk include people who own birds or work closely with pet birds, such as pet shop employees, poultry farm workers or veterinarians, according to Bisanzio. 

“Humans can be exposed to the bacterium causing the disease by handling infected birds or cleaning their cages,” he said.

Pet owners should always have newly acquired birds or birds showing symptoms of the disease examined by veterinarians specializing in bird health, the expert recommended.

Bird on car

Those at highest risk for parrot fever include people who own birds or work closely with pet birds, such as pet shop employees, poultry farm workers or veterinarians, according to an expert. (iStock)

Droppings left on bird feeders could also be a potential source of exposure. 

“People should be careful when cleaning and replenishing bird feeders in areas affected by the outbreaks,” Bisanzio said.

The bacteria has not been found to spread through cooking or consumption of poultry.

Human outbreak risk is low, experts say

Although C. psittaci has been found in other small mammals — including dogs, cats, horses and reptiles — birds are most likely to transmit the bacteria to humans.

“It is not easily transferable from human to human, so it will not cause a large outbreak and is dependent on exposure to birds that have it,” Siegel told Fox News Digital. 

“A significant portion of reported cases have required hospitalization due to pneumonia symptoms.”

Given the rarity of human-to-human transmission, Bisanzio said the disease typically leads to small, localized outbreaks in humans, often associated with exposure to pet or wild birds.

“Many cases have reported contact with wild birds, which suggests a potential outbreak of parrot fever in the wild bird population in the affected areas,” he said.

In the current European outbreaks, Bisanzio noted that more information is needed to better understand the source of exposure. 

Sick woman

People infected by C. psittaci usually exhibit flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, diarrhea, cough, muscle pain and fatigue. (iStock)

“Countries where outbreaks have been reported, as well as their neighboring countries, should enhance surveillance of both wild birds and pet birds that may come into contact with wild birds,” he said. 

“Physicians practicing in outbreak areas and regions at high risk of transmission should be made aware of the potential exposure risk for individuals and encouraged to test those presenting symptoms that could be associated with parrot diseases.”

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

People infected by C. psittaci usually exhibit flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, diarrhea, cough, muscle pain and fatigue, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms usually begin within five to 14 days after exposure.

If left untreated, the disease can progress to pneumonia.

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“Since Dec. 2013, European countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands have reported an increased number of human cases, some of which have been fatal, prompting concern among public health authorities in Europe,” said Bisanzio.

“A significant portion of reported cases have required hospitalization due to pneumonia symptoms.”

Parrot fever can be diagnosed by collecting phlegm, blood or nose and/or throat cultures.

vet looking at parrot

Pet owners should always have newly acquired birds or birds showing symptoms of the disease examined by veterinarians specializing in bird health, an expert recommended. (iStock)

After diagnosis, antibiotics can be prescribed to treat the infection and alleviate symptoms, per the CDC. 

Most people recover fully, but in rare cases the infection can cause complications including pneumonia, inflammation of the heart valves, hepatitis and neurologic problems.

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With antibiotics, less than one in every 100 cases is fatal.

People who have been in contact with wild or pet birds and are experiencing symptoms of parrot fever should see a doctor for evaluation and treatment, experts advise.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Health Fitness

Are You Fasting This Maha Shivratri? Heres A Weight Loss Diet Plan For You!

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As the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri 2024 is here, many devotees across the country are following fasting rituals. While fasting holds profound spiritual significance, it also offers an opportunity to rejuvenate our bodies and minds. This Maha Shivratri, if you’re considering fasting, why not incorporate a thoughtful weight loss diet plan into your routine? Nutritionist Khyati Rupani, on a post on her Instagram post, shared a nutritious and wholesome diet plan tailored for this auspicious day. Nourish your body with these mindful choices and stay on track with your health journey this Maha Shivratri. Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day and listen to your body’s cues.
Also Read: Mahashivratri 2024: 5 Foods You Can Have While Observing Mahashivratri Vrat (Fast)

Maha Shivratri 2024: Here Are 6 Weight Loss-Friendly Meals For Fasting:

Meal 1: Cinnamon Water

Start your day with a refreshing glass of cinnamon-infused water. Cinnamon is known for its metabolism-boosting properties and can help regulate blood sugar levels. This warm concoction will kickstart your metabolism and keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Meal 2: Fruit & Yogurt Shake

For your mid-morning meal, indulge in a delicious fruit and yoghurt shake. Blend together your favourite fruits like bananas, berries, or mangoes with some low-fat yoghurt. This shake is rich in essential nutrients, fibre, and probiotics, making it a perfect combination for a healthy fasting day.

Meal 3: Millet Rice + 1 Glass of Buttermilk

For lunch, opt for a wholesome meal comprising millet rice accompanied by a refreshing glass of buttermilk. Millets are nutritious whole grains packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. They provide sustained energy and keep you feeling full for longer periods, aiding in weight management. Buttermilk serves as a probiotic-rich beverage that aids digestion and keeps your gut health in check.
Also Read: Mahashivratri: Why Milk Plays a Significant Role in This Festival

Meal 4: 1 Cup Tea + Handful of Peanuts

As the afternoon rolls around, treat yourself to a cup of tea paired with a handful of peanuts. Tea, especially green tea, is loaded with antioxidants that promote fat burning and boost metabolism. Peanuts are a good source of protein and healthy fats, keeping hunger pangs at bay while providing essential nutrients.

Meal 5: 1 Bowl Makhana Kheer

Indulge your sweet cravings with a bowl of nutritious Makhana (fox nuts) kheer. Makhana is low in calories and rich in protein, making it an ideal snack for weight watchers. Prepare this kheer with skimmed milk and a hint of jaggery for sweetness. It’s a guilt-free treat packed with goodness! Click here for the recipe.

Meal 6: Half a Sweet Potato

Wrap up your fasting day with a light yet fulfilling meal of half a sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense root vegetables loaded with fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They provide sustained energy and help curb late-night cravings, ensuring you stay on track with your weight loss goals.
Also Read: 5 High-Energy Recipes For Your Mahashivratri Vrat

Wishing you a blessed and healthy Maha Shivratri 2024!

Home Kitchen

My Husband Keeps Leaving Me

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Or so I thought. The thing no one tells you about marriage is that its truths are slippery.

When the war in Afghanistan ended and we transitioned into a more routine family life, I had missed Andrew for so long that the missing had begun to run dry. I realized that I had felt abandoned for years, maybe ever since he had made that stark declaration in the therapist’s office. And he had missed so much at home, he wasn’t sure where his place was. I wanted him to find it, though.

Luckily, he did. He was ravenous for time with me and the children, hungry for the certainty and comfort of home life, cooking us elaborate meals, taking the children on Saturday adventures, reading every email from the school before I even had a chance. He had always loved us fiercely, and had been an excellent father, but now his center of gravity was inside our home, and when he left on trainings, the invisible threads that connected us as a family felt tightly woven in a new way.

There had been times, in his many absences, that I had felt like we were living a facsimile of a marriage, trading the ocean for the faint sound of it through the spiral of a seashell. But now, finally, we had the real thing. We had the ocean.

Two years passed without a deployment. Then, one night, Andrew and I went out to a steak dinner, a rare occasion. We were drinking cocktails and smiling dopily at each other when Andrew’s phone rang. I heard his voice change, and I knew. When he hung up, I waited for the faint but detectable shift in his body language, the tension in his jaw, the new distance in his normally soft and attentive gaze.

My husband is expert at compartmentalization, able to switch from dinner out to packing for a deployment with a startling quickness, leaving, in some sense, before we’ve even had the chance to say goodbye. But he surprised me this time: When he laid his hand over mine on the white tablecloth, I could sense a pull toward home that was greater than his pull away.

Lifestyle Fashion

Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats (CDS): Causes, Signs & Treatment (Vet Answer)

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The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Our cats are beloved members of our families, living longer and healthier lives than ever before. It’s important to realize that with longer lifespans, veterinarians and pet owners are seeing age-related changes in our feline family members, including cognitive changes.

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What Is Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?

Feline cognitive dysfunction is also referred to as kitty dementia. Cognitive dysfunction is a gradual change that happens over an extended period. Rapid changes may have a different underlying cause.

Typically, brain and cognitive changes occur in senior cats, with them often at least 10 to 15 years old. Cats of any breed can develop cognitive dysfunction.

What Are the Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?

Signs of cognitive dysfunction vary between cats, with some showing only one or two signs that are difficult to detect and others with significantly more. Some of the signs to watch for include:

  • Increased vocalization, especially in the evening hours
  • Disoriented
  • Seeming lost even in a house they’ve lived in for years
  • Wandering off
  • Forgetting to eat or wanting to eat even if they just ate
  • Urinating or defecating outside of litter pans
  • Changes in behavior (e.g., being reactive or nervous)
  • Fluctuations in sleeping and wake cycles
  • Staring off into space for extended periods

There’s a process in pets and people with cognitive dysfunction that tends to be called sundowning. It refers to the fact that some animals and people show more signs of cognitive changes later in the day, like after the sun goes down.

abbyssinian cat meowing
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

What Are the Causes of Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?

The main thought behind why cognitive dysfunction develops in cats is the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. The protein accumulates in the brain, eventually slowing blood flow to parts of the brain, which inevitably leads to neuronal cell death. Changes that we associate with cognitive dysfunction can also have a root in other health conditions.

Some examples include:

  • Cataracts leading to vision changes or even complete blindness
  • Arthritis leads to pain climbing in and out of the litter box, so the cat stops going into the litter box
  • Kidney failure or diabetes leading to excessive urination, which may occur outside of the litter pan
  • Hyperthyroid kitties are often more vocal in the evenings and may want to overeat during the day
  • Hypertension has been linked to vision loss in cats
  • Even dental disease can affect your cat: they might not want to eat with a painful mouth or act more withdrawn
cat with cataract
Image Credit: Meteoritka, Shutterstock

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Diagnosing Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats

Diagnosing cognitive dysfunction is challenging in pets. In cats, your veterinarian will want to perform a thorough physical exam, checking for discomfort from dental pain or arthritis, ocular changes, and even skin changes that could suggest anxiety.

They will likely recommend several diagnostic tests because there are several things to rule out:

  • Blood work to check kidney values and other measurements
  • Urinalysis to rule out urinary tract infection
  • Radiographs to assess for arthritis
  • Thyroid panel to rule out hyperthyroidism
  • Blood pressure monitoring to check for hypertension

Your veterinarian may refer you to a neurologist to perform an MRI to look for brain changes. They’ll likely also perform a spinal tap to check for infections.

cat getting bloodwork done at the laboratory
Image Credit: Maria Sbytova, Shutterstock

How Do I Care for a Cat With Cognitive Dysfunction?

First things first, your vet will want to treat any underlying health conditions that could be contributing to the appearance of cognitive dysfunction. The veterinarian may recommend dental cleaning and extractions to treat diseased teeth. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with methimazole.

Consider a medication like Solensia as a monthly injection for arthritis pain in cats. Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for both anxiety and neurogenic pain.

You can also try different litter pans for your cat, such as ones with a lower lip, so they don’t have to step as high if they’re uncomfortable.

Diets high in vitamin E and antioxidants may have brain health benefits and slow the progression of cognitive dysfunction. Other supplements that might be beneficial include:

  • SAMe (s-adenosyl-methionine)
  • COq10
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

Talk to your veterinarian about melatonin to help your cat sleep at night.

Don’t make sudden changes within the house. If you have to move furniture, try to navigate your cat around the new locations so they learn where everything is, especially if they have vision changes.

Consider not bringing new pets into the environment, which could stress your cat more.

Enrichment is beneficial for these kitties. You can put food in a puzzle toy or treat dispenser so your cat can manipulate it to get the kibble out.

Pheromone products, like Feliway, help cats have less stress or anxiety. Your veterinarian may prescribe a behavioral modifying medication, such as fluoxetine or amitriptyline.

vet petting the cat and talking to the owner
Image Credit: Stock-Asso, Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does a cat live with dementia?

Cats can live several years with dementia, and it doesn’t have to impact their lifespan at all. The most significant issues are managing any underlying health problems to keep your cat comfortable and what you can handle. Some people have issues if a cat is waking them up all night. Significant disruptions within the human-animal bond could mean it’s time to consider euthanasia.

How can I improve my cat’s quality of life with dementia?

You can try a few things to keep your cat’s quality of life at an acceptable level:

  • Limit changes within the house
  • Don’t allow your cat outside unsupervised
  • Consider setting lights on timers to help clue your cat to different times of day
  • Limit stress but offer enrichment activities, such as puzzle toys or playtime
girl playing with her cat
Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Cognitive dysfunction is a severe condition affecting cats that can drastically impact you and your cat’s quality of life. Work with your vet to try and pinpoint underlying causes that may be treatable, and above all, be patient with your kitty. This is scary for them as well, and they will need your support.

Featured Image Credit; 毛 祥, Unsplash

Pets

Knight Frank’s Liam Bailey: Real estate remains the preferred asset class for ultra-wealthy individuals

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The persistent high interest rates and continuing geopolitical tensions have led to a closer affinity between private capital and real estate, and more ultra-high net-worth individuals (UHNWI) prefer to invest in real estate.

In 2022, the global interest rate shock wiped out about $10 trillion off the portfolio . But in 2023, wealth creation returned, primarily due to a recovery in asset prices, Knight Frank’s Global Head of Research Liam Bailey told businessline.

Recovery in financial assets pushed up the portfolios of wealthy individuals by about 25 per cent while other asset classes, such as Bitcoin, also revived significantly, he said.

Bailey is also the editor of the Knight Frank annual Wealth Report, which this year said around a third of ultra-rich Indians had investments in the residential real estate sector, and 12 per cent of the wealthy are planning to buy a new house this year. Around 22 per cent of global UHNWIs are planning to invest in residential and 19 per cent in commercial.

Excerpts from the interview.

In the Wealth Report, you discussed a strong affinity between private capital and real estate. Could you elaborate on that?

Over time, we have tracked the propensity of wealthy individuals to purchase property. For example, this year’s survey results show that 19 per cent of ultra-net-worth individuals are interested in investing in commercial real estate. The interesting piece, I suppose, is where that money is likely to go in terms of different segments. People often talk about an appetite for things such as the life sciences sector or data centres. Those sorts of things are very much ‘of the moment’ because there isn’t much liquidity in those markets. You end up with most investors focusing on the office market because there’s just a deeper pool of assets to invest in. We’ve worked with a number of very wealthy individuals in the London market from around the world, and they see an opportunity to buy secondary buildings in good locations and spend money to refurbish, improve, and enhance those assets.

There is a shortage of best-in-class stock in most markets. There has been a shift in people’s behaviours around working from home, but corporates are very interested in occupying the best positions they can.

Are the UHNWIs investing in real estate in their home countries or different countries?

I would say that most activity takes place domestically, but the overseas market does grow year on year. And certainly, in markets like London and New York, we observe quite high penetration of cross-border funds into those markets. Some of the European markets are bolstered by the fact that you’ve got high cross-border activity within the European Union, for example. But yes, I mean markets have become much more international at the time. Markets have become more cross-border.

In India, many people are investing in overseas properties, especially in the UAE. As a result of this increased activity, how do you see the trend in property prices?

Well, I think there’s quite a difference at the moment between commercial and residential property. Commercial property values are set in the investment market, whereas residential prices are often or generally set in the unoccupied market, so there is a difference in behaviours.

Commercial property has obviously been hit by increased interest rates, and there has been a correction, depending on where you are now, 10 per cent plus in terms of values. There is likely to be a continuation of that over the course of certainly the first half of this year, as rates begin to come down globally and the pressures on pricing should begin to ease.

Residential markets are a bit different. It fell globally initially, at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, and then prices began to bounce back over the past three or four months in most markets. And I think one of the drivers in residential markets was the fact that you had a lack of stock in the market because a lot of people on fixed- rate mortgages didn’t want to lose those fixed-rate deals they were on. The biggest impact of higher rates has not been on prices in the residential market buton transaction volumes. For example, in the London market in the past 12 months, transactions have been down about 10 per cent in central London, and in the UK as a whole, transactions have been down 27 per cent year on year. But I think as rates come down in the second half of this year, hopefully, you’ll see more confidence from owners to bring properties back to the market, and you should see an increase in liquidity. We are expecting to see sales volumes begin to grow by the second half of the year.

Apart from property, are wealthy individuals investing in other areas such as like art and collectibles? Have you seen an increase in that?

We note in the report that there was a difference in the collectible sector. There were some very high-profile record-breaking sales that took place, and we saw a record-breaking price for a Ferrari auction. We hit some record levels at an auction for particular diamonds. There were also records for paintings, but overall average collectible prices were down by 1 per cent. I think actually quite a bit of money that would have gone into collectibles actually went into equities. The key takeaway is that prices overall are slightly down, but actually record prices were set for particular assets. And it just shows that there is a kind of difference between best in class and the wider marketplace.

Everyone is waiting for the US Fed to start the ball rolling in cutting interest rates. If it delays the whole process of interest rate cuts, or the quantum of cuts is not as high as expected, what would the effect be on the property market and other sectors?

It will be negative. There is a much more positive view on the real estate market outlook this year versus last year, and rate cuts are almost assumed by the market. They’ve been pushed out a bit, and there’s a recognition that there may be fewer cuts than were expected three months ago, and they may take place later than they were initially expected. But I think if they are delayed, if they don’t happen this year or if they are pushed into 2025, that will prove to be negative for all the markets.

A lot of the current uptick in sentiment is based on the assumption that these cuts are coming by late spring in the US and then summer for the UK and other markets.

Real Estate

U Njemačkoj se novi telefoni Samsung Galaxy A55 i A35 već mogu kupiti. Evo cijena

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

PISALI smo vam o propustu belgijskog teleoperatera koji je u cijelosti otkrio dizajn i specifikacije nadolazećeg Samsungovog telefona Galaxy A55, a sada je njemački trgovac Otto, uz dizajn i specifikacije, otkrio i cijene, i to ne samo za Galaxy A55 već i za Galaxy A35.

Iako bi ovi uređaji trebali biti pušteni u prodaju 11. ožujka, Otto ih je već stavio u ponudu i omogućio kupnju. Tako na Ottovoj stranici Samsung Galaxy A55 počinje s cijenom od 479 eura za osnovni model od 128 GB, dok verzija od 256 GB košta 529 eura. Samsung Galaxy A35 počinje s cijenom od 379 eura za verziju sa 128 GB, a verzija s 256 GB je 449 eura.

Specifikacije su slične, Galaxy A55 ima novi procesor

Što se tiče specifikacija, na Ottovoj stranici navedeno je da Galaxy A55 ima ekran od 6.6 inča, a radi se o FHD+ Super AMOLED zaslonu sa stopom osvježavanja od 120 Hz. Zaslon ima zaštitu Gorilla Glass Victus. Kamere su mu: glavna od 50 MP, ultraširoka od 12 MP i makro od 5 MP. Prednja kamera ima 32 MP. Uređaj pokreće novi procesor Exynos 1480.

Galaxy A35 ima isti zaslon – 6.6-inčni FHD+ AMOLED sa stopom osvježavanja od 120 Hz – i istu zaštitu – Gorilla Glass Victus. Pokreće ga nešto stariji procesor Exynos 1380. Stražnja kamera također je trostruka: glavna od 50 MP, ultraširoka od 8 MP i makro od 5 MP. Selfie kamera ima 13 MP.

Oba telefona dolaze s instaliranim Androidom 14, One UI 6.1 sučeljem i Knox 3.1 sigurnosnim rješenjem. Opremljeni su baterijama kapaciteta 5000 mAh, kućišta su izrađena od aluminija te posjeduju certifikat otpornosti na prašinu i vodu IP67. Također, podržavaju Wi-Fi 6 povezivost i Bluetooth 5.3 tehnologiju. Pored toga, radi se o dual-SIM telefonima.

Samsung Galaxy A35 možete vidjeti ovdje, a A55 ovdje. 

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Rams beat free-agency frenzy by bringing back Kevin Dotson

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The Rams’ trade for offensive lineman Kevin Dotson on the eve of last season did not rank as a blockbuster but proved vital for a team that advanced to the playoffs.

Dotson started 14 games at right guard and played extremely well, positioning himself as perhaps the top pending unrestricted free agent offensive lineman.

Free agency begins next week, but Rams general manager Les Snead made a big move Thursday by agreeing to contract terms with Dotson, said a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly.

The Rams announced it was a three-year deal. Terms of the contract were not available but several reports said it could be worth as much as $48 million.

Dotson, 27, began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Rams acquired him last August in a deal that cost them a 2024 fourth-round draft pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Snead said last week that Dotson had earned the opportunity to find “the reality of his market,” and that he anticipated it would carry into next week.

The Rams were set to begin free agency with about $40 million in salary-cap space, according to overthecap.com. The Rams ranked 12th among NFL teams in cap space.

Dotson is the second potential free agent to re-sign with the Rams, joining receiver Demarcus Robinson, who agreed to a one-year contract.

Right tackle Rob Havenstein and left guard Steve Avila are under contract but Snead still has work to do to solidify the offensive line.

Center Coleman Shelton is a pending unrestricted free agent and left tackle Alaric Jackson is a pending restricted free agent.

Reserve Joe Noteboom, who has started at both tackle spots and at guard, probably will have to agree to a contract restructure to remain with the team. Noteboom is due to earn $10 million in salary and carry a cap number of $20 million, according to overthecap.com.

Sports

Xiaomi launches its latest flagship series: Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra

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Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra launched in India: Xiaomi has officially launched its highly anticipated flagship smartphone series, the Xiaomi 14 series, in India. The series comprises two variants: the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Offering top-notch features including Snapdragon flagship chipsets, LTPO AMOLED displays, Leica co-branded cameras, and more, these smartphones claims to set new standards in the industry.

Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Price and Availability

The Xiaomi 14 comes in three colours – Jade Green, Classic White, and Black. Priced at Rs 59,999 for the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant, it will be available for purchase starting March 11 through Xiaomi’s official website. Additionally, buyers can enjoy up to Rs 5,000 instant discount with ICICI Bank cards and EMI transactions, along with a Rs 5,000 exchange bonus. Furthermore, Xiaomi is offering free screen replacement within the first 6 months of purchase.

Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, available in Black and White colors, is priced at Rs 99,999 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage variant. It will be up for grabs starting April 12, 12 PM onwards, via Xiaomi’s official website. Similar to its counterpart, buyers can avail themselves of up to Rs 5,000 instant discount with ICICI Bank cards and EMI transactions, as well as a Rs 5,000 exchange bonus.

Xiaomi 14: Specifications

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and running on Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 14, the Xiaomi 14 offers formidable performance. Its 6.36-inch LTPO OLED display boasts a 1.5K resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and 3,000 nits brightness with Dolby Vision support, all protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

On the photography front, the Xiaomi 14 sports a versatile triple rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel main lens, 50-megapixel telephoto lens, and 50-megapixel ultrawide lens. Video capabilities include recording up to 8K@24fps with 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR. It also features a 32-megapixel front camera.

Moreover, it houses a robust 4,610mAh battery with support for 90W fast wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging. Security features include an in-screen fingerprint sensor and AI face unlock, while additional features include stereo speakers, IP68 rating, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Specifications

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra shares the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor but ups the ante with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, running on Xiaomi HyperOS.

Its 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display offers a stunning 2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 3,000 nits brightness with Dolby Vision support. Notably, it incorporates “Shield Glass” protection for enhanced durability.

For photography enthusiasts, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers  a quad-camera setup featuring enhanced sensors, including a 50-megapixel Sony Lyt-900 sensor and 50-megapixel Sony IMX898 telephoto and ultrawide lenses. It also includes a 32-megapixel front camera.

The device packs a substantial 5,300mAh battery supporting 90W fast wired charging, 80W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.

Technology

Geisha district in Kyoto enforces ban on tourists in response to overtourism | Travel

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Visitors will be banned from entering private alleys in Kyoto’s famous geisha district, a local representative said on Thursday, as the ancient city tackles overtourism after the pandemic. Kyoto residents have long expressed frustration with tourists behaving badly, especially in the city’s Gion district, home to teahouses where “geiko” — as geisha are locally known — and their young “maiko” apprentices, perform.

A crowd of tourists walk on the street near Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto, western Japan March 30, 2023. (REUTERS)

In December, a Gion district council comprised of residents urged Kyoto City to tackle the issue, saying their neighbourhood “is not a theme park”. One member previously told Japanese media about an instance of a maiko’s kimono being torn and another who had a cigarette butt put in her collar. (Also read: Exploring Europe: Train travel a winner for young Indians )

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

With the problem ongoing, the council decided to step up its response. “We will ask tourists to refrain from entering narrow private streets in or after April,” Isokazu Ota, an executive member of the council, told AFP. “We don’t want to do this, but we’re desperate,” he said, adding that they will put up signs.

Gion’s main Hanamikoji Street, which is public, will remain open to tourists. Ota said groups of tourists sometimes “act like paparazzi” when geisha emerge from narrow streets, which are just one or two metres (3-6.5 feet) wide.

In 2019, the Gion district council put up signs saying “no photography on private roads” warning of fines of up to 10,000 yen ($67 at today’s rates). Despite common misconceptions, geishas are not prostitutes, but rather entertainers and raconteurs highly skilled in traditional Japanese dance, musical instruments and games.

Tourism to Japan has been booming since pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted, and other major attractions are also taking steps against overtourism. This summer, hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji will be charged $13 each, with numbers capped to ease congestion and improve safety.

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BAFTA Game Awards 2024 nominations list – Zelda loses out to Baldur’s Gate and Alan Wake 2 | Gaming | Entertainment

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The nominations have been announced for this year’s BAFTA Games Awards. Taking place in London’s Southbank on April 11, the BAFTA Games Awards celebrates the best video games of the past year, including one award for Best British Game. Baldur’s Gate 3 leads the list with ten nominations, followed by nine nominations for Marvel’s Spider-Man, eight nominations for Alan Wake 2, and just six nominations for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Star Wars Jedi Survivor also receives six nominations, while the unique and charming Dave the Diver has five nominations. You can check out the 2024 BAFTA Games Awards nominations below.

BEST GAME

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team – Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team – Larian Studio/Larian Studio

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

BRITISH GAME

CASSETTE BEASTS Development Team – Bytten Studio/Raw Fury

DEAD ISLAND 2 Development Team – Dambuster Studios/PLAION

DISNEY ILLUSION ISLAND Development Team – Dlala Studios/Disney

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2024 Development Team – Sports Interactive/SEGA Europe

VIEWFINDER Development Team – Sad Owl Studios/Thunderful Publishing

WARHAMMER AGE OF SIGMAR: REALMS OF RUIN Development Team – Frontier Developments/Frontier Developments

GAME DESIGN

COCOON Development Team – Geometric Interactive/Annapurna Interactive

DAVE THE DIVER Development Team – MINTROCKET/MINTROCKET

DREDGE Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorn – Black Salt Games/Team17 Digital

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

VIEWFINDER Development Team – Sad Owl Studios/Thunderful Publishing

MULTIPLAYER

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team – Larian Studio/Larian Studio

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE III Development Team – Sledgehammer Games/Activision

DIABLO IV Development Team – Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment

FORZA MOTORSPORT Development Team – Turn 10 Studios/Xbox Game Studios

PARTY ANIMALS Development Team – Recreate Games/Source Technology

SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MUSIC

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team – Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

ASSASSIN’S CREED MIRAGE Development Team – Ubisoft/Ubisoft

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Borislav Slavov – Larian Studio/Larian Studio

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 John Paesano, Scott Hanau, Keith Leary – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Gordy Haab, Stephen Barton – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

NARRATIVE

ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team – Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team – Larian Studio/Larian Studio

DREDGE Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, Nadia Thorne – Black Salt Games/Team17 Digital

FINAL FANTASY XVI Kazutoyo Maehiro, Michael-Christopher Koji Fox – SQUARE ENIX – Creative Business Unit III/SQUARE ENIX

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Stig Asmussen, Aaron Contreras, Dori Arazi – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

EE PLAYERS’ CHOICE AWARD (voted for by the public)

BALDUR’S GATE 3 Larian Studio/Larian Studio

CYBERPUNK 2077 CD PROJEKT RED/CD PROJEKT RED

FORTNITE Epic Games/Epic Games

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

LETHAL COMPANY Zeekerss/Zeekerss

MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

ANIMATION

• ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team – Remedy Entertawinment Plc./Epic Games

• HI-FI RUSH Development Team – Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

• HOGWARTS LEGACY Development Team – Avalanche Software/Warner Bros. Games

• MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

• STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Nathan Dunlap, David Nam, Thomas Cannell – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

• SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT

• ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team – Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

• BALDUR’S GATE 3 Development Team – Larian Studio/Larian Studio

• COCOON Development Team – Geometric Interactive/Annapurna Interactive

• DIABLO IV Development Team – Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment

• FINAL FANTASY XVI Hiroshi Minagawa, Kazuya Takahashi, Naoki Kurihara – SQUARE ENIX – Creative Business Unit III/SQUARE ENIX

• HI-FI RUSH Development Team – Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT

• ALAN WAKE 2 Development Team – Remedy Entertainment Plc./Epic Games

• CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE III Matt Grimm, Eric Wedemeyer, Robbie Elias – Sledgehammer Games/Activision

• HI-FI RUSH Development Team – Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks

• THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo

• MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN 2 Development Team – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

• STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR Development Team – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts

Arts Entertainments

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

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Hyundai’s go-fast N products have made a name for themselves being fast, fun and attainable.

But when you throw the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N into the mix – priced from an eye-watering $111,000 before on-roads – the attainable part of that recipe is thrown out the window for a lot of people.

So what’s its purpose? Well, for starters it’s the first all-electric Hyundai N car. And, it’s a proper showcase of what the brand’s engineers can do with the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP dedicated electric architecture and componentry.

The Ioniq 5 N is like no other production Hyundai before it, either. Zero to 100km/h takes just 3.4 seconds in its most aggressive N Grin Boost setting, and top speed is rated at 260km/h. Even more, it boasts a whopping 478kW and 770Nm.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

That’s even more than Kia’s manic EV6 GT, which is based on the same underpinnings – Kia’s version offers 430kW and 740Nm, which is just under the Ioniq 5 N’s outputs when it’s not in N Grin Boost mode. Beyond its straight-line performance, the Ioniq 5 N is also making bold claims about track ability which is a key pillar of the N brand.

So to test the company’s claims, we attended the Australian media launch in New South Wales, testing Hyundai’s new flagship on road and on track. How did it fare? Read on to find out.

How does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 compare?

View a detailed breakdown of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 against similarly sized vehicles.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 cutout image

Hyundai

Ioniq 5

How much does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N cost?

The Ioniq 5 N sits at the top of the tree, commanding a near $30,000 premium over the next most expensive variant.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 pricing:

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Standard Range RWD
  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Extended Range RWD
    • Base: $71,000 (+$500)
    • Dynamiq: $76,000
    • Epiq: $79,500
  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Extended Range AWD
    • Dynamiq: $80,500
    • Epiq: $84,000
  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: $111,000

Price excludes on-road costs

To see how the Ioniq 5 shapes up against its rivals, check out our comparisons tool.

What is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N like on the inside?

The revised interior of the Ioniq 5 N previews upcoming revisions for the standard car – as revealed earlier this week.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, the N has a more conventional dashboard and console design and also debuts the Hyundai-Kia ccNC dual 12.3-inch displays for the driver’s cluster and infotainment system.

This means there’s the latest generation of Bluelink connected and remote services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the latest UX design which has been seen in the likes of the Kona and Kia Sorento.

It’s a great system with net-based satellite navigation to bolster available mapping from a connected smartphone, as well as over-the-air (OTA) software updates and a cleaner and more upmarket interface.

The Ioniq 5 N also features the first N instrument cluster layout in the brand’s electric range, and the configurable central tacho dial looks really cool, almost Lamborghini like. I much prefer virtual gauges as opposed to the line bar displays in earlier E-GMP products.

Up front there are N Light bucket seats which look and feel racy thanks to their integrated headrests and illuminated N logos, as well as the combination leather and Alcantara trim.

Even better, the front seats are heated and ventilated with three-stage controls. That certainly makes up for the manual adjustment, which while not an issue for me is a sticking point for some expecting some more luxuries.

There’s otherwise heaps of storage even with the removal of a movable centre console, including a gripped open smartphone charging slot and plenty of nooks and crannies to keep your trinkets secure when having a crack.

You also get USB-C charging ports now, which are faster charging than the USB-A ones in the pre-update Ioniq 5 currently on sale. You can use smartphone mirroring via cable if you wish, too.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Despite the N’s driver focus, the rear seat remains a practical space if you have some co-drivers coming with you for a spirited blat.

Head and leg room are still very good for taller adults like 6’1 me (the massive 3000mm wheelbase will do that) though the sporty front seats will obstruct forward view for your rear passengers – something to note if you have nausea-prone kiddies.

Speaking of the kiddies, the Ioniq 5 N retains its outboard ISOFIX anchors and top tether points, meaning this track-capable electric express can also ferry around your precious little ones.

Other amenities include pillar-mounted rear air vents, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, bottle holders in the doors, and even a vehicle-to-load (V2L) connector with domestic three-pin outlet under the rear seat.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

The Ioniq 5 N offers 480 litres of cargo volume with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1362L with them folded. That’s just under 50L less than non-N versions, and there’s no additional ‘frunk’ storage like other variants.

Like most EVs, the Ioniq 5 N makes do with a tyre mobility kit in lieu of a space saver spare.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Ioniq 5 N is packing some serious e-firepower.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Model Ioniq 5 N
Front electric motor power 166kW (175kW with N Grin Boost)
Front electric motor torque 350Nm (370Nm with N Grin Boost)
Rear electric motor power 282kW (370kW with N Grin Boost)
Rear electric motor torque 390Nm (400Nm with N Grin Boost)
System power 448kW (478kW with N Grin Boost)
System torque 740Nm (770Nm with N Grin Boost)
Battery 84kWh li-ion
Driven Wheels All-wheel drive
Range (claimed) 448km (WLTP)
0-100km/h sprint time 3.5 seconds (3.4s with N Grin Boost)
Top Speed 260km/h
Weight 2230kg (tare)
Energy consumption (claimed) 21.2kWh/100km

How does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drive?

Day one was on-road, so let’s start with that.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Leaving our hotel in Blacktown, NSW, firing up the Ioniq 5 N with its synthesised engine sounds was laughter-inducing. A whole line of these things suddenly started a chorus of fake revs to the redline.

There are eight interior speakers and two exterior ones to play the sounds, which makes it more than just an in-car experience. You can choose from three profiles as well, ranging from an airy jet fighter-like sound to a note that’s modelled off the i30 N’s vocal turbocharged petrol engine.

I know it sounds stupid, but it’s a charming detail that you have to experience to appreciate. Silence is apart of the EV experience, yes, but that doesn’t mean petrol heads converting to electric power don’t want some aural drama.

For some this may still be a gimmick, but props to Hyundai for trying something different – there’s more we’ll get onto in a bit.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Our road drive took us through Blacktown and out towards Laguna in regional NSW. We drove through suburban environments, freeways, B-roads and the like.

I was so enamoured by the N Custom mode with its simulated gearshifts, engine revs and engine sound that I did the bulk of my drive in this mode. You can ask my co-driver, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

Performance is plentiful as you’d expect, with 740Nm at your disposal from standstill. For reference, that’s the sort of twist you get out of a twin-turbo Mercedes-AMG V8.

It fires off the line if you stab the throttle, pinning you in your seat and you can almost feel your stomach hit your throat. You’ll beat just about any other car in the traffic light drag race – unless you come up against a hypercar.

You don’t really need this kind of performance in everyday scenarios, but the inner boy racer in me definitely enjoyed zipping through urban streets and roundabouts.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

If this firmer N Mode settings get a bit bouncy and the augmented drivetrain sounds droney, then you can par it all back by pressing the steering-mounted drive mode button into Eco or Normal modes and drive this like any other Hyundai Ioniq 5.

At a cruise in town or on the highway, the electric N quietly scoots along and still retains a swift level of performance for overtaking or zipping out from a slip lane. Road and wind noise are fairly well suppressed but those grippy Pirelli P Zero sports tyres – specifically developed for this car, mind you – can produce a bit of road roar on coarser blacktop.

Each mode sees adjustments to the suspension, throttle and steering calibrations too, ranging from firm to light and assisted. It’s never too loose or too harsh in my opinion, even in N mode, but the wide range of adjustability is something we celebrate about VW Group products, for example.

I did find the Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system would make the odd error during our stint on the Pacific Highway, at one point drifting into the next lane on a curve that really wasn’t all that sharp. It’s not something I experienced in the Kia EV9 or the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, so it could be an isolated incident.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Once we hit the winding back roads towards Laguna, I was able to test out the Ioniq 5 N’s hillclimb capabilities.

The high-speed and twisty roads into the hills are the Ioniq 5 N’s hunting ground. It gives it plenty of space to stretch its legs, and there’s so much grip that you can corner with confidence in this 2230kg (tare) hulking beast.

With a torque vectoring function up front and an electronic limited slip differential (E-LSD) at the rear, the Ioniq 5 N turns in quickly and neatly, then blasts you out of corners with its mighty dual-motor drivetrian.

Really, it’s quicker than you’re able to utilise legally on Australian public roads – blink and you’ve eclipsed 100km/h.

I used the B-road blat as an opportunity to really try out the N e-Shift function in performance driving, which simulates the shifts of the brand’s eight-speed DCT used in the i30 N.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

This adds a more conventional point of engagement with the vehicle, and the way it jolts between shifts is really convincing to the point you might occasionally forget you’re driving an EV. If there was a criticism, that feeling of engine braking as you downshift wasn’t really replicated – but this is a fairly small thing.

It’s otherwise really good fun to rifle through the gears and watch the virtual tacho needle swing towards the fantasy redline. There are even shift light, audible pops and cracks on upshifts and overrun – it’s just silly, but in the best way.

Even set to its harshest setup, the Ioniq 5 N never felt too firm on the poorer surfaces of the Great North Road, and strikes the same sort of delicate balance you’d expect of a benchmark performance model. Comparisons to the likes of the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan were thrown around by journalists on the event, and that’s a massive compliment.

Only if you came in too hot could you really feel all of the Ioniq 5 N’s heft, as a sudden correction or change of direction would cause it to shift quite noticeably and upset the balance somewhat. Even then, it’s very impressive for what it is.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Day two was all about the track – so we headed to Eastern Creek Raceway at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Uninhibited by public speed limits, the circuit setting gave us the chance to fully unleash the Ioniq 5 N. We used the GP Circuit, which is a 3.93km route that includes long straights, sweeping curves and some tighter hairpins.

After getting some pointers from Hyundai’s TCR champion, Josh Buchan, I had a proper crack at a series of laps. This thing really flies, only starting to run out of momentum as you see the speedo eclipse 215km/h on the main straight.

It holds on admirably through higher speed corners, though on the odd occasion you can feel its weight illicit some understeer, and if you hit the throttle hard too early out of an apex the back might kick out.

Even so, it’s all very controllable and even for someone not a seasoned track driver like myself, the Ioniq 5 N instills a lot of confidence to push on and wring its neck – it basically begs you for it.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

I didn’t try out the N Drift Optimiser, which manages torque distribution to maintain the perfect sideways slide. Nor did I try out the Left Foot Braking or N Pedal functions, the latter offering one-pedal driving for “pro driver style weight transfer and turn in”

Even after numerous track sessions – which were one out lap, two or three hot laps, then one in lap – the brakes didn’t appear to fade noticeably – those beefy 400mm front rotors with four-piston calipers and 360mm rears are pretty beefy, mind you. The P Zero tyres also held up very well for grip. I did hear, though, that a drift session the previous day for B-roll had chewed up a set of rears pretty quickly.

But really props to Hyundai for coming up with an electric performance car that emulates a combustion engined performance and track experience in a way that’s fun and objectively capable. The brand’s reps openly said their N cars are more about fun and smiles than outright lap times, and this definitely achieves that.

It makes me wonder if a future Hyundai N EV that’s a little smaller and lighter could make it to production, it would be almost unstoppable with all the Ioniq 5 N’s cool gadgetry on board. Even a lower and sleeker Ioniq 6 N could be a more focused weapon – and the RN22e rolling lab concept is proof something like that is well on the way.

What do you get?

Ioniq 5 N highlights:

  • 275/31 R21 Pirelli P Zero HN tyres
  • 21-inch forged wheels with aero inserts
  • 400mm ventilated front rotors with N brake calipers
  • 360mm ventilated rear rotors
  • Electronic Control Suspension (ECS)
  • Electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD)
  • Launch control
  • Keyless entry, start
  • Power tailgate
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Heated, power-folding mirrors
  • LED headlights
  • Automatic high-beam
  • Remote Smart Parking Assistant 2
    • Semi-automatic parking, controlled via key fob
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
  • Satellite navigation
  • Bluelink connected services
  • Alcantara and leather upholstery
  • N Light Seats with manual adjustment
  • Heated front seats
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Metal pedals
  • Metal scuff plates
  • Ambient lighting
  • 8-speaker Bose sound system
  • Head-up display
  • Wireless phone charger
  • USB-C charging ports
  • Digital rear-view mirror incl. electrochromic function
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Heat pump

A Vision Roof – or fixed panoramic glass roof – is a $2000 option.

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N safe?

While the standard Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the N is unrated for now.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Standard safety equipment includes:

  • 6 airbags
  • Autonomous emergency braking
    • Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
    • Junction turning/crossing
    • Direct oncoming
    • Lane change oncoming/side
  • Blind-spot assist
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor
  • Driver attention warning
  • Evasive Steering Assist
  • Highway Driving Assist 2
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
    • Lane change assist
    • Lane following off-set control
  • Intelligent speed limit assist
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Lane Following Assist
  • Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – front, side, rear
  • Rear cross-traffic assist
  • Safe Exit Assist
  • Multi-collision brake
  • Rear occupant warning

How much does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N cost to run?

The Ioniq 5 N is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Servicing is required every 24 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first three services are capped at $625 each.

While we didn’t do a proper range and charging test on the launch, and therefore unable to give you real-world efficiency figures and range projections, using this car in the intended way will make it hard to hit that 448km claim.

That said, we were seeing low to mid-20kWh/100km from the trip computer during more sedate sections of driving, making Hyundai’s 21.2kWh efficiency claim seem accurate.

Further, the company claims the Ioniq 5 N’s larger 84kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in around 70 minutes with a 50kW DC charger, or 18 minutes at its maximum 350kW rate. At 7kW via AC charging, you’re looking at 10 hours 50 minutes.

CarExpert’s Take on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

I thought the EV6 GT was great, but this is on another level.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai N’s three pillars are Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportscar. Just like the i20 N, i30 N and Kona N before it, the Ioniq 5 N delivers.

You probably won’t be beating a Porsche Taycan Turbo’s lap time, nor will it substitute for a similarly priced track-capable ICE in terms of pure engagement and noise; but far out, the Koreans have done a bloody good job.

I can imagine in a world where ICE for the masses is long gone, it’ll be cars like the Ioniq 5 N that will be a beautiful throwback to what performance motoring was like “back in my day”.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Even today, in 2024, it’s proof that petrol heads don’t need to be afraid about electric cars or the combustion engine and fossil fuels one day becoming the minority – or even extinct. I didn’t want to stop driving this thing, whether we were on the road or on the track.

It’s a great evolution of the ‘hot hatch’ formula, even if it’s more of a crossover. It’s silly fast and fun to drive, comfortable and practical enough to daily, while offering zero local emissions, usable driving range (if with a measured right foot), as well as fast to charge.

There’s also so much customisation on offer, moreso than any other N before it. It really allows you to make your car your own, as well as offer that Jekyll and Hyde split personality that great hot hatches are loved for. The options are almost limitless.

If it means anything, I would really consider one if I had the cash. Few electric cars have made made me feel like this one has.

  • 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Click the images for the full gallery

MORE: Buy a Hyundai Ioniq 5
MORE: Everything Hyundai Ioniq 5

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THORChain Price Prediction: 2024, 2025, 2026

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Story Highlights

  • The live price of the Rune token is  $ 6.38094601.
  • The RUNE price may reach a high of $18.47 by the end of 2024.
  • With a potential surge, the price of THORChain may reach a high of $129.22 by the end of 2030.

As the halving years’ have a history of creating bull runs in the market, the anticipation is high around the fourth event. With multiple altcoins showcasing a sharp change in the underlying dynamics as the whales are picking up the coins at lower levels, the market is set to take off. One such altcoin preparing a bull run is Thorchain (RUNE), ready to boost its price in the coming months.

As the altcoin is sustaining above the 200-day EMA and a decent recovery path in late 2023, the HODLers are expecting a BOOM! AS THORChain has shown such quick-to-reverse reflexes amidst market volatility, the chances are astronomical for the altcoin to reach higher levels.

Amazed by the benefits that THORChain offers to its token holders? Look no further, as this write-up will illustrate the feasible price predictions for 2024 and the years to come.

Overview

Cryptocurrency THORChain
Token RUNE
Price  $ 6.38094601 20.60%
Market cap  $ 2,177,426,760.4103
Circulating Supply  341,238,863.0000
Trading Volume   $ 601,730,997.8872
All-time high $21.26 on 19th May 2021
All-time low $0.007939 on 28th September 2019
24 High  $ 6.4000
24 Low  $ 5.2430

*The statistics are from press time.

RUNE Price Prediction March 2024

The THORChain price has displayed massive price volatility in its chart since the year started, indicating significant fluctuations in the buying and selling pressure of the coin. Further, the coin has recorded a jump of 23.79% Year-to-Date (YTD) in valuation, highlighting a rise in the buying pressure within the crypto industry.

Currently, the RUNE price trades with a bullish influence, suggesting a positive price action for the altcoin in the coming time.

RUNE Price Prediction 2024
TradingView: RUNE/USDT

The technical indicator shows a bullish momentum for the coin in the market as MACD displays a constant green histogram with its averages displaying a steady rise. Further, the Cross EMA 50/200-day show a bullish curve, highlighting the possibility of a massive price action in the coming days.

If the bulls continue to gain momentum, the price will attempt to test its high of $7.310 in the coming days. Conversely, if the bears overpower the bulls and a trend reversal occurs, the price will lose momentum and fall to test its support level of $5.360 in the upcoming week..

RUNE Price Prediction 2024

If the crew behind THORChain releases vital updates and announces major collaborations. The price of RUNE holds the potential to shoot to a maximum of $18.47, amidst Bitcoin’s halving event.

Contrarily, if the protocol fails to commit to its expectations could call for liquidation, which could knock the price down to $3.64. Successively, the average price can settle at $7.23.

THORChain Price Prediction 2024 – 2030

Price Prediction Potential Low ($) Average Price ($) Potential High ($)
2024 3.64 7.23 18.47
2025 17.38 2.51 31.65
2026 31.21 46.07 64.93
2027 39.86 49.62 77.38
2028 47.66 73.42 100.19
2029 52.74 78.30 124.86
2030 61.14 .68 129.22

THORChain (RUNE) Price Prediction 2025

RUNE is more of a community-driven network, which might put the bulls on the cards for the altcoin. In the coming years, if it manages to maintain a similar technology. It can move at decent figures even though there is not much development poised. By the end of the next five years, RUNE might trade at a maximum of $31.65.

A major concern about the network is the liquidity, and if investors fail to keep up the levels. It might even end up getting delisted from prominent exchanges. In such conditions, with FUD, the token price might be knocked out at $17.38. Consequently, the price could settle at $27.51, if the network does not come across any major impetus.

THORChain Price Prediction 2026

According to forecast prices and technical analysis, THORChain’s price is projected to reach a minimum of $31.21 in 2026. The maximum price could hit $64.93, with an average trading price around $46.07.

RUNE Crypto Price Prediction 2027

Looking forward to 2027, RUNE’s price is expected to reach a low of $39.86, with a high of $77.38 and an average forecast price of $49.62.

RUNE Token Price Prediction 2028

In 2028, the price of a single THORChain is anticipated to reach a minimum of $47.66, with a maximum of $100.19 and an average price of $73.42.

THORChain Price Prediction 2029

By 2029, RUNE’s price is predicted to reach a minimum of $52.74, with the potential to hit a maximum of $124.86 and an average of $78.30.

RUNE Price Prediction 2030

In 2030, THORChain is predicted to touch its lowest price at $61.14, hitting a high of $129.22 and an average price of $93.68.

What Does the Market Say?

Firm Name 2024 2025 2030
Wallet Investor $2.829 $0.664 –
priceprediction.net $6.19 $9.17 $87.14
DigitalCoinPrice $14.25 $20.38 $57.88

*We have made a table that includes the possible price prediction for the same token made by other crypto analysts on their respective platforms. The targets mentioned above are the average targets set by the respective firms.

CoinPedia’s RUNE Price Prediction

THORChain has been performing with rapid bulls for quite some time with Joke currency fanfare. With the introduction of new technologies, RUNE’s price is expected to reach new highs.

An increase in FOMO equals to increase in surge levels. According to CoinPedia’s formulated THORChain Price Prediction, if the above scenario arises, then RUNE might hit maximums and a new peak at $18.47 by the end of the year.

Any new regulations from the country can stake the coin’s future. Also, if the social background for the coin disperses, then the price can entangle into a bearish hook. And might even fall to $3.64.

Fundamental Analysis

As per the reports THORChain has no founder, no CEO, and no directors. The development measures will be taken care of by Gitlab. An official Twitter handle of THORChain stated that self-organized developers work through Gitlab, and know better what to build.

Initially, the THORChain platform was funded via an initial DEX offering (IDO) which launched with the Binance DEX in July 2019. Its mainnet was launched in January 2021, but a multi-chain upgrade is currently scheduled for 2021. 

The BiFrost Protocol (BFT) enables interoperability between chains. Interoperability acts as the basics of the ecosystem without which the entire ecosystem will fail. BFT confirms the trust and security of the platform and avoids double-spending and other malicious behavior. THORChain solves blockchain scalability issues via the Yggdrasil protocol. Aesir protocol serves as the governance token, it ensures a cost-effective on-chain governance mechanism.

What Is THORChain?

THORChain is a decentralized cross-chain liquidity protocol. Which facilitates traders to exchange various cryptocurrency assets across a wide range of networks without losing full custody of their assets in the process.  Moreover, the network allows traders to swap crypto assets in a permissionless way, without the use of order books to source liquidity.

THORChain ecosystem has its own native token RUNE. The token is available across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum as an ERC-20 token and Binance chain as a BEP-20 token. Basically, THORChain is a Proof-Of-Stake blockchain, aimed to serve four important functions within the network’s ecosystem: Security, Governance, Rewards, and Liquidity. 

Network validators stake RUNE to ensure the security of the network. In the liquidity pools, every token is bonded to RUNE, which creates the required liquidity to conduct swaps. Liquidity providers and validators can claim their rewards in the form of RUNE tokens. In addition to this, the THORChain platform allows traders to govern their assets without any middleman and without extra charges.

FAQs

Is it profitable to invest in THORChain?

Yes, according to the predictions, it is good to invest in THORChain. The long-term earning potential is considerably high.

Is there a lockup for adding liquidity?

There is no minimum or maximum time or amount. Join and leave whenever you wish.

Can I store THORChain on the ledger?

You can use all wallets that support BEP2 tokens such as Atomic Wallet, Trust Wallet, and Ledger Wallet. With the Binance Chain app, Binance Chain wallet (binance.org ), etc…

How high will RUNE’s price go by the end of 2024?

The RUNE price could possibly go as high as $18.47 by the end of 2024. 

What could be the highest price of RUNE by the end of 2025?

The highest price of RUNE could be about $31.65 by the end of 2025. With a potential surge, the price may go as high as $129.22 by the end of 2030.

What is the current price of THORChain?

At the time of publishing, the price of the RUNE token was $6.358.

RUNE
BINANCE
Cryptocurrency

6 SEO Content Mistakes, Myths, and Misunderstandings

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It’s hard out here for content marketers to attract the right traffic organically. With search engine optimization practices evolving and content competition coming from everywhere, it’s all too easy to get confused.

While watching several SEO presentations at Content Marketing World 2023, including talks by Andy Crestodina, Carlos Meza, and Mike King, I noticed some widely held misconceptions and common mistakes.

Let’s debunk, demystify, and deconstruct six common SEO mistakes and misunderstandings with help from these experts.

1. Misunderstanding: Wanting your website to rank higher

The next time someone asks why your website doesn’t rank better in search, drop this truth bomb courtesy of Andy Crestodina: “Google has never ranked a website. Websites don’t rank in search. Web pages rank in search.”

Why the misunderstanding? Google does seem to consider the authority of the website when ranking individual pages. Most SEO tools assess and consider a site’s authority when interpreting a page’s ranking difficulty for a keyword or phrase.

Each tool approaches authority rankings slightly differently. Moz calls this metric domain authority, Ahrefs and Serpstat call it domain rating, and Semrush calls it authority score. Most consider the quality and quantity of links to your website domain — quality matters more than quantity, Andy says.

But if websites don’t rank, why do domain authority ratings matter? Because they provide clues about which key phrases you can successfully target for SEO.

You can compare your website’s domain authority against the domain authority of pages currently ranking for a targeted keyword. If your domain authority is in the same range, your page has a good chance to rank, assuming it includes thorough, helpful content. If your page and domain authority are far below the pages that rank for the given term, your page probably won’t rank, no matter how good the content is.

TIP: Andy suggests using MozBar, a free Chrome extension, to see page and domain authority on a scale of zero to 100 for web pages and search results in your internet browser.

2. Mistake: Giving up on competitive key phrases

Don’t think SEO is pointless on pages for competitive key phrases. Andy shows why in this example of satellite launch services company Astraius using Moz Pro (the paid version).

Moz shows a website domain authority score of 19 and a page authority score of 22 for Astrauis’s services page, as this screenshot shows:

If Astraius tried to optimize its services page for “space launch services,” it would enter an unwinnable contest. Moz shows a difficulty score of 58 based on the average page authority scores of the links on the first results page, as shown in this screenshot:

SERP analysis in Moz, which helps you avoid the SEO mistake of targeting key phrases with difficulty too high for your page authority.

Should Astraius give up on search as a way to bring people to its site? Of course not — that’s its business. Instead, Andy says, it should consider these options for beating stiff SEO odds:

  • Get more specific: Competition typically lessens as key phrases get more specific. For example, “commercial satellite launch services UK” has a difficulty of 36 (per Moz Pro), which is more obtainable for a site with Astraius’ authority.

    Longer, more specific key phrases also bring visitors who are more likely to act. Though lower in volume, the traffic quality and conversion rate will likely be higher because they really need what you’re selling, Andy says.

    That’s also why Andy says don’t worry about the search volume for key phrases. You do not need to bring everyone to your site — just the people who will find your information, services, and products helpful and relevant.

  • Go deeper: A longer-term SEO strategy involves creating a lot of content about your key phrase and publishing it on more than your site. Andy suggests collaborating with influencers to create content for multiple sites and doing original research that your PR team will work to get covered by other media. “You won’t rank right away,” Andy says, “but you’ll be active on the topic everywhere.”

    These efforts should help you be more visible and earn quality links to your site, which will help improve your domain authority.

  • Write the page anyway: Even if your page has no hope of ranking, you should create it to serve other purposes and promote it through paid search, sales outreach, etc.

3. Mistake: Not considering search intent when optimizing pages

You must consider the search intent behind every targeted keyword or keyphrase — that’s the only way to ensure the page content aligns with what searchers want.

If the content doesn’t align with the searcher’s intent, they’ll leave the page quickly, signaling to Google that the page didn’t provide what the searcher wanted. If it does align with what searchers want, they’ll stay longer to get the information they need, indicating to Google the page delivered what they sought.

In other words, content that satisfies search intent leads to better engagement with the page — a longer dwell time. It also can lead to higher conversion rates.

Consider the three kinds of search intent:

  • Informational: The searcher wants to know more about a topic — they’re looking for answers.
  • Commercial/transactional: The searcher needs services to do something — they have a product or service in mind and are considering their options.
  • Navigational: The searcher wants to find a specific company and go to its website.

A page optimized for informational intent should provide detailed and relevant information on the key phrase — think a blog, article, or explainer video. A page optimized for transactional intent should focus on converting the visitor into a customer.

Andy points out the “almost poetic” alignment of search intent (which he refers to as know, do, and go) with stages in the marketing funnel.

At the know stage, searchers are problem-aware. At the do stage, they know the problem and search for solutions. At the go stage, they know the problem and possible solutions and search for your brand.

Here’s how intent-based queries might look for the Astraius example:

Type of intent Searcher’s goal Query
Know (informational) Looking for answers Wants to do it themselves “best locations for satellite launches”  
Do (commercial) Has a product/service in mind Considering options “satellite launch services”
Go (navigational/branded)   Looking up a company “Astraius”

Understanding and matching search intent with the appropriate funnel stage can help you optimize your pages for the appropriate conversion (subscribe, watch a demo, talk to sales, etc.)

4. Myth: Thinking AI can write SEO content that ranks well

“If you expect to click a button, create 1,000 blogs, and be able to rank, think again.” That was Carlos Meza’s warning back in October 2023. And it (mostly) still holds true.

Yes, some complain that low-quality AI outranks human-created content on the same topic. They point to a high-profile example of someone bragging about using generative AI content to hijack traffic from an established site.

But Google eventually caught up and penalized the low-quality AI content.

So, you might overwhelm Google in the near term with a flood of AI-created content. But as content marketers, that’s not your game. You’re in it for the long haul to position your brands as trusted resources, not gimmick-driven attention seekers.

Consider Google’s much-discussed EEAT evaluation. That somewhat awkward string of letters stands for experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. It describes how Google tells its human search raters to evaluate the effectiveness of its algorithm-driven search results: “Would ordinary people feel the results they get demonstrate EAT, that is, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness?”

What about that second “E” for experience? It’s a relatively recent addition to the search rater guidelines meant to consider whether the content “was produced with some degree of experience, such as with actual use of a product, having actually visited a place or communicating what a person experienced.”

Can content generated with nothing more than a generative AI prompt meet those guidelines? Carlos says no because it won’t send the appropriate trust signals.

“Google will know if you’re trying to create content only with the purpose of manipulating the search engine results,” he says. And using AI content that way violates Google’s spam policies.

Here’s the other problem with thinking generative AI content will give you an edge. All your competitors have access to the same tools. They could create the same kind of automatically generated content on the same topics. Where’s your edge?

EEAT provides a good framework for creating standout content. Create content with people who have direct experience with the topic where experience matters (product reviews by someone who has used the product, for example).

Ask someone with expertise in the topic to create the content and include their byline and credentials. Or interview them and include their credentials in the article. Create content only about topics relevant to your brand and align it with search intent to show your authority. Avoid deceptive links, and make sure the information is accurate and helpful.

Carlos points to NerdWallet as a content brand that hits all these elements. The screenshot below of an article, Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts of September 2023, displays many EEAT signals. It includes a byline with a link to the author’s profile and credentials and the editor’s name with a link to their credentials. The page includes a disclosure about the inclusion and coverage impact of NerdWallet’s paid partners:

“Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here’s how we make money.”

The page also includes a direct pitch for why the reader should trust NerdWallet:

“Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial accounts that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions.”

Best High-Yield Online Savings Accounts of September 2023, displays many EEAT signals. It includes a byline with a link to the author’s profile and credentials and the editor’s name with a link to their credentials.

Could a page created solely by generative AI send as many EEAT signals to Google? No.

So share Carlos’s truth bomb with anyone who thinks it can: “AI is a tool to make us faster and more efficient, but it’s not the answer to rank with great content.”

5. Mistake: Not using AI at all

Should you avoid AI for SEO content altogether? The consensus from these CMWorld presenters is a resounding no.

But use AI as a tool to improve your content, not as a substitute for human content creators. Mike King suggests these three reminders for using AI to create search-optimized (or any) content:

  1. AI is not an end-all-be-all solution.
  2. Use AI to improve your workflows and get more out of the team.
  3. Limit AI to co-creating awareness content because content deeper in your funnel requires more expertise.

Carlos Meza suggests using generative AI as an obedient and tireless assistant. Ask it to do things that would take days, weeks, or longer for a human to complete (for example, coming up with 100 article ideas on a topic). You can ask it to summarize existing articles as a research assistant and suggest outlines for new content. But Carlos advises checking its work at every stage and looking for ways to make it better, more engaging, and more relevant.

“Generative AI isn’t going to come up with anything new. It’s just going to regurgitate what is out there, which causes us to create bland content,” Carlos says. So, even if you use AI to generate some content, you may spend less time composing, but you’ll spend more time editing and fact-checking.

Andy Crestodina suggests a clever way to use AI to check the content you’re working on:

  • Use generative AI to create a persona. For his Astraius example, Andy gave this prompt to Chat GPT: “Build me a persona of a commercial satellite operator who works for a global telecommunications company. List the roles, goals, challenges, pain points, and decision criteria for selecting A spaceship launch services company.”

    ChatGPT provided a persona for London-based Emily Thompson, age 34, a satellite operations manager at GlobaTel Communications.

    He then asked it to review the proposed web page copy to see how well it aligns with Emily’s informational needs: “Review the following web page content. How does it align or not align with Emily’s information needs?”

    • Cost optimization
    • Vendor reliability
    • Technology integration
    • Compliance management
    • Security concerns
    • Environmental considerations
    • Customization
    • Geopolitical considerations
    • Ride-share opportunities
    • Insurance and risk management
ChatGPT produced a matrix showing how each site aligned or didn’t with the 10 information needs included in the persona.

The bottom line? You can use generative AI in many creative and compelling ways for SEO. Just don’t let anyone think it’s as easy as clicking a button.

6. Mistake: Thinking of SEO as a one-time effort

Algorithms change. SERP features change. Tools change. Your business changes. Your audience’s needs change. Your competitors (and their content) change.

That means you’ll need to pay attention to your rankings, your competitors’ rankings, and developments in the search space. Luckily, as Andy put it so succinctly, “Digital ink is never dry.”

Please note: All tools mentioned in this article were suggested by the author. If you’d like to suggest a tool, share the article on social media with a comment.

Want to dive deeper on SEO? Join us on March 20 for our free MasterTHIS: SEO webinar, where you’ll learn from experts Andy Crestodina and Zack Kadish on how to diagnose and reverse traffic downturns, demystify SEO complexities, and effectively track outcomes in GA4. Register today to watch live or on demand. 

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT:

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

Digital Marketing

Gamify Your Kitchen With an Xbox Toaster for Just $40 Today

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You may think that shopping for a great toaster wouldn’t necessarily also involve buying anything with the Xbox logo on it, but you’d be wrong. You really should consider picking up this toaster that looks like an Xbox Series S. Not just because it looks cool, either. We’ll get into the features that make the Xbox Series S toaster a reasonably good toaster in a moment, but for now, all you really need to know is that you can buy one from Walmart’s website right now for just $40.

Getting back to the features, the Xbox Series S toaster has all of the basics you’d expect including a self-centering bread guide and a bagel button. The toaster can deal with anything from bread to frozen waffles to English muffins and more, and the six-setting shade selector means you’ll always get the perfect level of toastiness. There’s even an LED countdown timer so you know how long you’ll have to wait as well.

All of that pales beside the most exciting feature because your new toaster automatically emblazons the famous Xbox logo on the bread to create a work of art that you’ll almost feel bad for eating. All for just $40? You really can’t go wrong at that price. Still, as great as the toaster is it isn’t very good at playing games. For that, you’re going to want to check out our collection of the best Xbox deals including consoles, games and more.

More shopping deals from CNET

Gaming

Mental health improves with 20 seconds of daily affirmations, study finds

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Repeat this line: You feel happy, calm and fulfilled.

It may not be as easy as that — but daily affirmations have been linked to improved mental health, according to a study from the University of California Berkeley.

The study included 135 college students. One group was prompted to practice daily self-compassion by saying affirming things to themselves for 20 seconds per day for a month.

MENTAL HEALTH MAY BE WORSE IN TEENS FROM LARGE FAMILIES, STUDY SUGGESTS: ‘FEWER RESOURCES’

“This practice involved placing your hands over your heart and belly while thinking kind thoughts to yourself,” study co-author Eli Susman, a psychology researcher at the University of California Berkeley, told Fox News Digital.

“It’s essentially a practice of being a caring friend to yourself when reflecting on moments that evoke being hard on yourself.”

Daily affirmations have been linked to improved mental health, according to a study from the University of California Berkeley. (iStock)

The researchers found that the daily affirmation practice was associated with greater self-compassion, emotional well-being and reduced stress in college students compared to a control group. 

The more often they did the practice, the greater the benefits. 

The findings were published in the journal Behaviour Research and Therapy.

IN PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION, FAMILIAR SCENTS COULD HELP TRIGGER HAPPY MEMORIES, STUDY FINDS: ‘BREAK THE CYCLE’

The students were given the following instructions, according to Susman.

“You’re invited to allow your eyes to close … Bringing to mind a recent mistake, or a failure or something about yourself that has been bothering you lately, or has made you feel unworthy, unloved, or not enough … and notice what arises in your body as you bring this to mind … sending kindness and warmth to yourself by bringing one hand to your belly and the other to your chest with the energy of giving yourself a hug … allow yourself to embrace what arises in your body … and you’re invited to ask yourself, ‘How can I be a friend to myself in this moment?’ … and when you’re ready you may open your eyes.”

Man at beach

The researchers found that the daily affirmation practice was associated with greater self-compassion, emotional well-being and reduced stress. (iStock)

“Micropractices are like tiny training sessions that are based on the most potent parts of well-being practices, such as meditation,” Susman said. 

“They’re designed to be easy to access and don’t require a lot of time or effort to use.”

Benefits of self-affirming thoughts

Zachary Ginder, a psychological consultant and doctor of clinical psychology at Pine Siskin Consulting, LLC in Riverside, California, reinforced the positive impact that affirmations can have in behavior change and mental wellness — particularly for young adults.

“It’s essentially a practice of being a caring friend to yourself when reflecting on moments that evoke being hard on yourself.”

“Imagine a young adult who has a constant narrative of negative beliefs running through their head about their level of worth to society, their competency, ability or any number of other self-limiting negative thoughts,” Ginder, who was not involved in the study, said in a conversation with Fox News Digital.

“Research suggests that when practiced daily to the point of habit formation, self-compassionate touch paired with positive, self-affirming talk or reflection can improve self-compassion and reduce stress and other mental health challenges,” he said.

Woman meditating

“Micropractices are like tiny training sessions that are based on the most potent parts of well-being practices, such as meditation,” a researcher said. (iStock)

Part of the appeal of these techniques is that they are easy to learn and implement, can be practiced in a very short amount of time, and there is no cost involved, Ginder noted.

These affirmations will be different for each person.

“Finding the right practice and self-talk language to use may take some trial and error,” Ginder said. “The bottom line is that when you find a healthy self-care practice that you can maintain long term, make a commitment and stick with it.”

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY RATES HIGHER AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS THAN THEIR PEERS, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS

“Habits geared toward cultivating greater self-awareness, the ability to recognize feelings or emotion in the moment, and tools that actively help to regulate them are an essential part of successfully navigating life and relationships,” he added.

Study’s limitations 

The study was limited in that the researchers didn’t assign how often people practiced. Also, the study focused only on college students in the U.S. 

“The effects were practice-dependent — those who did not practice often did not improve,” Susman told Fox News Digital.

woman holding chest

“When practiced daily, this could be a quick self-care strategy for helping you to be kinder to yourself, less stressed and more emotionally healthy,” a researcher said. (iStock)

More research with different populations is needed to confirm the findings and determine whether they apply to other groups, he noted.

“When practiced daily, this could be a quick self-care strategy for helping you to be kinder to yourself, less stressed and more emotionally healthy,” said Susman.

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He recommended choosing a cue that will make the practice a regular habit, such as after drinking a morning cup of coffee or whenever people are feeling stressed.

The researchers also emphasized, however, that these “micropractices” shouldn’t be used as a substitute for mental health care for those who need it.

man drinking coffee in a kitchen

Choose a cue that will make the practice a regular habit, such as after drinking your morning coffee, recommended one researcher.  (iStock)

“Just like brushing your teeth is not a replacement for seeing the dentist, micropractices should not be a replacement for therapy or more intensive mental health care,” Susman said.

Ginder agreed, noting that this is not a “unicorn” solution to breaking negative self-talk or other mental well-being challenges. 

“It should be considered a tool to be added to an individual’s existing self-care toolbox,” he told Fox News Digital. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“As always, if you notice a decline in mental health or ability to function, it is important to seek help from a licensed clinician.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

Viral Video: Internet Disapproves Of The Latest Food Experiment Kaju Katli Bhajiyas

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Who doesn’t love fritters? Crispy from the outside and a blast of flavours from the inside, ‘pakodas‘ or ‘bhajiyas‘ are one of the much-loved snacks for any Indian foodie. Be it during the rainy season or right after a long day with a cup of tea, pakodas are a one-stop solution for those hunger pangs. The best part about fritters is the fact that they are versatile and can be made out of a variety of ingredients. But little did we ever think that we would come across sweet fritters made out of ‘Kaju Katli‘. Yes, you read that right. A video is making rounds on the internet, wherein a woman can be seen preparing ‘Kaju Katli Bhajiya‘. The video was shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @MFuturewala. The clip begins with a woman, standing with a paste made of besan (chickpea flour). She reaches out for kaju katli kept in a box, dips and coats the sweet in the chickpea flour paste and puts it in the hot oil. While the clip concludes even before we can see the final result, we are still wondering if this is a dessert or a snack. The text along with the clip reads, “Anyone for Kaju Katli Bhajiyas???”

Watch the full video here:

Social media users flooded the comments section with their reactions to this food experiment. Many expressed their empathy towards the kaju katli, as a user wrote, “What a waste of that delicious katli.”

Another called it, “Bizzare!!!”

Also Read: “Bahut Paap Lagega“: Viral Video Of Oreo Bhajia Leaves Internet Disgusted

A comment read, “Hard pass. But I’ll consider ripping the batter off to recover the sweet because it’s my favourite.”

Another wrote, “This should have come with a content warning.”

A user revealed that he has already tried sweet fritters made of dates. He wrote, “I heard about khajur (dates) bhajiya that’s the sweetest bhajiya I have tried.”

Also Read: Genius Or Bizarre? This Kaju Katli Cake Has Impressed The Internet; Would You Try It?

The post also sparked a meme fest in the comments section.

Would you like to try this ‘kaju katli bhajiya’? Share with us in the comments section.

Home Kitchen

In Furniture, Marks of Distinction that Were Formally Known as Flaws

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This article is part of our Design special section about innovative surfaces in architecture, interiors and products.

The stackable, three-legged Stool 60 is one of the Finnish brand Artek’s most recognizable pieces. But in September, the company released a twist on the classic Alvar Aalto design: stools with knotholes, insect trails and more visible wood grain — elements that are usually considered imperfections. Artek calls them “features.”

Considering that uniform pieces of light-blonde birch are one of the brand’s signatures, the “wild birch” editions, which in 2023 accounted for 2 percent of Stool 60 sales, seem like an unexpected shift. But according to Marianne Goebl, Artek’s managing director, it was a long time coming. “Because of climate change and industrialization, the forests are changing,” she said. Artek sources all of its wood from Finland, and since the trees it harvests are starting to look different, she believes the furniture made from them should look different, too.

Stool 60 Villi (Finnish for “wild”) is a collaboration between Artek and the Milanese design consultancy Formafantasma, which has made timber a particular research pet. Together, they explored how the company could become more responsive to environmental concerns.

“In design today — may that be fashion or furniture or car design — real transformative change can happen more on an infrastructural level than at the scale of a product,” said Andrea Trimarchi, Formafantasma’s co-founder. They noticed that more of a tree could be used in furniture production if the selection criteria shifted.

Embracing imperfection isn’t new in design, but it is newly relevant in discussions about ethical consumption in a changing world. There’s an acknowledgment that sustainable choices are going to look different, and what may have been considered defects in the past should instead be seen as virtues.

Grocery startups like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods have capitalized on the ugly produce movement —- selling less traditionally perfect-looking fruits and vegetables. Nose-to-tail cooking, using every edible part of an animal, is now the norm in the restaurant industry. And dead-stock fabrics, leftover pieces from mills and fabric brands, are taking over fashion. The Japanese retailer and brand Muji normalized “irregular” materials in affordable design-led products like socks woven from surplus yarns, chocolate-covered strawberries made from misshapen fruit and sap-stained wood trays. It was only a matter of time before the upper echelons of the furniture industry moved in the same direction.

When designers and artists have explored imperfection in the past, it has often been for philosophical reasons. The centuries-old Japanese concept of wabi sabi, for example, finds beauty in authenticity and the traces of passing time — in mended cracks, wilted flowers and the patina on metal. This attitude led the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi to say, “Imperfection is itself a help in guiding the artist, not perfection.”

Similarly, postmodern designers have used imperfection not for its aesthetics per se but to challenge Modernism’s dogmatic pursuit of standardization. This is what inspired Gaetano Pesce, the octogenarian Italian designer whose gloopy resin furniture introduced in the 1970s is popular once again, to have what he described (but didn’t define) as a period of “badly done” work. “I thought that machines were being used to make things perfect, and a machine is not human,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “Perfection is not our characteristic.”

Even Ikea — whose hallmark is selling millions of the exact same bookcase — has flirted with imperfection. A few years ago, it collaborated with Piet Hein Eek, a Dutch designer famed for high-end cabinets and tables composed of scrap wood, on a collection including a pine bookshelf and bench made from wood that had knotholes and unruly grains.

It is one thing for eminent designers to toy artfully with imperfection but quite another to produce deliberately flawed objects on an industrial scale. A collector may cherish the individuality of a blemished piece that flagrantly shows off what makes it unique, but any aberration in an industrially produced item, where consistency is valued, is usually regarded as a quality-control issue.

This is why Artek’s birch selection became so strict in the first place. Beginning in the 1980s, Ms. Gobel said, there was a move across the design industry to standardize products so as not to disappoint consumers.

“It had nothing to do with just Artek,” she said. “It’s just people wanted to get exactly what they expected. They didn’t want something that looked different than the picture or maybe different than the thing that they had seen in the showroom.”

Now this concern with conformity is being re-evaluated. “What does perfection mean if you work with natural materials?” Ms. Gobel asked. “Ultimately, I think sustainability considerations will require a new aesthetic and this will apply to every material.”

The Swiss design company Vitra has started to replace virgin plastics (manufactured from previously unused materials) with recycled plastics, and part of this shift involves managing customers’ expectations about the material. For its new RE line of recycled-plastic Eames shell chairs (which are sold only in Europe and the Middle East because of licensing agreements), Vitra had to reformulate the green, white and yellow colors because the original dyes wouldn’t translate. (For instance, a pure white plastic can’t be achieved without bleaching agents, so the recycled-plastic stools are produced in an off-white shade called “Cotton White.”)

“You’ll always have small specks that reveal it’s recycled,” said Christian Grosen, the company’s chief design officer. “If you explain that it’s because it’s recycled material that has been turned into a long-lasting product, then that imperfection becomes a plus.”

And rather than being sheathed by veneers and lacquers, the humble mixed materials underlying the Chute Libre furniture from the French company Ligne Roset — a composite of plywood, MDF, particle board and solid-wood scraps — are proudly exposed. Simone Vingerhoets-Ziesmann, the executive vice president of Roset USA Corporation, said the collection represents a desire to “nurture a longstanding commitment to sustainability.”

For some design brands, leaning into imperfection makes a mass-produced item feel unique. Ranieri, an Italian manufacturer of surfaces composed of volcanic rock, looked to the aberrations in lava stone caused by air bubbles and the fluid dynamics of magma for the vibrant finishes on its new Odissea collection.

Last fall, Coil + Drift, a design studio in the Catskills, released Loon, a lighting collection whose finishes resemble patinated copper, rust and timeworn metal. “We talked a lot about wanting to see the human hand in finishes,” said John Sorensen-Jolink, the studio’s founder.

To Patricia Urquiola, the prolific creative director and furniture designer, imperfection is a key to discovering new expressions for an evolving world. “It has to do with a deep need of being able to understand and jump on evident or more subtle mutations that surround us,” she said. In 2020, she designed the Patcha carpet for CC Tapis, a custom rug maker in Milan, out of silk left over from sari factories and surplus wool. The patchwork pattern was inspired by collages spontaneously arranged from cardboard cutouts.

In addition to rethinking waste, this movement reclaims materials that have been dismissed outright. Miklu Silvanto, formerly an industrial designer with Apple, and Antti Hirvonen, an alumnus of Tom Dixon’s studio, recently launched Vaarnii, a Finnish furniture brand that uses nothing but Scots pine. Though the tree is the second-most abundant in Finland, it is soft, sensitive to humidity and has “lots of knots and weirdnesses everywhere,” Mr. Hirvonen said. “The tenderloins are not too many in a pine tree.” (For that reason, the species is usually used for lumber or pulp.)

Because the partners wanted to keep their supply chain close rather than incur the carbon footprint of overseas manufacturing, they looked for ways to work with the “psychedelic grain,” as one of Vaarnii’s collaborators called it. This was how furniture was made in Finland 100 years ago: by creatively using local materials.

“It can’t solve all of the world’s problems, but it’s a model of how we believe the furniture industry and our living spaces could be far more sustainable and beautiful,” Mr. Silvanto said.

These brands see a time when today’s imperfections will no longer be regarded as anomalous. Ms. Gobel is planning for a future when wild birch is the only birch Artek uses. Later this year, Aalto tables, chairs and benches made from the material will join the collection.

“I am confident that 10 years from now, we’ll look back and say, ‘What was the problem?’” she said. “Why would you not want a little insect trail or knot or darker spot on your table?”

Lifestyle Fashion

Macrotech Developers raises ₹3,300 crore via QIP

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Macrotech Developers has raised ₹3,300 crore through a qualified institutional placement receiving overwhelming response from both existing and new global and domestic investors.

The book was oversubscribed by nearly three times within five hours of issue opening and witnessed traction from diversified set of investors with long-term outlook, including sovereign funds, pension funds and insurers, the company said.

The entire book was allocated to marquee long only global investors. It included existing shareholders such as Capital Group, GQG, Nomura, ADIA, HDFC Life and new investors Invesco Oppenheimer, Blackrock, Carmignac, Franklin Templeton, Norges, Lazard, APG, and RWC.

This is the fourth equity raise by Lodha in last three months and it has raised over ₹13,000 crore in that time.

“With this capital raise, our balance sheet is exceptionally placed and will give us the opportunity to improve profitability, while we continue to deliver on our growth outlook,” said Abhishek Lodha, MD & CEO, Macrotech Developers.

Real Estate

Prema analitičaru, Apple planira lansirati MacBook s preklopnim zaslonom. Evo kada

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

PREMA analitičaru Ming-Chi Kuou, Apple planira lansirati 20-inčni MacBook s preklopnim zaslonom 2027. godine. Ovu informaciju podijelio je putem X-a. 

Jedini proizvod s preklopnim zaslonom koji Apple trenutno planira lansirati

“Primio sam mnogo upita o tome planira li Apple masovnu proizvodnju preklopnog iPhonea ili iPada u 2025. ili 2026. godini”, napisao je i dodao da je trenutno jedini proizvod s preklopnim zaslonom koji Apple planira lansirati 20.3-inčni MacBook. “Očekuje se da će ući u masovnu proizvodnju 2027. godine”, dodao je. 

Prema pisanju GSMArena, Ming-Chi Kuo je poznat po točnosti svojih informacija o budućim proizvodima Applea. Kuo nije jedini koji je spomenuo mogućnost lansiranja 20-inčnog MacBooka s preklopnim zaslonom. Njegovu tvrdnju dodatno potkrepljuje analitičar industrije zaslona Ross Young, ali i korejska web stranica The Elec, što dodatno potvrđuje vjerodostojnost ove informacije.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Are Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux’s throwing woes back?

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PHOENIX — 

Gavin Lux was spared a pair of errors on Wednesday when first baseman Freddie Freeman dug out two one-hop throws from the Dodgers shortstop in a Cactus League game against the Chicago White Sox.

Manager Dave Roberts may not be as forgiving when it comes time to choose a starting shortstop for the season-opening two-game series against the San Diego Padres in South Korea on March 20-21.

The Dodgers handed Lux the job in the spring of 2023, only to see Lux suffer a freak right-knee injury while running the bases in the first week of exhibition games and lose the infielder to season-ending knee surgery.

Lux appears fully recovered from the procedure to repair the two main ligaments in his knee, and he was assured when he reported to camp this spring that he would be the team’s starting shortstop this season.

But Lux could be losing his grip on the job because of an apparent recurrence of the throwing issues that derailed his first big-league spring training with the Dodgers as a 21-year-old in 2019.

