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This year, a number of new games with NFTs and crypto tokens splashed onto the scene with a mix of early access releases and full launches. From shooters to trading card games and RPGs, there’s now a wide range of games in the blockchain space for both PCs and mobile devices.
Here’s a look at the biggest blockchain games that really broke out—and generated excitement—in 2023.
The interplanetary sci-fi trading card game Parallel is, without a doubt, one of the games that made the biggest impact in blockchain gaming in 2023. From its closed beta launch to gorgeous card art and deeply strategic gameplay, Parallel is setting a higher standard for what NFT-enhanced games can look like—making it not only one of the biggest Web3 games of the year but also GG’s 2023 Game of the Year.
While many TCGs can feel like little more than Hearthstone clones, Parallel has really set itself apart from the competition with its unique factions or “parallels” that offer special abilities, like Augencore’s ability to “upgrade” cards and Kathari’s cloning abilities. Furthermore, Parallel is already expanding its world with a separate “Colony” game in development that plans to use AI-powered characters that interact with the blockchain.
Illuvium is an ambitious sci-fi fantasy project that currently spans four games and tons of NFTs. Its open-world RPG and pet collecting game, Overworld, is still in beta but already offers gorgeous, immersive environments and some seriously fun flying mechanics. Its pet battler arena mode, Arena, also looks promising as esports giant Team Liquid has promised to help advise the Illuvium team on Arena’s development.
This pixelated browser game is one of the few titles on this list that’s been fully released. Pixels generated a lot of buzz on social media after it migrated to Axie Infinity’s Ronin blockchain—and fans are looking forward to the project’s anticipated second token launch and airdrop.
While browser games often leave a lot to be desired, Pixels’ minimalistic, retro 2D look and chatty community that grew substantially this year make it one of the biggest blockchain games of 2023.
Shrapnel is a first-person extraction shooter with serious promise. It’s among the 6% of blockchain games that have actually gotten AAA-levels of funding, recently raising another $20 million for its game development back in October. The game’s sci-fi dystopian world already looks cinematic, offering more varied color palettes and atmosphere than your typical Call of Duty game.
The Shrapnel team has also built its own blockchain tech, GameBridge, to facilitate its NFT items—and has truly taken an all-in approach to high-stakes crypto gaming. With its early access rollout planned to begin in January, Shrapnel is positioned to compete with the likes of Escape from Tarkov and other high-budget shooters.
Off the Grid
The upcoming crypto-powered battle royale shooter Off the Grid has dystopian “District 9” film director Neill Blomkamp as its chief creative officer. This year, the Off the Grid studio launched its own dedicated Avalanche-based blockchain subnet’s test network, which will power all of the upcoming game’s crypto transactions. A mobile companion game was also launched, offering players the ability to race around virtual industrial spaces with a drone to collect loot that will be usable in the main game.
With its visionary CCO, continued progress, and ambitious battle royale plans, Off the Grid is without a doubt one of the biggest blockchain games of the year—even though it’s still in development.
Deadrop is an upcoming first-person shooter that has offered up multiple playable early access builds to fans this year. The game is being created by ex-Halo developers as well as the YouTuber Dr. Disrespect, who’s already cultivated a passionate community around the game. At a Las Vegas event, fans showed up in Deadrop-themed cosplay—and the latest game build unveiled car races, putting a new twist on the extraction shooter.
My Pet Hooligan
My Pet Hooligan (MPH) is a quirky, colorful battle royale shooter that offers optional NFTs and tokens alongside its game, which was released on the Epic Games Store this year. Like many of the other games on this list, MPH has a passionate group of fans on social media who love posting their edgy rabbit avatars in Twitter reply sections. The game itself is also a lot of fun, offering weapons like paintball and water guns as well as a cartoonish map that feels as if Futurama met Fortnite.
Year in review
Overall, this year represented a real step forward for the space, but many of the most appealing games are still in development and are far from being feature-complete. Out of the games that have been released this year, many still feel unfinished or a little too pay-to-win to be fun long-term. But there are a lot of strong starting points.
Will 2024 finally be the year that we see a breakout game that brings blockchain to the masses, as some industry proponents believe? Stay tuned to GG as we continue to closely cover this growing industry.
Edited by Andrew Hayward


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[MHN.Korea.com] Designer brand 'Kim Rieul''s head officer Kim Jong Won, announced his official partnership with 'TLX PASS', a work-out and diet membership service system.
TLX PASS will expand its business from its original key contents of healthy lifestyle, beauty and launch a new 'Rieul' team that will start on marketing aspects.
Kim Jong Won, the CEO of Kim Rieul has been a designer who's strongly focused on expressing his own identity and thoughts of what he perceives as himself, 'Kim Rieul'.
Through the brand 'Rieul', he has re-invented Hanbok and achieved his first solo fashion show at the age of 25 in 100 days.
He's also never done any commercial work before but worked with New Balance as his first client, a surprising result for a newbie brand.
From now on, Kim will be the creative director of TLX PASS, orienting many parts of the TLX PASS.
For his first project with TLX PASS, he produced a work of video clips titled 'True Life eXperience' with model Han Hyun Min. Han is a young model who has been named as one of the most influential teens in the world by TIME magazine.
This video was produced to renew TLX PASS' identity from simply being a work-out app, to a broader service app that brings one to rebuild oneself's identity.
Now Director Kim shared, "I feel honored and have this sense of duty to upgrade the next steps of TLX PASS. Not only will I enhance the brand's value in providing services such as work-outs and healthy lifestyles, but also further continue such great motives into productions and sales with videos and special projects."
TLX PASS is a membership service app that provides work-out plans at an affordable price for anyone, anywhere. Users can purchase as many passes as they want, and have unlimited access to more than 4,000 programs that include 30 different work-out routines.

domain: news


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Opinion: Elon Musk is right. Tesla should leave California.
Updated: May 20, 2020
Opinion Editorial by Claudia Smajlaj
Though California was once a top state for businesses, restrictions placed on one of the most technologically advanced companies proves otherwise. Not allowing Tesla to resume operations will do more harm than good, for both Tesla and the state of California.
On Saturday, May 9, 2020, Tesla filed suit against Alameda County, California, after local officials prohibited Tesla from restarting manufacturing operations at its Fremont factory. Elon Musk had been preparing to get assembly lines running again on Friday by allowing a fraction of Tesla’s factory workers to return to work, but the county said the company “must not reopen” due to local restrictions on nonessential businesses. In a Twitter thread that same day, Musk tweeted “Tesla is filing a lawsuit against Alameda County immediately. The unelected & ignorant ‘Interim Health Officer’ of Alameda is acting contrary to the Governor, the President, our Constitutional freedoms & just plain common sense!” Following that tweet, Musk continued “Frankly, this is the final straw. Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will dependen [sic] on how Tesla is treated in the future. Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA.” In the file, Tesla is seeking to invalidate Alameda County’s closure order by arguing that it goes against the county’s health and safety guidance.
The truth of the matter is: Tesla’s best course of action is to move its HQ out of California, primarily due to restrictive laws and high state taxes from an overbearing government. In order for the company to flourish as it did before the Coronavirus pandemic, it needs to go to a state where economies are starting up again and shelter in place orders are less restrictive.
Moving Tesla HQ was an idea Musk had a few months ago that seemed to have gotten positive feedback. In February, Musk took a Twitter poll asking his followers if there should be a “Gigafactory” in Texas, to which 80.2% of voters agreed with him. Even Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted back "Come to Texas! We would welcome Tesla HQ in Texas. We love jobs & Texans very much want to open up & get back to work (while still staying safe & following sound science). We make lots of cars & trucks in Texas, and we'd love more!!"
Musk had planned on resuming operations regardless of opposition but was warned by the Alameda County Health Department that doing so would be a violation of the county's rules. Infuriated, Musk tweeted on May 11, 2020 “Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”
We can clearly see the push and pull between politicians who want to keep people safe and argue that easing restrictions will facilitate the spread of the coronavirus, and businesses that want to save their companies and get the economy up and running again.
The county officials won’t budge, and Musk won’t give up. At this point, Alameda County needs to work with Musk so Tesla’s Fremont factory can run as safely as possible. Reopening the factory is entirely appropriate, and Tesla should be allowed to do so with no trouble from restrictive government orders. If many essential businesses have proven that they can successfully operate under safe conditions while maintaining social distancing practices, why should one of the greatest tech companies in the world not be allowed to reopen as well?
Tesla’s restart plan followed months of “careful planning and preparation,” and even released a list of safety protocols it would implement while working during the pandemic. Tesla also learned how to deal with Covid-19 through its factory in Shanghai, China, which proves that it would follow safety protocols and function without putting lives in danger.
Tesla is a critical employment base in California, not to mention it also pays an incredible amount of taxes to the state with the highest income tax in the country. California imposes an income tax rate of 13.3% on its highest earners. If Musk moved his primary residence from California, he could save hundreds of millions of dollars, if not billions, in income taxes in the coming years.
U.S. auto plants need to be reopened to meet increasing demand for vehicles as the economy begins to recover from the Coronavirus. Other auto manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler have plans to restart production at manufacturing facilities on May 18. Elon Musk is the driving force pushing for an earlier date.
AutoNation’s Mike Jackson told CNBC that “It’s entirely appropriate that the factories reopen. I fully support it. We need the vehicles. As a matter of fact, I would go so far as to say, I support Elon Musk. Tesla should open.”
The lack of production in Fremont cuts off Tesla’s revenue and is a big financial strain. Tesla lost nearly $700 million in the quarter ended March 31, one of its worst quarters on record. On April 24, the carmaker reported first-quarter net loss of $668 million on total revenues of $4.5 billion. On a conference call last month, Musk said the company only has assembly plants in Fremont and Shanghai, and the Fremont facility produces the majority of its vehicles. Some would see the closure of the Fremont facility as a very serious risk, but this is necessary for the company. Elon Musk is taking the steps necessary for Tesla.
Claudia Smajlaj is a rising sophomore at American University who is studying Finance in the Kogod School of Business. Claudia currently works at the Center for Business Communications (CBC) and is an on-staff writer for the DC Intervention.