Lux bounced his first Cactus League throw past first base for an error against the Texas Rangers on Feb. 28, and he bobbled the second grounder hit to him and threw late and low to first for another error against the Cincinnati Reds on Feb. 29.

Lux fielded a Nicky Lopez routine chopper in the third inning and a Yoan Moncada grounder in the fourth inning cleanly on Wednesday, but both of his throws to first were in the dirt.

“With Gavin, it’s just more of continuing to run him out there so he can build confidence in how he’s catching the ball, his footwork and getting the ball across the diamond,” Roberts said. “I think for me, it’s just about going out there and instilling confidence in him and showing him he’s a shortstop by nature.”

Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux watches a pitch during a spring training game on Feb. 26 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

Lux came up through the Dodgers farm system as a shortstop and said he feels “more athletic” at the position. Even after committing errors on the first two grounders hit to him this spring, he said that he was “100%” confident that his throwing accuracy would improve with more playing time.

“I’m still trying to feel out my knee and everything and get comfortable with that,” Lux said. “I haven’t really played defense in a year and a half, so I’m just getting out there and trying to get as many game reps as possible, and I’m working on the back fields and on the minor league side as much as possible to try to expedite this process.”

But Lux took another step backward with his errant throws on Wednesday, and if he is to lock down the shortstop job, he will have to overcome what Roberts believes is a mental hurdle of throwing to first base.

“To do anything where you’re trying to be perfect is difficult, and I think there’s some part of it where he hasn’t played baseball in quite some time,” Roberts said. “As he’s making plays and trying to get it across the diamond, he’s trying to be too fine. I don’t think it’s the mechanics of it. I think it’s just freeing himself up to be the athlete that he is.”

Lux’s throwing issues were so severe in 2019 that the Dodgers pulled him from Cactus League action and had him work with infield instructor José Vizcaino on the back fields.

Roberts would not go so far as to say that Lux, who has played mostly second base in the big leagues, is suffering from a case of the “yips,” which has derailed many an infielder in the past.

“I don’t think that he’s the same person or player that he was years ago when he had those issues,” Roberts said. “They might be showing themselves a little bit, but I really do believe he’s in a much better headspace, and it’s only going to get better.

“I know he’s working his tail off as far as, No. 1, getting back to health, working real hard with our infield guys on the back field on completing plays. The next part of it is doing it in A game, in a big-league ballgame.”

The Dodgers have a sure-handed veteran shortstop in Miguel Rojas as an insurance policy if Lux continues to struggle, but Rojas, who hit .236 with five homers and 31 RBIs last season, doesn’t have the same offensive upside as the left-handed-hitting Lux, who has a .253 average, 18 homers and 105 RBIs in 273 career games.

Another option would be to move second baseman Mookie Betts to shortstop, a position where Betts made 12 starts and performed well at last season, and move Lux back to second base, a position where Lux has made 153 of his 244 big-league starts.

But Roberts isn’t ready to give up on Lux at shortstop just yet.

“I’m not going to let a small sample–right now–of what we’ve seen [influence me],” Roberts said. “I just expect it to keep getting better with repetitions.”

Sports

Realme 12 Series Launched in India: Check specs, variants and price

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Realme 12 Price in India, Realme 12+ Price in India: Realme has introduced 12 Series in India. The Series has two smartphones – the Realme 12+ 5G and the Realme 12 5G. The first sale of these smartphones will be from March 6 to March 10, 2024. Check out more details about the smartphone.

Realme 12+ 5G Price and Variants

The Realme 12+ 5G comes in two colours: Pioneer Green and Navigator Beige and two storage variants: 8GB + 128GB, priced at Rs 20,999 and 8GB + 256GB, priced at Rs 21,999. 

Realme 12+ 5G Features

According to the company, the Realme 12+ 5G features the segment’s first 50 MP SONY LYT-600 main camera with OIS, with 2X In-sensor zoom and a Cinematic 2X Portrait Mode. It also comes equipped with a 112° ultra-wide camera and a 16MP HD selfie camera.  

It is equipped with a 120Hz AMOLED Display and a 67W SuperVOOC charging with a 5000mAh battery. It also houses notable features like storage and dynamic RAM of up to 256 GB and IP54 dust and water resistance. The device runs on Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14 and is powered by the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7050 5G Chipset.

Realme 12 5G Price and Variants

The Realme 12 5G comes with a 108 MP 3X Zoom Portrait Camera. It comes equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ 5G chipset and a 6.72-inch FHD+ Sunlight Display. The smartphone also features a 45W SUPERVOOC Charge and a 5000mAh battery. For selfies, it has an 8MP camera.

Running on the Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14, the smartphone is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ 5G Chipset. 

The Realme 12 5G is available in Twilight Purple and Woodland Green. It comes in two two storage variants – 6GB +128 GB, priced at Rs 16999 and 8GB+128GB, priced at Rs 17999. 

Technology

Dehradun to Ayodhya, Varanasi, Amritsar flight operations start today | Travel

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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the flight operations from Dehradun to these three major cities: Ayodhya, Varanasi and Amritsar.

Dehradun launches flight operations to Ayodhya, Varanasi, Amritsar from today to boost tourism in Uttarakhand (File Photo by REUTERS)

The three services were launched from Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport on Wednesday.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

CM Dhami inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp and cutting a cake.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “We endeavour to make moving the people within the entire state of Uttarakhand convenient, simple and easy. For this, we are continuously making efforts and the people of the country are travelling to different places in the state.”

“Flagged off air services from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun to Shri Ayodhya Dham, Amritsar, Pantnagar and Varanasi and gave boarding passes to the passengers and wished them a happy journey. As a result of the efforts of the double engine government, the air connectivity of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is continuously getting strengthened. With the start of these air services, while people will get convenience in transportation, tourism in the state will also get a new direction and momentum” the Chief Minister further said.

Referring to air services, the Chief Minister said that before this, the state had started air connectivity from and to Dehradun-Pithoragan and also started heli services from Haldwani to Champawat, Munsiyari and Pithoragarh.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Hailing PM Modi, he said that under his leadership period, there has been unprecedented progress in every sector, including the air services.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the passengers travelling to Ayodhya amid the chanting of “Jai Shri Ram” and wished them a safe journey.

According to the CM’s office, Dhami had been trying for a long time to start air services for all three places.

“Before the Pran Pratishtah ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the CM had personally requested and written a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia,” an official statement said earlier.

Dehradun Airport is a medium-sized airport in India with domestic flights only. On the other hand, Ayodhya recently got its first airport, which has been named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on December 30 last year.

Tours Travel

Ghost of Tsushima is coming to PC – and Bloodborne fans are livid | Gaming | Entertainment

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Sony has announced plans to bring another of its flagship titles to the PC in 2024. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut has been given a May 16 release date on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The Director’s Cut contains the core game, add-ons and a whole host of upgrades. This includes unlocked frame-rates, new graphics options, customisable mouse and keyboard settings, custom controller settings, ultrawide monitor support, and various other improvements. Available to wishlist now, pre-order customers will receive various in-game bonuses by purchasing the game early.

Pre-order bonuses include early unlocks for the New Game+ Horse, Traveler’s Attire and Broken Armour dyes from Baku’s shop.

In case you missed the PS4 and PS5 version, the Director’s Cut includes the superb Iki Island Expansion, which sees lead character Jin explore a new location, interact with new characters, and square off against new enemies.

“The island of Iki is a wild, lawless land of raiders and criminals. Jin will have to bring all his skills to defeat the enemy and save Iki,” Sony explains.

The two-person co-operative Legends game mode is also included, as is the competitive Rivals mode where Samurai, Ronin, Hunters and Assassins compete in two-vs-two battles.

Finally, there’s the hugely cinematic Kurosawa Mode, which lets fans experience the game in black and white with film grain effects. Inspired by the legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, the bonus game mode features Japanese dialogue with English subtitles.

The PC version will be available for £49.99, so check out the CD Keys link below for the chance to save some money.

Of course, not everybody is completely happy about the decision to port Ghost of Tsushima over to PC.

It’s not that fans are against the PlayStation exclusive hitting Steam and Epic Games Store, but rather that Sony still hasn’t announced plans to bring Bloodborne to the PC.

The thought of playing Bloodborne with unlocked frame-rates on ultra-wide monitors and with upscaling and other technical improvements is the stuff of dreams, while the fact that we can’t do any of those things is a Bloodborne Hunter’s nightmare.

Needless to say, the announcement of Ghost of Tsushima’s PC release has seen Bloodborne once again trend on X (formerly Twitter).

One X user asks Sony what sacrifices Bloodborne fans need to make in order for the game to be ported, while other fans have posted a series of angry GIFs.

On the plus side, there are renewed rumours that Sony is working on a Bloodborne project that’s said to be more than just a remaster.

Arts Entertainments

Cupra expanding sales, service network as it reaches sales milestone

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Cupra is growing its footprint in Australia after selling 5000 vehicles since launching here less than two years ago.

It’s opening new service centres in South Brisbane and the NSW Central Coast in March, and has announced a new sales and service centre in Essendon Fields, Victoria.

The latter will open early in 2025.

Prior to its opening, Cupra will run a ‘pop-up’ sales and service centre nearby at Zagame Tullamarine in April 2024.

Cupra says it has now sold more than 5000 vehicles in less than two years, having sold 1111 vehicles in 2022 and 3765 in 2023 – plus another 366 thus far in 2024.

  • Essendon Fields rendering

In contrast, Skoda didn’t reach 5000 sales until its fifth year on the market following its 2007 relaunch. In its first four years on the market, it sold 3868 vehicles.

Cupra is also doing far better than the brand it was spun off from – SEAT – in Australia. That brand sold just 3561 vehicles over its truncated 1995-99 run, back when Cupra was merely a trim level on the Ibiza hatch.

The sporty Spanish brand said in 2022 it wanted to sell 1600 vehicles in Australia that year – a goal it didn’t meet – and sell 7000 vehicles annually by 2025, which it is making progress towards.

In the medium term, Cupra wants to sell 500,000 vehicles per year globally. Last year, it delivered 230,700 vehicles, up 50.9 per cent year-on-year.

  • Cupra expanding sales, service network as it reaches sales milestone

With 3765 sales in Australia in 2023, Cupra outsold various much older brands in Australia including Peugeot (2516) and Alfa Romeo (716).

Cupra says 38 per cent of its Australian sales in 2023 were electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

It currently sells just four models: the petrol and plug-in hybrid Leon hatchback and Formentor crossover; the petrol-powered Ateca crossover; and the electric Born hatchback.

In 2025, it’s adding the electric Tavascan as well as the Terramar, the latter of which is expected to offer a choice of petrol and plug-in hybrid power.

The company currently has nine sales locations (called Cupra Garages) and nine service locations across the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

Auto

Top Meme Coins Combined to Deliver $100M Daily Trading Volume? Which Meme Tokens Will Play Major Role?

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Market conditions are robust again, and the price action market-wide is favourable, to say the least. Most tokens are in the green as they observe their values hike more than they have recently. It is a no-brainer for crypto enthusiasts to make the most of the market at this time and walk away with hefty profits.

Meme coins are known to attract the greatest returns—especially the ones with smaller market caps that have the grit to make it to the top during the bull cycle. Luckily for enthusiasts, meme coins are performing extremely well right now and witness exorbitant daily trading volumes. SHIB, DOGE, and PEPE are each being traded daily in volumes reaching the multibillion-dollar mark.

While these established meme tokens generate undoubted returns through the surging market, certain traders might be interested in new and lesser established tokens and projects. They can use such assets to trade and multiply their holdings immensely as the assets’ values spike exponentially. Here are some meme coins whose daily trading volumes will collectively exceed $100,000,000 soon.

Vita Inu (VINU)

VINU is an established player in the meme coin space, launched in late 2021. It emerged as a winning meme coin in the previous bull run, ensuring that investors walked away with tremendous returns.

The meme coin pioneered the concept of merging meme-driven virality with utility by creating an ecosystem of utility revolving around the VINU character. This ecosystem comprises a layer-1 blockchain, a swapping application, and a payments application allowing users to transact with VINU through feeless payments settling instantaneously.

While the bear market caused VINU’s trading and holding activity to go cold, it has been making a resurgence since December, when the crypto market began rallying after a long time. December also saw it reach good highs only to dip a month later. Nevertheless, the last thirty days have been great for VINU as it witnessed a 100% increase in price.

This, along with BTC’s massive increments over the past few days, has driven up its daily trading volumes tremendously to around $7 million. Considering its ability to break out at any moment and its steadfast utility, VINU’s re-emergence has just begun, with its daily trading volumes set to increase exponentially as the days go by.

BEFE

BEFE is another meme coin with great potential. Its ecosystem draws many parallels with the Smog ecosystem. A fairly new entrant, BEFE offers staking utility and is expanding to multichain ecosystems. That puts BEFE on the same growth trajectory as its counterpart, making it highly desirable to meme coin enthusiasts and crypto users.

The token is shaping up to be the face of the meme coin market on the Bitgert Chain, a burgeoning blockchain ecosystem expected to grow to the heights of major blockchain networks. As the meme asset attracts users leveraging the Bitgert Chain, its virality is attracting the attention of meme coin enthusiasts from all other chains.

Its price fluctuates around the $0.0005 mark and has risen to that point tremendously over the past few weeks. Its trading volume over the past day is just over $400,000, a humble number expected to explode in the coming months and grow to the tens of millions.

Baby Doge Coin (BabyDoge)

BabyDoge has been around since 2021 and amassed a passionate community of users who maintain the token’s position as a top meme coin. Despite its longer tenure in the market compared to SMOG and BEFE, BabyDoge can rapidly grow to new heights this bull run thanks to its low valuations yet to achieve maximum potential. The token is exchanging hands at $0.00000000232 at press time.

BabyDoge’s outlook remains bullish, as it has been in the green ever since bullish forces took over. Users may be concerned about the low price point despite its extended stay in the market. They may rest assured that this token is just late to the party, considering the trading volumes it is now experiencing. It has seen over $24 million traded in 24 hours, with the volume only anticipated to rise, placing it as a top meme coin to be traded right now.

Meme Coins Can Allow Traders to Tap into Next-Level Gains

Meme coins can be the best tool for this bull run to rake in massive returns. Turning to those with smaller market caps and lower price points can be the ideal decision, considering their prices can skyrocket exponentially, leaving those trading the tokens to accrue awe-inspiring gains quickly.

Find Out More Here:

Website: befetoken.com

Telegram: t.me/befetoken

Twitter: twitter.com/befetoken

Cryptocurrency

Breaking down barriers: Dr Chuck’s efforts to teach computer languages to the most unlikely people

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Charles Russel Severance, or Dr Chuck as he is known among computer science educators, believes in taking computer education to the masses. “Any one can learn Python and even be a cab driver, so why not?” he said.

He brings about the element of ‘empathy’ to computer education. “One needs empathy. It is all about welcoming. It is all about like a big hug that says we love you. We want you to be a programmer. And do it,” he said. 

His Python for Everybody course on the edtech company Coursera was taken by three million people across the world, and his Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) one million people in India alone reflects his approach to computer education.

  • Also read: Coursera’s GenAI push for executives

On a visit to India after a six-year gap, Chuck told businessline that Python could help students and professionals of every stream – from biology to journalism. A Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, he teaches various technology-oriented courses, including programming, database design, and web development.

“There was a demand for learning how to write software and learning how to program that there was no way that you know traditional universities could just do. Programming is not computer science. There are so many jobs in this world where you don’t need a computer science degree, but you need to know how to programme. And the Python programming language is a real easy language to learn,” he said. 

“Every week 1,400 students from India enroll for the Python for Everybody course on Coursera,” he said.

He authored several books, including ‘Using Google App Engine’ and ‘Python for Everybody’ which drew over 1 million enrollments from learners in India, accounting for 35 per cent of its total enrollments. He offers 26 different courses on Coursera.

He is among the early educators on Coursera that was started to deliver a wide variety of courses to people via online.

  • Also read: Top US universities explore collaboration opportunities with Indian institutes

“When I started teaching Python. We just thought Python was a good, easy language for people to learn. My real goal was not necessarily to create programmers, but to create people who are not afraid of learning programming,” he said.

“What is unique about my course is that it is not a computer science course. I created this course that was really easy and straightforward and didn’t require calculus. People could like find programming,” he said.

Asked what his next course would be, Chuck said he was currently working on a Hardware for Everybody course. This course helps people to understand the nuances of hardware, including taxi drivers. It helps them understand how computers work.

Education

Bitcoin’s price is surging. What happens next?

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For a brief moment, everyone who owned bitcoin had made money from it. On March 5th the crypto token rose to an all-time high of just above $69,000—a level sure to delight the meme-loving crypto-crowd—before slipping back a little. The record capped a remarkable comeback from the dark days of November 2022, when interest-rate rises were crushing risk appetite and ftx, a crypto exchange, had just gone bust. At the time, buying bitcoin on such exchanges seemed like little more than a fun and novel way to get robbed.

Bitcoin is hardly rallying in isolation: everything is going up. Stockmarkets all over the world are near record highs. So are gold prices. Even bond prices are climbing after a miserable two-year stretch. The catalyst is a combination of artificial-intelligence hype, joy at the state of the global economy and expectations of looser monetary policy to come.

Still, bitcoin is doing better than most assets. On January 10th the Securities and Exchange Commission, an American regulator, approved applications by ten investment firms, including BlackRock and Fidelity, to create bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These make it easier for everyday investors to buy the cryptocurrency. Rather than setting up an account with a specialist exchange, creating a crypto wallet, making a bank transfer and then finally buying bitcoin, people can now simply log on to their brokerage accounts and purchase an etf. Assets in the ten largest bitcoin etfs now come to around $50bn. And the activity appears to be self-reinforcing: the more money is poured in, the higher the price goes, the more people chatter about bitcoin etfs, the more money pours in and so on and so on.

image: The Economist

Bitcoin has been in existence for 14 years. The elegant mechanism by which it validates itself and supply grows has never been hacked, meaning that the token is not going anywhere. Yet it is now obvious that it is of pretty limited use for payments, as it is restricted by both the high costs and slow speed of transactions. Those trying to build applications on top of blockchains are not doing so using bitcoin either. With the creation of etfs, it is now clear that bitcoin is an investment asset and nothing more. So after this initial surge of interest, what will its returns look like?

It would be foolish to extrapolate from bitcoin’s entire history. Over the past 14 years the cryptocurrency has morphed from a niche cyberpunk idea into something approaching a mainstream financial asset. Its more recent price movements might provide some clues, however. There are two explanations for them. One is that purchases are basically a broad bet on technological progress, with variations that reflect prospects for crypto itself. For instance, even as tech stocks soared in the middle of 2021, bitcoin slumped after Elon Musk posted negative tweets about crypto payments. Prices were depressed in late 2022, too, even as stockmarkets were rallying, owing to ftx’s failure.

The other theory is that bitcoin is a kind of digital gold. After all, supply is inherently limited, just as gold supply is restricted by the amount of the metal in the ground. Neither asset pays a yield or earns profits. This theory fell out of favour in 2021 and 2022, as inflation soared and bitcoin collapsed, but last year the cryptocurrency once again moved in line with gold.

Perhaps both theories contain elements of truth. And a hybrid tech-stock-crypto-vibes-gold-bet asset could be useful in even pedestrian portfolios, especially if it is only somewhat correlated with other assets an investor might hold. Diversification among uncorrelated assets is the foundational principle of portfolio management. Reallocating, say, 1% of a fund to bitcoin would be a low-stakes hedge.

If investors buy this argument, bitcoin’s price is likely to rise for a while yet. What happens, then, when the cryptocurrency’s transition into a standard financial asset is complete? Assume that bitcoin has been added to most investor portfolios. Also assume that crypto tech does not really catch on. In this world, bitcoin’s returns probably do come to resemble those of gold: there is a fixed amount of it, and its price would rise over the long term roughly in line with the stock of money. That implies steady single-digit returns. The creation of a bitcoin etf may have set off a frenzy of eye-popping gains—but the future it portends could be slower and steadier. ■

Finance

Fortnite Maker Epic Games Says Apple Terminated Its App Store Developer Account

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Apple has prevented Fortnite maker Epic Games from releasing its game and app store in the European Union, escalating a years-long feud between the two tech giants. In a statement released on Wednesday, Epic published what it says was a letter from Apple, terminating its access to develop apps for iPhones and iPads.

“Please be advised that Apple has, effective immediately, terminated the Developer Program membership of Epic Games Sweden AB,” Apple appeared to say in a March 2 letter from its lawyers posted by Epic. 

Apple described Epic’s plans to release software for EU customers as “part of a global effort to undermine or evade Apple’s rules.” Apple didn’t comment on whether the correspondence shared by Epic Games was authentic.

Apple said its decision to terminate Epic’s developer account applied worldwide. 

“Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate ‘any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion,'” the company said in a statement. “In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.”

Epic alleges Apple’s moves are a violation of EU antitrust laws and said it intends to “fight to get back on iOS.”

The move comes as Apple is releasing a new version of its iOS software for iPhones, designed to follow rules called the Digital Markets Act. That law, which is designed to force Big Tech companies to allow more competition, requires Apple to allow customers in the EU to install alternative app stores and separately downloaded apps onto their devices.

Epic-Apple feud

Apple’s decision to terminate Epic’s developer account marks another twist in a now-four-year-long, high-profile court battle between the two tech giants over how much power Apple exerts over its iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. 

Epic had argued that Apple should allow customers to download apps and pay developers however they wish. Since launching its App Store more than 15 years ago, Apple has required that apps for its iPhones be downloaded from there. Apple also set rules that most developers must charge customers through its payment-processing service, which collects up to a 30% fee on every charge. Epic is fighting a similar suit against Google over its handling of the Play Store.

Apple broadly has won that argument in court, where judges have declared the iPhone maker hasn’t violated antitrust laws by forcing app developers to use its in-app payment systems.

Epic has vowed to continue fighting. 

On Wednesday, Epic said Apple’s move to terminate its developer account undermined “our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices.”

Gaming

Woman survives sudden cardiac arrest, plus new COVID guidance and longevity diets

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In 2020, Cheryl Jordan Winston was 48 years old when she collapsed in her bedroom after experiencing SCA. (Cheryl Jordan Winston)

SURVIVAL MODE – Cheryl Winston of Minnesota survived after 25 minutes without a pulse. Now, she wants to help raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest. Continue reading…

MIRACLE MEDICATION? – A common drug that has been used to treat hair loss and enlarged prostate could also reduce heart disease risk, a new study suggests. Continue reading…

END OF QUARANTINE – The CDC announced on Friday that it has dropped its 5-day isolation guidance for COVID. Doctors weigh in on the decision. Continue reading…

CDC headquarters

Prior to Friday’s update, the CDC called for people who test positive for the virus to “stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home,” a recommendation that was implemented in late 2021.  (REUTERS/Tami Chappell)

WEIGHT LOSS WARNING – Semaglutide medications alone aren’t enough to sustain weight loss, experts warn. Read on for their recommendations. Continue reading…

GREY MATTER – Deep brain stimulation has pinpointed the sources of four cognitive disorders, researchers have found. Continue reading…

LONGEVITY DIET? – A fasting-like diet could slow the aging process, a study suggests. Here’s what nutritionists have to say. Continue reading…

Time-restricted eating

A fasting-mimicking diet was found to reduce biological age and immune system aging, as well as insulin resistance and liver fat, in a new study. (iStock)

SILENT SYMPTOM – A little-known syndrome could increase the risk of several types of cancers in young people. Experts share what to know. Continue reading…

AROMA-THERAPY – In patients with depression, familiar scents could help trigger happy memories, researchers found. Continue reading…

PERK UP – Should you drink coffee first thing in the morning, or wait a while? Experts reveal caffeine guidance. Continue reading…

WalletHub best cities for coffee

Coffee consumption and energy levels are dependent on a person’s caffeine tolerance, said a sleep expert. (iStock)

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Health Fitness

Chef Ranveer Brars Dubai Restaurant Serves Dal With “24-Carat Gold,” Leaves Internet Unimpressed

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Award-winning celebrity chef Ranveer Brar has yet again left the internet buzzing. No, not with another lip-smacking recipe, but with a delicacy served at his first restaurant in Dubai, Kashkan by Ranveer Brar. We are talking about Dal Kashkan, which is presented inside a wooden box and served with a tadka of 24-carat liquid gold. The dish came under the spotlight after an Instagram food page shared a clip, showing a Kashkan staff member serving the dal. The clip opens with the staff revealing that the chef mixed the ghee with liquid gold. While pointing towards the box, he adds, “Yeh hai humare restaurant ki Dal Kashkan. Jaise purane zamane mein important cheezen—jeweller, gold and diamond—log sandook mein tala lagakar rakhte the. Isliye yeh dal bhi sandook mein present karte hain. [This is Dal Kashkan. Like how earlier people used to store precious things in a chest, this dal is presented in a box].”

The staff member opens the box to show a big bowl full of dal sprinkled with spices, placed next to a small bowl. He says, “So yeh rahi Dal Kashkan.” As he pours the liquid gold on top of the dal, he adds, “24-carat dusted gold ghee on the top of the dal.” The video was shared with the text, “24 Carat Golden Tadke Wali Dal at Kashkan by Ranveer Brar, Dubai Festive City Mall.”

Also Read: Chef Ranveer Brar Shares A Recipe For Instant Sooji Cutlet

In case you are wondering, the restaurant’s exclusive dish is priced at 58 dirhams (about ₹1,300).

The dish sparked a frenzy in the comments section. Several users were spotted indulging in a playful banter. A user joked, “Toh isko khaani hai ya tijori mein rakhni hai? [Are we supposed to eat it or store it safely in a chest]?”

A hilarious comment read, “Chotu gold daal or 2 silver coated naan laga de. [Kid, serve gold naan and 2 silver coated naan].”

Another user wrote, “Expensive poop the next day,” and ended with a handful of laughing emoticons.

A few claimed that this is one of the ways to fool rich people, as a user said, “How to fool rich people!”

Some called the dish the “height of stupidity.”

Would you like to try this dal dish with 24-carat gold? So far, the video has been viewed more than 8 million times.

Also Read: Chef Ranveer Brar’s Instagram Post On Banana Leaf Eating Is Too Hilarious To Miss

Home Kitchen

Lucien Pellat-Finet, Fashion’s ‘King of Cashmere,’ Dies at 78

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Lucien Pellat-Finet, the French fashion designer whose brash, irreverent and unapologetically expensive sweaters earned him the nickname King of Cashmere, died on Feb. 26 in Trancoso, Brazil, where he had owned a home for more two decades. He was 78.

A niece, Camille Dauchez, said that Mr. Pellat-Finet (pronounced pell-ah fee-NAY), who had Parkinson’s disease, died in a swimming accident.

The sweaters in Mr. Pellat-Finet’s collection, which was introduced in 1994, combined two seemingly disparate elements: extremely high-quality cashmere and provocative symbols like marijuana leaves, peace signs and, most frequently, skulls, all of which were occasionally embellished with crystals. Sometimes, skulls were additionally tweaked with details like a stuck-out tongue, aviator sunglasses or a tilted sailor’s hat.

They came in neutral colors like black and navy as well as vivid shades of orange, pink, green and camouflage prints. Instead of a traditional sweater’s somewhat boxy cut and ribbed cuffs at the arms and waistband, a Lucien Pellat-Finet pullover was essentially a luxe T-shirt, as the makeup artist Tom Pecheux put it, in “the shape of Fruit of the Loom.”

“He informalized cashmere,” said Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, the author of “Super F**king Lucky,” a 2019 book about the designer. “He really made people look at cashmere in a totally different way.”

While the aesthetic of the sweaters was casual, their price tags were extreme. In 1998, a four-ply cashmere cardigan cost around $1,500, the equivalent of just under $3,000 today.

The brand’s high prices became part of its appeal — owning a Lucien Pellat-Finet sweater was a badge of honor for an affluent set of stylish women and men.

“It became a symbol of success, a symbol of coolness, a symbol of wealth,” said Julie Gilhart, a fashion consultant and former fashion director of Barneys New York, the department store that was an early adopter of the brand.

While precious, the informal style of a Lucien Pellat-Finet sweater lent itself to daily wear.

“The whole point was to buy it, spend a lot of money and wear the hell out of it,” said Jeffrey Kalinsky, the founder of the tastemaker boutique Jeffrey, which also carried the brand.

Fans who could afford the sweaters frequently purchased them in multiples, “like eggs,” Mr. Pellat-Finet told Women’s Wear Daily in 1996.

“Someone wears the sweaters, and she’s addicted,” he said.

Mr. Pellat-Finet’s fondness for marijuana leaf designs was more about provocation than intoxication: He preferred a glass of good Bordeaux or Champagne, often enjoyed over dinner with friends. He believed that a marijuana leaf was a luckier symbol than a four-leaf clover — hence the title of his biography.

For the skulls, he was quoted as saying in Ms. Fraser-Cavassoni’s book, “Life is a bit of circus and my skulls, with their touch of black humor, demonstrate that.”

Lucien Paul Pierre Pellat-Finet was born on Feb. 11, 1946, in Nice, France. His father, Roger Pellat-Finet, worked in the family’s paper bag manufacturing business; his mother, Manette (Ménier) Pellat-Finet, was a well-heeled homemaker with a sense of style. For example, well before they were popular in France, she wore Levi’s jeans, acquired thanks to a sister who lived in the United States. Lucien and his younger sisters were raised in an affluent household — there were ski vacations and holidays abroad — but their mother ran it with a sense of low-key frugality.

He is survived by his sisters, Isabelle Dauchez and Christine Guerin.

Lucien showed an interest in fashion early on, even if it was pricey. When he was 8, he told Ms. Fraser-Cavassoni, his mother protested when his paternal grandfather wanted to buy him an expensive pair of shoes. “My grandfather said, ‘If he wants them, get them — because it shows that he has great taste and he’s discovering that quality costs,’” he recalled.

Mr. Pellat-Finet earned a degree from a local business school in 1967 and moved to Paris soon after. He was openly gay and began modeling after he was meeting the man he was dating, who was also a model, at a casting call where the designer Pierre Cardin recruited him.

After a couple of years, he switched to styling fashion shows and photo shoots. On an assignment, he met Philippe Guibourgé, a designer who worked at Chanel at the time, and they began dating. They became a couple and stayed together until Mr. Guibourgé died in 1986.

Mr. Pellat-Finet also designed costume jewelry, for La Porte Bleue, a well-respected line. For a few years, he and Mr. Guibourgé had a Paris boutique that offered a variety of stylish goods. When the store closed, he took some time off.

“I enjoyed the bohemian life for four years, but then I was broke,” he told The New York Times in 2004. Eventually, he said, “I found myself drawn back to fashion.”

His own sartorial sense inspired his sweater line.

“He really designed things for himself, and he dressed women with what he would be wearing,” said Marie-Hélène de Taillac, a jewelry designer and friend for more than four decades.

His brand did well, and there were Lucien Pellat-Finet boutiques in New York City, Paris and Tokyo, with Japan being an especially strong market. He began offering various items, including jackets, scarves and throw pillows, that had a similar sensibility to the sweaters. The distinctive skull image appeared on sneakers, baseball caps, belt buckles and tote bags as well.

There were also sweaters with images by artists like Takashi Murakami, many years before his images were splashed on Perrier bottles, Vans sneakers and Louis Vuitton handbags.

In 2019, Mr. Pellat-Finet sold his brand to Thierry Gillier, the founder of the fashion brand Zadig & Voltaire. The brand is now known as Pellat-Finet, without its founder’s first name.

“The fashion industry had changed and he’d had enough,” Ms. de Taillac said.

Mr. Pellat-Finet then moved to Brazil, a country he had adored since he first visited in 1968.

He settled in Trancoso, an upscale resort community in Bahia, about 1,000 miles northwest of São Paulo, and built a large home there in 2011.

“When he started to build Trancoso,” Ms. Dauchez, his niece, said, “he always knew in the back of his head that this is where he wanted to rest and do something different.”

Not long after his 78th birthday in February, Mr. Pellat-Finet gathered some friends and relatives for a family reunion at his Brazilian home. On the afternoon of Feb. 26, while an outdoor lunch was being prepared, he took a walk on the beach, as was his habit, and decided to take a swim in an area that was popular with surfers. He never returned.

Nearly a decade earlier, he had told the media outlet FashionTV that he hoped his designs would have longevity.

“I always say that I work for the vintage,” he said, “and I wish the collection will be able to be in the street in, like, 20 years.”

Lifestyle Fashion

Can You Use Dog Nail Clippers on Cats? Care & Safety Tips

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All cat parents know that felines require regular maintenance to keep them looking clean and neat and most importantly, ensure that they’re healthy. While there are several important areas of cat grooming, one stands out in particular: nail care.

Taking care of your cat’s nails and regularly trimming them is essential for preventing overgrown nails, which could impact your cat’s ability to move.

However, cat owners can be hesitant about this process, especially if they don’t know which tool to use. There’s also a lingering question among many cat parents, especially those who also own dogs: Can you use dog nail clippers on cats?

The answer to this question is technically yes, you can use dog nail clippers on cats, but some versions are better than others for this task.

Let’s dig deeper into this topic, explaining the different types of pet nail clippers, why nail clipping is so important to cats, and how to choose suitable clippers for your feline!

Can You Use Dog Nail Clippers on Cats? Is It Safe?

You can use almost any type of dog nail clippers on a cat, but you should carefully think about the options to make the clipping process go smoothly and to prevent accidents.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Scissor-style dog nail clippers are your best choice because they work the same as cat nail clippers; the only difference is that kitties can get this product in a real scissors shape. Still, these should enable you to do a decent job as long as you carefully cut around your cat’s quick areas.
  • Grinder trimers are as efficient as they are easy to use, and they don’t have any blades. However, they can often be loud, which may make some cats scared or nervous.
  • Guillotine-style dog nail clippers require you to put your pet’s nail through the guillotine opening, which can be unsuitable for cats. You may lose control over the cutting area and accidentally nip the quick.

If you live in households with multiple pets, each should have their own pair of nail clippers. However, if that’s something you currently can’t afford, you can use dog nail clippers on cats, but with caution.

Always disinfect the clippers before using them on another pet, and repeat the same process for every cutting session.

The 3 Different Types of Pet Nail Clippers

There are three different types of pet nail clippers that you can use for your furry companion.

1. Scissor-Style Clippers

Scissor-Style Pet Clippers
Image Credit: Volga, Shutterstock

These pet nail clippers have a design similar to scissors, with a tension spring that requires you to use your hand force to use it. It’s great for dogs because it can do the job quickly and efficiently without causing pain, especially if your dog’s nails are unusually thick.

When it comes to scissor-style clippers for cats, they can either have a similar design to the dog ones or literally look like human scissors, making them easier to handle.

2. Guillotine-Style Clippers

Guillotine-Style Pet Clippers
Image Credit: Jiggo_Putter Studio, Shutterstock

These pet nail clippers have a guillotine design that requires you to slip the pet’s nail through in order to clip it. They usually also function with a tension spring principle that requires you to use the force of your hand to clip the claw.

This type of nail clipper typically works better for dogs than for cats, as felines tend to have more sensitive nails; when clipping them, you have to be careful not to clip the quick area.

3. Grinder Trimmers

Pet Grinder Trimmers
Image Credit: yar-andy, Shutterstock

These electrical devices are entirely safe because instead of using blades, they rely on small grinders that trim the nails. These trimmers are efficient but can take time to get used to.

It will also produce a great deal of noise and vibration that may be upsetting, especially for small dogs and cats.

cat paw divider

Why Is It Important to Trim Your Cat’s Nails?

Unlike outdoor and stray cats that wear down their nails with activities like tree climbing and hunting for food, indoor cats typically don’t have these opportunities. Since a cat’s nails are constantly growing, you need to help your cat with proper nail care. Otherwise, your cat’s nails can become overgrown, leading to discomfort, pain, and possible infections. Felines with overgrown nails can also experience mobility problems; they may get stuck in carpets or similar surfaces or be unable to retract their claws.

If your cat likes scratching, scratching posts can come in handy to keep the claws at a proper length. However, some felines may also try to scratch your furniture and other possessions, which is why keeping their nails short can prevent or minimize the damage done to your home.

cat paw divider

Final Thoughts

You can use dog nail clippers on cats, as some types are identical to the ones for cats. Just know that some cats may be scared of grinder trimmers due to their noise and vibration, and remember to be careful if you’re using the guillotine-style nail clippers on your cat.

If you have multiple pets, it’s best to have a pair of clippers for each pet to promote healthy nail clipping. But if you have no other options, any type would be okay—as long as you get your feline’s approval, of course!

Featured Image Credit: GaiBru Photo, Shutterstock

Pets

Madras High Court directs Tamil Nadu Govt to follow 2017 MVG until new guidelines are framed

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The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to follow the market value guidelines (MVG) fixed with effect from June 9, 2017, and upheld the single judge’s order.

The division bench of Madras High Court comprising Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar pronounced the order and directed the State Government to follow the MVG fixed in 2017 until the Valuation Committee revised the MVG following the due process of law and dismissed the appeal of the State Government.

Arbitrary decisions of the executive authorities shake the foundation of a democracy. The bench noted that such decisions cannot be protected under the garb of ‘policy decision’.

While the Order of the Single Judge dated December 18, 2023, stands confirmed, no refund can be claimed for the Instruments registered during the interregnum period.

The Chennai chapter of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) had filed a writ before the Madras High Court against the Circular issued by the Inspector General, Registration Department in February 2023, revising Guideline Values to the rates that were prevalent till June 8, 2017, with effect from April 1, 2023.

The main challenge was that the methodology stipulated in the Tamil Nadu Stamp (Constitution of Valuation Committee for Estimation, Publication and Revision of Market Value Guidelines of Properties) Rules, 2010, was not followed. The writ was allowed by a Single Judge of the High Court by Order dated December 18, 2023, quashing the Circular issued by the Registration Department.

A direction was also issued to the Government to follow the 2017 Guidelines (rates adopted from June 9, 2017 onwards) until new guidelines are framed in accordance with the law.

The State filed an appeal against this Order, and the Court granted an Interim Stay on the Order of the Single Judge and adjourned the matter. 

The matter was taken up for final arguments on February 28, 2024, and was reserved for judgment on the same day after detailed submissions were heard. The Division Bench pronounced the order on March 6, 2024.

Real Estate

Index šoping-lista: Našli smo Gorenje robotski usisivač koji je sada snižen za 57%

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

DOK smo listali kataloge i pretraživali ponudu za Indexovu prehrambenu šoping-listu, primijetili smo odlična sniženja na proizvode za čišćenje, njegu i higijenu, kao i na kućanske artikle i aparate, ili smo ih pronašli po povoljnim cijenama.

Izdvojili smo najpovoljnije ponude i proizvode s odličnim cijenama u svakoj trgovini. Tommy, Lidl, Kaufland, Konzum, Plodine, Eurospin, Spar i Interspar dostupni su u svim većim mjestima diljem Hrvatske, a ispod možete vidjeti našu šoping-listu za ovaj tjedan.

Kaufland

Kauflandov katalog vrijedi od srijede, 6.3., do utorka, 12.3., ili do prodaje zaliha, a pojedini popusti vrijede samo na odabrane datume u tom periodu. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje, a za ostvarenje pojedinih dodatnih popusta potrebna vam je Kauflandova kartica.

Konzum

Konzumov katalog vrijedi od četvrtka, 7.3., do srijede, 13.3., ili do prodaje zaliha. Za pojedine popuste potrebna je MultiPlus kartica. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje. 

Lidl

Lidlov katalog vrijedi od ponedjeljka, 4.3., do nedjelje, 10.3., ili do prodaje zaliha, a pojedini popusti vrijede samo na odabrane datume u tom periodu. Katalog možete prolistati ovdje, a za ostvarenje pojedinih popusta potrebna vam je mobilna aplikacija Lidl Plus.

Tommy

Tommyjev akcijski katalog vrijedi od četvrtka, 7.3., do srijede, 13.3. Možete ga prolistati ovdje. 

Spar

Novi katalozi Spara i Interspara vrijede od srijede, 6.3., do utorka, 12.3., ili do prodaje zaliha za prehrambene namirnice, kozmetiku, proizvode za osobnu higijenu i sredstva za čišćenje. Pojedini popusti vrijede samo u trgovinama Spar i Interspar, ovisno o dostupnosti proizvoda na akciji u tim trgovinama. Aktualne kataloge možete prolistati ovdje.

Eurospin

Katalog Eurospina vrijedi od četvrtka, 7.3., do srijede, 13.3., ili do isteka zaliha. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje. 

Plodine

Katalog Plodina vrijedi od srijede, 6.3., do utorka, 12.3., ili do isteka zaliha, a pojedini popusti vrijede samo na odabrane datume u tom periodu. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje.

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Shopping Product Reviews

Why ‘the numbers weren’t good’ for Yoshinobu Yamamoto in second spring start

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PHOENIX — 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not feel comfortable pitching out of the stretch on Wednesday, which was unfortunate seeing as the new Dodgers right-hander spent most of his rocky three-inning stint against the Chicago White Sox with runners on base.

Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325-million deal with the Dodgers in December, was tagged for five earned runs and six hits in a 12-9 Cactus League victory in Camelback Ranch, striking out four, walking three and throwing only 32 of his 58 pitches for strikes.

He allowed the leadoff man to reach base in each inning, he couldn’t throw his curve for strikes, and he fell behind in far too many counts. About the only bright spot was his nasty 88-mph split-fingered fastball, which he used to finish all four of his strikeouts.

“I was not feeling right [out of the stretch], and that’s something I need to work on, to adjust,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “Overall, the numbers weren’t good. There were too many balls and walks. But one good thing was I could try what I wanted to try. I was testing a couple of things, and that was good.”

Yamamoto, who breezed through two scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers in his first Cactus League start on Feb. 28, would not elaborate on what he was working on, but he’ll have one more exhibition start before the team’s season-opening series in South Korea to iron out whatever was troubling him on Wednesday.

“These games are going to happen,” Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes said. “It’s spring training. Guys aren’t always going to have their A stuff, so you have to figure out how to maneuver when they’re figuring things out. I thought he ended up throwing pretty well. Some unlucky breaks out there. A ball off him and some tough hops.”

Paul DeJong hit an RBI infield single off Yamamoto’s leg in a three-run, two-walk first inning. Two White Sox runs scored in the third when Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy failed to glove DeJong’s chopper down the line, a play that was generously ruled a double.

“He’s still a human being,” Barnes said of Yamamoto. “Sometimes you don’t have prestige command like he usually does. But I think it’s good to go through a rough patch. Baseball is not easy. I think he’ll learn from it and we’ll just move on.”

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman provided the offensive highlight of the day, smashing a grand slam far over the right-field wall in the fourth inning. Shohei Ohtani singled twice, drove in a run and walked ahead of Freeman’s slam.

Wednesday marked the first time that Yamamoto and Ohtani were in the same lineup since last March, when the pair helped Team Japan win the World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani did not play in Yamamoto’s first Cactus League game, but the slugger did make the 20-minute drive to Surprise, Ariz., to watch the 5-foot-10, 176-pound Yamamoto face the Rangers.

“I think Shohei coming here six years ago [with the Angels] and not having a fellow countryman to help support him was different and difficult at times,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But for Yoshinobu to come here and have a [WBC] teammate, a fellow countryman, kind of show him the ropes and support him … has been great.”

Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700-million deal in mid-December, was also part of the Dodgers contingent, along with Mookie Betts, Freeman and Will Smith, that helped recruit Yamamoto to Los Angeles.

“I think it was huge,” Roberts said. “Obviously, when you’re talking about the Japanese player, there’s always speculation — do they want to play with each other? Which no one ever knows. But I certainly believe that when you have a person of Shohei’s caliber saying, ‘We want you here, I want to be a teammate of yours,’ that was a good selling point for Yamamoto.”

Roberts believes Ohtani and Yamamoto will each benefit from having a Japanese teammate.

“I really believe comfort leads to performance and confidence, so to have someone that speaks your language, whether it’s Spanish, English, Japanese, Korean, it just makes things more comfortable and more familiar,” Roberts said. “I believe it’s going to help Shohei more, I really do. Not only Yoshinobu.”

Yamamoto’s unorthodox training methods, which emphasize flexibility, body control and body awareness over strength and include contortionist yoga techniques, handstands and the tossing of a javelin-type device, have been a subject of fascination for his new teammates.

In fact, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Betts, who is about the same size as Yamamoto, started working with Yamamoto’s personal trainer, Yata Sensei, and following some of Yamamoto’s regimen this week.

“I don’t necessarily know what I’m doing — I’m just kind of doing it, and I feel good, so we’ll see,” Betts, 31, said. “The whole thing is interesting. You’re never too old to learn. You’re never too good to learn.

“He’s won, what, three most valuable player awards and three Cy Youngs [in Japan]? I mean, he’s all-world, so why would you not at least be open-minded to it? I’ve got nine years [left on my contract]. I’m gonna make it the best nine years that I can.”

Betts, who hit .307 with a .987 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 39 homers and 107 RBIs and placed second in National League MVP voting last season, doesn’t expect to gain much more power using Yamamoto’s training techniques.

But he could benefit from having a little more flexibility as he transitions from right field to second base this season.

“It’s not like I’m hitting 460-foot homers now, and if I start working out [differently], I may add what, two feet [of distance]?” Betts said. “It’s more important to stay healthy and be the best Mook for these these next nine years, or however long I’ve got.”

Short hops

The defensive struggles of shortstop Gavin Lux, who missed all of last season because of right-knee surgery, continued on Wednesday, Lux bounced two throws to first base that Freeman was able to scoop, preventing two errors. Lux committed throwing errors on the first two grounders he fielded in exhibition play. … Reliever Joe Kelly threw a scoreless fifth inning, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one, but Ryan Brasier gave up a two-run homer to Eloy Jimenez in the fourth.

Sports

Nothing Phone 2 massive price drop: Get discount of up to 18,000 on Flipkart

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Nothing Phone 2 massive price drop: Nothing has announced substantial discounts on its premium smartphone, Nothing Phone 2. Customers can now purchase Nothing Phone 2 at a staggering Rs 18,000 off. The company unveiled this enticing offer ahead of the launch of Nothing Phone 2(a), providing users the opportunity to get this smartphone at a discounted price. The smartphone is available for purchase on Flipkart, offering a remarkable 32 per cent discount. Furthermore, customers can capitalise on various bank and cashback offers, as well as explore exchange options, further enhancing the affordability of this premium device.

Nothing Phone 2: Price Reduction Details

The original price of Nothing Phone 2 on Flipkart is Rs 54,999. However, with the ongoing offer, customers can secure this flagship device for just Rs 36,999, representing a significant reduction of Rs 18,000.

Nothing Phone 2: Available Offers

  • Bank Offer: Customers can enjoy an instant discount of Rs 2500 on their first Flipkart order made through Flipkart UPI.
  • Cashback: Up to 5 per cent cashback is available with Flipkart Axis Bank Card.
  • ICICI Bank Offer: Transactions made through ICICI Bank credit and debit cards are eligible for a discount of up to Rs 2,000.
  • Special Offers: Exclusive cashback and coupons of up to Rs 18,000 are up for grabs.
  • Freebie: Additionally, customers can benefit from a complimentary 12-month subscription to Spotify Premium for just Rs 699.

Nothing Phone 2: Eligibility

The offer is applicable to the 12GB RAM, 256GB variant of Nothing Phone 2. Moreover, customers opting for the exchange offer can enjoy even greater savings.

Nothing Phone 2: Specifications

  • Nothing Phone 2 offers a sleek design with the distinctive Glyph lighting feature integrated into its back panel.
  • Available in grey and white colour options, the design remains consistent with the elegance of its predecessor, Nothing Phone 1.
  • Equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, Nothing Phone 2 supports 33W USB Type-C fast wired charging.
  • Enhanced security features include an in-display fingerprint sensor.
  • Operating on Nothing OS 1 based on Android 13.

Technology

Tourists barred from free viewing of Paris Olympics opening ceremony along Seine | Travel

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Tourists won’t be allowed to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics along the Seine River for free, the French government announced Tuesday, as it grapples with security concerns about the unprecedented open-air event. Free access will be invitation-only instead.

Tourists barred from free viewing of Paris Olympics opening ceremony along Seine River (File Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP)

Organisers had planned a grandiose opening ceremony July 26 for as many as 600,000 people, most watching free of charge from riverbanks. But security and logistical concerns — and an outcry from booksellers along the city’s picturesque quays — have led the government to progressively scale back ambitions.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Earlier this year, the overall number of spectators was reduced to around 300,000. On Tuesday, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that 104,000 of them will be paying ticket holders with spots along the lower riverbanks, with another 222,000 watching for free from the upper banks.

But he said that the free tickets will not be available to the public via open registration as earlier envisaged, and will be invitation-only.

“To manage crowd movement, we can’t tell everyone to come,” Darmanin said. “For security reasons that everyone understands, notably the terrorist threat of recent weeks, we are obliged to make it free but contained.”

This means that tourists from France or elsewhere, as well as ordinary Parisians, won’t be able to sign up for free access. Instead, access to the ceremony will be allocated via quotas to select residents of towns or regions hosting Olympic events, local sports federations and others chosen by organizers or their partners, said two Interior Ministry officials. The officials weren’t authorized to be publicly named according to ministry policy.

Those invited will then need to undergo security checks and will receive QR codes to pass security barriers.

Local town councils can invite “their employees, kids from local soccer clubs and their parents,” for example, Darmanin said. One of the Interior Ministry officials said that sports federations could invite foreigners as part of their quotas, and towns could offer spots to people with disabilities or in a situation of need, to ’’diversify″ access.

The official said the change was not aimed at punishing tourists, and that the Games remain more open than any Olympics in several years. Another 200,000 people are expected to watch the opening from inside apartments or buildings overlooking the river, and about 50,000 from fan zones, Darmanin said.

Paris 2024 organizers would not comment on the shift, deferring questions to the government. Darmanin said the decision was made under the authority of President Emmanuel Macron, in conjunction with local officials and the organizing committee.

With France on high alert, Darmanin said that intelligence services haven’t identified a specific plot targeting the Olympics. But he said that there are multiple potential threats, including from Islamic extremist groups, violent environmental activists and ultra-right groups, as well as cyberattacks from Russia or other adversaries.

France was hit by a wave of deadly attacks linked to the Islamic State group in 2015-16 that targeted the Bataclan concert hall and other public venues, and the country has seen occasional extremist violence in the years since.

Intelligence services are conducting checks of about 1 million people slated to participate in, work for or have access to Paris 2024. Of 89,000 checks already carried out, 280 people have been rejected because of police records or other security problems, Darmanin said.

It’s the first time an Olympics opening ceremony will be held outside a stadium setting, in line with the Paris organisers’ motto: “Games Wide Open.” About 10,500 athletes will parade through the heart of the French capital on boats on the Seine along a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route.

About 160 heads of state are expected to attend, and the government will close all airports and airspace within a 150-kilometer (90-mile) radius around Paris before, during and after the 3½-hour ceremony.

Around 2,500 foreign police will be among the 45,000 security force members deployed around Paris for the event, Darmanin said. Discussion is underway on whether the foreign forces can board the boats with their countries’ athletes, and what arms they can carry.

Hiring and training enough security personnel for the Olympics, held from July 26-Aug. 11 and the subsequent Paralympics has proved challenging. About 10% of the private security personnel the government requested have yet to be hired, Darmanin said.

Tours Travel

GTA Online Cluckin Bell Farm Raid release date, time and NEW Bravado Gauntlet car | Gaming | Entertainment

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While the spotlight may be on the upcoming release of GTA 6, Rockstar Games continues to quietly work away at GTA Online. Indeed, the Grand Theft Auto 5 online multiplayer experience is about to get a big new content update, as the Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid joins the game. Introducing a new story mission for players to tackle, the GTA Online Cluckin’ Bell Farm Raid has a March 7 release date on PlayStation, Xbox and PC. Judging by previous content updates, the next GTA Online Raid should be available to start playing at around 3pm GMT UK time.

The new Raid sees players team with LSPD officer Vincent Effenburger to take down a cartel that has been using the Cluckin’ Bell factory as a front for illegal activity.

Not only will players need to take down the cartel, but they’ll also have to go head-to-head with corrupt cops from the Los Santos Police Department.

Judging by the trailer (below), the Raid will involve police chases, helicopter battles and an armoured train robbery.

Rockstar Games explains more: “You’ve already received a call from former Diamond Casino head of security turned LSPD officer Vincent Effenburger — now you’ll have the opportunity to work together in an unorthodox, but profitable, collaboration to take down a new cartel running a large-scale operation out of the Cluckin’ Bell factory in Paleto Bay.

“Help Vincent bust the case wide open in this action-packed new story update as you take on corrupt LSPD cops as well as a dangerous new cartel that’s set up shop and is using the Cluckin’ Bell corporation’s factory farm complex as a front.”

According to Rockstar Games, the new Raid will also coincide with the arrival of new vehicles.

This includes the Bravado Gauntlet Interceptor Law Enforcement Vehicle, which appears to be a high-speed and heavily armoured cop car.

Additional items, vehicles and content should be announced closer to the launch of the Cluckin Bell Farm Raid, so keep checking back for more information.

There’s a chance fans will also be treated to a big new update. Daily Express will post the full list of patch notes once they go live.

New missions like the Cluckin Bell Raid should keep fans busy until the launch of GTA 6 in 2025.

Arts Entertainments

Audi almost ready to reveal its take on the Porsche Macan

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After many delays, the Audi Q6 e-tron is almost ready to waltz down the catwalk and into full view, with the automaker confirming the car’s launch for March 18.

Aside from announcing the launch date on social media overnight, and publishing a teaser photo (top), Audi hasn’t provided any further details about its new electric crossover.

It’s not clear quite why the brand felt the need to hide the Q6 e-tron’s body, as the design has already been outed by barely disguised prototypes Audi has been publicising since last year.

Based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) it co-developed with Porsche, the Q6 e-tron will be a close relation to the recently revealed second-generation Porsche Macan.

Unlike the new Macan, which at present has only been revealed with a coupe-ish crossover body, the Q6 e-tron will be available with the choice of two body styles: a conventional crossover with an upright tailgate, and a Sportback variant with a more steeply raked roof and rear window.

While the Macan and Q6 e-tron will share much in common, their interior and exterior designs will be distinct.

The Q6 e-tron will continue with the company’s single-frame grille, although this time it will be completely closed off and non-functional.

The grille will be flanked by the brand’s first split headlight treatment, with a set of thin LED driving lights situated below the bonnet line, while the main and high beam units will live lower down the front fascia and be disguised.

  • Audi almost ready to reveal its take on the Porsche Macan

The side of the Q6 e-tron features prominent flowing creases above the wheel arches. At the back the tail-lights stretch across the entire width of the car, and will be available with OLED lighting elements.

Inside, the dashboard of the Q6 e-tron includes a curved display panel housing an 11.9-inch instrumentation display and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Options include a 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger with a polariser film that enables movies to be watched “without distracting the driver”, as well as a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and augmented reality head up display.

  • Audi almost ready to reveal its take on the Porsche Macan

One of the key details that’s yet to revealed relates to the Q6 e-tron’s drivetrain, but the second-generation Macan provides some clues.

All Macan models, and presumably all PPE vehicles, have a 800-volt electrical architecture.

The Macan 4 has a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup making 300kW and 650Nm on overboost, and is good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 220km/h.

Step up to the Macan Turbo and there’s 470kW and 1130Nm on tap, with the 0-100km/h time trimmed to 3.3 seconds, and a higher top speed of 260km/h.

The Macan 4 and Turbo have a 96kWh battery, and support DC fast charging up to 270kW.

  • Audi almost ready to reveal its take on the Porsche Macan
    New Porsche Macan
  • Audi almost ready to reveal its take on the Porsche Macan

Although there will be overlap between the two models, the Q6 e-tron should be generally positioned below its Porsche sibling.

Auto

OpenAI’s legal battles are not putting off customers—yet

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Pity OpenAI’s lawyers. On February 29th Elon Musk added yet another problem to their list by suing the maker of ChatGPT, a wildly popular artificial-intelligence (AI) chatbot, for breach of contract. The lawsuit argues that the startup was originally set up as a non-profit with the aim of building AI for the “benefit of humanity”, but has since established a profit-making subsidiary and accepted a large investment from Microsoft, a tech titan valued at $3trn, in exchange for exclusive access to its technology. According to Mr Musk, who was an early investor in OpenAI and has since founded a rival, xAI, these actions benefit not humanity but “literally the largest company in the world”.

Whether or not that argument has legal merit remains unclear. On March 5th OpenAI published emails in which Mr Musk apparently backs its plan to create a for-profit business. But the case adds to a long list of legal challenges facing the world’s hottest startup. Could these clip its wings?

OpenAI’s problems started in November, when the board ousted Sam Altman, its boss, and Greg Brockman, a co-founder, alleging that Mr Altman had not been “consistently candid in his communications”. Messrs Altman and Brockman were reinstated days later. But the apparent lack of candour raised eyebrows at the Securities and Exchange Commission, America’s markets regulator, which is now investigating the firm to see whether Mr Altman misled investors. In December the New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, claiming that the startup had used the newspaper’s articles to help train its models. (On March 5th Microsoft filed a motion to dismiss the case, accusing the Times of “doomsday futurology”.) In January America’s Federal Trade Commission launched an antitrust probe into OpenAI’s deal with Microsoft. Regulators in Britain and the EU are considering similar moves.

So far such legal hurdles are not putting off customers and investors. According to SimilarWeb, a data firm, OpenAI clocked 1.6bn visits to its mobile app and website in February, five times what Gemini, Google’s rival AI, has managed. Surveys of large companies invariably find OpenAI and Microsoft to be the most popular purveyors of AI tools. In December Openai was making an annualised revenue of $2bn, up from virtually nothing the year before. Venture capitalists report that the startups they back see its models as best on price and performance. This week it emerged that Temasek, a Singaporean sovereign-wealth fund, wants a stake in the firm.

Even so, the mounting legal action may hobble OpenAI in the long run. Brendan Burke of PitchBook, a research firm, argues that OpenAI’s lawyers may be worried about the additional legal risks that new models could create. That in turn could lead OpenAI once again to push back the release of GPT-5, expected to be the world’s most powerful AI yet. That delay may give rivals an advantage.

For one thing, it gives competitors time to catch up technologically. In mid-February Google updated its Gemini model. The search giant claims that the new version is able to process far more data than GPT-4 (though it has also been criticised for being too “woke”). Two weeks later Mistral, a French challenger, launched a small but high-performing model. On March 4th Anthropic, an AI startup backed by Google and Amazon, released its latest AI, Claude 3, claiming that it outperforms GPT-4 on a number of tasks (including the Multistate Bar Examination for lawyers).

This in turn is leading businesses to think more carefully about diversifying their AI toolboxes. Startups and corporations are already designing software to make it easy to switch between OpenAI’s current top model, GPT-4, and alternatives. This is partly a way to minimise costs by using cheaper, less powerful models for simpler tasks, but also insurance in case one model-maker runs into trouble. Paul Daugherty of Accenture, a consultancy, says that one of the most common questions company bosses ask about AI is which model they should use. This suggest that OpenAI is no longer the default choice. Even Microsoft is spreading its bets. Last month it announced a partnership with Mistral, whose open-source models will be available on Microsoft’s Azure cloud.

Court cases and regulatory probes are, then, an unwelcome distraction for OpenAI. As for Mr Altman, he seems confident he can multitask. So confident, in fact, that he is reportedly in talks with the government of the United Arab Emirates and SoftBank, a Japanese tech-investing powerhouse, among others, to build a $7trn AI-chip manufacturer. ■

Business

Render Token Price Prediction: 2024, 2025, 2026

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Story Highlights

  • The live price of the RNDR token is  $ 9.15471480.
  • Render token with a potential high could reach $19.81 by the end of 2024.
  • With a potential high, the RNDR price could reach a high of $58.67 by 2030.

In the constantly evolving cryptocurrency space, numerous ventures have been springing up. Among the countless virtual currencies, the Render Token is one such rapidly growing project. The team asserts that the coin gives a fast-paced environment to gaming enthusiasts.

Moreover, the RNDR token has been actively involved in innovative events like non-fungible tokens and the metaverse. Further, the Render token had secured its place as one of the top gainers during the previous year as the price had added over 900% in value.

Traders have been analyzing a variety of cryptocurrencies for investment options with the current market dip. Do you want to know if RNDR is a good choice for the future? Look no further as we unfold the most realistic RNDR price prediction for 2024 and the years to come!

Overview

Cryptocurrency Render
Token RNDR
Price  $ 9.15471480 37.05%
Market cap  $ 3,463,856,234.4896
Circulating Supply  378,368,557.6879
Trading Volume   $ 804,480,970.7375
All-time high $8.26 on 21st November 2021
All-time low $0.03676 on 16th June 2020
24 High  $ 9.7690
24 Low  $ 5.8700

*The statistics are from press time.

Render Price Prediction March 2024

The Render price traded in a closed range between $4.470 and $5.156 for a brief period, following which the market gained momentum and the price broke out of the resistance level. However, the rally was short-lived as the price faced rejection at $5.764, after which it traded sideways for a while. After displaying a neutral trend for over a week, the bulls regained momentum and jumped 33%.

After this, the RNDR price traded in a consolidated range for the next thirteen days, indicating a weak price action for the altcoin in the industry. Recently, the market experienced an increase in the volatility, resulting in the Render token price recording a jump of approximately 48% within the past 30 hours.

Render Price Prediction 2024
TradingView: RNDR/USDT

The technical indicator, MACD, displays a rising green histogram, indicating an increase in the buying pressure within the market. Further, the averages show a sharp rise, suggesting the price will continue gaining value in the coming time.

If the bulls hold the price above the support level of $9.224, the bulls will attempt to test its upper limit of $11 in the upcoming weeks. Conversely, if a trend reversal occurs, the bulls will lose momentum and fall to test its lower support level of $6.699 this month.

RNDR Token Price Prediction 2024

The Render Network will ultimately incorporate crowd-sourcing 3D projects along with digital rights governance. It will additionally establish a thriving new marketplace for funding digital insights, capital, and implementations that everyone can access and use. That being said, the cost of RNDR could reach a high of $19.81 by the conclusion of 2024.

Contrarily, if bears dominate the market or the coin loses its steam due to its rivals, the token might plunge to $15.51. Collectively, restrained by a linear momentum, with the lack of spurring initiatives, RNDR’s price might find support at $17.66.

Render Token Price Prediction 2024 – 2030

Price Prediction Potential Low ($) Average Price ($) Potential High ($)
2024 15.51 17.66 19.81
2025 18.11 21.37 24.63
2026 22.89 26.35 29.81
2027 25.38 31.47 37.56
2028 31.12 37.82 44.52
2029 38.54 44.37 50.21
2030 46.23 52.45 58.67

Render Token Price Projection 2025

If the ecosystem encourages greater adoptions and partnerships while also luring institutional funding. With an increased market valuation, it might blow its cost records and acquire a grander price momentum. Successively, the price could rise to a maximum of $24.63 by the end of 2025.

However, if it confronts tougher opposition from evolving rivals, the value could fall to $18.11. The equilibrium in the bullish and bearish targets could land the average price at $21.37.

Render Token Price Prediction 2026

According to our analysts, RNDR Token price prediction for the year 2026 could range between $22.89 to $29.81, and the average price of Render Token could be around $26.35.

Render Price Prediction 2027

According to our analysts, the Render price for the year 2027 could range between $25.38 to $37.56, and the average price of RNDR Token could be around $31.47.

RNDR Token Price Prediction 2028

According to our analysts, RNDR crypto prediction for the year 2028 could range between $31.12 to $44.52, and the average Render Token price could be around $37.82.

Render Token Price Prediction 2029

According to our analysts, the Render Token forecast for the year 2029 could range between $38.54 to $50.21, and the average RNDR coin price could be around $44.37.

RNDR Token Price Prediction 2030

According to our analysts, RNDR Token predictions for the year 2030 could range between $46.23 to $58.67, and the average Render price could be around $52.45.

Market Analysis

Firm Name 2024 2025 2030
Wallet Investor $2.392 $2.012 –
priceprediction.net $2.70 $3.93 $25.43
DigitalCoinPrice $12.65 $15.38 $43.95

*We have made a table that includes the possible price prediction for the same token made by other crypto analysts on their respective platforms. The targets mentioned above are the average targets set by the respective firms.

CoinPedia’s RNDR Price Prediction

CoinPedia’s’ price estimate for the Render Token (RNDR) indicates that the token has a fantastic environment for gaming and videos. In light of its performance over the prior year.

Render Token may experience big growth by the end of this year and surpass the $19 mark with a possible high of $19.81. In more detail, we predict that the price of RNDR will vary between $15.51 and $17.66.

Fundamental Analysis

Jules Urbach, CEO of OTOY, based in Los Angeles, created the protocol in 2016. The Render Network is a high-throughput distributed GPU rendering channel. It supports the swap of computational services between GPU suppliers and GPU requestors using OTOY operating systems. They are then given to node operators after being manually approved.

GPUs are frequently idle while not being used by a developer to render their work, despite being in high demand. In both user bases, this stops malicious actors. Designers and developers can deploy real-time rendering to dynamically adjust ecosystems for the customers. Their users can then use them to create NFTs and the Metaverse as augmented reality becomes much more prevalent.

What Is Render Token?

The Render Network links individuals with graphic processing units (GPUs) with ones who want to render graphics. It was launched in 2020 following the beta testing program of OTOY. GPUs carry out a wide range of tasks like frequently rendering images and films for video games, filmmaking, etc. Through the RNDR ecosystem, GPU technology is becoming faster, adaptable, and equipped to produce realistic visual effects.

It is an ERC-20 utility token, for GPU providers, artists on the network exchange it from the providers. Before payment transfers and the distribution of the artwork, RNDR uses a method that combines manual and automatic proofs of work. Moreover, To protect both customer bases from cyber criminals and all criminals, all investments availed on the system are watermarked until a deposit is effectively distributed.

Render Token Historical Price Analysis 2020 – 2022

  • In its first year, the token rose rapidly following its release, varying from $0.04677 on June 13th. It continued to develop and struck $0.2699 on August 27th. It concluded the year by recovering from its loss and it was trading at about $0.1827 on December 5th.
  • The year 2021 culminated in a negative impact on the prices as it started with a low pace of $0.1171 on January 29th. But, very soon the prices started to increase in February and March reaching $2.50 on March 27th.
  • While on 22nd June 2021, RNDR once again plummeted to $0.3967, later on, it rebounded to $1.59 on 22nd August. By December 10th, the token had returned to $3.50 and further increased to $6.14 on December 23rd.
  • The token kickstarted on a bearish note. Following this downtrend, it fell to a low of $1.98 on 22nd January and rose again on 6th February to $3.84.
  • The coin touched $2.31 by the end of February. Several business collapses shook the already turbulent cryptocurrency markets. May and June witnessed some of the highest recorded drops in their value. 
  • With RNDR markets falling under the dollar range before finally reaching a 15-month dip of $0.2774 on June 18th. The altcoin suffered a 70% loss in the 2nd quarter. Successively, at the time of writing RNDR prices were lingering around $0.4663.

CoinPedia has dedicated a team of expert analysts to cover the possible crypto price prediction and sum it all up in one place, just for you!

FAQs

What will the maximum price of Render Token be by the end of 2024?

The RNDR price can potentially rise as high as $19.81 by the end of 2024.

How high could the RNDR price reach by the end of 2030?

According to our Render Token price prediction, if the bulls take charge the price of RNDR could reach the $24.63 mark by the end of 2025. With a potential surge, the price could go as high as $58.67 by the end of 2030.

How many Render Token coins are there?

With a current circulating supply of around 363,911,539 million coins (55%), there is a maximum supply of 536.87 million RNDR.

Is Render Token a good investment?

The coin has solid fundamentals and great rendering capabilities which makes it a good long-term hold.

Will Render Token go up?

The Render Token is expected to reach a maximum value of over $24.63 by 2025.

Where to buy a Render Token?

All major exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, etc have listed RNDR on their exchanges for trading.

What is a Render Token?

The Render Token supports blockchain technology that can be used to revitalize rendering options for video game illustrations.

How much is 1 Render Token worth?

At the time of publishing, the price of 1 RNDR was $9.216.

RNDR
BINANCE

Pros

  1. The protocol employs Blockchain.Com information
    technology to present a competitive and superior substitute.
  2. Render Token users can work with complicated files that are difficult to process locally.
  3. It uses the immutability of blockchain technology to protect creators’ rights.

Cons

  1. One of the disadvantages of Render Token is that anyone can easily share unused GPU power.
  2. Since GPUs are idle, new customers are forced to purchase brand-new GPUs.
  3. It can be time-consuming for people with high-end rendering requirements.
Cryptocurrency

50+ Blogs, Newsletters, Podcasts, and Video Channels

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You’re busy enough doing the work. You don’t have the time to search for content that can help your content and marketing.

So, we asked the CMI community in our newsletter and on social media for their favorites. We also pitched marketers on Qwoted to share their top picks.

And they didn’t disappoint, providing over 50 go-to resources in the form of blogs, newsletters, podcasts, and video channels. Here’s what they had to share. (We grouped them by content type in alphabetical order.)

Blogs

Content Marketing Institute

The CMI blog is a must-read for anyone looking to stay on top of the latest digital marketing trends, and it provides practical tips for creating engaging content. I especially love how the CMI integrates expert insights with real-world scenarios, allowing our team to implement the strategies in our daily workflows. It’s not just a theory; it’s real-world advice that impacts our marketing strategy. — Diana Zheng, head of marketing, Stallion Express

CMI covers a wide variety of topics and lets me stay up to date with current trends and happenings in the industry. Professional but entertaining, it’s mostly neutral regarding the trends, which helps me form my own opinion based on facts, not overhyped as many marketing resources out there. — Sabina Muminovic, content marketing manager, GenePlanet

Copyblogger

For educational sites, I like Copyblogger a lot. It has much to offer those new to the field but offers some refresher items for me in the copywriting and academy courses. The blog has reviews of other courses that are helpful, and it includes everything I need to know about courses, including pricing. I can keep up with education easily without having to do all the research into the best, updated courses. — Baruch Labunski, CEO, Rank Secure

HubSpot

They generally have solid information about such a wide array of topics in sales and marketing, and even if they aren’t all directly relevant to my job, anything there can at least in some way influence my thinking about my job. — Emma Lieberman, content manager, Impact Networking

Moz

Moz blog is my trusted source for diving deep into all things SEO. Their core focus on search engine optimization allows them to provide unmatched education through in-depth guides, case studies, and experiments. Reading Moz teaches me how to research keywords, structure sites, fix technical issues, and truly master SEO to maximize my clients’ visibility. Their insights are invaluable. — Alex Adekola, CEO and founder, Ready Adjuster

OnCrawl

An instant standout is a specific blog post from OnCrawl on topical authority. It’s a little lengthy but incredibly helpful. We use it as part of the onboarding for the agency. This blog makes the subject of topical authority understandable because of how it breaks down each step for the reader while also sharing case study data and important insights. — Cameron Harvey, digital marketing executive, and Rupert Morris, founder and managing director, The Munro Agency

Orbit Media Studios

Andy Crestodina always shares practical advice in his blog, as well. I’m a long-time Andy fan! — Michelle Garrett, consultant, Garrett Public Relations

SE Roundtable

Barry and his team have been covering all things digital and SEO for over 20 years. It is the most reliable source of intel. — Steve Peron, co-founder, Collective42

Search Engine Land

If I’m looking for information about how to do this or that with SEO or pay-per-click, I’ll probably end up reading something on SEL. — Mark Whittaker, owner, Whitmark Digital

SEO Book

He posts once or twice a year, but they are epic pieces breaking down the industry. — Steve Peron, co-founder, Collective42

Search Engine Journal

SEJ is the ultimate insider resource when it comes to staying current with the constantly evolving world of SEO … They break down and analyze all the new announcements, trends, and changes that we need to know about. Whether it’s understanding a new Google patent or reacting quickly to a core algorithm update, SEJ translates what it means for SEO strategy. They also do a great job spotlighting niche areas like voice search, e-commerce SEO, content strategy, and more with actionable tips. The contributors are all seasoned practitioners who test theories in the real world. — Edlyn Collanto, B2B marketing research specialist, UpCity

Sword and the Script

Frank Strong does SO much legwork to look at the technology in the PR and comms fields and also reviews published studies. It’s so valuable to me in my work. I often quote/link to his work in my own blog, newsletter, and presentations. — Michelle Garrett, consultant, Garrett Public Relations

Trust Insights

They are my go-to source for analytics and AI. The information is great, but I’ve also worked with them directly on a few projects, so I know they walk the walk. They also publish my go-to newsletter, podcast, and video for the subject. — Brooke B. Sellas, CEO, B Squared Media

Newsletters

Axios Communicators

Axios Communicators newsletter by Eleanor Hawkins is one of my favorites. She covers trending stories in the communications/PR world and shares insightful takes from leaders she interviews. — Michelle Garrett, consultant, Garrett Public Relations

Content Marketing Institute

CMI because it’s an authority in the field, provides trusted information, and asks intriguing questions that make me think. Honorary mentions include theSkimm (awesome writing), The Cult of Copy (refreshingly different tone of voice), and Psychology of Marketing and Growth･Design (all of them teaching me something new/useful, nice case studies). — Sabina Muminovic, content marketing manager, GenePlanet

Famous Campaigns

For me, this podcast is just pure joy, being able to see how creativity can move the needle for a campaign while being part of the cultural zeitgeist. — Methuselah Marava, digital marketing executive, upMention

The Fintech Times

It’s the best way for me to stay on the pulse of technological transformations in banking and financial services. Getting these curated clips and analyses in my inbox lets me spot important trends like open banking, digital lenders, and blockchain applications as they emerge. I can then apply these fintech innovations to help my financial clients adapt and capture new opportunities. — Alex Adekola, CEO and founder, Ready Adjuster

Growth Daily by Marketing Max

It speaks to the business of running a marketing agency. There are ways to hire, people to meet, tactics to deploy, and even the best creative executions to add to your swipe file. — Robert Brill, CEO, Brill Media

This newsletter shares highly relevant topics around marketing, social media, and industry updates. This is a fantastic newsletter to read to stay up to date on all things content marketing. — Morgan Goettge, founder, Morgankg.com

The Hustle

They have a huge variety of business and tech news, marketing and sales resources, and random fun links. Their voice in their writing stands out for being so casual and filled with personality yet knowledgeable, like the John Oliver of newsletters. And even if what they’re writing about isn’t at all related to anything I do professionally, it’s always interesting. — Emma Lieberman, content manager, Impact Networking

Lenny’s Newsletter

It’s an email that you want to read (imagine that!) because it’s packed with insights that you can apply directly to your work, not just filler content to make you feel like you’re staying on top of trends. The newsletter is straightforward, to the point, and devoid of the usual clichés that plague most marketing advice. — Edvardas Mikalauskas, senior content marketing manager, Omnisend

Marketing Brew

The daily newsletter provides the latest news and insights into the marketing world. What I appreciate about Marketing Brew is its ability to distill complex marketing trends and news into digestible, actionable insights. It covers a wide range of topics, from SEO strategies to the latest in social media marketing, all of which are crucial to my role. The newsletter also features interviews with industry leaders, providing unique perspectives and valuable advice. It’s a must-read for me, as it keeps me informed and helps me stay ahead in the fast-paced world of marketing. — Vicki Morillo, head of marketing, Cordless.io

MarketingProfs Today

They usually include quite a few resources spanning several topics. I appreciate this structure because not every resource or topic is applicable to my efforts. By offering options for webinars, articles, reports, and more, I can determine which areas I should focus on.

I also appreciate that they don’t limit themselves to just content. They regularly address adjacent fields like PR and comms, AI, training, and more marketing strategies. In an industry that is bound to always need fresh perspectives in order to grow and test the boundaries, tying other issues into the content marketing field is a fantastic way to get people thinking outside the box. — Sydney Lamoureux, content lead, Leadhub

MKT1 Newsletter

Emily Kramer started it as a newsletter for product marketing managers, but it now covers so much more. I love that the content feels very relatable, giving you the idea you’re not the only person who faces a particular challenge. It also gives you tips and tools on how to approach it. — Daria Kepa-Green, marketing director, Cytora

Morning Brew

Some time ago, I signed up for Morning Brew, a marketing newsletter, which is a fine read addition to the morning coffee break. It is compact, contains trending news from the US and the world, and is my daily dose of information to keep up with the events taking place in the world of marketing.

I also love that Morning Brew contains a “brain activator,” usually a short and quick crossword or some other mini-puzzle, which gives you the endorphin boost and helps you get in the day with a sharp mind. — Jan Kawecki, founder and marketing manager, F1blast.com

Muck Rack Daily

It gives a rundown of the headlines and takes from journalists. — Michelle Garrett, consultant, Garrett Public Relations

Playing Favorites

Jay Acunzo is a dude who gets it about writing, storytelling, and connection, and it fully does not matter that it’s for business rather than art. I absolutely have not stopped talking about him and his ideas since I saw him at Content Marketing World this past year, and I’m sure my team is getting sick of it, but he’s right about the core metric being resonance rather than reach. — Emma Lieberman, content manager, Impact Networking

Search News You Can Use (Maria Haynes)

Marie Haynes’ newsletter, podcast, and search bar are by far the best content that I keep up with each week. She covers a myriad of topics but has mainly been focused on SEO and AI. Her newsletter is a must because you can learn the most up-to-date information about the marketing industry, and it covers all of the changes, no matter how big or small. — Brittany Betts, CMO, FloridaPanhandle.com

Stacked Marketer

They do a great job summing up the hottest topics in the last 24 hours. I believe they are internationally based, so you get a worldly view of digital marketing. — Steve Peron, co-founder, Collective42

Total Annarchy

Ann Handley’s newsletter is educational, beautifully written, and flat-out fun. Her newsletter is a model for how I’d like to write my email newsletters. — Mark Whittaker, owner, Whitmark Digital

Very Good Copy

It is the embodiment of storytelling, with always fresh perspectives, actionable tips, and advice, and so, so human and relatable. — Sabina Muminovic, content marketing manager, GenePlanet

Multiple picks

Adam P. Newton, manager at NRG, says he enjoys the newsletters created by Jay Acunzo (Playing Favorites), Ann Handley (Total Annarchy), Ted Gioia (The Honest Broker), Kristin Kobes Du Mez (Du Mez Connections), and CMI. He likes the topics discussed, the writing style, and their respective frequencies. As a writer, I’m drawn to other writers and how they use their voices to communicate with their readers. Yes, the content is important, but I’m more drawn to how people share than what they’re sharing,” he says.

In addition to MarketingProfs, Sydney Lamoureux says, “The CMI newsletters will always be pillars of inspiration and news for me, along with big industry leaders like SEJ and The Tilt.”

Heidi Cohen of the Actionable Marketing Guide Newsletter says she’s a fan of Joe Pulizzi’s Orangeletter, Ann Handley’s Total Annarchy, Scott Monty’s Timeless and Timely, John Warner’s The Biblioracle Recommends, and Austin Kleon’s newsletter.

Podcasts

Agents of Change

Agents of Change was the first podcast I ever listened to on the topic of digital marketing. I loved the host, Rich Brooks, and his ability to really engage his guests. I also loved that the guests were practitioners themselves and that they provided actionable insights for smaller accounts, not just companies with deep pockets. I loved the podcast so much that I traveled to Portland, Maine, seven years ago to attend the Agents of Change Conference and got to meet the host and several of the podcast guests in person. — Lindsey Black, CMO, (un)Common Logic

Akimbo

Even though this podcast is on a long streak of running archived episodes, I like the way Seth Godin presents information in ways I don’t often think about. — Mark Whittaker, owner, Whitmark Digital

GaryVee Audio Experience

Gary Vaynerchuk’s insights into the world of marketing and entrepreneurship are invaluable. His unique perspective, combined with his experience in building businesses, provides a wealth of knowledge. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, from social media strategy to customer engagement, all of which are relevant to my role. It’s a must-listen for me because it keeps me updated on the latest trends and provides actionable tips that I can apply in my work. — Vicki Morillo, head of marketing, Cordless.io

The Edward Show

Edward Sturm is a tech tinkerer and growth hacker who really pokes around the edges of social media platforms to find opportunities. — Robert Brill, CEO, Brill Media

Lenny’s Podcast

The podcast dives into marketing strategies that work without the usual fluff or overhyped promises. Lenny doesn’t pretend to have all the answers or claim to revolutionize your marketing overnight. Instead, the podcast offers grounded, practical tips that can help you improve your content strategy and see better results. It’s refreshingly honest and surprisingly practical, making it a rare find in a swamp of marketing mediocrity. — Edvardas Mikalauskas, senior content marketing manager, Omnisend

Market Your Genius

Overall, I find myself going to Market Your Genius more often than other podcasts because it covers a range of topics. It has guests, and the host does well in taking a deeper look at the subject. I really liked the one about making great sales and the other about creating leaders within your company. — Baruch Labunski, CEO, Rank Secure

Marketing School Podcast

The dynamic Neil Patel and Eric Siu host a fast-paced show that’s ideal for busy professionals. They discuss various marketing topics, and I take notes on their podcast during my commute. Practical advice and industry insights they provide fit perfectly with our marketing goals, helping us stay ahead of the competition. — Diana Zheng, head of marketing, Stallion Express

I really like this podcast because the episodes aren’t too long, and all of the topics are highly relevant to current trends. — Morgan Goettge, founder, Morgankg.com

Revenue Vitals

Revenue Vitals changed the way I look at marketing. It was the first content piece I came across that articulated the issue nearly every marketer struggles with—the marketing-qualified lead. When the MQL metric was created, it was incredibly useful but over time it degraded and became the goal as opposed to means to a goal. The team at Revenue Vitals share a wealth of information and always provide an interesting point of view on marketing strategy, tactics, and channels. — Daria Kepa-Green, marketing director, Cytora

Scrappy ABM

Scrappy ABM is a newer one for me. As I’m in marketing for a small- to medium-sized business, I love the host’s approach to using the tools you already have to implement an effective ABM strategy. Many ABM-focused podcasts advocate purchasing expensive tools that take at least six months to implement, whereas this one gives you “plays” you can implement right away. — Lindsey Black, CMO, (un)Common Logic

Video

AnalyticsMania

If you’re looking for help with Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager, Julius Federowicz’s videos have the answers. — Mark Whittaker, owner, Whitmark Digital

HubSpot Academy

I can’t ignore the importance of HubSpot Academy’s YouTube channel in the video world. Not only do they provide deep dives into marketing concepts, but they also offer step-by-step tutorials. Whether you’re just starting or an experienced marketer looking to improve your marketing skills, they’ve got you covered. — Diana Zheng, head of marketing, Stallion Express

Semrush YouTube channel

It is a game-changer for honing my SEO skills and learning the latest best practices. The step-by-step video tutorials are incredibly valuable for understanding the platform’s diverse features. But more importantly, Semrush’s experts reveal optimization and content creation strategies to improve my clients’ findability and traffic. Implementing just a few tips has already moved the needle on rankings and conversion rates. — Alex Adekola, CEO and founder, Ready Adjuster

Social Media Examiner

The channel primarily focuses on social media marketing. I like this channel because it features a variety of experts who focus on different aspects of social media. — Morgan Goettge, founder, Morgankg.com

Other go-to resources

Santi Clarke, director of content and communication at Duda, says she likes to explore alternative routes for marketing upskilling. “I have found the Marketing AI Institute Community on Slack to be a valuable resource for marketers looking to keep pace with the rapid rate of change in AI and marketing. It’s a great place to get the latest AI news, tools, and strategies, as well as connect with like-minded marketers,” she says.

Christopher S. Penn, chief data scientist at TrustInsights.ai, is a fan of B Squared Media’s customer experience content that shows up in its newsletter, blog, and Brooke Bytes YouTube channel. He also enjoys the Social Media Examiner’s podcast Marketing Agency Show.

Several nominators focused on the individual rather than the content brand. Michelle Garrett says Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks is a must-follow on LinkedIn for her helpful articles.

Sabina Muminovic cites anything written by Robert Rose, “I love his non-nonsense approach, balanced and backed-by-arguments point of view, and many useful pieces of advice. Always a delight to read his thoughts.”

What do you think? Share your go-to resources with the CMI community. Tag us on social or join the CMI Slack channel.

Want more content marketing tips, insights, and examples? Subscribe to workday or weekly emails from CMI.

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT:

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

Digital Marketing

Accenture launches learning platform; to acquire edtech Udacity

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Accenture has launched Accenture LearnVantage, a technology learning and training services for its clients. The company will invest $1 billion in Accenture LearnVantage over three years and has agreed to acquire educational platform Udacity.

Accenture LearnVantage will help clients re-skill and upskill in the areas of technology, data and AI to fill .gaps created by advances in technologies.

It offers personalised learning in areas ranging from specialised AI and data science, and cloud and cyber security training for IT professionals to Gen AI training for board and C-suite members and business leaders, the company said.

Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture, said, “We are scaling Accenture’s deep capabilities as a world-class learning organisation to help our clients meet their business growth objectives and enable their people to develop the relevant skills they need to make the most of the opportunities that technological change is bringing.”

With the acquisition, it aims to build on its experience in learning and training to meet the rising demand for technology skills, including generative AI. According to Accenture research, business leaders say their No. 1 challenge is their inability to upskill their workforces, with 51 per cent of organisations starting to see negative impacts from worsening IT skills shortages.

Accenture invests more than $1 billion per year in learning and training for its more than 700,000-strong workforce, delivering approximately 40 million training hours annually.

Accenture LearnVantage will offer tailored learning programmes; specialised, predesigned technology academies; ecosystem learning certification services; and managed services for a client’s own learning capabilities. LearnVantage also will offer nanodegrees, certified online programmes designed to provide users with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills in specialised fields.

Education

Minnesota woman survives after 25 minutes without pulse, warns others about sudden cardiac arrest

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A Minnesota woman who went 25 minutes without a pulse is sharing her survival story to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

Cheryl Jordan Winston was 48 years old in 2020 when she collapsed in her bedroom after experiencing SCA. 

Her husband performed CPR until the paramedics arrived and shocked her with an AED (automated external defibrillator).

HAIR LOSS AND PROSTATE MEDICATION COULD ALSO REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK, STUDY FINDS

Winston was taken to the hospital and put in a medically induced coma, where she remained for two weeks. 

“Despite being without a pulse for 25 minutes, I have no long-term side effects and have been able to return to normal life,” she told Fox News Digital in an interview.

In 2020, Cheryl Jordan Winston was 48 years old when she collapsed in her bedroom after experiencing SCA.  (Cheryl Jordan Winston)

Prior to experiencing her SCA, Winston had no symptoms at all — no fatigue or chest pain. She would later learn that it’s common for there to be an absence of symptoms prior to that type of cardiac event.

“I’ve also had no prior history of heart issues,” she said. “While there’s some family history of high blood pressure, there was nothing unusual in my family that would be linked to sudden cardiac arrest.”

FOR WOMEN OVER 60, HERE IS THE NUMBER OF DAILY STEPS NEEDED TO PROTECT HEART HEALTH

As part of a worldwide clinical study, Winston received an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), the Medtronic Aurora EV-ICD, to prevent future life-threatening episodes.

“It monitors my heart, and if it sees an arrhythmia, it will provide therapy to return my heart rhythm to normal before a cardiac arrest,” she said. “I feel it’s added protection for me, since they never found a cause for my cardiac arrest.”

Cheryl Jordan Winston

Winston is shown in the hospital after experiencing her sudden cardiac arrest in 2020.  (Cheryl Jordan Winston)

Within two weeks, Winston was able to return to work and normal activities.

“I am feeling great,” she told Fox News Digital. “I make it a point to continue exercising regularly and focus on eating a healthy diet, just as I did before experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.”

HEART HEALTH RISK FACTORS FOR WOMEN OVER AGE 50: ‘DON’T IGNORE NEW SYMPTOMS,’ EXPERTS WARN

Dr. Alan Cheng, chief medical officer of Medtronic’s cardiac rhythm management division in Minneapolis, warned that cardiac arrest often results from a dangerously fast heart rhythm, and is deadly if not treated immediately. 

“For patients at risk of developing these abnormal rhythms or who have already suffered cardiac arrest, we implant a stopwatch-sized defibrillator,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“They monitor the heart’s rhythms 24×7, and deliver either a high-energy shock or low-energy, nearly undetectable, pacing pulses to restore the heart to a normal rhythm.”

Cheryl Jordan Winston

Winston is pictured with some of the nurses who cared for her during her hospital stay. (Cheryl Jordan Winston)

ICDs have been around for more than 40 years, Cheng noted — but the one Winston received is different than the traditional version.

“ICDs are traditionally placed in the upper chest, with thin wires, called leads, threaded through the veins into the heart,” he said.

“Despite being without a pulse for 25 minutes, I have no long-term side effects and have been able to return to normal life.”

“They work extremely well in saving lives, but there are potential complications associated with those leads in the heart. With the new Aurora EV-ICD, that lead is placed outside the heart, under the sternum (breastbone).”

What to know about SCA

SCA is common and may account for about 15% of total fatalities, according to Dr. Mustali Dohadwala, medical director and practitioner at cardiology-focused private practice Heartsafe Boston. 

(Dohadwala was not involved in Winston’s care.) 

The doctor confirmed that sudden cardiac arrest typically occurs without any preceding signs or symptoms.

Sudden cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest is common and may account for approximately 15% of total fatalities, a cardiologist said. (iStock)

“Unfortunately, it can be an unheralded event that comes on spontaneously without warning,” he told Fox News Digital. “Up to 50% of those affected by SCA might have symptoms weeks prior to an SCA event or up to just minutes preceding an SCA.”

These symptoms may manifest as chest pain, shortness of breath, racing or skipping heart, lightheadedness or dizziness.

WHEN MEASURING HEART ATTACK RISK, ONE IMPORTANT RED FLAG IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED, DOCTORS SAY

“If someone experiences any of these symptoms, they should seek additional help and medical attention or have someone nearby call 911 immediately,” said Dohadwala.

Who is at highest risk?

SCA can stem from a multitude of conditions, Dohadwala noted, including advanced lung disease, significant sleep disorders, an extraordinarily stressful or anxiety-provoking situation, a severe injury, substance abuse or unintentional overdose of prescribed medications.

“However, it is most likely to occur in people who already have an underlying heart condition, whether it’s previously known or unknown,” Dohadwala said. 

“SCA is the initial manifestation of significant coronary heart disease in 15% of those who suffer from this event.”

MDT Aurora EV-ICD illustration in chest_low res 1

As part of a worldwide clinical study, Winston received an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), the Medtronic Aurora EV-ICD, to prevent future life-threatening episodes. (Medtronic)

Risk of SCA also rises with age and other risk factors such as diabetes, uncontrolled cholesterol, cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption or a strong family history, he added.

Men are up to three times more likely to suffer SCA than women. 

“Reasons for this are not well understood, but some researchers have considered that the estrogen hormone that is produced by a woman’s body might have beneficial effects on blood cholesterol levels, as well as protective effects on blood vessels,” Dohadwala said.

Tips for surviving and preventing SCA

Sudden cardiac arrest is particularly dangerous, Dohadwala said, “because it occurs as a result of sudden cessation of mechanical activity of the heart, resulting in a non-viable pulse and collapse of blood pressure, which can lead to sudden death.”

The doctor added, “Despite the many advances in the treatment of heart disease, the outcome and survival of patients suffering SCA remain poor.”

cpr practice

To increase chances of survival, a cardiologist recommends immediate CPR and defibrillation with an AED to restore electrical activity, heart muscle contraction and a viable pulse. (iStock)

To increase chances of survival, Dohadwala recommends immediate CPR (chest compressions) and defibrillation with an AED to restore electrical activity, heart muscle contraction and a viable pulse.

“This can improve the survival and overall outcomes significantly when compared with people suffering SCA receiving more delayed CPR from EMS personnel,” he said.

“Despite the many advances in the treatment of heart disease, the outcome and survival of patients suffering SCA remain poor.”

Dohadwala also recommends an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, like the one Winston has, to prevent the recurrence of another potentially deadly event.

For patients who have one or more coronary artery blockages, treatment may also include an angioplasty, placing of stents or a surgical coronary artery bypass, he said.

Cheryl Winston split

(“It’s important for women to advocate for not only their heart health, but their health in general,” Winston said. “You know your body best, so if something feels wrong, go to your doctor to get checked.”)

Winston echoed the importance of people learning to perform CPR.

“It saved my life,” she said. “Fewer women receive bystander CPR, which needs to be administered quickly in a case of sudden cardiac arrest.”

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She also emphasized that patients — women in particular — need to be their own medical advocates.

“It’s important for women to advocate for not only their heart health, but their health in general,” she said. “You know your body best, so if something feels wrong, go to your doctor to get checked.”

AED defibrillator

An automated external defibrillator (AED) in a white box is an emergency defibrillator for people in cardiac arrest. (iStock)

Dohadwala noted that adjustments in medications and healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce SCA risk. 

“It is possible that a heart-healthy lifestyle leading to controlled blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels through a thoughtful and discretionary diet, increasing regular physical activity, intentional weight loss, and stopping cigarette smoking might reduce SCA events,” he said.

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For those with a family history, genetic screenings might be an option. 

“The more awareness and knowledge we have about our health history, the better chance we have of avoiding problems like SCA in the future,” Dohadwala added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health.

Health Fitness

La Panthera Review: A Look At BKCs Stunning New European Restaurant

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After their extraordinary success with La Loca Maria in Bandra, culinary duo Chef Manuel Olveira and his wife Mickee Tuljapurkar have an exciting new venture: a 100 seater vintage chic Modern European Restaurant – La Panthera. Located in BKC, the restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience with exquisite drinks and dishes to be savoured in an tastefully opulent setting. We recently had the chance to visit La Panthera in BKC and try some of the offerings for ourselves. Find our full review below. 

Photo Credit: La Panthera

The restaurant’s name, La Panthera, was selected to invoke the majestic qualities associated with big cats – power, strength and elegance, we’re told. The grandeur is evident right as you step inside. Your attention will be immediately drawn to the incredible 15-foot artwork titled “The Beast Within” and the 21-foot marble and wood bar. The design is reminiscent of European manors and invites you to step away from the bustle of Mumbai life into a world of regal experiences.

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Photo Credit: La Panthera

The menu draws inspiration from Chef Manuel’s culinary experiences and travels around the globe with his wife. Among the Tapas, the Beetroot Carpaccio emerged as a favourite. Featuring roasted beetroot, braised onions and arugula on a bed of crispy filo, the appetiser crumbled in a delightful medley of texture in our mouths. We also loved the subtle hint of wasabi that came through. 

Cheese lovers will take delight in the Stracciatella, with poached pear and Kalamata olives. We savoured its subtle flavours with crystal toast, which was a great accompaniment.  Another cheesy treat not to be missed is the Baked Brie with caramelised onions and spicy almond brittle. Truffle aromas may have become boringly ubiquitous, but in this case, it was a worthy addition.

Among the non-veg options, we recommend the Tiradito de Himachi. The particular flavour combination of pineapple leche de tigre, cucumber and coriander was refreshingly uplifting. We also savoured the crispiness of the Charred Octopus, enhanced with the goodness of Spanish ‘Nduja sausage.

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Photo Credit: La Panthera

Throughout our meal, we enjoyed a wonderful array of cocktails. If you like Bellinis, don’t hesitate to go for Ring The Bell (hibiscus-peach liqueur, citrus and sparkling wine). If you enjoy smokiness, safely bet on Roll The Dice – a concoction of mezcal, bitter bianco, lavender nectar and orange blossom. We also relished the potency of the pisco drink, Hurry Up, Slowly. Gin lovers should go for the passion fruit-flavoured Slippery Lane. A fitting reference to how one’s worries seem to slip away amid the grand experience of a meal here. 

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Photo Credit: La Panthera

In the mains, we were left rather disappointed with the consistency of the Roast Chicken. The Pesto Gnocchi was an improvement but didn’t seem to match the deliciousness of the appetisers. On the other hand, the Naples-style wood-fired pizzas won us over completely! The distinctively soft dough is fermented for 48 hours and the toppings are well-balanced. We especially recommend the Tartufo and the Pizza di Pollo.

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Photo Credit: La Panthera

Among the desserts, choose between the deconstructed La Panthera Tiramisu (mascarpone, coffee ice cream, coffee crisps) or the decadent Hazelnut Profiterole (hazelnut mousse, vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce

La Panthera provides diners a unique opportunity to soak in the culinary sophistication of European delicacies crafted by a beloved chef. Drop by and get a taste of it for yourself. 

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Photo Credit: La Panthera

Where: La Panthera, Unit 1 & 2, INS Tower, G Block, BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051 

Home Kitchen

Jason Kelce Normalizes Crying at Retirement News Conference

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As Jason Kelce strode to a dais on Monday to announce his retirement from the N.F.L. after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, he appeared to be playing the role of traditional masculinity to perfection.

His face framed by his familiar Bunyan-esque beard, Mr. Kelce wore a cutoff T-shirt, sandals and a gold Rolex. Taking a seat behind a microphone, he thanked everyone for coming. And then he began to cry.

“Oh, man,” he said through tears. “This is going to be long.”

Sure enough, over the next 40 minutes, Mr. Kelce labored with his emotions as he choked out lines from his speech.

Mr. Kelce cried when he talked about his teammates. He cried when he thanked the Eagles’ owner. He cried when he reflected on the smell of “freshly mowed grass.” He even cried when he recalled instances of other people crying — namely, his father, who, according to Mr. Kelce, had “tears streaming down his face” when Mr. Kelce was drafted in 2011.

But it was only when Mr. Kelce spoke about his relationship with his younger brother, Travis, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, that Jason seemed in danger of having a total meltdown. Travis, of course, was sobbing behind sunglasses in the front row. Someone tossed a towel to Jason so he could mop his face.

“This is where it’s going to go off the rails,” he said.

If not exactly taboo, crying in men’s sports was once considered a sign of weakness. Think Jimmy Dugan, the irascible manager from the film “A League of Their Own,” chastising a woman playing for him by bellowing, “There’s no crying in baseball!” Men like Dugan, both real and fictional, were always free to express anger, because anger was masculine. But tears? Those had no place on a ball field.

While in many ways the Kelces could not be bigger jocks — Travis dates Taylor Swift, Jason chugs beer, and they both became famous playing a violent game — they do not hide their feelings. Professional athletes have cried before, of course. But the Kelces seem to cry more voluminously and with greater frequency than their predecessors.

Now that their platform extends to the Swift cosmos, the brothers’ public shows of emotion are notable. With their brand of vulnerability front and center, the message is clear: It is normal and healthy for men to cry.

“You can be a tough, strong guy, and you can also be emotional and connecting,” Dr. Fredric Rabinowitz, a professor of psychology at the University of Redlands, said in a telephone interview. “I think there’s a growing acceptance that our human emotions are natural, rather than something that we need to dam up or that we need to push down.”

Rich Eisen, the sports radio show host, seemed to speak on behalf of his peers when he described Mr. Kelce’s retirement announcement as “beautiful, just beautiful.”

The tears of male athletes were not always so uniformly celebrated. In 2009, Tim Tebow was a star quarterback at the University of Florida when he cried on the bench in the closing moments of a loss. In certain corners of the internet, Mr. Tebow was rebranded as “Tearbow.” It hardly seemed to matter that he had won the Heisman Trophy.

For the Kelce brothers, Monday’s news conference was no fluke.

Last year, after they played against each other in the Super Bowl, Jason Kelce found their mother for a tearful embrace. Travis Kelce later cried during his postgame news conference. And then the brothers cried together during a subsequent podcast.

“Ironically, you lose the Super Bowl, and you’re crying after the game,” Jason Kelce said through tears on an episode of “New Heights.” “And they’re not tears of sadness; they’re tears of joy.”

Emotional vulnerability had, over the last several years, endeared the Kelces to many in the N.F.L. community. But thanks to Travis Kelce’s relationship with Ms. Swift, the brothers have seen their reach transcend football, with them becoming unlikely role models for male behavior among legions of young women.

Some have taken even themselves by surprise with their embrace of Jason Kelce, a grizzled offensive linemen. “One random day Travis Kelce decided to make a friendship bracelet for Taylor Swift and now I’m sobbing over Jason Kelce’s retirement announcement,” said a young woman on TikTok, echoing the sentiment of many.

Dr. Rabinowitz, the author of “Deepening Group Psychotherapy with Men,” cautioned that work remains.

“Athletes get a pass because they have the masculinity chops,” Dr. Rabinowitz said. “But for the average guy, there is still, I think, this sense of shame around crying.”

Perhaps that is beginning to change. Dr. Rabinowitz recalled watching Jason Kelce’s retirement announcement on television.

“And I’m crying watching it,” he said.

Lifestyle Fashion

Please Don’t Go! Separation Anxiety In Cats

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The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.

The stereotypical image of a cat as aloof and uncaring is one that has been perpetuated throughout media, anecdotes, and writing, leading to a long-standing belief that dogs are man’s best friend, and cats simply don’t care.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. And the disservice this has done cats, is immense. Why, you ask?

Separation Anxiety in Cats: Is It Really a “Thing”?

Well, feline medicine has often taken a step back from canine medicine. For a long time, in fact, much of the veterinary profession’s lifetime, cats have been treated as dogs. But, we now know this is simply not true. Cats suffer their own unique diseases: hyperthyroidism, urinary blockages, feline hyperesthesia syndrome, and feline coronavirus, to name a few. Not to say that cats don’t also suffer from some of the same diseases as dogs (or maybe I should say dogs suffer from the same diseases as cats!).

In part, this inappropriate perception of aloofness is likely why separation anxiety in cats has been poorly recognized until recent years. And still isn’t well spoken about. Comparably, in dogs, and even humans, it’s a fairly well-known entity.

So, what is separation anxiety? To understand that, first you need to understand how attachment occurs in the first place. Attachment begins when the offspring stays close to its mother during early life. In part, this aids survival, though other functions are also possible, such as bonding, and socialization.

As veterinary students, we learned about separation anxiety in dogs, and the causes, the behavioural modification to correct it, and the medical treatments available. When it came to cats, as with most behaviors, we simply didn’t discuss it. Dogs were man’s best friends… cats were just… cats.

In practice, we still don’t often make the diagnosis of feline separation anxiety. I often joke about how Pancake sleeps 26 hours a day, but in truth, how do cats feel when owners leave? What about extremely bonded cats? Cats, more than dogs, are more likely to be raised as orphans, known as bottle babies, meaning that they sometimes form intense bonds with their early carers, in replacement of their mother.

If anything, you could say that Pancake and Tiller might be in need of a bit of separation!
If anything, you could say that Pancake and Tiller might be in need of a bit of separation!

Separation Anxiety In Theory vs Practice

I’ve certainly worked with many patients who are quick to be described as upset when their owner leaves for a trip, and behave differently upon return. My own cats are much like this—hiding when they see the travel bags come out, and not sleeping in their normal spots. Just as I’m heading out the door, Pancake is notorious for doing a “you can’t touch me” and sitting just under the kitchen table, just out of reach. Whereas Tiller retreats to under the bed. On a normal day, they’d simply be asleep on the sofa, and the bed, respectively. So, certainly, they exhibit some mild forms of anxiety, though not enough to be classed as pathological.

New technology has also helped to make the behavior of cats more apparent, as we now have cameras for in-home use, to track what cats are doing, when we are not around. Some even dispense treats.

What Behaviors Are Recognized For Cats With Separation Anxiety?

Minimal research has been done on the topic, but studies have looked at owner-based questionnaires, to define the issue. One study of 136 cats reported behaviors can be quite varied, including things such as the following:

  • Inappropriate urination and defecation
  • Excessive vocalization
  • Destructiveness
  • Psychogenic grooming

Some other interesting findings also came from this particular study: female cats were more likely than males to defecate outside the box and to partake in overgrooming, whereas males were more likely to perform destructive behaviors. Inappropriate urination 75% of the time was done on the owner’s bed.

Therefore, separation anxiety only occurs, by definition, when prolonged, inappropriate physical responses occur to the physical departure of the cat’s owner. If your cat sits at the window and cries when you leave for a minute or two, then goes back to bed, it’s not likely to be considered separation anxiety.

Pancake and Tiller spend the majority of their day sleeping

If You Suspect Separation Anxiety In Your Cat, What Are Your Options?

The first thing to try and do is to get a video or videos of the behavior. This can help your vet confirm the suspicions.

  • Home cameras can help to document this.
  • Be aware of other household changes as well, and note these for discussion with your vet
  • Schedule an appointment with your vet; know that for some behavioral issues, further referral to a feline behaviorist may be advised. When booking any behavioral appointment, ask if there is any additional paperwork to fill out, as many vets will have questionnaires to fill out ahead of time. And do mention the specific behavior that you are concerned about, as sometimes additional appointment time is needed for behavioral issues.
  • Know that bloodwork and other diagnostics may be done to rule out other concerns. For example, the hyperactivity, and sometimes overgrooming, that can occur with hyperthyroidism can sometimes mimic some components of other issues. Testing can help to rule this out.
  • Know that behavioral issues can be difficult to treat, and generally, the longer it has been occurring, the harder it can be to treat. Sometimes, issues cannot be fully resolved, though other times, they can.
  • Be realistic about your expectations: what do you want to happen to the behavior? Are you willing and able to medicate your cat daily? Twice daily? Follow up with routine bloodwork, if needed? Knowing this can help your vet or behaviorist to find the best options for you and your cat.
  • Have you tried anything already for the issue, such as pheromone diffusers?

In the end, cats are not small dogs—but that doesn’t mean they don’t have similar issues that crop up, either. As an owner, you are best able to recognize these issues, and advocate for your cat!

Pets

PropTech firm Reloy surpasses ₹1,200 crore in referral sales in CY23

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Reloy is a unique, RERA-compliant business model built on revenues from homeowners’ love for real estate builders. Referral sales can only originate from happy homeowners, incentivizing builders to treat their homeowners better.

The platform manages close to 1.5 Lakh apartments coming up for possession, valued at Rs. 1.30 lakh cr+. Its clientele includes national partnerships with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Godrej Properties, DLF, M3M, Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate, Kolte Patil, Embassy Residential, Mahindra Lifespaces, K Raheja Corp, Brigade, Piramal, Rohan Builders, L&T Realty, Arvind Smartspaces, Smartworld, JP Infra, BPTP, Purti Realty to name a few.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this milestone, which reflects the trust and confidence that our clients and partners place in us. Our focus on developing innovative customer loyalty programs has resonated well with the market, driving our success in referral sales,” said Akhil Saraf, Founder and CEO of Reloy.

Central to Reloy’s success is its extensive network of 30,000 channel partners, carefully selected for their commitment to excellence. These partners are vital in Reloy’s growth strategy, contributing to its outreach and influence in the real estate sector.

Real Estate

U Sinsay je stigla uskršnja kolekcija za dom. Evo što izdvajamo

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

U SINSAY je stigla kolekcija inspirirana Uskrsom i svime što ga simbolizira. Jastuci, dekice i simpatični ukrasi tu su da unesu dašak Uskrsa, ali i općenito proljeća u vaš dom. Osim ukrasnih komada kojima dominiraju uzorci jajeta, mrkvica i zečeva, u kolekciji ćete pronaći i proizvode za kuhinju i poklone.

Kompletnu kolekciju možete pogledati ovdje, a ispod pogledajte ukrase i proizvode za kuhinju i dom koje smo izdvojili.

Mirisna svijeća odlična je za brzinsko proljetno osvježenje doma, a mirisu proljetnog vrta malo će tko odoljeti.

U Sinsayu su se pobrinuli i za vašu kuhinju. Kalup za izradu keksića odličan je za sve ljubitelje slatkog, a simpatični ukrasi i podmetači za stol osvježit će vašu kuhinju baš na vrijeme za tople proljetne dane. Nama su se posebno svidjeli žuti proizvodi koji unose osjećaj topline u svaki dom.

U kategoriji poklona ističu se dječje igračke, naročito one mekane i plišane. Odličan su izbor za djecu gotovo svake dobi.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

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Why UCLA great Noelle Quinn is (almost) rooting for USC

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Hours after the final whistle at Galen Center, fans were still lined up outside the arena doors. Kayla Padilla and Kayla Williams, even after a hard-fought loss to Utah on senior day, greeted the crowd with smiles. The USC guards eagerly signed autographs. They posed for selfies. This season, the former teammates at Torrance Bishop Montgomery High have played in front of sold-out crowds and helped lift the Trojans to their best season in their lifetimes.

Watching it all unfold is “a coach’s dream” to Noelle Quinn.

The former Bishop Montgomery coach never questioned the guards would advance to the Division I level, but what she wanted most was that once her players got there, they would leave an impact. As crowds fill Galen Center and the Trojans march into the national spotlight again, the Seattle Storm head coach can’t help but be in awe of a mission accomplished.

But the UCLA Hall of Famer in her also refuses to root for the team at the center of attention.

“I’m rooting for the Kaylas,” Quinn said. “… I am forever a Bruin. I will never, ever commit to rooting for the Trojans.”

Quinn’s favorite players will take lessons from their former coach into the Pac-12 tournament where they could clash with her favorite team. The second-seeded Trojans and No. 3 seed Bruins are on a collision course for a Pac-12 semifinal rubber match of a regular-season series that already sold out both teams’ home arenas.

USC will first face No. 10-seed Washington or No. 7 Arizona on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the quarterfinals at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. UCLA plays No. 6 Utah or No. 11 Arizona State on Thursday at 8:30.

The Bruins (24-5, 13-5 Pac-12) are trying to win their first conference title since Quinn, the program’s eighth-leading scorer, led them to the Pac-10 tournament championship in 2006. UCLA split the season series against Utah, losing in overtime in Salt Lake City, but hammering the Utes by 30 points in Pauley Pavilion on Feb. 22. The victory contributed to a five-game winning streak to finish the regular season that lifted UCLA to seventh in the country in this week’s Associated Press poll.

The Trojans (23-5, 13-5) secured their highest-ever seeding in the conference tournament after finishing the season with a road sweep of Arizona and Arizona State. USC, ranked fifth in the country, survived the Wildcats in double overtime after storming back from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit with 5:59 remaining.

With star freshman JuJu Watkins fouling out at the end of regulation, Williams, a 5-foot-7 defensive spark plug who is working back from offseason surgery, played a season-high 26 minutes. Padilla scored 15 points. The sharp-shooting Penn transfer hit a clutch three-point shot that forced overtime and broke the game’s 17th and final tie in double overtime.

“That,” Padilla said, “felt like vintage Bishop Montgomery.”

The dynamic backcourt helped the Knights to back-to-back Del Rey titles and a 45-17 record in two seasons after Williams transferred to Bishop Montgomery from Pacific Palisades. Williams is an athletic point guard who looks to attack downhill. Her game is a perfect complement to Padilla, who graduated as Bishop Montgomery’s third-leading scorer with 1,907 points. The four-time all-league guard led Bishop Montgomery to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship in 2017 — Quinn’s first year as her alma mater’s head coach — but the Kaylas never won a title together in high school.

Williams hasn’t forgotten about it.

“Coming back, it’s like, we’re older now, let’s try to do it,” Williams said. “Let’s try to get one in college.”

USC is vying for its first conference tournament title since 2014. Watkins, who was named Pac-12 freshman of the year by league coaches on Tuesday, has dominated headlines and stat sheets with a team-leading 27.8 points and is on pace to set USC’s single-season scoring record. But the Trojans didn’t finish second in the deepest conference in the country without savvy play from their veterans.

Padilla, a three-time first-team All-Ivy League selection at Penn, is shooting a sizzling 50% from three-point range (37-for-74) during conference games. Her 45.7% three-point shooting clip for the season is on pace to rank second in program history for players who attempted at least 40 shots.

While Padilla provides the offensive spark, Williams is USC’s defensive catalyst. After being the Big West freshman of the year for UC Irvine during the 2020-21 season, Williams was named Pac-12 all-defensive honorable mention last year when the Trojans used the program’s stingiest scoring defense in history to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014.

USC guard Kayla Williams takes her stance during a game against UCLA in 2022.

(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)

Hampered by a stress fracture in her shin that required a metal rod being inserted into her lower leg, Williams is only averaging 10.7 minutes per game, but makes the most out of her opportunities by changing the pace on defense with an aggressive press.

“I’m confident that I can be a contributor,” Williams said, “but at times when I’m not, I’m going to be the best cheerleader for my teammates.”

Williams’ resilience during her recovery doesn’t go unnoticed by teammates, Padilla said. The Trojans value her for her veteran presence and grit in the classroom, where the transfer process from UC Irvine to USC forced her to take three classes each of the past two summers to graduate on time. She got five A’s and one A-minus.

During the most difficult times, Williams’ old high school coach has been quick to offer advice.

“She’s built for it,” Quinn said. “I hope she knows that I’m proud of how resilient she’s been.”

Williams saw Quinn’s own tenacity on display at Bishop Montgomery. While still playing for the Storm, where she capped her 12-year pro career with a WNBA title in 2018, Quinn began coaching her alma mater and jumping into drills with her high school players. She continued spending her summers in the WNBA as an assistant and flying south for the winter to coach at Bishop Montgomery until taking the Storm head coaching job in 2021. The coach’s nonstop work ethic was inspiring, Williams said.

The feeling was mutual for Quinn.

“I busted my butt for them because I knew that one day, they were going to be playing at a high level,” she said. “I wanted to make sure I gave them every ounce of me and gave them the tools and also gave them the advice needed.”

Noelle Quinn coached Bishop Montgomery during her WNBA offseasons before becoming the coach of the Seattle Storm in 2021.

Noelle Quinn coached Bishop Montgomery during her WNBA offseasons as a player before becoming the head coach of the Seattle Storm in 2021.

(Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times)

To Padilla, the most valuable piece of advice came off the court. The reason she asked to wear Quinn’s No. 45 jersey in college isn’t because of her former coach’s extensive athletic resume, but instead Quinn’s impact outside of basketball.

“What we do is so much bigger than what we do in the 94 feet of the basketball floor,” Padilla said. “I think she continued to hone that in with us even as high schoolers who maybe didn’t realize what a bigger impact we could have. I think she just taught us the importance of what it means to not just be a good basketball player, but to be a good human being.”

Attendance has more than tripled at home for the Trojans, in large part because of Watkins’ arrival. Hometown products like Watkins, Padilla and Williams are at the heart of USC’s resurgence that has re-engaged the community and alumni in ways that haven’t been seen at Galen Center in years.

Count Quinn among those who have flocked to the arena, even if she’s keeping her bias quiet.

“When she comes to games, she gotta cheer for this side,” Williams said. “I know she’s a Bruin at heart, but she knows what it is when she comes over here.”

Sports

Cadence to buy BETA CAE Systems for $1.24 billion

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Cadence Design Systems will buy BETA CAE Systems International AG, which makes software for analyzing car and jet engine designs, for $1.24 billion in cash and stock, Cadence said. California-based Cadence, whose shares fell more than 3%, will pay about $744 million in cash and the rest in stock. The company said it will take on debt to pay for the deal but will pay that down with cash generated from operations.

One of the largest makers of software used in designing computer chips, Cadence helps chipmakers decide where to place billions of transistors to form complex circuits. But over the past six years, it has been moving into design software for the larger physical systems from circuit boards to airplanes. 

Last month, the company announced a supercomputer designed to help simulate how air flows around jet engines, among other uses.

The BETA CAE deal continues that trend. Its software is widely used to analyze designs in automotive and aerospace industries, with customers such as Honda Motor Co General Motors and Lockheed Martin.

The Cadence deal announced on Tuesday comes after the firm’s largest rival, Synopsys, said it will spend $35 billion to buy Ansys, another maker of physical analysis software.

“This also advances a portfolio that may match up against a Synopsys-Ansys combination at some future point,” said Joe Vruwink, a senior analyst at Baird Equity Research.

The BETA CAE deal is expected to close in the second quarter of the year and Cadence expects BETA CAE to contribute about $40 million to its 2024 revenue, Cadence said in a statement.

Technology

Hoi An to Quy Nhon: Exploring top iconic destinations of Central Vietnam | Travel

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During the post-Covid era, Vietnam has blossomed as one of the most popular destinations for Indian holidaymakers because of its lively atmosphere, reasonable cost structure, and diverse range of attractions that stretch from history and nature to endless shopping and culinary indulgences, including Indian delicacies. Not to be ignored as a significant motivator is the availability of direct flights from Indian cities to the capital Hanoi and commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City offered by Vietnam Airlines, one of the world’s highly rated four-star carriers. I am a fan of this South-east Asian nation. I have been there several times in the past, mainly to the northern and southern parts of this ‘S’-shaped nation, covering the capital Hanoi, mountainous Sapa, World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, naturally stunning Ninh Binh, and thriving Ho Chi Minh City. (Also read: The 25 best things to do in Vietnam)

Exploring two iconic destinations in the central part of the country, the ancient port city of Hoi An and the modern beach city of Quy Nhon, which is fast emerging as a popular vacation destination for lovers of sun, sea, and sand.(Sandip Hor)

I was back there recently, this time to connect antiquity with modernity while exploring two iconic destinations in the central part of the country, the ancient port city of Hoi An and the modern beach city of Quy Nhon, which is fast emerging as a popular vacation destination for lovers of sun, sea, and sand.

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Hoi An, a melting pot of cultures

Hoi An is a 2000-year-old river port settlement. It was founded by the Champa or Cham dynasty monarchs in the 2nd century AD(Sandip Hor)
Hoi An is a 2000-year-old river port settlement. It was founded by the Champa or Cham dynasty monarchs in the 2nd century AD(Sandip Hor)

Tucked on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is a 2000-year-old river port settlement. It was founded by the Champa or Cham dynasty monarchs in the 2nd century AD and achieved zenith as a massive maritime hub between the 4th and 13th centuries when the Cham Kingdom ruled the seaside region, now part of central Vietnam.

Merchants from China, India, Persia, Japan, and Europe in large numbers sailed there to buy and sell spices, silk, jewellery, and other merchandise. Some of the traders never went back to their country of origin; their permanent stay made Hoi An a melting pot of cultures. Many centuries have gone by, but Hoi An has managed to preserve much of its old-time character. It is this distinct feature that draws tourists and inspired UNESCO in 1999 to declare it a World Heritage Site.

“The best way to soak up the charms of Hoi An is by walking along the riverfront and adjoining alleyways,” advised the receptionist at the time of checking in at the Anantara Hoi An Resort, where serenity blends with contemporary elements of hospitality to provide guests with a memorable experience. She was not wrong. Hoi An gripped me with its antique charisma the moment I stepped out of the resort. I felt like wandering in an outdoor museum where several old buildings, built between the 15th and 19th centuries, reflected the artistic taste of their builders, principally Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and French. I didn’t miss the Japanese Bridge, the touristy icon of the town. It’s the only covered bridge in the world to house a Buddhist temple. A local told me it’s so relevant to the nation’s heritage that it’s depicted on a Vietnam currency note.

Japanese Bridge, the touristy icon of the town, is the only covered bridge in the world to house a Buddhist temple. (Sandip Hor)
Japanese Bridge, the touristy icon of the town, is the only covered bridge in the world to house a Buddhist temple. (Sandip Hor)

Exploring the temple remains of My Son

While Hoi An was a commercial hub for the Cham rulers, their religious epicentre was My Son, a green valley located 45km from Hoi An. Between the 4th and 13th centuries, they built a series of temples with Hindu consciousness, which was introduced to the royals by the visiting traders from India. Over time, many of their works of art were lost to natural disasters and historical changes; only around 70 of them existed when the Cham era declined in the early 19th century. Unfortunately, the unattended edifices got hidden by the thick bushland, and the world lost them for almost a century until a French scholar discovered them in 1898 and unveiled to the modern generation the architectural glories of a lost kingdom.

Some of the temples were heavily damaged by the American bombing during the Vietnam War but have now been gracefully restored to their original glory(Sandip Hor)
Some of the temples were heavily damaged by the American bombing during the Vietnam War but have now been gracefully restored to their original glory(Sandip Hor)

Organised by the resort, I went to My Son as a half-day excursion. With the help of an omniscient guide, I went past the temple remains, some fully intact and others partially. Orange-coloured bricks with stone pillars were used for their construction, but what amazed me was the absence of any mortar holding the bricks together yet lasting heat and dust for so many centuries. The bas-reliefs on the temple exteriors, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, are very interesting. They appealed to me like poetry on stone. Some of the temples were heavily damaged by the American bombing during the Vietnam War but have now been gracefully restored to their original glory by the authorities with the assistance of the Indian government.

Quy Nhon, Central Vietnam’s hottest destination

Located 300 km south of Hoi An, Quy Nhon is presently the country’s hottest destination. While its beach-blessed shoreline is a major lure for visitors, I felt its appeal comes from its ‘not-so-busy environment’, unlike eventful Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This feeling gripped me while I was doing nothing but gazing at the blue sea from my private poolside desk at the plush Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, another modern staying option that provides a tranquil space for guests to soul-charge their urban minds.

Since the 10th century, the Cham Kings were stationed for nearly half a millennium where Quy Nhon dots today. To fulfil their religious quest, they built Hindu temples here as well, some of which still exist. Most prominent are the two located in the heart of the city. Built circa the 12th century, both of them, like their equals in My Son, turned out to be a visual feast for me. There are a few more temples located outside the city limits; the four at Banh It on a hilltop location inspired similar awe.

Though the Cham kingdom and its sovereignty are buried in pages of history books, Cham people still live in Vietnam. They are officially recognised by the Vietnamese government as one of 54 ethnic groups. Many of them have adopted Islam, which was introduced to the people by traders from the Arab world during the latter part of the Cham era.

The fascinating rail travel from Hoi An to Qui Nhon

Accommodating only twelve guests, this epic rail adventure connects history with nature, embracing luxury throughout the entire journey. (Sandip Hor)
Accommodating only twelve guests, this epic rail adventure connects history with nature, embracing luxury throughout the entire journey. (Sandip Hor)

Besides cherishing the attractions of the two cities and the architectural wonders of a forgotten kingdom, another highly rewarding experience for me was the six-hour rail travel from Hoi An to Qui Nhon in ‘The Vietage by Anantara’, which is a custom-built luxurious rail carriage that’s connected daily to a regular Vietnam Railway train railing daily from nearby Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Accommodating only twelve guests, this epic rail adventure connects history with nature, embracing luxury throughout the entire journey. In addition to offering spectacular rural views of Central Vietnam, I was indulged with a nonstop serving of the best quality hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages, snacks, a three-course gourmet lunch with choices, and a fifteen-minute body massage.

Derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “without end”, the word ‘Anantara’ embraces the excitement of discovery and the vibrant energy of new horizons. This was proven to me while staying at their resorts in Hoi An and Quy Nhon and during the train journey connecting the two.

Tours Travel

Stevie Nicks tickets for BST Hyde Park are out today – get yours now | Music | Entertainment

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Stevie Nicks tickets for BST Hyde Park are out soon (Image: GETTY)

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

BST Hyde Park, presented by American Express, have done it again: They have announced another incredible headliner – Stevie Nicks.

The iconic Fleetwood Mac star will be hitting the stage at London’s iconic park this summer on Friday, July 12, 2024.

The singer, songwriter, storyteller, and general musical legend, hasn’t played in the UK for years, at this point, so her return is going to be welcomed by her ravenous fans.

The 75-year-old has had an incredible impact on music for decades, accumulating more than 20x platinum records, and selling more than 120 million record all over the world.

Speaking out about making her way back to Great Britain, Stevie said: “Anything that draws me back to London ~ and therefore to England ~ fills my heart with joy.

“And to be able to visit and make music… is always a dream come true…”

“Anything that draws me back to London … fills my heart with joy” – Stevie Nicks

Stevie will be joining some massive names on the BST Hyde Park 2024 line-up.

Included in the running are some incredible names including Kylie, Robbie Williams, Shania Twain and Kings of Leon.

Tickets for Stevie Nicks’ shows will be officially released later today, after all her presale events come to an end.

Here’s what you need to know:

Stevie Nicks tickets BST Hyde Park

Stevie Nicks is playing BST Hyde Park (Image: PH)

When do Stevie Nicks BST Hyde Park tickets come out?

Tickets for Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park will be released Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 10am.

These tickets will be available to everyone who wants to purchase them, and should be accessible from a couple of different online retailers. Here’s the breakdown: 

.

LIVE NATION – Buy Stevie Nicks – BST Hyde Park tickets here.

Once these tickets have run out, fans will be out of luck – as there will be no other way to see the Gold Dust Woman singer play in the UK this year. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of options available, including VIP tickets, Gold Circle tickets, Diamond tickets, and more. 

Fleetwood Mac

Stevie Nicks while she was in Fleetwood Mac (Image: Getty)

How much are Stevie Nicks – BST Hyde Park tickets?

Tickets for Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park vary in price across the different tiered options.

At the time of writing, there are a few different ticket types, all of which have been priced according to their value.

These include Gold Circle tickets, Diamond VIP tickets, VIP Experience tickets, HydeAway tickets, and many more.

The ticket prices begin at £90 and go up to £379 for the All.com VIP terrace.

38th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Show

Stevie Nicks will be returning to London (Image: Getty)

Who is supporting Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park?

At the time of writing, Stevie Nicks’ support acts for BST Hyde Park have not yet been confirmed.

The Landslide singer will be playing Hyde Park on Friday, July 12, 2024. Usually these gigs have two or three support acts, so fans should expect some big names preceding the incredible Fleetwood Mac star.

Stevie Nicks In Concert - New York, NY

Stevie Nicks will be returning to the UK (Image: Getty)

BST Hyde Park 2024 line-up

Stevie Nicks joins an already massive line-up for BST Hyde Park, which includes some incredible and historic names.

Here’s the full list as it stands now:

  • SZA – Saturday, June 29, 2024
  • Kings of Leon – Sunday, June 30, 2024
  • Andrea Bocelli – Friday, July 5, 2024
  • Robbie Williams – Saturday, July 6, 2024
  • Shania Twain – Sunday, July 7, 2024
  • Stevie Nicks – Friday, July 12, 2024
  • Kylie – Saturday, July 13, 2024
  • Stray Kids – Sunday, July 14, 2024

Fleetwood Mac Live, .

Stevie Nicks with Fleetwood Mac (Image: Getty)

How to get Stevie Nicks presale tickets for BST Hyde Park

Stevie Nicks’ presale events have now come to an end.

American Express (AMEX) presale tickets

American Express held a huge presale ticket event for Stevie Nicks.

These tickets were available to everyone who wants to grab the early bird tickets, and you can find yours at the link below:

BST Hyde Park Presale

BST Hyde Park is holding its own Stevie Nicks presale event that kicks off Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10am.

You can find your tickets using the link below:

These tickets will only be available to fans who have already signed up ahead of time.

You can sign up for the presale by clicking this link.

Live Nation Presale

Live Nation’s Stevie Nicks BST Hyde Park presale tickets will be released Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10am.

These tickets will be exclusive to the Live Nation website. Here’s the link you need to get yours:

Buy Stevie Nicks BST Hyde Park presale tickets – Live Nation

These will only be made available to fans who have signed up for the My Live Nation newsletter.

You can get your newsletter fix by hitting this link.

After these presale events have come to an end, fans will only be able to buy their tickets from the general onsale which will follow.

Arts Entertainments

GWM’s new, larger ute spied towing ahead of imminent launch

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GWM appears to be testing the towing capabilities of its new flagship ute, which is set to beat rival brands in offering a hybrid powertrain in Australia.

The Bathroom Brothers took these pictures of the GWM Cannon Alpha, which appears to be undergoing final testing in Melbourne before an expected launch in mid-2024.

It’s towing a Jayco Journey Outback caravan, which has a tare mass of 1940kg.

According to government approval documents, the Cannon Alpha will boast a braked towing capacity of 3500kg – a first for a GWM ute in Australia.

The current GWM Ute, which is closely related to the Cannon Alpha, has a maximum braked towing capacity of 3000kg.

These documents also show it’ll offer a choice of turbo-diesel or hybrid powertrains.

The latter should see GWM beat Ford and Toyota to offering a hybrid ute in local showrooms – Ford’s plug-in hybrid Ranger isn’t due until early 2025, while Toyota’s larger Tundra isn’t officially on sale yet.

According to the government approval documents, the hybrid features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 180kW of power at 5500rpm, but no torque or total system outputs are listed.

  • GWM's new, larger ute spied towing ahead of imminent launch

We know, however, that this powertrain in the Tank 300 features a 180kW/380Nm turbo-petrol engine mated with a 78kW/268Nm electric motor for total system outputs of 258kW and 615Nm.

The Cannon Alpha’s turbo-diesel is more potent than that of the GWM Ute, being a larger 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit with 135kW of power at 3600rpm and 480Nm of torque, up from the 120kW figure of the GWM Ute’s 2.0-litre four.

It gets one extra cog, too, with drive sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It also features a 48V mild-hybrid system.

  • GWM's new, larger ute spied towing ahead of imminent launch

The filing doesn’t make note of the other engine offered in the Cannon Alpha (aka Shanhai Cannon) overseas: a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6, which pumps out 260kW and 500Nm.

The Cannon Alpha measures 5445mm long, 1991mm wide and 1924mm tall on a 3350mm wheelbase. Overall, that makes it only 30mm longer than a GWM Ute, so it’s still considerably smaller than full-sized pickups like the Ford F-150.

It has 224mm of ground clearance, and rides on 18-inch wheels behind which sit disc brakes.

Tare mass is 2432kg with the diesel and 2526kg with the hybrid. Both variants feature a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3310kg.

  • GWM's new, larger ute spied towing ahead of imminent launch

GWM had already confirmed examples of the new ute were here for testing, with CarExpert spying one example in Melbourne featuring an unusual split tailgate.

The company also offers in China a clever multi-lid bed divider, which splits the tray into three separate components.

The new ute is expected to be pitched as a more premium lifestyle ute than the GWM Ute. That’s because instead of leaf-spring rear suspension, the Cannon Alpha employs a multi-link coil-sprung back axle and double wishbones at the front.

In China at least, it’s offered with electronically locking front and rear differentials and a full suite of active safety and driver assist features.

  • GWM's new, larger ute spied towing ahead of imminent launch
  • GWM's new, larger ute spied towing ahead of imminent launch

These include highway driving assist, front and rear cross-traffic assist, blind-spot monitoring, and safe exit warning.

There’s a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, surround-view camera and power tailgate while, depending on the variant, there’s also a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, semi-autonomous parking assist, heated steering wheel, front and rear wireless phone chargers, and heated, ventilated, massaging and power-adjustable front seats.

The Cannon Alpha will sit at the top of the local range along with the Tank 500, a hybrid-powered rival for the Toyota LandCruiser Prado that’s due here in the second quarter of 2024.

Auto

Breaking: Bitgert Coin’s Projected Surge to $0.0001 – Your Ticket to Crypto Millionaire

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Bitgert has been on the news a lot recently, and it might just be your ticket to become a millionaire. 

In the last month, it has seen a surge of almost 82%.

What seems to still be in their favour is that the Moving averages signal extremely bullish sentiment. To support this, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) are in neutral territory.

This helps us understand two things:

  1. Investors have a positive outlook toward the coin and expect great things from them
  2. Bitgert has a huge long-term potential if Bitgert’s Project can keep up with the momentum and have a strong hold on it.

Given that Bitgert recently tapped into the European market, it can be assumed that the EU sees it as a stablecoin (as EU regulations for cryptocurrencies only allow similar coins). This gives Bitgert an entirely new market to tap into. So, the $0.0001 mark, which needs around 5000% growth might not be impossible.

But for this, Bitgert might need to burn more than half of its coins or more.

What is the burning of crypto? Will Bitgert also have to burn?

If there is some common trend that is seen in all cryptocurrencies, then it is this: The more you burn, the more likely your market cap and return.

“Burning” a cryptocurrency means that you are sending a coin to an inaccessible address. Different crypto wallets are created where these coins are sent. These addresses are also known as burners or eaters. This process removes tokens from the available supply, which decreases the number in circulation.

But why does this happen?

Cryptocurrencies like Bitgert’s main volatility comes from the demand and supply of the tokens. So, if you burn a lot of coins, then their supply reduces, and demand becomes higher than its supply. By applying simple economics, we can understand that the higher the demand, the higher the price.

It is this mechanism that crypto companies use the most to create a better value for their coins.

So, if Bitgert wants to control the ergonomics of its coin, and keep up with the growth, it very much has to burn a proportion of its coins. 

At the end of the day, it still doesn’t make it stable, because it is a cryptocurrency. They are highly unregulated and any new regulation or law can disrupt their work. So it is always better to be careful when investing in crypto assets like Bitgert and others.

To learn more about Bitgert coin, visit – https://bitgert.com

Cryptocurrency

Ph.D. Program launched for TN CM’s two-year fellowship program participants

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Anna University and Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirapalli, have signed an MoU to establish an academic and research partnership between the two institutions. As per the MoU, a Ph.D Program in Public Policy and Management will be offered by BIM and AU, specifically for the Fellows of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fellowship Program as per Anna University norms.

Faculty from Anna University will be the Ph.D. Supervisors and faculty from BIM will be the Ph.D Co-Advisor. The curriculum will be jointly developed by Anna University and BIM

Dual Degree programs

There will be exchange of faculty and students in the areas of Public Policy and Management and joint research project works will be carried out in the areas of Public Policy and Management. Dual Degree programs with tier-1 global institutes will be there, says a release.

R Velraj, Vice Chancellor, AU, commented, the new business order is witnessing growing convergence of management and technology. This MoU seeks to take advantage of this convergence with the two institutes coming together to leverage their respective knowledge and skills in Public Policy and Management.

According to Asit K Barma, Director of BIM, already ranked very high on sustainable development indexes, Tamil Nadu provides an outstanding narrative for research in public policy and management space. The MoU between Anna University and BIM makes the perfect script to seize the growing public policy and management research opportunity and significantly contribute to policy-making and capacity building.

Education

Can Israel afford to wage war?

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In the next few weeks, Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, hopes to gain final parliamentary approval for an emergency war budget. It includes more cash for settlers in the West Bank, as well as for religious schools, where teenagers study the Torah rather than science—part of an attempt to unite his fissiparous political coalition. But it also contains a startling break with the past. Everyday welfare spending (long generous in Israel, owing to its socialist foundations) will be slashed to fund the country’s armed forces. The military budget will almost double from 2023 to 2024. Israel’s unwritten social contract, which has for 70-odd years promised both a generous welfare state and a fearsome military, is under threat.

Despite continuing discussions about a ceasefire, Mr Netanyahu has been clear that any pause will be temporary. And even if a ceasefire ends up being extended or he leaves office, there is broad political support for a mightier military. At the same time, the war is proving more expensive than expected. Between October and December Israel’s economy shrank by a fifth at an annualised rate, compared with the previous three months—more than twice the contraction predicted by the Bank of Israel. In the same period, over 750,000 people, or a sixth of the labour force, were away from work, many of them evacuees or reservists. Last month Moody’s, a rating agency, downgraded the country’s credit rating for the first time ever. All this raises a question. Can Israel afford to wage war?

The core problem is fiscal. On the eve of Hamas’s attack on October 7th, Israel’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 60%, well below the average in the OECD group of mostly rich countries. From October to December, the armed forces burned through 30bn shekels ($8bn) on top of their usual spending, an amount equivalent to 2% of gdp. And it is not just a bigger budget for the armed forces; the government is also splashing out on accommodation for evacuees, several furlough schemes and support for reservists. Israeli policymakers think that a debt ratio of 66% would be manageable. Mr Netanyahu’s budget would target an annual fiscal deficit of 6.6% of GDP—enough to produce a debt ratio of around 75%.

For America or Japan such borrowing would be a breeze. In Israel, however, there is always a chance that more conflict is around the corner. Should the country’s tech industry be wounded, perhaps in a war involving other regional powers, up to a quarter of the country’s income-tax take would be at risk. The last time that Israel went into battle on the present scale, during the Yom Kippur war in 1973, its debt ratio passed 100%, which sparked a financial crisis. As the central bank printed cash, inflation rocketed to 450% by 1985 and the banking sector toppled. To keep bondholders happy, therefore, the government needs room for manoeuvre.

Many now worry that Mr Netanyahu’s budget is too lavish. Although, in times of crisis, governments may borrow to keep things ticking over, they are wise to do so modestly. Given Israel’s desire to lift military spending, outgoings will not fall back to pre-war levels anytime soon. As a result, the government needs a plan to stabilise debt while spending remains high.

Israel’s tax take in 2022 was worth 33% of GDP, just below the OECD average of 34%. Yet Mr Netanyahu’s budget includes only modest increases. Value-added tax will rise by one percentage point to 18%; a health tax on incomes will go up by 0.15 percentage points. Policymakers worry that raising corporate taxes would cause the tech sector, which is highly mobile and already struggling to find workers, to flee the country. Harsher taxes on households would risk depressing consumption and make life harder still for those who are already struggling because of the war.

A tale of one city

In the suburbs of Jerusalem, secular professional families, which have had members called up and seen income from businesses plummet, are suffering. Many in Arab neighbourhoods—those worst-affected by Mr Netanyahu’s budget—report no longer being welcome at work. A few miles away, though, ultra-Orthodox households, which are exempt from military service and rely on hand-outs that Mr Netanyahu wants to make more generous, have barely had to tighten their belts.

The impact on industries is similarly uneven. The tech sector is bearing up reasonably well. Some firms even think they can spin a profit, benefiting from a new round of military contracts. Many have moved operations abroad, which lessens the impact of losing employees to the fight. “Our productivity actually improved,” says Chen Bitan at Cyberark, one of the country’s biggest cyber-security companies. “We told our employees the war would be won by the economy,” he explains. Although local tech investment has fallen, it has done so by about the same amount as in Europe—suggesting the war is not to blame.

But the rest of the economy is in trouble. Construction is at a standstill. Farms have lost more than half their workforce. And companies involved in tourism are suffering. In January 77% fewer tourists visited Jerusalem than a year ago.

The recovery could be glacial, not least because war has exacerbated longstanding problems. One is the economy’s reliance on low-paid Palestinian workers. The West Bank may import as many goods from Israel as before the war, but its 210,000 day labourers—equivalent to 5% of Israel’s workforce—cannot get out. Their permits were cancelled after October 7th, and Israel’s government is refusing to let them back in. Farms, factories and building sites lack workers. Yet many industrialists are in two minds. “We need the Palestinians, but we cannot be dependent on them,” says one.

Israel’s labour market is already uber-tight. Bringing in foreign workers is slow and expensive, and the country’s workforce is less than half the size of its total population. Half of the men in Israel’s Orthodox population, which is the country’s fastest-growing group, refuse to work on religious grounds. Those who do are often woefully undereducated, having attended religious schools. Much the same is true of Arab Israelis, the community with the second-highest fertility rate. And in January new rules extended military service from 32 to 36 months for men, further depleting the labour force.

Should debt continue to spiral, as the economy struggles, things will get difficult. But a repeat of what happened after the Yom Kippur war is unlikely. Israel’s ministries are stuffed with technocrats. The public is aware their security depends on a stable economy, and are liable to depose irresponsible politicians. Markets think that a default is improbable. Although borrowing is now more expensive for the government, it is far short of the eye-watering prices paid by irresponsible leaders elsewhere. Credit-default-swap rates, an indicator of markets’ trust in a government, rose from 0.5% to 1.4% after October 7th, before stabilising.

Markets appear to have almost as much faith that Israel will not unleash inflation in order to reduce debt payments. The country’s annual inflation, at 3%, is lower than in America, and investors expect it to have fallen to 0.4% by the end of the year. Since the Yom Kippur war, Israel has acquired an inflation-targeting central bank, which is of a hawkish bent. After October 7th it spent $30bn in foreign reserves propping up the shekel (and has another $170bn if the currency needs more cushioning). The shekel has barely moved since.

Yet even if a financial crisis is unlikely, that does not mean pain will be avoided. It will just come in a different form: through further spending cuts that are required to guarantee stability. The money that holds Mr Netanyahu’s coalition together will be protected for as long as he remains prime minister. Instead, as indicated by the war budget, Israel’s welfare state will take the hit. Despite having one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the OECD, the country is the fifth-biggest spender on unemployment benefits. Only the governments of Norway and Iceland spend more of their GDP on education. This makes a tempting target for a prime minister who needs to find savings, and has allies to protect.

The welfare ministry, which is also responsible for caring for evacuees and returned hostages, will have to take an 8% cut under Mr Netanyahu’s budget—far above that faced by most other civilian ministries. The ministry has already come under fire for its lacklustre support of 135,000 Israelis evacuated from the country’s north and south. It has done little other than pay their hotel bills; now officials are reportedly pressing families to return. If Israel remains under Mr Netanhayu’s mismanagement, other ministries will experience similar treatment. Even if he steps down, however, Israel will have to make hard choices between the two pillars of its social contract: its armed forces and its welfare state. ■

Finance

5 Things To Do Right Away in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a sequel to 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake and the second in a trilogy of games modernizing and expanding the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII. As such, it’s a middle chapter in a series of games and has a lengthy average playtime of 70 to 80 hours — so there’s a lot that might be helpful for players to know going in. 

Like the game it follows, Rebirth is an action-filled role-playing game (otherwise known as an action-RPG), with real-time combat and lots of customization in how you arrange your assortment of characters. Remake had a pretty linear story, confined to the gloomy industrial city of Midgar. Rebirth, on the other hand, has massive and beautiful open world areas, with a seemingly endless stream of side quests, minigames and areas of interest to explore. 

Read more: Best Phone to Buy For 2024

I’ve played more than 85 hours of Rebirth and I still have three chapters of the game to go, so I can confidently say this game is enormous — and probably has something for everyone. On the flip side, however, there are sure to be activities and sections that won’t tickle your fancy. Just know that much of the game, including most of the open world areas, is totally optional. 

That said, I’d recommend going through as many side quests as you can — each pairs Cloud with either Tifa, Aerith, Barrett or another member of the party on a little adventure that varies in tone from whimsical jaunt to tender backstory exposition. Going on these side quests raises a relationship meter for each party member as they open up to our spiky-haired protagonist. 

Many of the minigames are optional, but they often have rich rewards waiting for players who beat the high score. They’re pretty transparent about what you’ll earn, so I won’t spend time on which ones are worth doing — but I will recommend completing the Segway minigame. It’s pretty easy, requiring only that you have Cloud scoot around on the dorkiest transit mode in the game for a set distance, and the prize you win is an equip-and-forget accessory that’ll set you up nicely for the late game. 

For the rest of the tips, I’ll be as spoiler-free for Rebirth as possible, with light references to mundane stuff found in areas later in the game. Here are five things to know when starting Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Recap: What happened in Final Fantasy VII Remake

Heads up: This section contains slight spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Remake. They’re slight, but if you haven’t yet played the game, I’m advising you now not to spoil it for yourself!

The first game in the trilogy set the tone for what’s to come in a series that adapts and expands the original 1997 game into a trilogy. So there are plenty of side characters and moments in Remake that weren’t in the original… or were very different.

The conceit at the center of Remake is that Cloud and company’s adventure diverts from how Final Fantasy VII originally played out — and eventually they have to directly fight the ghostly Whispers trying to keep the party on destiny’s set path. It’s a clever way for the game’s creator, Square Enix, to modernize some of the most cherished parts of the much-loved original game while giving players something new to chew on — namely, should the story they know so well be changed?

Square Enix has its own official recap of Remake, which is available in the main menu of Rebirth and on YouTube — the shorter three-minute version is above, but the five-minute version has more context. However, there are plenty of additional characters and references that will pop up in Rebirth, so I recommend a lengthier recap: this 12-minute video by Another Eden Adventures is helpfully thorough. 

Because Rebirth continues Remake’s diversion from the plot of the original Final Fantasy VII (though it’s pretty faithful until the last hours of the game), you’ll get the most out of the story by having played the classic game. But it’s by no means essential: I got only halfway through the original and I’m still over the moon about Rebirth.

Characters stare into a sunset over water with a big fortress in the distance.

The game’s backgrounds beg for photos.

David Lumb/CNET

Know where to go in the game’s areas

Once you’ve fired up Rebirth and gotten through the first chapter, which serves as a prologue, the game gives you an open map and tells you to get exploring. In general, there are two types of areas: the open world regions and big towns. 

Open world regions are huge swaths of land filled with points of interest in several categories, and each one needs to be interacted with to finish an area (and get experience points to spend on magic-granting materia from Chadley — more on him below). Like other open world games, there are towers to be conquered, which will put nearby points of interest on your map. 

Lifestream nodes will give you backstory of the region and reveal areas you can dig up with your chocobo to develop new crafting recipes. (Yes, there’s crafting — no, it’s actually helpful.) Dangerous packs of enemies can be defeated to eventually unlock new moves in the Enemy Skill materia, and a final regional boss offers items for awesome craftable accessories. Moogle Huts offer rare items to buy with all the moogle coins you’ve been collecting (after you finish a minigame, of course). And “protorelic” hunts offer a subplot in the game that, when completed through all areas, may offer a huge reward.

Watch this: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Bringing an Old Story Into a Vast Open World

Towns, on the other hand, are where you spend your downtime. Here are the weapon shops, which will offer weapons if you miss them in the field (look for purple chests); item shops to stock up on potions, phoenix downs and card packs for the in-universe card game Queen’s Blood; and bookstores, which let you unlock more of your party member’s skills via a Sphere Grid-like board. You’ll also find Queen’s Blood players to challenge, side quests found on big community boards, and Chadley, who’ll trade open world intel (e.g. completed points of interest) for materia. 

Chadley also has VR challenges, which can be completed for more magic-unlocking materia — when you start the game, you should do each character’s starting VR mission, which will walk you through their fighting style (and reward you with easy materia). Even returning characters from Remake have had their skill sets slightly changed, so it’s worth doing these to familiarize yourself and get some easy rewards.

A man with a massive sword on his back rides a lei-decorated red segway scooter.

The game has a good nose for when a silly effect will land big — like epic hero Cloud riding a segway like a dork.

David Lumb/CNET

Travel fast, save time

Though Remake was limited to a linear story through the slums and skyscrapers of Midgar, Rebirth is wide open, containing a total of six enormous regions with plenty to discover as you roam around filling in the blank edges of the map. 

The first thing you’ll want to do in every region is find the chocobo ranch or stables. Not only do chocobos serve as mounts that get you around faster, you can’t fast travel without them. You’ll have to do a side quest or minigame to unlock the chocobo in every region, but they’re worth it. 

Fast travel is also pretty generous in this game and essential to use to save time, which is important when you’ll be putting in hours and hours. Here’s where real-life technology rules, as the PS5 you’re playing Rebirth on has ultra-fast loading speeds thanks to its SSD. Don’t hesitate to fast travel even short distances. The catch is you’ll have to discover a point of interest before you can fast travel to it, so make that extra hike to a tower or other area so you can warp back to it later.

Several regions have other modes of transport you can use alongside or instead of chocobos in certain areas — if the game says you can’t go any farther on your chocobo, you’ll probably need a specialty vehicle. 

Also, most regions have their own bonus travel gimmick for chocobos, from climbing walls to bouncing on mushrooms. Sometimes you’ll be able to tell by environmental cues, other times by holographic icons. 

A man (Cloud) stands with a woman (Aerith) on a cliff edge overlooking the coastal area below.

David Lumb/CNET

Don’t worry about hitting everything right now

Cloud and company will venture through the regions in a straightforward path from one open world area to the next, but you’ll find ways to come back to previous areas. If you’re getting tired of finishing the open world checklist where you are, move on and come back later. Most of these transit options are from one adjacent region to the next, but later in the game you’ll be able to hop back to any of them for a paltry fee. 

Even late into the game — through the 70 hours I’ve played — nothing is locked out. Feel free to progress the story and leave the laundry list of open world tasks or tough minigames until later. 

This also applies to annoyingly tough optional bosses. Though many of them scale to your level, like the summons you can fight through Chadley’s VR challenges, your characters will get stronger as the game progresses. Raising your weapon level and getting more-advanced armor will dramatically increase the number of materia each character can equip, while accessories only get better as the game progresses.

Cloud, Aerith and Tifa are transformed into blocky versions of themselves, referencing their original 1997 designs.

As cool as some side quests look, they won’t be for everyone.

David Lumb/CNET

Give up on what’s not fun

Through the scores of hours you’ll play Rebirth, you’ll inevitably find something you just don’t click with. Trust me, there’s more than enough in the game to entertain you, so feel free to leave things behind to come back to later — or never.

For the most part, the extras in this game are fun and worth experiencing, even persevering through for crucial items. But I certainly struggled with some of the minigames, forswearing the materia or accessory teasing me from the winner’s podium that I just couldn’t reach. And I’ll be the first to tell you that some side quests offer pretty lame rewards, making the time invested feel like a wash.

The in-game pastime Queen’s Blood is a card game, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. There are a handful of essential matches to play in the main story, so learning the basics would be helpful. You can also assemble preset decks to give you good hints at card strategies. But by all means, skip it if you don’t have the heart of the cards — there are other activities to enjoy.

Lastly, don’t worry too much if you skip a lot of the optional stuff to stick to the story — the game doesn’t seem to have as many tough-yet-unskippable bosses as Remake (no Hell House equivalent so far), so players shouldn’t feel the need to grind nonessential activities to keep up with story battles. Just be mindful of your materia — equip an HP Up for each character and pack a leveled-up Cleansing materia, just in case.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Photo Mode Screenshots From the Frontier

See all photos

Gaming

Man dies after consuming too much vitamin D as experts warn of risks: ‘Cascade of problems’

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Amid reports of a U.K. man’s death from high amounts of vitamin D, experts are warning about the dangers of unsafe levels.

After 89-year-old David Mitchener died last year from hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in the body that is caused by excess levels of vitamin D, the Surrey assistant coroner released a report urging regulatory agencies to warn consumers about the risk of excessive intake.

Michener was admitted to East Surrey Hospital on May 10, 2023, and died 10 days later. Tests revealed that his vitamin D levels were at the maximum recordable level, according to the report from Jonathan Stevens, the assistant coroner.

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Vitamin D toxicity was listed as one of the factors in Michener’s death, along with congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney failure and hypercalcemia.

“David Mitchener had been taking vitamin supplements for at least the preceding nine months,” the report stated.

Experts are warning about the dangers of unsafe levels of vitamin D after a U.K. man died of excessive consumption. (iStock)

The supplements he was taking did not have any warnings on or in the packaging detailing the specific risks or side effects, according to the report.

“Vitamin supplements can have potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” Stevens wrote.

“Current food labeling requirements do not require these risks and side effects to be written on the packaging.”

What is a safe level of vitamin D?

For healthy adults, 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D (15 mcg) per day is all that’s necessary, according to Pieter Cohen, associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts.

“Usually, this can come from fortified foods and sunlight,” he told Fox News Digital.

salmon dish on plate

Some foods that are high in vitamin D include orange juice, rainbow trout, salmon, portabella mushrooms, yogurt, tuna and milk, according to WebMD. (iStock)

Some foods that are high in vitamin D include orange juice, rainbow trout, salmon, portabella mushrooms, yogurt, tuna and milk, according to WebMD.

Healthy people should not be taking more than 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day, Cohen advised.  

“Taking more than that can cause a cascade of problems, as vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body and too much of it can lead to a number of issues,” he warned.

IMPROVING MEMORY MAY BE AS EASY AS POPPING A MULTIVITAMIN, STUDY FINDS: ‘PREVENTS VASCULAR DEMENTIA’

“Overdosages occur with taking much more — usually 60,000 international units a day or more.”

The amount of vitamin D required in the diet can also vary by age, according to Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, professor of emergency medicine at Georgetown University and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C.

“Vitamin D acts as a hormone in the body and too much of it can lead to a number of problems.”

“Smaller amounts (400 IU) are recommended in the first year of life,” she told Fox News Digital.

“For children older than 1 year of age, adolescents and most adults, 600 IU a day is recommended. The dose is the same for people who are pregnant or lactating.”

For older adults over age 70, an intake of 800 IU per day is recommended. 

Woman taking pill

Dangerously high levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts from dietary supplements, the NIH stated. (iStock)

“Higher doses are also recommended for individuals with vitamin D deficiency, with larger doses required for more severe deficiency,” Amirshahi added.

One common mistake is that some vitamin D prescriptions are dosed once a week, but people may accidentally take them daily, which can lead to toxicity, the doctor warned.

Symptoms of vitamin D overdose

Consuming too much vitamin D can lead to any number of symptoms that can be difficult to distinguish from other conditions.  

These may include thirst, excessive urination and nausea, Cohen said, “but they can also be much more ominous, such as getting confused and becoming quite weak.”

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS: HERE’S HOW TO STAY SAFE

The main effect of vitamin D in the body is that it increases calcium concentrations, according to Amirshahi.

“The signs and symptoms of vitamin D poisoning are similar to people who have elevated calcium concentrations for other reasons,” she said. “The symptoms of elevated calcium levels in the blood include confusion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination and dehydration.”

Woman tummy trouble

“Symptoms of elevated calcium levels in the blood include confusion, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, frequent urination and dehydration.” (iStock)

The National Institute of Health (NIH) warns that “very high levels of vitamin D in your blood (greater than 375 nmol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.”

It adds, “Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and even death.”

Toxicity of a dose may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as underlying medical problems like kidney disease, Amirshahi noted. 

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY LINKED TO DEMENTIA IN CERTAIN POPULATIONS WHEN LEVELS ARE VERY LOW: STUDY

“Another important factor is how long an individual is taking large doses of vitamin D,” she said.

“Often, a single large dose (50,000 to 150,000 IU, depending on the size of the individual) is well-tolerated, but chronic overdose can be much more dangerous.”

Dangerously high levels of vitamin D are almost always caused by consuming excessive amounts from dietary supplements, the NIH stated on its website.

Man hand vitamin

“Extremely high levels of vitamin D can cause kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and even death,” the NIH warned. (iStock)

“Vitamin D toxicity has been caused by consumption of dietary supplements that contained excessive vitamin D amounts because of manufacturing errors, that were taken inappropriately or in excessive amounts, or that were incorrectly prescribed by physicians,” according to the agency.

“You cannot get too much vitamin D from sunshine because your skin limits the amount of vitamin D it makes.”

Treatments for overdose

If someone has overdosed, the immediate treatment is to stop taking the vitamin and to restrict dietary calcium, according to Mayo Clinic. 

Some doctors may also prescribe IV therapy and medications, including corticosteroids or bisphosphonates.

doctor prepares IV drip

If someone has overdosed, some doctors may also prescribe IV therapy and medications, including corticosteroids or bisphosphonates. (iStock)

“We can give a dose of activated charcoal in the emergency department if someone took a large single dose of vitamin D to help bind it before it gets absorbed by the intestines,” said Amirshahi.

This is only helpful if the person comes in early and ingests a single large dose, however.

BE WELL: PREPARE A DINNER RICH IN VITAMIN D FOR GOOD HEALTH

“Once the vitamin D has been absorbed, the main treatment is to address the high calcium levels,” she said. “This could include administering intravenous fluids or giving medications that lower the calcium concentration.”

In severe cases when other measures don’t work, dialysis may be used to help remove the calcium.

Experts call for warnings

Because vitamin D is sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S., it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

hand holds D3 pills

“Vitamin supplements can have potentially very serious risks and side effects when taken in excess,” one doctor said. “Current food labeling requirements do not require these risks and side effects to be written on the packaging.” (iStock)

“Supplements can be sold at almost any dose the manufacturer decides to use, and the manufacturer is not required to place warnings on even the highest doses of vitamin D that it is dangerous to take too much,” Cohen told Fox News Digital.  

“Supplements are often poorly manufactured as well, and the dose on the label might not be accurate,” he warned. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Research of vitamin D supplements in the U.S. has revealed that sometimes you can get too little or too much vitamin D in the pills.”

To help ensure the proper amount in each pill, Cohen recommends only purchasing vitamin D supplements that have been certified by either USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or NSF International.

Fox News Digital reached out to David Mitchener (the assistant coroner in Surrey) and East Surrey Hospital requesting additional comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

This Food Bloggers Grocery Shopping Hack Leaves The Internet Divided

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While some find the practice of grocery shopping boring, others genuinely enjoy it. Different types of shoppers exist – some hunt for discounted prices, others prioritise quality, and then some opt for food delivery applications instead of physically going to a store. Interestingly, there is a particular segment of people who never pick products from the front shelves but instead go for those stocked behind them. Wondering why? Well, it’s because products with sooner expiry dates are usually placed upfront for quicker sales. A video gaining popularity on Instagram revolves around these types of buyers.
Also Read: Viral Video: Man Using Bare Hands To Mix Noodles Angers Internet

In the video shared by food blogger Ramya Ravuri, she can be seen selecting items such as oranges, hummus, cheese blocks, hot chocolate powder, frozen vegetables, packaged milkshakes, flavoured curd, and more. However, instead of choosing from the front row, she picks items positioned slightly further back. The text overlaying the video reads, “POV you are raised to grocery shop like this.” In the caption, Ramya wrote, “It’s the only way I know how.”

Take a look at the video below:

Also Read: Food Blogger Tries Jalebi With Dahi For The First Time. Watch His Reaction

After watching the video, people started sharing their reactions in the comment section.

A user wrote, “You’re the reason food goes bad on the shelves.”

Another one added, “I have to check it constantly because I know from working in retail that too many employees won’t actually properly rotate the items so often the freshest would be upfront anyways.”

A person said, “As someone who used to work at a grocery store: this makes me angry, because we had to throw away everything that was expired, even if it was perfectly fine to eat, we couldn’t even take it for ourselves.”

“I do the opposite. Less fresh items because I know I’m gonna eat them quickly and they’ll go in the trash shortly if not purchased soon. Food waste drives me wild,” read a comment.  

Do you also follow the same process while shopping for groceries?

Home Kitchen

Shafiqah Hudson, Who Fought Trolls on Social Media, Dies at 46

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Shafiqah Hudson was looking for a job in early June of 2014, toggling between Twitter and email, when she noticed an odd hashtag that was surging on the social media platform: #EndFathersDay.

The posters claimed to be Black feminists, but they had laughable handles like @NayNayCan’tStop and @CisHate and @LatrineWatts. They declared they wanted to abolish Father’s Day because, they said, it was a symbol of patriarchy and oppression.

They didn’t seem like real people, Ms. Hudson thought, but parodies of Black women, spouting ridiculous propositions. As Ms. Hudson told Forbes magazine in 2018, “Anybody with half the sense God gave a cold bowl of oatmeal could see that these weren’t feminist sentiments.”

But the hashtag kept trending, roiling the Twitter community, and the conservative news media picked it up, citing it as an example of feminism gone off the rails and “a neat illustration of the cultural trajectory of progressivism,” as Dan McLaughlin, a senior writer at National Review, tweeted at the time. Tucker Carlson devoted an entire segment of his show to lampooning it.

So Ms. Hudson set out to combat what she quickly realized was a coordinated action by trolls. She created a hashtag of her own, #YourSlipIsShowing, a Southernism that seemed particularly useful, about calling out people who think they are presenting themselves flawlessly.

She began to aggregate the trollers’ posts under it, and encouraged others to do so and to block the fake accounts. Her Twitter community took up the mission. They included Black feminists and scholars like I’Nasah Crockett, who did some digging of her own and discovered that #EndFathersDay was a hoax, as she told Slate in 2019, organized on 4chan, the dark community of web forums peopled by right-wing hate groups.

Twitter, Ms. Hudson and others said, was largely unresponsive. Nonetheless, their actions were effective. #EndFathersDay was pretty much silenced within a few weeks, though fake accounts continued to pop over the years, and Ms. Hudson kept calling them out, like an endless game of Whac-a-Mole.

Yet #EndFathersDay, it turned out, was more than an absurd joke. It was a well-structured disinformation action, a kind of test balloon, as Bridget Todd, a digital activist who interviewed Ms. Hudson in 2020 for her podcast, “There Are No Girls on the Internet,” put it, for later actions, particularly the election disruption campaigns that began in 2016 with tactics replicated, as Senate hearings showed, by Russian agents. In hindsight, Ms. Hudson’s efforts added up to an early and effective bulwark against what continue to be threats against democracy.

“It should be validating,” Ms. Hudson told Slate. “But instead it’s been upsetting and alarming. Nobody wants to be right about how much real peril we’re all in, even if you saw it coming.”

Ms. Hudson, a freelance writer who had worked in nonprofits but from 2014 on dedicated herself to Twitter activism, died on Feb. 15 at an extended-stay hotel in Portland, Ore. She was 46.

Her brother, Salih Hudson, confirmed her death but did not know the cause. She suffered from Crohn’s disease, he said, and respiratory ailments. Her followers, however, knew from her posts that she had long Covid and had recently been diagnosed with cancer. And that she had no money to pay for her care. Many pitched in to help.

At her death, her community mourned their loss, and expressed frustration and anger that Ms. Hudson had never been paid by the tech companies whose platforms she policed or properly attributed by scholars and news organizations that cited #YourSlipIsShowing, and that she had not received the health care she so desperately needed.

“The world owed Fiqah more than it gave her,” Mikki Kendall, a cultural critic and author of “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” (2020), said by phone. Ms. Kendall is one of many Black feminists who took up Ms. Hudson’s mission and befriended her on Twitter, now called X. “The world owes Fiqah to never let this happen to anyone else again. Unfortunately, she exists in a long tradition of Black activist women who die impoverished. Who die sick and alone and scared. Because we love an activist until they need something.”