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Netflix has announced a cheaper, mobile-only subscription plan in India, according to reports.
The company recently tested similar plans around some Asian markets last year. The new plan is priced at Rs 199 ($2.80), and it will be limited to a single phone and only be in standard definition.
It is much cheaper than Netflix’s current basic option, which is Rs 499 ($7.25). The premium plan costs Rs 799 ($11.60).
Netflix announced the launch with its Q2 earnings, and said it was going to focus on India first because of local market conditions.
“After several months of testing, we’ve decided to roll out a lower-priced mobile-screen plan in India to complement our existing plans,” the company said. “We believe this plan will be an effective way to introduce a larger number of people in India to Netflix and to further expand our business in a market where Pay TV ARPU (average revenue per user) is low (below $5).”
Netflix also tested the mobile-only subscription plan in Malaysia, but didn’t disclose where it will take it next.
Netflix recently reported slower growth than usual and a net streaming loss for the first time. The company said globally it increased 2.7 million members, which is half of last year and under the mark for the 5 million it had predicted. The streaming loss in the U.S. was 130,000 members. This coincides with a price hike that saw costs rise 18 percent earlier in the year, and in Europe where in some places prices rose 20 percent.
“Our missed forecast was across all regions, but slightly more so in regions with price increases,” the company said.
The membership drop means Netflix may decide to bring the mobile-only plans stateside at some point. A report by eMarketer showed that adults spend more time on phones now than they do watching TV.
Google recently said that 70 percent of YouTube watch time is on a mobile phone as well, and that YouTube accounts for almost 40 percent of all mobile traffic around the world.


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Lana Del Rey has been announced as the face of H&M’s Autumn/Winter range. What a pity. The fashion world seems to love her, even if music fans remain unconvinced. Last year, a shoot she did for Wonderland magazine was photoshopped as an ad for Prada – all they did was ad the Prada logo to the image.
And while there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with musicians shilling for fashion labels – Pete Doherty starred in a Kooples campaign recently – H&M and Lana feels like a strange mix. Neither highbrow, nor lowbrow. Just middle of the road.


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DENVER — Ahead of a Monday press conference, Gov. Jared Polis released detailed sector-specific guidelines for businesses reopening under the state’s new “safer at home” order.
On Monday, Colorado began moving into the “safer at home” phase of the pandemic response. Some businesses are allowed to reopen with strict precautions in place, but Polis emphasized that “life will remain much more dangerous than usual these next few months.”
The new guidance released Monday includes best practices for all types of workplaces.
“The Stay-at-Home order has done just what we wanted it to – slowed the spread of the virus and bought us time to expand the capacity of our health care system. We are in this for the long haul, and Coloradans need to be prepared to follow social distancing requirements in the weeks and months ahead,” said Governor Jared Polis. “If Coloradans let up over the next few weeks if we fail to take this new phase seriously — we might have to face staying at home again, and all of our gains will be lost. I cannot stress this enough – we must continue to stay home as much as possible, wear facial masks when out, and be cautious and careful. We are nowhere near being back to normal, but we will get through this together.”
The state continues working to increase testing capacity and acquiring more critical personal protective equipment and supplies, but Colorado’s Stay-at-Home order has met the short-term goals the Governor identified last month.
Safer at Home is meant to provide a more sustainable way of living for Coloradans, while managing the spread of the virus to ensure our healthcare system has the capacity to manage an influx. Goals of this period include:
- Managing the spread of the virus (R0 between 2 and 1)
- Accessing to world-class health care for every Coloradan that gets sick
- Finding a more sustainable way to live
- Helping more Coloradans earn a living while protecting health and safety
- Minimizing secondary health effects (mental and behavioral health impacts)
Changes happening during Safer at Home will be phased in, with different changes going into effect April 27, May 1 and May 4.
Monday, April 27
- Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery.
- Real estate home showings can resume.
- Elective medical and dental procedures may resume if facilities are following required safety protocols.
Friday, May 1
- Retail businesses can phase-in a public opening if they are implementing best practices.
- Personal services can open if they are implementing best practices.
Monday, May 4
- Offices can reopen at 50% reduced in-person staffing capacity if best practices are being implemented to protect the health and safety of employees. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to continue telecommuting at higher levels if possible.
- Child care facilities can also expand or reopen if they are following Safer at Home requirements.
The state also released sector-specific guidance for industries including:
- childcare facilities
- P-12 education
- field services and real estate, including real estate, landscaping, house cleaning, and others
- higher education
- limited health care settings, including chiropractic care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and others
- local and personal recreation, including tennis courts, golf courses, trails, and parks
- nursing homes and congregate care facilities
- office-based businesses
- personal services, including hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, tattoo shops, personal trainers, pet groomers, and others
- retail, including appliance stores, thrift shops, vape and cigar shops, department stores, and others
FULL PRESSER HERE:
The “safer at home” executive order is set to expire 30 days from Monday, but could be extended.


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Boris Johnson has approved plans for the £1billion extension of Westfield’s Shepherd’s Bush shopping centre and the building of 1,300 new homes
Designed by Allies and Morrison, the scheme will be anchored by a 21,000m² John Lewis department store and will also include restaurants and cafés, office space, a children’s play area and a new leisure complex.
According to the AJ’s sister publication Construction News, Westfield will build 1,347 homes as part of the expansion, including 162 affordable homes, at least 40 per cent of which will be social rented.
The development sits within the White City Opportunity Area - one of more than 30 areas designated by the mayor of London with significant capacity for new housing, commercial and other development.
John Lewis’s head of format development Tim Harrison said: ‘This is very positive news. We will continue to work closely with Westfield during the next design stage and towards delivery of the shop for 2017.’
Other developments in White City include the redevelopment of the former BBC Television Centre by developer Stanhope [with AHMM, Duggan Morris, HOK and Maccreanor Lavington] and a new campus for Imperial College, London.
On approving the scheme Johnson said: ‘Westfield has had a transformational impact on Shepherds Bush and White City, kickstarting widespread social and economic regeneration.
‘This expansion will create thousands of much-needed new homes and jobs and ensure that the area remains one of West London’s leading shopping destinations for many years to come.’


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Tori Amos will return on May 13 with her 14th studio album, Unrepentant Geraldines. To celebrate, the iconic singer-songwriter is planning an in-store performance at Rough Trade NYC in Brooklyn on Tuesday, April 29. Best of all? SPIN wants to send you to the gig.
We’re offering five (5) pairs of tickets to see the event. To qualify, follow @SPINMagazine on Twitter and RT this tweet. Be quick, though — the contest closes on Monday, April 28. SPIN will also be live-streaming the performance, so check out SPIN.com on April 29, just before 7 p.m. EST.
Of course, Rough Trade is also offering entrance to the concert. Pre-order Unrepentant Geraldines at Rough Trade NYC starting at 9 a.m. EST on April 29 to receive one wristband good for access to a Tori Amos autograph-signing and intimate performance beginning at 7 p.m. that same evening. Space is limited.


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This coming Monday Google is going to launch an in-browser video playback feature that is the next logical step in its video search functionality that has been taking uploads from anybody that cared to submit since April. However, what does all of this mean to the average web site manager?
There is currently a lot of speculation about the size of Google’s video library and their motivation for making this move. In particular, there is a feeling this is yet another attempt to undermine Microsoft this time by targeting their windows media player.
Of course, none of this has an immediate impact on those currently running a web site. However, there are aspects to this move by Google that does have immediate consequences:
As you are no doubt aware, Google currently uses a range of criteria to establish the page ranking of a web site. Many of these criteria are hard to control which is why Google has adopted them. There hope is that by using independent criteria like link popularity it will make their results impartial.
One characteristic of Google’s new video search features is that it does not use their normal page ranking system but rather relies on the keywords provided by the owner of the video. Although this will no doubt change in time, it does provide a unique opportunity to get your content listed under the exact phrases that are important to you.
If you have video content that you want to deliver to an online audience, you can do so using exactly the keywords you specify. Just make sure you add your website address to the end of the video to make sure the viewer can find out more.
Free video streaming service
Probably the most significant implication of this move by Google is that in effect it is providing a free video streaming service. Organisations that do not have the money or ability to host their own streaming video can upload their content to Google and link directly to it there.
The conclusion is simple, if you have video content you have been considering putting online then now is a good time. Google will not only help you promote it they will even host it for free. That will give Microsoft something to think about!


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CLAIBORNE OK”D ON DOONEY & BOURKE
WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission said Friday it has given Liz Claiborne approval to buy Dooney & Bourke.
Liz Claiborne announced in September that it planned to acquire the better accessories manufacturer for an undisclosed sum in an effort to broaden its portfolio of brands.
The cash deal is expected to close by the end of the year. Dooney & Bourke, based in Norwalk, Conn., produces handbags, luggage, belts and small leather goods for department and speciality stores.
In giving its approval, the FTC signaled it found no anticompetitive problems with the deal.


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Tesla Cybertruck design ‘finally locked’; production to begin from mid 2023
The wait for the Tesla Cybertruck could finally be over as the CEO of the electric vehicle giant , Elon Musk, has said in an interview that the design for the pickup truck has been “finally locked". The company has also updated the production timeline of the Cybertruck to mid 2023. While speaking to the Tesla Owners Club of Silicon Valley, Musk said, “We need to get on (getting the Cybertruck to production). At least, the design is finally locked. We got too carried away (with design updates)."
The Cybertruck has been long due since it was first unveiled back in 2019, and at that time, Tesla had said that the electric pickup truck would make it to market by the end of 2021. However, the timeline for production was then shifted to late 2022 at Gigafactory Texas. However, as the focus shifted to ramping up the production of the Model Y, and that being delayed as well, the production of Cybertruck production also slipped.
Also Read : Former Tesla employee rejects $15 million jury award in racism case. Here's why)
In March 2022, Musk confirmed that Tesla will complete the development of the Cybertruck this year and aim for production in 2023. And the latest timeline update suggests that the company is on track for this, especially with the design being ‘locked’. A major reason for delay of the Tesla Cybertruck production has been attributed to the company updating the design again and again.
Also check these Cars
Some of the latest design changes on the Tesla Cybertruck include addition of rear-wheel-steering and a few other slight design changes. And even if Tesla wouldn't have delayed the production due to design changes, volume production would have suffered due to chip shortage, the CEO mentioned in the interview.
The new and updated Cybertruck was spotted earlier this year being tested by Tesla as well as being used for promotion at events.


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Capgemini Invent Study: The Economic Impact of Open Data
Latest study shows that open data is an enabler for the economy.
Study by Capgemini Invent highlights the benefits of re-using open data to increase efficiency, reduce costs across services and support social and environmental goals
Paris, February 25, 2020 – Capgemini Invent today published its latest report on the economic value of open data in Europe. “The Economic Impact of Open Data: Opportunities for value creation in Europe” highlights the quantifiable opportunities from using and re-using open data sets, including increasing efficiency; reducing costs; and supporting social and environmental goals. The report was requested by the European Commission within the context of the European Data Portal, led by Capgemini Invent.
First published in 2015, the updated study looks at how open data can create economic value in multiple ways. This year’s report found that open data can be beneficial in a variety of sectors, in a variety of ways and for a variety of re-users such as businesses, governments and citizens. The report finds that open data enables faster and easier access to more information, allowing better decision making. Key findings from this study include:
Open data market size: Findings from relevant literature show a narrow range of results on open data market size when made comparable as share of GDP. In a conservative growth scenario, the open data market size for EU27+ will reach €199.51 billion in 2025. In the optimistic scenario, it is €334.20 billion in 2025. This results in a growth potential of €134.69 billion.
Open data employment: Growth is also expected in the number of people who are employed due to open data. It is forecast that in 2025 the number of direct and indirect open data employees can potentially grow to 1.97 million in an optimistic scenario. This is a growth potential of 884 thousand open data employees. If by 2025 the value created by each employee exceeds €169 thousand (current status in 2019), the open data market size could potentially be even larger than forecast.
Efficiency gains and cost savings due to open data: The value created by open data goes beyond solely financial benefits. Not only does open data help businesses and governments generate more revenues due to new services, or reduce costs by working more efficiently, it can also help to save lives, save time, preserve the environment, and enhance knowledge transfer through language services.
Opportunities for reaching the full potential of open data: When looking at open data value creation, opportunities lie not only in the size of the workforce but also in the way value is and can be created in the future. To achieve this, there needs to be an adequate supply of open data sets. There is a large amount of data that is suitable to be published as open data, but is not open yet, creating a missed opportunity. At the same time, many datasets are simply not suited to be openly available in their original form because they are confidential or contain personal data such as medical records, which require aggregation or anonymisation before they can be distributed.
Esther Huyer, Consultant at Capgemini Invent and lead researcher and author of the report, noted, “Open data is there to enrich our data projects, inform our decisions, and improve our processes, services, and products. The economic potential materializes when we increase our awareness and skill level to spot and leverage opportunities. We must explore and improve the approaches of data re-use that are ethical, sustainable, and fit-for-purpose, potentially combining open data with personal, shared, or crowdsourced data.”
The European Data Portal
Open data refers to the information collected, produced or paid for by public bodies which can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone. The benefits of open data include an increase in government transparency and accountability as well tangible social and economic benefits for citizens, businesses, and civil society. The Capgemini Invent study published in 2015 for the launch of the European Data Portal estimated a value of €75.7 billion in market size for open data in 2020, with a significant increase by approximately 37% between 2016 and 2020. In this context, the European Union launched the European Data Portal. The Portal collects information about the data made available from different European countries. Today, it covers 35 countries, 82 catalogues, links to nearly 1 million datasets across Europe and offers a variety of learning resources and open data use cases.
For more information and to view the reports visit: https://www.europeandataportal.eu/en/highlights/the-economic-impact-of-open-data
 The deployment of the European Data Portal is led by Capgemini Invent in association Intrasoft International, Fraunhofer Fokus, con terra, Sogeti, the University of Southampton, Time.lex, 52 North and the Lisbon Council, on behalf of the European Commission.
About Capgemini Invent
As the digital innovation, consulting and transformation brand of the Capgemini Group, Capgemini Invent helps CxOs envision and build what’s next for their organizations. Located in more than 30 offices and 25 creative studios around the world, its 7,000+ strong team combines strategy, technology, data science and creative design with deep industry expertise and insights, to develop new digital solutions and business models of the future.
Capgemini Invent is an integral part of Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology, and engineering services. The Group is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients’ opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. A responsible and multicultural company of 265,000 people in nearly 50 countries, Capgemini’s purpose is to unleash human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. With Altran, the Group reported 2019 combined global revenues of €17 billion.
Visit us at www.capgemini.com/invent.
- Michele Moore DuhenPress contact
+44 (0)370 905 3408
Michele Moore DuhenPress contact
+44 (0)370 905 3408
- (2021-04-14) Everest Leader Ranking: AI Services 2021
- (2021-04-13) Leader Ranking: Avasant RadarView for Intelligent Automation Services
- (2021-04-01) Leader: Gartner 2021 Magic Quadrant for Data and Analytics Service Providers
- (2021-03-18) Capgemini Group recognized as a Leader in Avasant RadarView report for Manufacturing Digital Services
- (2021-02-23) Swedish Armed Forces chooses Capgemini Group to deliver its strategic HR services
- (2021-02-22) Capgemini Group wins two 2021 BIG Innovation Awards
- (2021-02-16) Capgemini Group and OVHcloud announce global partnership
- (2020-09-16) Capgemini Group achieves the 2020/2021 Inner Circle for Microsoft Business Applications membership
- (2020-08-26) Capgemini named a Leader in two IDC MarketScape 2020 Vendor Assessments for SAP Implementation Services
- (2017-09-07) Organizations Deploying Artificial Intelligence Are Creating Jobs and Increasing Sales


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Foreign Tourism It is the dream of every Indian to travel abroad, but seeing the expenses there, they step back. How good it would be if some foreign government gives us money to travel as well. This thing which seemed impossible has now become true. China’s neighboring country, which is also very beautiful, is giving thousands of rupees to the tourists coming here to visit. Special arrangements have been made for the Indians.
New Delhi. After all, who doesn’t like to roam around the ‘world’s carelessness’. But, what to do with inflation and everyday needs are so much that the travel expenses are not covered at all. Perhaps the Taiwan Tourism government has recognized this desire buried in the hearts. That’s why the government is giving about 14 thousand rupees to those who come to visit their country. For this, tourists do not even have to do anything special. Special arrangements have been made for the Indian tourist at the airport itself.
Actually, due to Kovid-19, the whole world remained imprisoned in homes for a long time and people are not able to gather the courage to travel to other countries. The economy of countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan largely depends on tourism. This is the reason that both these countries have planned to give cash incentives to those who visit their place. In this episode, the Taiwan government has announced that $165 (Rs 13,600) will be given to every tourist visiting his country. Apart from this, a total cash incentive of $ 658 i.e. Rs 54,500 will be given to the tourists visiting the group.
5 lakh tourists will get cash
Taiwan’s Transport Minister Wang Ku Sai has said that this money will be given to the tourist in digital form. The government has not yet told when and how this scheme will be started, but reports suggest that it will be delivered to tourists through lucky draw or airlines. Hong Kong also made a similar offer in the beginning of February and it was announced to give free air tickets to 5 lakh tourists coming here.
where can you spend money
Taiwan’s Transport Minister says that these money given in digital form can be used by tourists for booking hotels, taxi-cabs and other traveling expenses. Taiwan has given a relief package of about Rs 1 lakh crore to bring the tourism sector affected by Corona back on track. In this series, tourists are also being given direct cash incentive, the benefits of which can be availed by tourists coming from other countries.