Shafiqah Amatullah Hudson was born on Jan. 10, 1978, in Columbia, S.C. Her father, Caldwell Hudson, was a martial arts instructor and author. Her mother, Geraldine (Thompson) Hudson, was a computer engineer. The couple divorced in 1986, and Shafiqah grew up with her mother and brother, mostly in Florida, where she attended the Palm Beach County School of the Arts, a magnet school.

Shafiqah earned a B.A. at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, N.Y., in 2000, majoring in Africana studies with a minor in political science. After graduating, she moved to New York City, and worked at various nonprofits.

She was new to the city, and lonely. She found community on blogs and social media sites, including Twitter, which she joined in 2009. (She chose as her avatar an image of Edna Mode, the imperious fashion maven from “The Incredibles.”) And like many Black women on that platform, she was mocked and harassed. She received rape and death threats, she told Ms. Todd.

In addition to her brother, Ms. Hudson is survived by her father and her sisters, Kali Newnan, Charity Jones and Mosinah Hudson. Geraldine Hudson died in 2019.

In the last months of her life, Ms. Hudson posted about her deteriorating health and her fears about not being able to pay for her care or her housing. She was unable to work because of her disabilities.

She had moved to Portland, her brother said, because the climate was better for her respiratory ailments. But she was not able to secure health insurance. Doctors had discovered the painful fibroids from which she suffered were cancerous. She needed money for more biopsies, and for transportation to the hospital. Her Twitter community chipped in, as always. She did not ask her family for help.

“She was very private and very proud,” Margaret Haynes, a cousin, said by phone, adding that she had spoken to Ms. Hudson a few weeks before her death. “She told me, ‘I’m good. If I need something, you’ll be the first to know.’”

Yet on Feb. 9, she told her followers: “I feel like I’m meowing into the void. And it’s raining. And I’m just trying not to drown.”

Feb. 7 had been a tough day. Ms. Hudson was dizzy, and in pain, she wrote. She was feeling her mortality, and posted about her decision to be single and not have children — “to be an Aunt(ie) and not a mom,” as she put it, recalling a conversation she’d had with a young family member, and rendering it with characteristic wit.

“Say Life on a particular plane of existence is dinner in a restaurant,” she explained, continuing, “Let’s say the life Auntie (me) has chosen is the Salad option. A life without partner(s) or Littles of my own. Let’s say the Soup option comes with Littles, and maybe a partner. But you can only choose one. Like. If you pick the Family Soup, you can’t have the Singlehood Autonomy Salad. ”

She riffed a bit in this vein, and then concluded, “Auntie Fiqah chose the Salad. Cuz she only kinda likes Soup. And no one can ever convince her that she REALLY likes Soup. Or will come to. Or that she should. Soup should be savored lovingly and enthusiastically. If it can’t be? Have the Salad.”

Ms. Hudson died eight days later.

Alain Delaquérière contributed research.

Lifestyle Fashion

Veterinary TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine): Our Vet Explains How It Helps Cats

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The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

In the two centuries since Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister revolutionized medical practice with vaccination, sterilization, aseptic surgical techniques, and other remarkable breakthroughs, the fields of human medicine and surgery have continued to advance, with veterinary science hot on their heels. A clear divide developed between what was recognized as modern Western medicine and the more traditional, natural methods of the East.

Traditional Chinese medicine, commonly referred to as TCM, was virtually rendered obsolete in most of the Western world. Those who practiced it were dismissed as superstitious witch doctors, and anyone wishing to explore TCM as an option was treated to a condescending smile and told to stick to science.

In an interesting twist of irony, many people are turning away from modern medicine and looking toward more natural, homeopathic ways to treat certain ailments and improve their overall health. Even doctors, nurses, and veterinarians are starting to recognize the potential benefits that TCM can offer, realizing that science and TCM can be used together, with promising results.

Let’s take a closer look at what traditional Chinese veterinary medicine is and how it can help your cat.

cat face divider 2

What Is TCM?

Traditional Chinese medicine has been around for over 3,000 years, and its foundation is in the flow of the vital life force, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). Illness is believed to be the result of blocked or disrupted Qi, so the principle of TCM is in restoring its flow, which can take many forms, including:

  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Moxibustion (burning herbal leaves on or near the body)
  • Cupping (using the vacuum created in a warm glass jar to suction points of the body)
  • Massage
  • Herbal remedies
  • Movement and concentration (e.g., tai chi and meditation)

What is interesting about most of these treatments is that there is very little in the way of dangerous risks or side effects; where the perceived danger lies is when treatments based on scientific evidence are discarded in favor of unproven methods.

Equally, the reverse is true, and TCM should not be dismissed without substantial evidence that it is ineffective or harmful. After all, there is a reason these remedies have been practiced for several millennia, and given that China has the third highest life expectancy in the world, perhaps we should be paying attention, no matter what your personal views may be.1

cat massage rub
Image Credit: Ekaterina Kuzovkova, Shutterstock

What TCM Is Not

It is quite common for alternative therapies to be all lumped together, and TCM is often thought of as synonymous with homeopathy, which it is not.

Homeopathy is based on the use of extremely diluted substances to treat a number of ailments, following the principle that “the more dilute the substance, the greater the effects.” Considering that some of the common ingredients used in homeopathic treatments include poison ivy, belladonna (deadly nightshade), arsenic, and stinging nettles, dilute would definitely be preferred! However, many studies have shown that, much of the time, the treatments are so diluted that they are essentially just water, and if not diluted enough, have the potential to cause more harm than good.

Homeopathy is generally not recognized or recommended by doctors or vets, whereas TCM is becoming increasingly used and prescribed.

Cat ball divider 1

How TCM Can Help Your Cat and Types of Treatments

You can probably guess that certain TCM techniques are not going to be appropriate for our feline friends. Cupping and moxibustion are both impractical and unsafe to be applied to cats, and although most cats appear to spend much of their time engaged in contemplative meditation, convincing them to engage in tai chi might be taking things a bit far!

You might, however, be surprised to learn that acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and certain herbal remedies can be used to help treat a number of feline illnesses, some with quite remarkable results.

Acupuncture

Cats are surprisingly tolerant of this needling treatment and are known to respond well to treatments, even more so than dogs. It is most commonly used to treat pain, but acupuncture has also been found to be effective in managing a number of conditions, including:

  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Neurological disorders
  • Healing wounds
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Respiratory disease (feline asthma, for example)
  • Gastrointestinal and urogenital problems
  • Stress and anxiety

One of the main advantages of using acupuncture in cats is that it can be used alongside most medications and health conditions and can be extremely beneficial in managing arthritis in elderly cats with kidney disease.

Veterinary holding acupuncture needle near cat's back
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

Acupressure

This is a technique that follows the same points and principles as acupuncture but uses pressure instead of needles. The benefit of this is that anyone can learn how to do it, so you can treat your cat at home while they sit on your lap!

Massage

Similar to acupressure but without targeting specific points, massage can help improve circulation, mobility, and lung capacity, and, if nothing else, can strengthen your bond with your cat!

Cat Massage
Image Credit: Gumpanat, Shutterstock

Herbal Remedies

There are plenty of supplements and remedies that can be safely used by humans but can be deadly for your cat, so this is an area that you really need to explore with your vet.

Herbal remedies are most commonly used to help manage feline stress, anxiety, and arthritis.

cat paw divider

What Are the Benefits of TCM for Cats?

One of the main benefits of incorporating TCM into your cat’s healthcare is that it is based on a “whole body” view, rather than on a specific disease or body part. TCM works on overall health by aiming to improve movement, exercise, digestive health, mental health, circulation, cardiac and respiratory health, and immunity, which is why the term “holistic treatments” is often used.

Another huge advantage of using TCM in cats is that it poses minimal risk to organ systems and can be used to replace or reduce the doses of drugs that can cause harmful side effects, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories for arthritis.

TCM for cats can only be delivered by a qualified veterinarian, which means that your cat will be receiving care from someone who is familiar with all aspects of veterinary medicine, which is not always the case with human TCM.

What Are the Problems Associated With TCM for Cats?

There are a number of potential downsides associated with using TCM in cats, including:

  • It is not a substitute for surgery
  • Some herbal remedies could be dangerous
  • Not all vets are happy to incorporate TCM into their treatments
  • Could be dangerous if owners stop using other treatments and only use TCM

3 cat face divider

The Takeaway on TCM and Cats

There is a certain amount of irony in the fact that modern medicine, having distanced itself from Chinese medicine in the past, is starting to embrace many aspects of TCM. This shift in perception is beneficial to us and our pets, as it has opened up an array of alternative treatments that had previously been rejected out of hand. While there are some health conditions for which TCM is not appropriate, many others could be improved by incorporating traditional methods into modern treatment plans.

We do not recommend taking an either/or position with regard to TCM, but we do recommend exploring different options with your vet. After all, if we can combine modern medicine, herbal remedies, and acupuncture to manage arthritis, inflammatory bowel, or feline asthma to give the greatest and safest results, why wouldn’t we?

Featured Image Credit: Ekaterina Kuzovkova, Shutterstock

Pets

XXL proizvodi se mogu ugrabiti po dobroj cijeni. Evo što se isplati kupiti

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

PREGLEDALI smo kataloge poznatih maloprodajnih trgovina u Hrvatskoj i izdvojili najbolje popuste i proizvode po dobrim cijenama. Kaufland, Lidl, Tommy, Konzum, Plodine, Eurospin, Spar i Interspar možete pronaći u svim većim mjestima u Hrvatskoj, a ispod možete vidjeti našu šoping-listu za ovaj tjedan.

Konzum

Konzumov katalog vrijedi od četvrtka, 7.3., do srijede, 13.3., ili do prodaje zaliha. Za pojedine popuste potrebna je MultiPlus kartica. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje. 

Kaufland

Kauflandov katalog vrijedi od srijede, 6.3., do utorka, 12.3., ili do prodaje zaliha, a pojedini popusti vrijede samo na odabrane datume u tom periodu. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje, a za ostvarenje pojedinih dodatnih popusta potrebna vam je Kauflandova kartica.

Eurospin

Katalog Eurospina vrijedi od četvrtka, 7.3., do srijede, 13.3., ili do isteka zaliha. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje. 

Lidl

Lidlov katalog vrijedi od ponedjeljka, 4.3., do nedjelje, 10.3., ili do prodaje zaliha, a pojedini popusti vrijede samo na odabrane datume u tom periodu. Katalog možete prolistati ovdje, a za ostvarenje pojedinih popusta potrebna vam je mobilna aplikacija Lidl Plus.

Spar

Novi katalozi Spara i Interspara vrijede od srijede, 6.3., do utorka, 12.3., ili do prodaje zaliha za prehrambene namirnice, kozmetiku, proizvode za osobnu higijenu i sredstva za čišćenje. Pojedini popusti vrijede samo u trgovinama Spar i Interspar, ovisno o dostupnosti proizvoda na akciji u tim trgovinama. Aktualne kataloge možete prolistati ovdje.

Tommy

Tommyjev akcijski katalog vrijedi od četvrtka, 7.3., do srijede, 13.3. Možete ga prolistati ovdje. 

Plodine

Katalog Plodina vrijedi od srijede, 6.3., do utorka, 12.3., ili do isteka zaliha, a pojedini popusti vrijede samo na odabrane datume u tom periodu. Aktualni katalog možete prolistati ovdje.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Mick Cronin says UCLA’s disappointing season is ‘100%’ on him

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He evaluated the prospects, recruited them and signed them to play for him.

So how much responsibility should Mick Cronin bear for what could be UCLA’s first losing season in nearly a decade?

“One hundred percent,” the coach said Tuesday. “A hundred percent. Who else would it be?”

The players, perhaps, given they’re the ones who have struggled to generate an offensive flow and grab rebounds, among other things?

“They’ve done the best they can do,” said Cronin, whose Bruins (14-15 overall, 9-9 Pac-12) must beat No. 5 Arizona on Thursday and Arizona State on Saturday to assure themselves of at least a .500 record by season’s end. “It’s just reality. We got stuck in a rebuilding year, we tried to overcome it with our recruiting and it’s the way it is.”

Cronin said he did not regret his recruiting efforts because it’s too early to judge a class of seven freshmen who might blossom in the years to come.

“Some players take longer than others and nobody bats 1.000 because I can tell you so many stories where you thought this guy was going to be your great recruit and he wasn’t and this guy who was easy, you saw him once and asked him to come, and he ends up playing in the NBA,” Cronin said. “Meanwhile, you spent two years chasing some guy that never helps you win.”

Among the freshmen, Sebastian Mack and Brandon Williams have earned roles as starters while Berke Buyuktuncel and Aday Mara are significant contributors off the bench. But Cronin pointed to Mack playing more minutes than he’s ready for as one of the team’s shortcomings.

“It’s not anything against him,” Cronin said. “In coaching, you know you’re in trouble when you’re asking players to do stuff that they’re not ready to do that you haven’t trained them to do that they don’t have the experience to do, they don’t have the tool set to get that kind of job done yet because of the situation where we had to play so many young guys.”

Meanwhile, freshmen Jan Vide, Devin Williams and Ilane Fibleuil have struggled to make an impact off the bench because of repeated mistakes that have kept them from earning more minutes.

“Freshmen can only handle so many minutes and after a certain minute level for a player that’s young, it’s going to be diminishing returns and our bench hasn’t been up to snuff — not for a lack of effort,” Cronin said. “So when you have young guys on the floor too long, they’re going to foul — that’s been an issue for us — your defense breaks down, your [shooting] percentage drops, and so in a nutshell, if you were to say, what’s been the biggest issue, that would be it.”

UCLA coach Mick Cronin speaks with forward Berke Buyuktuncel during a game against Washington State on March 2 in Pullman, Wash.

(Young Kwak / Associated Press)

While praising his young players’ attitudes, Cronin acknowledged trying to find a balance between teaching them it’s not acceptable to lose and nurturing their talent.

“You have to learn that there’s a point of the guy’s giving you everything he can and you can’t ask him for more than that or you’re just gonna beat him down and he ain’t gonna be able to give you that,” Cronin said. “Then, you have to be able to decide when a guy’s not giving you everything he can, and that’s where the coaching becomes a true art form. Because you say, ‘Well, we’re losing and they need to do this to win.’

“Well, OK, the Dodgers have bad starting pitching so they need to score 10 runs to win every game. Well, that’s not realistic, you know?”

So where do the Bruins go from here? Less than a week after saying he was seeking players to build around, Cronin sounded as if he were willing to keep as much of the roster intact as possible, the transfer portal and name, image and likeness issues willing.

“Yeah,” Cronin said when asked if he wanted to keep his team together. “Now, times have changed, so we’ll see how that all goes.”

Upon further review

Washington State guard Isaiah Watts drives to the basket while pressured by UCLA guard Will McClendon

Washington State guard Isaiah Watts drives to the basket while pressured by UCLA guard Will McClendon on March 2 in Pullman, Wash.

(Young Kwak / Associated Press)

Cronin said sophomore guard Will McClendon was “heartbroken” about his flagrant-2 foul resulting in his ejection with seven minutes left in the Bruins’ loss to Washington State on Saturday.

After rewatching the play, Cronin was livid … at the officials.

“It was a blind screen,” Cronin said of the play in which McClendon’s arm made contact with Isaac Jones’ groin area. “So when Will turned, his arm was between the guy’s legs. I can freeze-frame it for ya and you can see his hand through the guy’s legs. And when he went to get around the screen, the guy grabbed him and held him and then flopped and act like he punched him.”

Cronin asked McClendon to give his accounting of the play without letting him know he had watched the replay. McClendon’s story checked out.

“It’s exactly what he told me,” Cronin said. “Will would not punch somebody breaking into his own house. That’s how sweet of a kid Will McClendon is. But I wanted to wait until I saw it. I knew because I know, you know your guys.”

A complaint lodged with the Pac-12 office yielded only a difference of opinion.

“It’s all been sent in, it’s been disagreed upon; I’m always wrong,” Cronin deadpanned. “It’s amazing — although there’s video evidence, I’m absolutely wrong. So, that’s what I’ve been told. … If I was wrong on that play, I’ll donate my salary to the African UNICEF children’s fund.”

Etc.

Cronin said Brandon Williams, who played through cramps and a respiratory illness last week, was feeling better. … Fourth-year forward Logan Cremonesi will be the only player recognized on senior night Saturday against Arizona State. Sixth-year center Kenneth Nwuba participated in the ceremony last season. … Roughly 100 former UCLA players are expected to be recognized at halftime Saturday as part of an alumni reunion.

Sports

Facebook, Instagram suffer global outage; users logged out of popular social media apps

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Instagram and Facebook users around the world have reportedly suffered outages while using the Meta-owned popular social media applications. In India, users reportedly faced the outage on Tuesday at around 8:30 due to unknown technical reasons.

After the outage, many users have not able to send messages or browse posts. Users have also reportedly faced problem while logging in to the app. Some users have also reportedly been logged out of the apps.

Affected users took to X (formerly known as Twitter) reporting not being able to log in and the session expiring across Meta’s family of apps.

Meta Communications Director, Andy Stone also took to X saying that they are aware people are having trouble accessing their services and they are working on this issue now.

People from all over India have reported the outage down on Down Detector. Instagram and Facebook are facing outage globally. Both Instagram and Facebook (both owned by Meta) are experiencing outages.

Catch the latest stock market updates here. For all other news related to business, politics, tech, sports, and auto, visit Zeebiz.com.

Technology

Travelling to Kyoto or Copenhagen? Check out World’s Best Restaurant, Noma | Travel

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In January 2023, Rene Redzepi announced the closing of his world -famous Copenhagen dining room Noma — the five time No. 1 winner on the World’s 50 Best restaurant list and one of the hardest tables to book on earth — at the end of 2024.

Travelling to Kyoto or Copenhagen? Check out World’s Best Restaurant Noma (REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo)

Now, Noma’s chef and co-owner is giving diners a reprieve. And a new venue to consider. Noma will return to Kyoto for a second residency at the end of the year. The 10-week engagement will once again be at the Ace Hotel Kyoto and run from Oct. 8 to Dec. 18.

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And when Redzepi and his team return to Copenhagen, they won’t immediately close the doors to the storied compound. Instead they will extend Noma 2.0 into Spring 2025. The chef, who divides the year by three, not four, seasonal menus — Vegetable; Game and Forest; and Ocean — will serve the seafood menu for the last few months before Noma 2.0 ends its run, for real they say, on an undisclosed date.

Reservations for Kyoto will open on May 14th via the Noma newsletter. This year’s Kyoto menu and drink pairings will cost 840 euros ($912) plus a 10% charge for service; last year it was 775 euros plus 10%.

There will be seven services a week, four dinners and three lunches, for a total of 70 meals. About 100 team members and their families, around the same number as last year, will come to Kyoto; Noma in Copenhagen will be closed during that time, although Noma Projects, which produces products like smoked mushroom garum, will continue to operate.

Noma might be returning to the same place as the inaugural pop up a year ago, but don’t expect the same shabu shabu with seaweed and tomato-as-rose that was served last year. “Well, Kyoto in autumn will certainly offer a different experience; seasonality plays a crucial role with its 72 micro seasons,” said Redzepi over email. “Game meats become available, and it’s the high season for crab, bringing a completely different array of ingredients. We’re also hoping for wild mushrooms.” But the menu and specific dishes are still under wraps, says the chef, although he confirms that they have pre-ordered some aforementioned game meats and crab from local purveyors and “collected some items from the wilderness.”

Redzepi adds that his team have also dried 10,000 vibrantly colored koyo (autumn leaves), presumably to set the scene in the Ace’s restaurant dining room for the fall menu.

As for the extension of Noma 2.0 in Copenhagen, Lena Hennessy, chief operating officer of Noma, says it was a function of the Kyoto pop up timing. “We wanted to travel, come back and do another season in Copenhagen. We love our home here.”

Did Redzepi think of taking his residency to a new country, since he’s already done Kyoto and hasn’t recreated pop ups at the sites of other past residencies, including Tokyo and Tulum? In a word, no. “As a chef, a culinary professional, and food lover, I view Japan as one of the highest altars one can visit. The levels of knowledge, the depth of technique, and the longevity of traditions that continue to thrive are simply mind-blowing,” he says.

He also notes that the original Noma Kyoto pop up was planned pre-pandemic to take place in Autumn 2022; when Japan’s strict lockdown protocol made that impossible, it was moved to the arguably less bountiful season for produce, Spring. That left Redzepi with “unfinished business.” He adds, “so, we started planning for another season halfway through our first pop-up, seeking a different experience with a new seasonal menu and the chance to design the space anew.”

But still, Redzepi, says, “I’m pretty certain that once we conclude this upcoming pop-up, we’ll find ourselves reflecting on what we didn’t do, what we didn’t explore, and what aspects we didn’t fully understand.” Which some people might read as a hint that this isn’t the last residency he’ll do in Kyoto.

As it happens, Hennessy says that Noma will definitely visit other places, even after the current version of the restaurant closes in the Spring. “There are residencies in the works,” she confirms. Likewise Noma in Copenhagen will almost definitely continue to feed people, says Hennessy. “It’s not a hard and fast closing of the doors. Serving guests will continue to be a part of who we are.” Even if the chapter of vegetables, forest and ocean will almost certainly come to an end, the Noma team doesn’t know how to stop innovating. “We want to redefine ourselves as an organization. Not in the format people have become accustomed to. But feeding people, yes,” says Hennessy.

Tours Travel

Elvis Presley saw UFO above Graceland and had ‘telepathic connection’ with alien life | Music | Entertainment

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Music legend Elvis Presley was known for his fascination with UFOs, often sharing his experiences with his assistant Larry Geller and, in the years since the King’s passing Larry has revealed the full extent of his wild interest in extraterrestrial life.

He wasn’t surprised by Elvis’ stories as he had also witnessed strange objects in the sky while they were in the desert and at Graceland, which they believed to be UFOs.

Larry recalled a story about Elvis’ birth, where a strange blue light filled the sky. “His father told us he’d gone out to have a cigarette at 2am during the delivery, and when he looked up into the skies above their little shack, he saw the strangest blue light. He knew right then and there that something special was happening.”

Elvis even claimed that a UFO hovered above his childhood home. He shared with Larry that he had a telepathic connection with an alien when he was just eight years old, and even received a vision of his future as a stage performer in a white jumpsuit.

The musician’s encounter with extraterrestrial life shaped his beliefs, even though he did not understand it as a child. He once shared with his friend, Wanda June Hill: “I am not of this world.”, reports the Mirror US.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift coughs and struggles to sing during gig as fans share concern for singer

As per the Metro West Daily News, Elvis used to carry around 350 books about UFOs, trying to solve the mysteries of existence. His keenness on the topic reached such heights that his manager considered it as a distraction and burned all his books, putting an end to his learning.

There are people who think that the bright light that filled their house when he was born profoundly affected the lyricist. Evidence exists in the number of songs he wrote with ‘blue’ in their title – G.I. Blues, Blue Hawaii, Blue Christmas, and more.

In a spooky twist, it was Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain playing just before his death.

A multitude of alleged interactions with aliens have led fans to identify the star with the cosmos closely. This has resulted in different merchandise honouring Elvis’ interest, like badges from Across the Puddle.

Arts Entertainments

Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

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With the Dodge Charger the French-Italian-American automaker has pulled an electric rabbit out of its hat, launching the new car in both coupe and sedan formats, and confirming the availability of petrol options early in 2025.

The design of the new Charger coupe was accurately previewed by the  2022 Dodge Charger SRT Daytona EV concept, and the company has since telegraphed, through spy pictures and official leaks, that the production car will differ little from the show vehicle.

What most of us weren’t expecting was a sedan sibling, or the early confirmation of straight-six power.

  • Charger Daytona Scat Pack

Both the Charger sedan and coupe are based on the STLA Large architecture, and are big beasts as they measure 5248mm long, 2028mm wide, 1497mm tall, and ride on a 3074mm wheelbase.

Compared to the outgoing Charger sedan, the new model is 165mm longer overall, 133mm wider, 19mm taller, on a 26mm longer wheelbase. With most of the new found length found in the overhangs, it’s little surprise to learn the new Charger has a huge 1090L boot.

Tipping the scales at 2648kg, the electric Charger is significantly heavier than the outgoing model, which weighed between 1733kg and 1887kg. Dodge has yet to provide weights for the six-cylinder versions of the new Charger.

  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

Electric first

At launch, the coupe will be available only with a 400V pure electric drivetrain featuring two motors, all-wheel drive, and fed by a 93.9kWh battery pack.

All electric Chargers will be noted by the famous Daytona nameplate, and support DC fast charging up to 350kW.

During the new Charger Daytona’s launch phase, just two drivetrain variants will be available: the 370kW/548Nm R/T with Direct Connection Stage 1 kit, and the 500kW/850Nm Scat Pack with Direct Connection Stage 2 kit and standard limited slip rear differential.

  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

For the Stage 1 R/T, Dodge says the Charger Daytona can blow through the 60mph (97km/h) mark in 4.7 seconds, and finish the quarter mile (400m) in 13.1 seconds.

The Stage 2 Scat Pack is claimed to have a 0-60mph time of 3.3 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 11.5 seconds. If that seems an eternity, there will be more powerful variants coming later with a 800V electrical system.

All the quoted performance figures above can only be achieved after the driver punches the Power Shot button on the steering wheel, which gives the car a 30kW boost for 15 seconds.

Also available down the track are the 340kW base R/T, and less powerful Scat Pack variants.

  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

To counteract attacks against the lack of acoustic emotion exhibited by electric vehicles, the Charger Daytona is fitted with a Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system that “uses two passive radiators to a create a unique exhaust profile with Hellcat levels of sound intensity”. An almost-silent stealth is also available.

R/T drivers can choose from a variety of driving modes, including auto, snow, eco, sport and track, as well as line lock and launch control. Scat Pack owners gain a Donut Mode and Drift Mode.

Under the US EPA testing regime, the Charger Daytona R/T is said to have a driving range of 510km, while the Scat Pack makes do with 418km.

Paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to select from three (0.1g, 0.2g, or 0.3g) regenerative braking levels.

The Charger rides on multi-link front suspension, and four-link suspension at the rear with 18-inch wheels on the R/T, and a variety of 20-inch wheel designs for Scat Pack models.

  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

The optional Track Package on the Daytona Scat Pack includes 406mm Brembo vented disc brakes with red six piston calipers up front, and four-pot units at the rear.

Additional options on the Track Package include adaptive damping, as well as the widest tyres ever available on a Dodge: 305/35 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tyres up front, and 325/35 rubber out back.

The cabin features a wraparound dashboard, and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with the uConnect 5 infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Ahead of the driver is a 10.25- or 16.0-inch digital instrumentation display.

There’s also an ambient lighting system with 64 colour choices, and a pistol grip transmission shifter in the centre tunnel.

  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025
  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

Six-cylinder coming next year

The electric Charger Daytona coupe goes into production at Stellantis’s factory in Windsor, Ontario from the middle of 2024, while the Charger Daytona sedan will start trundling down the line during the first quarter of 2025.

In that same quarter, Dodge will also begin producing the Charger Sixpack H.O. coupe and Charger Sixpack S.O. sedan.

Both Sixpack variants junk the all electric drivetrain in favour of the company’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six Hurricane engine.

In high output or H.O., the Hurricane cranks out 410kW, while in standard output or S.O. trim, the engine produces 313kW.

  • Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025

Chargers fitted with a petrol engine lose the downforce-generating “R-Wing” pass-through bonnet for a more traditionally-styled unit. Petrol-powered models also miss out the 42L front trunk present in Daytona variants.

Regardless of specification, these Charger Sixpack models have all-wheel drive as standard. Dodge has yet to release more details about the Sixpack drivetrains, including the transmission type and performance figures.

Pricing for all Charger models has yet to be revealed.

Auto

Dogecoin And Shiba Inu Gain Big As On-Chain Metrics Support Momentum: Here Are The Next SHIB And DOGE Price Levels

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With Bitcoin (BTC) setting its sights on a retest of its all-time high (ATH) this week, the meme coin sector, led by Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB), has seen remarkable increases. These gains are supported by encouraging on-chain metrics indicating strong bullish momentum. Consequently, DOGE and SHIB have experienced significant gains over the past month, outperforming many of the top altcoins as the meme coin market captures investor interest.

Memecoins Take The Centre Stage

In the past 24 hours, the cryptocurrency market experienced over $700 million in total position liquidations, with Bitcoin’s price climbing above the $69,000 mark, causing significant market volatility.

Notably, the spike in price resulted in equal liquidations among both buyers and sellers, pushing the BTC price to a new all-time high. Data from Coinglass indicates that Dogecoin and Shiba Inu alone accounted for over $70 million in liquidations, leading the charge in the current rally among altcoins, which have seen increases of 100%-500% on average. Furthermore, IntoTheBlock’s statistics show a three-year peak in the percentage of Dogecoin addresses in profit, now standing at 85%.

On the other hand, Shiba Inu’s market influence was highlighted when Shytoshi Kusama, the lead figure behind Shiba Inu, announced on social media that SHIB’s trading volume surpassed that of major cryptocurrencies XRP and Solana. This positions SHIB and DOGE as top meme coins in the current crypto bull run.

Dogecoin (DOGE) Price Analysis

Dogecoin has experienced a significant uptrend recently as it surged above $0.2. However, as the market has recently faced a correction, DOGE price lost its peak value and declined below the EMA20 trend line. 

However, the recent rejection faced strong resistance from bulls as the price rebounded from the low of $0.153. To hold the bullish momentum, buyers need to send the price above the $0.17-$0.2 resistance zone. As the recent decline has plunged the Relative Strength Index (RSI) toward the midline, it hints at a surge in bearish dominance.

The initial support levels are identified at $0.13 and $0.1. A breach below these levels could signal the end of the current uptrend.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) Price Analysis

Shiba Inu has taken a reverse gear as the price rejected the level of $0.000045. Though the SHIB price dropped toward the EMA20 trend line, it faced a rebound later due to a surge in buying pressure. 

Currently, the SHIB/USDT trading pair is in the midst of a robust battle at around the $0.000035 mark. Should the bulls manage to establish this level as support and push the price beyond $0.00005, a surge toward the significant $0.000088 resistance level could be in sight. Breaching this barrier might set the stage for a climb to an all-time high.

On the other hand, if sellers manage to drive the price below the 20-day EMA, it could signal a weakening of the bullish momentum.

Cryptocurrency

Evergreen vs. Classic Content: Why Marketers Should Know the Difference

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Last week, I had a lively discussion with a colleague about “evergreen” content.

I argued evergreen does not automatically mean the content will stand the test of time. Nor is content that stands the test of time necessarily evergreen.

The debate arose from a discussion on the state of AI-generated content — whether AI could originate a classic piece of content. You know, something that would be seen as foundational and iconic for a topic it covered.

I’ll return to that discussion, but first, let me explain the distinction between classic and evergreen content.

Evergreen vs. classic content

In B2B marketing especially, many marketing and content teams devote at least some time to creating “evergreen content.” Inherent in the name, the content isn’t relevant only in the moment but for a length of time (perhaps forever). So, the creator avoids including anything in the content directly or indirectly that indicates its publishing time.

A team might create a research paper entitled, The Strategic Approach To X, where “X” is an industry, business approach, or elemental best practice. The creator’s objective is that the content will always be valuable to the reader.

But I argue that “timeless” content doesn’t always mean it will stand the test of time. Also, just because someone uses a present-moment context in their content doesn’t mean it won’t become a classic. In fact, being conscious of the present moment might be a core ingredient of classic content.

In other words, there is a difference between “evergreen” and “classic” content, and you should focus on the latter.

Classic content requires more and a different kind of effort. It requires you to create something of lasting worth or of the first or highest quality and in context with its relationship to the moment.

But OK, isn’t that all semantics? Why should you care?

Classic content should be a goal

What is the distinction of “classic content?”

Well, I love how author Italo Calvino described a “classic” work in his essay, Why Read The Classics? He characterizes a classic as something “which, even when we read it for the first time, gives the sense of rereading something we have read before.” But he also says a classic is when “rereading offers as much of a sense of discovery as the first reading.”   

I love the seeming contradiction. But these definitions really don’t conflict. When you experience a classic piece of content for the first time, you get a sense of familiarity but a new discovery. When you experience a classic subsequently, you get a sense of discovery in the familiarity.

From a content marketing perspective, The Lego Movie is a perfect example. Its deeply creative storytelling offers a distinct point of view and trendy, topical characters. Despite that, families can still enjoy watching The Lego Movie over and over again. The movie never exhausts all it has to say to its audience. The Barbie movie will almost certainly be seen as another great classic in a few years.

Why does classic content matter to B2B marketers?

In my earlier referenced discussion with my colleague, I asked (without irony, mind you) if they could envision generative AI creating a thought leadership article that was not only timeless (i.e., evergreen) but something that would give so much value people would go back and read it again and again.

They laughed because they thought I was joking. They weren’t sure humans could do that, much less AI. They asked, “You mean can AI write a “classic” thought leadership book or article? Would it be possible to produce a “classic” video series on SEO that has the same kind of replay value as an episode of Friends does?”

(Side note: Friends, the now 30-year-old sitcom (oof, that hurt to type), has maintained and even increased in popularity among both young and old audiences.)  

“Yes,” I replied. “Classic content not only provides new audiences with value but also goes one step further. It provides existing audiences with ongoing value. They return to it time and time again. B2B content has this ability.”

For example, I continually return to Theodore Levitt’s paper on marketing myopia to refresh my business strategy chops despite its analysis of 1960s-dated industries. The business book Crossing the Chasm, written over 30 years ago about the adoption of new technology, remains a popular business book on go-to-market strategy. And Crossing the Chasm was based on the classic 1962 book Diffusion of Innovations by Everett Rogers, which continues to sell 30,000 copies with the release of each new edition.

And there may be no better example of classic content marketing than John Deere’s The Furrow. The brand has published the magazine for 129 years, and readers routinely save issues as collector’s items. These same readers revisit articles written years ago. The Furrow’s content is both classic and timeless.

Classic formula for classic content

Of course, you can’t know if a piece of content is a classic until it — well, you know — becomes a classic. Its core requirement is that it must stand the test of time.

But as content creators, can you increase the chance that your content’s value will last, that it will provide that discovery upon each rereading? I think you can.

At the very least, I believe you can avoid the trap that you can’t reference current events or modern contexts in creating classic content.

In dissecting my own content creation, I’ve found that classic content pieces tend to share these traits:

  1. Memorable, diverse characters or points of view. Every classic story — even marketing or B2B thought leadership — has a distinct, original point of view about the world.

For example, Basic Marketing – A Managerial Approach is a classic marketing book you probably never read. But you no doubt revisited its concept of the four Ps (product, place, price, and promotion) as a foundational idea of marketing.

What’s the thing people will remember from your content? 

  1. A fully realized setting. Think about world-building and your audience, whether you’re in B2B or B2C. Rich details allow the audience’s mind to connect to other stories they’ve heard and experiences they’ve had. That’s a mark of a classic. The world feels both familiar and new on every rereading.
  2. Distinctive style. Develop a style for words and imagery and stick to it. Be consistent.
  3. Larger truths. I speak about this trait in all my storytelling workshops. Every great story should attempt to illuminate a universal truth that will change the reader somehow.
  4. Nods (and connections) to tradition. Embrace the tradition or the work of the giants who have come before you. Don’t be afraid to create a new classic based on an older classic (e.g., Crossing The Chasm) or purposely rebel against it.
  5. Classics follow — or at least understand — structure. When a classic strays away from the traditional structure of a story, a class, a business book, etc., it’s been purposely designed that way.
  1. Ambiguity — the student mindset. Classic content almost always comes from the mindset of observation and learning with the reader, not from an omniscient leader. Most classic context acknowledges the present context and its difference from the past to set ambiguity about the future. Too many brands approach thought leadership with an overabundance of certainty and no admission of blind spots or areas to explore further.

Classic content almost always leaves room for audiences to find their way in the context of when, where, and how they experience it. It enables them, upon rereading, to come to different conclusions and interpret how it suits them in the present. For example, my interpretation and insight from Theodore Levitt’s marketing myopia content has changed over the last decade. It’s not dissimilar to experiencing satisfying new and still familiar discoveries while watching a classic film you saw as a kid.  

The bottom line? If you want to have a greater chance at creating classic content — content that people will want to revisit again and again — focus on great storytelling that leverages the context of the now, explores topics deeply, and creates original and distinct points of view.

And that brings me back to the discussion I was having with my colleague.

Classic content is the human advantage

If you consider the common traits of classics, you can immediately see how generative AI is hampered in creating content that has a high chance of becoming a classic.

At the heart of classic content is not just an original idea or an innovation on a previous idea. Classic content synthesizes those ideas with the present context, with that original idea, and brings experience, knowledge, and judgment to express an idea that will stand the test of time. Generative AI struggles with any and all of those capabilities.

Generative AI can only express what has been in a new way. It cannot look at what is now and find the deeper meaning of what will be. So, yes, generative AI can create evergreen content. But can or will it create classic content? So far, that answer is no.

Will I be proven wrong down the road? Will generative AI create a piece of content that is classic? 

Only time will tell.

It’s your story. Tell it well.

Subscribe to workday or weekly CMI emails to get Rose-Colored Glasses in your inbox each week. 

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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

Digital Marketing

Top US universities explore collaboration opportunities with Indian institutes

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Academic leaders from 15 top US universities have visited Mahindra University and the Indian Institute of Hyderabad, exploring opportunities to collaborate in academics and research.

“They were looking at integrating India further into their internationalisation goals. Deans from the host university and visiting delegates discussed collaborative opportunities, particularly in student and faculty mobility between the US and India, research partnerships, and co-offered or dual-degree programmes,” a Mahindra University spokesperson said.

“They showed considerable interest in our programmes ranging from engineering to management, law, education and mass media. Some of them expressed interest in research in public health and vaccine,” he said.

“This visit has opened up several directions of collaborative opportunities between Mahindra University and US universities,” Mahindra University Vice-Chancellor Yajulu Medury said.

The varsity representatives are part of a Washington-based Institute of International Education delegation. They represented universities such as the University of California, the University of California, the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and the University of Massachusetts.

During the week-long tour, they visited hand-picked universities in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

“The US universities were also looking at partnership opportunities in areas like exchange of faculty and students; joint supervision; joint degree programmes; establishment of Centres of Excellence; and organise workshops,” a spokesperson of IIT-H said in a statement on Tuesday.

Education

The Economist’s finance and economics internship

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The Economist is seeking promising journalists and would-be journalists to apply for the 2024 Marjorie Deane internship. The successful candidate will spend six months with us in London writing about finance and economics, and receive payment. No previous experience is required. Applicants are asked to send a cv and an original article of no more than 600 words suitable for publication in the Finance & economics section. This material should be sent to [email protected] by April 15th

Finance

Researchers find sources of four brain disorders, which could lead to new treatments

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Researchers may have found a new way to target the sources of certain brain disorders.

In a study led by scientists at Mass General Brigham, deep brain stimulation (DBS) was able to pinpoint dysfunctions in the brain that are responsible for four cognitive disorders: Parkinson’s disease, dystonia (a muscle disorder condition that causes repetitive or twisting movements), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette’s syndrome.

The discovery, published in Nature Neuroscience on Feb. 22, could potentially help doctors determine new treatments for these disorders.

BOOST BRAIN HEALTH AND SLOW MENTAL AGING WITH 10 INTRIGUING TIPS FROM LONGEVITY EXPERTS

The study included 261 patients worldwide — 70 had dystonia, 127 were Parkinson’s disease patients, 50 had been diagnosed with OCD and 14 had Tourette’s syndrome.

The researchers implanted electrodes into the brains of each participant and used special software to determine which brain circuits were dysfunctional in each of the four disorders.

Deep brain stimulation has been used to pinpoint dysfunctions in the brain that are responsible for four cognitive disorders. (iStock)

“In simplified terms, when brain circuits become dysfunctional, they may act as brakes for the specific brain functions that the circuit usually carries out,” Andreas Horn, M.D., PhD, associate professor of neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said in a press release. 

“Applying DBS may release the brake and may in part restore functionality.”

WORST FOODS AND DRINKS FOR BRAIN HEALTH, ACCORDING TO NUTRITION EXPERTS

Horn, one of the 39 researchers from 16 institutions who co-authored the study, went into more detail in a conversation with Fox News Digital.

“Based on the present findings, we can better understand why deep stimulation to a small subcortical structure in the brain has been helping patients with various disorders,” he said.

Man brain electrodes

The researchers implanted electrodes into the brains of each participant (not pictured) and used special software to determine which brain circuits were dysfunctional in each of the four disorders. (iStock)

For each of the disorders, a different brain network was identified as “dysfunctional,” leading to the condition, the doctor said.

“Identifying these ‘malfunctioning networks’ may help us better understand the four disorders and better target neuromodulation to help patients by alleviating symptoms,” he noted.

IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE, ‘WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING BRAIN DISEASE,’ MOSTLY PREVENTABLE? STUDY OFFERS CLUES

In three cases, the researchers found that applying DBS led to “preliminary improved results.”

At Massachusetts General Hospital, one female patient in her early 20s was diagnosed with severe, treatment-resistant OCD. 

After receiving electrode implantation and targeted stimulation, the researchers measured a “significant improvement” in her symptoms one month after treatment, according to the release.

Woman mental health

Obsessive-compulsive disorder was one of the cognitive conditions targeted in the new study. (iStock)

Dr. Shannon Dean, a pediatric neurologist with the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Maryland, was not involved in the study but shared her reaction to the findings.

“This study is an elegant demonstration of how treatment-focused and basic mechanism-based research can help guide each other,” she told Fox News Digital.

“The authors used deep brain stimulation electrodes, which is an invasive surgical treatment for a variety of neurological disorders when medications alone are not enough,” Dean went on. 

DEPRESSION COULD BE ‘ZAPPED’ AWAY WITH BRAIN STIMULATION, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS: ‘BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE’

“I was interested to see the researchers then used their findings to refine exactly how they were treating several patients — and saw their patients’ symptoms improve as a result,” she said. 

Given the small number of participants, Dean stressed the need for caution in interpreting the results. 

“What the authors found for those disorders will need to be replicated for us to be sure the conclusions are right,” she said. 

“However, what they have found is exciting and makes sense based on what we already know about these disorders. This points us to where future studies should be looking.”

Brain scan

For each of the disorders, a different brain network was identified as “dysfunctional,” leading to the condition, a researcher said. (iStock)

“This research provides hope for people living with these diseases who are resistant to standard medical therapy,” she added.

Dr. Arif Dalvi, a neurologist on staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Florida, also commented on the study as an outside expert.

“Even though deep brain stimulation has been part of the standard of care for neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and tremors for decades, the technology continues to evolve,” he told Fox News Digital. 

“This research provides hope for people living with these diseases who are resistant to standard medical therapy.”

“This analysis identified ‘sweet spots’ within these circuits that could significantly alleviate symptoms, demonstrating the efficacy of DBS in modulating neural activity.”

The findings highlight the need for personalized therapies, Dalvi noted.

“This emphasizes a need for neurologists to carefully evaluate each patient as a unique individual and tailor a specific treatment plan, rather than working off generic best practices or therapeutic guidelines,” he said.

Study was limited, researchers say

This research is seen as the first step in what will be a long process, Horn said.

“The study is based on retrospective data — main results should be confirmed by prospective trials, which represent the gold standard to accumulate evidence in science and medicine,” he told Fox News Digital.

AI dementia model

Developing more sophisticated mapping techniques and understanding the long-term effects of deep brain stimulation will be crucial, a neurologist said. (iStock)

The study’s sample size was also relatively small, he said, especially for Tourette’s.

“Even globally, not many patients have undergone deep brain stimulation surgery for this disorder,” Horn said.

This study is the first step in defining what the researchers call the “human dysfunctome,” the set of connections that may become dysfunctional in specific neurological or psychiatric disorders of the human brain.

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“We first paint a picture of the dysfunctome, but need additional data to complete the picture and map other symptoms onto the circuits of the human brain,” Horn said.

While the study findings might not lead to drastic changes just yet, Horn said they may help experienced clinicians fine-tune their approaches to neurology treatments.

Dementia doctor with patient

The findings from this study point in the direction of more personalized cognitive therapies, experts said.  (iStock)

“It could give additional clarity or small refinements here and there to make interventions more successful,” Horn said. “However, the information should not be followed blindly, but instead should be validated in prospective studies.”

The researchers are already starting to plan for clinical trials to validate the results.

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As Dalvi pointed out, developing more sophisticated mapping techniques and understanding the long-term effects of deep brain stimulation will be crucial. 

“Additionally, expanding this approach to other brain regions and disorders could uncover new therapeutic avenues, marking a new era in the treatment of neurological conditions,” he added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Health Fitness

Inside NDTV Food Awards 2024: Winners, Panels And Celebration Of Culinary Excellence

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The NDTV Food Awards 2024, an event where excellence meets celebration, recently unfolded to celebrate culinary excellence. As a pinnacle event in the culinary world, the NDTV Food Awards 2024 spotlighted the finest aspects of India’s dynamic food scene. From delectable delicacies to ground-breaking culinary innovations, this prestigious award recognised the best talents that shape our culinary landscape. Let’s dive into the highlights of this extraordinary evening.
Did you miss attending the NDTV Food Awards 2024? Here’s the complete lowdown of the power-packed event that made an indelible mark in the food and beverage industry. The NDTV Food Awards 2024 was a grand celebration of culinary excellence, where enthusiasts and industry connoisseurs gathered to pay homage to India’s gastronomic landscape. From the mastery of chefs to the innovation of restaurateurs, the awards recognised and felicitated the very essence of culinary brilliance that enriched our dining experiences. The event showcased the best in fine dining, cafe and casual dining, sustainable ventures, and much more, encapsulating the diversity and richness of India’s food culture.
Also Read: NDTV Food Awards 2024: All You Need To Know About The Categories, Jury And Directors

Panel Discussions: 

The event commenced with two thought-provoking panel discussions that delved deep into the heart of the culinary world.

Panel 1 – The Vision of a Circular Food System – A World Without Waste

Hosted by NDTV anchor Gargi Rawat, this panel featured insights from culinary luminaries such as Vineet Bhatia, Manish Mehrotra, and Nitin Dixit. Together, they explored the transformative potential of a circular food system, envisioning a world where waste is minimised, and sustainability reigns.

NDTV Food Awards 2024 – Panel 1

Panel 2 – ‘Food & Culture – Celebrating the Diversity of Our Culinary Traditions’

Moderated by Ambika Singh, this panel celebrated the rich culinary traditions. Joined by Nakul Anand, Karen Anand and Shipra Khanna, they showcased the beauty and diversity of India’s culinary heritage, highlighting its profound cultural significance, right from street food to the use of millets in our kitchen.

NDTV FOOD Awards 2024 - Panel 2

NDTV FOOD Awards 2024 – Panel 2

Recognising Excellence: The Winners Of NDTV Food Awards 2024

The NDTV Food Awards 2024, hosted by noted food author Kunal Vijayakar, honoured the best in Fine Dining Restaurants, Cafes and Casual Dining, Earth-Friendly Eateries, New Restaurants, Bakeries, Beer Breweries, Cocktail Bars, and Lounges. Let’s take a look at some of the remarkable winners:

  1. Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Indian Accent, New Delhi
  2. Best Cafe And Casual Dining Restaurant: Olly, Gurugram
  3. Best Cocktail Bar And Lounge: Whisky Samba, Gurugram
  4. Best Bakery And Patisserie: The Big Chill Cakery, Khan Market, Delhi
  5. Best New Restaurant: Inja, The Manor, Delhi
  6. Best Beer Brewery: Windmills Craftworks, Bengaluru
  7. Best Earth-Friendly Restaurant: Farmlore, Bengaluru
  8. Chef Of The Year: Hussain Shahzad
  9. Rising Star Chef Of The Year: Shubham Thakur
  10. Best Mixologist Of The Year: Varun Sharma
  11. Best Restaurateur Of The Year: Zorawar Kalra
  12. Excellence In Beverage Industry: Yangdup Lama
  13. Living Legend: Nakul Anand
  14. NDTV Food Awards Hall Of Fame: Chef Imtiaz Qureshi
  15. Best Nutrition And Wellness Award: Herbalife India Private Limited
Kunal Vijayakar hosting the NDTV Food Awards 2024

Kunal Vijayakar hosting the NDTV Food Awards 2024

NDTV FOOD Awards 2024 - Winners

NDTV FOOD Awards 2024 – Winners

Jury and Oversight:

A jury panel of 27 members, comprising top chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and influencers from across the country, meticulously selected the winners across the categories. Led by the Chairman of the jury, Kunal Vijayakar, and supported by a panel of directors, the entire process remained fair, transparent, and credible. 
 

Home Kitchen

How to Support Someone Grieving the Loss of a Pet

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Few things hurt like losing a pet. Even Jon Stewart, the “The Daily Show” host, broke down on air when he announced the death of his beloved, three-legged brindle pit bull, Dipper — a raw, touching segment that exemplified the deep grief many pet owners feel.

When an animal dies, owners lose companionship, affection and “just plain unconditional love — and we don’t find that in many places in our lives,” said Sherry Cormier, a psychologist and author of “Sweet Sorrow: Finding Enduring Wholeness After Loss and Grief.”

Our society tends to be “grief-phobic,” Dr. Cormier said, and there is a sense that the feelings prompted by the loss of a pet are relatively low in the hierarchy of suffering, or that it’s something that people should be able to cope with and move on from quickly. Dr. Cormier and other loss experts said that is not always true; and they shared ways to help a loved one through the loss of a pet.

Pet loss can lead to disenfranchised grief, meaning it is not validated or acknowledged by the wider world, said Michelle Crossley, an associate professor at Rhode Island College and vice president of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. Therefore, “a lot of individuals end up grieving in isolation because of fear of rejection from other people,” she said, adding, “They worry that they won’t understand or they’ll minimize the loss.”

Keep it simple when expressing your sympathies, Dr. Cormier said. She suggested something like: “I know your animal was such an important part of your life and family. I can see how much he meant to you and how much you’re already missing him.”

Pet grief is often complicated by feelings of guilt if your friend or loved one opted to put an animal down to minimize suffering, Dr. Cormier said. She has done so with two golden retrievers, but noted the circumstances were quite different. One lived a long, happy life; the other had to be put down unexpectedly because of an aggressive brain tumor.

Resist the urge to say “I know how you feel,” she cautioned, even if your intention is simply to express empathy. “Everyone’s grief is unique,” she added.

Rituals are an important part of the grieving process, Dr. Crossley said, but they are sometimes overlooked when an animal dies. Perhaps your friend would welcome a memorial service, she suggested, or would like to make a memento box with photos and a few of his pet’s favorite toys.

If your friend or loved one is experiencing anticipatory grief — that is, she knows a pet is getting old or is likely to die soon — you might ask whether you can help plan any “bucket list” activities that she would like to do with her pet. You could consider giving your friend a meaningful gift. For instance, Dr. Crossley has seen people turn a pet’s water bowl into a planter. (She has a shelf where she keeps the ashes from the five dogs she has lost, along with their photos and paw prints, she noted.)

Keep in mind the physical component of your friend’s loss. “People report really intense physical longing, oftentimes comparing it to what they imagine the loss of a limb feels like,” said Judith Harbour, a veterinary social worker with the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City, who helps run pet loss support groups (which are another option for people experiencing acute grief after the passing of a pet). There is not an easy fix for that longing, she said, but sometimes an object to hold or cuddle with, like a blanket that belonged to the pet, can help.

The fact that people sometimes feel embarrassed to open up about how much they are missing their pet can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation, Dr. Cormier said. Simply encouraging them to share stories, photos or videos of their pet if they are up for it can help them feel less alone in their suffering, she said. And, if possible, listen more than you talk.

All of the experts noted the common misconception that pet-related grief doesn’t last as long as other types of grief. But it is cyclical, Dr. Cormier said, and she urged people to check in with friends and loved ones not just days or weeks after a loss, but for months or even years after the fact.

Do not ask whether your friend or loved one intends to get another pet, Ms. Harbour said. She lamented that almost everyone she had counseled after the loss of a pet had been asked that question. Mourning takes time.

“Don’t forget about them,” Ms. Harbour said of grieving pet lovers. “Check in and give them time to chat about their pet with you. That is really meaningful, because people often feel that the world is turning and time is passing and no one remembers their animal.”

Lifestyle Fashion

What's Causing the Slowdowns in Trial Starts?

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In this Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, Murray Aitken, Executive Director of the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, discusses findings from IQVIA’s Global Trends in R&D 2024 report and what specific factors are causing this slowdown in clinical trial starts.

Medicine

Cat Reproduction and Mating: Vet-Approved Facts & Explanation

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The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Cat breeders and veterinarians aren’t the only ones who need to know about the feline reproductive system and mating behaviors. While the average cat owner doesn’t have to be an expert, having general knowledge can help you track their health and take care of your cat better. Knowing what’s normal and what’s abnormal is essential in making good judgment calls on your cat’s well-being and getting them professional help when needed.

There’s a lot to know about cat reproduction and mating. So, we’ll go over the basic information that’s helpful for cat owners and answer common questions that people have about them.

Cat ball divider 1

When Do Cats Reach Sexual Maturity?

Cats reach sexual maturity at a relatively early age. They usually become sexually mature and are able to reproduce before they become a year old. Most cats go through puberty at around 6 months old, but it’s possible for some female cats to go through their first heat cycle as soon as 4 months old.

tabby cats walking and twisting their tail to a heart shape
Image Credit: Bachkova Natalia, Shutterstock

Anatomy of Cat Reproductive System

Male and female cats have distinctive reproductive systems that function to produce eggs and sperm. While their reproductive systems share some similarities with human reproductive systems, you’ll notice a few significant differences in the stages of their reproductive cycles.

Male Cat Reproductive System

Here are the main parts of a male cat’s reproductive system:

  • Testes
  • Epididymis
  • Bulbourethral Glands
  • Prostate Gland
  • Ductus Deferens
  • Penis

Testes

The testes, or testicles, are situated in the scrotum and produce sperm. Testosterone is the hormone that influences sperm production, and it’s also produced in the testes.

Epididymis

The epididymis connects the testes to the ductus deferens. It’s a tube-like structure that plays a key role in sperm development, storage, and transportation. Sperm typically takes an extra 10 to 12 days to mature in the epididymis after being released from the testes.

brown cat licking grooming its genital
Image Credit: Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock

Bulbourethral Glands

The bulbourethral glands, more commonly known as Cowper’s gland, are a pair of glands that produce mucus that helps sperm travel. They’re accessory glands that are located near the prostate gland.

Prostate Gland

Its main function is to produce the main fluid that makes up a seminal fluid. This fluid is mixed with fluids from other glands and sperm from the testicles to create semen.

Ductus Deferens

The ductus deferens, or vas deferens, is a continuation of the epididymis. It transports seminal fluid from the epididymis to the urethra.

Penis

A male cat’s penis has papillae protruding from its surface. The papillae are little spines that function to stimulate ovulation in female cats. They disappear after a cat gets neutered.

Yellow cat licks his penis
Image Credit: nokchu, Shutterstock

Cat ball divider 1

Female Cat Reproductive System

Here are the main parts of a female cat’s reproductive system:

  • Ovaries
  • Fallopian Tubes
  • Uterus
  • Cervix
  • Vagina and Vulva
  • Mammary Glands
rear-part-of-a-female-cat
Image Credit: absolutimages, Shutterstock

Ovaries

The ovaries’ main function is to produce eggs and female sexual hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen aids in the development of eggs, while progesterone helps with getting the uterus ready for pregnancy.

Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes, or oviducts, connect the ovaries and the uterus. It’s a passageway that transports fertilized eggs to the uterus.

Uterus

The uterus houses fertilized eggs and is the space where fetuses develop. It has three layers that function to protect the fetuses and help implant the placenta. They’re flexible and will expand as the fetuses grow, and they also contract when it’s time for the cat to give birth.

Female Cat Genital
Image Credit: Tosha Bu, Shutterstock

Cervix

The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. It’s designed to prevent infections by staying closed. However, it will relax when a cat is ready to give birth.

Vagina and Vulva

The vagina is the passageway that sperm travel through, and it also provides safe passage for the kittens during birth. The vulva protects the vaginal opening.

Mammary Glands

Female cats have four pairs of mammary glands. They become active with pregnancy and work to produce milk for nursing kittens.

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Feline Mating Season

Cats are polyestrous animals, which means that they go through multiple estrus cycles per year. The term “estrus” refers to a period of sexual receptivity and is also often referred to as a heat cycle or a mating cycle. On average, female cats can go through two to three heat cycles in one mating season and birth two to three litters of kittens per year.

two white cats rub faces on the grass, positive associations, bonding
Image Credit: Oleg Shishkunov, Shutterstock

Feline Breeding Behavior

In the northern hemisphere, it’s common for mating season to start in February and last through October. It seems that the increased length of daylight triggers estrous activity in cats. Female cats are ready to mate when they’re in the estrus stage of their heat cycle.

If a female cat in heat is near a male cat, the male cat will usually first take time to observe her behavior to determine if she’s ready to mate. If he sees her exhibiting mating behavior, he’ll start to approach her. The female cat will then get into the position of lordosis. She will lie down with her hindlimbs elevated and her tail up.

The male cat will then mount the female cat and will bite her neck to keep her in place. Once ejaculation occurs, he will release her and move away from her. This can last anywhere between 1 to 4 minutes.The female cat will usually exhibit a set of certain behaviors immediately afterward. She may roll around or rub herself on different objects. She can also lick the vulvar area. The male cat will typically stay nearby and observe her. Once she has settled down, the cats usually reengage and mate again, and cats can mate many times per day.

Cat ball divider 1Male Cat Behavior During Mating Season

Male cats have an established territory that they possess. Once the mating season begins and female cats in his territory are showing signs of being in heat, he usually starts to behave differently.

Male cat mating behavior consists of several activities. One of the most notable behavioral changes is the male cat mating call. This mating call is really loud and often sounds like the cat is yowling in pain.

Male cats can also start to increase urine marking and spraying to attract a mate. They often become restless and more active. It’s important to keep a close eye on pet cats during mating season because they’re much more likely to roam and escape from their homes to search for a mate.

Another thing you may notice from pet male cats is increased aggressiveness. They may pick fights with other cats or pets in the house as a means of protecting their territory.

tabby cat spraying outdoors to mark territory
Image Credit: Helen Liam, Shutterstock

Female Cat Behavior During Mating Season

Female cats can share certain behaviors that are similar to male cats when they’re in heat. Like male cats, they can become more vocal to attract a mate, become more active, and are likely to roam. Some female cats may urinate more frequently, and it’s believed that they do this to let male cats know that they’re ready to mate.

Female cats that are in heat often start to raise their hindquarters in the air and swish their tails from side to side. Some female cats may act more affectionate and attention-seeking. They might ask for more pets and will rub themselves against you. They can also have bursts of aggression, and it’s common for them to go back and forth between being affectionate and irritated.

It’s important to note that female cats go through menstruation cycles, but it’s not common for them to bleed. So, if you notice any spotting or bleeding, it’s best to contact your veterinarian right away. While light spotting may not pose a problem, bleeding can still indicate an underlying medical issue, like a urinary tract infection.

gray-cat-peeing-on-cement-floor-on-the-edge-of-side-walk
Image Credit: SOMRERK-WITTHAYANANT, Shutterstock

Cat ball divider 1Is It Possible to Calm Down Cats While They’re in Heat?

Cat behavior during their mating season can test the patience of many cat owners. Your cat is likely to become louder and more demanding. Some cats also become more aggressive. You’ll have to keep a closer eye on your cat because they’ll try to escape and go outside to find a mate.

There are some things you can do to calm down a cat in heat. First, it’s important to keep male cats apart to prevent aggressive behaviors and fights. Some cats will appreciate having a heating pad or hot water bottle. Make sure to play with your cat to help them expend some of their energy. Some cats may also calm down if you give them catnip.

It’s important to remember that even if you do all these things, your cat may not calm down during the mating season. At the end of the day, these behaviors are normal, and your cat can’t help but engage in them. It’s important not to show frustration, anger, or annoyance toward your cat during mating season.

Spaying or neutering your cat can help reduce these behaviors, as cats no longer feel the need to mate. So, if you’re not planning to breed your cats, it’s best to have them spayed or neutered. Female Heat Cycle and Pregnancy

A female cat’s heat cycle from mating to birthing kittens consists of six stages:

  • Proestrus
  • Estrus
  • Interestrus
  • Diestrus
  • Anestrus
  • Gestation

The proestrus phase lasts between 1 to 2 days and is the period that prepares cats to go into the estrus stage. The estrus stage is more commonly known as when cats go into heat. You’ll notice behavioral changes in cats during this stage, and they’ll be receptive to mating. The estrus stage can last anywhere between 2 to 19 days.

If the female cat doesn’t mate, she’ll go into the interestrus stage, which can last between 13 to 18 days. After the end of this stage, she’ll go through another estrus stage. If a female cat does mate during the estrus stage, she’ll enter the diestrus stage. This stage occurs when the female cat has ovulated.

ginger tabby cat looking up meowing
Image Credit: savitskaya iryna, Shutterstock

The anestrus stage simply refers to the timespan of when cats are not going through a heat cycle. If a cat does enter the diestrus stage, she will then enter the gestation period. Gestation usually lasts between 63 to 65 days until the cat gives birth to her litter. Female cats can be ready to mate again 8 weeks after giving birth to kittens.Cat ball divider 1

Conclusion

It’s generally recommended for pet cats to be neutered or spayed because of the challenges that come with cat mating seasons. These procedures also help reduce the stray cat population and overcrowding in animal shelters.

If you choose to care for cats that have not been spayed or neutered, it’s essential to understand the feline reproductive system and mating behaviors so that you’re prepared to act if something is wrong. Because a cat’s reproductive system plays a significant role in their health and well-being, make sure to contact your veterinarian if you notice anything strange or abnormal.

Featured Image Credit: Magui RF, Shutterstock

Pets

Sinsay ima nove proizvode za organizaciju koji će vas spasiti od nereda

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

SINSAY je nedavno dodao nove proizvode za organizaciju, nudeći korisnicima praktična rješenja za održavanje reda u svakodnevnom životu.

Ova nova kolekcija donosi raznolike proizvode koji su namijenjeni olakšavanju organizacije u domu, od kuhinje do spavaće sobe. Bez obzira jeste li u potrazi za kutijama za pohranu, organizatorima za kozmetiku ili vješalicama za odjeću, Sinsay nudi raznovrsne opcije koje će zadovoljiti sve vaše potrebe.

Kuhinja i hladnjak

Za organizaciju kuhinje i hladnjaka koristite police, ladice i organizatore kako biste maksimalno iskoristili prostor i olakšali pristup namirnicama.

Kupaonica

Ormarići, košare, stalci za ručnike i vješalice pomoći će vam da efikasno organizirate kozmetiku, ručnike i ostale potrepštine, čime ćete maksimalno iskoristiti prostor i održati kupaonicu urednom.

Ormari, spavaća i dnevna soba

Iskoristite organizatore za ormariće, poput ladica, polica, košara i kutija za pohranu, te razne dekorativne košare, posude i police za spavaću i dnevnu sobu kako biste efikasno organizirali predmete poput odjeće, knjiga, ukrasa i drugih potrepština.

Cijelu ponudu možete vidjeti ovdje.

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Shopping Product Reviews

California lost this World Champion boxer’s pension records

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For years, Paul Banke desperately needed the money he believed California owed him.

The former super-bantamweight world champion boxer had been struggling with cancer treatment and had to sell his car when the transmission went out during the pandemic.

Banke, who made headlines in 1995 when he became the first major U.S. boxer to publicly acknowledge that he had AIDS, was certain he was owed a pension from California’s unique retirement system for boxers. But Banke said the California State Athletic Commission, which administers the 40-year-old pension plan, repeatedly told him over the years that he didn’t qualify.

On Monday, after numerous inquiries from The Times, the commission admitted that it had inexplicably lost Banke’s pension records and voted to pay him a lump sum of $21,000. Unable to accurately calculate what Banke is due, the commission approved an amount equal to the average payout to boxers over the past three years.

“I don’t know if he’s getting shortchanged or if we’re overpaying him. I don’t know,” Andy Foster, the commission’s executive officer, told The Times. “From the information I have, this is the fairest way I can see to pay him.”

The commission said the lost pension was likely an “isolated incident” but could not rule out other boxers being affected.

The commission’s vote Monday followed inquiries from The Times over the past six months about why Banke had been denied a pension when boxing records showed he had fought more than double the minimum rounds in California to qualify. It also follows a Times investigation last year that found the pension program failed in its primary mission to locate and inform boxers of their benefits, maintained inadequate records and had not set aside enough money to pay the pensions it owed.

Foster said Banke’s pension records did not appear to have been transferred when the California Professional Boxers’ Pension Plan was overhauled in the 1990s.

Banke was a hard-hitter who defeated Daniel Zaragoza in 1990 to win a World Boxing Council title at the Forum in Inglewood. That year, The Times described Banke as a “crowd-pleasing slugger.”

Now 60, Banke lives on Social Security disability insurance in Pasadena with his dog and birds. He said the pension money will allow him to buy a car.

“This is a lot of money for me,” Banke said.

The plan offers pensions to any professional boxer, regardless of residency, who logged at least 75 scheduled rounds in California with no more than a three-year break. Pension amounts are determined by how many rounds the boxer fought and the size of the purses. Boxers can claim their pensions at ago 50, or earlier if used for medical or educational purposes.

Andy Foster, executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission, at a meeting last year.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The plan, funded through an 88-cent-per-ticket fee, was created in 1982 to provide a “modicum of financial security” to retired fighters, according to the state statute. More than $4.5 million has been paid to 265 retired fighters, with most claims coming in the last decade. The average pension is a one-time $17,000 payment.

Dozens of boxers told The Times in interviews over the past year that they couldn’t recall ever receiving information about their pension accounts during their careers and criticized the state for not making more of an effort to find them. Following The Times’ investigation, the commission pledged to step up efforts to locate boxers and paid a record number of pensions last year. However, even with the increased payouts, fewer than 1 in 4 boxers who could claim pensions did so last year, according to The Times’ analysis of commission documents.

Banke said he called the athletic commission multiple times over the last 10 years and each time was told he did not qualify. Following The Times’ investigation, Banke’s friends told him to keep pushing the commission to explain why he was being rebuffed. Banke said he was getting nowhere before contacting The Times.

“It’s alarming,” said Hector Lizarraga, a champion featherweight who filed for his pension last year after being contacted by The Times. “I told him he had to be persistent and keep asking. It’s unacceptable. It’s not like he’s any fighter. We are talking about a former world champion.”

Foster said there could be other boxers owed pensions for whom the commission has no record, but he’s doubtful.

“I mean, there might be, but we did a little query, and I can’t find one,” Foster said. “We were a little bit concerned about that. But there might be another one, I don’t know. But I think this is kind of an anomaly.”

Sports

Apple introduces new MacBook Air laptop with M3 chip

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Apple on Monday unveiled a new MacBook Air with the powerful M3 chip, and the 13-inch and 15-inch devices feature a thin and light design, up to 18 hours of battery life, Liquid Retina display and new capabilities.

With M3, MacBook Air is up to 60 per cent faster than the model with the M1 chip and up to 13 times faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air, the company said in a statement.

The new capabilities include support for up to two external displays and up to two times faster Wi-Fi than the previous generation.

“From college students pursuing their degrees, to business users who need powerful productivity, or anyone who simply wants the unmatched combination of performance, portability, and industry-leading battery life, all in a fanless design, the new MacBook Air continues to be the world’s best thin and light laptop,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

Customers can now order the new MacBook Air with M3 and it will arrive on March 8.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at Rs 114,900 and Rs 104,900 for education, and the 15‑inch MacBook Air with M3 starts at Rs 134,900 and Rs 124,900 for education. Both are available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space grey colours.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip now starts at Rs 99,900 and Rs 89,900 for education, informed the company.

Featuring a powerful 8-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and support for up to 24GB of unified memory, the new MacBook Air supports hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing.

MacBook Air supports cloud-based solutions, enabling users to run powerful productivity and creative apps that tap into the power of AI, such as Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, Canva, and Adobe Firefly, said the company.

Technology

Destiny 2 Guardian Games 2024 release TIME, update 7.3.5 patch notes, Skimmer and more | Gaming | Entertainment

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Destiny 2 developer Bungie is about to unleash the Guardian Games for 2024. The next Guardian Games event has a March 5 release date and a 6pm GMT UK launch time. One of the more exciting Destiny 2 events in a long time, the Guardian Games introduces a new vehicle, as the Skimmer joins the game. Like Destiny meets Tony Hawk’s, the Skimmer is a hoverboard that can be used to perform tricks, grind rails and “stylishly skim” across the map.

Bungie explains more: “It’s the time of the year when Hunters, Warlocks, and Titans compete against each other for honour, gear, and the bragging rights that come with being the winners of Guardian Games All-Stars!

“Eva Levante will be back at the Tower as your event manager, and she has a very special surprise for you all.”

According to Bungie, the new Skimmer is called the Allstar Vector and will be available for everyone to earn during Guardian Games All-Stars.

Fans can pick up the Skimmer from Eva Levante after completing the onboarding quest. To unlock it permanently, you’ll need to complete the Drop In quest.

Needless to say, the new Destiny 2 event launches alongside a big patch, as update 7.3.5 hits the servers. 

You can check out the early update 7.3.5 patch notes below.

Destiny 2 update 7.3.5 early patch notes…

• A reduction in uptime for Threaded Specter.

• A few changes to Threadlings to make them easier to deal with in the Crucible.

• A fix for the Restoration timer extension issue, with a few corresponding changes to relevant Solar Fragments.

• A small number of ability buffs that we’re pulling forward from our balance pass in The Final Shape.

Threaded Specter

• Ensnaring Slam

 – Reduced class ability regeneration penalty duration by 50% in PvE activities.

• Threaded Specter

 – Now applies the same class ability regeneration penalty used by Ensnaring Slam when the player creates a Threaded Specter.

 – Increased Threaded Specter detonation damage by 25% vs. PvE combatants.

Threadlings

• Increased aim assist shape size from 0.41m to 0.5m (this makes aim assist more effective against them, making them easier to shoot)

• Reduced base damage vs. enemy players from 40 to 35.

• Damage with Thread of Evolution equipped reduced vs. enemy players from 45 to 38.5.

• Fixed an issue where groups of Threadlings were not reliably chain detonating when one was destroyed.

• Fixed an issue where Threadlings sometimes did not play their (non-damaging) destruction performance when destroyed by enemy fire, resulting in them appearing to blip out of existence.

Maps

• Additional map spawning quality of life pass.

 – Addressing spawn traps for Eternity and Fortress.

 – Removing all backfield spawns for non-Rift modes: The Citadel, Cathedral of Dusk, Disjunction, and Convergence.

 – This will effectively make these maps play 30-50% smaller than they do currently and reduce the amount of time spent running back to combat after spawning.

• Major tuning of the initial spawning, Heavy ammo crate, and tiebreaker zone locations for all maps.

• We are also making changes to our workflows that will allow us to update the above variables more easily. In the future, we’ll be able to more quickly address issues with map imbalance and spawning.

 – For example, the next time Dead Cliffs returns for Trials, it will have changes made to the spawns, zones, and Heavy ammo placement to make it more balanced.

Destiny 2 Guardians Games launches on the same day that The Witch Queen joins the PS Plus Essentials line-up.

The Destiny 2 expansion introduces a new location, alongside a new campaign, weapons and lots more.

“Delve into Savathûn’s Throne World to uncover the mystery of how she and her Lucent Hive stole the Light,” reads the official description.

“Learn the secrets to crafting new weapons, the new Glaive, and survive the truth within her web of lies. A twisted wonderland of corruption and splendor, Savathûn’s Throne World plays host to a fragile balance of power.

“From her palace to the swamp, all that she hides can be found here. Create custom weaponry with unique mod, shader, and stat combinations. Master the new Glaive weapon type and unleash powerful melee combos, projectile attacks, and a deployable energy shield.”

If you want to save money on a PlayStation Plus subscription, then click the link above to grab a discount.

Arts Entertainments

What documents do you need to sell your car?

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Paperwork is a necessary evil when selling a car – not just to ensure a seamless transition of the vehicle from you, the seller, to its new owner, but also to protect yourself legally.

In this article we’ll detail what you need to do depending on your state or territory – and we’ve included four additional actions to remember after you’ve sold the car.

No matter where you live, or if the car is registered or unregistered, make sure you exchange a Bill of Sale – a tax invoice, receipt, proof of purchase.

It’s normally not required, but it’s best practice and protects you legally in case something goes awry. Do this in addition to any steps we’ve outlined for your state or territory below.

The biggest responsibility for any Australian no matter what state or territory you live in, is letting the authorities know that a registered vehicle is no longer yours. This is normally done using something like a Notice of Disposal.

You should do this as soon as you have handed over the car, otherwise you might be held responsible for any fines incurred by the new owner.

Selling a car in New South Wales

Selling a car in NSW is straightforward. When completing the sale, make sure you get the buyer’s NSW driver’s licence number.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

If they don’t have one, don’t sell the car until they have gone to a Service NSW registry and obtained a customer number. This requires them to prove their identity. This is their responsibility.

When you have this, fill out a Notice of Disposal (to avoid being held responsible for the new owner’s traffic or parking fines). You should do this ASAP, but no later than 14 days, otherwise the cost of transferring the registration goes up significantly for the new owner (who can’t proceed until you’ve done your bit).

You can submit a Notice of Disposal online using the Service NSW website – or you can print off a copy and mail it, or go to a motor registry. The buyer doesn’t need to sign a hard copy of a Notice of Disposal in NSW, so you don’t need to have one on hand when physically handing over the car.

You don’t need a roadworthy certificate to sell a car in NSW.

Selling a car in Victoria

Selling a registered vehicle in Victoria is somewhat more complicated than other states.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

Firstly, a Certificate of Roadworthiness is required – or a Roadworthy Certificate, commonly abbreviated to “RWC” online.

VicRoads actually doesn’t care who obtains it – whether that’s the seller, or the buyer. The buyer is the one who must provide the RWC paperwork when they transfer rego, but in most cases it’s the seller who takes care of obtaining it.

Most local mechanics can supply you with an RWC – provided it’s in good mechanical condition. You might have to fix up a few bits and pieces first, and some very old cars might need a lot of work. And keep in mind that an RWC is only valid in Victoria for 30 days after its completion date. After that, you have to get another one.

The mechanic sets the cost, which is typically between $150 and $250. You might save a bit by calling around workshops in your local area – and it’s worth asking for local recommendations for trustworthy mechanics who won’t use the opportunity to sell you a bunch of repair work on your car that it might not strictly need.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

You can sell your car without a RWC in Victoria, however most buyers will expect a discount for having to obtain the RWC themselves – risking expensive repair work. Sometimes it makes sense to offer a car for sale “without RWC supplied” if it’s older, needs a lot of repair work, or if the new owner is likely to cancel the rego.

Note that you don’t need a RWC if the car is already unregistered; if you’re transferring registration to your spouse; or if selling the car to a used vehicle dealer.

Once you’ve sorted out the RWC, if you’re selling a registered car in Victoria, you must ensure the buyer has a Victorian licence number. If they don’t, they must go to a registry and get a VicRoads customer number.

Don’t sell a Victorian-registered vehicle to someone without a Victorian licence number, or this VicRoads customer number, otherwise it might come back to bite you. This requires them to prove their identity.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

Then you must complete a Vehicle Transfer Form, the hardcopy of which is on the VicRoads website. Make sure you, the seller, keep a copy of this form.

After this, you need to complete a Notice of Disposal ASAP to avoid being held responsible for any fines the new owner might incur before they’ve transferred the rego into their name. You can do this on the VicRoads website once you’ve set up a myVicRoads account. You can also go into a VicRoads registry to do this – take your copy of the Vehicle Transfer Form with you, as well.

Once that’s all done, you can make yourself a cup of tea and collapse in a heap.

If you’re selling a car to someone interstate, VicRoads recommends cancelling the rego before handing the car over.

If you’ve got custom number plates and want to keep them, the very first step when selling your car is going into a VicRoads motor registry, paying a fee for new number plates and fitting them to the car.

Selling a car in Queensland

Like Victoria, Queensland requires proof of roadworthiness when transferring registration from an old owner to a new one.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

Queensland calls this a Safety Certificate and it’s the sole responsibility of the seller. You can be fined for selling a car without a current Safety Certificate.

You can obtain a Safety Certificate – whether handwritten, or in electronic form – from a mechanic’s workshop that is an Approved Inspection Station. The costs are fixed. As of March 2024, a Safety Certificate for a car cost $92.90. A Safety Certificate is valid for two months or 2000km from the date of issue, whichever expires first.

Of course, your car might need mechanical work before being issued with a Safety Certificate, so it’s worth asking for local recommendations for a trustworthy workshop who won’t see you coming. As is common sense, an older car might just need more mechanical work before it’s considered legally roadworthy.

In some instances you don’t need a Safety Certificate, such as if you’re transferring rego to your spouse.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

Once you’ve sorted the Safety Certificate and have found a buyer for the car, make sure you record the buyer’s Queensland licence number and if they don’t have one, don’t sell the car until they’ve obtained a customer reference number from a Queensland motor registry requiring them to prove their identity.

Once the car has left your possession, you must transfer the registration to the new owner online – and out of your name, so you aren’t responsible for any fines after you’ve handed over the keys. It’s best to do this ASAP, but you have up to 14 days to do so.

You can do this via the Queensland Government’s website. Note you will need the buyer’s Queensland licence number (or a customer reference number) and their email address.

Selling a car in Western Australia

Once the sale has been agreed, you must notify the Department of Transport (DoT) that you’ve disposed of the vehicle – either online, or by post.

Online is as easy as registering a DoTDirect account and going from there.

If you’re doing it by post, the seller and buyer must complete a Notification of Change of Ownership form which is available on the DoT website. The seller must then mail their copy to the DoT within seven days or risk getting a fine.

This requires the buyer’s signature, so it’s a good idea to have a hard copy with you when physically handing over the car. This isn’t required if you’re just transferring the rego online.

A roadworthy certificate isn’t required when selling a car in WA.

Selling a car in South Australia

After the car is sold, you have to lodge a disposal notice as soon as possible. This lets Service SA know that you no longer own the vehicle and to transfer the remaining registration to the new owner.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

You need the buyer’s SA driver’s licence number, their client number from Service SA, or their date of birth.

This can be done online using a mySAGOV account, by post using the disposal notice on the vehicle’s registration papers (once completed and signed by both you and the seller), or by taking the completed paperwork to a Service SA customer centre.

A roadworthy certificate isn’t required when selling a car in SA.

Selling a car in Tasmania

Like most other states, selling a car in Tasmania simple. Once the sale is agreed, the seller has seven days to complete a disposal notice. This can be done via the Tasmanian Government services website, or by filling out a form and submitting it by email, post or in-person at any Services Tasmania location.

A roadworthy certificate isn’t required when selling a car in Tasmania.

Selling a car in the Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, proof of a car’s roadworthiness with a Certificate of Inspection is required to transfer ownership from a seller to a buyer – if the car is older than six years. Cars newer than six years don’t need this.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

You can obtain a Certificate of Roadworthiness from the Access Canberra Motor Vehicle Inspection Station in Hume, ACT. Bookings are essential. You can also get your Certificate of Inspection from a mechanic which is an approved Authorised Inspection Station.

This can be organised by either the seller, or the buyer. If you’re wanting to sell your car without a Certificate of Inspection, a buyer might expect a discount for taking on the risk of unforeseen mechanical repairs to achieve roadworthiness. You should be aware that your car might need some repairs before it’s issued with a Certificate of Inspection.

Once this is sorted, you and the buyer need to complete two forms – an Application to Transfer Vehicle Registration, and a Notice of Disposal. You can find these on the Access Canberra government website.

Once completed, it’s your responsibility as the seller to send the Notice of Disposal to Access Canberra as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days otherwise you’ll be hit with a late fee. (And you’ll want to do this anyway to get the vehicle out of your name, to avoid being held responsible for any fines incurred by the new owner.)

The form can be submitted in person at an Access Canberra location, by post, by email, or using the Road Transport Authority online contact form.

Selling a car in the Northern Territory

In the NT, when selling the car, make sure you and the buyer fill out a Notice of Disposal – which is available on the NT government website. As the seller, you must lodge this with the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) ASAP – either by email, mail, or in person at an MVR office. A vehicle seller has up to 14 days to lodge a notice of disposal.