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For the second year in a row Photobooth.co.uk are sponsoring the CIM Awards including the provision of a branded photo booth. As part of the sponsorship package Photobooth.co.uk are supplying both digital signage and a photo booth for the use of guests on the evening.
Now in its fourth year, the CIM Awards celebrate the best marketing achievements across various industry sectors and acknowledge the contributions made by individuals as well as by teams. For both winners and runners-up a CIM Marketing Excellence Award means that those selected have demonstrated they have created results that deliver real business benefits.
Each year, these Awards attract a distinguished panel of judges bringing diverse experience and extensive professional knowledge to rate the entries according to their merits.
The particular category being sponsored by Photobooth.co.uk is the Financial Services – Insurance and Other Services and included finalists from Cigna UK HealthCare Benefits and Oliver Marketing on behalf of AXA Insurance.
Branded Photo Booths For Marketing
Branded Photo Booth hire is becoming increasing popular with both marketing departments, managers and marketing agencies for use in promotions, events and awards, providing a great experience for users together with a “take-away” lasting memory of the event.
Additionally the branded photo booth can extend to including branding of the photos which can then be instantly posted and shared on Facebook, further enhancing the spread of the brand recognition amongst attendees and their peers.
Further details of the awards can be found at CIM Marketing Awards.


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Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India, a part of Leisure and Hospitality sector of the Mahindra Group, offers quality family holidays primarily through vacation ownership memberships. Kavinder Singh, MD & CEO, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India tells Ashish Sinha of BW Businessworld says the travel and tourism sector in pinning hopes on vaccine passports and how the Club Mahindra ‘Safe Stay’ programme helped members travel safely. Excerpts:
How has the 2nd wave of Covid impacted the tourism industry and specifically you?
The second wave, given the resurgence in COVID-19 cases, will impact the tourism sector, and we will have to just wait and see how the travel situation unfolds. However, what keeps me hopeful are the lessons we have learnt and the practices we have picked up during the first wave of COVID-19. In a year impacted by the pandemic, we have emerged stronger due to our unique and resilient business model. We have carefully developed and implemented the Club Mahindra ‘Safe Stay’ programme for our resorts, with the focus on safety protocols and best-in-class hygiene measures, which go far beyond compliance levels. This programme is an expression of our commitment to the health and safety of our members and staff. Furthermore, we have implemented strict SOPs, which are regularly upgraded to ensure the highest hygiene and disinfection standards at all touchpoints in our resorts. All these factors have helped us build our members’ confidence and boost domestic travel. Eighty percent of our resorts are located at drivable distances from cities, thereby making it convenient for members to safely travel in their vehicles.
The tourism sector had recovered partially during Feb/March. How much dent is this second wave expected to bring?
The process of unlocking began in June, last year. People started taking holidays with their friends and family and chose Club Mahindra for our elevated safety and hygiene standards. Our members were opting for destinations at drivable distances in the safety of their vehicles. We have witnessed occupancy of up to 100% in many of the resorts including Mahabaleshwar, Corbett, Mussoorie, Kandaghat, Naldehra, and Goa. We at Club Mahindra witnessed 85% occupancy in the fourth quarter – close to pre-pandemic levels – and strong occupancy of 72% for the overall year. However, with many states in India strengthening localised lockdown rules, the hospitality and tourism sector is facing a repeat of 2020, at least for the time being.
What is your outlook for FY 22?
As a part of our growth and expansion strategy, we plan to add close to 1500+ rooms in the next 3-4 years. The company is looking for acquisition of resorts in the right locations, and at the right prices. Further, the company is exploring parts of western and eastern India, particularly, as it sees potential to create new destinations and introduce unique experiences. We are open to opportunities in the north and south as well – markets where the company is already well-entrenched. We will continue to focus on international markets as well. We have 10 international resorts – in Dubai, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, etc. We are looking for new resorts at short-haul destinations in South East Asia. There will be a strong focus on increasing our member base; creating marquee resorts at unexplored destinations; engaging members; driving operational efficiency; and maximising the lifetime value of our members.
How are you revisiting your strategies and initiatives to battle the on-going and unanticipated situation?
At Club Mahindra, we continue to focus on enhancing customer safety; introducing new outdoor experiences; and launching new resorts. Our resorts have obtained the highest level of certification in safety and hygiene standards from ‘Bureau Veritas’ – the global leader in testing and inspection. Our ‘Travel with Confidence’ initiative ensured that our members took hassle-free, well-deserved holidays, to relax and rejuvenate through a range of measures including COVID-19 Insurance, Travel Insurance, COVID Testing, and Car Sanitation services. Most importantly, our resorts are spread across mountains, deserts, forests, golf courses, beaches, and backwaters, ensuring an unparalleled holiday experience. Eighty percent of our resorts are at drivable distances and offer wonderful experiences like a mini water-theme park with a lazy river, water sports, wildlife exploration, trekking & camping, and much more, only a few hours away from the cities.
Are you still in-sync with your growth and expansion plan? Please share more details on your plans.
As travellers are looking at trusted brands like Club Mahindra as their ‘Holiday Experience Partner’, we plan to open new resorts across the country to Make Every Moment Magical for our members and guests. Over the next 3-4 years, we will take our room count to 5500+ through acquisition, green field development in our own land banks, expansion at our existing resorts and taking resorts on long term lease. Our growth plans continue to remain on track.
Will holidaying change forever? What are the trends that you foresee?
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in the travel and hospitality industry due to the global lockdown and restrictions. However, with some ease in travel restrictions, there has been a gradual increase in demand for travel. There is a surge in domestic tourism and people are opting for offbeat, non-congested tourist destinations. Leisure destinations will lead the recovery. There is also a visible increase in the duration of an average stay by our members and guests. There are many couples who check-in to celebrate their special occasions. They spend quality time together while enjoying our curated F&B experiences at the resorts.
We have also seen our members and guests preferring to spend time outside their rooms and enjoying our outdoor experiences. They are engaging in activities like birdwatching, cycling tours, trekking, etc. We also saw a rise in trend like workcations and staycations as soon as the country began to ease the lockdown restrictions.
What has been impact on bookings/occupancy?
Despite COVID-19 related challenges, we have delivered a strong fourth-quarter performance as demonstrated by all operational and financial metrics such as occupancy, resort income, member additions, operating margins, and profit growth. Our early focus on safety and hygiene measures inspired trust amongst our members to visit our spacious resorts. We at Club Mahindra witnessed 85% occupancy in the fourth quarter, close to pre-pandemic levels, and strong occupancies of 72% for the year. However, in the upcoming months, the tourism sector in India is staring at a crisis again given the resurgence in the COVID-19 cases, which has led to air travel and hotel bookings cancellations as several states in India have imposed partial lockdowns or curfew-like restrictions. We will have to monitor how the situation unfolds.
When do you see the recovery happening?
The travel and tourism sector is pinning its hopes on vaccine passports, which will help countries open borders to those who have been vaccinated. Vaccine passports will help the travel and tourism industry not only in India but internationally, too. While the government has highlighted the importance of digitalising and transforming the tourism offerings in India, a vaccine certificate will facilitate the movement of travellers and revive the tourism sector. Vaccination certificates could inspire confidence and ease of travel, and boost domestic and international tourism, with several countries considering opening up tourism for vaccinated travellers.
Does mass vaccination bring a hope for tourism sector? Will it help build confidence in people to travel again?
Yes, definitely mass vaccination would inspire confidence, lead to ease of travel, and boost domestic and international tourism. The arrival of vaccines is a great relief; those vaccinated will be able to travel more confidently and this would lead to a rise in travel and tourism.


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- Final Mix trailer highlights Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix additions
- GOG.com redesigned, adds section for DRM-free movies
- Xbox One to get Forza Horizon 2 demo on September 16
- Gauntlet delayed until Sept. 23, pre-order bonus and PAX info detailed
- Grab some friends and swords, Dragon Age: Inquisition gets co-op
Fancy A Date?
Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Positech
Positech has announced that they have released a new expansion for their strategy title Gratuitous Space Battles, Outcasts. The Outcasts are a cybernetic race who rebelled against the oppressive zealots who hated them because of their perceived impurity, and who now travel the universe in search of other organic races to destroy. The add-on extends the ship-building options by adding 10 new designs and new Outcast-only modules, and it also adds two new scenarios as well as the Outcast as a playable faction in all previously released content.


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US authorities have sued online retail giant eBay Inc(NASDAQ:EBAY), over alleged breach of antitrust laws for its agreement not to recruit software make Intuit's employees, in a bid to keep salaries restrained. The authorities alleges that in 2007,eBay chief executive Meg Whiteman and Intuit’s founder Scott Cook entered into anti-poaching agreement which will deprive employees of access to better job opportunities & salaries.
The authority further alleges that the involvement of both the firms in forming, monitoring and enforcing anticompetitive agreement is unlawful under the antitrust laws.
Accordingly to Joseph Wayland of US Department of Justice antitrust division, the anti-poaching agreement by both the firms is hurting the employees by lowering their salaries and benefits that they might have received & depriving its employees from potential job opportunities at the other company.
During 2006 to 2009, the complaint says the anti-poaching agreement restricted both the companies from recruiting employees from the other company. This anti-poaching agreement was further intensified in 2007 where it was alleged that eBay’s recruiting personnel were asked to ignore applications from Intuit & throw away such applications.
Till now Antitrust division of US Justice department has filed suit against Adobe systems, Apple, Google, Intel, and Intuit & Pixar for its anti-poaching agreement.


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This year at NAB Dell has unveiled a precision line of workstations and laptops. If you’re a video creator who needs a high-end workstation, Dell has some new desktops and laptops that will let you create video like never before. These are real workhorses and they will get the job done. Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 […]
Dell has a few surprises in store at this years CES and that includes their latitude line, focusing the 5000 and 7000 series. Jeffrey sat down with Dell to find out the new Latitude products available at CES 2018. Latitude Gets a Touchscreen One thing Dell announced for the 7000 series is the embedded touchscreen […]
Dell, as usual, has a lot of updates for CES, especially when it comes to Alienware. Joel Olmsted sits with Jeffrey Powers at CES 2018 to break it all down. Alienware Command Center Gives You More Customization Let’s start with their brand new version of their Command Center Software. It will be in every new […]
Customers are being empowered with data and technology that Dell and Intel are working on. From the farm, to the car, security, and more. The Realize Transformation area at Dell EMC World 2017 showed off some of the cool innovations customers can use to understand their passions and improve upon them. Transforming the Farm With […]
The Dell XPS laptop series continues to impress. Dell keeps innovating and learning what the customer wants, then puts out a laptop that can deliver. The XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop they debuted at CES 2017 is no different. About the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Laptop “We made the product a little thinner, a little bit […]
While at SXSW, I was interviewed by Dell, and asked what would I do if I had the power to do more. A pretty interesting question, because I had to reply with a clarification – Is that a Lex Luthor power to take over the world, or a Superman power to save the world. I […]
I took a week off because of health issues and also needed to get the CES videos out. The last 48 hours I unplugged myself as best I could just to try and get assemblence. Lots of things are bleak right now as I am waiting for contracts to pay me. Did go to the […]
Gartner put out a report this week showing the top PC manufacturers world-wide. While Lenovo has overtaken 2nd place from Dell, HP still is the world-wide leader. So why did HP want to sell this division?
www.thegeeksmack.com – Another episode, another group of changes. Last week’s sound wasn’t quite up to par. I have adjusted some microphones and hope it to sound a lot better. Cool news as I just got the Google Music Beta invite and YouTube is increasing ad share! The Techpodcasts group has created a document to find out who our […]
www.thegeeksmack.com – The summer is hot and the news is not much. I think it’s all these people playing with Google+. Nonetheless, we will take you through the tech and geek news like it was a powerful news day. BTW – Don’t forget to take my small survey and let me know! Geek Smack Sponsor board! Tech Assitance […]
Dave Baarman joins the TPN Live CES coverage. He presents the wireless charging from Fulton eCoupled . Dave shows Smart packaging: boxes that light up when placed on a special conductive grocery store shelf. This charger is the first approved by the Wireless Power Consortium (Qi Wireless Power Standard Version 1.0). The company holds many patents in […]
Last week, while at Dell OEM Day, we learned a lot about how 3rd parties use Dell to make their appliances. From servers to full on displays. Redbox, for example, has a Dell appliance inside. Here are some of the photos from Dell OEM Day.
Dell and Apple are incorporating Liquid Cooling as a standard. It’s not just for overclockers anymore. If you use your computer for extended periods of time, you might want to think about a better cooling system. That is where Coolit Liquid cooling systems come in. Cool-IT has created innovation in the cooling systems – enough to win […]
Reuters reports that Dell is working on an Android phone for the U. S. market to be distributed by AT&T. (They credit the Wall Street Journal with breaking the story.) Smartphones . . . have exploded onto the corporate and consumer market as users increasingly access information and entertainment on the go. Worldwide factory shipments […]
Reuters, citing the Wall Street Journal, reports that Dell is developing a pocket-sized internet device. Read the story here. Here’s an excerpt: The gadget would run on Google Inc’s Android software, the people told the paper. According to the paper, two people who saw early prototypes described the device as slightly larger than Apple Inc’s […]
So Cal and I were having lunch the other day and he says – “Why don’t you come on the show”. I say “Why not?” He says “Yeah, why not.” and I say “Ye… wait. I have to get more Pizza Hut Buffet Pizza.” Then we go get some more Pizza. Nonetheless, that evening we […]
Day Off – Sort of A late Ramblings this week as I decided to stay offline last week. It was a long week and I was playing all weekend. It has been a while since I last took more than 24 hours off a computer, so that is a big feat for me. HP Tech […]
My Dell Inspiron 6000 died this yesterday morning. I woke up just in time to watch the display fade to black. Everything else works; I hooked it up to a monitor and am using it right now, but its days a portable are over.
Last week in this place. I ate a lot of Brats this last weekend. Goodbye to friend ‘Supergirl’. Show Prep on Google Docs. Still need an iPhone App developer. Take the Geekazine Podcast Survey Try GoToAssist free for 30 days – No CC needed: GoToAssist.com/techpodcasts. Put Your Financials into order – Edward Jones All Show […]
Brought to you by Gotoassist – Support Smarter – 30 Day free trial http://www.gotoassist.com/techpodcasts Apr. 25th, 1996 was the day that Yahoo started putting ads on TV. They ran a spot on David Letterman, Saturday Night Live and episodes of Star Trek asking one question – Do you Yahoo? The successful ad campaign spawned many […]
The best part is this is the last snow of the season and hopefully it won’t be as bad as they say. Just wet slush. Just a small annoyance, then warm weather. Now on to some cool stuff. I stopped by SWAP – Surpluss with a Purpose the other day. Basically, it’s a shop that […]
Flu – WiFi issues – Colin – Mountain Dew – Voicemail – Last of CES VideoIf you like the CES Coverage, please support the site. Use Pod125 at GoDaddy.com Try GoToMeeting free for 30 days – No CC needed: GoToMeeting.com/techpodcasts. Get IT Certified – Careersaver.com – 25% off with Code “Geek08” 877-654-2265 Put Your Financials […]
I have been a rabid Opera fanboy since Opera v. 3. I now have gotten Opera on the netbook that I discussed here. Here’s how I did it (hint: it worked the same as if I were on regular laptop or desktop):


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During the launch, KEPSA affirmed private sectors commitment to accelerate and strengthen private sectors participation in integration, implementation and reporting of SDGs for “Building Back Better” through green business strategies and models.
Harnessing digitalization to develop a citizen-centric financial system to accelerate financing for the SDGs requires the development of digital financing ecosystems
Kenya’s government says it is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind when it comes to education. Articles 43(f) and 53(1) (b) of the...
Shelter Afrique has partnered with the government and to develop a social housing scheme within Mavoko Municipality
The study identifies opportunities for the private sector to contribute to three infrastructure-focused goals between now and 2030.
The Alliance is committing to cooperate across borders, across financial sectors and even with their competitors
Stay in touch:
Among the contenders of the prestigious African of the Year award is Kenya’s President William Ruto, who will be battling it out with President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.
Discover the profound impact of M-Pesa on financial inclusion in Kenya and beyond. Explore how this innovative mobile service revolutionizes transactions and shapes the future of finance globally.
The new partnership between Ford and Caetano offers the brand an opportunity to gain market share in Kenya by leveraging on Caetano’s extensive network and experience.


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Johnnie Walker launches Jane Walker scotch to celebrate women
Johnnie Walker Gets A Lady Friend: Jane Walker
Johnnie Walker Being Replaced By Jane On Some Bottles
Diageo looks to appeal to female Scotch drinkers with 'Jane Walker'
Johnnie Walker said Monday that it will launch a special edition of its Black Label blend next month featuring the female logo. Johnnie Walker said it will donate $1 for every bottle of the Jane Walker Edition it makes to organizations that champion women's causes, up to a limit of $250,000.
Explore contextually related video stories in a new eye-catching way. Try Combster now!