You also need to provide the new owner with proof of ownership – which assumes you’ve kept any original documentation from when you bought the car yourself. Ideally, this would be the most recent registration certificate in the name of, and signed by, the owner before you.

A roadworthy certificate isn’t required when selling a car in the NT.

  • What documents do you need to sell your car?

Four other bits of paperwork to keep in mind when selling a car

  1. Don’t forget to immediately cancel all ongoing costs associated with the car, such as toll accounts, registration direct debits and insurance direct debits.
  2. Remember to provide the user manual and service logbooks. Make sure these are with the car when you give it to the new owner, along with any receipts and tax invoices from earlier repairs (although that’s optional). Also include all keys and fobs.
  3. If there’s remaining warranty coverage on your car – say it came with a seven-year warranty, and you’re selling after four years – or capped-price services, often these are tied to the car, rather than the owner, so no transfer documentation is required. However, it’s worth checking with your dealer just in case.
  4. Let the manufacturer know there’s a new owner. Some manufacturers request this in case the new owner needs to be notified for something important like a safety recall.

Basic receipt template when selling a car

Having a receipt of sale (or Bill of Sale, Sales Receipt or Proof of Purchase) is a wise thing to do for both buyer and seller – and can come in handy later if there are ever any legal implications.

Do your own research for what you need, but this will get you started. You can use our basic private vehicle contract of sale template as a starting point and print two copies for you and the buyer to sign – one for you to keep, and one for them.

Auto

Key Reasons Why Bitcoin Price Will Surge Beyond 70K This Week

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Bitcoin is in the midst of a remarkable surge, approaching levels unseen in the past two years. Currently hovering at $67,070, the cryptocurrency is on the brink of hitting the elusive $69,000 mark, a threshold not breached since its previous all-time high.

Key Events on the Horizon

In the midst of this exciting rally, traders and enthusiasts are turning their attention to the upcoming events that could further shape Bitcoin’s trajectory. The focal point of this anticipation is the series of key economic indicators and Federal Reserve communications scheduled for the upcoming week.

On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision, Michael Barr, is scheduled to address the public, setting the stage for a week filled with high-impact events. 

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is set to deliver his annual testimony to Congress on Wednesday and Thursday, offering insights into the central bank’s stance on interest rates. Previous instances have seen Bitcoin responding both favorably and unfavorably to Powell’s speeches, adding an element of uncertainty to the current rally.

Additionally, Friday is expected to bring key data releases, including the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report and the U.S. unemployment rate. 

Bitcoin’s Journey to $70,000

As Bitcoin approaches the crucial $69,000 threshold, the cryptocurrency market remains on high alert for possible price fluctuations and broader market dynamics. The recent surge past $65,000 indicates robust buying interest, even in the face of bearish technical signals stemming from overbought conditions.

Analysts are now aiming for the possibility of Bitcoin pushing beyond the $70,000 mark shortly.

Cryptocurrency

Weight-loss medications are not effective without ‘nutrition therapy,’ experts say

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People who are on weight-loss journeys should not rely solely on anti-obesity medications, according to a statement from a national nutrition association.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released the statement on March 4, which is World Obesity Day.

“The academy calls on the medical community, including pharmaceutical manufacturers of anti-obesity medications, obesity medicine providers and other health care practitioners specializing in obesity, to enhance the efficacy of these medications and maximize patient success rates by including a referral for medical nutrition therapy from a registered dietitian nutritionist alongside prescriptions for anti-obesity medications,” said Dr. Lauri Wright, PhD, president of the Chicago-based academy.

OBESITY IS ‘EXPLODING,’ WITH MORE THAN 12% OF PEOPLE CLASSIFIED AS OBESE WORLDWIDE, STUDY FINDS: ‘BIG TROUBLE’

“The anti-obesity medications alone will not end obesity unless they are combined with a collaborative, interprofessional approach that includes policy changes to reduce health inequity and disparity,” she also said in the release. 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Wright emphasized the need to overcome obstacles to obesity treatment. 

People on weight-loss journeys should not rely solely on anti-obesity medications, a national nutrition association said on Monday, March 4. (iStock)

“We must reevaluate how we treat and prevent obesity by increasing access to nutritious food and for health insurance plans to cover nutrition services,” she said. 

“Medical nutrition therapy and intensive behavioral therapy provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist are both proven and cost-effective.”

Man with obesity

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released its statement on March 4, which is World Obesity Day. “We must reevaluate how we treat and prevent obesity by increasing access to nutritious food and for health insurance plans to cover nutrition services,” the president of the group said.  (iStock)

Semaglutides, a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists — including Ozempic (prescribed for diabetes management), Wegovy (prescribed for weight loss), Rybelsus (type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (weight loss) — have been spiking in popularity in recent years.

The number of people in the U.S. using GLP-1 agonists for either diabetes or obesity reached 40 million in 2022, research has shown.

OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY OVERDOSE CALLS HAVE SPIKED, EXPERTS SAY — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DANGEROUS DOSES

In the academy’s statement, Wright referred to obesity as “a complex, chronic and progressive disease associated with serious complications and risk of mortality.”

“Recognizing World Obesity Day during National Nutrition Month is an opportunity to reevaluate how we best utilize anti-obesity medications to ensure that every patient has access to both lifestyle interventions and safe and effective medications that can improve the health of many adults in the U.S.,” she added.

Ozempic medication

Semaglutides, a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists — including Ozempic (prescribed for diabetes management), Wegovy (prescribed for weight loss), Rybelsus (type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (weight loss) — have spiked in popularity in recent years. (Getty Images)

The academy said it plans to release a white paper in the spring, which will have detailed recommendations for lifestyle interventions.

Doctors share thoughts on the academy’s stance

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, responded to the statement in a conversation with Fox News Digital.

“It is important that we put a spotlight on this huge burgeoning problem during World Obesity Day,” he said.

OZEMPIC, THE HAPPY DRUG? STUDY SUGGESTS WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD REDUCE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY

“With over one billion obese people in the world and over a 40% obesity rate in the U.S., we have a huge problem.”

While Siegel is in agreement with the academy’s stance, he noted that not everyone with obesity needs to be on a weight-loss medication.

Nutritionist appointment

Obesity management requires a multi-pronged approach that combines proper nutrition and exercise — and takes psychosocial factors into account, one doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is right to spotlight this, but wrong to imply that this shifting focus needs to include a prescription for an anti-obesity medication, presumably a semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or a tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound).”

Given the “tremendous shortage” of these drugs, Siegel warned that many diabetics who need them can’t get them.

“And at the same time, not everyone tolerates them well, and we don’t have a complete handle yet on long-term side effects,” the doctor noted.

VIBRATING WEIGHT LOSS PILL COULD PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TO OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY, RESEARCHERS SAY

“I certainly think they are useful — and can think of many situations where they decrease risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer as well as the need for bariatric surgery — but they are surely not one size fits all and are mostly not first-line therapy.”

To promote healthy weight management, Siegel recommended increasing daily exercise and adopting a diet rich in vegetables and fiber and lower in “empty calories.”

“With over one billion obese people in the world and over a 40% obesity rate in the U.S., we have a huge problem.”

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, is a big proponent of semaglutide medications as a “highly potent” treatment in the fight against obesity.

“They are indeed the holy grail of modern-day medicine and will likely have a similar effect on worldwide health as the advent of antibiotics in the early 1900s,” he predicted to Fox News Digital. 

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Osborn said he agrees with the academy’s recommendation.

“The management of obesity is complex,” he told Fox News Digital. “It is best done through a multi-pronged approach that emphasizes proper nutrition, exercise and psychosocial factors. One cannot anticipate long-term and sustainable results without all three.”

Close up shot of a woman holding a plate of fresh green salad in the beautiful morning light. She's holding a fork and she's about to eat the vegetarian food. Healthy eating and diet concept. Shallow depth of field with focus on the fork.

To promote healthy weight management, a diet should be rich in vegetables and fiber, and lower in “empty calories,” said one physician.  (iStock)

Medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro have “changed the landscape of obesity management,” Osborn said. 

“By sending a robust satiety signal to the brain, these medications force the brain to ‘just say no,’ equating to a caloric deficit and weight loss,” he said. 

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“But absent exercise and a properly designed macronutrient-based food regimen with its full complement of protein, fats and carbohydrates, one may develop a relatively malnourished state … and a compromised immune system.”

For this reason, Osborn recommended that medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro should always be prescribed along with nutrition and exercise counseling. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, for comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

Eat Like A Hyderabadi: 5 Traditional Nizami Breakfast Options You Must Try

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Hyderabadi cuisine has made a mark on the world food map with its flavours, aroma, and uniqueness. Beyond the much-popular biryani, the food culture sees a beautiful blend of Mughlai, Turkish, and Arabic influences, transforming each dish into a wonderful experience. And we feel those who yearn to savour the traditional Hyderabadi breakfast, they must travel to the old city to enjoy some of the most authentic delicacies available. From Shah Gous to Cafe Bahar, Hotel Shadab, and more, the old city houses a list of eateries, offering the traditional Nizami breakfast from five in the morning. And guess what, people throng these places, especially during the weekends, to experience a one-of-a-kind breakfast spread.  
Also Read: Try Hyderabadi Pasinday Recipe: Bring The Nizam City’s Flavours Right To Your Kitchen

Here’re 5 Nizami Breakfast Foods That You Must Try In Hyderabad:

1. Paaya:

It is a soup made with goat or lamb trotters. Originating in Central Asia, the dish was later introduced in India by the Muslim community. The Hyderabadi Paaya is quite different from the one that’s popular in Delhi or Uttar Pradesh. How, you ask? The use of Hyderabadi ‘potli masala’ lends fresh flavour to the dish. Paaya is typically consumed with naan and rotis.

2. Hyderabadi Khichdi:

Also called masala khichdi, it is much different from the classic khichdi available across India. This khichdi is prepared with rice and masoor dal, and the grains are not sticky or wet. Masala khichdi is usually served with khatta- a tangy chutney, made with tomato, garlic and chilli.

3. Kheema:

Masala khichdi is also enjoyed with kheema. Usually prepared with ground beef or lamb, it is cooked in refined oil, with sliced onion, ginger-garlic paste, a pool of whole spices, garam masala and chopped methi leaves. Usually, kheema is paired with khatta and masala khichdi for a wholesome breakfast.

4. Bheja Fry:

Bheja means brain. Bheja fry is made from goat or lamb brain and served along with parathas and paaya for a quintessential Nizami breakfast. This dish is delicate and super easy to make. You need to fry the bheja and toss it with tomato, onion, coriander and a range of spices. That’s it!
Also Read: Beyond Biryani: 7 Popular Hyderabadi Delicacies You Must Try!

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5. Irani Chai:

Finally, end your meal with a hot cup of Irani chai. It is tea, made with milk, sugar and spices and has a thicker texture than usual. Irani chai is paired with melt-in-mouth Osmania biscuits for a wholesome experience.

How did you find this interesting range of Hyderabadi breakfast? We suggest, give it a try for a unique meal experience. Enjoy your day!

Home Kitchen

Juli Lynne Charlot, Creator of the Poodle Skirt, Dies at 101

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What’s a nice Jewish viscountess to do when she has a title but no money, a party invitation but no clothes and a pair of scissors but no sewing skills?

Invent the poodle skirt, of course.

That, quite by accident, is what Juli Lynne Charlot did in late 1947, in the process creating a totem of midcentury material culture as evocative as the saddle shoe, the Hula-Hoop and the pink plastic lawn flamingo.

Ms. Charlot, a New York native who died at her home in Tepoztlán, Mexico, on Sunday at 101, had been a Hollywood singer before her marriage in the mid-1940s to a viscount, or British nobleman. Fashion conscious but hopeless with a needle, she stumbled by necessity onto a pattern for a striking skirt that involved no sewing: Take a large swath of solid-colored felt, cut it into an expansive circle, adorn it with jaunty appliquéd figures in contrasting colors, snip a hole in the center and pop yourself in.

The result, the embellished circle skirt, was ubiquitous throughout the 1950s, bought in droves by women and, in particular, adolescent girls. With its voluminous fabric that flared prettily when the wearer twirled, it was just the thing for a sock hop.

Over the years, circle skirts by Ms. Charlot and her many imitators came adorned with a range of figurative appliqués, often comprising small visual narratives. But because the garment’s most popular incarnation sported images of poodles, all such skirts came generically to be known as poodle skirts.

“When I was a teenager, every girl in the entire Western world wore a poodle skirt,” the humorist Erma Bombeck wrote in a 1984 column. She went on to define it as “a skirt with enough cloth to slipcover New Jersey with a big poodle appliquéd on it.”

Born quite literally of postwar abundance — fabric was no longer in short supply — the poodle skirt merged seamlessly with the youth culture of the 1950s, a set of glad rags that appeared to presage a carefree era. Never mind the Cold War, the skirt seemed to say: We’re gonna rock around the clock.

In later years, the poodle skirt became visual shorthand for the entire decade. Even now, a production of “Grease” or “Bye Bye Birdie” can scarcely be mounted without one in evidence.

The daughter of Phillip and Betty (Cohen) Agin, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, Ms. Charlot was born Shirley Agin on Oct. 26, 1922, in Manhattan.

When she was a child, her family moved to Southern California. There, her father, an electrician, and her mother, an embroiderer, plied their trades at Hollywood studios.

“It was easier to be poor in a benign climate,” Ms. Charlot said in 2017, at 94, in an interview for this obituary that ranged over her singing career (“I still have a voice, by the way”); her improbable stage appearances with the Marx Brothers (“I was very beautiful then”); her penchant for marriage and romance (“I was always in love with somebody”); and her work as a self-taught fashion designer.

Young Shirley’s school friends included entertainers-to-be like the future Judy Garland, the future Ann Miller and the future Lana Turner. Possessed of a fine soprano voice, she began taking voice lessons at 13, determined to become an opera singer. “I was going to be the greatest exponent of Mozart,” she said.

Because she thought Shirley no fit name for a diva, she adopted the professional name Juli Lynne.

After graduating from Hollywood High School, she sang with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and with Xavier Cugat’s orchestra. During World War II she appeared with the Marx Brothers on a tour of stateside military bases.

Throughout her performing years, she designed her own wardrobe. Because she had refused to learn to sew (“I didn’t want to be a drudge, like my mother,” she said), she hired a seamstress to realize her designs in cloth.

Ms. Charlot had no shortage of “celebrity admirers,” she said, among them Harold Lloyd, Gary Cooper and Isaac Stern, the violinist.

She married four times, “to two millionaires, a royal count and a son of a” — and here she paused for dramatic effect — “baron.”

The first marriage, to the first millionaire, “didn’t really count,” Ms. Charlot said. They were divorced after three days.

Just after the war, she eloped to Las Vegas with Philip Charlot, an officer in the British Royal Navy. The son of a French father and an English mother, he was also, she learned only later, a viscount.

At his request, she gave up her career, settling for life as a stay-at-home viscountess. Her husband found work as a Hollywood film editor.

In December 1947, she was invited to a Hollywood Christmas party. She had nothing suitable to wear and no money: Her husband had recently lost his job.

A fairy godmother intervened in the person of Ms. Charlot’s mother, who by then had a small children’s wear factory. She gave her daughter a vast sheet of white felt.

Out came the scissors, and before long, Ms. Charlot found herself at the center of a white circle skirt.

“I worked out the hole with my brother’s slide rule: C = 2πr,” she said in 2017. She could sew just well enough by hand to appliqué green felt Christmas trees onto the background.

“My mother had a cigar box full of little tchotchkes that she used in her work,” she said. “Those went onto the Christmas trees as decorations.”

The skirt was “a huge hit” at the party, she recalled.

She made several similar skirts and took them to a Beverly Hills boutique. They sold out.

After the holidays, the store requested a nonseasonal design. She created a tableau of dachshunds chasing each other around the skirt. Once the dachshunds sold, the store suggested she turn her attention to poodles. French poodles were très chic at the time, and many customers owned them.

The poodles pummeled the dachshunds.

Today, Ms. Charlot’s skirts are prized by collectors of vintage clothing and can sell for many hundreds of dollars each.

Before long, Ms. Charlot had a poodle-skirt factory. She made skirts adorned with images of frogs and lily pads, Parisian street scenes, galloping racehorses, cascading flowers, and champagne glasses and pink elephants, along with coordinating blouses, dresses, hats and handbags.

By the early 1950s, her skirts were selling for about $35 apiece — some $400 in today’s money.

Because Ms. Charlot’s business skills were, by her own account, on par with her sewing, her factory floundered at first. “Mother hocked her diamond ring three weeks in a row to help me meet the payroll,” she told the news service United Press in 1953.

But with the help of an investor — and with orders from exclusive department stores, including Bullock’s Wilshire in Los Angeles, Neiman Marcus in Dallas and Bergdorf Goodman in New York — her future was assured.

Today, Ms. Charlot’s skirts are prized by collectors of vintage clothing and can sell for many hundreds of dollars each.

Ms. Charlot’s marriage to her viscount did not endure. At the height of her success as a designer, she was summoned to tea by his mother. “The more successful you become, the less successful he becomes,” she recalled her mother-in-law saying. “You are destroying my son.”

Though Ms. Charlot loved her husband deeply, she gave him a divorce, she said, so he could recoup his life.

Ms. Charlot’s third marriage, to the second millionaire, ended in divorce, as did her fourth, to the Mexican-born son of a German baron. He had not troubled to tell her, she discovered, that he had been married to two women previously and had never quite bothered to divorce either.

Ms. Charlot leaves no immediate family.

In later years, Ms. Charlot, whose death was confirmed by her friend Carol Hopkins, manufactured contemporary renditions of traditional Mexican wedding dresses. She had lived in Tepoztlán, south of Mexico City, since the 1980s.

By the height of the Swinging Sixties, the miniskirt had put paid to the poodle. But before that happened, a young woman was captured in a press photograph that betrayed the reach of Ms. Charlot’s work.

The time was 1951, and the place was Ottawa, where the woman was attending a hoedown at the home of Canada’s governor general. At 25, she had never seen a hoedown, and was tutored privately in its mysteries before the dancing began.

The woman, attired in a steel blue circle skirt by Ms. Charlot appliquéd with hearts, flowering branches and stylized figures of Romeo and Juliet, acquitted herself admirably, according to news reports.

Her name was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, and she would be known from the next year on as Queen Elizabeth II.

Alex Traub contributed reporting.

Lifestyle Fashion

Cheerble Wicked Snail Review 2024: Our Expert’s Opinion

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Our Final Verdict

We give Cheerble Wicked Snail a rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars.

Entertainment: 5/5

Durability: 5/5

Battery: 4.5/5

Value: 4.5/5

Keeping an active kitten or juvenile cat entertained is a full-time job. But who in this day and age has the time to wave a feather wand around twenty-four-seven?

That’s where Cheerble comes in. This innovative pet toy company has set out to bring cheer to cats and dogs around the world by creating smart interactive toys. And by “smart interactive,” I mean toys that will wear your cat out so you don’t have to!

The newest toy to the Cheerble line-up is Wicked Snail. This self-powered chase toy is similar to the company’s flagship Cheerble Ball. But this awesome product has an adorable snail-head with light-up antennas and improved maneuvering to keep your cat entertained longer.

I had the chance to try the Cheerble Wicked Snail on my inexhaustible eight-month-old kitten, Makoa. This rescue cat has more energy than my six-year-old daughter. And gets himself into way more trouble.

After a week of using Wicked Snail to entertain Makoa, I can now confidently say it is possible to wear this kitty out. Keep reading to find out why I might love this smart toy even more than my cat and to see my full Cheerble Wicked Snail review.

About Cheerble

Cheerble Wicked Snail - product box

Cheerble was founded by a group of pet parents who wanted to bring more tech to the pet toy industry. With innovative toys like the phone-controlled Wickedbone and KiTiDot laser pointer collar, they have done just that.

Where Are Cheerble Products Produced?

Like many innovative home tech companies out there today, Cheerble is based out of Shenzhen, China. Unlike so many of these companies, Cheerble is proud to be operating out of one of the fastest-growing tech hot spots in the world and is happy to put their faces behind their products.

There are many stellar reviews calling attention to Cheerble’s excellent customer service. The quality of the toys themselves also says a lot about the pride that goes into these products.

Which Type of Cats Are Cheerble Products Best For?

When it comes to toys, Cheerble products are definitely best suited for playful kitties. These interactive toys are especially good for cats who like to chase, pounce, and stalk.

Cheerble doesn’t just make toys. They also have water fountains, brushes, litter scoopers, and deodorizers that just about any cat owner can appreciate.

cat paw divider

Overview

Cheerble Wicked Snail

Here is an overview of Wicked Snail, the newest addition to the Cheerble lineup, and the toy I had the opportunity to test on my kitty. Here, we’ll look at how it works, what it does, and the important tech specs.

How It Works

The Wicked Snail is made of three main parts.

In the center, the snail’s body acts as the weight to keep the toy upright. The LED antennas change color during startup to express what mode the snail is in and rapidly change color during operation to entice kitties.

Two half shells, one on each side of the body, spin both forward and backward to move the snail around the floor. If the snail gets knocked over, the curved surface of the shell spins and wobbles until the snail finds its feet again.

This unique design means the snail will keep moving no matter how hard your cat bops it around.

What It Does

Wicked Snail has two modes, gentle and normal.

In gentle mode, the snail moves around the house at a somewhat quick pace. In normal mode, it moves even faster. In both modes, the snail bounces off of furniture and walls, thrashes around on its side, and does everything else it can to get your kitty’s attention.

The snail will run for ten minutes straight. After that, it will only move when your cat touches it.

Cheerble Wicked Snail - makoa looking at the toy

Technical Specs

Wicked Snail only works on hard flooring and flat (very, very low pile) carpets and rugs. None of the carpets in my house were low enough to allow it to move around. But it worked very well on my vinyl plank floors.

Many users note that, with the automatic “still” function, Wicked Snail can provide a full day of fun without running out of battery. Since my cat prefers to play with it nonstop, I can confidently say the battery only lasts about one and a half hours if played with consistently.

The snail is made of safe PVC and is highly durable.

In Summary

Pros

  • Quick movements to get the cat’s attention
  • Prey-like thrashing/spinning motions
  • Gets itself unstuck easily
  • Durable
  • Noise-free entertainment

Cons

  • Short battery life
  • Can’t move over carpet
  • Only slight difference between modes

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Key Features

Cheerble Wicked Snail - toy moving on the floor

Enticing Movement

The unique design of this chase toy allows it not just to move forward and backward, but to thrash and spin, too. When it tips onto its side, the spinning curved shell causes it to jostle around quite violently. The noise and movement of this grab the kitty’s attention even more so than the fast linear movement many chase toys are restricted to.

Doesn’t Get Stuck

When working on hard surfaces, it takes a lot for this toy to get stranded. Because it can thrash and move forward and backward, it usually gets itself unstuck quickly, whether it goes under furniture, hops onto the sliding door track, or backs itself into a corner. This means more uninterrupted play time for kitty and more quiet time for you.

Easy to Add Variation

The problem with most interactive cat toys is that they can quickly lose your cat’s interest due to repetitive motion. Not only does this toy display a wider variety of movements, but you can easily switch things up by changing the environment in which you’re using it.

By placing my Wicked Snail inside a box, in a large paper bag, and under a thin sheet, I created new games that held my cat’s interest for days.

cat paw divider

Is the Wicked Snail a Good Value?

Compared to some products in the self-propelled cat toy category, Wicked Snail is a touch expensive. But considering the durability of the materials used and the extra attention that went into designing its features, I think it’s well worth the extra investment.

Had my cat gotten sick of it after only a few days (as he has with previous chase toys I’ve tried), I might not think that’s the case. But the unique motions this snail employs and the simple design that makes it easy to use in different situations has kept my cat engaged. For this reason alone, I’d pay top dollar for this product.

Cheerble Wicked Snail - makoa got curios of the toy

cat paw divider

FAQ

Does Wicked Snail come with a warranty?

Yes, it comes with a 1-year warranty. And, like all Cheerble products, Wicked Snail can be returned within thirty days for a full refund, no questions asked.

How long does shipping take?

Most US orders are fulfilled from Cheerble’s US shipping center and take only 5 to 7 days to arrive.

How do you turn Wicked Snail on?

Turn Wicked Snail on by holding down the button on the back of the body. To change modes, short-press the button immediately after the light turns on. The power button is made to be long-pressed with a firm finger to avoid your cat accidentally hitting it during play.

Cheerble Wicked Snail - makoa enjoying the new toy

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Our Experience With Wicked Snail

Anyone who has ever raised a kitten knows that the juvenile years between four months and one year are often the most difficult. This has been especially true for my rescue kitten, Makoa.

I found him wandering the street alone at just five weeks old. A combination of traumatic weaning and being raised as a solo kitty with only dogs to play with has created a teenage monster cat who loves to bite during play.

To help redirect this problematic behavior, I’ve been trying all types of toys. Since Makoa has more time to play than I have time to play with him, I have been especially interested in autonomous interactive toys. That’s one reason I was very excited about the opportunity to try Wicked Snail.

Other self-propelled toys have proven too boring to hold his attention for more than the first few days. But not Wicked Snail. I have been using this to tire out my rambunctious teenage cat at least twice a day for well over a week.

And he still loves it!

Every time he hears that telltale scuffle of the snail rolling over the floor, he comes running. He does just about as much watching as he does actual wrestling and chasing, but still, it holds his attention for hours.

I attribute much of Wicked Snail’s hypnotic power to its unique motions and super-fast movement.

The other thing I love about this toy is that its simple design makes it easy to vary its use. One of Makoa’s favorite things is when I put the snail inside a large box so he can stalk it from outside the cardboard walls. He also loves it when I put it in a paper grocery sack and seal the end and when I let it run around under a thin sheet.

By occasionally using these variations, I have effectively kept him in love with this toy. And since it’s not cheap, this kind of ongoing fascination is key to the value I see in Wicked Snail.

In terms of the more technical aspects of the toy, I have also been impressed.

It’s very durable, for one. My orally fixated cat has yet to damage the antennas. And when my kiddo “accidentally” chucked it across the room, the shell half came off but was completely undamaged and snapped right back on.

The battery allows for about an hour and a half of continuous play. For Makoa, this often means he plays with it right up until it dies. But it recharges fairly quickly and he typically gets two to three full play sessions a day.

My only major issue with this toy is it doesn’t roll well across carpets and it gets completely stuck on the shag rug in the middle of my main floor. This means I have to rescue it multiple times per play session to keep the fun going.

Overall though, I could not be more happy with how much Makoa loves playing with Wicked Snail. It easily keeps his attention for long periods and usually has him napping for even longer afterward.

Cheerble Wicked Snail - makoa playing with the toy

cat paw divider

Conclusion

If you have an extra-playful kitty who craves stimulation that you can’t always give, the Cheerble Wicked Snail is here to deliver. This self-propelled snail-shaped roller combines fast forward and backward movement with thrashing about to keep your kitty enthralled. And because all you have to do is turn it on and let it go, it’s a great way to keep your kitty busy while you’re busy.

Wicked Snail is easily my cat’s favorite toy and provides him some much-needed stimulation multiple times each day. This smart toy costs a little more than the competition, but the thoughtful and effective design and durable materials used make it well worth the investment for playful cats everywhere.

Pets

ED questions Niranjan Hiranandani in FEMA case

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The Enforcement Directorate has questioned real estate billionare Niranjan Hiranandani in a foreign exchange violation case more than a month after searches were carried out its premises in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra.

Dubai-settled Niranjan Hiranandani, promoter of Mumbai-based leading real estate firm Hiranandani group, learnt to have submitted some documents in his defence to the sleuths after the probe agency issued summons seeking his appearance in the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case.

His son Darshan Hiranandani was also summoned by the ED.

Niranjan, 73, recorded his statement in the case in which he and his family members have been accused of being beneficiaries of an offshore trust in Birtish Virgin Island that accumulated assets of more than $ 60 million.

The Group had said that it will cooperate with the ED probe which carried out searches at the premises of Hiranandani Group in and around Mumbai in February.

Real Estate

Preko 23 milijuna pregleda: Vaza na TikToku podsjeća na nešto drugo

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

U POSLJEDNJIH nekoliko dana društvene mreže su se uzburkale zbog jednog neobičnog predmeta – vaze koja je postala viralni hit na TikToku. S više od 23 milijuna pregleda, ova vaza nije privukla pozornost estetikom već zbog izrazite sličnosti s nečim drugim.

Korisnici TikToka brzo su to uočili i počeli dijeliti svoje reakcije na društvenoj platformi. Dok su neki bili iznenađeni, drugi su se našalili na račun te sličnosti, stvarajući lavinu duhovitih komentara.

“Pa, to je vaza za cvijeće. Dobro”, “Znao sam da moram odmah provjeriti komentare”, “Oho, mislio sam da je nešto potpuno drugo”, “Doslovno sam bio zbunjen kako ćeš to koristiti”, “Jako mi je drago što nisam jedini koji se zbunio”, samo su neki od komentara koji su kružili.

Unatoč prvotnom dojmu, kada se u ovu vazu stavi cvijeće, ona zaista izgleda prekrasno.

Ove ukrasne akrilne vaze za cvijeće su postale popularni dodaci u uređenju interijera diljem svijeta. Njihova prilagodljivost i elegantan dizajn čine ih omiljenim izborom za uljepšavanje kućnih prostora i radnih mjesta.

S obzirom na svoju popularnost, ove dekorativne vaze lako se mogu pronaći na online tržištima poput AliExpressa po pristupačnim cijenama. Cijene ovih vaza kreću se od 18.87 eura, a možete ih vidjeti ovdje.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Former Angel Albert Pujols is working to become an MLB manager

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TEMPE, Ariz. — 

Albert Pujols reported to Angels camp on Monday for a weeklong stint as a guest instructor, fulfilling one of the obligations of the former slugger’s 10-year, $10-million personal services contract with owner Arte Moreno.

If the next few years unfold the way Pujols envisions, the surefire Hall-of-Famer will return to spring training someday with a new title: manager.

“Yeah,” Pujols said, when asked if he wanted to manage in the big leagues. “I think, you know, why not? If the opportunity is right one day, I think I’ll be ready for that.”

Pujols, 44, retired in 2022 after a 22-year career in which he won three National League most valuable player awards and two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals, became the fourth member of baseball’s exclusive 700-homer club, joining Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth, and racked up 3,384 hits, 2,218 RBIs and 1,914 runs.

But he is hardly the retiring type. Since the end of his playing career, Pujols has worked as a special assistant to Commissioner Rob Manfred, an on-air analyst for the MLB Network, and he was recently named manager of Leones del Escogido, the Dominican winter league club he grew up watching.

Pujols hopes the managing gig in his native country is the first step toward achieving his ultimate goal.

“It’s a new chapter in my life, something that I want to do, and it’s great to be able to do it in your own country for an organization that has won 17 league championships,” Pujols said. “I think of it as an opportunity to hopefully get a job up here in the big leagues some day.”

Pujols played his first 11 years under Tony La Russa in St. Louis, and after signing a 10-year, $240-million deal with the Angels before the 2012 season, he played the next seven years under Mike Scioscia in Anaheim.

Pujols closed out his career playing for Brad Ausmus and Joe Maddon in Anaheim, Dave Roberts in Los Angeles and Oliver Marmol in St. Louis, crushing career homers No. 699 and 700 as a Cardinal in Dodger Stadium on Sept. 23, 2022.

Pujols plans to have dinner in the Phoenix area with La Russa this week, and the conversation will probably sound a lot like the ones the two used to have in the Cardinals manager’s office from 2001-11.

“I was always the kind of player who would go into the office with Tony and ask him different questions, about why he did things, and I’m going to pick his brain [this week],” Pujols said. “I think I have a good idea [of how I’d manage], but it doesn’t hurt asking questions of those guys.”

Pujols also plans to spend some time talking to Ron Washington, but the new Angels manager doubts he will have much to offer that Pujols hasn’t already seen or heard.

“I think Albert is one of the smartest guys in the game,” Washington said. “And as far as him managing, I won’t approach him. He has to approach me, because he probably knows more than I do.”

Former Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero, who led the team to five American League West titles from 2004-09 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, also joined Pujols as a guest instructor Monday.

Washington hopes Pujols and Guerrero, who combined for 1,152 homers and were among the toughest players he has ever seen, will leave a lasting impression on young Angels players such as catcher Logan O’Hoppe, shortstop Zach Neto and first baseman Nolan Schanuel.

“I think they can [help with] the mental side of it,” Washington said. “Those two guys were the strongest I’ve ever seen. You never saw a weakness in the way they went about their business, and that’s what I want them to infuse in these kids because they haven’t experienced consistency, structure.

“They haven’t experienced that, when their bodies don’t feel right, to keep pushing through it. The way the world is today, when you start feeling something bad with your body, all the medical people want you to shut it down, and the baseball people are saying, ‘Keep going, keep going.’ So I think that’s what Albert and Vlad will bring.”

But some injuries, such as the ones Angels star center fielder Mike Trout has endured in the previous three seasons, are impossible to play through.

Pujols and Trout were full-season Angels teammates from 2012-20, a nine-year stretch in which Trout won three AL MVP awards, finished second in MVP voting four times and was baseball’s best all-around player until Shohei Ohtani arrived in the U.S.

But a calf injury limited Trout to 36 games in 2021, a back injury limited him to 119 games in 2022, and broken hamate bone in his left hand, suffered when he fouled a pitch off July 5, eventually ended his 2023 season.

Pujols can empathize with Trout. He believes he might have hit 800 homers had he not missed so much time in the second half of his career because of a variety of hamstring, knee and foot injuries.

“I’ve seen Mike Trout train, and there’s nobody who trains harder in that locker room,” Pujols said. “But at the end of the day, when you take that field, man, there are some things that you cannot control. One day, you wake up and your back is stiff. I’d get sore when I started lifting weights in the offseason.

“So I know what Mike has gone through, and I’ve spoken to him several times about it. It’s just part of the game. You [reporters] don’t even play, and you get hurt walking around. So it’s tough, especially when you know what you can do when you’re healthy and injuries aren’t allowing you to put up the numbers you want to put up.”

Sports

Centre launches Chakshu facility allowing citizens to report suspected fraud communication: Check details

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The Union Government on Monday, launched the ‘Chakshu’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal, allowing citizens to proactively report suspected fraud communication. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology, launched the ‘Chakshu’ initiative and also launched the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)’s ‘Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)’ to coordinate efforts among stakeholders to reduce the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial fraud.

Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw stated that the government has been making consistent efforts to combat cyber fraud through the Secure India project at three levels: national, organisational, and individual.

The minister stated that the Department of Telecommunications has undertaken numerous initiatives to raise awareness so that citizens can use such tools to address their complaints while also protecting themselves from cyber-frauds.

He cited the “Sanchar Saathi” portal as a key factor in successfully combating such attacks. The Minister stated that the tools, along with the two portals, DIP and Chakshu, will significantly improve the capacity and ability to detect any type of cyber security threat.

Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal stated that these two new portals are yet another step towards dealing with the cyber security threat to all citizens’ digital assets. He emphasised that these tools will aid in the prevention of fraudulent behaviour and the misuse of communication systems.

The Department of Telecommunications developed the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which is a secure and integrated platform for real-time intelligence sharing, information exchange, and coordination among stakeholders such as telecom service providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), banks and financial institutions (FIs), social media platforms, and identity document issuing authorities.

The portal also contains information about cases where telecom resources were misused. The shared information may be useful to stakeholders in their respective domains.

It also serves as a backend repository for citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi portal, awaiting action by stakeholders.

 

What is Chakshu?

The official statement stated that Chakshu is the latest addition to the citizen-centric facilities already available on the Sanchar Saathi portal of DoT.

The official statement added, “Chakshu facilitates citizens to report suspected fraud communication received over call, SMS or WhatsApp with the intention of defrauding like KYC expiry or update of bank account / payment wallet / SIM / gas connection / electricity connection, sextortion, impersonation as government official / relative for sending money, disconnection of all mobile numbers by Department of Telecommunications etc.” 

It said in case, a citizen is already a victim of cyber-crime or financial fraud, it is advised to report at cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or website https://www.cybercrime.gov.in of Government of India. 

(With Agency Inputs)

Technology

PM Modi’s visit prompts closure of jeep safari, elephant ride in Kaziranga | Travel

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ANI | | Posted by Zarafshan Shiraz, Kaziranga (assam) [india]

In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam, the jeep safari and elephant ride will remain closed in the Kaziranga range of Kohora from March 7 to 9.

Kaziranga suspends jeep safari, elephant rides from March 7-9 during PM Modi’s visit (File Photo by HT_PRINT)

“The jeep safari and elephant ride in Kaziranga Range, Kohora, will remain closed to visitors. Jeep Safari will remain closed to visitors on March 7, March 8 and March 9 – forenoon and elephant ride will remain closed on March 8 and March 9,” Arun Vignesh, Divisional Forest Officer, Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, said in a notice.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the national park on March 8 and 9. He is expected to arrive at the park on March 8 evening and will stay at night.

The Prime Minister during the stay, is likelt to enjoy a jungle safari within the Kohora range of the park. Both jeep safari and elephant safari have been planned in his 2-day itinerary. Kaziranga received the tag of national park in February 1974 and this year it will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee.

PM Modi on March 9 plans to unveil the magnificent bronze statue of height 125 feet world renowned Ahom general Lachit Barphukan at Jorhat.

In addition, PM Modi would perform the ‘Griha Pravesh’ (house-warming) ceremony for the 5.5 lakh houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), lay the foundation stone of Sivasagar Medical College, and speak at a public gathering at Meleng Meteli Pothar in Jorhat.

The Prime Minister will also visit Arunachal Pradesh on March 9. In Arunachal Pradesh, he will inaugurate the Sela Tunnel in West Kameng. Then, PM Modi will inaugurate multiple development projects in Itanagar, according to a government release.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Tours Travel

Sinead O’Connor’s estate demands ‘devil’ Donald Trump stops using her music at rallies | US | News

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The estate of Sinead O’Connor has requested that Donald Trump stop using her music at his campaign rallies. They stated that the late singer viewed the former president as a “biblical devil.”

Trump has been playing O’Connor’s biggest hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” during his events while campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.

In a joint statement, O’Connor’s estate and her record label, Chrysalis, demanded that Trump “desist from using her music immediately.”

O’Connor’s estate are far from the only people to demand Trump not use their music. The Smiths star Johnny Marr raged as Trump used a famous track at a rally.

The statement highlighted that the Irish singer, who passed away last year at the age of 56, lived by a strong moral code defined by honesty, kindness, fairness, and decency towards others.

READ MORE: Trump still faces full-blown constitutional crisis that could see his election win voided

The statement went on: “It was with outrage therefore that we learned that Donald Trump has been using her iconic performance of Nothing Compares 2 U at his political rallies,”

They stated that O’Connor, who passed away last year, would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone she referred to as a biblical devil.

As the guardians of her legacy, they demand that Trump and his associates stop using her music immediately.

Known for her fiery and outspoken nature, O’Connor was a critic of the Roman Catholic Church long before allegations of sexual abuse were widely reported, and she was open about her struggles with mental health.

She was found unresponsive at her London home in July and pronounced dead at the scene. A coroner ruled that she died of natural causes.

O’Connor joins a growing list of artists who have objected to Trump using their songs, including Rihanna, Neil Young, Linkin Park, the late Tom Petty and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Arts Entertainments

Jaguar to end production of petrol and diesel cars in June 2024

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The cat is out of the bag: Jaguar will end its internal combustion era in June this year.

Jaguar has confirmed to Automotive News Europe the company’s Castle Bromwich plant, on the outskirts of Birmingham, will stop vehicle production by June, with the facility transitioning to becoming a body panel stamping factory.

Castle Bromwich currently manufactures the F-Type coupe and convertible, XE sedan, and XF sedan and wagon.

  • XF

Jaguar’s other mainstream cars are made elsewhere, with the F-Pace crossover made at the company’s factory in Solihull — about 12 kilometres down the road from Castle Bromwich — while manufacturing of the E-Pace crossover is contracted out to Magna Steyr in Austria.

The automaker told the trade publication only three internal combustion cars — the XF, E-Pace, and F-Pace — are scheduled to stay in production until June. The electric I-Pace will be the last vehicle in the current range to end production, with Magna Steyr set to make this model until early 2025.

Joe Eberhardt, head of Jaguar Land Rover in North America, told Road & Track that while the “majority of our products cease production in June” these vehicles “will be on sale for a much longer time [as] we will have a production schedule that enables us to have a continuous supply of vehicles until the new cars come”.

The Tata-owned British automaker hopes to ensure a “clean handover” to a new generation of much more expensive electric vehicles.

  • Jaguar to end production of petrol and diesel cars in June 2024
    F-Pace

Jaguar is planning to launch three cars based on the brand’s bespoke JEA architecture. The first is a four-door model design to compete with the Porsche Taycan, and is scheduled to be unveiled this year before going on sale in 2025.

An earlier Autocar report indicated the new four-door Jaguar will have a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup with around 430kW, a driving range of about 690km, and a starting price in the UK in excess of £100,000 ($194,000).

For reference, the most expensive base models in the Jaguar range today are the £67,355 ($130,700) F-Type and £69,995 ($135,800) I-Pace.

Next year Jaguar will reveal a crossover pitched at Bentley Bentayga, and depending on which source you believe, the revamped Jaguar range will be rounded with either a second crossover or a range-topping sedan.

By shifting into the market space inhabited by the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce, Jaguar expects annual sales to drop to around 50,000 cars per year.

It will be interesting to see whether the brand will be able to reach this figure given in 2023, with its much more affordable range of vehicles, Jaguar managed to sell just 64,241 vehicles worldwide, eclipsed by Land Rover which sold 356,343 vehicles across its Defender, Range Rover, and Discovery sub-brands.

Locally, Jaguar sold 581 cars last year, behind the likes of Maserati (681), Alfa Romeo (716), and Genesis (1916).

Auto

Ethereum Price Charges Above $3,500 Despite Drop In Whale Interest: Here’s The Next ETH Price Level

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As Bitcoin’s price breaks above the $67,000 level, a growing number of investors are turning their attention to altcoins, expecting further gains. The market’s current trends are favoring buyers, with Ethereum notably holding above the $3,500 level. Despite this upward trend, there’s a noticeable decline in whale engagement with Ethereum, as key metrics show a reduced interest. This decline in whale activity could potentially plunge Ethereum’s price volatility, putting additional pressure on buyers.

Ethereum Faces Mixed Market Sentiment

In the past four hours, there has been an increase in purchasing activity within the cryptocurrency market, with the price of Bitcoin surpassing $67,000, bringing it within 3.4% of its all-time high. This uptick follows a significant influx of investments into spot Bitcoin ETFs last week. Coinshares reports that there were massive weekly inflows into digital asset investment products, totaling $1.84 billion. Additionally, trading volumes have surged past $30 billion, representing half of Bitcoin’s global trading volume across leading exchanges.

After Bitcoin’s significant price increase, Ethereum is experiencing an uptick in purchase interest, maintaining its position above $3,500. Yet, data from IntoTheBlock suggests a decrease in interest from large investors or “whales.” The volume of large transactions has fallen from a high of 3 million ETH to a low of 1.3 million. Despite the rise in price, this declining interest from whales could signal a reduction in market volatility, potentially putting pressure on investors to keep the price stable within a certain resistance area.

However, approximately 100 million ETH addresses are currently profitable, accounting for almost 90% of all holders. This could boost the confidence of buyers, luring investors to acquire more ETH in response to positive market sentiment. However, some analysts argue that the rapid surge may have pushed the market into overheated zone, suggesting that a correction is necessary for the market to fly again, which could lead to a decrease in ETH prices towards support levels.

What’s Next For ETH Price?

Ether experienced selling pressure around the $3,600, but the lack of a significant pullback suggests that traders are buying on slight declines. This shows a robust buying dominance for ETH near resistance zones. As of writing, ETH price trades at $3,550, surging over 2.5% from yesterday’s rate.

The market’s bullish traders are once again attempting to break through the strong resistance at $3,600. Should they succeed, the ETH/USDT trading pair might initiate a new upward movement, potentially heading towards $4,000 and subsequently consolidate around $4,200.

The upward trend of the moving averages indicates that the market momentum is with the bulls, although the Relative Strength Index (RSI) remaining in the overbought territory for an extended period raises the risk of a temporary retracement. Immediate support is found at $3,370, followed by the crucial $3K level.

Cryptocurrency

SIBM Hyderabad wins 7th edition of bl Boardroom Challenge

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A trio from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Hyderabad, won the 7th edition of the bl Boardroom Challenge. The all-girls team comprised Chinmaye Chorghe, Divya Kathotia and Fiza Setia. The team won ₹1 lakh as prize money.

The first runner up was a duo from XLRI Jamshedpur, Ishita Kotian and Ejya Singh Sharma, while the second runner up slot went to NMIMS Bengaluru with Navedhay Jain, Anmol Mani Jha and Ayush Narang making up the team. The second placed team won ₹75,000 while the third team won ₹50,000 as prize money.

In the finals, eight business schools across eight cities competed for the top honours. The B-schools in the finals, which was in the virtual mode, were Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai; NMIMS, Bengaluru; NTPC School of Business, New Delhi; SIBM, Hyderabad; XLRI, Jamshedpur; NMIMS, Mumbai; Jansons School of Business, Coimbatore and IIM Indore. In the finals, the B-schools had to come up with a solution to get more millennials to invest in mutual funds and also devise product and marketing strategies to attract them to MFs as an investment alternative.

Over 850 teams competed in the online preliminary round with top B-schools from round the country participating. In the city-specific semi-finals, four teams competed against each other for a spot in the finals.

A Balasubramanian, MD and CEO of Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd, while announcing the winners, said that this was the fourth year that Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC was associated with the prestigious bl Boardroom Challenge for B-schoolers, which every year sees top B-schools participating. This year’s contest, he said, made the students think what they can contribute to bring more of the investing public to mutual funds. Also, he said, MFs presented a great opportunity for millennials to invest and plan their future.

The jury for the finals comprised KS Rao, Executive Vice President and Head – Investor Education & Distribution Development, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC; Rajesh Krishnamoorthy, Independent Director on the board of PGIM India Asset Management and Lokeshwarri SK, Data Editor of businessline.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund is the sponsor of the bl Boardroom Challenge, which is now in its seventh year.

In 2017, the first year of the challenge, LIBA Chennai, was the winner, followed by ISB Hyderabad in 2018; IIM Ranchi in 2019; SIBM Pune in 2020; IIM Shillong in 2021; and SPJIMR Mumbai in 2022.

The knowledge partners for the boardroom challenge are Vishwadeep Kuila, an IIMA alumnus and founder of Brand Vectors, a marketing consultancy, who also set the case for the semi-finals and the finals. In the semi-finals students had to come up with a business plan for a renewable energy major to venture into electric vehicles. In the preliminary round, knowledge partner Siva Kumar, an executive coach, set a psychometric test for the students. The top scoring teams from each city in this round made it to the semi-finals.

The finals can be viewed on this link: https://bit.ly/BLBRC2023

Education

Cancer risk rises with this little-known syndrome. Here’s how to know if you have the genetic condition

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As colorectal cancer continues to spike among younger patients, doctors are warning of a little-known but widespread condition that greatly increases the risk.

Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that makes someone more susceptible to many different kinds of cancer.

Fox News Digital spoke with two experts about what people should know about this inherited condition.

CANCER PREVENTION IN THE ESOPHAGUS COULD BE JUST A PILL AWAY, DOCTOR SAYS: ‘TREMENDOUS BENEFIT’

Dr. Matthew Grossman, an interventional endoscopist and gastroenterologist with Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, explained the relationship between Lynch syndrome and human DNA.

“Think of DNA as a ladder,” he said. “Normally, errors in the rungs — called mismatches — are fixed by a repair system. In Lynch syndrome, this system is faulty, increasing the risk of mismatches.”

Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that makes someone more susceptible to many different kinds of cancer. (iStock)

Because of the mismatch repair defect, a person with Lynch syndrome is much more likely to develop abnormalities and defects in cells, which eventually lead to cancer, he said.

“Lynch syndrome is a type of germline mutation, meaning it’s inherited genetically, versus a somatic mutation, which can happen spontaneously to only a few cells,” said Grossman.

DOCTORS TOLD WOMAN SHE WAS TOO YOUNG FOR A COLONOSCOPY. THEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3 COLON CANCER

Dr. Ajay Bansal, a gastroenterologist at KU Medical Center at the University of Kansas, emphasized that Lynch syndrome largely flies under the radar, as 95% of patients who have the condition don’t know about it.

“They are not aware that they are at increased risk for not only colon cancer, but also uterine, ovarian, stomach, small bowel, kidney, bladder and perhaps brain cancer,” he told Fox News Digital. “So it’s very underdiagnosed.”

DNA testing

In healthy DNA, errors in the rungs — called mismatches — are fixed by a repair system. In Lynch syndrome, the repair system is faulty, increasing the risk of mismatches, a doctor explained. (iStock)

One of the reasons the syndrome often goes unnoticed is because it’s a “silent” condition, Bansal said. “It doesn’t cause any symptoms until you have cancer.”

The two main cancers tied to the syndrome are colon and colorectal cancer and cancer of the uterus.

“Lynch syndrome can result from four or five different mutations,” Bansal said. “Depending on the mutation, the type of cancer risk changes.”

COLORECTAL CANCER IS NOW LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER: NEW REPORT

For example, for those who have a mutation in a gene called MLH1, the risk of getting colorectal cancer at some point in their lifetime is 80%, Bansal warned.

Among young-onset colorectal cancers, the doctor estimated that roughly 25% are a result of Lynch syndrome.

How is Lynch syndrome detected?

Lynch syndrome can be diagnosed by either a blood test or saliva test, Bansal said.

“If a patient has a family history of multiple colon cancers or multiple other cancers in the family, or if somebody in the family had colon cancer or uterine cancer under the age of 50, we recommend genetic testing to confirm the syndrome,” he said.

Man blood test

Lynch syndrome can be diagnosed through either a blood test or saliva test. (iStock)

Patients who fall into these categories are typically tested for Lynch between the ages of 18 to 25, the doctor said.

Universal genetic testing is not generally performed.

“It’s not approved for the general population, mainly because of costs and insurance concerns,” Bansal noted.

CANCER RISK COULD INCREASE WITH CONSUMPTION OF CERTAIN FOODS AND DRINKS, STUDY FINDS

Before genetic testing was available, clinicians relied on the “3,2,1 criteria” for diagnosing Lynch syndrome, according to Grossman.

“For that criteria, if patients have three or more relatives with one of the affecting cancers on the same side of the family, and this is seen in two or more generations with at least one person under age 50, that is highly diagnostic of Lynch syndrome and they should discuss the condition with a doctor,” he said.

What happens if you’re diagnosed?

There is no treatment or “cure” for Lynch syndrome, as it’s caused by a genetic mutation. 

Those who test positive should closely monitor themselves for the warning signs of cancer through regular screenings — especially colonoscopies, Bansal said.

Woman at doctor

Patients should talk to their primary care doctors about their family history, a doctor advised. (iStock)

In the general population, among people without Lynch syndrome, it is recommended to start colonoscopies at the age of 45. 

In patients with Lynch syndrome — especially those with more aggressive phenotypes and genotypes — Bansal recommended starting colonoscopies at the age of 25 and repeating them every one to two years.

“The idea here would be to monitor closely so we can prevent colon cancer by removing polyps or catching it at an early stage when we can treat it,” he said.

CANCER SCREENINGS: HERE ARE 5 TYPES AND CRITICAL INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT EACH

Bansal, who specializes in studying vaccines for cancer prevention, is currently running a clinical trial for a new cancer vaccine. The participants are all people with Lynch syndrome.

“We felt that we had to do something to change the natural history of cancer in this high-risk population,” he told Fox News Digital.

In the trial, researchers are testing a combination of three vaccines that were initially created by a scientist at the National Cancer Institute. 

Lab testing

“If a patient has a family history of multiple colon cancers or multiple other cancers in the family, or if somebody in the family had colon cancer or uterine cancer under the age of 50, we recommend genetic testing to confirm the syndrome,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“These vaccines attack those cells in the colorectal area that express abnormal proteins, and then it can train the immune cells to get rid of those cells in the colon — and perhaps in other organs such as the stomach, small bowel, pancreas and uterus — before they turn into cancer or polyps.”

The first two safety phases of the trial have already been completed. 

Next, the researchers will perform randomized controlled trials to gauge the effectiveness of the vaccines in keeping cancer at bay.

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If the trial is successful, Bansal said he envisions the vaccine extending to other types of cancers.

Bansal’s main advice to patients is to talk to their primary care doctors about their family history.

A doctor with a blue ribbon next to a colon cancer model

The two main cancers tied to the syndrome are colon and colorectal cancer and cancer of the uterus. (iStock)

“In medical care, everybody’s so busy that we don’t discuss family history enough,” he said. “Patients should ask their doctor about their family history of cancers and the possibility of genetic testing, which has become much cheaper than ever before.”

Grossman agreed that it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with the genetic condition.

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“Knowing you have Lynch syndrome allows for more frequent colonoscopies and additional cancer screenings that will help save lives,” he said. 

“This is a great example of how our increased knowledge of genetics has improved our clinical care.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Health Fitness

“Please Dont Play With”: Fruit Golgappa Is Giving Internet A Hard Time

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Call it pani-puri, puchka or golgappa, this street food has a special place in the heart of Indian foodie. The crunch of these bite-sized wonders is honestly equivalent to joyous emotions. The deadly combination of flavourful masala, lip-smacking chutneys, spicy water, and crunchy puri makes the dish irresistible. But can you imagine loading the puris with fruits? Did we hear a big NO? Well, hold on to your thoughts. A video of a street food vendor in Jaipur is going viral, as he sells fruit golgappe for Rs 70 per plate. The video, which was shared by an Instagram food page, shows a vendor dressed completely like a chef. Wearing a chef’s hat, jacket, face mask, black sunglasses, and plastic gloves, the vendor can be seen chopping a variety of fruits. Beginning with pineapples, he also slices dragon fruits, and apples, then mixes all chopped fruits. Next, he fills these chopped fruits in golgappas. The vendor is next can be seen topping them with six different flavoured curds, red chutney, pomegranates, grated radish, and chaat masala. On a plate, you get six pieces of fruit golgappa.

The video left the internet divided. While several users claimed that they tried it recently and didn’t like it, many eagerly asked the exact location of the vendor so that they could go and try it out. Some were excited to find healthy street food.

A comment read, “Tried it last night. Not good at all. I won’t recommend this. Golgappe aloo or Pani k sath hi theek hai. 1 piece khane k baad dusra nhi kha paoge. [Golgappa tastes better with masala potato and water. This you won’t be able to eat after one piece].”

Another commented, “Taste ek dum kharab hain … upar se fruit k naam pe only pineapple…yeh only video ke liye hain ….100% Raddhi hain. [It doesn’t taste good, and above that he only adds pineapple in the name of fruits. This he created just for the video].”

Even without trying the dish, a few made a preconceived notion that the dish wouldn’t taste good, as a comment read, “Fruits aur golgappa dono bekar kar diya. [He ruined the taste of both fruit and golgappa].

Another read, “It makes me sick in the stomach, don’t ruin it.”

“Golgappe are emotions. Please don’t play with them,” said a user

Some lauded the food combination, as a user said, “Finally kuch to healthy dikha…keep going.”

If given a chance, would you like to try this fruit golgappa? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Home Kitchen

What John Singer Sargent Saw

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Perhaps you, too, know the notorious “Madame X”?

She of the aquiline profile, alabaster skin and plunging black neckline has recently been transported to Tate Britain, in London, for the second stop of “Sargent and Fashion” (through July 7), which debuted at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, last fall. The retrospective brings together over 50 works that highlight the portraitist’s interest in how the clothes make the man, or woman.

In 1882, John Singer Sargent and his subject Virginie Amélie Gautreau were both 20-something Americans in Paris, outsiders eager to break into the city’s rarefied circles and learn the unspoken rules of class and propriety. The young painter, newly admitted to the French capital’s prestigious Salon, asked the New Orleans-born beauty notorious for her eccentric cosmetic routine (she covered her skin with violet-tinged white powder and rouged the edges of her ears) to sit for a portrait.

The strikingly modern painting, with its pared-back palette and austere lines, pleased both its painter and sitter, but when it was shown publicly in 1884, critics described Gautreau as haughty, her dress crude. Others criticized Sargent’s painting as overly stylized and indecorous. Gautreau’s mother pronounced that he had destroyed her daughter’s reputation. Sargent titled the portrait “Madame ***,” but the young woman was easily recognizable.

An unfinished replica hanging nearby shows the true scandal: One of the dress’s diamond-studded straps was originally painted off-shoulder, as if momentarily slipped over the course of an evening, or, worse, perhaps the state of undress was intentional. Following the outcry in Paris, Sargent repainted the fastening securely in place, but the damage was done and he was forced to decamp to London to restore his career. In 1916, after Gautreau’s death, he donated the painting — retitled “Madame X”— to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, writing to its director, “I suppose it is the best thing I have done.”

He may be right, but in the intervening decades, and up until his death in 1925, Sargent produced a body of work that shows a rare attunement to the public scrutiny faced by women in the public eye. For these women, clothes were a kind of armor, but also an opportunity for self-expression at a time in which gender roles were increasingly in flux.

Throughout the exhibition, Sargent is posed as a “stylist” — a contemporary but effective term to characterize how he both arranged and interpreted the garments of his sitters, in person and in paint. Portraits were a site of exchange between the subject and their public, but also a collaboration between the subject and their painter.

In “Lady Sassoon,” a portrait of Aline de Rothschild from 1907, the highly educated music lover is shown in a sumptuous black opera cloak of silk taffeta lined with satin pink. Compared to the real cloak, hanging stolidly on display as many of the sitters’ costumes are, Lady Sassoon’s painted ensemble is all energetic rippling lines and folds, its rosy insides flashing where Sargent must have pinned the sleeves back for contrast.

Nearby, “Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth” (1889) captures the famous British actress in a bejeweled green dress and an embroidered maroon robe, her long red plaits braided with gold, as she lifts her murderous husband’s crown in the air. Terry’s elaborate “Beetle Wing Dress” is shown nearby, illustrating Sargent’s confident rendering of its luminous details.

Sargent painted performers, society women, artists, writers, socialists and suffragists. Some brought boxes of dresses to sittings only to have them discarded by the painter who might insist on draping fabric to produce lavish ad hoc ensembles or, conversely, suggest they wear the plainest of fashions.

“I see you! I see you!” Sargent finally said to one patron in a simple black dress, having impatiently watched her work her way through all her best finery. Others were depicted in decidedly unfeminine garb, as in the suited “Vernon Lee” (1881), which captures Sargent’s friend, a writer born Violet Paget, who chose an androgynous moniker and look. In many of these portraits, there is a sense that the painter, himself an outsider — a lifelong expatriate, an unmarried (and possibly gay) man in Victorian London — was keenly aware of the difference between being looked at and being seen.

And then there are the details. I have rarely heard “beautiful” uttered so many times, in such hushed tones of reverence, at an exhibition. Skirts billow like clouds. Colors are ice-cream sweet. Pearl necklaces fall in delicate opalescent strains. Flowers are bright smudges held in hands or pinned against the breast and neck.

“Lady Agnew of Lochnaw” (1892) is a vision in gossamer white, her waist encircled by a swath of violet that spills down her side as if it has come to life. “Lady Helen Vincent, Viscountess d’Abernon (Helen Venetia Duncombe)” (1904) is enveloped by a bolt of shining pastel pink that hovers and twists like a colorful abstraction.

In his later years, Sargent stopped taking commissions and spent his time painting friends and family, often in the outdoors. These works, not geared to the requirements of patrons, show a remarkable sense of Impressionist-inflected experiment. “Two Girls in White Dresses” (1911) shows the titular figures lying in an alpine meadow. The foreground is dominated by the skirts of one, and her small face peers out from the mass of fabric folds as if she — like the surface of the painting — has dissolved into planes of color. Canvas is, after all, a textile itself.

Lifestyle Fashion

What’s Your Take on Cat Strollers? Why Olga Isn’t the Ideal Candidate

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Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.

Most of the pet owners in my neighborhood have dogs, and although I’ve seen a few cats roaming around outside, I haven’t been fortunate enough to meet anyone who uses a cat stroller. Walking cats with harnesses have become more accepted, but some owners may be self-conscious about carting their felines around in a stroller.

Since it’s unusual, some may be unwilling to be labeled as “the strange neighbor who pampers their cat like a baby.” I don’t have a problem with the practice, but it’s unlikely to catch on. I don’t know many cats, including Olga, who could sit calmly in a baby stroller during a long walk. Unlike babies, they can leap out of it and escape.

Cats With Mobility Issues

Energetic cats aren’t the best test subjects for baby strollers, but those with mobility issues or other health conditions would probably love a ride around the neighborhood. When I was treating my Siamese cat for kidney disease, I didn’t let him go outside by himself, but he would’ve enjoyed a walk in the stroller if I had been courageous enough to attempt it. When he was healthy, however, he would have jumped out and run away.

Olga fresh from a nap.

Olga’s View of the Great Outdoors

Olga isn’t as hyper as my Siamese, but she’s no couch potato. She enjoys running around the house, tearing up the blinds, jumping on the back of my chair to surprise me, and dribbling her paper soccer balls.

She’s never tried to venture outside because she fears the unknown. She loves watching the birds and lizards in my backyard but backs away if I open the door. I’ve carried her in my arms and walked outside before, and she cried and scratched me.

I took her outside once when it snowed, which is rare in my area, and it terrified her. She jumped out of my arms into the snow, ran to the back door, and screamed. She wasn’t fascinated by the snow or happy to be away from her comfort zone. Before I adopted her, I assumed most cats wanted to be outside and hated being confined indoors.

No more petting!
She does enjoy sitting by the window.

The Guilt From Keeping Cats Indoors

I still feel guilty that I didn’t let my other cat roam free, but I stayed in a busy area, and he may not have lived for over 19 years if he had been an outdoor cat. I have a fenced-in yard and live in a quiet neighborhood now, but Olga isn’t ready to play outside.

I’ve read about owners training their older indoor cats to use a harness for walks, and I’d like to try it with Olga at some point. I’m not worried about her getting enough exercise inside, but she needs to experience the fresh air and all the sights, sounds, and odors other animals take for granted.

Getting her to wear a harness will probably require several months of training and plenty of antiseptic to treat my wounds. I’m willing to go through it to make her happy, but I’m not ready to become the neighborhood oddball who shows off his cat in a baby stroller.

Pets

Je li ovo mobitel s najizdržljivijom baterijom ikad?

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

PRI kupnji novog mobitela, mnogima je izdržljiva baterija jedna od najvažnijih stavki. Pogotovo je to važno onima koji mobitel koriste za gotovo sve, od surfanja internetom preko streaminga glazbe i filmova do igara. Onima koji puno putuju također je važno da baterija dugo drži jer ne mogu uvijek računati na utičnice u blizini. Dobra vijest je da postoji mobitel čija baterija može izdržati bez punjenja i tjedan dana.

Izdržljiva baterija uz zaštitu od prašine i vode

Avenir Telecom Energizer Hard Case P28K predstavljen na ovogodišnjem MWC-u Barceloni. Kako ime govori, uređaj je nastao u suradnji telekoma Avenir i proizvođača baterija Energizer.

Telefon je opremljen ogromnom baterijom kapaciteta 28.000mAh, koja bi trebala izdržati cijeli tjedan redovite uporabe. Baterija je pet do šest puta jača od flagship modela trenutno dostupnih na tržištu,

Mobitel nije dizajniran samo da bude izdržljive baterije, već i izdržljivog kućišta. Hard Case P28K ima čvrsti IP69 rejting koji mu omogućuje da izdrži gotovo sve što radite s njime između punjenja, piše The Verge. Zaštićen je od prašine, vode pod visokim pritiskom i kondenzacije.

U skladu sa snažnom baterijom, tzv. vrijeme razgovora ovog mobitela iznosi 122 sata, a vrijeme mirovanja je gotovo 94 dana.

Kako bi baterija bila ovako snažna, ona mora biti nešto veća od standardnih što bi mogao biti problem za ljubitelje tanjih uređaja. Debljina mobitela je 27.8mm, a težina 570g, pri čemu je tri puta teži od većine mobitela na tržištu.

Očekuje se da će uređaj biti dostupan u listopadu ove godine.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

How one man is breaking barriers with USC’s dance team

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The members of the Trojan Dance Force have been practicing for almost two hours. In a side gym at Galen Center, they stomp, leap and turn through one routine after another, barely catch their breath before launching into their next piece.

With chests heaving, they line up for a full-out repetition. This is one of the last practice performances with 100% effort before the day can be done. The dancers take their starting positions.

“Force it, ladies,” a woman in the group says before catching herself.

“And Hugo.”

Everyone chuckles. Once the music starts, Hugo Miller needs no reason to be singled out. The fact that the freshman with bouncy blond curls is the first male member of the Trojan Dance Force evaporates in a symphony of stomping feet and rustling pompoms. By championing inclusivity and diversity, the Trojan Dance Force is making history look effortless.

“We step on that court not trying to look like a sea of people, but we celebrate the individual,” Miller said. “Our team is not all about everyone having the same hair length and looking the same but really celebrating the diverse kind of students that go to USC and also the diverse dancers that go to USC.”

The Trojan Dance Force is the latest team to welcome men into its ranks as dance teams on the college and professional levels have tried to become more inclusive in recent years. Six years after the Rams and Saints were the first NFL teams to have men on their dance teams, it was a male Rams cheerleader who first encouraged Miller to try out for the Trojan Dance Force, USC Athletics’ official dance team that performs at home basketball games.

“Being the first male member of Trojan Dance Force means that I get to step out on that court and represent the people like me that exist within this community,” Miller said. “Because I know for a fact that I’m not the only boy here that wanted to be on a dance team. I’m not the only boy that’s interested in dancing.”

Hugo Miller, center, performs with USC’s Trojan Dance Force at Galen Center.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

“I wanted to dance bigger, I wanted to perform better, I wanted to assert my presence and say, ‘So what if I’m the only boy. So what if you’ve never seen it before. Now you have.’”

— Hugo Miller, on joining his high school cheer team

The leap to college dance didn’t feel unprecedented to Miller. The son of a contemporary dance choreographer and lifelong performer, Miller was a three-year captain on the Windward School’s cheerleading team. He was an inaugural member of the team when, as a freshman, two senior girls in his advanced dance class approached him about their plans to start a team. They told him to audition.

As he was when he started ballet at 12 years old, Miller was the only boy on the cheer team.

“I was worried it looked like I didn’t belong,” Miller said.

His friends were always supportive, but not everyone in the small school was accepting. He heard a star football player started going around the school voicing his disapproval. Boys shouldn’t be on the cheer team, the player said. It was disgusting.

It was frightening to take the field knowing that someone only a few feet away on the sideline objected to his presence, Miller said. But he didn’t stop.

“Stepping out was really scary, but there’s that fire,” Miller said. “I wanted to dance bigger, I wanted to perform better, I wanted to assert my presence and say, ‘So what if I’m the only boy. So what if you’ve never seen it before. Now you have.’”

1

Hugo Miller performs with the Trojan Dance Force at Galen Center.

2

Hugo Miller performs at the Galen Center on Jan. 27.

3

Hugo Miller, right, performs with the Trojan Dance Force during a game at Galen Center.

4

Hugo Miller, center, takes part in a pep talk with the Trojan Dance Force before a game.

5

Hugo Miller stands with fellow members of the Trojan Dance Force.

1. Hugo Miller performs with the Trojan Dance Force at Galen Center. 2. Hugo Miller performs at the Galen Center on Jan. 27. 3. Hugo Miller, right, performs with the Trojan Dance Force during a game at Galen Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 4. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 5. Hugo Miller stands with fellow members of the Trojan Dance Force.

Founded in 1995, the Trojan Dance Force had never featured a male dancer before either. Recognizing the moment, coach Mina Ortega gathered the dancers before their on-court debut this season. She reminded them they were making history.

Then when the team stepped out for the first time in front of students at the preseason basketball rally, the cheer was deafening, assistant coach Valerie Ying said. In front of sold-out crowds for both men’s and women’s games, Miller and the Trojan Dance Force have only heard positive reaction from USC fans.

“We always have Hugo’s back,” said team captain Chamine Tran. “We knew stepping out there, as long as we were putting our best selves forward, we didn’t have to care about what anyone else thought because we knew Hugo is an asset to this team.”

Miller’s mother is a choreographer and his father is a film director. Creativity is the family language, he said. A natural performer, Miller also participated in theater when he was younger, but dance, he believes, is “the ultimate connector.”

Because of his passion for dance, Miller knew he wanted to keep moving when he got to college, but the business administration major minoring in dance wasn’t sure if men could try out for Trojan Dance Force. When the team’s Instagram account was running a pre-audition Q&A, he asked if it was reserved for only women.

“ALL Trojans are welcome,” the account responded.

Miller is not the first male to try out for the team, Ying said, but was the only one among the group of about 50 hopefuls this season. He walked into the room dressed in a bright blue Alo set. He knew he was going to stand out anyway. He figured he would lean into it completely.

The multiple-day audition process starts with an across-the-floor technique evaluation as the Trojan Dance Force incorporates numerous dance styles including hip-hop, jazz and cheer. Prospects then learn a routine to be performed for judges on the second day. Dancers go through an interview and finish with a solo dance portion that shows their personalities and performance quality.

Miller aced it.

“There was just something when he danced that drew you to him,” said Ying, who worked with Ortega to whittle the group to a final 14-person roster. “Maybe he didn’t hit every technical thing perfectly — not everyone does — but he really just had something special about him.”

Hugo Miller, right, performs with the Trojan Dance Force during a game against UCLA at Galen Center in January.

Hugo Miller, right, performs with the Trojan Dance Force during a game against UCLA at Galen Center in January.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Coaches weren’t worried about having a male member on the team, but they tackled questions they never considered before such as how they would handle costuming. Before the team’s first official practice, Ortega privately asked Miller if he wanted to dance with poms, which many male dancers often don’t use.

Of course, he said.

He has no trouble blending in for this group.

Sports

Elon Musk sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming betrayal of its goal to benefit humanity

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Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman over what he says is a betrayal of the ChatGPT maker’s founding aims of benefiting humanity rather than pursuing profits.

In a lawsuit filed at San Francisco Superior Court, billionaire Musk said that when he bankrolled OpenAI’s creation, he secured an agreement with Altman and Greg Brockman, the president, to keep the AI company as a nonprofit that would develop technology for the benefit of the public.

Under its founding agreement, OpenAI would also make its code open to the public instead of walling it off for any private company’s gains, the lawsuit says. However, by embracing a close relationship with Microsoft, OpenAI and its top executives have set that pact “aflame” and are “perverting” the company’s mission, Musk alleges in the lawsuit. OpenAI declined to comment on the lawsuit Friday.“OpenAI, Inc. has been transformed into a closed-source de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world: Microsoft,” the lawsuit filed Thursday says. “Under its new Board, it is not just developing but is actually refining an AGI to maximize profits for Microsoft, rather than for the benefit of humanity.”

AGI refers to artificial general intelligence, which are general purpose AI systems that can perform just as well as — or even better than — humans in a wide variety of tasks. Musk is suing over breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and unfair business practices. He also wants an injunction to prevent anyone, including Microsoft, from benefiting from OpenAI’s technology.

Those claims are unlikely to succeed in court but that might not be the point for Musk, who is getting his take and personal story on the record, said Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University.“Partly there’s an assertion of Elon’s founding role in OpenAI and generative AI technology, in particular his claim he named OpenAI and he hired the key scientist and that he was the principal funder of its early years,” Chander said. “In some sense it’s a lawsuit that tries to establish his own place in the history of generative AI.

”Musk was an early investor in OpenAI when it was founded in 2015 and co-chaired its board alongside Altman. In the lawsuit, he said he invested “tens of millions” of dollars in the nonprofit research laboratory. Musk resigned from the board in early 2018 in a move that OpenAI said at the time would prevent conflicts of interest as the Tesla CEO was recruiting AI talent to build self-driving technology at the electric car maker.

“This will eliminate a potential future conflict for Elon,” OpenAI said in a February 2018 blog post. Musk has since said he also had disagreements with the startup’s direction, but he continued to donate to the nonprofit. Later that year, OpenAI filed papers to incorporate a for-profit arm and began shifting most of its workforce to that business, but retained a nonprofit board of directors that governed the company. Microsoft made its first $1 billion investment in the company in 2019 and the next year, signed an agreement that gave the software giant exclusive rights to its AI models.

That license is supposed to expire once OpenAI has achieved artificial general intelligence, the company has said.Its unveiling of ChatGPT in late 2022 bought worldwide fame to OpenAI and helped spark a race by tech companies to capitalize on the public’s fascination with the technology.

When the nonprofit board abruptly fired Altman as CEO late last year, for reasons that still haven’t been fully disclosed, it was Microsoft that helped drive the push that brought Altman back as CEO and led most of the old board to resign. Musk’s lawsuit alleged that those changes caused the checks and balances protecting the nonprofit mission to “collapse overnight.”One of Musk’s claims is that the directors of the nonprofit have failed to uphold their obligations to follow its mission, but Dana Brakman Reiser, a professor at Brooklyn Law School, is skeptical that Musk had standing to bring that claim.

“It would be very worrisome if every person who cared about or donated to a charity could suddenly sue their directors and officers to say, ‘You’re not doing what I think is the right thing to run this nonprofit,’” she said. In general, only other directors or an attorney general, for example, could bring that type of suit, she said.Even if Musk invested in the for-profit business, his complaint seems to be that the organization is making too much profit in contradiction to its mission, which includes making its technology publicly available.

“I care about nonprofits actually following the mission that they set out and not being captured for some kind for profit purpose. That is a real concern,” Brakman Reiser said. “Whether Elon Musk is the person to raise that claim, I’m less sure.”

Whatever the legal merits of the claims, a brewing courtroom fight between Musk, who now has his own AI startup, and Altman could offer the public a peek into the internal debates and decision-making at OpenAI, though the company’s lawyers will likely fight to keep some of those documents confidential.“The discovery will be epic,” posted venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya on Musk’s social media platform X on Friday. To which Musk replied in his only public commentary so far on the case: “Yes.”

Technology

Haj Suvidha App: Smriti Irani releases Haj Guide for 2024 | Travel

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Union Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Zubin Irani on Sunday launched the Haj Suvidha App that would provide necessary information and direct access to important services like training modules, flight details and accommodation to those embarking on the annual pilgrimage.

Haj Suvidha App: Smriti Irani releases Haj Guide 2024 with flight details, accommodation, helpline for Muslim pilgrims (File Photo by REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

Irani inaugurated a two-day Training of Trainers Programme as part of preparations for Haj 2024 at the Vigyan Bhavan here in the presence of Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

More than 550 trainers from various states and Union Territories attended the programme, according to an official statement.

The Training of Trainers Programme is intended to sensitise and educate the trainers who impart further training to the Haj pilgrims to ensure that the pilgrims have a fulfilling experience and are aware of the various aspects of the pilgrimage, it said.

As part of the government’s efforts to make Haj a smoother and more comfortable experience, Irani launched the Haj Suvidha App for the benefit of all Haj pilgrims.

Haj Suvidha App has been developed by BISAG-N under the able guidance of the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, and will be a “game changer” in the pilgrimage experience, the statement said.

Leveraging digital and mobile technologies, the Haj Suvidha app will provide the necessary information and direct access to important services like training modules, flight details, accommodation, emergency helpline and health among others at the fingertips of the pilgrims, it said.

The pilgrims would be able to focus better on their spiritual journey and forget about mundane tasks like travel, luggage and documents. The App offers solutions to common problems faced by the pilgrims during their journey and will be a boon, especially to those performing Haj for the first time in their life, the statement said.

Irani also released the Haj Guide-2024 which has been prepared to make pilgrims aware of various aspects of the pilgrimage with special emphasis on the use of the Haj Suvidha App for the pilgrims, it said.

The guide is published in 10 languages and will be issued to all the Haj pilgrims.

The Union minister, in her address, described the wide gamut of efforts made by the government, including taking direct feedback from the pilgrims to make the Haj pilgrimage a transparent, uniform, cost-efficient, safe and spiritually fulfilling experience, it said.

Increased enthusiasm and participation by pilgrims under the Ladies Without Mehram category is a testament to the government’s commitment towards making Haj inclusive and accessible, she said.

The Haj Suvidha App will further ensure better access to facilities by the pilgrims and better administrative coordination and control with prompt grievance redressal and emergency response, Irani said.

She further laid emphasis on the importance of training and exhorted the trainers to put in their best efforts to train each and every Haj pilgrim to perform Haj in a safe, peaceful and comfortable manner.

To improve the training, the number of trainers per pilgrim has been increased from the earlier ratio of 1:300 to a ratio of 1:150. This would go a long way in providing a fulfilling Haj experience for the Indian pilgrims, the statement said.

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Kaiser Chiefs Ricky Wilson interview – That Boris Johnson slur and not being a Nepo bab | Music | Entertainment

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Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson interview (Image: DX )

Don’t miss… Ricky Wilson details real reason behind The Voice exit [LATEST]

When rock star Ricky Wilson wants to escape the pressures of fame, he heads up to the attic of his north London home. “It’s like a museum up there, full of old Kaiser Chiefs stuff and boxes of awards,” he tells me. “I’ve even still got the shirt I wore from my first gig at school band night, when I was 17.

“When my wife Grace goes up, she says ‘Do you really need to keep all this crap?’ But I know where everything is, it’s like Sherlock Holmes’s mind palace up there.”

Ricky, 46, has had a career worth archiving. As well as notching up indie rock bangers like I Predict A Riot and the chart-topping Ruby, the Yorkshire-born singer was a judge for three series on Saturday night television talent show The Voice UK.

He first appeared on our screens long before the Kaiser Chiefs – in the audience of The Mrs Merton Show in 1995. When guest Barbara Windsor said she liked her men young, schoolboy Ricky piped up, “How young would you go?”

His blue eyes retain a cheeky twinkle to this day. Even after the Kaiser Chiefs’ nine hit singles and seven Top Ten albums, there is not a hint of jaded cynicism about him. Yet this decent, grounded chap has suffered digs about his weight, looks and motivation for years.

The Kaiser Chiefs in 2023

The Kaiser Chiefs in 2023 (Image: GETTY)

Even former Prime Minister Boris Johnson laid into him, branding Ricky “an epic softie” and the band “the weeds from Leeds” in a 2006 article triggered by their second hit, I Predict A Riot.

“He said when he was a student, he didn’t predict riots, he started them,” says a bemused Wilson who still has ‘Epic Softie’ on his Twitter account.

The put-down that hit hardest, however, came from his old English teacher at Leeds Grammar School. “He said to me, ‘Mr Wilson, enough of the cabaret’. It’s quite cutting and it shut me up. I’ve used it myself more than I should’ve done.”

Cabaret isn’t in Ricky’s blood, but television is. His father Geoff was a producer on hit Sixties series Jeux Sans Frontières, which pitched teams from European nations against each other.

“It was quite fun growing up travelling around Europe, watching the Belgians take on Luxembourg. I’m not by any means a nepo-baby, but seeing the contests put smiles on people’s faces must’ve had a massive impact. It was like a travelling circus, making people happy – basically what I do now.

“My mum Glynne was a score girl – you can see her on old clips of the spin-off show It’s A Knockout! Eddie Waring was my father’s godfather.”

Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson in 2005

Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson in 2005 (Image: GETTY)

Kaiser Chiefs at the 2005 NME Awards

Kaiser Chiefs at the 2005 NME Awards (Image: GETTY)

Wilson’s first gigging band were the grungy Parva, formed in Leeds in 2000 from the ashes of Runston [CORR] Parva. They became the Kaiser Chiefs in 2003, taking their name from the south African football team Kaizer [CORR] Chiefs (the name of ex-Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe’s first club).

He never expected to have a career in music. “I thought I’d work in animation or advertising,” says Ricky, who has an MA in graphic design and taught at Leeds College of Art & Design for a year – “I was terrible at it.”

The Kaiser Chiefs released their debut single Oh My God in 2004. It went Top Ten on re-release, chased by I Predict A Riot – “that bought me my first house” – and their multi-platinum 2005 debut album Employment. More hits followed, including Every Day I Love You Less & Less and Never Miss A Beat.

Ricky recalls headlining the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena in 2007 – “It was the first night of two, and when I came off stage, I thought it doesn’t get any better than that. It felt like that was proper Kaiser Chiefs. I don’t remember the worst gig, I was probably drunk.”

His ‘pinch me’ moment came during the soundcheck for Jools Holland’s 2008 Hootenanny show. “I remember standing in the door of the Tardis watching Paul McCartney play Get Back and thinking ‘I wish I had a photograph of this…’

“I’m not good at living in the moment. Even in the band. I don’t get too concerned with the moment. It’s a job, a fun job, I don’t get carried away. It only sinks it later. Parva was our training ground. I realised that the best thing to do to get better is to watch other bands, see what you don’t like, and do the opposite of that.”

Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson and his wife Grace Zito

Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson and his wife Grace Zito (Image: GETTY )

Ricky was a coach on The Voice UK from 2013 to 2016: “I stopped at the right time. Any more than three series and people would’ve got annoyed with me. I decided to leave, but I expected to be asked back… I never was…”

Then a BBC series, the show changed his life in an unexpected way. It’s where he met stylist Grace Zito in 2015. They were engaged three years later, married in June 2021 and are the parents of twin girls.

Ricky, who is busy promoting the Kaiser Chiefs’ new album, The Easy Eighth, has also hosted Virgin Radio UK’s drivetime show for nearly fourteen months, performed as Phoenix on The Masked Singer and recently appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show as the “unexpected star of the show”.

Is there anything he can’t do? “I’ve written children’s books but they’ve not been published – I don’t think they’re good enough,” he admits. “Grace thinks they’re the best thing I’ve ever done. So it’s a hobby instead. We’ve got the twins now, so I’ve got an audience of two; that’s good enough for me.”

Ricky thinks Grace would say his ambition is his best quality. “She admires that I can make dreams happen, either through dogged determination, luck or skill. She also complains that I don’t cut my fingernails enough which I think is a plus.”

He relaxes playing one of his eight ukuleles – “You can’t be unhappy when you’re holding a ukulele” – and Grace introduced him to the joys of Minorca, where they now own a sea-front apartment.

The Voice judges will.i.am, Paloma Faith, Boy George, and Ricky Wilson in 2016

The Voice judges will.i.am, Paloma Faith, Boy George, and Ricky Wilson in 2016 (Image: GETTY)

The band’s unusual career has ranged from touring with the Foo Fighters to befriending Girls Aloud, who covered I Predict A Riot in their live shows, changing the lyric ‘Borrow a pound for a condom’ to the more family-friendly ‘Borrow a pound for the bus home.’

When their chief songwriter, drummer Nick Hodgson, left in 2012 the hit singles dried up, but the Top Ten albums kept coming: “We’re very lucky to have released eight albums; very few bands from when we started have got that far.”

Of their new songs, Ricky rates The Lads – “you’d be happy with it being the last song you ever made”. And Beautiful Girl, “We don’t often do love songs but when we do, we do them well.”

The Job Centre Shuffle is “What you’d think we’d sound like after 20 years,” he says. Feeling Alright, their poppy collaboration with Chic’s Nile Rodgers is more of a departure: “It was a lot of fun working with Nile – I don’t think I’ll appreciate how much of an important moment that was for years.

“The problem with being in a band is you set your hopes quite high and no matter what happens, you’re never quite satisfied. If you’re Number One for 12 weeks, you’re disappointed that you didn’t make 13 weeks.

“We decided the eighth album would be the easiest, and it was a piece of cake. I don’t know what comes next. After having kids your priorities shift a little bit. But I know I’ll still get up in the night to record a line or a melody I just thought of.

“I don’t think that will stop. It keeps happening and it’s a beautiful thing. As my mortgage advisor Brian says, the sooner you stop worrying about things you can’t change, the better life gets.”

Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album is out now.

Arts Entertainments

2024 Lexus GX price and specs

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The Lexus GX off-roader will start from $116,000 before on-road costs when it arrives in Australia in mid-2024.

  • Overseas models shown (Overtrail)

After confirming standard equipment and key specifications for the GX last month, Lexus has now announced pricing for the more luxurious counterpart to the next-generation Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

Even in top-spec GX 550 Sports Luxury guise, it’s more affordable than the entry-level version of the LandCruiser 300 Series-based LX.

Pricing

  • 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: $116,000
  • 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail: $122,250
  • 2024 Lexus GX 550 Sports Luxury: $128,200

All prices exclude on-road costs

Drivetrains

All Lexus GX 550 variants are powered by the same 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, which produces a claimed 260kW of power and 650Nm of torque.

  • 2024 Lexus GX price and specs

Drive is sent to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, which features low-range gearing and a locking centre differential.

Efficiency

Lexus has yet to release fuel economy figures for the new GX.

Dimensions

The 2024 Lexus GX measures 5005mm long, 2114mm wide, 1920mm tall and rides a 2850mm wheelbase.

  • 2024 Lexus GX price and specs

While the Lexus GX 550 Luxury and Overtrail boast a 3500kg braked towing capacity, the Sports Luxury has a reduced capacity of 3130kg.

Servicing and Warranty

The Lexus GX is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Lexus Australia has yet to confirm service pricing for the GX.

Safety

The GX has yet to be tested by ANCAP.

  • 2024 Lexus GX price and specs

The brand has yet to release a full list of standard safety equipment, though all models will offer nine airbags.

Standard Equipment

There are three trim levels available.

Standard features for the ‘entry-level’ Lexus GX 550 Luxury include:

  • 20-inch alloy wheels (with a full-size spare) 
  • Self-levelling LED headlights
  • Rear privacy glass
  • Rear spoiler
  • Flush roof rails
  • Eight-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats
  • Heated outboard rear seats with 60:40 split folding
  • Push-button folding third-row seats
  • Tri-zone climate control
  • Head-up display
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 14-inch infotainment screen
  • Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
  • 10-speaker sound system
  • Wireless phone charger
  • Five USB-C ports
  • 12-volt front and 220-volt rear outlets
  • Power tailgate with fold-out glass hatch
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system
  • 360-degree camera
  • Three-year complimentary Lexus Encore membership

The off-road focused Lexus GX 550 Overtrail loses its third row seats but adds a number of features, such as:

  • Black 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres
  • Wheel arch mouldings
  • Unique bumpers 
  • Black trim highlights
  • Bridge-type roof rails
  • Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
  • Locking rear differential
  • Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (eKDSS)
  • Multi-Terrain Select off-road traction control system
  • Multi-Terrain Monitor
  • Downhill assist control
  • ‘Multi-stage’ Crawl Control
  • Olive green Ultrasuede front seat accents and stitching (with stiffer bases and softer bolstering)
  • ‘Unique door ornamentation’
  • Smart key
  • Refrigerated cool box

In addition to the standard features of the Luxury, the Lexus GX 550 Sports Luxury includes: 

  • 22-inch alloy wheels
  • Adaptive high-beam
  • Power-extending side steps
  • Panoramic glass roof
  • Adaptive variable suspension
  • 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • Massage function for both front seats
  • Semi-aniline leather-accented trimmed seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Digital rear-view mirror
  • 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
  • Hands-free power tailgate
  • Refrigerated coolbox

MORE: Everything Lexus GX

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Bitcoin Surges to $64,268! What’s Next: $65,900 or Market Correction?

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Bitcoin (BTC) has recently experienced an impressive rally, surging beyond crucial support levels at $61,100 to achieve a new high of $64,268. Despite this remarkable performance, Bitcoin is poised to surpass its 2021 peak by a mere 10%, and analysts anticipate a breach of $61,800 could send it even higher to $65,900.

Simultaneously, Greeks.Live notes a surge in options orders exceeding $5 million, signaling increased market volatility and trading activity. 

Bitcoin’s Key Support Level

Addressing the key support levels, renowned crypto analyst Ali Martinez offers valuable insights. A substantial volume of over 500,000 BTC has been transacted within the $61,100 to $61,800 range, establishing a robust support area for the cryptocurrency. 

Meanwhile, Martinez suggests that maintaining a position above this support zone could pave the way for an upward move toward $65,900, with minimal resistance expected.

However, caution is advised as Martinez outlines potential downside risks. A breach below the established support level could trigger a correction, potentially driving Bitcoin’s price down to $56,970 or even $51,500.

BTC To Hit $125k

Looking ahead, analyst Will Woo presents an optimistic projection, foreseeing BTC surpassing $125,000 by 2025. This is based on an assumption of a 3% portfolio allocation from BlackRock and Fidelity clients, which could significantly impact Bitcoin’s trajectory.

$5M Boost in Buy Calls

Further highlighting positive sentiment, Greeks.live, a prominent crypto options trading tool, observed a weekend spike in options block market orders exceeding $5 million, with a noteworthy majority being buy calls. This signals a robust bullish sentiment in the market.

This surge in options activity aligns with Bitcoin’s recent achievement on Monday, reaching a new yearly high at $64,000. Consequently, there has been a notable increase in short-term bull spreads trading, pushing the ultra-short-term Implied Volatility (IV) close to 80%. The market is abuzz with a “do more” attitude, entering what feels like a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) stage.

Cryptocurrency

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: 5 Things to Know Before Starting the Game

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a sequel to 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake and the second in a trilogy of games modernizing and expanding the 1997 classic Final Fantasy VII. As such, it’s a middle chapter in a series of games and has a lengthy average playtime of 70 to 80 hours — so there’s a lot that might be helpful for players to know going in. 

Like the game it follows, Rebirth is an action-filled role-playing game (otherwise known as an action-RPG), with real-time combat and lots of customization in how you arrange your assortment of characters. Remake had a pretty linear story, confined to the gloomy industrial city of Midgar. Rebirth, on the other hand, has massive and beautiful open world areas, with a seemingly endless stream of side quests, minigames and areas of interest to explore. 

Read more: Best Phone to Buy For 2024

I’ve played more than 70 hours of Rebirth and I still have three chapters of the game to go, so I can confidently say this game is enormous — and probably has something for everyone. On the flip side, however, there are sure to be activities and sections that won’t tickle your fancy. Just know that much of the game, including most of the open world areas, is totally optional. 

That said, I’d recommend going through as many side quests as you can — each pairs Cloud with either Tifa, Aerith, Barrett or another member of the party on a little adventure that varies in tone from whimsical jaunt to tender backstory exposition. Going on these side quests raises a relationship meter for each party member as they open up to our spiky-haired protagonist. 

Many of the minigames are optional, but they often have rich rewards waiting for players who beat the high score. They’re pretty transparent about what you’ll earn, so I won’t spend time on which ones are worth doing — but I will recommend completing the Segway minigame. It’s pretty easy, requiring only that you have Cloud scoot around on the dorkiest transit mode in the game for a set distance, and the prize you win is an equip-and-forget accessory that’ll set you up nicely for the late game. 

For the rest of the tips, I’ll be as spoiler-free for Rebirth as possible, with light references to mundane stuff found in areas later in the game. Here are five things to know when starting Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Recap: What happened in Final Fantasy VII Remake

Heads up: This section contains slight spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Remake. They’re slight, but if you haven’t yet played the game, I’m advising you now not to spoil it for yourself!

The first game in the trilogy set the tone for what’s to come in a series that adapts and expands the original 1997 game into a trilogy. So there are plenty of side characters and moments in Remake that weren’t in the original… or were very different.

The conceit at the center of Remake is that Cloud and company’s adventure diverts from how Final Fantasy VII originally played out — and eventually they have to directly fight the ghostly Whispers trying to keep the party on destiny’s set path. It’s a clever way for the game’s creator, Square Enix, to modernize some of the most cherished parts of the much-loved original game while giving players something new to chew on — namely, should the story they know so well be changed?

Square Enix has its own official recap of Remake, which is available in the main menu of Rebirth and on YouTube — the shorter three-minute version is above, but the five-minute version has more context. However, there are plenty of additional characters and references that will pop up in Rebirth, so I recommend a lengthier recap: this 12-minute video by Another Eden Adventures is helpfully thorough. 

Because Rebirth continues Remake’s diversion from the plot of the original Final Fantasy VII (though it’s pretty faithful until the last hours of the game), you’ll get the most out of the story by having played the classic game. But it’s by no means essential: I got only halfway through the original and I’m still over the moon about Rebirth.

Characters stare into a sunset over water with a big fortress in the distance.

The game’s backgrounds beg for photos.

David Lumb/CNET

Know where to go in the game’s areas

Once you’ve fired up Rebirth and gotten through the first chapter, which serves as a prologue, the game gives you an open map and tells you to get exploring. In general, there are two types of areas: the open world regions and big towns. 

Open world regions are huge swaths of land filled with points of interest in several categories, and each one needs to be interacted with to finish an area (and get experience points to spend on magic-granting materia from Chadley — more on him below). Like other open world games, there are towers to be conquered, which will put nearby points of interest on your map. 

Lifestream nodes will give you backstory of the region and reveal areas you can dig up with your chocobo to develop new crafting recipes. (Yes, there’s crafting — no, it’s actually helpful.) Favored enemies can be defeated to eventually unlock new moves in the Enemy Skill materia, and a final regional boss offers items for awesome craftable accessories. Moogle Huts offer rare items to buy with all the moogle coins you’ve been collecting (after you finish a minigame, of course). And “protorelic” hunts offer a subplot in the game that, when completed through all areas, may offer a huge reward.

ff7rebirth-210224-land-00-00-01-19-still001

Watch this: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Bringing an Old Story Into a Vast Open World

Towns, on the other hand, are where you spend your downtime. Here are the weapon shops, which will offer weapons if you miss them in the field (look for purple chests); item shops to stock up on potions, phoenix downs and card packs for the in-universe card game Queen’s Blood; and bookstores, which let you unlock more of your party member’s skills via a Sphere Grid-like board. You’ll also find Queen’s Blood players to challenge, side quests found on big community boards, and Chadley, who’ll trade open world intel (e.g. completed points of interest) for materia. 

Chadley also has VR challenges, which can be completed for more materia — when you start the game, do each character’s starting VR mission, which will walk you through their fighting style. Even returning characters from Remake have had their skill sets slightly changed, so it’s worth doing these to familiarize yourself and get some easy rewards.

A man with a massive sword on his back rides a lei-decorated red segway scooter.

The game has a good nose for when a silly effect will land big — like epic hero Cloud riding a segway like a dork.

David Lumb/CNET

Travel fast, save time

Though Remake was limited to a linear story through the slums and skyscrapers of Midgar, Rebirth is wide open, containing a total of six enormous regions with plenty to discover as you roam around filling in the blank edges of the map. 

The first thing you’ll want to do in every region is find the chocobo ranch or stables. Not only do chocobos serve as mounts that get you around faster, you can’t fast travel without them. You’ll have to do a side quest or minigame to unlock the chocobo in every region, but they’re worth it. 

Fast travel is also pretty generous in this game and essential to use to save time, which is important when you’ll be putting in hours and hours. Here’s where real-life technology rules, as the PS5 you’re playing Rebirth on has ultra-fast loading speeds thanks to its SSD. Don’t hesitate to fast travel even short distances. The catch is you’ll have to discover a point of interest before you can fast travel to it, so make that extra hike to a tower or other area so you can warp back to it later.

Several regions have other modes of transport you can use alongside or instead of chocobos in certain areas — if the game says you can’t go any farther on your chocobo, you’ll probably need a specialty vehicle. 

Also, most regions have their own bonus travel gimmick for chocobos, from climbing walls to bouncing on mushrooms. Sometimes you’ll be able to tell by environmental cues, other times by holographic icons. 

A man (Cloud) stands with a woman (Aerith) on a cliff edge overlooking the coastal area below.

David Lumb/CNET

Don’t worry about hitting everything right now

Cloud and company will venture through the regions in a straightforward path from one open world area to the next, but you’ll find ways to come back to previous areas. If you’re getting tired of finishing the open world checklist where you are, move on and come back later. Most of these transit options are from one adjacent region to the next, but later in the game you’ll be able to hop back to any of them for a paltry fee. 

Even late into the game — through the 70 hours I’ve played — nothing is locked out. Feel free to progress the story and leave the laundry list of open world tasks or tough minigames until later. 

This also applies to annoyingly tough optional bosses. Though many of them scale to your level, like the summons you can fight through Chadley’s VR challenges, your characters will get stronger as the game progresses. Raising your weapon level and getting more-advanced armor will dramatically increase the number of materia each character can equip, while accessories only get better as the game progresses.

Cloud, Aerith and Tifa are transformed into blocky versions of themselves, referencing their original 1997 designs.

As cool as some side quests look, they won’t be for everyone.

David Lumb/CNET

Give up on what’s not fun

Through the scores of hours you’ll play Rebirth, you’ll inevitably find something you just don’t click with. Trust me, there’s more than enough in the game to entertain you, so feel free to leave things behind to come back to later — or never.

For the most part, the extras in this game are fun and worth experiencing, even persevering through for crucial items. But I certainly struggled with some of the minigames, forswearing the materia or accessory teasing me from the winner’s podium that I just couldn’t reach. And I’ll be the first to tell you that some side quests offer pretty lame rewards, making the time invested feel like a wash.

The in-game pastime Queen’s Blood is a card game, which doesn’t appeal to everyone. There are a handful of essential matches to play in the main story, so learning the basics would be helpful. You can also assemble preset decks to give you good hints at card strategies. But by all means, skip it if you don’t have the heart of the cards — there are other activities to enjoy.

Lastly, don’t worry too much if you skip a lot of the optional stuff to stick to the story — the game doesn’t seem to have as many tough-yet-unskippable bosses as Remake (no Hell House equivalent so far), so players shouldn’t feel the need to grind nonessential activities to keep up with story battles. Just be mindful of your materia — equip an HP Up for each character and pack a leveled-up Cleansing materia, just in case.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Photo Mode Screenshots From the Frontier

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Gaming

Obesity is ‘exploding,’ with more than 12% of people classified as obese worldwide, study finds: ‘Big trouble’

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One in every eight people globally qualifies as obese, according to a new study published in The Lancet on Feb. 29.

As of 2022, more than one billion people — 43% of adults — were living with obesity across the world, according to researchers from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, a global network of health scientists.

The number of obese adults has more than doubled since 1990. 

Among children between ages five and 19, the obesity rate has quadrupled, according to a press release from the World Health Organization (WHO).

OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY OVERDOSE CALLS HAVE SPIKED, EXPERTS SAY — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DANGEROUS DOSES

The researchers analyzed data from 3,663 population-based studies with 222 million participants, using different body mass index (BMI) measurements for adults, children and teens.

The data was collected between 1990 and 2022 across 200 countries and territories, according to the findings in The Lancet.

One in every eight people globally qualifies as obese, according to a new study published in The Lancet. (iStock)

Out of the 200 countries, the U.S. ranked 36th for obesity.

“This new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity and adequate care, as needed,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, in the release. 

OZEMPIC, THE HAPPY DRUG? STUDY SUGGESTS WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS COULD REDUCE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY

“Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies,” he went on. 

“Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products.”

Man with obesity

The number of obese adults has more than doubled since 1990, researchers found, according to a new study published in The Lancet. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said the world is in “big trouble” in terms of undernutrition and obesity. 

“In terms of undernutrition, it is a public health challenge in many places, including Asia and Africa, though overall rates have dropped,” Siegel, who was not involved in study, told Fox News Digital.

“We have far too much processed food with chemicals that produce weight gain.”

“By comparison, obesity is exploding,” he added.

A primary cause of obesity is poor diet, including too many carbohydrates and fats and too few proteins and vegetables, according to the doctor.

“In poor areas, this may be cost-related in part,” he said.

What can be done?

In cases where it’s not an economic issue, Siegel suggested countering obesity by increasing the intake of vegetables, fiber and fish and decreasing the consumption of alcohol, bread, pasta, rice and desserts.

obese child at doctor's

Among children between five and 19 years of age, the obesity rate has quadrupled since 1990, a new study found. (iStock)

“We have far too much processed food with chemicals that produce weight gain,” said Siegel. “We should fight back by trying to use natural foods (farm to table) as much as possible.”

He also emphasized the importance of eating smaller portions, increasing water intake and exercising regularly to help reduce hunger and cravings.

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“We also have effective weight loss drugs — semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) — but they should be reserved for those who are truly obese and have failed lifestyle modifications above,” Siegel said.

Older couple eating

A primary cause of obesity is poor diet, including too many carbohydrates and fats and too few proteins and vegetables, according to Dr. Siegel. (iStock)

“Diabetics must be first in line for these drugs as production shortages are overcome, followed by those most in need, but they can certainly make a difference in terms of improving insulin function, improving efficiency of glucose metabolism and decreasing hunger.”

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Obesity is a primary driver of the leading causes of death, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Health Fitness

How To Cut Bell Peppers Like A Pro? Chef-Special Tricks Impresses Internet

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Bell peppers are versatile. From sabzis to pizza, the vegetable enhances the taste and adds texture to the dish. While many of us enjoy using these delights in various recipes, the correct way to cut bell peppers is not known to all. To provide a solution, Chef Ajay Chopra recently shared a video on Instagram to teach us how to “cut bell peppers like a pro” for different needs. In the clip, he demonstrates three different methods for cutting the vegetable.

How To Cut Bell Peppers? 3 Easy Tips You Must Know:

Method 1:

For the first method, he takes a bell pepper, removes its stem, and tears it open with his hands. Then, he separates the seeds and chops the vegetables randomly. He suggests that cutting bell peppers this way can be helpful when making sabzis.

Method 2:

In the second method, he demonstrates how to get cleaner slices of bell pepper. He cuts off the upper and lower parts of the vegetable, then makes a vertical cut on one side. By rotating the knife on the inner side, the Chef separates the entire white portion of the bell pepper. He suggests that with the remaining bell pepper, one can easily cut dice, julienne, brunoise, smaller dice, or any other shape. He also advises not to throw out the white portion and seeds, as they could be easily used in sabzis and salads.

Method 3:

Describing the third and easiest way, Chef suggests cutting the bell pepper into four equal slices. Then one can remove the white part and easily have clean wedges.

“Want to cut bell peppers like a pro watch this video and cut bell peppers for your Chinese Indian vegetables for your salads,” reads the text attached to the video.

Also Read: 9 Common Foods You Call Vegetables Are Actually Fruits

After watching the video, many people praised Chef Ajay Chopra in the comment section.

A user wrote, “Really ye awesome he muje ye chahiye tha ki how to cut shimla mirch [This is really awesome. I truly wanted to know how to cut capsicum.] thanks for sharing.”

Another one added, “God bless you for your efforts in helping others!”

“Cutting skill is fab.!!!Mr.Chef.!!!” read a comment

Will you try these methods to chop bell peppers?

Home Kitchen

Syrian military says civilians killed in Israeli airstrike on Homs

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A number of civilians were killed and wounded after Israel launched an air attack against Syria’s central province of Homs early Wednesday, state media SANA reported, citing the Syrian military.

“Our air defense forces responded to the aggression’s missiles and shot down some of them,” the Syrian military was quoted as saying.

The Israeli side has not responded to the claims yet. 

Legal Law

Kate Winslet on ‘The Regime’ and Resilience In Hollywood

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Like many of her characters, Winslet considers herself a survivor: She survived two public divorces, and she survived the paparazzi, packs of men who chased her in cars or staked out her house. (When she was a new mother, she would put on a hat and sunglasses, hand her baby over a wall to the next-door neighbor, climb over the wall herself, then take the baby through the backyard gate and get on a city bus, where, she swears, no one ever recognized her.)

It’s clear that some of the strength Winslet projects — her nothing-stops-me attitude on set — is a defense she built up, by necessity, years ago. “I was already experiencing huge amounts of judgment, persecution, all this bullying,” she said. “People can call me fat. They can call me what they want. But they certainly cannot say that I complained and I behaved badly. Over my dead body.” To object, especially for young women, was to risk a ruined reputation. “I would not have known how to do that without people in power turning around and saying, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ, you know, her again, that complainer,’” Winslet said. “I would rather suffer in silence than ever let that happen to me, even still today.”

To Winslet, as a mother, it’s a particular horror that the public body-shaming once reserved for celebrities is now a trial that any young woman with a phone might go through. For British television, she recently made an improvised film, “I Am Ruth,” with her daughter, Mia Threapleton, about a mother trying to understand the unraveling of her teenager; behind the closed door of her bedroom, amid the privacy of the world of her phone, Threapleton’s character is enduring bullying on social media in response to revealing images she has posted of herself. With “I Am Ruth,” Winslet became an Everymom, opening her up to interactions of a different kind. “I’ll go to the grocery store, I’ll go anywhere, like walking down the street, and people will stop me,” she said. A parking attendant put her hand on Winslet’s arm and started to weep; Winslet knew intuitively it was about “I Am Ruth.”

In her roles, and in her own life, Winslet has moved, sure-footed, from the role of ingénue to the role of the fierce protector. Roybal described Winslet as an advocate for the crew on “Mare of Easttown,” someone who would personally call the executives if she felt there was some inequity on their part. While shooting “Mare,” Winslet sat in the trunk of a car where the then-19-year-old Angourie Rice would be filming a kissing scene, so Winslet — a safe, big-sister figure — could personally pass on notes from the director coming in through a radio.

By the time she filmed “Mare,” Winslet had decades worth of emotional experiences she could readily access. “In the beginning,” she said, “I would rummage around my emotional toolbox and pull out something that had actually happened to me. But that stopped working for me at a certain point. I don’t know why. As you get older, you live more life; you have more real experiences that you add to the emotional toolbox without realizing that you’re doing it. And so sometimes, as you get older, quite honestly, emotions are easier to access because they just simmer below the surface all the time — because there’s just so damn many of them.” Winslet’s scripts are heavily covered in notes laying out the emotional marks she would need to hit.

Lifestyle Fashion

Godrej Properties to build township in Bengaluru with revenue potential of ₹5,000 cr

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Godrej Properties has entered into definitive agreements to develop a large township project in North Bengaluru under a profit-sharing model. The estimated booking value for the project is ₹5,000 crore.

Spread across 62 acres and located in a prime area of North Bengaluru, the project will offer 5.6 million square feet of saleable area, comprising primarily premium residential apartments of various configurations.

The company said that while an agreement for sale for land, including this 62 acres, was entered into in 2014, the development wasn’t able to commence at the time. Over the past few months, the development opportunity on the land has crystallised, and it now expects to launch the first phase of development on this land in FY25.

Real Estate

Uskoro stižu novi MacBookovi i iPadi. No izgleda da ništa od eventa

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

IAKO Apple uskoro planira izbaciti nove iPade i MacBookove, tvrtka ne planira organizirati poseban događaj povodom lansiranja uređaja. Umjesto toga, Apple namjerava najaviti nove proizvode putem svoje web stranice. 

Što točno stiže? Kao što smo već pisali, Apple planira lansirati nove modele iPada Pro s OLED zaslonima, ažurirani iPad Air, uključujući prvi iPad Air sa zaslonom od 12.9 inča, kao i nove Apple Pencil i Magic Keyboard za iPad Pro. Što se tiče Maca, stižu MacBook Air laptopi – 13-inčni i 15-inčni – s bržim M3 čipom. 

Proizvodi se mogu očekivati najkasnije u travnju

“Svi ti novi proizvodi su u proizvodnji u inozemstvu i Appleovi marketinški timovi pripremaju se da ih uskoro najave”, piše Mark Gurman u novom biltenu Power On. No, kao što smo već naveli, neće biti događaja povodom lansiranja. Umjesto toga, Apple planira, prema Bloombergu, najaviti nove proizvode na “svojoj web stranici serijom online videa i marketinških kampanja”.

Kada će se to dogoditi? Prema pisanju Bloomberga “posebna verzija iOS-a 17.4 s podrškom za novi hardver zakazana je za kraj mjeseca”. Stoga Gurman zaključuje da se novi uređaji mogu očekivati u ožujku ili najkasnije u travnju.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Shohei Ohtani continues to impress at the plate for Dodgers

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PHOENIX — 

The Dodgers provided a glimpse of their potential firepower at the top of the batting order Sunday when Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman combined for seven hits, five runs and four RBIs in a 7-4 exhibition victory over the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch.

“When you look at the top three [batters], obviously, it’s relentless, it’s stress,” manager Dave Roberts said. “With one swing, any one of those guys can hurt you. Just the way that they kind of energized our club today was clearly apparent.”

Betts, the 2018 American League most valuable player with the Boston Red Sox and the leadoff batter for the Dodgers, singled to center and scored in the first inning, doubled to left and scored in the second and singled to center to third.

Ohtani, the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 with the Angels, singled to right field in the first inning, drove an RBI triple off the top of the center-field wall in the third and stroked an RBI single to right in the third before leaving the game. Ohtani has now reached base in seven straight Cactus League plate appearances.

Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP with the Atlanta Braves who has been dropped from second to third in the order, lined an RBI single to center in the first inning and drove in a run with a second-inning grounder that was booted for an error.

“He looks locked in right now,” Roberts said of Ohtani. “Just the at-bat quality, it seems like he’s on everything. There are some borderline pitches he’s taking, and if they throw it over the plate, he’s taking a good rip at it. So today was just another good day for Shohei.”

The Dodgers are off on Monday. Roberts said the plan for Ohtani, who will be relegated to designated hitter this season as he recovers from his second Tommy John surgery, is to play Tuesday night against the Angels and Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. Both games are at Camelback Ranch.

Sports

Honor Choice Watch with swim-proof durability to go on sale on March 4 – Check details

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Expanding into AIoT devices segment, Honor has introduced its latest smartwatch – Honor Choice Watch. The company on Friday said that the smartwatch will be available for sale starting March 4, 2024 at 12:00 pm onwards on Amazon and the company’s website. 

Available in Black and White colour variants, the watch is priced at Rs 6,499. However, there is an introductory discount of Rs 500, bringing the price down to Rs 5,999. 

The smartwatch comes with features such as a spacious 1.95-inch AMOLED Ultra-thin display, built-in multi-system GNSS for fast and accurate positioning, enhanced overall navigation and tracking capabilities and one-click SOS Bluetooth calling. According to the company, the smartwatch ultra-long battery life of an impressive 12 days of typical usage on one charge. It is also 5 ATM water resistant.

Honor Choice Watch can connect with a smartphone with the Honor Health app. The app has been designed to monitor health conditions and offers customized free-of-cost workout modules for various outdoor and fitness activities. The innovative all-day Stress monitoring function actively evaluates stress levels by continuously collecting heart rate signals at intervals, making it a dedicated companion for monitoring both physical and mental health. 

Technology

Travelling to Portugal? Here are 5 things to know about ‘Florida of Europe’ | Travel

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Portugal, a haven for retirees, holds a general election next Sunday, 50 years on from the 1974 “Carnation Revolution” that toppled a decades-long rightist dictatorship.

Travelling to Portugal? 5 things to know about ‘Florida of Europe’ from gentle lifestyle to attractive tax policies (Photo by Ricardo Resende on Unsplash)

Here are five things to know about the country:

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

– 50 years of democracy –

Portugal is marking the 50th anniversary this year of an almost bloodless coup on April 25, 1974 that put an end to 48 years of authoritarian rule and 13 years of colonial wars in Africa.

The revolt by idealistic young army officers quickly turned into a popular uprising when the troops were joined by jubilant crowds that took less than 24 hours to bring down Europe’s longest-lived dictatorship.

Nicknamed the Carnation Revolution after flower vendors handed out seasonal blooms to the soldiers, it led to Portugal’s first free elections with universal suffrage exactly one year later.

It is a rare example of a military coup held to install democracy and a source of pride in Portugal, where its anniversary is a national holiday called “Freedom Day”.

– Influx of tourists –

With 300 days of sunshine per year, Portugal keeps setting new records for the amount of foreign tourist arrivals it draws.

The sector accounts for around 15 percent of the country’s economic output, generating record revenues of 25 billion euros ($27 billion) last year.

Dubbed the “Florida of Europe”, the country is also home to many well-off foreigners — retirees, investors or digital nomads — seduced by its gentle lifestyle and attractive tax policies.

– …and immigrants –

With one of Europe’s most open immigration regimes, Portugal has seen its foreign-born population double in five years.

Fewer than half a million in 2018, last year a million foreigners were living in Portugal — one-tenth the country’s population.

Brazilians, with their long historical links to the country, remain the biggest contingent — some 400,000-strong.

Immigrants from India and Nepal are now more numerous than people from former Portuguese colonies Angola and Cape Verde.

Bangladeshis and Pakistanis also now figure in the top 10 of new arrivals.

– Surf XXL –

With over 800 kilometres (500 miles) of Atlantic coastline and countless breaks of all shapes and sizes, the country attracts surfers from around the world.

The best known spot is off the coast of the central town of Nazare, where an underwater canyon some five kilometres (three miles) deep near the shoreline of the former fishing village helps generate what are arguably the biggest rideable waves in the world.

Germany’s Sebastian Steudtner set a world record there in 2020 for the biggest wave ever surfed at 86 feet (26.2 metres).

– Cork champion –

Portugal is the world’s largest cork producer, accounting for nearly half of the world’s supply, according to the Portuguese Cork Association.

Cork is made from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), which covers around 720,000 hectares (1,780,000 acres) of land in Portugal more than any other country.

Portuguese cork producers have sought to diversify its use beyond wine bottle stoppers, with the material increasingly used as building insulation as well as in footwear, furniture and even the aerospace industry.

The value of Portugal’s cork exports last year surpassed one billion euros, a record.

In 2020 the Lisbon metro replaced the fabric lining on all seats of its train fleet with cork, an easier to maintain material.

Tours Travel

Why Freddie Mercury left his house to Mary Austin when she begged him not to | Music | Entertainment

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Freddie Mercury’s home is for sale: The elegant hallway (Image: KNIGHT FRANK)

Freddie Mercury barely had a decade in the home of his dreams. He lost his life on November 24, 1991, in bed at Garden Lodge with his dearest friends and beloved cats around him.

Last September, the Queen legend’s ex-girlfriend Mary Austin auctioned off the contents of West Kensington house and memorabilia, totalling over 30,000 items. The sale brought in £39.9million, smashing estimates.

This reinforced the eternal interest in the rock icon, backed by constant calls that his home should be, and always should have been, a museum and memorial to his life and career.

But there is one simple, irrefutable reason why that has never happened, and it is closely bound with the greatest mystery of Freddie’s death.

Don’t miss… ‘He wasn’t afraid’ Brave Freddie carried downstairs for ‘final wish’ [LATEST]

Freddie Mercury house and garden

Freddie Mercury’s West Kensington house and garden (Image: KNIGHT FRANK)

Freddie Mercury final photo in his garden with one of the cats

Freddie Mercury’s final photo in his garden with one of the cats (Image: INSTA )

See those beautiful pink blossom trees? Freddie loved to look at them from inside, or sit out under their shade. There have been persistent rumours for years that his ashes are buried underneath them.

Only one person in the world knows for sure – Mary Austin. Just as Freddie asked her to bury his ashes in secret, so, too, he entrusted his home to her care.

It was Mary who found the property for him, during a period when the star was mainly living in New York or Germany, tired of being hounded by the UK press. He immediately offered the full asking price but then spent years on renovations and lavish decorating.

Freddie Mercury dining room

Freddie Mercury’s dining room (Image: KNIGHT FRANK)

Freddie once said: “I’d been living in the same little Kensington flat for ages, so I phoned Mary from America and asked her to find a place. I saw the house, fell in love with it and within half an hour it was mine…

“Whenever I watched Hollywood movies set in plush homes with lavish decor, I wanted that for myself and now I’ve got it. But to me, it was much more important to get the damn thing than to actually go and live in it. I’m very much like that, once I get something I’m not that keen on it any more…

“It’s full of marble floors and mahogany staircases. It even has a garden that’s three-quarters of an acre.. in Kensington. Can you believe it?”

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin (Image: PH )

Freddie was slowing down, though, after years of partying in Germany and the US (and everywhere else) and was yearning for a home and for security. He would soon meet his final partener, Jim Hutton.

He said: “Sometimes when I’m alone at night, I imagine when I’m 50 I’ll creep into Garden Lodge, as my refuge, and then start making it a home. When I’m old and grey and when everything is finished and I can’t wear the costumes and jig around on stage anymore, I’ll have something to fall back on, and that’s this wonderful house.”

His dream came true and the mansion became a place of refuge, where Freddie would watch his favourite TV shows and leave his superstar persona outside the garden gate (which went for £400,000 at the auction).

Freddie Mercury and Jim Hutton

Freddie Mercury and Jim Hutton (Image: PH )

Freddie lived at Garden Lodge with his partner Jim Hutton, ex-boyfriend and chef Joe Fanelli, and friend and PA Peter Freestone. All looked after him around the clock in his final months, along with Mary and rock star friend Dave Clarke.

Mary tried to persuade Freddie to leave the house as a memorial to his life and work for fans to visit, but he was determined. She revealed he told her: “If things had been different, you would have been my wife and this would have been yours anyway.”

However, on top of losing her dearest friend, Mary admitted the will brought her many problems; “Some of the fans even told me I was only the keeper of the house. That hurt. I know several of Freddie’s gay friends were surprised Freddie had left so much to me. There those who thought they should have been left the house. It was like people begrudged me having what he had left me.”

Freddie Mercury and Peter Freestone

Freddie Mercury and Peter Freestone (Image: PH )

It was also another eight years before Mary received the bulk of his money from the will: “It was a worrying time. The taxman had been paid, but without the money coming through, I didn’t know if I could afford to keep the house. I felt under a lot of pressure.”

Freddie wanted his ashes buried secretly because he had a horror of someone trying to dig them up and likewise he wanted his home preserved as a home, and kept private. He trusted Mary completely to do all this for him. And she has for over 30 years, giving almost no interviews and permitting no public photographs inside.

The estate agent listing is private and viewings will only be arranged once financial credentials for serious buyers have been established

When the sale was announced, Mary released a simple statement: “This house has been the most glorious memory box, because it has such love and warmth in every room. It has been a joy to live in and I have many wonderful memories here. Now that it is empty, I’m transported back to the first time we viewed it.

“Ever since Freddie and I stepped through the fabled green door, it has been a place of peace, a true artist’s house, and now is the time to entrust that sense of peace to the next person.”

Arts Entertainments

2025 Kia Tasman ute: Reveal, first Australian deliveries for Toyota HiLux rival locked in

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Kia has confirmed one of motoring’s worst kept secrets, with the help of some Australian sporting icons.

Yes, its new dual-cab ute rival to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux is coming to Australia. The ute will be revealed late in 2024, with the first Australian deliveries taking place in 2025.

“Kia Australia has always been very candid about our desire to bring a Light Commercial Vehicle to the local market, so it is with great excitement that we are taking an important step towards it becoming a reality,” Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith said in a statement.

“We are now officially taking Expressions of Interest (EOI) on the Kia Australia website, for both private and fleet customers, and we invite all ute-loving Australians to sign up and join us on the journey.”

“As an incentive, the EOI group will be kept up to date of the latest news and developments from now, right up until its Australian launch in 2025.”

“This includes an extensive local ride and handling program, covering tens of thousands of unrelenting Aussie kilometres, to ensure it meets the hard-working requirements of the Aussie public.”

And based on the cryptic ad, rumours suggesting it’ll be called the Tasman are bang on the money.

How do we know? Check out the dart at 56 seconds landing square on the Tasman Sea, and the carefully cropped hotel name at the end of the commercial.

That’s bad news for the cast of sporting heroes vying for a gig instead, which range from Australian Open winner Ash Barty to AFL legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin.

  • 2025 Kia Tasman ute: Reveal, first Australian deliveries for Toyota HiLux rival locked in
  • 2025 Kia Tasman ute: Reveal, first Australian deliveries for Toyota HiLux rival locked in

Here’s what else we know about the Tasman:

  • The ute is known internally as “TK”
  • Kia engineers have used Australia as a test bed for the ute
  • It’s been benchmarked against the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux
  • Power will come from a diesel engine

The ute is one of two utes coming from Kia. The other will be a dedicated electric model.

We’re expecting a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, and a payload around the 1000kg mark depending on the variant. It’ll be a ladder frame vehicle, rather than a softer SUV-derived model like the Hyundai Santa Cruz offered in the USA.

According to leaked dealer information, engineers from Kia head office have been flown to Australia “on multiple occasions” to experience competitors and local conditions, so you can expect the ute to be well-tailored to our roads.

Would you buy a Kia ute instead of a Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, or Mazda?

MORE: Dealer leak gives us our best idea yet about the new Kia ute

Auto

Apple is right not to rush headlong into generative AI

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If you think Tim Cook has always led a charmed life at the helm of Apple, think again. The years straight after the death of Steve Jobs in 2011 were a trial by fire. First there was antitrust: America’s Department of Justice (DoJ) sued Apple for conspiring to fix e-book prices. Then there was competition: Samsung, a South Korean rival, went to war with the iPhone with bigger, sleeker models. Then came broader concerns. Apple’s new voice assistant, Siri, made rookie errors. Ditto Apple Maps, which went as far as relocating the Washington Monument to the Potomac River. At the time, the question hanging over the company was existential: could Apple’s creative spark survive the death of its founder? One of Mr Cook’s lieutenants was so miffed at the criticisms that he publicly retorted in 2013: “Can’t innovate anymore, my ass!”

A decade or so later, Mr Cook may be having a moment of déjà vu. On all three counts—antitrust, Asian competition, the existential question of innovation and growth—there are parallels between then and now. Competition watchdogs in the EU are demanding compliance by March 7th with rules that for the first time breach the “walled garden” which keeps users and developers bound within Apple‘s playpen. In America the DoJ’s trustbusters may soon launch a case against Apple. In China, Huawei, a domestic mastodon, is seizing market share. Hanging over everything is the nagging concern, amid a levelling off in iPhone sales, that Mr Cook is missing the opportunity to pull another rabbit out of the hat with generative artificial intelligence (gen AI).

In short, with its market value down by 10% since mid-December, and Microsoft, thanks to gen AI, vaulting past it to become the world’s most valuable company, sceptics wonder if Apple is now so dominant it has lost its mojo. So jaded is the narrative that many pay little heed to the buzz about the Vision Pro, Apple’s snazzy—though lavishly priced—mixed-reality headset. What hopes they have are pinned on the company’s annual developer conference in June, when they want Mr Cook to announce whizzy gen-AI upgrades proving that Apple can join the chatbot hypefest. That, though, is not how the company does things. Nor should it be.

Go back to the threat from Samsung in Mr Cook’s early days. Back then investors pestered Apple to come up with a bigger phone, just as now they want it to match Samsung’s models with gen-AI bells and whistles. But Apple doesn’t rush things. It wasn’t until the launch of the iPhone 6 in 2014 that it produced a large-screen phone. When it came, it was a smash hit. Its modus operandi remains the same. It is rarely first with a product. It seeks to improve what is already out there, learning from others’ mistakes and eventually trouncing the competition. Of course, that poses a risk. In theory, a scrappy upstart may produce new technology products cheaper and faster, pulling the rug from under the market leader. Perhaps a young company building a killer device for the gen-AI era already has Apple in its sights.

Yet you do not have to be a true believer to see why Apple may be right to take its time. First, there will be more to gen AI than chatbots. They appear to be a revolutionary technology. But so far they are just a better (and accident-prone) way of putting in a query and getting an answer. That is not Apple’s forte. “They are features, not products,” as Horace Dediu, an expert on Apple, puts it. Nor does Apple compete with other tech giants, such as Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet, to run cloud-computing platforms with large language models (LLMs) on which other firms can build gen-AI apps. Instead of relying on cloud services, it seems to be working on ways to embed gen AI in its own devices, bolstering its ecosystem. Since 2017 it has been using homemade chip technology called neural engines to handle machine-learning and AI functions that its gadgets use behind the scenes.

In late February it emerged that it was scrapping its ten-year project to build an Apple car and redirecting the engineers towards gen AI. No doubt it is moving up a gear—though not from an idle start. Apple will reveal nothing about its intentions. But one of the options it has is hiding in plain sight: the Vision Pro. The most recent gen-AI launches, such as OpenAI’s Sora, which converts text to video, and Groq, which speaks at humanlike speed in response to questions, suggests that eventually something other than written words could be the main gateways to gen AI. The Vision Pro is all about sounds and images.

Known unknowns

In the short term none of this will resolve the growth question. In fact, the regulatory onslaught in the EU via the Digital Markets Act, which from this week will apply to big-tech “gatekeepers” including Apple, could potentially crimp its biggest growth engine, services. For the first time Apple will be forced to allow third-party app marketplaces and alternative payment systems outside its App Store on devices in Europe. It has made no secret of its disdain for the rules. It calls them a threat to safety and privacy, and has introduced complex new fees for those who dare bypass its protective walls. Some developers have slammed its compliance measures, but they are likely to work: inertia means that many will probably stick with the status quo. As for a possible DoJ antitrust case, it would be a headache. But its scope is not yet clear.

China is a bigger problem with no clear solution. Huawei has become a formidable competitor, though in the long run it may be constrained by an America-led ban on sales to it of high-end chips. However big the geopolitical risks, Apple and China are so co-dependent that they may be stuck with one another.

Still, don’t give up on Mr Cook yet. Apple is bound to be working on gen AI products that do not leave egg on its face—just, as is its way, not in the open. At this stage, the vast sums needed to train AI models favour deep-pocketed incumbents over scrappy upstarts, which will work to Apple’s advantage. You can almost hear Cupertino muttering, “Can’t innovate anymore, my ass!” ■

Business

Top Coins Prep Breakout Rally This Week?

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With the crypto industry standing at a  $2.31 Trillion market cap and a 24-hour Volume of $134 Billion, the bulls are in total trend control. Further, the most dominant crypto, Bitcoin, of 52% making a new 52W high at $64,000, reflects a high-momentum reversal. 

Being the key driver of the bull turn, the rising inflows of the U.S.-listed Bitcoin Spot ETFs are igniting the uptrend. Despite the significant outflows from the GBTC spiking, the inflows into the other nine drive the momentum. 

With increasing interest from institutional investors and the impending Altcoin season, the bull run is still in the initial stages. Let’s look at the price analysis of the top coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple to find out if they will spike this week.

Will Bitcoin Cross $69,000?

After the formation of a new 52-week high at $64,000, the BTC price creates a huge bullish candle in the weekly chart. As the buying pressure grows, the trading volume surge bolsters the ongoing uptrend. 

Source: Tradingview

In the weekly chart, the BTC price analysis presents an inverted head and shoulder pattern breakout. The breakout rally peaks at $64,000 and promises an uptrend continuation. 

As per the Fibonacci levels, Bitcoin price is ready to challenge the 100% Fib level and a breakout run for a new all-time high. With this breakout rally, the buyers anticipate Bitcoin price to cross the $69,000 mark.

Currently, the BTC price trades at $61,994 with an intraday growth of 0.64%, as buyers take a break on weekends. In the case of the breakout, the Fibonacci levels present $95,952 or the .618 Fib level as the next target. However, the bulls could find a potential high settlement close to $71,500 next week. 

Will Ethereum Drive A New Bull Run To $4,400?

As the Bitcoin price crosses the barrier of $60,000 the bullish sentiment in the altcoins skyrocket this week. Further, the growing anticipations of Whales for an Ethereum ETF leads to increased Whale holding.  

Further, the recent ETH price jump of 52% in the past four weeks resulted in huge bullish candles in the weekly chart. 

Source: Tradingview

As per the ETH price analysis, the bullish reversal teases a rounding bottom breakout with a neckline zone at $3,500. Currently, the Ether trades at $3,431 with an intraday move of 1.85% on the upside. 

Considering the buyers manage a breakout next week, the bull run in Ethereum, per Fibonacci levels, could peak at $3,872.

Ripple’s Triangle Breakout Ready For Ignition

With the XRP price creating lower high formation in the weekly, the ongoing reversal is set to change the trend. As the trend momentum grows with the altcoin season on the door, the XRP price is set for a breakout rally.

Source: Tradingview

The formation of a triangle pattern in the weekly chart is coming to a conclusion and teasing a bullish breakout. Currently, the XRP price is trading at $0.63113 and gives a weekly return of 16.38%. 

With this bullish candle set for a breakout run, Ripple is ready to surpass the 23.60% Fibonacci level. In case of a successful escape, the XRP price could reach the 50% Fib level next week at $0.93.

Cryptocurrency

These Last-Minute Best Buy Weekend Deals Are Ending Today

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If you missed out on the great deals during the last Presidents Day sale, then now is the perfect time to grab a couple if you’ve been wanting something specific. There are deals on pretty much everything from Best Buy right now, whether you’re looking for a new TV, laptops, smart lighting, headphones and ton more. We’ve collected our favorites below to help you pick some good deals, so be sure to check them out. You can also check the full sale by clicking the link below. Just be aware that the weekend sale ends on March 3 at 9:59 p.m. PT, so grab whatever you want before then.

This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.

Details

This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage. 

Details

Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen and an M2 chip for fast processing for less than a grand. 

Details

This three-in-one device can clean your air, cool your space or warm things up when you need it to — all with an anti-allergen HEPA filter. It tracks air quality and has smart features to prevent overheating as well. Right now, it’s only $200.

Details

Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip. 

Details

More great deals at Best Buy:

It’s worth noting that some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to consider a subscription. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows. 

For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you find exactly what you want without paying full price.      

More shopping deals from CNET

Gaming

Health’s weekend read includes kidney donations, cancer prevention, measles vaccinations and more

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Fox News Digital publishes an array of health pieces all week long to keep you in the know on a range of wellness topics: disease prevention, nutrition, medical research, health care and much more — plus, personal stories of people and families overcoming huge obstacles.

This weekend, check out some of the top stories of the week in Health that you may have missed, or have been meaning to check out. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

These are just a few of what’s new, of course. 

Many more can be seen at http://www.foxnews/health. 

Check out this selection!

Kidney swap saves two lives in Texas

Two hard-to-match transplant patients 250 miles apart started the year of 2024 with shining new hope for long, healthy lives — thanks to the collaboration of two Texas hospitals. The donors, recipients and doctors shared the events leading up to their surgeries. Click here to get the story.

Rebecca Warden, second from left, volunteered to give a kidney to her mother, 71-year-old Ann Winer of San Antonio, far left. And Svetlana Balmeo Stockdale, 28, far right, volunteered to give a kidney to her co-worker, Jorge Mendez, 50, standing beside her. Find out what ultimately happened.  (University Health; UT Southwestern)

Cancer prevention … just a pill away?

Lucid Diagnostics, a New York-based biotech company, created a vitamin-sized diagnostic to help prevent esophageal cancer. Fox News Digital spoke with Lishan Aklog, M.D., chair and CEO of Lucid, and Dr. Bruce Greenwald, a leading gastroenterologist at the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Maryland Medical Center, about how the new test could revolutionize esophageal cancer screening. Click here to get the story.

EsoCheck

Lucid Diagnostics, a New York-based biotech company, created an esophageal cancer screening test that requires taking just one pill-sized diagnostic. (Lucid Diagnostics)

Daily steps for women over age 60 

We’ve all heard the widespread recommendation of hitting 10,000 steps per day for optimal health. Yet some groups of people — such as women over age 60 — may not need that many. A new study reveals the recommended number of steps to reduce heart disease risk in women over 60. Click here to get the story.

Woman walking dog

Researchers from the University at Buffalo in New York observed 6,000 U.S. women between ages 63 and 99, gathering data about their physical activity, sedentary time and heart health. (iStock)

Experts share caffeine cautions

Coffee in the morning is a ritual for many people — but is it ever too early in the day to indulge? Sleep experts weighed in on whether it’s OK to grab a cup as soon as you wake up, or if you should wait a while. Click here to get the story.

WalletHub best cities for coffee

Brewing a cup or a pot of coffee as soon as you wake up might not give you the biggest energy boost throughout the day, according to sleep experts.  (iStock)

Fasting-like diet could extend longevity

Researchers from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles found that adopting a fasting-like diet could help slow down aging. They revealed how the fasting-mimicking diet was shown to reduce biological age. Click here to get the story.

Woman eating soup

A fasting-mimicking diet was found to reduce biological age and immune system aging, as well as insulin resistance and liver fat, in a new study. (iStock)

CDC drops 5-day isolation rule for COVID

In the first update to the CDC’s quarantine guidelines since late 2021, the public health agency has called off the 5-day isolation guidance for those with COVID. Here’s what doctors had to say about the change. Click here to get the story.

CDC logo

Prior to Friday’s update, the CDC called for people who test positive for the virus to “stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home,” a recommendation that was implemented in late 2021.  (REUTERS/Tami Chappell/File Photo)

Hydration alternatives for those who hate water

An NFL sports dietitian offered a few healthy alternatives for those who don’t like H20. He also warned against unhealthy beverage choices and shared warning signs of dehydration. Click here to get the story.

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Do you need a new measles vaccination?

Some doctors are saying that those who received the measles vaccine in the ‘70s or ’80s may no longer be protected against the contagious virus. Infectious disease experts shared what you can do to determine your level of immunity. Click here to get the story.

MMR vaccine

For those who received measles vaccinations in the ‘70s and ’80s — mainly people who are currently in their 40s and 50s — a doctor recommends checking with a health care provider about immune status. (iStock)

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Health Fitness

5 Foolproof Hacks To Prevent Macaroni From Sticking

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In Indian households, finding a jar full of macaroni stuffed at the back of a kitchen cabinet is not an uncommon sight. Macaroni is a style of paste shaped like narrow tubes and made with maida (all-purpose flour) or semolina (sooji). The best part is that it is so versatile that it can be used in sandwiches, soups, and even salads. In India, desi-style, homemade macaroni is everyone’s comfort food. It makes for an amazing breakfast and snack recipe. Crunchy veggies coated with spicy and flavorful masala, desi macaroni is hard to resist. However, what if it turns out to be mushy and sticky? Ending up with clumped-up macaroni is a common culinary challenge. Fortunately, it can be tackled with some simple tricks. Read on to learn how to keep your macaroni from sticking.

Also Read: Macaroni Salad For Weekend Binge – 5 Quick Tips To Remember

Boil macaroni with enough water to prevent it from sticking.
Photo Credit: iStock

Here Are 5 Foolproof Hacks To Prevent Macaroni From Sticking:

1. Use Enough Water

The first step to ensuring that your macaroni does not stick is using enough water while boiling it. Make sure to use a heavy-bottomed pan with plenty of water. This would ensure that your macaroni gets enough space to move around and get cooked without clumping together. While boiling macaroni, make sure to use a 1:2 ratio of macaroni to water to ensure adequate cooking.

2. Use Salt In Water

Another step that is often skipped or ignored while boiling macaroni is adding salt to the water. Once you add macaroni to water, make sure to add a spoonful of salt to it. The salt won’t just enhance the flavour of your macaroni but also prevent it from sticking together.

3. Stir Regularly

Adding macaroni to enough water along with salt is not enough to prevent it from sticking together. Once you add macaroni, give it a good stir at least two to three times. Make sure to stir once in the middle of the cook and once before it’s ready. Stirring regularly while boiling your macaroni would also ensure even cooking.

Keep stirring the macaroni while its boiling to prevent it from sticking.

Keep stirring the macaroni while it’s boiling to prevent it from sticking.
Photo Credit: iStock

4. Avoid Overcooking

Timing is crucial while boiling your macaroni. Although packaged macaroni mentions how long it is supposed to boil, remove the macaroni from heat once it gets to the right texture. A simple way to check if the macaroni is cooked is by poking it with a fork. If it is nice and soft, it’s done. However, this does not mean it is cooked to the point that it becomes mushy. Mushy macaroni is more prone to sticking together.

5. Rinse With Cold Water

After draining the cooked macaroni in a colander, rinse it under cold running water. This would remove the extra starch from the surface of the macaroni, which could make your dish super sticky and mushy. Gently shake the colander to remove excess water from your macaroni before adding it to your sauce or masala.

Also Read: Try This Wholesome Macaroni Pasta Soup Recipe For A Perfect Winter Meal

Looking for some unique macaroni pasta recipes to try? Click here to know more.

Home Kitchen

Zelenskyy meets visiting IAEA chief

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with visiting chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi in Kyiv and discussed the current security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear Power Plant, Ukrinform reported Tuesday.  

Legal Law

At Alexander McQueen, a Confusing Debut by Seán McGirr

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That the death of Iris Apfel, the geriatric influencer whose idiosyncratic sense of personal style made her a fashion star when she was well into her 80s, happened smack in the middle of Paris Fashion Week was both startling and oddly fitting. All the appreciations of her life and outfits have been adding up to pointed reminders of how this whole circus relates to the art of dressing, and the way clothing can be an interface with the world in the most expressive, original way.

I was thinking about that a lot over the weekend, in part because of the designers here who, like Ms. Apfel, have built empires (or at least small fiefs) on a willingness to go their own way — Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto. Designers with a deep understanding of the rules and history of fashion and an equally powerful ability to rewrite both, and to imagine a different world. One whose uniforms can look bizarre and outrageous, but which create a sense of thrilling possibility: clothes like permission slips to think out of the box.

And also because in Seán McGirr’s debut at Alexander McQueen, a house that once did all of the above, it got so very garbled.

Mr. McGirr had the complicated job of taking over from Sarah Burton, the longtime deputy to Mr. McQueen, who had stabilized the brand after the designer’s suicide in 2010 and made it her own, adding a touch of grace to the angry romance and soaring imagination that traversed heaven and earth and that, combined with great technical proficiency, defined the McQueen name.

Mr. McGirr is, in other words, the first designer to lead the brand with no particular connection to it, and that showed. In a preview, he talked excitedly about Mr. McQueen’s spring 1995 collection The Birds, as well as the East End of London, rough edges and rebels, but the result looked like McQueen, the TikTok dance version. It had energy, but not depth.

There was some sharp tailoring: nipped-in trouser suits covered in broken pieces of jet with shearling vests exploding from within. There were giant sweaters that looked as if they were swallowing the models whole, over leather trousers. A tank dress covered in what was meant to resemble smashed glass, inspired by Mr. McGirr’s smashed cellphone screen. Some molded steel mini dresses, like wearable car chassis (forget sitting down).

There were hoof shoes, in a nod to Mr. McQueen’s armadillo shoes, sometimes complete with little tails at the back. Also shoe bags — stilettos within actual bags. The models walked with their foreheads thrust forward in a parody of the angry stomp. But these were not the sort of clothes that made you want to rise to a challenge.

To be fair, that might well have been Mr. McGirr’s remit: Make it younger! Make it more accessible! Make it more everyday! That seems to be the mantra these days for executives in fear of a luxury slowdown. The problem is easiness has never been the point of McQueen; it’s been the opposite.

In the preview, Mr. McGirr said the first McQueen show he remembered was Voss — the spring 2001 collection that featured models trapped in a see-through sanitarium, wearing clothes made from feathers and oyster shells, quietly going to pieces as the audience looked on. “I think when I saw Voss, I was like, ‘Oh, he’s really trying to say something,’” Mr. McGirr said. “Because obviously McQueen, there’s always a message in the clothes. There has to be.”

He was right. Yet if such a message exists in this collection, it was impossible to identify. Maybe next time.

In any case, when it comes to singular visions, few have been as clear or as original as Rick Owens, whose grand visions marry the epic ambitions and glamour of Cecil B. DeMille to Martian oddity and a dash of dirty sex, offering the promise of a better future for the alienated and the outré. Still, the weirdest thing about his collection this season, shown in his home/headquarters in the heart of the French establishment behind the Assemblée Nationale, was just how — well, wearable it was.

The signature Owens silhouette was still there: bulbous at the top, attenuated in the middle, grounded at the bottom with what the designer, backstage, called his pyramid moon boots, so the body looked like a piece of taffy stretched between two poles. So was the extreme: dresses made from coils of ropes. But there were also fluted dresses knit on the bias, like the most cozy silver screen gowns, and sweeping Maid Marian capes; even ponchos with the word “Porterville,” the central California town where Mr. Owens grew up and that he escaped, splashed across the front. Ponchos! What?

“Now is not the moment for fireworks and smoke bombs,” Mr. Owens said before the show. “Now is the moment for everybody to cling together and to connect.” Instead of bombast, he offered balm, but without resorting to the carapace of normalcy.

This is also true of Yohji Yamamoto, another one of the great designers of our time, who has stayed true to his own increasingly intricate and detailed exploration of history and emotion even as it has trended in and out of fashion. In this he is like his friend, Azzedine Alaïa, and like Mr. Alaïa, whose single-minded pursuit of his own aesthetic had him first rejected and then rediscovered as a sort of guru before his death in 2017, Mr. Yamamoto is due for a reckoning.

He’s the last great romantic in fashion, and what makes his work extraordinary is that while it skitters across time and references, dipping into one era here, another one there, it also transforms them, folding them into a kind of Möbius strip all the designer’s own.

This season that meant Brancusi geometries and Edwardian suiting that turned to expose bustles like orchid origami — a combination that turned up in a different form at Junya Watanabe. He offered a sort of math-meets-the-bourgeoisie combination of sculpture, biker jackets and wallpaper florals that, like Mr. Yamamoto’s work, added up to a lot more than the sum of its parts. One staid black overcoat was hung with studded biker belts, looking like heraldic banners or Miss Universe sashes, as if a punk had stormed not just the henhouse, but the inner sanctum.

It is not insignificant that Mr. Owens and Mr. Yamamoto are two of the rare substantial independent designers working today: designers who started from nothing under their own names and built their brands as they saw fit, allowing themselves the luxury of developing their own points of view and material language.

And it makes it hard not to wonder what would happen if someone such as Mr. McGirr were allowed to design under his own name, rather than being asked to assume the mantle of a legend.

What if the big groups, such as Kering, which owns McQueen, invested in building new brands, rather than preserving and resurrecting old ones and cycling through designers to sort of reinvent them — but not too much! — the equivalent of demanding they start speaking in tongues?

In creating brands that could be, to quote the musician Robert Fripp, “resplendent in divergence,” like the delightfully bizarro creations of Noir’s Kei Ninomiya. As Ms. Apfel showed, that may actually be the best look of all.

Lifestyle Fashion

Pojedini pekari u Njemačkoj nedjeljom dodatno naplaćuju kruh i peciva

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

U NJEMAČKOM gradu Dresdenu kupci nedjeljom moraju dublje posegnuti u džep ako žele kupiti kruh i peciva u pojedinim pekarnicama. Kako navodi Fenix magazin, razlozi za poskupljenje nisu samo sve veći troškovi za energiju.

Jedan pekar u Dresdenu od ovog vikenda uvodi nadoplatu za svoje proizvode. Tako će kupci ubuduće peciva, kruh i kolače nedjeljom plaćati 10 do 15 posto više, pišu njemački mediji. Poskupljenje ne opravdava samo višim troškovima energenata, nego i dodatkom na plaću zaposlenicima nedjeljom od 50 posto.

Tako od ponedjeljka do petka pecivo košta 80 centi, a u nedjelju 90 centi. Miješani kruh od jednog kilograma preko tjedna je dostupan za četiri eura, a nedjeljom za 35 centi više.

Preko tjedna je cijena niža, a vikendom viša

No ovaj pekar nije jedini koji se odlučio za ovu nadoplatu u slučaju kupnje gore spomenutih proizvoda nedjeljom, odnosno vikendom. Drugi pekar iz Dresdena ovo poskupljenje uveo je prije gotovo godinu dana. 

Kod njega kruh od jednog kilograma preko tjedna košta 3.70 eura, a vikendom 4.05 eura. Integralni kruh od 750 grama radnim danom stoji 3.80 eura, a vikendom 4.15 eura. 

“Svjestan sam da u svom poslu moram raditi i vikendom. Ali za mlađe osobe, slobodno vrijeme i zajedničko iskustvo s obitelji i prijateljima tijekom vikenda igraju sve važniju ulogu”, kaže pekar. Zato je želio svojim zaposlenicima isplatiti dobrovoljni bonus nedjeljom i državnim praznicima. Od tada više nema kadrovskih briga, navode njemački mediji.

Poskupljenje su pekari opravdali višim troškovima za osoblje, skokom cijena sirovina, kao i većim troškovima za energiju.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Inside UCLA diner where John Wooden, Jerry West forged history

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Jerry West had always been a taut rope emotionally, the aftershock of growing up with a physically abusive father in a West Virginia home so absent of warmth that one of his sisters named it “the ice house.” It got worse when an older brother he looked up to was killed in combat in the Korean War when Jerry was thirteen. The constant emotional anguish of early life turned him into a future superstar.

A kid who would stay outside shooting baskets even in the worst winter weather to avoid being home, until he turned himself into an all-time great with a smoldering, haunted soul. West became the brilliant Lakers guard with a career others would dream about and to himself the player who was never good enough, scorched by the times he did not win, especially the 6 losses to the Celtics in the Finals during the 1960s.

Even being named MVP of the ’69 series wasn’t good enough — L.A. lost to Boston despite his heroics. Decades later as arguably the greatest general manager in NBA history, coworkers in the front office still knew not to playfully jab the boss about Boston the same way they might fire devilish locker-room digs at others.

The Lakers’ Jerry West finds two Knicks, Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier (10), cutting him off during a Nov. 2, 1973, game at the Forum. West scored 32 points as the Lakers won.

(Los Angeles Times)

The usual stress overdose turned particularly dark as the late 1960s faded into the ’70s. The avalanche of boyhood trauma turned him inward and uncomfortable in public; he played for a team unable to climb higher than best in the Western Conference, in a town where a college team had a greater following and his marriage continued while irreversibly broken.

Late in the summer of 1969, West had the strange sensation of being followed in his white Ferrari, and not the same way kids would tail him as long as possible on drives home from the Forum after games. Reading Helter Skelter years later, the book detailing the murder spree by Charles Manson, Linda Kasabian, and other members of the Manson Family over three nights in August, West came to page 357: “Observing a white sports car ahead of them, Manson told Linda, ‘At the next red light, pull up beside. I’m going to kill the driver.’”

West often wondered if he could have been that driver. The Westwood Drug Store and especially Hollis Johnson’s, the cozy 1950s-style diner in back, became an island of calm in a Jerry West world spinning off its axis.

One of the biggest names in town may have appeared in Hollywood with expensive clothes and high-end Italian sports cars, but part of him longed for the West Virginia life of good, understated people and the outdoors, even if he wished the emotional demons that chased him from home would disappear.

He met fellow Mar Vista resident Hollis Johnson, discovered a mutual love of fishing, and became a regular at the luncheonette with a fading Formica counter, eight or ten upholstered swivel stools bolted into the ground. Best of all, it had a back room that made the public dining area seem glamorous, a little space where West turned empty delivery milk crates into a table and chairs.

UCLA coach John Wooden is flanked by Sidney Wicks and Lew Alcindor after the UCLA won a national title

UCLA coach John Wooden is flanked by Sidney Wicks, right, and Lew Alcindor after the Bruins beat Purdue 92-72 on March 24, 1969 to win its third consecutive national title.

(Associated Press)

Wooden and his assistants for years loved Hollis Johnson’s for the same reasons, with the bonus of it being a few blocks from the athletic department. Lunchtime walks down the gentle hill were common, until the staff was visiting so often that the namesake owner became a friend giving hoops advice to the men with multiple national championships. The actual experts nodded along in mock agreement, smiling through bad suggestions because Hollis was that great to be around, a latitude few others enjoyed in a time of Wooden frustrated by know-it-all fans. Many students knew Hollis’s kindness in slipping an extra burger or sandwich in the bag of food at the register, on the house and without mentioning it. Gary Cunningham became a fishing buddy, working Crowley Lake for trout at sixty-eight hundred feet in the Eastern Sierra, and West hit the same spot with Johnson other times.

West Virginia University and senior guard Jerry West beat John Wooden and the Bruins in the Los Angeles Classic on December 29, 1959, but they didn’t get to know each other until an introduction by Johnson after West joined the Lakers in 1960. Countless breakfasts and lunches followed in the back of the diner, beyond view of most customers, “two small-town, everyday guys shooting the breeze, not quite believing our good fortune, always knowing it could end tomorrow,” as West put it. “I have always loved hanging out in places where I can just be Jerry, and this place . . . became very important to me.”

Wooden, likely picking up on the tortured soul West never hid, became an immediate counselor. “Jerry,” Wooden said one day early in what became a friendship that lasted decades, “when your team won, did you take all the credit?” “No, Coach, of course not,” West replied in his twang. “Well, then, Jerry, when your team lost, there is no reason for you to take all the blame.” West understood, but did not change.

Assistant coach Jerry Norman occasionally took recruits to Hollis Johnson’s as part of campus visits in hopes of giving a true indication of daily life at UCLA, as opposed to a fancy restaurant the way many schools would in an attempt to impress. Sitting in the back also allowed more privacy and made for easier conversation than sitting shoulder to shoulder to shoulder in a row at the counter. Wooden, Norman, and the prospect instead circled a pair of orange crates pushed together for a table in the alley outside the back door and Johnson draped a tablecloth over the wood slats of the boxes. If West happened to be there, he would oblige Norman’s request to stop by, an all-time great player and an all-time great coach, just a couple everyday guys, pitching a high school kid in an alley.

Former UCLA coach John Wooden is flanked by stars Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Former UCLA coach John Wooden, center, is flanked by former Bruins Bill Walton, left, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during a birthday party for Wooden in Los Angeles on Oct. 20, 1980.

(Associated Press)

Bill Walton came into West’s life in a similar way, through Hollis Johnson’s, but as the most unlikely dining companion compared to Wooden, Pat Riley, Gail Goodrich and others. West was 14 years older as Walton entered UCLA, one a proven superstar and the other a very promising but unproven freshman, one an adult who took pride in dressing well and the other a teenager so unkempt, to the point of slobbish, that West wanted to tell him to take a bath. The Walton parents were a constant support to Bill and his three siblings despite no interest in sports themselves, while West’s father and mother created a scary and cold home.

Walton already showed signs of turning activist while West was far from a social crusader, a role on the Lakers that belonged to forward Elgin Baylor, who had greater self-confidence and a life of growing up black in inner-city Washington. But Walton was a basketball sponge, and West, like Wooden, appreciated dedication above all, even talent. It just so happened Walton had a lot of both, and as far as he was concerned, West had been an important part of his life for about eight years, since Bill with a $9.95 transistor radio in San Diego dialed across Chick Hearn broadcasting Lakers games as the most exciting and interesting thing he’d ever heard.

Getting hooked on Hearn’s machine-gun delivery led to the Lakers becoming his favorite team. To then be able to walk from his dorm to the diner behind the Westwood Drug Store, enter the back door that saved the freshman with a stutter from unnecessary banter with customers, and often find Jerry West made Hollis Johnson’s a safe zone for Walton as well. While West enjoyed the diner as a place to escape his celebrity life, he did not notice the speech impediment as much as Walton craving anything hoops, morning after morning of conversation and Johnson delivering rounds of overstuffed omelets and stacks of pancakes to a turned-over milk crate in the room out of sight.

“I would be wolfing down this food,” Walton said. “Jerry would be there eating. He’d be on his way to practice. He would tell me about the NBA. It was just the greatest time.” West found him to be a character, fun and smart and bursting with energy, and West liked characters for being true to themselves. Plus, Walton “almost reminded me of someone from West Virginia ”— a compliment — “the way he dressed. Shaggy looking.” Strangely, the adult mentor living a Ferrari existence but longing for fishing-hole moments gained as much or more from the friendship. Walton, joined by Greg Lee, Keith Wilkes, and Tommy Curtis among the eight members of the freshman team, charged into the first day of practice with the same zeal that would come to mark each of his first three years.

A Bruin in his mind since sixth grade, he could barely contain himself as Wooden called the first-year players together on the court, walked them into the locker room, sat on a stool, and began to instruct the newest charges, certain, Walton said, “he was about to give us the key to heaven on earth, show us the path, guide us to become the next great team in history.” They got doused by the talk on shoes and socks instead, to be followed by pointers on how to tuck in their jerseys, tie the drawstring on their shorts, and dry themselves after showers, especially their hair.

The audience, full of eye rolls, struggled to keep from laughing out loud. Wooden removing his own shoes and socks for a demonstration, revealing varicose veins from lower leg to foot along with hammertoes, killed the remainder of the excitement. Leaving the close quarters, the Bruin understudies were directed to the stands to watch the varsity workout unfolding with precision from the first day, nonstop chatter from players on the court and a brisk tempo that reignited Walton. Pay attention, Wooden told the newcomers, because you are expected to now know the practice routine. “We thought at the time that a lot of the stuff Coach Wooden was selling … were the stupidest things ever,” Walton later wrote. “But we never doubted the honesty, righteousness, dedication, preparation, commitment, and excellence that was behind it all.”

Excerpted from “Kingdom on Fire” by Scott Howard-Cooper. Copyright © 2024 by Scott Howard-Cooper. Reprinted by permission of Atria Books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, LLC.

Sports

Google’s removal of apps from Play Store in India ‘cannot be permitted’ – minister

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Google’s decision to remove some apps in India from its app store “cannot be permitted”, Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday, amid an ongoing dispute over service fee payments to the U.S. firm. Google on Friday removed from its Play Store many Indian apps, including Matrimony.com’s popular Bharat Matrimony and job search app Naukri, saying the companies were not abiding by its in-app payment guidelines.

Vaishnaw said he has held talks with Google and will meet the startups, which need protection in India. “This cannot be permitted. This kind of de-listing cannot be permitted,” he said in a statement. Google declined to comment.

The removal has sparked criticism from many startups who have for years protested and legally challenged many of the U.S. giant’s practices, including its in-app fee. Google says the fees help develop and promote the Android and Play Store ecosystem.

The dispute centres on efforts by some Indian startups to stop Google from imposing a fee of 11 per cents 26 per cent on in-app payments, after the country’s antitrust authorities ordered it not to mandatorily enforce an earlier system of charging 15 per cent-30 per cent. But Google effectively received the go-ahead to charge the fee or remove apps after two court decisions in January and February, one by the Supreme Court. Google said on Friday that some Indian companies had chosen not to pay for the “immense value they receive on Google Play”.

Among the worst hit by the removals is Matrimony.com which has seen more than 150 of its apps dropped from the Play Store. “All our apps have been removed and we are out of Play Store and (that) means out of business,” founder Murugavel Janakiraman told Reuters on Saturday. “If this continues for a long term then we will have a significant drop in revenue.”

Info Edge, another affected company, had seen its job search app Naukri and another real estate search app, removed. Many of the company’s apps had been restored, its founder said on Saturday on X, without elaborating.

Google briefly removed the popular Indian payments app Paytm from its Play Store in 2020 citing some policy violations. The move led to the company’s founder and the wider startup industry joining together to challenge Google by launching their own app stores and filing legal cases.

Technology

Travel to these places in North America to watch total solar eclipse on April 8 | Travel

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Where will you be watching the April 8 total solar eclipse? There are just a few weeks left to pick your spot to see the skies darken along a strip of North America, whether by land, sea or air.

Millions of people will have an opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse that will pass over North America on April 8. Book your tickets and travel to these places in North America to watch total solar eclipse on April 8 (AP Photo)

For those who live inside the 115-mile-wide (185-kilometer-wide) path of total darkness, it may be a matter of just stepping outside and donning special eclipse glasses to watch the spectacle unfold. For the millions outside the path, or those who just want to improve their chances of clear skies, it could mean hitting the road with a game plan.

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The eclipse reaches Mexico’s Pacific coast in the morning, cuts diagonally across the US from Texas to Maine and exits in eastern Canada by late afternoon. Most of the rest of the continent will see a partial eclipse.

WHERE TO WATCH THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

The weather will be key, and spring weather along the path can be dicey. Mexico and Texas offer the best odds of sunny skies, said retired Canadian meteorologist Jay Anderson.

“There’s no guarantee of sunshine anywhere — just better chances,” he said.

Anderson studies satellite data for the previous 20 years to calculate how often a location has cloudy weather on any eclipse day. Besides Mexico and Texas, he said there are other promising spots on the path of totality, particularly along the Great Lakes.

The advice: If you’re flexible, start paying attention to local weather about 10 days out, and make your plans on the three-day forecast. Die-hard eclipse chasers often line up more than one location and make last-minute decisions based on the best forecast, he said.

HOW TO PREPARE LIKE AN ECLIPSE CHASER

One veteran eclipse chaser recommends picking a location and make it a vacation so that the eclipse is “the cherry on top” and not the only highlight — just in case things don’t work out.

Tom Schultz will be traveling from his retirement home in Costa Rica to watch the eclipse from his mother-in-law’s house in Rochester, New York, along with other relatives.

“If we get rained out, we’ll get this great family reunion,” said Schultz.

Veteran Anne Marie Adkins could drive across town in San Antonio to see the total eclipse, but opted to join an astronomer-led tour to Mazatlán, Mexico, betting on clear skies there. She’s been thwarted by clouds on other trips. For the 2017 U.S. eclipse, she went to Nebraska and had to scramble that day to find better skies.

“It’s a gamble. You never know what you are going to get,” said Adkins.

Post-eclipse traffic is a particular worry, especially in more rural areas like the Texas Hill Country. Patricia Moore, of the Bandera visitors center, said last year’s “ring of fire” eclipse provided a dress rehearsal for police and other first responders. Tiny Bandera — the “Cowboy Capital of the World” — expects crowds from nearby weekend music festivals.

“After the eclipse will be a challenge,” she said.

WHERE ARE THE ECLIPSE WATCH PARTIES?

With the eclipse falling on a Monday, cities and towns along the path have lined up a weekend full of activities and watch parties to attract visitors. There are a multitude of music festivals and gatherings planned at museums, parks, wineries and other businesses hoping to capitalize on the buzz.

Niagara Falls has a slate of events for days and is expecting July Fourth-sized crowds for the eclipse, said Sara Harvey, spokeswoman for Destination Niagara USA.

There are multiple vantage points to watch the show from Niagara Falls State Park, and the famous Maid of the Mist tourist boats may be running, weather permitting, she said. Even if it’s cloudy, visitors will get “a beautiful view of the falls,” Harvey said.

In Waco, Texas, festivities will culminate on eclipse day with science-themed activities outside Baylor’s McClane stadium, along what’s called Touchdown Alley.

It may be too late to snag a cabin on a cruise ship positioned off the Mexico coast for the eclipse, but there are other watery options including a ride on the paddle-wheeler Victorian Princess on Lake Erie from Erie, Pennsylvania.

If the sky beckons, Southwest and Delta have identified flights that will fly along or near the eclipse path. A special Delta flight from Austin to Detroit quickly sold out, prompting the airline to add another from Dallas.

Looking for an different kind of place to watch the sun, moon and Earth align? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host NASA astronauts and other guests. Cedar Point amusement park on Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, is opening for the day. And the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas is throwing a tailgate fundraising party and inviting visitors to watch the zoo’s residents react to the midday darkness.

You can also spend the day visiting the planets. In northern Maine, a scale model of the solar system is displayed along nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of U.S. Route 1. Retired geology professor Kevin McCartney expects to unveil a new 23- foot-tall (7-meters-tall) roadside sun at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on eclipse day. “You won’t be able to miss it,” he said.

Anderson, the weather expert, said it’s well worth the travel to see the “special magical moment” of a total eclipse: “It’s the Taylor Swift of natural events.”

Tours Travel

The Train movie – Incredible true story of Burt Lancaster’s World War II epic | Films | Entertainment

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Back in 1964, John Frankenheimer’s American-French production The Train first hit cinemas.

The World War II movie was set in August 1944 and followed French Resistance fighter Paul Labiche, played by Burt Lancaster, taking on Paul Scofield’s German Colonel Franz von Waldheim.

The Nazi officer’s mission was to move stolen works of art by train back to Germany.

The Train was loosely based on 1961 non-fiction book Le front de l’art by Rose Valland, who was the art historian at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume.

She documented the masterpieces in storage there that had been looted by the Nazis from French museums and private art collections to be taken back to Germany.

In real life, the shipment was indeed held up by the French Resistance on August 1, 1944. However, unlike the action in the Burt Lancaster movie 20 years later, the Nazi’s plan was foiled by endless paperwork and red tape, meaning the priceless works only made it a few miles outside of Paris.

In reality, train No 40,044 was seized and looked over by Lt Alexandre Rosenberg of the Free French forces just outside the capital city.

Once the doors of the carriage were open he found several works of art that had been owned by his father, art dealer Paul Rosenberg.

The Train movie’s action featured a number of real wrecks and the Allied bombing of a rail yard was made possible thanks to actual dynamite.

Director Frankenheimer believes The Train to be the last big action movie that was shot in black and white, which he thinks tremendously added to the final product.

Lancaster himself had played a part in World War II by joining the US Army in January 1943. The future Hollywood star performed with the 21st Special Services Divisions, following troops on the ground and providing USO entertainment for the sake of morale. After serving under General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army in Italy from 1943-1945 he was discharged in October after the war’s end.

Arts Entertainments

Should I trade in my car or sell it privately?

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Facing the general public when selling a used car is a frightful proposition for some – especially when you can use an online buying service, drop it to a dealer or trade it in on a new vehicle, without blinking.

But is that really the wisest thing to do?

In this article we explore the pros and cons of selling privately, versus the trade-in option.

Selling privately

Selling a car privately means advertising it and managing the entire sales process yourself. It can be a lot of effort – and there’s more risk – but the pay-off is sometimes, but not always, more money in your pocket.