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From Deschutes County D-A John Hummel
BEND RESTAURANT CUSTOMER CHARGED WITH BIAS CRIME
On June 28, 2020, 31-year-old Bend resident Billal Ahmedin walked into the Red Robin restaurant in Bend to pick up an order as part of his job as a delivery person for Door Dash food delivery service. Mr. Ahmedin picked up the delivery food bag from the area in the bar where delivery orders are left for delivery drivers. 35-year-old Bend resident Jeremiah McBride was a customer in the bar, saw Mr. Ahmedin pick up the delivery order, and confronted him. Mr. Ahmedin told Mr. McBride he was a delivery driver, but this did not deter Mr. McBride. Mr. McBride persisted with his hostile attitude, including calling the victim the N-word.
Mr. Ahmedin walked outside to his car, and Mr. McBride pursued him. Mr. Ahmedin started to drive off when Mr. McBride violently kicked the car, causing damage. Mr. Ahmedin got out of his car and Mr. McBride then shouted at him and shoved him. Witnesses, including the Red Robin bartender who came outside, observed the incident.
Today, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel charged McBride with the crimes of bias crime in the second degree, harassment, and criminal mischief in the second degree. Mr. McBride is presumed innocent of these charges, and in fact is innocent of them, unless and until the State proves his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mr. McBride’s first court appearance is for an arraignment on August 25, 2020 at 1:15.
Statement from District Attorney Hummel:
“Oregon’s bias crime law exists for situations exactly like this. A shove is more than a shove when a person is shoved because of the color of their skin.
By all accounts, Billal Ahmedin is one of the hardest workers in our community. He shines in his job by getting in and out of restaurants, and to his customers, as quickly as possible. He’s saving money in pursuit of his dream to one day open an Ethiopian food truck in our community.
To be challenged by a customer at Red Robin, a place he has picked up orders dozens of times, must have been disheartening. But after responding that he was a delivery driver, being disbelieved, called the N-word, pursued outside, having his car kicked and damaged, and being shouted at and shoved, must have been demoralizing, hurtful, and maddening. It is something that would never have happened to a white man. Billal is a valued member of our community and I stand with him.”


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Kepware to Present on IoTs this Spring During Leading Automation Conferences
A key trend in the industrial automation industry, the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the way that many businesses operate. Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, today announced that CEO Tony Paine will speak to this technology at the upcoming ENTELEC Conference & Expo. His presentation titled "Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Communications at the Edge" occurs on Wednesday, April 8 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. Continue reading this press release here.


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Wizards of the Coast has released a new video explaining some of the changes coming to Dungeons & Dragons when it gets new core rulebooks next year. The 12-minute video is a chat between D&D content director Todd Kendrick and game designer Jeremy Crawford, and covers the past year of playtests for the updated version of 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. They also talk about why the One D&D initiative has led to an updated 5th Edition, not an entirely new edition like we originally guessed.
"5th Edition continues to grow, so there is no reason for us to stop it and all sorts of reasons for us to continue it," says Crawford in this video. The new books will update 5th Edition to what Crawford says is the "current state of the art" to prepare it for what the D&D team hopes will be another decade of 5th Edition. At nearly 10 years old already, 5th Edition is already the longest that Dungeons & Dragons has ever gone without a new edition release or an update—both 2nd and 3rd editions had major revisions released by this time in their lifespan.
In the interview, Crawford says the team will "build the 2024 versions of the books with the goal that they will be usable with the 5th Edition adventures you have now," emphasizing that their hope is that changes will be apparent and obvious. "In the end, the books themselves will tell you how they work with the 5th Edition books you already have, books that by the way continue to sell well. That's another reason why we don't want to invalidate the 5th Edition libraries that people already have," he says.
The latter parts of the video talk about changes in how the rules are presented, a perennial bugbear among D&D players who like to argue about words and how they're shown—myself included. One major tweak is in how things are capitalized, or not, depending on what role they serve in the game versus general use in the English language.
"We've actually reduced the number of terms in the playtest process that we capitalize, but it's still more than people are used to seeing in the 2014 core rulebooks, and the direction we're heading in is definitely more capitalization than what was in the game previously, because it helps signal to the reader when are they reading a proper noun—the name of something—versus just a general English word," says Crawford.
Crawford uses the word "poisoned" versus the game's "Poisoned" condition as an example.
Crawford's also clear that once the 2024 core rulebooks are released, they'll stop referring to them as the 2024 Core Rulebooks. Those will then become, well, just the Core Rulebooks. They'll only include the year if they need to differentiate between the 2014 and 2024 releases.
Of course that's not the only stuff changing—some game mechanics are getting new names. The term "race," for example, is being replaced with "species." Crawford and Kendrick don't touch on any changes like that in this latest video, however.
This interview about the state of the revised rulebooks comes just a few weeks after we got a first look at D&D's upcoming official virtual tabletop, which looks pretty slick.


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East's high streets were nearly empty - even before national lockdown
- Credit: SARAH LUCY BROWN
Post-Christmas shoppers drained out of East of England high streets as the government's coronavirus messaging hit home and Tier Four restrictions took their toll, latest figures show.
Data from retail analysts Springboard show a marked 62% year-on-year fall in shopper numbers across the region in the week beginning Sunday, December 27, with the usual Boxing Day sales bonanza replaced by empty streets.
The figure was greater than the 56% year-on-year UK decline and compared to the previous week the region also suffered a far steeper decline than the UK average - with the East of England seeing a week-on-week decline of 39% compared to the UK figure of a 23% fall.
In the East, shopping centres took the biggest week-on-week hit with a 45% drop compared to the 32% UK average. They were also down 76% compared to last year (60% UK-wide).
The region's high streets were next with a 42% fall compared to 22% UK-wide week-on-week, and 66% year-on-year (UK average -65%) drop.
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East Anglia's retail parks also saw week-on-week drops of 26% compared to 17% across the UK. Year-on-year that worked out as a 40% drop compared to 32% across the UK.
Nationally, footfall in Tier 4 locations was 72% lower than last year, compared to 34% lower in Tier Three locations, Springboard said.
The analyst said it was "unsurprising" the greatest loss of footfall compared to last year continued to be in London and large city centres with the 'stay home, stay local' message seeing smaller towns more resilient.
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Springboard insights director Diane Wehrle said the end of the festive trading period and tightening restrictions unsurprisingly resulted in a significant drop in footfall at the end of 2020.
"We know from our experience of retail reopening in June 2020 that until the widespread roll-out of the vaccine retail footfall will remain significantly below the pre-Covid level," she said.


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There is a longer list of recalls this week and most of them are for technicians who service buses and large trucks. The recalls that
Cadillac has developed one of the most sophisticated collision-avoidance systems in the industry called Intelligent Collision Avoidance System (ICAS). This is an Advanced Driver Assistance
I got my new National Auto Glass Specifications catalog (NAGS, which is a part of Mitchell International) recently. Yes, I still buy the printed catalog.


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#1 for Car Service
recommended every 10,000mi**
Vauxhall are told to cut their electric car prices to compete with the new BMW Mini Electric car.
The new Corsa-e by Vauxhall looks great, if you haven't seen it, go and have a look in your nearest vauxhall showroom - Oh wait! It's not on sale yet, and a good thing too.
Vauxhall have put their new electric car on sale for over £26,430. Yes £26,430, the new BMW mini is only going to cost £24,400. The coras-e suddenly looks relatively expensive...
With so many car manufacturers now going into the pure electric market, when it comes to pricing these models many have to think about, only BMW has declared that affordability is king. For example the new VW e-up is £22,460 that twice the price it is for a petrol VW up. VW will have to start thinking about cutting their prices to compete aswell.
If I was given a choice, I would definitely choose the new Mini. Why? - The new Mini will cost less and its impressive future residuals also mean it’ll hold its value far better than the Corsa-e.
It would definitely be the new Tesla Model S - The Ludicrous Performance model. Now that's priced at £97,700 and that would just be a weekend car, for the family it would have to be the Tesla Model X Ludicrous Performance! Priced at over £100,00k


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Fair Traders Support a Refocus on Relationships
Last month’s events in Bangladesh – the collapse of a garment factory which killed over 1,100 people and a fire at a nearby garment factory which killed 8 people – have reminded those who support ethical business practices of the disasters that can result when supply chains are too long and relationships are too distant.
We’re also reminded of how important it is for companies to build relationships with the people who make their products.
Since these events, a number of news stories and op-eds have suggested that apparel brands and factory owners hold themselves more accountable for prioritizing worker safety and well-being. This is an important step in the right direction.
“While it is good news that large apparel manufacturers are making efforts to address the labor violations of their suppliers,” says Renee Bowers, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation, “it is also important to remember that factory audits alone are not enough to address the flaws in current overseas supply chains.”
Fair trade organizations prioritize direct, long term relationships with small scale producers in the developing world. Because of these relationships, craftspeople and farmers who live on the margins of their societies can count on long term stability for themselves and their families.
Shorter supply chains also help overseas workers to escape the market pressures that often lead to forced overtime and unsafe working conditions in factories and larger-scale operations. Maintaining these relationships, even if they are not financially advantageous to companies in the short term, is beneficial to everyone involved in the long term.
Understandably, small-scale production can’t match the volume and speed that is a priority for larger apparel brands. This will continue to be a challenge for the garment industry as consumer consciousness changes. A focus on relationships with producers, though, might require shoppers and retailers alike to place less value on high turnover trend pieces and more value on how brands do business.
“Dedicated fair trade organizations take a different approach,” continues Bowers. “They eliminate layers of middlemen. They also know their suppliers, understand their challenges, and share information that helps keep producer health, safety, and well-being at the forefront of their purchasing decisions.”
At its core, fair trade is about relationships, not simple business transactions.
Browse through a list of dedicated fair trade retailers and wholesalers here.
Contact Us: Renee Bowers | email@example.com | 302-655-5203


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AutoGuide News Blog
The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
The only production cars that will offer more horsepower than the new 2015 Corvette Z06 will be a handful of exotics, most of which cost over a million dollars.
It’s probably the greatest sports car America has ever made and you can watch it revealed to the world, live online.