Pros of selling a car privately

  1. Make more money. It’s simple, really. When you trade a car into a dealer, they’re going to give you a wholesale price so they can apply their own margin come reselling time. When you’re selling a car privately, you get to keep whatever that margin might be. Sometimes, it can be a decent amount of money.
  2. Better for older cars. Older cars, especially those with higher mileages, are harder to sell for a dealer – but they’re easier to sell privately. As such, a dealer won’t offer you as much. It’s better to sell it privately.
  3. Better for niche cars. If you’ve got a quirky sports car or off-roader that has a cult following, don’t take it to a dealer who doesn’t know what it is. The beauty of the internet is giving you access to a niche market and customer for your niche ride – and making more dough.
  4. It’s not that much effort to sell privately. Cleaning up your car, taking photos and posting an ad online is easy. Many online advertising platforms are now designed to be as foolproof as possible, meaning you can upload from your phone in minutes.
  5. Kind of fun. Selling a car can be a positive experience – flexing your creative muscle taking the photos and writing the advertisement, meeting interesting members of the public (especially if you’re selling a car to a likeminded enthusiast), and making a good amount of cash from a trustworthy buyer. When selling a car privately goes well, it’s a win-win for all and restores your faith in humanity.

Cons of selling a car privately

  1. More risk. Scams, losing money, getting robbed or worse. We don’t want to frighten you off, but remaining street-smart – keeping paper trails of any financial transactions; documenting critical things like the buyer’s licence number – is critical when selling anything privately, especially a car.
  2. More effort. Researching the value of your car, informing yourself on what documentation is required, managing enquiries and organising test drives, all takes time.
  3. Dealing with the general public. This could go either way. If you’re selling a near-new BMW or Audi with a high price, you’re probably going to have a pleasant experience. But if you’re selling an old V8 Holden Commodore ute, you might want to brace yourself for the tyre-kickers, joy-riders – and, worse, the low-ballers.
  4. Haggling. It’d be less awkward to simply engage in a slow waltz with the prospective buyer of your car, than go back-and-forwards over a few hundred bucks. But everybody wants to feel like they got a good deal. It’s just part of the private selling process. Just make sure you price your car with a bit of fat on top for easier haggling.
  5. More paperwork. When you trade in a car, you might sign a contract – that’s already been organised and printed off for you – and that’s that. When selling a car privately, the paperwork might range from preparing a simple tax invoice for you and the buyer – and submitting a notice of disposal with the relevant authorities – to having to organise a roadworthy certificate, completing a registration transfer, and a notice of disposal. Selling a car privately in Victoria, for example, requires so much paperwork you might be tempted to just drop park your car on a busy street with the windows down and keys in the ignition. (Don’t do this.)

Selling my car online / Trading my car in

Selling your can online is easy, you can get a price pretty quickly, and you can also take it to a dealer and they will offer you a price. You might be dropping it to a used car dealer, or trading it in on a new vehicle. It’s quick, easy, convenient and simple – but comes at a cost.

  • Should I trade in my car or sell it privately?

Pros of selling your car online / trading your car in

  1. Significantly quicker and easier. You’re going to get a lower price versus selling privately, but you can consider it a fee for being able to simply drop it at the dealer and walk away. Bliss.
  2. More secure. Ideally, a contract means you sign away your old car – and any worries that it might come back to haunt you in the future. Selling a car privately, if the gearbox blows up a week after it’s been with its new owner, even if it’s just bad luck they might still try their luck contacting you and making it your problem.
  3. Don’t have to worry about minor repairs. In Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, you need to think about a roadworthy certificate when selling privately (in the ACT if the car is older than six years) – which can be painful if you get a giant list of required repairs. With a dealer, you drop it off and that’s that. The roadworthy certificate and any required repairs is their problem.

Cons of trading your car in

  1. Make less money. When they sell your car online or to a dealer, it will need to be priced competitively against the private market. That means they have to offer you less.
  2. Dealing with a dealership. You’re still ‘selling’ your car to someone, and a dealer is incentivised to get it off you as cheaply as possible. This is why we recommend trying our online buying service.
  3. Haggling. As with a private sale, you’re still going to need to bust out those negotiating skills when trading in. A dealer is a professional salesperson – compared to a member of the public, you’ll need to bring your A-game to avoid being dudded.
  4. Risk of getting ripped off. If you don’t know the value of your car, it doesn’t matter how good your negotiating skills are – a car salesperson will see you coming. It always pays to do your own research (which is the kind of person we presume you are, if you’re reading this).

In summary

There’s no right or wrong way to sell your car – it’s what works best for you.

If you’re buying a brand new car – make sure you use CarExpert’s new car buying system to get the best price – and your current car is less than 10 years old with reasonable kilometres, it’s worth getting a trade-in price or using our online service to see what we would offer for your car. You might be surprised, especially if finance is involved.

If you aren’t satisfied, then you can compare to the hassle of selling privately.

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$10k Passive Income Monthly on Social Media With Innovative AI Tool

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$10k Passive Income Monthly on Social Media – Sounds Like a Dream?

In today’s digital age, the allure of earning a substantial passive income through social media is more appealing than ever. Imagine generating over $10,000 a month, not through traditional means, but via the power of AI. This isn’t just a fantasy; it’s a tangible reality with the advent of an innovative tool in the AI sphere. We’re excited to introduce a groundbreaking step towards the new generation of AI influencers – Glambase.

Have you ever dreamed of building a personal brand on social media and monetizing it? Envied popular bloggers raking in millions from advertising? Glambase is your gateway to achieving these aspirations. With Glambase, the fear of public backlash and personal exposure dissipates, allowing you to focus on creating an anonymous yet powerful online presence. This platform empowers you to craft your ideal virtual persona with the simplicity and fun of playing a game.

By strategically promoting your personal AI influencers, what starts as a hobby can evolve into a 10-minute daily activity that generates over $10,000 in monthly income. Intrigued? Let’s delve into the features and possibilities offered by this innovative tool, and discover how Glambase is revolutionizing the concept of social media monetization.

Quickly Launch and Customize Your Digital Influencer

Glambase offers a creative platform for crafting the next leading virtual influencer. Dream up anything from a trendsetting model, an inspiring YouTube coach, to a virtual brand ambassador, and Glambase will bring your digital persona to life, all while keeping your identity private.

Forget about the hassle of complex programming. Glambase lets users easily shape their AI’s personality, emotions, and even behavior, making it simple to create a digital buddy or a reflective advisor.

Launch your virtual influencer quickly and watch them enhance your digital ventures. Glambase goes beyond creation, enabling users to generate realistic photos of their AI in various scenarios.

Glambase stands out by allowing adjustments in settings, emotions, and reactions for the same character, offering a next level of customization not seen in typical AI platforms.

Control every aspect of your AI’s appearance with Glambase’s extensive customization options, including facial features, hairstyles, and more. The app’s detailed selection ensures your virtual influencer can appeal to any target audience.

With Glambase, creating unique photo setups and scenarios for your AI influencer is effortless, offering endless possibilities for digital content.

Easy And Comprehensive Customization

Glambase provides a multitude of parameters for creating a virtual influencer. For example, there are options for different face shapes, eye shapes and colors, nose types, and ear sizes.

The app’s functionality also allows you to choose between various hairstyles.

Each of Glambase’s appearance-centric categories has multiple choices, thus offering a vast range of combinations for personalizing a virtual character. With such variety, users can design characters catering to any niche or audience.

Regarding the AI-generated photos, users can select from different backgrounds, actions, emotions, camera shots, and clothing options to create any desired scene for their emerging online stars.  

Unique photo setups include the same character listening to music in an indoor setting, looking bored, with a full-body shot in a polo shirt, or any other scenario that matches the chosen parameters.

So, one could expect thousands of unique combinations, enabling users to generate a wide array of virtual influencers and scenarios for various digital content needs.

Monetization Made Easy with Virtual Influencers

In the era of social media, companies like GymShark and Glossier have achieved success through influencers. With the advent of digital personas, the influencer landscape is set for a significant shift. Glambase empowers users to create virtual influencers with the potential for massive followings and profitable brand partnerships, democratizing the influencer space.

By utilizing Glambase, users can monetize their platforms through advertisements and collaborations, capitalizing on every interaction made by their AI creation. Additionally, offering exclusive content to fans opens up new revenue streams, making your digital creation a source of passive income.

A Surge of Virtual Creativity: 200 Influencers and Counting

Since its launch, Glambase has revolutionized the creation of profile photos and characters, with 200 users pre-ordering the service to develop their virtual trendsetters. One notable influencer, synth_sia, has quickly transitioned from a fun project to a serious monetization endeavor, showcasing the platform’s potential.

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Seize the Opportunity: Limited Pre-Order Slots Available

Glambase is offering a unique opportunity to pre-order your influencer slot, with prices starting at just $1. Early adopters enjoy special benefits, including a permanent reduction on payout fees and immediate access to new features, highlighting the platform’s commitment to its user base.

Don’t Miss a Life Changing Opportunity Today!

Autopilot Earnings with Glambase

Glambase is not just a tool for enhancing social media presence; it’s a gateway to a new ecosystem for AI influencers, enabling creators to monetize their passion effortlessly. This platform represents a new frontier for creators looking to innovate and earn in the digital age!

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Grab These Last-Minute Best Buy Weekend Deals Before They Expire on Sunday

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There’s a huge sale on tech happening right now at Best Buy, including things like TVs, action cameras, laptops, headphones, smart lighting and a whole bunch more. This massive three-day sale wraps up tomorrow, though, so be sure to snag any last-minute deals while they last. A lot of stuff is marked down. To save you time and energy, we’ve gone through the sale and highlighted the best offers. Again, the deals end Sunday — March 3 at 9:59 p.m. PT — so make any selections before then.

This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.

Details

This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch, full HD touchscreen and runs on a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage. 

Details

Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen and an M2 chip for fast processing for less than a grand. 

Details

This three-in-one device can clean your air, cool your space or warm things up when you need it to — all with an anti-allergen HEPA filter. It tracks air quality and has smart features to prevent overheating as well. Right now, it’s only $200.

Details

Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip. 

Details

More great deals at Best Buy:

It’s worth noting that some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to consider a subscription. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows. 

For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you find exactly what you want without paying full price.      

More shopping deals from CNET

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Hair loss and prostate medication could also reduce heart disease risk, study finds

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A drug that has long been used to treat two common men’s health conditions could have some unexpected benefits.

Finasteride — more commonly known as Propecia or Proscar — has treated male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate in millions of men.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have also linked the “miracle drug” to cholesterol-lowering effects and reduced heart disease risk.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION MEDS LIKE VIAGRA LINKED TO REDUCED ALZHEIMER’S RISK, STUDY SUGGESTS

The findings, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, showed lower cholesterol levels among men who took the drug — on average, 30 points less than men who were not on the medication.

The data was initially collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2016. 

A drug that has long been used to treat two common men’s health conditions could have some unexpected benefits. (iStock)

Then, in a study of mice, use of the drug for 12 weeks — along with a high-fat, high-cholesterol “Western” diet — was linked to reduced cholesterol, slower buildup of plaque in the arteries and reduced liver inflammation, among other benefits. 

PROSTATE CANCER MYTHS AND COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AMID HIGH-PROFILE PROSTATE CONDITIONS

“The most surprising finding was the human data,” lead study author Jaume Amengual, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Division of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Illinois, told Fox News Digital. 

“When we observed the association with finasteride and plasma lipids, we decided to do our mouse study.”

Drug’s benefits and side effects

As a hair loss treatment, finasteride works by blocking a protein found in hair follicles — and as an enlarged prostate treatment, the drug blocks the prostate gland that activates testosterone.

Atherosclerosis, which occurs when cholesterol plaques build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, is most prevalent among men.

Male hair loss

As a hair loss treatment, finasteride works by blocking a protein found in hair follicles. (iStock)

Some experts have linked the male hormone testosterone to the heart condition.

The potential hormonal effect prompted the researchers to explore whether the medication could also reduce heart disease risk, Amengual said.

NEW HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS MAY BE ON THE WAY AFTER MAJOR DISCOVERY, RESEARCHERS SAY

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the study but commented on the implications of finasteride.

“It stops testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone and thereby stops hair loss and also shrinks the prostate by 25%,” he said.

Side effects can include depression, anxiety and impotence, the doctor added.

Man heart exam

In response to the drug being found to lower cholesterol and decrease heart disease risk, a doctor called for more research to confirm the findings. (iStock)

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert who was also not involved in the study, offered his insights on the uses and risks associated with the drug.

“Finasteride in normal dosages — 1 to 5 mg daily, depending upon the indication — has intolerable side effects in many,” he said.

“Finasteride in normal dosages has intolerable side effects in many.”

The drug works by lowering levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in order to have the desired effect on the prostate gland and hair follicles, he said, “but it can also strip a man of his energy, virility, libido and motivation.”

Study limitations and next steps

The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.

Out of nearly 4,800 total participants, only 155 were finasteride users, all of whom were men over 50. The survey also did not determine the duration or amount of the doses.

Prostate model

As an enlarged prostate treatment, finasteride blocks the prostate gland that activates testosterone. (iStock)

“We also did not examine the effects of finasteride in women or female mice,” Amengual said. 

“However, this drug is not prescribed for women, as it could be dangerous during pregnancy.”

“This drug could be another tool in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.”

The next step is to track cholesterol levels of patients taking finasteride or to launch a clinical trial to confirm the link.

“There is still so much to discover on how finasteride works in our body,” Amengual noted. “But based on our findings, this drug could be another tool in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.”

Testerone

The drug works by lowering levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in order to have the desired effect on the prostate gland and hair follicles, which can cause side effects in some men, a doctor noted. (iStock)

In response to the drug being found to lower cholesterol and decrease heart disease risk, Siegel also called for more research.

“Much larger studies are needed in humans to confirm these findings before you would ever consider using this drug for cardioprevention,” he said.

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“It may end up being useful for this purpose in the elderly, who are at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, as an add-on statin therapy.”

In addition to the study’s small size, Osborn noted that it was performed retrospectively — “meaning there was no control group(s), and that random effects, unbeknownst to the researchers, may have swayed the results in one direction,” he told Fox News Digital. 

Dr. Marc Siegel and Dr. Brett Osborn

Dr. Marc Siegel, left, and Dr. Brett Osborn both shared insights on finasteride’s uses and side effects. (Dr. Marc Siegel | Dr. Brett Osborn)

“That said, the authors’ observations are interesting and demand further investigation,” Osborn went on. 

“After all, lipid-lowering agents are one of the mainstays of cardiovascular risk reduction — and most Americans die vascular deaths.”

This study doesn’t mean that every male should start taking finasteride, Osborn cautioned.

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Instead, he recommends getting regular exercise, increasing daily fiber intake to 25 grams and taking high doses of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce cardiovascular risk.

“For now, skip the finasteride as a lipid-lowering agent,” he advised. “As it stands now, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.”

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

7 Nutrient-Rich Foods To Support And Maintain A Healthy Bladder

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Want to keep your bladder healthy and happy? Include these foods in your diet without delay. The food and beverages you consume can impact your bladder. If you are susceptible to urinary tract infections or have a sensitive, overactive bladder, you may have noticed that specific foods can exacerbate your symptoms. It’s important to recognize that there are also foods that can have a positive impact. It’s beneficial for everyone to be mindful of their bladder health, regardless of whether they currently experience bladder issues. Eat these foods to maintain good bladder health.
Also Read: Expert Shares 3 Common Mistakes To Avoid To Improve Digestion Without Medicines

1. Pears

Pears are among the recommended fruits for promoting bladder health due to their high fiber content and malic acid which may help prevent urinary tract stones. They provide vitamin C which is linked to a calmer bladder and reduced urgency in needing to use the restroom. 

2. Berries

Berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries are rich in flavonols and vitamin C which fight bacteria. They also have a high water content that can help to flush out the bladder. 

3. Whole Grains

Incorporating whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and barley into your diet can contribute to maintaining a healthy bladder. 

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Photo Credit: iStock

4. Oats

Oats are a valuable source of fiber, which is crucial for maintaining bladder health by preventing constipation and reducing pressure on the bladder. They can also help alleviate bladder pain associated with conditions such as cystitis. 

5. Nuts

Nuts are another beneficial food for the bladder due to their high protein, fiber, and essential nutrient content. Almonds, cashews, peanuts, and sunflower seeds are particularly good choices for bladder health. 

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Photo Credit: iStock

6. Garlic

Garlic extract has demonstrated its ability to combat drug-resistant urinary tract infections. It is recommended to incorporate garlic into meals, whether in the form of fresh cloves or dried, minced garlic. 

7. Green Beans

Green beans help to keep the body properly hydrated, promoting healthy urinary function and lowering the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Also Read: 4 Easy-To-Follow Tips To Increase Your Fibre Intake For Weight Loss And Good Digestion

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Photo Credit: iStock

The take-home message: Your bladder health can be significantly impacted by the types of food you eat. Certain foods may irritate your bladder, while others can have a soothing effect and contribute to better bladder health. Spicy foods contain compounds that can irritate the bladder lining, leading to discomfort and frequent urination. Citrus fruits are acidic and can aggravate bladder pain. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame have been linked to bladder irritation.
Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and certain sodas, caffeine can act as a diuretic and stimulate the bladder muscles, leading to an increased frequency of urination. Alcohol is also known to have a similar effect on the bladder, so limiting or avoiding these substances may help alleviate irritation. Other potential triggers are carbonated drinks, tomatoes, vinegar or pickles. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you can take proactive steps toward enhancing your bladder health right away!

About The Author: Dr. Jitendra Sakharani is a urologist at Apollo Spectra Mumbai.

Home Kitchen

U.S. homeland security chief survives House impeachment vote

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<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-07/Impeachment-of-homeland-security-chief-Mayorkas-fails-in-U-S-house-of-representatives-1qZvXqHBBN6/img/2ded48a8ca60480abfd4c6229384cae1/2ded48a8ca60480abfd4c6229384cae1.jpeg' alt='Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, speaks during a news conference at the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., January 8, 2024. /CFP'

U.S. President Joe Biden’s immigration chief escaped impeachment over border crisis by a razor-thin margin of two votes on Tuesday.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has long been in Republicans’ crosshairs over what they describe as a humanitarian crisis, with record numbers of mainly South and Central Americans trying to enter the United States from neighboring Mexico. 

(With input from agencies)

Legal Law

The Frieze Los Angeles Art Fair Is Really About the Parties

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“I think Frieze is fantastic,” James Corden said. “I went to the one in London before anyone in L.A. even knew what it was.”

It was Tuesday in Los Angeles, and Mr. Corden, the former late-night host who now lives in London, was standing inside the Holmby Hills home of Jimmy Iovine, the co-founder of Interscope Records and the former chief executive of Beats Electronics. About 225 people had gathered for an art auction hosted by Mr. Iovine and Dr. Dre and organized by Sotheby’s.

The event was part of a week of art talks, exhibitions and dinners culminating in Frieze Los Angeles, a four-day contemporary art fair held at the Santa Monica airport.

Frieze began in London in 2003 and has since expanded to New York City, Los Angeles and Seoul. (Last year, Frieze also bought two existing art fairs, Expo Chicago and the Armory Show in Manhattan.)

This was the fifth year of Frieze in Los Angeles, and as Mr. Corden noted, the event is picking up momentum on the West Coast. Simon Fox, the chief executive of Frieze, estimates the festivities have doubled in size from last year. “I think we counted over 150 different events happening in the city around the fair,” he said. “The city is exploding.”

This year’s Frieze Week, as it’s unofficially known, coincides with an exciting moment for the burgeoning Los Angeles art scene, which has been shored up in the past year with new galleries and freshly relocated artists.

Frieze Week is serving as a coming-out party, a centralized hub for all the artists and galleries to come together and celebrate.

The event that Mr. Corden attended took place in Mr. Iovine’s indoor roller rink, in a converted garage. On the wall were mural-style portraits of his friends, including Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg and Bono.

“We have roller-skating parties here,” Mr. Iovine said of the space. Usher, who showed off his skills in last month’s Super Bowl halftime show, is a regular: “He has skated here a hundred times.” Every table was well supplied with Dr. Dre’s gin-and-juice canned cocktails.

The goal was to raise money for the hosts’ nonprofit organization, the Iovine and Young Center, which reimagines public high school curriculums to teach students art and design, business, technology, and engineering and computer science skills. Sotheby’s organized a sale of 11 contemporary works by artists including Reggie Burrows Hodges, Ann Craven and Ed Ruscha that the auction house said raised $2.5 million.

Benny Blanco had his eye on a 15-inch-by-11-inch Noah Davis. “I know it’s small, but that’s me,” said Mr. Blanco, a record producer. “I’m 5-5 on a good day.”

Katie Couric said that while she was there for the art — “I am one of those people who actually enjoys looking at it” — she was also there for a good time. “Frieze is a really fun excuse to see a lot of great people and party,” she said, laughing. “I am trying to get invited to as many things as possible. Please give them my email.”

Dr. Dre left empty-handed. “I put my thing up once and I got outbid, but you know, it’s all good,” he said. “I’m just having fun.”

The evening ended with a live performance by the prolific record producer Timbaland that got Dr. Dre and Mr. Corden, who was fresh off a plane and incredibly jet-lagged, off their feet singing and dancing.

The party was Sotheby’s first big event ahead of a Frieze Los Angeles, and it is not the only brand getting involved. Maestro Dobel Tequila set up a Oaxaca-inspired lounge at the art fair with a custom bar made by the designer Marissa Naval and tapestries made by the artist Javier Reyes.

“We’ve often experienced guests who come to discover the art but stay for the tequila,” said Alejandra Martínez, creative director of the brand’s art platform that champions Latino artists and creators. Indeed, on the opening day of the fair, there was a flowing stream of margaritas and Oaxacan Old-Fashioned cocktails being served.

Ruinart, a sponsor of Frieze, hosted a four-course pairing dinner at the oceanfront hotel Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica where guests, wearing ribbons made by the artist Andrea Bowers, tried several types of champagne. BMW is sponsoring Frieze Music, a party with live music taking place at the Hammer Museum on Friday. (“It’s the first time we’ve done it here,” Mr. Fox said of the museum, which is affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles. “It brings in the younger crowd.”)

The opening of Frieze Los Angeles on Thursday attracted celebrities including Jessica Biel, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr., Tobey Maguire, Rob Lowe, Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson. But Frieze Week unofficially kicked off on Monday night at the Getty Villa, an art museum on the Malibu coast in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The affair opened with a champagne reception held in the museum’s famous courtyard, flanked by fluted pillars and filled with Roman antiquities. Guests, who included artists like Lauren Halsey, moneyed collectors like Ric Whitney and tastemakers like Rocky Barnes and Balthazar Getty, snacked on sliders and cheese plates before watching a dramatic ballet performance choreographed by Benjamin Millepied.

Some guests ventured into the galleries, taking in masterpieces like a statue of Hercules created around 125 A.D. During breaks in the rain, they strolled through manicured, illuminated gardens.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for L.A. to show off,” said Casey Fremont, executive director of the Art Production Fund, a nonprofit that produces public art projects. “The art world in L.A. is trending up. There are artists moving here, there are galleries coming to L.A.”

Mr. Getty, an actor, musician and patron of the arts whose family owns the museum, was there with his wife, the fashion designer Rosetta Millington, and some of his five children. “Parties here are always fun because they are a family affair, but I love that L.A. is becoming more and more of a place where art is being taken seriously.”

“People used to make fun of L.A., that it’s just spray tans and movie talk,” he added. “But look at all this culture and food and art and music and fashion. L.A. is not the little baby brother of New York anymore. It’s standing on its own two feet.”

Michael Govan, chief executive and director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, said he was eager to see what the newcomers would do during Frieze Week. “I’m most excited about everything,” he said, laughing. “I am counting on discovering something new. I will be surprised.”

One of the reasons L.A. Frieze Week has attracted such an international following is the weather, said Adam Cohen, who worked as an apprentice under Larry Gagosian and now runs his own gallery, A Hug From the Art World, in Manhattan. “I think people like to come to Los Angeles in February.”

While Los Angeles has experienced above-average rainfall this winter, the weather finally turned warm and sunny on Wednesday, and locals and visitors alike were ready to party hop.

Some traveled to Melrose Hill, where the David Zwirner gallery was hosting a party at a hipster Italian restaurant down the street from its new location in two former prop warehouses from the 1930s. Artists and collectors popped in throughout the night to drink natural wine and feast on platters of steak, arancini and focaccia.

Lana Del Rey, Jwan Yosef, David Dobrik, Zachary Quinto and Tyler Mitchell, the photographer best known for his Vogue cover of Beyoncé, headed high up in West Hollywood, where Serpentine Americas Foundation threw a rager at the estate of Matthew Orr and Sybil Robson Orr, an American film producer who is part of Walmart’s Walton family. Hundreds of guests danced around the pool with expansive views of the city to tunes spun by a D.J. Others mingled in the pool house where one of the many bars was set up.

Around midnight, the crowd dispersed to get some rest before the art fair began the next day.

One guest was overheard exclaiming on the way out: “I went to four parties tonight. That never happens in L.A.”

Lifestyle Fashion

Srebrne adidas Sambe zaludjele su društvene mreže. Našli smo povoljniji duplić

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

O SREBRNIM tenisicama adidas Samba pisali smo još prošle godine, a marka ih je lansirala u suradnji s Grace Wales Bonner. Iako to nije bila jedina boja koju su Wales Bonner i adidas izbacili, upravo je ona tada najviše osvojila društvene mreže i ostala popularna do danas, barem ako je suditi po TikToku.

“Vau”, “Jako ih želim”, “Predivne su”, “Čista desetka”, “Kupila sam ih”, “Tenisice mojih snova”, “Tako su dobre”, “Želim ih”, “Lijepe”, “Predobre su”, samo su neki od komentara ispod TikTok videa s njima u prvom planu. 

Našli smo povoljniji duplić u Bershki

Dobra vijest je da se još uvijek mogu pronaći u pojedinim online trgovinama poput StockX-a i Farfetcha, loša vijest je da im je cijena prilično visoka. Naime, cijena im se kreće od 754 eura naviše na StockX-u, a na Farefetchu koštaju 1524 eura. 

No, u Bershki smo naišli na par srebrnih tenisica koji neodoljivo podsjeća na Sambe. Tenisice nisu identične adidasovima, ali silueta je prilično slična. Najbolje od svega je da koštaju samo 25.99 eura. Možete ih vidjeti ispod. 

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Can James Paxton deliver again? The Dodgers are counting on it

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PHOENIX — 

His check-engine light was illuminated, and his gas gauge was nearing empty, but James Paxton had little choice but to ignore those warning signs as July turned to August last summer.

The Boston Red Sox were 56-50 and 2½ games out of an American League wild-card spot when they opted to keep Paxton beyond the Aug. 1 trade deadline, a decision that came crashing down on both the team and the 35-year-old left-hander over the next five weeks.

Paxton, in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021, did not make it to the finish line.

After going 6-2 with a 3.34 ERA in his first 13 starts, including a dominant June in which he went 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in five games to earn AL pitcher of the month honors, Paxton went 1-3 with a 7.62 ERA in six starts from Aug. 4 to Sept. 1 and sat out the final month of the season because of an inflamed right knee.

The Red Sox crumbled in similar fashion, going 22-34 over the final two months of the season to finish 78-84 and 11 games out of playoff contention.

“It had been like 2½ years since I pitched [meaningful] innings in the big leagues, and I felt like I kind of reached a point where my body was just a little burned out,” said Paxton, who signed a one-year, $7-million deal with the Dodgers in late January. “I didn’t have much left in the tank.”

The Dodgers think the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Paxton, a Vancouver-area native who is nicknamed “The Big Maple,” has enough left in the tank to provide stability and a veteran presence to the back of a rebuilt rotation that appears strong and deep enough to make a World Series run.

“The upside is massive,” assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness said. “I think it’s no secret that he’s got a little bit of injury history … but when he’s out there and healthy and doing his thing, I mean, he’s got some of the best stuff in baseball, especially when he’s running his fastball up to 96-97 miles per hour.”

Paxton missed the first six weeks of 2023 because of a right hamstring strain and the final month because of his knee issue, injuries that prompted the Dodgers to reduce the guaranteed amount of his contract from an originally agreed upon $11 million to $7 million with $4 million in incentives if he makes 18 starts.

Yet for a bulk of the time between those injuries, Paxton appeared to regain the form and fastball that helped him go 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 starts for the New York Yankees in 2019, his last full injury-free season.

Leaning mostly on a four-seamer that averaged 95.2 mph, an 81-mph curve and an 86-mph cut fastball, Paxton went 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA over nine starts in June and July, striking out 53 and walking 13 in 51 innings and yielding a .203 average and a .589 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

But over his next six starts, Paxton yielded a .336 average and 1.065 OPS, struck out only 21 and walked 13 in 26 innings. He was tagged for nine homers in that stretch after giving up nine homers in 70 innings of his first 13 starts.

Dodgers pitcher James Paxton throws during the first day of spring training on Feb. 9.

(Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

Paxton lost a little bit of steam on his fastball, which dipped to an average of 93.9 mph and 93.8 mph in two of his last six starts, and his breaking pitches lost some bite.

“The life on my stuff was not there,” Paxton said. “I could still throw hard, but I didn’t have any finish on anything. The ball was coming in kind of dead. And it doesn’t matter how hard you’re throwing, if it’s coming in dead, it’s sitting there on a tee for them. I felt kind of naked out there. I was grinding as hard as I could, and it just wasn’t coming.”

Another potential problem during his season-ending rough patch was that Paxton made his final three starts on regular four days’ rest. Paxton went 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA in four starts on four days’ rest last season and was 7-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 15 starts with five days’ or more of rest.

“Early in the season, I had a lot of extra rest, and then we went to a shorter leash,” Paxton said. “Coming off a surgery and that much time off, I wasn’t conditioned for that. If you start off going [every five days] your body gets accustomed to that, whereas if you go six all the time, that’s what your body gets accustomed to. We’re creatures of habit.”

The Dodgers won’t push Paxton like that. With the high-profile additions of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is transitioning from a once-a-week schedule in Japan, and Tyler Glasnow, who had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and hasn’t thrown more than 120 innings in any of his eight seasons, they plan to build in extra rest for their starters.

“It seems like when he gets that extra day, it really helps him,” McGuiness said of Paxton. “[The Red Sox] had to run him out there. They were in a pennant race, and he’s the type of guy who wants to go and help the team, so he’s not going to say no.

“But we have the luxury, given some of the guys we’ve signed, to run somewhat of a six-man rotation. So to get a guy of this caliber who’s looking to pitch in a six-man [rotation], you couldn’t ask for a better fit.”

The Dodgers, after poring over video from Paxton’s 2019 season, also plan to tweak Paxton’s mix of pitches, replacing his cutter with a “bullet” slider, which is thrown harder than a sweeper and has roughly equal parts horizontal and vertical movement.

“It’s a nice pitch to have because it works incredibly well to both sides of the plate, and it’s a more neutral pitch than a sweeper,” McGuiness said. “It helps him keep the ball down and underneath the swing of a right-handed hitter and down and away from a left-handed hitter.”

Paxton made his exhibition debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night, giving up two hits and a run in the first inning and striking out the side — Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Mike Ford with fastballs, and Stuart Fairchild with an 83-mph curve — in the second.

“I felt like I was able to find my velocity with the fastball last year, and that was big for me, but I’m looking forward to using the breaking stuff more this year — I feel like I’m in a better spot with it,” Paxton said. “And I’ll be ready to throw more innings this year. The body feels really good, so I’m ready to go.”

Sports

Telegram introduces 9 new features to enhance group communication – Check Details

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Instant messaging app Telegram on Friday announced new updates in group communication with the introduction of nine innovative features.

The new features include Boosts for Groups, Stories from Groups, Emoji Status, Covers, Wallpapers, and Link Styles, Group Emoji Packs, Voice-to-Text and others.

Boosts for Groups feature will enable groups to level up through member boosts or giveaways. Higher group levels unlock an array of premium features, including voice-to-text transcription and custom emoji packs, enriching the group chat experience, the company said.

The Group Stories feature will empower group administrators to share stories and ignite interactive discussions among members.

Moreover, Telegram introduced Group Emoji Packs, enabling higher-level groups to select custom emoji sets for all members to use within the chat, enhancing communication and fostering a sense of identity.

For members of boosted groups, Voice-to-Text Transcription will ensure seamless communication by providing unlimited transcription for voice and video messages exchanged within the group, according to the company.

In addition, the company said that admins now have the ability to grant Special Permissions for Boosters, allowing boosted group contributors to enjoy unique privileges, such as bypassing Slow Mode or other restrictions. Further, the introduction of Telegram Premium will offer users exclusive boosts that can be allocated to any group or channel, with additional boosts awarded for gifting Premium.

Technology

Ramadan 2024 travel: Top 6 must-visit destinations for rich cultural experiences | Travel

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Ramadan, also known as Ramzan or Ramazan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by the Muslim community all over the world with great pomp and splendour. The month of hope, prayer, fasting, introspection and fellowship is observed during this holy period. During this month, Muslims abstain from worldly pleasures, extravagant behaviour and overspending. Together with their friends and family, they observe Roza or fasting. During this time, people get up early to eat Sehri or Suhoor. After that, they abstain from all food and drink until the evening twilight. They consume water and dates to break their fast. This is followed by Iftar, a feast consisting of a variety of delicacies. (Also read: Ramadan 2024: Why moon sighting is an important Islamic tradition; all you want to know )

Ramadan 2024 travel: Top 6 must-visit destinations for rich cultural experiences(Unsplash)

Ramadan is an important time for Muslims around the world, and many Muslim-majority countries observe this holy month with cultural traditions and religious practices. Here are some destinations to consider if you’re planning a holiday during Ramadan:

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Best destinations to visit on Ramadan

1. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a wonderful destination to visit during Ramadan because of its rich Islamic history and plenty of mosques and other places of worship. During Ramadan, the city comes alive with street food vendors, traditional Iftar feasts, and cultural events.

2. Dubai, UAE

Dubai is a popular destination during Ramadan as it offers a variety of cultural events and activities such as prayer services, live music and entertainment, and Ramadan tents serving traditional food. The city also offers a variety of entertainment and retail alternatives, including malls that stay open late.

3. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a great place to spend Ramadan with its rich Islamic heritage and many mosques and other places of worship. The city comes alive during Ramadan with street food stalls, cultural gatherings and the traditional iftar banquets.

4. Morocco

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country that celebrates Ramadan with religious and cultural customs, such as offering traditional delicacies at Iftar and holding midnight prayers. Explore the country’s illustrious past and stunning architecture, including its famous mosques and vibrant souks.

5. Egypt

Egypt is renowned for its traditional Ramadan celebrations, which include the nocturnal Taraweeh prayers and the presentation of traditional delicacies during Iftar. Egypt is also home to a rich Islamic past. Ancient ruins and historical landmarks, such as the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids of Giza, are open to visitors.

6. Malaysia

Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country that celebrates religious and cultural traditions during Ramadan, such as iftar dinners and cultural performances. Travellers can experience the country’s vibrant markets and street food culture, as well as its rich cultural heritage.

It’s important to remember that many places, including restaurants, may have altered opening hours during Ramadan and certain tourist attractions may be closed or have restricted opening hours. It’s a good idea to check with your travel agent or local tourist board for any restrictions or changes to opening times during Ramadan.

Tours Travel

New Dying Light game launching in 2025, but not on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch or PC | Gaming | Entertainment

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Dying Light developer Techland has partnered with a new company called Glass Cannon Unplugged to create a brand new game based on the popular zombie survival franchise. The twist, however, is that the new Dying Light release isn’t actually coming to PlayStation, Xbox, PC or Nintendo Switch. Instead, it’s a tabletop board game that has already smashed its initial Kickstarter goal. Pencilled in for a June 2025 release date, the Dying Light board game has racked up more than £420,000 in pledges, and with 18 days of the Kickstarter campaign still to go.

If it carries on at this rate, there’s a good chance the Dying Light board game will become the latest tabletop adventure to generate over £1 million in pledges.

More pledges will also result in more content, with new miniatures, weapon cards and other stretch goals unlocking at various milestones.

Fans can pick up a copy of the game with all unlocked stretch goals and a weapon charm for around £52 (not including postage).

There’s also a Deluxe pledge containing an Infected Miniatures expansion for around £95, as well as a Super Deluxe package aimed at retailers, which contains six of everything for just over £500.

As for the gameplay, the Dying Light board game sees 1-4 players attempt to complete a variety of multi-mission story campaigns.

Developer Glass Cannon Unplugged explains more: “Based on the best-selling video game series, Dying Light: The Board Game places 1-4 players in the role of Runners – daredevils trying to outlive the end of civilisation in the last outpost of humanity on Earth.

“As you explore the city of Villedor in a series of multi-mission story campaigns, your characters gain new skills, new equipment and discover the perilous world of Dying Light.”

Much like the Dying Light video game series, the board game will feature a parkour system, not to mention a wide variety of enemies.

Interestingly, the board game also contains a day and night cycle, which is said to have a big impact on the gameplay.

You can back the Dying Light Board Game by visiting its Kickstarter page.

Arts Entertainments

Australian touch key for continued Chinese car sales success

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Chinese car brands will need to tap into Australian engineering experience to continue their rapid rise in showroom success.

That’s the view of one of the most experienced people in the field, automotive engineer Bernie Quinn of Premcar.

The veteran of time with Ford Performance Vehicles and now the head of Premcar, which produces the upgraded Warrior models for Nissan, believes Chinese brands will need to improve to continue their rapid sales success in Australia.

Chinese-built cars outsold ones from South Korea in 2023, just as Japanese and South Korean brands made a rapid start from their early days.

“To me, the critical next step for Chinese new-car brands is to achieve a very deep understanding of what Australian consumers want and need from their vehicles,” Mr Quinn told CarExpert.

  • Bernie Quinn

“Critically, this market needs products with careful refinement to suit local customer expectations. Many Australian new-car customers are prepared to pay a little extra to get the car they want, especially a car that’s made or tuned for our market.

“Generic, or ‘global’ products – especially in the major volume sectors – would enjoy more success if they were tuned to local conditions and buyer tastes.”

Premcar has achieved its own rapid growth in recent years, with the Warrior program for the Nissan Navara pick-up and Patrol four-wheel drive headlining both the engineering and production abilities of the team at its Melbourne headquarters.

Premcar also developed a Ford Bronco resto-mod for Gateway Bronco in the USA, with modern engineering inside a 1970s body and a price tag starting at $623,000.

The Australian operation is described by Gateway Bronco as a “Skunk Works facility in Melbourne”.

Premcar is not working for Chinese companies, but Mr Quinn believes it’s the expertise and experience of companies such as his (or rivals such as Walkinshaw, which recently overhauled the Mitsubishi Triton and has worked with Volkswagen on the Amarok) which could provide a breakthrough.

“Some of the world’s best cars have been developed in Australia, and some of the best automotive engineers in the world come from Australia,” he said.

“Making full use of Australia’s car-making skills and expertise will give the Chinese OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) automakers a fast track to success in this very competitive market.”

With more than 25 years of experience, the Premcar team sees a reflection of the sales growth by Hyundai and Kia in Chinese brands including MG, LDV, and BYD.

“In general, I am very impressed with the speed of progress Chinese automakers are achieving with new-vehicle quality,” said Mr Quinn.

  • Australian touch key for continued Chinese car sales success
    Old Hyundai…
  • Australian touch key for continued Chinese car sales success
    …and new Hyundai

“I’m old enough to remember the first Hyundais that entered Australia at $13,990 drive-away. The Chinese brands seem to be on the same early trajectory the big South Korean brands followed in Australia, but their growth rate is probably twice as fast.”

He praises their efforts but said there is plenty of room for improvement.

“In most cases, from a product point of view, the fundamental design and content is already present in Chinese vehicles – good looks, good suspension design, decent powertrains (both ICE and EV), and great interiors.

“There are tremendous opportunities to further improve these vehicles via their tuneable elements – ride and handling, steering, powertrain calibration, ADAS (driver assistance) calibration, infotainment software development, and so on.“

If these elements are tuned and developed for local consumers and local conditions, these vehicles will become even more compelling for Australian new-car buyers,” Mr Quinn said.

Auto

CyberKart Unveils the Future of Multiplayer Crypto Gaming: A Thrilling Fusion of Racing, Strategy, and Blockchain Technology

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CyberKart launches as the ultimate fusion of high-speed racing, blockchain innovation, and immersive gameplay in the world of multiplayer crypto gaming.

CyberKart, the highly anticipated multiplayer crypto racing game, has officially launched, offering gamers an adrenaline-fueled journey into a futuristic world where speed, strategy, and style collide. With its cutting-edge technology, innovative gameplay mechanics, and integration of blockchain elements, CyberKart promises to redefine the gaming landscape.

Welcome to CyberKart, where the excitement of kart racing meets the allure of crypto technology. The game introduces players to a visually stunning cyberpunk universe, complete with neon-lit tracks, futuristic karts, and vibrant cityscapes. Each race is an immersive experience, enhanced by high-quality graphics and meticulously designed assets, creating an unparalleled gaming adventure.

At the heart of CyberKart lies its innovative NFT marketplace, where players can trade and own exclusive in-game assets, adding a new dimension of rarity and collectibility to the gaming experience. With a diverse range of karts, customizable upgrades, and tactical power-ups, players can craft their own unique racing strategy and style.

“We’re thrilled to unveil CyberKart to the world,” said a spokesperson for CyberKart. “Our team has worked tirelessly to create a game that pushes the boundaries of innovation and entertainment. With its blend of stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and blockchain integration, CyberKart offers a truly immersive gaming experience unlike any other.”

In CyberKart, players will encounter a variety of power-ups strategically placed throughout the tracks, including Shield Protection, Rocket Launchers, Bombs, Turbo, and Bullets. Each power-up offers unique advantages, allowing players to outmaneuver their opponents and secure victory.

The game’s tokenomics further enhance the player experience, with the $KARTS token offering various utilities within the game ecosystem. With a total supply of 100,000,000 tokens, allocated for liquidity provision, marketing purposes, seed and private sales, initial DEX offering, team allocation, reserves, and in-game rewards, CyberKart ensures a fair and sustainable economy for all players.

As players dive into the world of CyberKart, they’ll discover a dynamic and evolving universe filled with endless possibilities. Whether competing against friends in multiplayer races or exploring the depths of the NFT marketplace, CyberKart offers something for every type of gamer.

To learn more about CyberKart and join the racing revolution, visit https://www.thecyberkart.com/ or follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/The_CyberKart and join the Telegram community at https://t.me/CyberKart_official.

About CyberKart

CyberKart is a multiplayer crypto racing game that combines the thrill of kart racing with the excitement of blockchain technology. With its high-quality graphics, customizable assets, and innovative gameplay mechanics, CyberKart offers players an immersive gaming experience unlike any other.

Website | Docs

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency

CDC drops its 5-day COVID isolation guidelines

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It is no longer necessary to isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19, according to a Friday statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The new guidance tells people to stay home if they are sick, but when they are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours, they can return to school or work.

The CDC does recommend continuing to wear a mask for five days, while washing hands, maintaining physical distance and focusing on good ventilation.

This is the same guidance given for flu and other respiratory illnesses.

ASK A HEALTH EXPERT: ‘SHOULD I TAKE PAXLOVID IF I HAVE COVID?’

“Our goal here is to protect those at risk for severe illness while also reassuring folks that these recommendations are simple, clear, easy-to-understand and can be followed,” said Mandy Cohen, CDC director, in a statement to media on Friday. 

The updated guidance “reflects the progress we’ve made in protecting against severe illness from COVID,” she added.

The CDC on Friday announced that it is no longer necessary for people to isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Prior to Friday’s update, the CDC called for people who test positive for the virus to “stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home,” a recommendation that was implemented in late 2021. 

At the start of the pandemic, the agency had recommended a 10-day isolation period for people who tested positive for the virus.

‘One set of guidelines’

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, spoke with Cohen on Thursday ahead of the updated guidance.

CDC RECOMMENDS ADDITIONAL COVID VACCINE FOR ADULTS 65 AND OVER

“The change is based on the fact that, according to Dr. Cohen, though wastewater analysis for COVID is very high, at the same time, case counts and hospitalizations are MUCH lower,” he told Fox News Digital.

“The goal is to have one set of guidelines for all respiratory viruses — flu, RSV, COVID, etc.,” Siegel noted.

Positive COVID test

Prior to Friday’s update, the CDC called for people who test positive for the virus to “stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home,” a recommendation that was implemented in late 2021.  (iStock)

Cohen did indicate that the new recommendation does not apply to every patient.

“The immunocompromised, pregnant women and chronically ill may wait longer based on the advice of their physician,” Siegel said.

“The goal is to have one set of guidelines for all respiratory viruses.”

By the time someone tests positive for COVID, they are most likely at least two days into the illness, according to Cohen, and emerging data shows that the times of greatest transmission are right before symptoms begin and in the first few days of illness.

“Being recently vaccinated and taking Paxlovid (when indicated) within the first few days will help you recover much quicker,” Cohen told Siegel.

SHOULD THE CDC DROP ITS 5-DAY COVID ISOLATION GUIDELINES? DOCTORS WEIGH IN

Some states had already relaxed their own guidelines prior to the CDC’s official update.

In both Oregon and California, people with COVID have not had to isolate at all — as long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicines and their other COVID symptoms are improving, according to each state’s health department.

Woman in mask

At the start of the pandemic, the agency recommended a 10-day isolation after testing positive for the virus. (iStock)

Siegel said he is in agreement with removing the five-day isolation period.

“The pandemic has been over for several months, and though there was an uptick this winter, with over 20,000 hospitalizations and 1,500 deaths per week at one point, it is now diminishing,” the doctor said.

Some doctors believe there should be at least somewhat stricter guidelines for COVID.

A woman blows her nose

One doctor said the isolation period should be one to two days longer for COVID than for flu. (iStock)

Dr. Ben TenOever, head of the Virology Institute at New York University, told Siegel that he thinks the isolation period should be one to two days longer for COVID than for influenza.

“This is because SARS COV-2 travels farther on smaller droplets than flu,” Siegel said. 

CASES OF NOROVIRUS OR STOMACH FLU CLIMB STEADILY ACROSS US: ‘THIS IS THE SEASON FOR IT’

Also, flu tends to generate a lot of non-infectious material after it’s been in the body for a few days, TenOever noted, which means the flu coming out of a person’s mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing may be pieces of dead flu virus. 

SARS COV-2, by contrast, stays intact because it is more compact, so it may remain infectious longer, the doctor said.

COVID numbers continue downward trend

As of the most recently reported week ending Feb. 24, the share of administered COVID tests with positive results was 7.4%, a 0.6% decrease from the prior week, per CDC data.

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Of all emergency department visits, 1.8% of them resulted in a diagnosis of COVID, a 0.9% week-over-week decline.

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COVID-related hospitalizations decreased 10.3% from the prior week.

The share of all U.S. deaths due to COVID was 2.1%, which reflected an 8.7% decrease.

For more Health articles, visit foxnews.com/health. 

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

Peri Peri Paneer Rice Recipe – For A Fiery Meal Thats Too Gorgeous To Resist

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Do you prefer having paneer with rice than roti? Then this recipe is for you. But this is not the usual paneer-rice combo we will introduce; it comes with a fiery kick that makes it hard to resist. In fact, you’ll salivate at my just looking at it. Indulge in the delightful flavours of Peri Peri Paneer Rice, a dish that will fill your senses with warmth and satisfaction. This delectable paneer recipe was shared on the YouTube channel ‘Anyone Can Cook with Dr Alisha’ and can be whipped up in just 15-20 minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
Also Read: 5 Peri Peri Snacks Guaranteed To Make Your Mouth Water!

To begin, you have the option of using store-bought peri peri masala or creating your own homemade blend for that extra touch of freshness and flavour. Opting for homemade masala? Great choice!

What is peri peri masala powder made of?

For homemade peri peri masala, simply combine Kashmiri red chilli powder, regular chilli powder, chilli flakes, garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, amchoor powder, black salt, oregano, salt, and sugar. Blend these aromatic spices together to create a vibrant peri peri masala that can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2-3 weeks.
Also Read: Spice Up Your Meals! Keep This Homemade Red Chilli Flakes Mix Handy

Now that you have your peri peri masala ready (store-bought or homemade), let’s get started with creating the tempting peri peri paneer rice bowl.

How To Make Peri Peri Paneer Rice I Peri Peri Paneer Rice Bowl Recipe

Marinate the paneer: Once you have your peri peri masala ready, it’s time to prepare the star of the dish – the paneer. Cut paneer into cubes, and marinate them with a mixture of peri peri masala, salt, ginger-garlic paste, and a splash of lemon juice. Allow the paneer to soak in all the flavourful goodness while you move on to the next step.

Cook herbed rice: Now, let’s cook up some herbed rice to serve as the perfect base for our peri peri paneer. Heat a combination of butter and oil in a pan, add chopped garlic, and season with oregano and red chilli flakes. Toss in the boiled rice, sprinkle some salt and black pepper powder, and stir until the rice is well coated with the aromatic flavours.

Saute vegetables: While the rice is simmering, saute some vibrant veggies like blanched mushrooms, broccoli, and capsicum with a medley of herbs and a pinch of salt. These colourful veggies add a nutritious and flavourful element to our dish.

Peri Per Sauce: No peri peri dish is complete without the signature peri peri sauce. Melt butter in a pan, add garlic, and roast some maida for a minute to create a roux. Gradually pour in milk and let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes. Then, add fresh cream or malai along with a generous seasoning of peri peri masala, oregano, chilli flakes, salt, red chilli powder, and a sprinkle of cheese for that creamy richness.

Now, it’s time to bring everything together. Roast the marinated paneer cubes in butter until they are golden and fragrant. To assemble the dish, place a generous serving of herbed rice on a large plate, arrange the sauteed veggies on the side, and place the roasted paneer cubes on top. Finally, drizzle the luscious peri peri sauce over the entire bowl, ensuring every bite is infused with flavour and indulgence.

Your Peri Peri Paneer Rice bowl is now ready to be savoured and enjoyed with loved ones. With its vibrant colours, aromatic spices, and irresistible flavours, this dish is sure to become a favourite at your dining table.
Also Read: Ditch Store-Bought Oregano! Make Your Own At Home In Just Under 15 Mins

Other Creative Twists to Peri Peri Paneer Rice:

Peri Peri Paneer Wrap: Roll up the peri peri paneer, herbed rice, and sauteed veggies in a warm tortilla or flatbread for a delicious and portable meal.

Peri Peri Paneer Salad: Toss together fresh greens, diced paneer, and herbed rice with a drizzle of peri peri sauce for a light and refreshing salad.

Peri Peri Paneer Pizza: Use the peri peri paneer, veggies, and sauce as toppings for a homemade pizza crust for a flavorful twist on classic pizza night.

Peri Peri Paneer Skewers: Thread marinated paneer cubes and veggies onto skewers and grill them for a flavorful and satisfying appetizer or snack.

Peri Peri Paneer Stir-Fry: Stir-fry peri peri paneer, rice, and veggies together in a wok with a splash of peri peri sauce for a quick and easy weeknight dinner option.

Home Kitchen

UN chief sends Chinese New Year greetings

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a message to the Chinese people and wished them a happy Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on February 10 this year.

In a video message, Guterres said the Year of the Dragon symbolizes energy, wisdom, protection and good luck. “We need these qualities to rise to today’s global challenges.”

Noting that the celebration at the United Nations this year is special as the Chinese Lunar New Year is part of the UN holiday calendar for the first time, Guterres expressed his gratitude to China and the Chinese people for their unwavering support to the UN, multilateralism and global progress.

“Together, we can realize a sustainable, just and peaceful future,” he added.

At the end of the video, he wished the Chinese people good health, happiness and prosperity in this new year.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China and an occasion for family reunions.

(Cover: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sends the Chinese New Year greetings to Chinese people via video, February 6, 2024. /CMG)

Legal Law

Overlooked No More: Betty Fiechter, Pioneer in the World of Watches

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This article is part of Overlooked, a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times.

In September, Swatch released a group of watches in collaboration with the venerable brand Blancpain: the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection, which, the company said, “met all the needs of underwater exploration.”

The original Fifty Fathoms — introduced by Blancpain in 1953 and still an anchor of the brand — was groundbreaking: It was considered to be the first modern divers’ watch, with water resistance of up to about 300 feet. And it wouldn’t have been created without a woman who was equally trailblazing: Betty Fiechter, the first female owner of a Swiss watch house in a traditionally male industry.

Fiechter (pronounced FEESH-tehr), who had started out as an apprentice, rose to the top at Blancpain in 1933. “It was totally unprecedented,” said Pascal Ravessoud, a vice president of the Swiss trade organization the Fondation de la Haute Horlogere. “It would have been twice as hard for a woman to fight her way through.”

In her 30-year tenure at Blancpain, which was acquired by Swatch in 1992, Fiechter held a variety of positions, including president and general director (titles she held simultaneously), and oversaw the creation of some of the company’s most successful watches.

She placed an emphasis on women’s timepieces, like the slim and elegant Rolls, the first automatic watch designed for women, created in 1930, and the Ladybird, a delicate 1956 piece considered at the time to have the smallest round watch movement, or internal mechanism. (Marilyn Monroe was famously a fan of Blancpain’s feminine creations.)

Fiechter managed the company with a dominating presence and shepherded it through difficult eras, including the Great Depression and World War II, with innovative sales methods.

Berthe Marie Fiechter was born on April 29, 1896, in Villeret, Switzerland, a center of Swiss watchmaking since the 1600s. Her father, Jacob Fiechter, was an owner of a company that made watch movements. (It was sold to Blancpain in 1914.) Her mother, Mary Lisa (Ramseyer) Fiechter, raised Betty and her five siblings.

Betty attended vocational school near Villeret and was hired by Blancpain as an apprentice in 1912, when she was 16. For seven generations, starting in 1735, Blancpain had been owned by the family that founded it. Betty worked alongside its last remaining family member, Frédéric-Emile Blancpain.

The expectation at the time would have been for her to eventually take on a secretarial or administrative role with the company, but Frédéric-Emile Blancpain “saw more in her and also pushed her to be more,” Jean-Marie Fiechter, Betty Fiechter’s great-nephew, said in an interview.

“She hadn’t had university education — no M.B.A., or whatever — but she was street smart,” he added. “She knew how the watch company should work.”

Blancpain implicitly trusted Fiechter, who often worked without him by her side; she would run the brand’s watch manufacturing operation while he was at his home in Lausanne, about 60 miles southwest of Villeret, the Swiss town where Blancpain was based at the time. To keep him updated, she would send him weekly reports on wax cylinders that were played on phonographs — essentially the equivalent of a leaving voice mail messages — and he would send back his own recorded replies.

When Blancpain died in 1932, his only daughter chose not to go into the business, so Fiechter and her boyfriend, André Léal, who also worked at the company, took over, with Fiechter becoming its chief executive and Léal serving as the sales director.

(For a time, because of Swiss regulations regarding brand ownership, they released new watches under the brand name Rayville-Blancpain, until 1960.)

Fiechter’s tenure included challenging periods, like World War II, but she came up with inventive ways for the company to survive. During the Depression, for example, when the Buy American Act of 1933 required federal agencies to buy domestic goods, she exported nearly-finished watches to the United States, where the cases and final parts would be added. At one point, she also prioritized selling watch movements to other watch brands in the United States.

But Fiechter’s focus remained on the brand — its survival and success.

She put everything she had into Blancpain, said Jeffrey Kingston, an editor in chief of Lettres du Brassus, a magazine that the watch brand publishes, for which he wrote a profile of Fiechter in 2021.

“Basically, Blancpain became her family,” he said. “It was her whole life. She never married, she had no children, so her whole existence wrapped around Blancpain.”

In 1961, Blancpain joined an alliance of watch brands, the Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère, and Fiechter became a member of its board. The partnership enabled her company to make a vast amount of watch movements for other member brands, like Omega and Tissot.

Standing about 6 feet tall, Fiechter towered over many of her male colleagues and expected them to be as tireless as she was. On one of her daily visits to the brand’s watchmaking atelier, for example, she spotted an employee taking a cigarette break and quickly docked the worker’s pay.

That wasn’t her only eccentricity. She sometimes shopped on Lausanne’s ritzy Rue du Bourg in her mink coat, accessorized by fluffy pink bedroom slippers. One afternoon in Villeret, she walked into a beauty salon and demanded — and got — service, even though the hairdresser was with another client; she then left midway through the session to attend to a pressing matter at the office, with curlers still on her head.

“She absolutely didn’t care,” her great-nephew said. “If it was right for her, it was right for her, period.”

When Léal died suddenly in 1939, Fiechter became Blancpain’s sole owner. By about 1950, she was diagnosed with cancer and brought in a nephew, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, to help her run the company. (His love of diving helped inspire the development of Fifty Fathoms.)

Fiechter’s illness went into remission for almost two decades, but a final bout led to her death, on Sept. 14, 1971. She was 75.

Lifestyle Fashion

Breskvasti make-up look dominira društvenim mrežama. Evo kako ga postići

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

Andrea Leko vizažistica je od 2012. godine, karijeru je gradila u radu s raznim beauty brendovima, kasnije na televizijskim postajama, a najviše zadovoljstva nalazi u radu s klijenticama za razne prigode. Za Index se osvrnula na trenutno popularnu estetiku žene mafijaša i kako postići taj make-up izgled. 

ŠTO je Peach Fuzz? U ovom kontekstu, to je naziv nijanse godine prema Pantone Color Institutu. Prema Pantoneu, ova boja zrači toplinom i modernom elegancijom te spaja “mladenačko s bezvremenskim”.

Proglašenje ove nijanse bojom godine čini je najpoželjnijom u svakom aspektu, pa tako i kada je riječ o make-upu. Look inspiriran upravo tom bojom rekreirale su već brojne popularne tiktokerice, uključujući i Mikaylu Nogueiru čiji je video prikupio 1.9 milijuna pregleda i mnoštvo komentara. 

“Ovo mi je najdraži jednostavni look koji si ikada napravila. Lice ti izgleda svježe i lijepo, izgled je tako lagan i predivan”, “Odličan make-up izgled za početak 2024.”, “Ovo izgleda nevjerojatno”, “Ovo je tvoja boja”, “Prekrasna si, a oči tek. Zapanjujuće”, “Volim ovaj make-up”, neki su od komentara ispod videa. 

Ovaj izgled može biti nježniji ili jači, ovisno o vašim preferencijama. Dolaskom proljeća i ljeta, upravo su toplije nijanse ponovno u fokusu, kako kod mode tako i kod make-upa. Za kreiranje ovog izgleda potrebno je svega nekoliko proizvoda, slično kao i za make-up look o kojem sam ranije pisala – latte make-up.

Jedna boja na svim područjima lica

I u ovom slučaju dominira monokromija, odnosno upotreba jedne boje na svim područjima lica: obrazima, očima i usnama.

Za oči će vam trebati mat breskvasto sjenilo, poput onog koje nudi Kiko – mono sjenilo u nijansi 09. Nanesite ga kistom za blendanje preko cijelog mobilnog dijela kapka. Na sredinu kapka, iznad zjenice, dodajte svjetlucavo sjenilo Catrice u nijansi 420 kako biste vizualno “otvorili” pogled.

Odaberite maskaru koja pruža volumen, na primjer Maybelline Great Lash, kako biste intenzivirali vaš pogled i dodatno istaknuli nijanse na očima. Za sljedeći korak ovog breskvastog izgleda trebat će vam i rumenilo u istoj nijansi. Moja preporuka je Maybelline kremasto rumenilo u nijansi 30. Nanesite količinu veličine leće, protrljajte između prstiju, a zatim nježno utapkajte na obraze.

Za usne ponovno biramo nježnu, breskvastu nijansu. Iako će obično sjajilo odgovarati, možete odabrati i ono s vidljivijim šljokicama, ovisno o vašim preferencijama. Za ljubitelje sočnih sjajila preporučujem essence Juicy u nijansi 103, dok onima koji preferiraju šljokice savjetujem wet n wild sjajilo u nijansi Cherish.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Letters to Sports: Readers pay tribute to Helene Elliott

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Thank you, Helene Elliott, for your 45 years of incisive, humanistic and insightful reporting and columns. You’ve been a trailblazer and a beacon for women in sports and never failed to engage and report with a keen and witty eye. You will be deeply missed.

Gary Bolen
Monterey

::

Rarely do I cry when a sportswriter signs off on a career well accomplished. Helene Elliott’s last column had me in tears. She is without a doubt one of the best ever — and I’ve read some of the finest writers from Brooklyn to L.A.

Helen Lotos
Corona del Mar

::

My deepest and sincere condolences to Helene Elliott. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through. First and foremost, I wish you happiness and healing. You have been a joy to read for as long as I have been reading The Times. You will be missed.

Geno Apicella
Placentia

::

So sorry for your loss Helene and wish you comfort and success in whatever direction your new endeavor may take you. The Times has lost its best sports writer in many years. We’ll really miss you.

Jack Wishard
Los Angeles

::

If ever there was a column written from the heart, it was Helene Elliott’s goodbye. I have followed Helene most of her career at The Times and found her to have a well thought out and evenhanded perspective. Her hockey coverage, in a word, was outstanding. I can hardly wait for the book.

Ken Allan
Diamond Bar

::

Farewell and thanks to Helene Elliott for her many years of snark-free columns on the L.A. sports scene. Taking an early retirement while saving a colleague’s position says it all. Congratulations.

Jim Fredrick
Manhattan Beach

::

Helene Elliott is an icon in L.A. sports journalism. I am going to miss seeing her byline. What was unique about her style is that she reported on the team, the event, and the personalities involved, but never made herself part of the story, as certain other journalists are inclined to do. She is definitely going to be missed in the pages of The Times Sports section and the L.A. sports scene.

Sherwyn Drucker
Winnetka

::

I would like to thank you for your many years of service to the Los Angeles community. Your courage, as one of the first female sports writers, and your commitment to quality journalism has benefited all of us. Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your husbum and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Lorrie Oshatz
Sunland

::

To refer to Helene Elliott as a female sportswriter — even as a pioneering female sportswriter — is a misnomer. She’s simply one of the finest sportswriters to ever grace the pages of a major metropolitan newspaper. Period.

Kip Dellinger
Santa Monica

::

Thank you Helene for your beautifully courageous last story, and for all those that have preceded it. I have been a faithful reader for 34 years. I lost my husband two years ago after a 35-year marriage and yes the grief can be crushing. I assure you in time it will get easier. I wish you peace and healing as you face your first project of moving your beloved husbum’s shoes and clean T-shirts, one shoe, one T-shirt at a time.

Holly Wolfle Hall
Glendale

::

Best of luck in the next phase of your life. Ms. Elliott, you take your place in the pantheon of great writers that have graced the pages of the Los Angeles Times Sports section.

-30-

Robert Matthews
San Clemente

Sports

Telegram unveils new features to enhance group communication

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Instant messaging app Telegram on Friday announced new updates in group communication with the introduction of nine innovative features.

The new features include Boosts for Groups, Stories from Groups, Emoji Status, Covers, Wallpapers, and Link Styles, Group Emoji Packs, Voice-to-Text and others.

Boosts for Groups feature will enable groups to level up through member boosts or giveaways. Higher group levels unlock an array of premium features, including voice-to-text transcription and custom emoji packs, enriching the group chat experience, the company said.

The Group Stories feature will empower group administrators to share stories and ignite interactive discussions among members.

Moreover, Telegram introduced Group Emoji Packs, enabling higher-level groups to select custom emoji sets for all members to use within the chat, enhancing communication and fostering a sense of identity.

For members of boosted groups, Voice-to-Text Transcription will ensure seamless communication by providing unlimited transcription for voice and video messages exchanged within the group, according to the company.

In addition, the company said that admins now have the ability to grant Special Permissions for Boosters, allowing boosted group contributors to enjoy unique privileges, such as bypassing Slow Mode or other restrictions. Further, the introduction of Telegram Premium will offer users exclusive boosts that can be allocated to any group or channel, with additional boosts awarded for gifting Premium.

Technology

Crisp whites and bold reds in Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region | Travel

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Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, is home to 150 wineries, award-winning restaurants, and beautiful hotels. The first grape vines were planted in the fertile soil of the Hunter Valley in the 1820s and it has since become the largest wine region in New South Wales. Semillon stands out as the signature variety of the Hunter Valley, characterised by its classic white profile featuring intense yet refined flavours, crisp acidity, and notes of citrus and apple. The region is equally celebrated for its bold and robust Shiraz, crafted from some of the globe’s oldest vines. (Also read | Beverage Travel: Beer and beer bath in Prague, the world’s drinking capital)

Home to 150 wineries, Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region.(F Delventhal – Flickr: Hunter Valley Means Vineyards, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16222015)

Mark your calendars for the 12th annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday July 13, 2024, within the grounds of the picturesque Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Wine regions of Hunter Valley: Pokolbin, Lovedale, and Broke-Fordwich are the three wine-growing regions in Hunter Valley. Due to differing soil and microclimates, all of these regions produce their own unique wine, and all offer different cellar-door experiences. (Also read: Explore the unforgettable scotch whisky trail in Scotland)

• Pokolbin: Since its inception, Pokolbin has served as the focal point of the Hunter Valley wine region.

Since its inception, Pokolbin has served as the focal point of the Hunter Valley wine region. (Wikipedia)
Since its inception, Pokolbin has served as the focal point of the Hunter Valley wine region. (Wikipedia)

By the end of the 19th century, notable wine families, including Tyrell, Tulloch, Drayton, Wilkinson, and Lindeman, had planted their vineyards in this locale. To this day, Pokolbin maintains the highest density of wineries in the valley, complemented by a selection of hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

• Lovedale: Lovedale offers an opportunity to explore small, family-operated wineries in a tranquil setting, away from large crowds. The intimate cellar doors provide a chance to engage in conversations with winemakers or growers, gaining insights into their latest vintages. Wines in this region are typically named after family members.

• Broke-Fordwich: Broke-Fordwich is renowned for hosting top-notch boutique and sustainable wineries, along with highly praised fine dining options, a World Heritage-listed wilderness, and ancient Aboriginal rock art. The area has a dozen wineries, all conveniently located within a few kilometres of each other.

Best vineyards of Hunter Valley

• Scarborough Wine: Scarborough Wine Co. is a family-operated vineyard celebrated for its outstanding wines and hospitable atmosphere. The estate provides a journey from soil to cellar, allowing guests to gain insights into the entire winemaking process, spanning from the vineyard to the bottling stage.

• Tyrrell’s Wines: Tyrrell’s Wines is a must-visit for wine lovers. With a history dating back to 1858, this family-owned establishment has consistently produced high-quality wines for over 160 years, making it an essential destination for those passionate about wine.

Tyrrell's Wines is a must-visit for wine lovers.(https://tyrrells.com.au)
Tyrrell’s Wines is a must-visit for wine lovers.(https://tyrrells.com.au)

• Brokenwood Wines: Founded in 1970, Brokenwood has evolved from a weekend getaway for hobby winemakers into one of Australia’s highly regarded wine brands. The winery is celebrated for its outstanding selection of wines, which encompasses notable varieties such as the renowned Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the ILR Reserve Semillon, and the Cricket Pitch Range.

• Audrey Wilkinson: Audrey Wilkinson is famous for its premium wines, notably Semillon and Shiraz, as well as its scenic vineyard location, at the elevated foothills of the Brokenback Range.

• Briar Ridge Vineyard: Briar Ridge Vineyard is a high-quality winery recognised for its award-winning wines, ranging from the vibrant and refreshing Semillon to the rich and intricate Shiraz.

• McGuigan Wines: With a history dating back to the 1880s, this family-owned winery has been producing award-winning wines for four generations. Particularly noteworthy is the McGuigan Black Label range, which has dominated the market. This range has clinched the top three positions in Australia’s best-selling red wines by volume, with Black Label Red at #1, Black Label Cabernet Merlot at #3, and Black Label Merlot at #6.

• Thomas Wines: Thomas Wines stands out as one of the highly acclaimed winemakers in the Hunter Valley, receiving recognition both nationally and internationally for its outstanding collection of single vineyard Hunter Valley wines. Their impressive range is marked by the Kiss Shiraz and Braemore Semillon, setting modern standards as benchmarks for the Hunter Valley.

• Peterson House: Peterson House is renowned for its distinctive offering of gelato paired with sparkling wine, presenting a diverse selection that includes lively sparkling varieties and rich, complex red wines.

• Mount Pleasant House: Mount Pleasant Wines stands as one of Australia’s oldest and highly regarded wineries, renowned for its outstanding creation of top-tier, cool-climate wines specific to the Hunter Valley. In 2023, it earned the third spot in Halliday’s Top 100 Australian Wineries, affirming its excellence.

• Bimbadgen: Bimbadgen is a winery that provides a complete hideaway retreat. Celebrated for its breathtaking views and spacious rooms featuring lofty ceilings, this vineyard presents an assortment of wines, encompassing varieties such as Verdelho, Shiraz, and Shiraz Viognier.

Best Wine Tours:

• Get a bird’s eye view of the Hunter Valley vineyards with Balloon Aloft and Beyond Ballooning

• To experience a hatted restaurant, cellar door, and vineyard, sign up at the Ultimate Margan Experience

• Embark on gourmet adventures guided by Two Fat Blokes

• For the most exclusive Hunter Valley experience, hop between vineyards on a heli wine tour with Aero Logistics or Hunter Valley Helicopters

• Explore the picturesque vineyard landscapes on horseback with Hunter Valley Horses

Beyond the Wine Must-see/do:

• Yengo National Park: Situated within the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Property, Yengo features stunning vistas, pristine wilderness, and significant Aboriginal cultural sites with sacred sites and rock engravings to explore.

• Winmark Art Gallery: Located next to the newly opened Cellar Door, seamlessly integrates art, nature, and wine, providing visitors to the vineyard with a unique experience.

• Lake St Clair: Lake St. Clair offers a premier outdoor recreation hub, perfect for activities like swimming, sailing, water skiing, camping, and fishing.

Getting there

• The Hunter Valley sits just two hours north of Sydney and an hour west of Newcastle. The best way to get to and around the region is by car or with an organised tour

• Sydney Airport (SYD) services domestic and international arrivals

• Newcastle Airport (NTL) services domestic flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne

• Car hire is available both in Sydney and Newcastle

Tours Travel

Helldivers 2 scam warning – Beware the Steam discounts that are too good to be true | Gaming | Entertainment

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One of this console generation’s surprise hits, Helldivers 2 has racked up approximately 3 million sales after making its PlayStation and PC debut at the start of February. While it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the game since launch, fans have largely enjoyed the relentless, over-the-top shooting action – or at least when the servers have been online. Unfortunately, however, it looks like Helldivers 2 may be a victim of its own success, as scammers use the game to target unsuspecting customers on PC.

Indeed, as spotted by industry insider Wario64, two false Helldivers 2 listings recently appeared on Steam.

Customers searching for Helldivers 2 on the PC storefront were greeted by two fake versions of the game, which were being sold at massively discounted prices.

One version of Helldivers 2 was listed for $19.99, while another was advertised for just $12.49 – that’s less than £10 for a game that’s only been out a month.

It turns out the two discounted versions were actually a couple of indie games that had been renamed and re-listed using the back-end Steam database.

The scammers had changed the details to match those of Helldivers 2, switching the names, descriptions, publishing info, developer listings and even screenshots.

While the fake listings have since been removed, it’s worth remembering that if something looks like it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.

It’s also hugely concerning that an unscrupulous individual was able to make such radical changes in the first place.

If you are ever unsure about the authenticity of a Steam listing, then it’s worth looking at the number of user reviews and what recent customers have been saying.

A popular game like Helldivers 2 will have thousands of reviews, while the fake version will barely have any. Recent reviews are also likely to point out whether it’s a scam or not, so it’s probably worth reading a few.

Of course, this isn’t something that seems to happen too often on Steam, so there’s no need to worry too much.

Still, if you do purchase something that was falsely advertised, then contact Steam Support via the official website.

Arts Entertainments

Nissan preparing to save Fisker from going under – report

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Nissan and Fisker are reportedly deep in negotiations, which would see the Japanese firm investing in and partnering with the startup electric automaker to produce an electric ute.

This week Fisker released its 2023 financial statement where it plainly stated there is “substantial doubt about Fisker’s ability to continue as a going concern”.

Because “current resources are insufficient to satisfy its [cash] requirements over the next 12 months” the American automaker flagged that it will need to raise more debt or find an outside investor, but warned “there can be no assurance that Fisker will be successful in these efforts”.

  • Fisker Alaska

Henrik Fisker, the company’s founder and CEO, hinted the company had two rays of hope.

The startup is currently talking to “an existing noteholder” about further investment, but more tantalisingly it is also in “negotiations with a large automaker for a potential transaction which could include an investment in Fisker, joint development of one or more electric vehicle platforms, and North America manufacturing”.

According to Reuters, this large automaker is Nissan.

Two people told the news agency negotiations are continuing, and while deal hasn’t been finalised, it could be completed by the end of March. One source claimed the term sheet is complete, and due diligence is being performed.

  • Nissan preparing to save Fisker from going under - report

As it stands, the deal will reportedly see Nissan invest US$400 million ($610 million) into Fisker, and help the struggling company complete development of its Alaska ute.

The Alaska would then go into production at one of Nissan’s US factories in 2026, with Nissan also producing a ute based on the Alaska. There are currently two Nissan car plants in operation: one in Smyrna, Tennessee, and the other in Canton, Mississippi.

Neither company has been willing to discuss the contents of the Reuters report.

The Alaska — or Kayak as it will be known in Europe — is based on a stretched version of the FT31 architecture that underpins the Ocean crossover that’s currently on sale.

  • Nissan preparing to save Fisker from going under - report
    Fisker Ocean

Measuring around 5.3 metres long, the Alaska/Kayak will be signficantly larger than the 4.77m Ocean. Despite this, the ute was expected to be available with the Ocean’s drivetrains, which currently include a 205kW front-wheel drive model, and a more powerful 349kW/696Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive variant.

The Ocean is currently produced in Graz, Austria by contract manufacturer Magna Steyr.

If the deal goes ahead, and the Alaska is produced by Nissan in the US, the car may qualify for some or all of the US government’s US$7500 ($11,500) federal tax credit, which is only available to vehicles made in the US, and with batteries substantially made in the US.

At its launch last year, Fisker anticipated the Alaska would have a starting price of US$45,000 ($69,000) in the US. The rear-wheel drive Tesla Model Y is currently listed at US$45,110, but as it qualifies for the full tax credit, its price is effectively US$37,610 ($57,600) for many buyers.

  • Nissan preparing to save Fisker from going under - report
    Fisker Ronin GT

The Nissan Leaf, which is manufactured in Tennessee, no longer qualifies for the federal tax credit. Nissan has already confirmed it will not produce the Leaf locally when it heads into a third generation around the middle of 2025.

To give it more room to breathe as it aims to find more money or investment, Fisker says it will retrench 15 per cent of global workforce, and is busy switching from a direct-to-consumer model to a dealer structure.

It’s unclear if the future of Fisker Pear hatchback and Ronin GT will be addressed as part of this rescue package with Nissan.

Despite its attractive design, the Fisker Ocean has struggled to find buyers. The company is estimating it will sell between 20,000 and 22,000 Oceans in 2024. By comparison, Tesla sold an estimated 1.23 million Model Y crossovers in 2023, enough for it claim the title of world’s top selling model ahead of the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla.

Auto

Ethereum & Polkadot Profits Shift into DeeStream (DST) Presale as Popularity Grows Among Cardano & Binance Coin Investors

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The cryptocurrency market offers plenty of new opportunities to discover. As the prominent players Cardano (ADA) and Binance Coin (BNB) navigate their well-established routes, recent developments indicate a profound shift in the strategy of investors to new territories.

Ethereum (ETH), Polkadot (DOT) and the recent addition of the DeeStream (DST) presale mark the emergence of a market filled with innovation, tempting investors to seek high-impact opportunities and setting the foundation for revolutionary applications.

Ethereum (ETH) – Riding the Innovation Wave

The past week has been exceptional for Ethereum (ETH), with a 16% gain. This impressive performance stems from several key factors. Firstly, co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s enthusiasm for potentially integrating AI technology for bug detection has instilled significant optimism among investors. Secondly, the anticipated approval of a spot Ethereum ETF is expected to drive wider adoption and attract significant capital. Finally, upcoming upgrades like Dencun are further generating positive sentiment, solidifying investor confidence in the long-term potential of Ethereum (ETH).

Polkadot (DOT) – A Tale of Mixed Signals

Polkadot (DOT), with a market value of more than $10.8 billion and a trading price of a robust $8.43, is in an unusual situation. Even if there is more trading activity and social media buzz around the token, people’s perceptions of it are surprisingly divided. This cautious approach by investors could be attributed to lingering concerns or uncertainties surrounding the project’s future trajectory.

Cardano (ADA) – A Journey of Recovery

The recent journey of Cardano (ADA) has been highlighted by several bullish candles, successfully reclaiming the 50-day EMA and surpassing the $0.50 threshold. Currently, at $0.641, Cardano (ADA) seems to be at a crossroads, with uncertainty lingering around the resistance trendline. Notably, bullish sentiment is present with the anticipation of the upcoming Bitcoin halving in April 2024.

Binance Coin (BNB) – Riding the Regulatory Rollercoaster

Among the research performed, Binance Coin (BNB) recorded 11.95% price growth in the past seven days. One element that supports the rapid price growth of Binance Coin (BNB) tokens comes from the higher activity of whales going around, which indicates that the investor community is very positive about it. Conservationists think that it may be coincidental with the end of the lawsuit between the company and Changpeng Zhao, who used to be the CEO. 

Moreover, though these developments are leading in the industry, investors have not shown much confidence so far as they are still waiting for the lawsuit issue to be resolved, which has not caused the Binance Coin (BNB) price to change significantly.

DeeStream (DST)- A Decentralized Revolution in Online Streaming

In this dynamic market environment, DeeStream (DST) emerges as a potential game-changer. Its ongoing presale is attracting considerable interest from investors seeking high-growth opportunities within the ever-evolving online streaming space. 

Presale token holders of DeeStream (DST) have a direct say in shaping the platform’s future, fostering a sense of user ownership and control while ensuring the platform evolves according to user needs and preferences. Streamers can enjoy the convenience of instant withdrawals and deposits, eliminating waiting times and potential hurdles associated with traditional platforms.

Summary

The innovative approach by DeeStream (DST) is gaining traction, especially when traditional cryptocurrency market participants’ fortunes and attitudes fluctuate. Capital inflows from well-known projects like Ethereum (ETH) and Polkadot (DOT) show investors’ increased readiness to take risks in pursuit of lucrative ventures in the fast-evolving area of decentralized technology. 

Find out more about the DeeStream (DST) presale by visiting the website here

Cryptocurrency

Measles vaccinations given in ’70s and ’80s may have worn off by now, doctor warns

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If you were vaccinated for measles in the 1970s or ’80s, there’s a chance the protection has worn off by now, some doctors are warning.

Amid the current measles outbreak in Florida, USF College of Public Health associate professor Jill Roberts spoke to FOX 13 in Tampa about the possibility of legacy vaccines becoming less effective over time.

The measles vaccine was first introduced in 1968.

AMID MEASLES OUTBREAKS, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ‘FALSE INFORMATION’

Three years later, in 1971, the MMR vaccine made its debut. 

This combination vaccine provides a trifecta of protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

If you were vaccinated for measles in the ‘70s or ’80s, there’s a chance the protection has worn off by now, some doctors are warning. (iStock)

A couple of decades after the release of the MMR vaccine, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. 

For those who received measles vaccinations in the ‘70s and ’80s — mainly people currently in their 40s and 50s — Roberts recommends checking with a health care provider about their status.

MEASLES OUTBREAKS IN US, UK HAVE HEALTH AGENCIES ON HIGH ALERT: ‘BE VIGILANT’

“There’s absolutely no risk in getting another MMR, so if you don’t know, just go get another shot,” she advised. “They’re inexpensive and widely available.”

Measles is a highly contagious virus for those who have not previously been infected or vaccinated, Roberts warned — with up to a 90% chance of transmission.

MMR vaccine

For those who received measles vaccinations in the ‘70s and ’80s — mainly people who are currently in their 40s and 50s — Roberts recommends checking with a health care provider about immune status. (George Frey/Getty Images)

Dr. Jacob Glanville, a virology expert and founder of Centivax, a San Francisco pharmaceutical company, warned about recent outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities. 

“If you have ever received the MMR vaccine, you likely still have immunity, although talk to your doctor about a measles titer test if you have concerns,” he told Fox News Digital.