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Microsoft and Nokia both have a lot to lose - and gain - by their mobile alliance, with the Finnish handset maker deciding to adopt Windows Phone 7 as its smartphone operating system.
BARCELONA -- Microsoft won't be buying Nokia any time soon despite the despite a sweeping Windows Phone agreement announced by the vendors last week, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop told reporters Sunday.
Nokia on Sunday hinted that Microsoft essentially won a bidding war against Google to supply software to the world's largest handset maker and that the software giant agreed to pay "billions" of dollars for the privilege.
The deal between Nokia and Microsoft hurts Intel's plans to enter the market for smartphones, in which the company has virtually no presence, analysts said on Friday.
Developers who had previously built a business around coding apps for Symbian smartphones were put on notice Friday that they should pick another platform, as Nokia announced its switch to Microsoft's Windows Phone 7. Other platforms will be maneuver...
Technically, Nokia's E7 smartphone is a better option for enterprises than Windows Phone 7 phones, according to market researcher Gartner. But Nokia's announcement Friday that it will adopt Microsoft's Windows Phone as its primary smartphone OS means...
Nokia will adopt Microsoft's Windows Phone as its primary smartphone strategy, the company said on Friday, after days of speculation on what it would do to compete with Apple's iPhone and Google's Android.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has compared the company's current situation to standing on a burning oil platform in the North Sea. Nokia must decide how it is going to change its behavior, or perish in the flames as its platform burns, Elop wrote in a memo ...
Worldwide smartphone shipments were up 75 per cent, to 302 million in 2010, a trend driven by impressive Android growth in the fourth quarter, market research firm IDC said.
Will Nokia team up with Microsoft to put the Windows Phone OS on Nokia's mobile handsets? The idea gained steam last week after Berenberg Bank analyst Adnaan Ahmad sent an open letter to both companies pleading that they save themselves by forming an...
An analyst's open letter to Nokia's CEO, a former Microsoft executive, has triggered intense speculation that the Finnish phone maker will adopt Windows Phone 7 as the firmware for at least some of its struggling smartphone line.
Nokia Beta Labs has released Bubbles, an application that adds shortcuts in the shape of floating bubbles on a new unlock screen, inventor Pauli Asikainen said in a blog post on Friday.
Android has surged past Symbian to become the world's best-selling smartphone operating system, according to Canalys.
Shipments of Android-based smartphones reached 32.9 million worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2010, making Android the best-sellingoperating system for smartphones, market research company Canalys said on Monday.
Nokia reported an increase in sales for the fourth quarter, but profit declined as the company continues to struggle in the high-end smartphone segment.
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Maserati Levante 2018 featured in Murooj
Al Zayani Trading Co, the official importer of Maserati in Kuwait, displayed the all new 2018 Maserati Levante for 3 days from 2nd to 4th of November at Murooj.
Kuwait, 5th of November 2017: The 3 day event kicked off at 10 am till 10 pm with hundred of attendees looking to stand out in the world of cars and specifically SUVs. There interest was in getting to know the Levante up close as it is an SUV that has a sporty spirit with a luxurious character that Maserati is known for. Attendees had the opportunity to test drive the Levante as well as a range of Maserati vehicles at Murooj with different specifications giving the prospects an understanding of the variety of options available with the the assistance of the sales executives available at the event.
The event was in a luxurious atmosphere inspired by Maserati which Al Zayani Trading Co implemented with modern-classic music to reflect the elite character of the brand. The attendees complimented the organization of the event and the kindness of Al Zayani Trading Co in providing gifts and catering throughout the event.
Ziad Abo Chakra – Maserati Brand Manager said “It is of
utmost importance for us to conduct test drives for Maserati in general to show
the true value of those vehicles and the power behind the steering wheel. This
is the first step and we will continue such events in the coming days and I would
like to remind everyone that they can pass by Al Zayani Trading Co in Al Rai to
conduct a test drive.”


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Booking.com has signed a lease to expand its Orlando operations space by 37 percent, making it the largest of the company's three centers in the United States.
Construction is slated to start early this year on the expansion, which is expected to add more than 200 jobs to the company's Orlando workforce.
Most of the jobs will be customer-service positions. Booking.com also has U.S. centers in Seattle and Grand Rapids, Mich.
Cite Partners, a commercial real-estate firm, represented the Amsterdam-based company in its new office lease of 62,000 square feet at SouthPark Center, which is off South John Young Parkway in Orlando.
"We first decided to open up a customer-service center in Orlando three years ago and we've grown every year since," said Bas van Ham, senior project manager of real estate for Booking.com.
The company, which markets hotel rooms and homes for vacation rentals, is "eager" to open up the expanded offices, he added.
Douglas Quinby, vice president of research for Phocuswright travel research, recently noted rapid growth in home-rental businesses including Airbnb, HomeAway and Booking.com, which is owned by Priceline.
The expansion means a boost for the south Orlando office park.
Jamie Barati, managing director of Cite Partners, said his group has seen "more and more" companies locate and expand in southwest Orlando.
In addition to Barati, Cite's John Worrell represented Booking.com in the lease. Scott Bell and Phil Marchese, of Flagler Development, represented the landlord.
firstname.lastname@example.org or 407-420-5538


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text: Wal-Mart has appealed the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’s ruling that a class action gender discrimination lawsuit filed against Wal-Mart can move forward to trial. The case will now go to the U.S. Supreme Court. In April, the 9th Circuit Court ruled that more than one million current and former female employees of Wal-Mart can sue the corporation as a class. The suit, Wal-Mart Stores v. Dukes, is the largest employment class action in history, according to the National Law Journal. The lawsuit was initially filed in 2001 by Betty Dukes, a former Wal-Mart employee, and six other plaintiffs who worked in 13 of Wal-Mart’s 3,400 US stores. The women are seeking punitive damages and back pay for gendered wage discrepancies for all female employees of Wal-Mart since 1998, according to USA Today. The plaintiffs claim that men earn systematically higher wages and receive more frequent promotions at Wal-Mart, regardless of women’s competitive quality of work and seniority. The current appeal does not dispute the merits of the gender discrimination claim. Wal-Mart has asked the court to throw out the case because it claims that women certified as a class in the case “have little in common but their sex and this lawsuit”, according to the National Law Journal. The lawsuit could cost the company billions if it loses, USA Today reports. The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether it will hear the case in the fall.


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A collection of news and information related to Willie McCovey published by this site and its partners.
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Column | Apr 5, 2008He still remembers the first professional uniform he ever wore. He was 18 years old, fresh off the bus from Arkansas. The jersey said White Roses across the chest. In his first pro game, the public address announcer in York, Pa., announced the team's new second baseman as Bob Robinson.


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We are able-bodied into the final months of 2020 and we are yet to apprehend what’s in abundance for the Lincoln Navigator – until today. According to an absolute beat from Ford Authority, the 2021 Navigator will appear with a Special Edition package.
The Special Edition amalgamation will be absolutely accessible for the top-spec Black Label trim, which Lincoln claims to be 9 out of 10 of their clients. As you would accept guessed, the assembly of updates that appear with this new amalgamation will be absolutely cosmetic, admitting images of the Special Edition amalgamation aren’t accessible yet for visualization.
Ford Authority letters that the 2021 Lincoln Navigator Special Edition amalgamation gives the full-size affluence SUV a body-colored cobweb grille and mirror caps, forth with a blacked-out roof and roof rails. Added importantly, the new amalgamation gets a set of 12-spoked 22-inch auto with an Ebony Black accomplishment and Lincoln Star Hub caster ornaments.
Gallery: The Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s new tailgate can morph into 6 altered shapes, including a board — analysis it out (Business Insider)
There’s one caveat, admitting – the Special Edition amalgamation won’t be accessible to adjustment with the Infinite Black exoteric color. So, for those who would adulation to accept their Navigator in the darkest hue, they would charge to opt for the Monochromatic package, which will still be accessible with the 2021 archetypal year, according to the publication.
The Navigator Special Edition amalgamation will be accessible backward into the 2021 archetypal year, however. This agency if you like the characteristic artful updates mentioned here, you will charge to delay for a few added months alike afterwards it goes into production.
Naturally, appraisement wasn’t mentioned in the report. But that shouldn’t be an affair if you’re in the bazaar for a Navigator, right?