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The titer test measures an individual’s level of immunity to the virus.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, emphasized the importance of measles vaccinations — “particularly with the amount of circulating measles virus and underimmunized people coming into the U.S. at a time when there is a big measles surge around the world.”

measles outbreak skin

As of Feb. 29, a total of 41 measles cases had been reported by 16 U.S. jurisdictions. (iStock)

“This is not yet an official suggestion anywhere, but I do check measles titers in many of my patients, and if they are low, I may give a booster as a precaution,” he told Fox News Digital.  

“The protection from the original vaccines may wear off over time.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As of Feb. 29, a total of 41 measles cases had been reported by 16 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

Sara Tendulkar Is On A “Breakfast Date” With This Special Person: Take A Look

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In a delightful glimpse into the daily life of the Tendulkar siblings, Sara Tendulkar treated her Instagram followers to a casual yet heartwarming moment. The brother-sister duo, Sara and Arjun, shared a cosy breakfast, showing a relatable and down-to-earth bond. Sara posted a short clip on her Instagram stories featuring a close-up of a plate of scrambled eggs, brown bread toast, and two cups of black coffee. Then the video pans out to show Arjun who was seen pouring what looked like some kind of syrup into the coffee. “Followed by a breakfast date,” wrote Sara.

Also Read: Sara Tendulkar Enjoys Cold Coffee And Makes Us Crave For The Brew

See here:

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and we couldn’t agree more! Jumpstarting your morning with a wholesome breakfast not only provides essential nutrients but also sets the tone for a day full of energy and vitality. 

Here are a few of our healthy breakfast recipes for you to try:

1. Scrambled Eggs with Avocado Toast

Light and protein-packed scrambled eggs paired with creamy avocado on whole-grain toast. A sprinkle of salt, pepper, and a dash of hot sauce can elevate this simple yet satisfying breakfast. Recipe here.

2. Poha

Poha, also known as flattened rice, is a light and fluffy dish, which makes it a quick breakfast choice. It is seasoned with mustard seeds, turmeric, curry leaves, and garnished with fresh coriander and a dash of lemon. Check out our recipe here.

3. Dosa

Dosa is a South Indian delicacy loved across the country. The thin, crispy rice and urad dal crepe encase a spiced potato mixture. It is served with coconut chutney and sambar, making it a breakfast favourite. Click here for the recipe.

4. Upma

Upma is a semolina-based dish cooked with vegetables, spices, and nuts. This South Indian breakfast choice is not only quick to prepare but also versatile. You can customise it with your favourite vegetables to add a nutritious touch. Recipe here.

5. Idli

Idli, a soft and spongy steamed rice cake, is a South Indian breakfast classic. Paired with coconut chutney and tangy sambar, it forms a light yet satisfying meal that is a perfect breakfast choice. Check out the recipe here.

Also Read: Sara Tendulkar Takes Her Love For Coffee To Another Level; Here’s How

Home Kitchen

Iraq, Türkiye discuss security situation in border areas

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Iraqi leaders on Tuesday discussed with visiting Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler the security situation in the border areas where Türkiye launched operations against Iraq-based Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants.

A statement by the Iraqi presidency said that Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid held a meeting with Guler and his delegation, in which he stressed the need “to resolve border problems and security issues between the two countries through cooperation, consultation and coordination.”

Rashid expressed Iraq’s rejection of unilateral measures in addressing the outstanding issues, the statement said.

Rashid stressed the need to respect Iraqi sovereignty and stop Turkish military violations of Iraqi lands, especially in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, the statement added.

Guler also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’s al-Sudani, who affirmed Iraq’s rejection of its lands being used to attack neighboring countries, especially along the borderline between Iraq and Türkiye, according to a statement by al-Sudani’s media office.

“Iraq rejects any breach of its sovereignty or any measures to settle scores on its soil,” al-Sudani said, pointing out the need for coordination between the two countries to create the conditions for stability.

For his part, Guler stressed his country’s desire to maintain cooperative relations with Iraq and its keenness on security coordination in the field of intelligence and combating terrorism, according to the statement.

The Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes and artillery bombardments in northern Iraq against the PKK, especially in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

(Cover: File photo of Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler. /CFP)

Legal Law

Iris Apfel, Eye-Catcher With a Kaleidoscopic Wardrobe, Dies at 102

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Iris Apfel, a New York society matron and interior designer who late in life knocked the socks off the straight fashion world with a brash bohemian style that mixed hippie vintage and haute couture, found treasures in flea markets and reveled in contradictions, died on Friday in her home in Palm Beach, Fla. She was 102.

Stu Loeser, a spokesman for her estate, confirmed her death.

Calling herself a “geriatric starlet,” Ms. Apfel in her 80s and 90s set trends with clamorous, irreverent ensembles: a boxy, multicolored Bill Blass jacket with tinted Hopi dancing skirt and hairy goatskin boots; a fluffy evening coat of red and green rooster feathers with suede pants slashed to the knees; a rose angora sweater set and 19th-century Chinese brocade panel skirt.

Her willfully disjunctive accessories might be a jeweled mask or a necklace of jade beads swinging to the knees, a tin handbag shaped like a terrier, furry scarves wrapped around her neck like a pile of pythons and, nearly always, her signature armloads of bangles and owlish spectacles, big as saucers.

She was tallish and thin, with a short crop of silver hair and scarlet gashes on lips and fingernails, a little old lady among the models at Fashion Week and an authentic Noo Yawk haggler at a shop in Harlem or a souk in Tunisia. Many called her gaudy, kooky, bizarre, even vulgar in get-ups like a cape of gold-tipped duck feathers and thigh-high fuchsia satin Yves Saint Laurent boots.

But she had a point.

“When you don’t dress like everybody else, you don’t have to think like everybody else,” Ms. Apfel told Ruth La Ferla of The New York Times in 2011 as she was about to go on national television, selling scarves, bangles and beads of her own design on the Home Shopping Network.

For decades starting in the 1950s, Ms. Apfel designed interiors for private clients like Greta Garbo and Estée Lauder. With her husband, Carl Apfel, she founded Old World Weavers, which sold and restored textiles, including many at the White House. The Apfels scoured museums and bazaars around the world for textile designs. She also added regularly to her huge wardrobe collections at her Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan.

The Apfels sold their company and retired in 1992, but she continued to act as a consultant to the firm and to be the otherworldly woman-about-town, a soaring free spirit known in society and to the fashion cognoscenti for ignoring the dictates of the runway in favor of her own artfully clashing styles.

In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, facing the cancellation of an exhibition and looking for a last-minute replacement, approached her with an audacious proposition: to mount an exhibition of her clothes. The Met had exhibited pieces from designer collections before, but never an individual’s wardrobe.

The show, “Rara Avis: Selections From the Iris Apfel Collection,” assembled 82 ensembles and 300 accessories in the museum’s Costume Institute: Bakelite bangles from the 1930s, Tibetan cuff bracelets, a tiger-pattern travel outfit of her own design, a husky coat of Mongolian lamb and squirrel from Fendi displayed on a mannequin crawling from an igloo.

“This is no collection,” Ms. Apfel said. “It’s a raid on my closet. I always thought to show at the Met you had to be dead.”

Harold Koda, the curator who helped organize the show, said: “To dress this way, there has to be an educated visual sense. It takes courage. I keep thinking, Don’t attempt this at home.”

Soon the show was the talk of the town. Under an avalanche of publicity, students of art, design and social history crowded into the galleries with the limousine society crowd, busloads of tourists and classes of chattering children. Carla Fendi, Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld took it in.

“A rare look in a museum at a fashion arbiter, not a designer,” The Times called the show, adding, “Her approach is so inventive and brash that its like has rarely been glimpsed since Diana Vreeland put her exotic stamp on the pages of Vogue.”

Almost overnight, Ms. Apfel became an international celebrity of pop fashion — featured in magazine spreads and ad campaigns, toasted in columns and blogs, sought after for lectures and seminars. The University of Texas made her a visiting professor. The Met show traveled to other museums, and, like a rock star, she attracted thousands to her public appearances.

Mobs showed up for her bookstore signings after the 2007 publication of “Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel,” a coffee-table book of her wardrobe and jewelry by the photographer Eric Boman.

“Iris,” an Albert Maysles documentary, opened at the New York Film Festival in 2014, and in 2015 it was seen by enthusiastic movie audiences in America and Britain. The movie critic Manohla Dargis of The Times called it an “insistent rejection of monocultural conformity” and “a delightful eye-opener about life, love, statement eyeglasses, bracelets the size of tricycle tires and the art of making the grandest of entrances.”

In 2016, Ms. Apfel was seen in a television commercial for the French car DS 3, became the face of the Australian brand Blue Illusion, and began a collaboration with the start-up WiseWear. A year later, Mattel created a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in her image. It was not for sale.

In 2018, she published “Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon,” an autobiographical collection of musings, anecdotes and observations on life and style. As she turned 97 in 2019, she signed a modeling contract with the global agency IMG.

Iris Barrel was born on Aug. 29, 1921, in Astoria, Queens, the only child of Samuel Barrel, who owned a glass and mirror business, and his Russian-born wife, Sadye, who owned a fashion boutique. Iris studied art history at New York University and art at the University of Wisconsin, worked for Women’s Wear Daily, apprenticed with the interior designer Elinor Johnson, and opened her own design firm.

She married Carl Apfel, an advertising executive, in 1948. They had no children. Her husband died in 2015 at the age of 100.

Their Old World Weavers had restored curtains, furniture, draperies and other fabrics at the White House for nine presidents, from Harry Truman to Bill Clinton.

Ms. Apfel’s apartments in New York and Palm Beach were full of furnishings and tchotchkes that might have come from a Luis Buñuel film: porcelain cats, plush toys, statuary, ornate vases, gilt mirrors, fake fruit, stuffed parrots, paintings by Velázquez and Jean-Baptiste Greuze, a mannequin on an ostrich.

The fashion designer Duro Olowu told The Guardian in 2010 that Ms. Apfel’s work had a universal quality. “It’s not a trend,” he said. “It appeals to a certain kind of joy in everybody.”

Lifestyle Fashion

Eminem koristi telefon koji je zastario. Ljudi pišu: Pametno

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

ČINI SE da poznati reper Eminem nije ljubitelj modernih pametnih telefona. Naime, otkriveno je da on još uvijek koristi BlackBerry s tipkovnicom. Ovu informaciju podijelio je DJ Whoo Kid, koji je na Instagramu objavio fotku na kojoj su on, Eminem i Mr. Porter iz D12 na kauču. Na fotografiji se vidi da Eminem koristi BlackBerry, a isto je potvrđeno u opisu. 

“Eminem je pokušavao shvatiti tko je pojeo posljednju porciju špageta”, napisao je Whoo Kid. “Ja sam slegnuo ramenima i rekao mu da je to bio @iamdenaun. I usput, da. Još uvijek ima BlackBerry telefon.”

“I ja ga još uvijek isto imam”

“Vintage”, “Pametno, ovi današnji pametni telefoni uništavaju društvo”, “Meni nedostaje moj BlackBerry”, “I ja ga još uvijek isto imam, ne želim se odreći te tipkovnice”, “Je li to vintage BlackBerry ili model iz 2022.?”, neki su od komentara ispod objave. 

Kako piše Complex,telefon je 2022. godine proglašen zastarjelim nakon što je BlackBerry prestao pružati usluge za svoje klasične mobilne uređaje. Posljednji modeli koje je tvrtka lansirala bili su BlackBerry Evolve i Evolve X u 2018. Stoga nije jasno kakvu funkcionalnost Eminemov uređaj ima, ili kako ga još uvijek može koristiti.

Ipak, BlackBerry telefoni se i dalje mogu pronaći i kupiti u pojedinim online trgovinama, poput Amazona, ali njihova funkcionalnost je ograničena.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Why Caleb Williams skipped medical exam at NFL scouting combine

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The poking.

The prodding.

The jabbing.

The all-day waits.

The deeply personal questions.

Caleb Williams says no thanks.

The former USC quarterback is expected to be the No. 1 pick at the NFL draft next month. That puts him in a unique position among all the top prospects gathered in Indianapolis this week for the league’s scouting combine.

He seems to have the leverage to skip any part of the combine he wants — including the tedious and often uncomfortable medical examination portion, if he so chooses.

And he so chooses, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner confirmed Friday at the combine.

“It really came down to not all 32 teams can draft me,” Williams told Pro Football Talk, “so why give all 32 teams my personal medical [information]?”

Players overwhelmingly seem to loathe the combine’s medical examination every year. And what’s not to loathe? In a process that is known to take around eight hours (including massive amounts of waiting and doing nothing), prospects undergo what amounts to probably the most intense doctors’ visit they’ve ever experienced while healthy. CT scans, X-rays and MRI scans are taken. Blood is drawn. An extensive medical history is gathered, with teams sometimes inquiring about minor injuries from the players’ childhoods.

Many NFL executives, however, consider the medical examination to be the most valuable portion of the scouting combine. So no matter how much disdain players have for the ritual, it is believed that no combine participant has ever refused to take part in the medical examination.

Until Williams.

Skeptics might think he’s trying to hide an injury or some other medical issue, but Williams said that’s not the case.

“There’s nothing there,” said Williams, who played through a significant hamstring injury during the 2022 Pac-12 championship game against Utah. “I played all 30 — however many games I played. I never came off the field unless my helmet came off and the ref took me off.”

He added that he fully intends to undergo medical examinations for the handful of teams he visits individually ahead of the draft. The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall draft pick and need to decide whether to draft Williams or stick with third-year quarterback Justin Fields. Several other teams, including the Washington Commanders at No. 2 and the New England Patriots at No. 3, have a need at that position.

“My thing has just been, you know, give it to the teams that are gonna pursue me,” Williams said. “So on my visits, I’ll be doing medicals but just decided not to do it here.”

He also isn’t throwing at the combine.

“I didn’t feel the need to go out and throw,” Williams said Friday during a news conference. “I played around 30-something games, I believe. Go ahead and go watch real live ball of me and see how I am as a competitor.”

So what exactly is Williams doing while in Indianapolis? Crashing the news conference of former USC receiver Brenden Rice, for one thing.

“How does it feel to be [Hall of Fame wide receiver] Jerry Rice’s son?” Williams called out to the player with whom he connected for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

“Man, it feels even better to be a teammate with Caleb Williams,” Rice responded.

Sports

Assistive dogs to medical cobots: Robots set to redefine efficiency, safety, adaptability across industries

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Robotic and automation solutions provider Addverb has introduced a trio of revolutionary robots at LogiMAT India 2024, and asserted that the robots will redefine efficiency, safety, and adaptability across various industries. The company unveiled India’s first-ever Assistive Dog robot, an advanced medical cobot for rehabilitation and imaging, and a collaborative robot (cobot) designed to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Trakr: India’s first Assistive Dog robot, represents a technological milestone, engineered for agility and perception. Its versatility extends across industries such as construction, oil exploration, defence, and security. Operating autonomously, Trakr excels in facility inspections, patrols, and surveillance, making it a pioneering addition to any workforce. 

Heal: The medical cobot transforms healthcare with an innovative approach to rehabilitation and imaging. Specialising in collaborative human-robot interactions, Heal focuses on physical and rehabilitation therapy for stroke patients and aids in remote imaging procedures like ultrasound and MRI scans. Its versatility shines in laboratory settings, streamlining routine activities and showcasing its potential to revolutionise medical services. Addverb has entered the healthcare robotics sector with the introduction of Heal, marking the beginning of new advancements in the industry. 

Syncro: The collaborative robot represents a new era of workplace collaboration and productivity in warehouses and factories, engineered to work alongside humans in shared spaces. Boasting advanced safety features, adaptability, and ease of use, Syncro finds application across diverse tasks from manufacturing to logistics. Its user-friendly interface ensures seamless integration into existing workflows, promising to elevate efficiency and safety standards across industries. 

Commenting on the launch, Sangeet Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Addverb, said, “The introduction of Trakr, Heal, and Syncro represents a significant stride towards revolutionising various industries. Trakr’s agility, Heal’s medical advancements, and Syncro’s collaborative prowess promise to redefine operational standards. We’re proud to offer solutions that not only enhance efficiency but also cater to diverse industry needs, marking a milestone in flexible automation. With these advancements, Addverb solidifies its position as a global leader, catalysing positive transformations across diverse sectors and propelling Addverb onto the global stage.” 

Technology

Sierra Nevada: Travel curbs imposed as massive Pacific Storm threatens | Travel

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The most powerful Pacific storm of the season is forecast to bring up to 10 feet (3 meters) of snow into the Sierra Nevada by the weekend, forcing residents to take shelter and prompting Yosemite National Park and at least one Lake Tahoe ski resort to close.

Vehicles drive as snow falls along Interstate 80 (I-80) in the Sierra Nevada mountains at the start of a powerful winter storm on February 29, 2024 near Kingvale, California. Blizzard warnings have been issued with snowfall of up to 12 feet and wind gusts of up to 100 mph expected in some higher elevation locations during the multiple day storm. (Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP)

The storm began barreling into the region on Thursday, with the biggest effects expected to close major highways and trigger power outages Friday afternoon into Saturday. A blizzard warning through Sunday morning covers a 300-mile (482-kilometer) stretch from north of Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Your safe travel window is over in the Sierra,” the National Weather Service in Reno posted Thursday morning on social media. “Best to hunker down where you are.”

Meteorologists predict as much as 10 feet (3 meters) of snow is possible in the mountains around Lake Tahoe by the weekend, with 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters) in the communities on the lake’s shores and more than a foot (30 centimeters) possible in the valleys on the Sierra’s eastern front, including Reno.

Winds are expected to gust in excess of 115 mph (185 kph) over Sierra ridgetops, and 70 mph (113 kph) at lower elevations.

“This will be a legitimate blizzard,” UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said during an online briefing Thursday. “Really true blizzard conditions with multiple feet of snow and very strong winds, the potential for power outages and the fact that roads probably aren’t going to be cleared as quickly or as effectively as they normally would be even during a significant winter storm.”

Backcountry avalanche warnings were in place around Lake Tahoe, as well as areas around Yosemite National Park stretching down to Mammoth Lakes.

At Yosemite National Park, visitors were told to leave the park as soon as possible — no later than noon Friday. The park is closed at least through noon Sunday, with the possibility that could be extended, park officials said on social media. Authorities noted that more than 7 feet (2.13 meters) of snow could fall in the Badger Pass area.

Alpine Meadows, an affiliate of neighboring Palisades Tahoe, will be closed Friday. Palisades planned to open only its lowest elevation runs, and could end up closing those.

Andrew Schwartz, the lead scientist at UC-Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab, said it is possible they could break their modern-day record of about 3.5 feet (1 meter) of snow in a single day from back in 1989. The lab was founded atop the Sierra in 1946 in Soda Springs, California, northwest of Lake Tahoe.

The California Highway Patrol imposed travel restrictions on a long stretch of Interstate 80 between Reno and Sacramento, requiring drivers to put chains on their tires. A stretch of the highway was closed for hours at midday Thursday while crews cleared the wreckage of a semi-trailer truck that overturned near Truckee, California.

On the bright side, California water officials said the storm should provide a much-needed shot in the arm to the Sierra snowpack, which is vital to the state’s water supplies and sits well below normal so far this season. Extreme weather continues to affect the ski industry, as US ski areas could lose around $1 billion annually in coming years due to a changing climate, a new study found.

Palisades Tahoe ski resort wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the big dump expected over the weekend on top of 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow in February should allow them to keep the slopes open through Memorial Day. But it warned blizzard conditions are likely to force temporary closures off and on through the weekend.

Todd Cummings decided to drive from Santa Cruz to the Lake Tahoe area ahead of the storm with plans to lay low during the blizzard and then hit the slopes.

“When a storm comes in, people have a tough time getting there, so there’s sometimes less crowds on the mountains and there is untracked, fresh snow that it’s super light and you float on it. It’s fantastic!” he said.

Some remained skeptical it will be as bad as predicted.

Richard Cunningham said he has heard before about forecasts for the storm of the century that didn’t materialize since he moved from Las Vegas to Reno in 1997.

“Same story, different day,” he said. “Sometimes it doesn’t even snow.”

That was before blue skies gave way to clouds and gusty winds that blew the roof off a shed east of Reno Thursday afternoon.

Howie Nave, a radio DJ and stand-up comedian in South Lake Tahoe, said some people may not have been taking the storm seriously earlier in the week because dire forecasts of potentially heavy storms have not materialized several times this winter.

“There were times when I was expecting a Saint Bernard, but you gave me a Chihuahua,” Nave said about the weather forecasters.

But “everybody’s talking about the storm up here,” he said. “This is the first time we’ve had a blizzard warning.”

The Sierra Nevada snowpack stood at 80% of average to date but only 70% of the typical April 1 peak, California Department of Water resources officials said Thursday.

“The results today show just how critical this upcoming month is going to be in terms of our water supply outlook for the upcoming year,” hydrometeorologist Angelique Fabbiani-Leon said during a briefing at Phillips Station, a snowpack-measuring location south of Lake Tahoe.

Tours Travel

Dune is a snarling cinematic beast of jaw-dropping scale and ambition – Review | Films | Entertainment

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Some films plead politely to be seen on a big screen but can have just as much impact in the intimate setting of a home cinema. Others, like Titanic, Avatar, Gravity and Oppenheimer bellow for the largest screen.

With a sound system cranked up to that sweet spot, you can feel every orchestral bassline and on-screen explosion pass like a shockwave through the cinema floor into the marrow of your bones.

Dune: Part Two is one of those snarling cinematic beasts of jaw-dropping scale and ambition. Composer Hans Zimmer’s score roars as director Denis Villeneuve delivers adrenaline-pumping set pieces that seamlessly meld digital trickery with practical effects and stunts.

Villeneuve confidently builds on the spectacle of the first part of his proposed trilogy – torn from the pages of Frank Herbert’s supposedly “unfilmable” 1965 novel – with no-expense-spared production design and breathlessly staged battle sequences. These include a perilous attempt by desert-dwelling Fremen to sabotage the spice-harvesting machinery of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) and his murderous kin.

The long-awaited moment Timothée Chalamet’s fugitive son summons a hulking sandworm and surfs the undulating dunes of Arrakis on the creature’s back induces a rush of blood to the head.

For all its technical virtuosity, Villeneuve’s sequel feels like it is treading water for significant periods of an indulgent 167-minute running time – something of an irony considering characters are scolded for shedding tears and squandering the sun-scorched planet’s most precious resource.

The world-building of part one was richer and narrative progression and character development sometimes get sand kicked in their faces. Chalamet’s romance with Zendaya’s spunky Fremen warrior simmers before a bruising clash of blades – with Elvis star Austin Butler almost unrecognisable and oozing menace as the sociopathic heir to the Harkonnen throne.

There will be blood…

DUNE PART 2 IS OUT NOW IN CINEMAS

Arts Entertainments

2025 BMW iX3? Mysterious prototype spied

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Is this the next electric BMW X3?

An electric BMW SUV has been snapped on a car carrier in Europe by serial spy photographer Wilco Blok. It’s hard to make out exactly what the car is – but it appears to have an SUV silhouette.

That would suggest it’s the new BMW iX3 electric car, which we’ve spied multiple times recently.

Whether it’s a concept or the production car isn’t clear; if it’s a concept we’d expect it’ll follow in the footsteps of the Vision Neue Klasse revealed in Munich last year.

Unlike the combustion X3, which we’ve recently spied wearing a subtly changed exterior and interior, we’re expecting the iX3 to wear a radical new look.

It will be one of several models on the new dedicated electric vehicle (EV) architecture, with BMW planning to roll out six Neue Klasse vehicles between 2025 and 2027, including both sedans and SUVs.

  • 2025 BMW iX3? Mysterious prototype spied

The Neue Klasse SUV, which could wear the iX330, iX340 and iX350 nameplates, is a lot more rounded in appearance than the rather upright iX3 – if arguably not to the same extreme as electric SUVs from rival Mercedes-Benz.

BMW’s design boss, Domagoj Dukec, has said he doesn’t want the brand’s designs to follow the likes of Chinese brands with fluid lines, and instead wants to offer its own distinctive look.

Like the Vision Neue Klasse sedan concept revealed earlier this year, which previews a 3 Series-sized production sedan, the SUV appears to have a crisp, forward-slanting ‘shark nose’ and a wide – instead of tall – iteration of BMW’s iconic double-kidney grille.

  • 2025 BMW iX3? Mysterious prototype spied
    Vision Neue Klasse concept
  • 2025 BMW iX3? Mysterious prototype spied

Another signature design cue that remains is BMW’s Hofmeister kink at the C-pillar, while the smooth, flowing side detailing and bulging tailgate are more like that of the BMW iX than today’s iX3.

When it launches in 2025, the new BMW SUV will rival the likes of the Audi Q6 e-tron and next-generation Mercedes-Benz EQC.

Unlike its fellow Germans, BMW hasn’t announced a cut-off date for production of internal combustion-powered vehicles and has instead committed to a multi-pathway strategy consisting of combustion, electric and hydrogen power.

MORE: BMW: Going electric-only is ‘crazy’ without a sustainable economy
MORE: BMW won’t ditch petrol and diesel as electric revolution takes hold

Auto

5 Best Crypto to Buy Now for 10x Gains In 2024

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Are you a crypto market enthusiast with a hunger for high returns on your crypto investments? Do you want to be an investor in the next big revolution within the cryptocurrency market? If you have answered either of these two questions with a yes, you might be on a hunt for the best crypto token for 10x gains. While the cryptocurrency market has mostly kept traditional projects like BTC in the spotlight, several promising projects with the potential for explosive growth are coming up. 

This article will explore the five best crypto tokens that show a promising pattern for 10x gain in the near future. 

5 Best Crypto for 10x Gains IN 2024

Here are the List of 5 Best Crypto for 10x Gains

  1. 5thScape (5SCAPE)
  2. yPredict.ai (YPRED)
  3. VeChain (VET)
  4. Stellar (XLM)
  5. Avalanche (AVAX)

Let’s gain deeper insight into these five cryptocurrency tokens and understand how they can bring you higher gains with their project’s fundamentals and real-life applicability. 

  1. 5thScape

5thScape is recreating the future of Virtual Reality (VR) with its platform offering its investors innovative VR gaming and entertainment experiences. The 5SCAPE token native to the platform gives you access to all the VR content offered by 5thScape, from its immersive games to educational hubs that can be used to improve your skills.

Click here to visit 5thScape>>

Aside from its “software” part of the VR ecosystem, the 5thScape project has also launched VR accessories, which include an ergonomic gaming chair and VR headset.

If you are a tech enthusiast, you would know that VR is becoming increasingly popular, and the number of people using it is anticipated to grow more than 2x by 2028. VR technology is expected to be adopted in more industries, such as healthcare, tourism, and real estate.

An anticipated increase in industry demand could lead to a higher price value of the 5SCAPE tokens, offering its investors 10x gains if they invest early. 

  1. yPredict.ai

yPredict.ai platform features AI-powered crypto market prediction and analysis tools built by the top 1% of industry experts. These robust tools are helpful to investors in the cryptocurrency market. They have the capability to forecast growth and decline in the value of a crypto token.  

Since understanding the algorithms and technicalities of new-age crypto chart patterns is becoming harder for crypto enthusiasts, yPredict.ai has entered the market right on time with its AI signals-based tools. These tools make the decision-making process for an investor much faster and easier. 

y predict

More and more investors are expected to turn towards yPredict’s platform as it offers YPRED holders lifetime access to its market prediction tool. This will inherently increase the value of the YPRED token in the near time, with the expanding user base of the platform. 

  1. VeChain

VeChain offers supply management solutions by putting blockchain technology to the proper use. It tracks a product’s journey from the production stage to the end consumer. This process enables transparency, efficiency, and security in the supply management process. The project has established partnerships with big names like BMW and Walmart. 

VeChain’s native token, VET, is used by the platform’s users to pay for applications built on it. Additionally, VET also grants users governance rights on the VeChain Network.

Through its newer partnerships with manufacturing industries, VeChain is expanding its reach, boosting its native token, VET. This platform has a viable real-life use case that makes VET a must-have token in every crypto investor’s portfolio. 

  1. Stellar 

Stellar connects different financial systems by enabling cross-border transactions. Most individuals prefer it as it provides quicker and cheaper transactions compared to traditional payment methods. It has partnered with an industry giant, IBM, to develop the same blockchain-based platform for them, which will facilitate international payments in hassle-free ways. 

Stellar users can also send and receive micropayments quickly, as it doesn’t attract a hefty transaction fee. The increasing need for a platform that can simplify international transactions is expected to push Stellar’s demand to new heights, taking along the value of XLM.

  1. Avalanche

Avalanche is a smart contract platform that keeps speed, security, and scalability its #1 priority. With its unique blockchain platform, it enables rapid transactions without making any compromises with the security of its network. This feature attracts blockchain developers who are looking for efficiency and scalability for building their decentralized applications (dApps). AVAX, the native token of Avalanche, secures the blockchain and helps to facilitate transactions. 

One of Avalanche’s major partners is AWS (Amazon Web Services), which allows its users to access Avalanche’s network, further facilitating the development and adoption of blockchain solutions for businesses and institutions. 

The Avalanche Network plans to collaborate with more such organizations in the blockchain space to increase its platform’s user base. This expansion may contribute to the growth of the Avalanche Network and the value of the AVAX token.

Why Should You Choose 5thScape Crypto for 10x Returns on Investment?

As the adoption of VR technology explodes, 5SCAPE, the gateway token of this VR-linked platform, has the potential to see a substantial increase in its value. Early-stage investors in the 5SCAPE token will have a market edge, considering that the current price of the token is USD 0.00187. The project has a promising future as its team has set a clear roadmap for 2024, with multiple gaming options geared to launch. 

Final Thoughts on Best Crypto for 10x Gains 

While predicting the future of any crypto token is quite tricky, the projects mentioned here, like 5thScape and yPredict.ai, represent exciting advancements within their respective fields. Their potential real-life applications and ongoing development could lead to significant growth. 5thScape, which has its ties with the rapidly growing VR technology, might be a project worth considering as part of your diversified portfolio.

Always remember to thoroughly research a crypto project before investing in any token. With a diversified crypto portfolio and a strong investment strategy, you can expect significant gains in the crypto market.

Cryptocurrency

Lessons From Air Canada’s Chatbot Fail

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Air Canada tried to throw its chatbot under the AI bus.

It didn’t work.

A Canadian court recently ruled Air Canada must compensate a customer who bought a full-price ticket after receiving inaccurate information from the airline’s chatbot.

Air Canada had argued its chatbot made up the answer, so it shouldn’t be liable. As Pepper Brooks from the movie Dodgeball might say, “That’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for ’em.” 

But what does that chatbot mistake mean for you as your brands add these conversational tools to their websites? What does it mean for the future of search and the impact on you when consumers use tools like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT to research your brand?

AI disrupts Air Canada

AI seems like the only topic of conversation these days. Clients expect their agencies to use it as long as they accompany that use with a big discount on their services. “It’s so easy,” they say. “You must be so happy.”

Boards at startup companies pressure their management teams about it. “Where are we on an AI strategy,” they ask. “It’s so easy. Everybody is doing it.” Even Hollywood artists are hedging their bets by looking at the newest generative AI developments and saying, “Hmmm … Do we really want to invest more in humans?  

Let’s all take a breath. Humans are not going anywhere. Let me be super clear, “AI is NOT a strategy. It’s an innovation looking for a strategy.” Last week’s Air Canada decision may be the first real-world distinction of that.

The story starts with a man asking Air Canada’s chatbot if he could get a retroactive refund for a bereavement fare as long as he provided the proper paperwork. The chatbot encouraged him to book his flight to his grandmother’s funeral and then request a refund for the difference between the full-price and bereavement fair within 90 days. The passenger did what the chatbot suggested.

Air Canada refused to give a refund, citing its policy that explicitly states it will not provide refunds for travel after the flight is booked.

When the passenger sued, Air Canada’s refusal to pay got more interesting. It argued it should not be responsible because the chatbot was a “separate legal entity” and, therefore, Air Canada shouldn’t be responsible for its actions.

I remember a similar defense in childhood: “I’m not responsible. My friends made me do it.” To which my mom would respond, “Well, if they told you to jump off a bridge, would you?”

My favorite part of the case was when a member of the tribunal said what my mom would have said, “Air Canada does not explain why it believes …. why its webpage titled ‘bereavement travel’ was inherently more trustworthy than its chatbot.”

The BIG mistake in human thinking about AI

That is the interesting thing as you deal with this AI challenge of the moment. Companies mistake AI as a strategy to deploy rather than an innovation to a strategy that should be deployed. AI is not the answer for your content strategy. AI is simply a way to help an existing strategy be better.

Generative AI is only as good as the content — the data and the training — fed to it.  Generative AI is a fantastic recognizer of patterns and understanding of the probable next word choice. But it’s not doing any critical thinking. It cannot discern what is real and what is fiction.

Think for a moment about your website as a learning model, a brain of sorts. How well could it accurately answer questions about the current state of your company? Think about all the help documents, manuals, and educational and training content. If you put all of that — and only that — into an artificial brain, only then could you trust the answers.

Your chatbot likely would deliver some great results and some bad answers. Air Canada’s case involved a minuscule challenge. But imagine when it’s not a small mistake. And what about the impact of unintended content? Imagine if the AI tool picked up that stray folder in your customer help repository — the one with all the snarky answers and idiotic responses? Or what if it finds the archive that details everything wrong with your product or safety? AI might not know you don’t want it to use that content.

ChatGPT, Gemini, and others present brand challenges, too

Publicly available generative AI solutions may create the biggest challenges.

I tested the problematic potential. I asked ChatGPT to give me the pricing for two of the best-known CRM systems. (I’ll let you guess which two.) I asked it to compare the pricing and features of the two similar packages and tell me which one might be more appropriate.

First, it told me it couldn’t provide pricing for either of them but included the pricing page for each in a footnote. I pressed the citation and asked it to compare the two named packages. For one of them, it proceeded to give me a price 30% too high, failing to note it was now discounted. And it still couldn’t provide the price for the other, saying the company did not disclose pricing but again footnoted the pricing page where the cost is clearly shown.

In another test, I asked ChatGPT, “What’s so great about the digital asset management (DAM) solution from [name of tech company]?” I know this company doesn’t offer a DAM system, but ChatGPT didn’t.

It returned with an answer explaining this company’s DAM solution was a wonderful, single source of truth for digital assets and a great system. It didn’t tell me it paraphrased the answer from content on the company’s webpage that highlighted its ability to integrate into a third-party provider’s DAM system.

Now, these differences are small. I get it. I also should be clear that I got good answers for some of my harder questions in my brief testing. But that’s what’s so insidious. If users expected answers that were always a little wrong, they would check their veracity. But when the answers seem right and impressive, even though they are completely wrong or unintentionally accurate, users trust the whole system.

That’s the lesson from Air Canada and the subsequent challenges coming down the road.

AI is a tool, not a strategy

Remember, AI is not your content strategy. You still need to audit it. Just as you’ve done for over 20 years, you must ensure the entirety of your digital properties reflect the current values, integrity, accuracy, and trust you want to instill.

AI will not do this for you. It cannot know the value of those things unless you give it the value of those things. Think of AI as a way to innovate your human-centered content strategy. It can express your human story in different and possibly faster ways to all your stakeholders.

But only you can know if it’s your story. You have to create it, value it, and manage it, and then perhaps AI can help you tell it well. 

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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

Digital Marketing

Best Buy Weekend Sale Slashes Prices on Tons of Top Tech

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If you’re looking to save on new tech, you won’t want to miss the sale happening right now at Best Buy. The company just launched a massive three-day sale filled with deep discounts on TVs, headphones, laptops, tablets, action cameras, smart lighting and more. It’s a great opportunity for those that may have missed out Presidents Day sales earlier this year to score big savings.

There are a lot of items marked down, so in an effort to save you time and energy, we’ve gone through the sale and have highlighted the best offers below. Keep in mind that these offers will end Sunday, March 3, at 9:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to make your selection before that if you don’t want to miss out.

This outdoor TV has a 55-inch screen, 4K resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It’s a great choice for covered patios, decks or balconies as we start to prepare for warmer weather.

Details

This Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 laptop sports a large 16-inch full HD touchscreen display as well as a 13th-gen Intel Evo i7 processor. It also comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage. 

Details

Nab the latest MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen and an M2 chip for fast processing for less than a grand. 

Details

This 3-in-1 device can clean your air, cool your space or warm things up when you need it to — all with an anti-allergen HEPA filter. It tracks air quality and has smart features to prevent overheating as well. And right now it’s only $200.

Details

Best Buy has the latest iPad Air available at all-time low pricing of just $450. That’s a $150 discount on this fifth-gen Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage and an M1 chip. 

Details

More great deals at Best Buy:

It’s worth noting that some items may have additional discounts available for My Best Buy Plus or Total members, so if you’ve been holding out on signing up, now may be the time to consider a subscription. Those are paid accounts, but you could make the money back in exclusive savings during this event or throughout the year if you shop at Best Buy regularly. There are some other perks too, like like free two-day shipping with no minimum amount and extended return windows. 

For more device savings, we’ve rounded up the best phone deals, laptop deals and TV deals to help you find exactly what you want without paying full price.      

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Should you drink coffee first thing in the morning, or wait a while? Experts share caffeine guidance

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Coffee in the morning is a ritual for many people — but is it ever too early in the a.m. to indulge?

Brewing a cup or a pot of coffee as soon as you wake up might not give you the biggest energy boost throughout the day, according to sleep experts. 

Dr. Deborah Lee, a U.K.-based doctor, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that drinking coffee first thing in the morning might not be the best bet. 

UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA PRESENTS ‘DISRUPTIVE’ DANGERS TO PEOPLE’S LIVES, INCLUDING HEART ISSUES, SAYS EXPERT

“When you wake up, your stress hormone cortisol level, which is a hormone that enhances alertness and focus, as well as regulates your metabolism and immune system response, is at its peak,” said Lee, who works with bed manufacturer Get Laid Beds.

“Elevated levels of cortisol may impact your immune system, and if they’re already at their peak when waking up, drinking coffee as soon as your eyes open may do more harm than good, and may even make you immune to caffeine over a long period of time,” Lee added.

The best time to drink coffee is mid-to-late morning, an expert told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

Cortisol follows a rhythm “specific to your own sleeping cycle,” the expert said, peaking within 30 to 45 minutes of waking up and slowly declining throughout the day.

WANT TO BE A MORNING PERSON? THESE 6 EXPERT TIPS MAY GET YOU THERE

“That explains why you may peak in the morning and get more tired at night,” she noted.

Taking this rhythm into consideration, Lee suggested that the best time to have caffeine would be at least 45 minutes after waking up, when “your cortisol rhythm starts to dip.”

man drinking coffee in a kitchen

Coffee consumption and energy levels are dependent on a person’s caffeine tolerance, said a sleep expert. (iStock)

“The best time to drink coffee would typically be mid-to-late morning, when your cortisol is a lot lower and you start to feel that energy slump,” she said. 

“But of course, not too late in the afternoon — as it could affect your sleep.”

NEED A ‘WINTER RESET’? EXPERTS SHARE BENEFITS OF SLOWING DOWN DURING COLDER MONTHS

Someone who wakes up at around 7 a.m., for example, might wait until around 10 a.m. or noon to have the first cup of coffee, “when your body and mind will appreciate it the most, and you’ll get the most benefits from the caffeine,” Lee said.

A different take 

Dr. Wendy Troxel, a Utah-based sleep expert and senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, had a different take on the matter. Delaying caffeine might not actually make a difference, she told Fox News Digital.

“There really is no scientific evidence that having caffeine first thing in the morning versus delaying it for a couple of hours after awakening has any differential effects on alertness,” she said. 

dr. wendy troxel headshot

Dr. Wendy Troxel, senior behavioral scientist of the RAND Corporation and author of “Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep,” offered her input on the timing of coffee consumption. (Diane Baldwin)

Troxel suggested that coffee drinkers should experiment with what works best for them.

“For some people, waking up and having a glass of water to rehydrate and then having coffee works well — but for others, the morning ritual of having a cup of coffee first thing upon awakening is just too good to give up,” she said. 

“So, I think it’s mostly a matter of personal preference.”

COFFEE AND COVID: COULD DRINKING 1 OR 2 CUPS A DAY REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF THE VIRAL ILLNESS?

Since caffeine works by “blocking sleep-promoting receptors in your brain called adenosine receptors,” Lee said that people who drink coffee too late in the day may struggle to sleep at night.

“However, this is different for different people, and only you know your own caffeine tolerance,” she said.

The average half-life of caffeine is around six hours, according to Troxel, but it can remain in the body for up to 10 hours.

Older woman with insomnia

Drinking coffee too late in the day can lead to sleep disruptions, experts warned. (iStock)

“Given that caffeine is a stimulant, it can powerfully disrupt sleep if consumed too late in the day,” she said. 

To reduce the likelihood of disrupted sleep, Lee recommended avoiding it within eight hours of bedtime. 

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“That means if your bedtime is 10 p.m., you should consume caffeine no later than 2 p.m. — but if you’re someone who is strongly affected by caffeine, you want to back that time up even earlier,” she said.

woman drinks coffee in the morning

Coffee in moderation can help with increased alertness, energy and better concentration, according to experts. (iStock)

“Try switching to herbal teas if you need a hot drink to stay warm, or decaf to trick yourself into thinking you’re getting your caffeine fix,” she suggested.

Troxel mentioned that there is “substantial evidence” that drinking coffee earlier in the day and in moderation — about one to two cups per day — is associated with “increased alertness and energy, better concentration, better performance and reduced risk of certain chronic diseases.”

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“However, excessive amounts of coffee, or coffee (and other caffeinated products) consumed later in the day can lead to negative side effects, including anxiety, jitters, rapid heart rate and insomnia,” Troxel added.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Health Fitness

7 New Restaurants In Mumbai To Visit In March 2024

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In recent times, Mumbai has been seeing several new restaurant openings every month. February has been no different. As we enter March 2024, are you wondering which places you cannot afford to miss? We have compiled a list of some of the top new restaurants in Mumbai you should consider visiting this month. Several of them celebrate comfort food and sophisticated experiences in exciting new ways. Lovers of Asian and Italian fare are in for a special treat. Check out the full list below:

Also Read: 7 New Restaurants In Mumbai To Try In February 2024

Here Are 7 New Restaurants In Mumbai To Try In March 2024

1. Freny’s

Chef Freny Fernandes (of Moner fame) has opened a new restaurant and bar steeped in personal history. At Freny’s in Bandra, diners can get the opportunity to dig into East Indian dishes or indulge in delicious comfort food like pasta, pizzas and more. Nearly every dish has a memory or story attached to it, and you’ll be left craving more.

Where: Shop no.11, Silver Pearl Building, W, Waterfield Road, opposite China Gate, Bandra West, Mumbai

2. La Panthera

This sophisticated European restaurant is the latest offering by culinary duo Chef Manuel Olveira and his wife Mickee Tuljapurkar. (They also run the award-winning La Loca Maria). The menu features enduring European classics while elegantly incorporating modern culinary techniques. The stunning interior design provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for an unforgettable meal.

Where: Unit 1 & 2, INS Tower, G Block, BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai.

3. Kembara

Photo Credit: Kembara Mumbai

Hyderabad’s pan-Asian restaurant has made its Mumbai debut in BKC. Drop in for authentic comfort food with handpicked recipes from cuisines including Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malay, Korean, etc. Pair these delights with flavourful cocktails that will further enhance your experience. The food menu is curated by Chef Seefah Ketchaiyo, who is also well-known for her eponymous restaurant on Hill Road.

Where: Shop no 11, Kembara, Ins Tower, Opposite Indian Oil Petrol Pump, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai.

4. Takumi

Lovers of Asian cuisines should also check out the newly opened Takumi in Santacruz. The menu presents an innovative celebration of Southeast Asian flavours. The bar promises a unique and delectable selection of cocktails. Along with interiors inspired by Japanese architecture, guests can also enjoy cultural performances that will enhance their dining experience.

Where: Takumi, Ground Floor, Savoy Chambers, Linking Rd, near Porsche Showroom, Hasmukh Nagar, Santacruz West, Mumbai.

5. Megumi

Spanning an impressive 6000 square feet, Megumi is a must-try destination for those seeking a memorable culinary experience. This new restaurant represents a distinctive representation of Japanese culinary artistry. It draws inspiration from Nikkei resto-bar culture and philosophy.

Where: 9th floor, Ramee Emerald II, Linking Rd, above Nike Showroom, Vithaldas Nagar, Santacruz West, Mumbai.

6. Nadara

Nadara is a fresh addition to Goregaon’s bustling dining scene. This multi-cuisine restaurant offers diners a taste of different regional delicacies. From India, guests can feast on dishes from Maharashtra, Konkan, Mangalore, and Kerala. From outside the country, opt for yummy treats inspired by flavours from Turkish, Afghan, and Bangladeshi kitchens, alongside tempting Italian specials.

Where: Nadara, Ground floor of Arnna Hotel, 326, Walbhat Rd, next to Sharma Industrial Estate, Cama Industrial Estate, Goregaon, Mumbai.

7. Mansionairre By The Roof

Mansionairre By The Roof is an exciting new rooftop dining destination in Thane. Guests can enjoy a delightful dinner beneath the twinkling stars within the expansive open-air dining area, or seek solace in the cosy indoor corners. Set atop the urban landscape, Mansionairre by the Roof beckons you to an evening of opulence and sophistication. Diners can relish Continental, Indian, Asian, Japanese, Italian, Mexican and other delicacies.

Where: Centrum Business Square, A wing, Unit no. 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, Near Lotus IT Park, Road no. 16, Waghle Industrial Estate, Thane

Also Read: 6 New Restaurants In Mumbai To Try In January 2024

Home Kitchen

Hamas says it responds positively to a complete ceasefire in Gaza

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The Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Tuesday it had delivered its response to a proposed ceasefire deal for Gaza that would also involve the release of hostages.

In a statement Hamas said it responded “in a positive spirit, ensuring a comprehensive and complete ceasefire, ending the aggression against our people, ensuring relief, shelter, and reconstruction, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, and achieving a prisoner swap.”

Hamas aims for the release of the largest possible number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told Reuters in a text message.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said late on Tuesday that the details of the Hamas response were being “thoroughly evaluated by the officials involved in the negotiations.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a lightning tour of the Middle East, said on Tuesday he was reviewing the Hamas reponse, which he called the best hope for ending the four-month-old war in Gaza. 

Blinken, at a news conference in Qatar, declined to discuss details of Hamas’s response to the ceasefire offer. 

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible, and indeed essential,” said Blinken, who also noted the response had been shared with Israel and that he would discuss it with officials in Israel on Wednesday.

At the joint press conference with Blinken, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said his country received a “positive response” from Hamas on the latest Gaza ceasefire-for-hostage deal proposal, failing to provide further details.

Later that day, Egypt also confirmed that it had received the Hamas response. Chairman of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan stated that Egypt had recently put forward a framework aimed at bringing viewpoints closer between all concerned parties to stop Palestinian bloodshed, reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and restore peace and stability to the region.

More than 27,500 people have been killed and over 64,900 have been injured in Gaza since Israeli attacks in the enclave, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, adding thousands more are missing and presumed dead.

On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated that the military’s “next target” will be Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city and a shelter for more than 1 million people, where he claimed as Hamas’ “last remaining stronghold” in the enclave.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: Palestinian paramedics recover the remains of bodies rescued from a wrecked police vehicle following Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 6, 2024. /CFP)

Legal Law

Do Lasers Encourage Play or Trigger Obsessive Behavior? How Different Cats React

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The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.

One of the more challenging aspects of looking after indoor cats is making sure they get enough exercise, enrichment, and excitement in their lives. It’s easy enough to grab a lead and take the dogs out to the beach or the park, but not all cats are amenable to the harness lifestyle. One popular choice is the laser pointer, and it’s easy to appreciate why.

With very minimal effort on my part, I’ve got the cats running upstairs, downstairs, over the bed, and off the walls. Even Cyril, who is famous for his dedication to a life lived horizontally, cannot resist the flickering allure of that elusive red dot. But after reading about how lasers can negatively affect dogs, I started to become worried about my ginger ninja, Alex.

Why Do Cats Love Laser Toys?

Although most of our domestic cats these days are less focused on hunting creatures and more interested in creature comforts, they aren’t that far removed from their wild or free-roaming relatives. Buried deep within that lazy exterior are the hunting instincts and prey drive of a lion, just waiting to be triggered by some fast-moving beastie. When our cats see the twitching movement of that laser, instincts take over, and they soon find themselves unable to resist the chase.

What is strange about this particular game of cat and …dot, is that they never get to catch it, so you would think they would eventually grow bored. However, as most cat parents (myself included) will tell you, each time the laser is retrieved from its draw, cats appear to be just as interested as the time before, and the dozens of times before that. Zelda, in particular, sheds her regal and poised demeanor and turns into a playful, energetic kitten if she so much as hears the telltale sound of the laser being taken from its hiding place. Are they hoping that this time they will finally catch their prey? Or do they simply enjoy the chase?

Unfortunately, this is something only a cat can tell us, so for now, we must use what we know to decide if laser toys are just an engaging way to encourage our cats to play and burn calories, or if they are a potential source of frustration, anxiety, and unhealthy obsession.

A Note on Laser Safety:

Never point a laser directly at the face or into the eyes. This applies to cats and all other animal species, including humans. For more information on laser pointer safety, click here.

Laser eyes Alex
Laser eyes Alex

When the Game Becomes Obsession

‘Laser Pointer Syndrome’ is an obsessive-compulsive disorder that has been recognized in our canine friends, with dogs becoming so fixated by the rapid movement of laser toys that they are unable to relax. Their inability to complete the chase leaves them on edge, constantly on alert for ‘the one that got away’. This has always been something that didn’t exactly worry me, but it did make me wonder, when I was playing with my cats. It wasn’t until Alex joined our fellowship of cats that I started to become concerned.

In the beginning, just like all the other cats, Alex loved the fast-paced game of chasing the laser pointer, darting frantically around the house, following it up and down the stairs, and over the cat tree. Then I started to notice him becoming fixated on anything with a reflective surface that flickered on a wall or door – watches, cutlery, even the reflection from our metal door handle. Every night, Alex sits poised outside our bedroom, waiting for the moment that the light from the bathroom hits our door handle just right, sending a shimmer across the wall of the landing. This flash of light lasts moments, one or two seconds at most, but he waits for it, every night. That’s when I started to get worried.

How Do I Fix It?

The obvious solution was to just throw the laser away, give it up cold turkey, which is exactly what I did. However, this didn’t stop Alex’s light chasing behavior; he was just as obsessed with flickering lights and shiny surfaces as ever before. I had opened Pandora’s sparkling box and now I didn’t know how to close it.

Don’t get me wrong, Alex was okay. He wasn’t stressed or permanently locked in a state of tense anticipation, but it did worry me that he was spending at least an hour or two every night just waiting for a fleeting glimpse of a quarry he would never catch; a hunt that couldn’t ever end in the satisfaction of capture. Or could it?

A plan began to take shape in my mind, and I came up with a possible way to bring closure to Alex’s unfinished business. I didn’t know if it would work, but it was worth a try.

Step 1 – Buy a new laser toy

It might seem a bit like buying booze for an alcoholic, but seeing as cold turkey hadn’t worked, I wanted to try weaning him off.

Step 2 – Introduce a new toy that he can actually play with

Interestingly enough, the laser toy I purchased came with a bonus feathery mouse!

Step 3 – Start with the laser, end with the toy

My plan was to end the game with a physical reward, so that all the effort of chasing concluded with Alex capturing something he could actually grasp, kick, and chew.

I had to get the timing right, making sure that I switched off the laser at the moment he grabs the toy, but I felt up to the challenge! But would it work?

The Re-education of Master Alex

Sometimes it’s about trial and error, and it turned out that Alex wasn’t as excited about the new toy as I’d hoped! His best buddy Cyril, on the other hand, was very interested. It turned out that Alex was more food-motivated, so instead of a toy, I directed the laser towards a small pile of his favorite treats, and voila! His attention immediately zeroed in on the food, and the laser was quickly forgotten.

I was quite pleased to see that in both instances, Alex and Cyril, once they were focussed on the treat at the end of the laser game, didn’t start looking around for the elusive little dot, whereas normally, they would remain on high alert, waiting for it to move again. I don’t expect that this will completely eradicate Alex’s fascination with all things shiny, but the first attempt went better than I thought, so I am optimistic that we will be able to change how he views the laser.

Alex doesn't need to hunt for his food.
Alex doesn’t need to hunt for his food…

Are Laser Toys a Bad Idea?

Not necessarily, and in many cases, they can actually be one of the best ways to turn a sedentary cat into a fast & furious feline by providing an outlet for their seldom-used hunting instincts. But I think that, in the same way some humans can’t drink, gamble, or shop without becoming addicted, certain cats are predisposed to laser pointer syndrome, something that researchers have started to explore. In a suggestion similar to my method, others have suggested combining laser play with clicker training, giving cats a tangible reward at the end of the game.

Early surveys suggest that laser toy obsession is more likely to occur in cats under two years old, which fits with Alex’s situation. Obviously, I wish I had known about this potential hazard when I first introduced him to the laser four years ago, but even as a vet, I am constantly learning.

And hopefully, my experience with Alex can help some of you avoid the same issue. If you’re going to introduce your cat to the thrill of chasing a laser, make sure that you can give that chase a satisfying conclusion.

Dr Karyn signature

Pets

Ovih 5 stvari u spavaćoj sobi moglo bi vam pomoći da spavate bolje

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

NAČIN na koji ste uredili i dizajnirali svoju spavaću sobu može imati velike veze s tim kako spavate. Zato ljudi koji dobro spavaju uvijek imaju određene stvari u svojem prostoru koje pridonose atmosferi opuštanja i dobrog sna. Ako vam u spavaćoj sobi nedostaje mira, provjerite da nešto nije u redu s dizajnom, od pogrešnih boja do naizgled bezazlenih predmeta.

Kvalitetna posteljina i tekstil

Mekane i ugodne tkanine osnova su mirnog, ugodnog prostora, što je posebno važno u spavaćoj sobi. Dizajnerica interijera Audrey Scheck za Livingtec je izjavila: “Ulaganje u visokokvalitetnu posteljinu može pomoći u dobrom snu i stvara osjećaj luksuza u spavaćoj sobi.”

Priroda u vašoj sobi

Mnogima spavaća soba nije dovoljno ugodna ako nema ničega što podsjeća na prirodu. Drveni ukrasi, slike i figurice ptica i vodenih površina primjeri su predmeta pomoću kojih ćete svoju spavaću sobu učiniti opuštajućom i nježnom.

Prostor bez nereda i suvišnih predmeta

Minimalističke spavaće sobe često su mirnije. Dvije vrste objekata koje biste trebali izbjegavati u svojoj sobi su fitness aparati i koferi jer ne samo što zatrpavaju prostor već ih nikako ne povezujemo sa snom. Sklonite sav nered u drugu sobu ili u jednostavne kutije.

Odgovarajuće osvjetljenje

Ambijentalno osvjetljenje u mekšim, toplijim tonovima uvijek će stvoriti opušteniju atmosferu od oštre i hladne rasvjete.

Umirujuća paleta boja

Boje koje odaberete u svojoj spavaćoj sobi primarno ovise o vašem ukusu. Maksimalisti vole energične nijanse, a minimalisti jednostavne. No zemljane, suptilne nijanse opustit će više ljudi, stoga razmotrite kako ih možete uklopiti.

Znate li nešto više o temi ili želite prijaviti grešku u tekstu?

Shopping Product Reviews

Southern California regional boys’ and girls’ basketball scores and pairings

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONALS

Thursday’s Results
Quarterfinals

BOYS

Divison I
St. John Bosco 65, Windward 63
Damien 74, Redondo Union 54
Santa Ana Mater Dei 86, Corona Centennial 64
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 58, Rolling Hills Prep 49

Divison II
Heritage Christian 74, Mission Bay 69
Bakersfield Christian 75, La Costa Canyon 68
King/Drew 62, La Habra 55
Bakersfield Centennial 66, Thousand Oaks 62

Division III
San Marcos 74, Price 55
Bosco Tech 53, Woodbridge 48
Alemany 76, Scripps Ranch 62
University City 52, Hesperia 51

Division IV
Chatsworth 83, Estancia 54
Washington Prep 61, Westchester 57
Mission College Prep 66, Van Guys Grant 65
Cleveland 54, Palisades 48

Division V
San Pedro 76, Firebaugh 65
North Torrance 35, Garfield 30
Verdugo Hills 49, Corcoran 48
Buckley 64, Mount Miguel 53

GIRLS

Division I
Bishop Montgomery 72, Corona Santiago 55
La Jolla Country Day 42, Orangewood Academy 39
Moreno Valley 67, Birmingham 50
Brentwood 66, Santa Maria St. Joseph 59

Division II
Oak Park 62, Del Norte 51
Harvard-Westlake 70, JSerra 42
Santa Margarita 46, LA Hamilton 44
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 71, Cerritos 60

Division III
San Diego Cathedral 61, Anaheim Canyon 54
Granada Hills 48, Morro Bay 45
Rancho Bernardo 67, Palos Verdes 51
Bakersfield Christian 58, Francis Parker 37

Division IV
Newbury Park 51, West Ranch 42
Grossmont 57, Crenshaw 51
Oceanside 51, Chatsworth 42
Fallbrook 58, El Camino Real 48

Division V
Montgomery 75, La Mirada 41
Immanuel 51, Sage Creek 40
Escondido Charter 67, Antelope Valley 60
Savanna 50, Wilmington Banning 30

Note: Semifinals in all divisions are Saturday at higher seeds; Finals are Tuesday at higher seeds.

Saturday’s Schedule
Semifinals
(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

BOYS
Open Division
#4 Carlsbad at #1 Harvard-Westlake
#6 Santa Maria St. Joseph at #2 Eastvale Roosevelt

Divison I
#12 Damien at #1 St. John Bosco
#7 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at #3 Santa Ana Mater Dei

Divison II
#12 Bakersfield Christian at #1 Heritage Christian
#14 King/Drew 62 at #7 Bakersfield Centennial

Division III
#8 San Marcos at #4 Bosco Tech
#7 University City 52 at #3 Alemany

Division IV
#13 Washington Prep at #1 Chatsworth
#14 Mission College Prep at #2 Cleveland

Division V
#5 North Torrance at #1 San Pedro
#7 Buckley at #3 Verdugo Hills

GIRLS
Open Division
#4 Santa Ana Mater Dei at #1 Etiwanda
#3 Ontario Christian at #2 Sierra Canyon

Division I
#4 La Jolla Country Day at #1 Bishop Montgomery
#11 Moreno Valley at #7 Brentwood

Division II
#4 Harvard-Westlake at #1 Oak Park
#11 Santa Margarita at #10 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame

Division III
#16 San Diego Cathedral at #5 Granada Hills
#6 Rancho Bernardo at #2 Bakersfield Christian

Division IV
#4 Grossmont at #1 Newbury Park
#11 Oceanside at #7 Fallbrook

Division V
#4 Immanuel at #1 Montgomery
#6 Escondido Charter at #2 Savanna

Note: Finals are Tuesday at higher seeds.

Sports

Infinix Smart 8 Plus: 6000mAh battery, 50MP camera, 128GB storage and much more at just Rs 6,999

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Infinix Smart 8 Plus Price in India: Infinix has launched another entry-level smartphone – Infinix Smart 8 Plus – in India. This time the smartphone comes with a 6,000mAh battery and 50 megapixel dual AI camera. The smartphone is priced at Rs 6,999 and will go on sale on March 9, 2024 on Flipkart. 

The Smart 8 Plus will be available in 3 colour variants – Galaxy White, Timber Black and Shiny Gold

The Smart 8 Plus also has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and facial recognition technology. It will be powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 2.2 Ghz Octa Core Processor.

The smartphone comes with 128GB of internal storage and up to 8GB RAM via MemFusion technology and support for up to 2TB Micro SD. The Smart 8 Plus runs on Android 13 Go (XOS 13).

Infinix Smart 8 Plus Specs 

– The Smart 8 Plus comes with a 6000mAh battery with an 18W Type-C Charging.

– Smart 8 Plus comes with 128GB internal storage and up to 8GB of RAM including 4GB of virtual RAM.

– Smart 8 Plus comes up with a 50MP Dual Camera with a Quad-LED Ring Flash.

– Smart 8 Plus has a timber texture design.

– Comes with a MAGIC RING function that improves user interactions and adds ease of use.

– Smart 8 Plus comes up with a 6.6HD+ Punch-Hole 90Hz Display.

– Smart 8 Plus has a Side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

– Smart 8 Plus comes with an 8MP selfie camera with flash.

– Smart 8 Plus has a Mediatek Helio G36 Processor.

Technology

Crowds, a new scuba diving hotspot and the ‘PM Modi’ effect

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Just 12 kilometres from the southwestern town of Dwarka, Panchkui Beach is a white-sand coastal destination with immersive views of the Arabian Sea on the horizon to match. Bathed by the sunny, humid subtropical climate, the crowd-free locale draws praise for spiritual tourism, snorkelling, and island touring activities.

Bathed by the sunny, humid subtropical climate, the crowd-free locale draws praise for spiritual tourism, snorkelling, and island touring activities.

Easily accessible and with a wide range of diving to suit all tastes, it is also one of the most inexpensive and exciting scuba spots in the world—and PM Modi agrees, describing his experience as “very divine” on X (formerly Twitter). “To pray in the city of Dwarka, which is immersed in the waters, was a very divine experience. I felt connected to an ancient era of spiritual grandeur and timeless devotion. May Bhagwan Shri Krishna bless us all,” he wrote, sharing a set of photos from his underwater trip.

Hindustan Times – your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

And the recent attention to the popular activity and the destination has received quite a tourism bump as a result. “Since Sunday, there has been a steep incline in queries from prospective visitors,” confirmed Harshit Jakadiya, partner at Dwarka Scuba, a local scuba operator. “While it is common knowledge in the state, people from across India are now getting to know about the local and we are definitely expecting to see the numbers climb.”

Travel operators also observed the surge in demand. “We are witnessing an over 2.5x surge in demand for locations visited by the Prime Minister–and not just from metros, but increasingly from India’s Tier 2-3 source markets,” said Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Holidays, SOTC Travel. “Our customer data reveals interest from not just the traditional segments of families and seniors, but also young India’s millennials and Gen Z, and this is a very encouraging trend,” he added.

“After Lakshwadeep, Dwarka is another case in point, with our searches seeing over 150% uptick. In addition, what is noteworthy is the PM’s impact on inspiration for unique experiences and we have been seen a jump in queries for scuba/underwater inclusions for our tours post his Dwarka images shared by media,” explained Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited.

Those who are still learning about scuba-diving explorations near Dwarka to see the submerged remains of ancient Dwarka, Panchkui Beach and Shivrajpur Beach both offer some of the most convenient and exciting experiences in the state. From tracing the archaeological journey that led to the discovery with a local expert and PADI instructor to the serenity and stillness of being in the marine environment, it is hard not to be blown away when uncovering Gujarat’s dive scene. “A brilliant base for sightseeing, pilgrimage, seaside sports or birdwatching and marine exploration, visitors to Dwarka can reserve their 15-20 minute, (approx) 10-meter dive given they meet the necessary requirements,” shared Anshika Gupta, tour advisor at Universal Adventures.

Essential information:

Best time: October to April, with water temperatures ranging from 27 to 30 degrees Celsius and visibility between 5 to 7 meters​​.

Age: Anyone above 10 can indulge in the activity and elderly people above the age of 50 can participate given they are physically fit and healthy.

Booking the experience: Select a reputable diving agency that provides comprehensive packages, including equipment rental, training, and guided dives​​​​​​.

Costing: Depending on the dive location and agency, the cost for scuba diving in Dwarka can stand between Rs. 2,000 to 2,500 covering equipment, training, and a dive session.

Where to book: Dwarka Scuba (dwarkascuba.com), Universal Adventures (universaladventures.in), Divine Scuba (divinescuba.com) Dwarka Tourism (dwarkatourism.in)

Health advisory: People suffering from asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease or any breathing problem are discouraged from trying the activity.

Safety and training: Participants receive training on equipment use and safety measures before diving. Agencies ensure a safe and guided diving experience with professional instructors​​.

Inclusions: Most packages include scuba diving equipment, a costume, training, complimentary underwater video and photography, and all necessary permits and taxes​​.

Tours Travel

PlayStation Plus March 2024 Essentials includes a massive bonus for subscribers | Gaming | Entertainment

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Sony recently unveiled the PlayStation Plus games for March 2024. Headlined by martial-arts action game Sifu, the next batch of free PS4 and PS5 Essentials will be available to download and play on the morning of March 5. In addition to Sifu, subscribers will also be able to pick up racing simulation F1 23, as well as stealth thriller Hello Neighbour 2. In a slightly unusual turn of events, Sony has thrown in a bonus download, as Destiny 2 expansion The Witch Queen joins PS Plus in March.

READ MORE: PS Plus March 2024 FREE PS4 and PS5 games – Sifu, F1 23, Hello Neighbour 2 and Destiny DLC

Typically selling for £24.99 on the PlayStation Store, The Witch Queen expansion adds a new campaign, as well as a new location, enemies and weapons.

Developer Bungie explains more: “Delve into Savathûn’s Throne World to uncover the mystery of how she and her Lucent Hive stole the Light. Learn the secrets to crafting new weapons, the new Glaive, and survive the truth within her web of lies.

“A twisted wonderland of corruption and splendour, Savathûn’s Throne World plays host to a fragile balance of power. From her palace to the swamp, all that she hides can be found here.

“Create custom weaponry with unique mod, shader, and stat combinations. Master the new Glaive weapon type and unleash powerful melee combos, projectile attacks, and a deployable energy shield.”

Elsewhere, PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers can also access bonus content for popular free-to-play shooter The Finals.

If you’re a fan of The Finals, then you can pick up the S.O Sleek Bundle, which contains two sets of military themed outfits and weapon skins.

That’s two different military-style outfits, as well as a whopping 12 Epic Weapon Skins for your firearms.

The March PS Plus games will replace the current line-up, which includes Foamstars, Rollerdrome and Steelrising.

Bearing a slight resemblance to Splatoon, Foamstars is a brand new multiplayer game published by Square Enix.

The 4-v-4 shooter arms players with foam shooters that can be used to damage opponents, restrict movement and even build defences.

Arts Entertainments

Polestar funding boost confirmed, but Volvo hole not filled

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A major funding boost for ailing Chinese-Swedish electric vehicle (EV) specialist Polestar may not be enough for the brand to break even, as it fights for relevancy in an increasingly crowded market.

This week, Polestar announced it had secured US$950 million (A$1.46 billion) in funding from “a syndicate of global banks”.

The near billion-dollar injection barely covers the 30 per cent stake in Polestar recently offloaded by former parent company Volvo, which it valued at 9.5 billion Swedish krona (A$1.4 billion). Volvo retains an 18 per cent stake in the brand.

It also does not reach the US$1.3 billion (A$2bn) in external funding Polestar previously said it would need to break even in 2025.

  • Polestar 2

Polestar is now owned by Chinese car giant Geely, but shares almost all of its EV components with either its parent company or more established sibling Volvo.

As such, the brand has struggled to establish itself against an increasingly competitive EV market, with competition coming from fellow Chinese brands – which aim themselves towards the more affordable end of the spectrum – and established brands including Tesla.

In January, Polestar said it would retrench 450 staff, about 15 per cent of its workforce, in a bid to reduce external spending and edge closer to breaking even.

  • Polestar funding boost confirmed, but Volvo hole not filled
    Polestar 4

At present, Polestar’s model lineup consists of the Polestar 2 (based on the Volvo XC40) and the upcoming Polestar 4. The latter being its only truly bespoke model but still underpinned by a Geely EV platform.

The upcoming Polestar 3 large SUV is the brand’s spin-off on the new Volvo EX90, with both vehicles delayed due to development issues.

In 2023, the Polestar 2 was the seventh best-selling EV in Australia, with the 2463 examples sold representing less than one-tenth of the Tesla Model Y’s 28,769 sales.

It was also outsold by the electric Volvo XC40 upon which it is based, which recorded 2846 sales across the same period.

MORE: Volvo pulls plug on Polestar funding as electric car brand struggles

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Crypto Whales Keeping a Close Eye on Render Price in 2024, Onchain Data Suggests ALGT Ready for Breakout

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Render (RNDR), a crypto project known as one of the promising projects in the crypto market, has unique features alongside its price potential. Render is currently ready to make a new all-time high since it is very close to crossing its previous all-time high. Render is currently priced at $7.49, and its all-time high was $8.78, which is not very far (According to CMC).

Render (RNDR) was launched in 2017. In the 2021 bear market, when the crypto market went down, many altcoins suffered major declines. Mostly, it failed to recover the price when the market started to get stable, but Render (RNDR) is one of the projects that have recovered amazingly and is now almost near to achieving new all-time highs.

Today, Bitcoin crossed $61,000, and many analysts have speculated that the crypto market is back in the bull run. So now the focus of the investors has shifted towards the projects that are recovering and performing with potential. Crypto Whales are closely eyeing Render’s price in 2024. Analysts predict that Render (RNDR) will cross $10 this year if it continues to recover amazingly.

Render (RNDR) is currently ranked #41 out of 100 among the altcoins by CoinMarketCap, which is another factor that increases the investors’ confidence in the investors and crypto whales that are eyeing this project. In the last 24 hours, Render’s price has observed a 3% increase, which is an indicator of its upward trajectory.

Alongside Render (RNDR), there is another amazing new project in the crypto market that recently launched with a massive pre-sale, which was a huge success. The on-chain data about this project reveals that it is ready for a major breakout, which is the second factor driving the investor’s confidence, with the success of pre-sale being the first one.

This project is Algotech (ALGT), which has become an eye-catcher for investors due to its amazing price potential, features, and exemplary roadmap. Algotech (ALGT) has already become the new talk of the town after its impressive performance. 

ALGT Ready for a Major Breakout – Onchain Data Reveals

Algotech (ALGT) is a DeFi project with significant upside potential and has become one of the most successful newly launched projects after its successful massive pre-sale. Algotech (ALGT) has grabbed the attention of investors due to its comprehensive set of features, including hedging, mean reversion, trading bots, social trading, momentum trading, and algorithmic consolidation.  

The attraction for major investors was significantly increased following Algotech’s private seed round, where the project successfully raised $1.1 million within just two days. Presently, in Stage 1, with the token priced at $0.04, expectations are set for a rise to $0.15 by Stage 4. With stage 2 starting at $0.06.

Investors are constantly eyeing this project for price movements due to the analysts’ predictions, which are further boosting investors’ confidence in ALGT. Algotech (ALGT) has a community-centric approach when it comes to its investors. Token holders will be entitled to governance rights and profit shares as well. 

Learn more about this project: 

Visit Algotech Presale

Join The Algotech Community

Cryptocurrency

CDC recommends additional COVID vaccine for adults 65 and over

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Older adults in the U.S. should get another COVID-19 booster even if they received one in the fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The guidance was released on Wednesday from Mandy Cohen, CDC director, and the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The agency recommended that adults ages 65 years and older receive “an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose” due to an “increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults,” as stated in the announcement.

LONG COVID IMPACTS 10% OF PREGNANT WOMEN, STUDY FINDS: ‘TAKE PRECAUTIONS’

Those who are immunocompromised are also eligible for an additional booster, as announced in October 2023.

“Today’s recommendation allows older adults to receive an additional dose of this season’s COVID-19 vaccine to provide added protection,” said Cohen in a press release.

Older adults in the U.S. should get another COVID-19 booster shot even if they received one in the fall, according to guidance from the CDC. (iStock)

“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,” she added. 

“An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk.”

LARGEST-EVER COVID VACCINE STUDY LINKS SHOT TO SMALL INCREASE IN HEART AND BRAIN CONDITIONS

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said the decision about whether to get an additional dose depends on the patient and the prevalence of the virus.

“I am certainly keeping an eye on my older patients in high-risk groups, especially those with chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, COPD and obesity — but this is not ‘one size fits all,’” he told Fox News Digital. 

Man getting vaccine

“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,” said the CDC director in a statement. (iStock)

“The vaccine is a useful tool and it appears to be effective against the prevailing strains,” he added. 

“I would not be giving it routinely to all unless new evidence emerges that it is wearing off.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Dr. Jacob Glanville, a virology expert and founder of Centivax, a San Francisco pharmaceutical company, said the CDC’s advice is based on the much higher risk of death by COVID-19 in this age category, combined with the relatively low 51% efficacy of the vaccines against current mismatched circulating strains. 

Nurse giving vaccine

As of Feb. 23, the share of adults 65 and over that have received the updated COVID vaccine was 41.8%, according to CDC data. (iStock)

“A boost can serve to increase the proportion of antibodies and T-cells that can still respond to a mismatch strain, and thus provide additional protection,” Glanville told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As of Feb. 23, the share of adults 65 and over that have received the updated COVID vaccine was 41.8%, according to CDC data.

The compliance rate was 22.3% for adults 18 and over and 13.1% for children.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].

Health Fitness

Indian Recipes That Make Up A Low Cholesterol Diet – Nutritionist Approved

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Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in all cells in the body. Our body needs cholesterol for good health, but in the right amounts, explains the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Unhealthy levels of cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol, which can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. The Indian Heart Association says that cholesterol problems are “very common among South Asians due to genetic risk, lack of physical activity, and suboptimal dietary habits.” Changing what foods you eat can lower your cholesterol. Harvard explains that adding foods that lower LDL, the harmful cholesterol-carrying particle that contributes to artery-clogging, is the best way to achieve a low-cholesterol diet.
Certified Nutritionist and Diet Consultant, Suhani Jain, Bloomwithin, has shared 5 healthy and easy Indian recipes that can be a part of your low-cholesterol diet. But make sure to follow portion control and do not use excessive oil during the cooking process.

Here Are 5 Indian Cholesterol-Lowering Recipes As Approved By A Nutritionist:

1. Sprouted Moong Chat

Sprouted moong is a great source of dietary fibre- specifically soluble fibre which helps in cholesterol management. Add a bowl of green gram sprouts with veggies to your breakfast or evening meal. You can also add in roasted flaxseeds, chopped almonds and some lemon which will further aid in lowering cholesterol and adding flavour to the dish.

2. Spinach Khichdi

The humble Indian khichdi is one of the most comforting foods out there. Due to its dal and rice composition, it is protein-packed and great for lowering cholesterol levels. If it seems too basic or boring, add some spinach leaves along with spices like jeera, turmeric, and methi seeds which are all flavourful superfoods.

Spinach Khichdi Photo Credit: iStock

3. Methi Garlic Coriander Chutney

Our age-old Indian wisdom gives us various interesting chutneys and dips made with medicinal herbs and spices. One such dip could be prepared using methi seeds, garlic and coriander leaves. Methi seeds have a high fibre content (50%) and hence help lower cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels in patients with high serum cholesterol, the nutritionist explains. They can be roasted and powdered to mix with garlic and coriander leaves. The diet consultant adds that an intake of 1/2 to one clove of garlic per day has been proven to lower cholesterol levels by approximately 10%. Coriander leaves too support reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol) while improving HDL (Good cholesterol).
Also Read: Just Healthy Food Is Not Enough; Focus On Mindful Eating For Good Health

4. Moringa Oats Cheela

Moringa (drumstick) is hailed for its medicinal uses and is also great for lowering bad cholesterol, improving good cholesterol, and combating heart disease. Add this moringa leaves-stuffed oats cheela to your diet, mixing it with some low-fat curd. Oats have beta-glucan as its major component of soluble fibre, which benefits in lowering cholesterol if regularly consumed, Nutritionist Jain adds.

5. Aliv Seeds Laddu

Aliv/ Halim seeds are healthy for people suffering from high levels of cholesterol, according to the nutritionist. Its regular consumption ensures a reduction of LDL-bad cholesterol. These seeds can be made into laddus- by soaking them with some flax seeds in plain / coconut water for 2 hours. Then they can be combined with jaggery, grated coconut, chopped almonds and other preferences to turn them into a delicious laddu which is full of iron, folic acid, and fibre and super helpful to combat cholesterol.
Also Read: Looking For Vitamin D-Rich Vegetarian Food? Here Are 5 Healthy And Tasty Indian Recipes

Add these healthy, cholesterol-lowering Indian recipes to your diet and reduce or stop the consumption of unhealthy, high-cholesterol, processed foods.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Home Kitchen

Tom Sandoval’s Interview Shows the Perils of Doing PR for Reality TV

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Tom Sandoval, a star of “Vanderpump Rules,” has shared a lot in the decade that he has appeared on that reality TV show, the 11th season of which began airing on Bravo in January. But in a recent interview with The New York Times Magazine, Mr. Sandoval, 41, said things that surprised even people who were well familiar with his penchant for shocking behavior.

Speaking about the public interest in an affair he had with a co-star while he was dating another co-star, a tryst known as “Scandoval,” Mr. Sandoval said that he was not a historian of pop culture, but that he “witnessed the O.J. Simpson thing and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare this to that, I think, but do you think in a weird way it’s a little bit the same?”

Mr. Sandoval also said he felt that he received more hate for his affair than the actor “Danny Masterson, and he’s a convicted rapist.” He spoke in the presence of a member of his publicity team, which to some was as astonishing as his comments.

The writer who interviewed Mr. Sandoval for The Times Magazine wrote that a representative for Bravo contacted her after their conversation took place and before it was published to relay concerns about what he had said.

Alyx Sealy, a publicist for Mr. Sandoval, declined to comment for this article. Bravo declined to participate. Adam Ambrose, a publicist who represents reality stars and who has represented Mr. Sandoval in the past, said in an emailed statement that working with people on reality TV could present unique challenges because of the nature of that genre.

“Unscripted stars portray and are their authentic selves, so at times the lines can be blurred for them to discern between being in front of the camera and speaking to the media,” said Mr. Ambrose, the founder of Brand Influential, a public relations company in Los Angeles, who emphasized that he was speaking generally and not about any specific client, past or present. “Sometimes they may be perceived as uncoachable, making it more challenging to manage their media presence from a P.R. perspective.”

He continued: “Moreover, the interest in their lives is or can be more intense than other ‘celebrities,’ as fans feel like they truly know and identify with them. So, when a scandal occurs, it can spark an out-of-the-ordinary public response. The media attention can spiral out of control to the point where the humanity of the situation can be truly lost and forgotten.”

Kelly Brady, a publicist and the founder of Brandsway Creative in New York, a public relations and branding company, said an opportunity like Mr. Sandoval’s recent interview with The Times Magazine was “a great get” for a controversial client because it had the potential to “to change public opinion.”

Ms. Brady, whose company represents stars of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and other Bravo shows, said her preparations for that type of interview could involve researching the outlet and the journalist in order to prepare a client “as much as you possibly can.” But even if every detail has been thought out, she said, there is still the chance that someone will go off script.

That’s why Lori Krebs, a publicist for reality stars who include past and present cast members of “Vanderpump Rules,” said she preferred that her reality TV clients participate in articles only by outlets that agree to involve her in the editing process, in order “to ensure a positive outcome.” (The New York Times does not agree to such arrangements.)

Ms. Krebs, the founder of Lori K Public Relations in Montreal and Los Angeles, described reality stars as “a very different type of celebrity.” Some people expect them to be more relatable than traditional celebrities, she said, which can “make it more challenging to manage their image.”

Lynn Hason, a publicist and the founder of Lab Media Group, a public relations and branding company in New York that has worked with stars of “Housewives of Salt Lake City” and “Housewives of New York City,” said her approach to handling interviews with reality TV clients had been influenced by a line from “Hamilton.”

“‘Talk less, smile more,’” Ms. Hason said.

Lifestyle Fashion

Salma Hayek otkrila je da koristi maskaru za prikrivanje sijedih dlaka na kosi

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Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.

SALMA Hayek nedavno je na Instagramu podijelila svoj brzi trik za prikrivanje sijedih dlačica, ostavljajući obožavatelje oduševljene jednostavnošću i praktičnošću.

U videu je pokazala kako koristi maskaru za trepavice kako bi prikrila svoje sijede dlačice. Iako se može činiti neobičnim, ovaj trik zaista funkcionira, a Salma je objasnila da, kada sama uređuje kosu, koristi upravo ovu metodu. Maskara koju koristi u videu je Charlotte Tilbury – Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes.

Salmin trik pruža jednostavno rješenje za trenutno prikrivanje sijedih dlačica bez odlaska u salon ili korištenja trajnih boja za kosu. Za sve one koji su u potrazi za brzim i jednostavnim rješenjem, ovo je sjajan trik koji vrijedi isprobati.

Koristi i L’Oréalov sprej za kosu 

U videu je također otkrila kako njen frizer koristi poseban sprej L’Oréal Professionnel Hair Touch Up kako bi prekrio sijede dlačice ako ne stigne otići na bojanje kose.

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