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MYOB chief executive Tim Reed has assured shareholders the company's decline in revenue growth for 2018 is par for the course and the business will be able to return to high single-digit growth by 2022.
The accounting software company's full-year results confirmed why the business decided to recommend private equity firm KKR's reduced $3.40-per-share bid, with revenue growth for the full year coming in at 6.9 per cent.
On Christmas eve, the company had reduced its August revenue forecasts from growth of between 8 per cent and 10 per cent, to 7 per cent and recommended shareholders vote for the KKR scheme.
MYOB's revenue hit $445.2 million for the full year to December 31, while its underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell slightly to $189.6 million and its net profit jumped 5.14 per cent to $63.8 million.
But Mr Reed said the revenue growth slowdown was not a bad thing; instead, it reflected more accounting firms taking up its online practice-management software rather than its desktop version.
"The movement from on-premise to online tools went faster than we were expecting and that meant there were fewer software sales [versus subscriptions] and reduced service implementation revenue," he said.
"That's a great trend because the future of the business is online. The transition just happened more rapidly than expected."
New York-based private equity firm KKR originally offered MYOB $3.70 per share, valuing the business at just less than $2.2 billion. This was increased to $3.77 per share to entice MYOB to open its books, before being reduced to $3.40 per share after KKR had completed due diligence.
As part of the deal for recommending the lower price, MYOB had until this month to solicit any higher offers and the company is expected to update the market on this progress on Friday. If a higher offer were found, KKR had agreed to either sell its tranche of shares, or vote in favour of the deal. However if no higher offers emerged, MYOB shareholders are to vote on the KKR offer at a meeting in April.
As part of the scheme of implementation in place, MYOB cannot declare a dividend without KKR's consent, so did not declare a dividend for the full year.
Mr Reed could not say what strategy changes would occur if KKR's bid was approved, but he was confident of steering the firm through its third private equity owner.
"As a leader in the business, my job is to ensure what we're doing is delivering results to our clients and that we're executing on our strategy, allocating the right resources to it and that we're having the impact we'd like to on client's lives," he said.
"But the other part of my role, which isn't running the business, is being responsible for the company by reaching out to shareholders and engaging in things like the KKR bid when it comes in. I've had to learn the ability to switch between the two quite well.
"I'm able to switch between modes because I cannot take my eye off running the business.That's why we exist."
Between 2018 and 2022, MYOB will invest $50 million into its MYOB platform, which will allow it to retire its legacy desktop-based products, and another $30 million into sales and marketing.
This could change should the KKR bid proceed.
In the full year, the company increased the number of online subscribers by 57 per cent, reaching 628,000. Its goal is to reach 1 million online subscribers next year.
Of MYOB's new online small-business customers, 46 per cent were new to MYOB; the rest were existing clients shifting from desktop software to the cloud.
MYOB forecast revenue growth of between 6 per cent and 8 per cent for 2019 and an underlying EBITDA margin of 38 per cent or higher (a further reduction on the 2018 full year when the EBITDA margin reduced to 42.6 per cent). Its EBITDA margin forecasts were lower than previous guidance because MYOB upped its stake in point-of-sale software start-up Kounta in December to 50.1 per cent and while it adds an immediate benefit to the firm's revenue, it hampers its earnings figures.
The company also set a target of high single-digit revenue growth by 2022 and an EBITDA margin of 45 per cent or higher, while research and development costs are expected to decline from about 20 per cent this year to less than 16 per cent.
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The last two condos in a North Michigan Avenue high-rise sold in the past week, 13 years and five months since units in the building first went up for sale.
A 38th-floor penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton Residences, at Erie Street and Michigan Avenue, sold for $2 million Oct. 25, followed by a 34th-floor unit that went for $880,000 yesterday, bringing to a close the longest-ever sales programs for a downtown condo building.
"The Ritz is by far the longest ongoing sales program we've tracked," said Gail Lissner, managing director of Integra Realty Resources-Chicago, who's been monitoring city condo sales since the 1970s.
The only one that comes close is the Trump International Hotel & Towers, which took a little more than 11 years to sell out, though Trump had 486 units to sell, compared to 89 at the Ritz-Carlton Residences. (Crain’s looked at continuous sales efforts, excluding those that, for example, put a large block of condos into the rental pool after the housing bust and years later put them up for sale again.)
The last few Ritz sales were essentially odds and ends, said Kathleen Malone, who headed sales for @properties from the time it took over sales in 2016 after a previous brokerage’s effort sputtered for a decade. The change of brokerages was part of a larger turnover. In February 2016, Kuwait Finance House became the Ritz’s majority equity investor, buying out its Chicago partner, Prism Development.
When @properties took over, 56 of the Ritz’s units remained to be sold. By late 2018, only four units remained unsold, Malone said, “and they were one-offs, hard to sell.” As an example: The last unit to be sold, a two-bedroom on the 34th floor, was “basically a one-bedroom with a den,” Malone said, because another buyer on the same floor had taken some extra square footage that was originally intended for the unit.
Cutting prices was key to selling off the condos. The penthouse that sold for $2 million was being offered for $4.84 million in 2013. If it had sold at that price, it would have been $1,332 a square foot. When @properties took over and chopped prices, it came down to $2.85 million ($784 a foot), and later to $2.5 million ($688).
The condo, three bedrooms and a den in a little more than 3,600 square feet, ultimately sold at $550 a foot.
“That was a great buy for my client, when you look at the new buildings that are asking $1,000 to $1,200 a square foot,” said Melinda Jakovich, the Coldwell Banker agent who represented the buyer. At One Bennett Park, a newly completed tower in Streeterville, a 47th-floor unit is for sale at the same price, $2 million. That's $1,151 a square foot.
Malone said that the 56 Ritz units that @properties sold have mostly gone for between $600 and $700 per foot. This presents a problem for unit owners who bought before the price-cutting and now want to sell.
Of 17 Ritz condos now listed for sale by their owners, eight are by owners who bought before the steep price cuts. Six of them are now priced at below what the sellers paid. (On the other two, the record of what the sellers paid for their units is unclear.) On the 23rd floor is a two-bedroom, 1,912-square-foot unit whose seller paid $1.67 million for it in January 2016. It’s now on the market at slightly under $1.3 million.
A Ritz penthouse that its Mexican billionaire owner put on the market for $8 million in February went off the market Oct. 25, apparently unsold. German Larrea Moto-Velasco, the majority owner of Grupo Mexico, that nation's largest copper mining company, bought the condominium as unfinished space in 2014 for a little more than $3.57 million.
The first decade of the Ritz sales effort was beset by woes. It began in May 2006, near the height of a condo-building boom that after the housing crash left 8,000 new condos unsold. In the bust, 31 people who had contracts to buy Ritz units backed out.
The Ritz developers also contended with two legal squabbles that delayed construction and delivery. One was with the tower’s next-door neighbor, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, over use of an alley between the two sites. The other was with the Terra Foundation for American Art, whose former site the Ritz now occupies. Terra and Ritz were parties in a deal where the art organization sold its building to the developers and was promised space in the new structure.


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According to some anonymous government officials, the government has invested Rs 115 crore as EV subsidy till date for 46,213 vehicles, and subsidy to 38,10,20,216 is pending
The unleashing of the FAME scheme and new regulations by the government of India has helped several states to boost the growth of electric vehicles. According to an exclusive report by the Indian Express, a new government survey report has highlighted that the national capital of India has witnessed a steady escalation of sales of electric cars with 10.08 percent of vehicles sold in October being electric. Compared to September, the sales also increased by two-folds in October.
The survey report showcased that the total volume of electric car sales in October augmented by 69 percent, an overall 4,587 EVs were sold in August and 4,810 in September which rose to 8,123 in October. In fact, the report also stated that among all the segments, e-rickshaws and e-scooters were the highest number of vehicles sold in the region. Out of all the electric cars sold, 34 percent or 2,761 were e-rickshaws and 45.3 percent or 3,680 were scooters. This year in October, the sales of the segment increased by 147 percent with a 271 percent growth in two-wheelers and 75 percent in e-rickshaws as compared to 2021.
Interestingly, Ola electric turned out to be the largest selling company consecutively for the second time. Data highlighted that Ola Electric has managed to sell 15,065 units in October, up nearly 50 percent from 9,875 units in September. But, the company statistics has something else to say. They have pointed out that they have managed to grab a growth of 60 percent, while the overall two-wheeler EV segment increased by 30 percent in the country. During the festive vibes, the company registered 4X escalation during Navratris and 10X growth during Vijaydashami.
In fact, when the analysis of fuel-based vehicle sales was conducted, it was witnessed in Delhi last month that EVs were more in volume than CNG and diesel vehicles. Out of all the vehicles sold, it was discovered that 76.4 percent are petrol, 10.8 percent electric (BOV), 4.1 percent CNG, 1.8 percent diesel, 2.6 percent petrol/hybrid and 4.4 percent petrol/CNG.