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Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox to plan wedding after Mainstream Sellout Tour
ADMIN posted a blog entry in Geo News Blog
Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox may elope and have a low-key wedding ceremony -
Johnny Depp?s comeback ?long road to mainstream stardom?: say Hollywood experts
ADMIN posted a blog entry in Geo News Blog
Johnny Depp garners amazing public support, will this help in his career comeback, experts weigh in -
'Miss America' pageant moves from mainstream TV to streaming
ADMIN posted a blog entry in Geo News Blog
Organizers that 'Miss America' will air entirely on NBC's Peacock streaming platform in December -
This pandemic has not only tested our physical health, but also our mental health. From having to work from home to not socialising enough, the transition wasn’t pretty for any of us. Most of us have rough ideas about what a therapy or counselling session may look like. But how accurate can this perception be, especially when we have to rely on movies and TV shows for it? As someone who has been to plenty of therapy sessions, I think I can vouch for the fact that a lot of these representations are inaccurate. Here’s what actually happens: 1. Sessions Don’t Take Place In Public Settings © Red Chillies Entertainment Remember the iconic ‘samundar se kabaddi’ scene from Dear Zindagi? While the movie got a lot of the things right, this particular scene can be misleading. Yes, some therapists can suggest taking sessions outside the office, but it’s a rare occurrence. More so, doing an activity together is even more rare. __ECOMPRODUCT__2420__ 2. The Office Is Warm & Welcoming © Amazon Prime Video The therapy scenes from The Family Man 2 showcase a setting that’s more like a doctor’s office and less like a therapist’s. The way the clients are sitting across from the doctor is very professional and opening up in a setting like that will be very uncomfortable. __ECOMPRODUCT__2421__ Most psychologists will have a warm and homely environment in their office. Some shows and movies that get the setting right are 13 Reasons Why, Never Have I Ever and Dear Zindagi. The clients are seen sitting comfortably on a sofa, not stiffly on an office chair. 3. You May Not Always Smile After A Session © Red Chillies Entertainment Dear Zindagi romanticised the idea of mental health in some ways. For instance, Alia Bhatt’s character walked out feeling happy and content after every session. In real life, that may not always happen. Sometimes you’re confused, other times you’re sad. Sometimes you are frustrated and other times you may even have some homework to do. __ECOMPRODUCT__1538__ Movie scenes may set an unrealistic standard for what to expect. Just because you don’t feel happy after a session, doesn’t mean that therapy isn’t working. It simply means that you had different expectations, all thanks to movies and shows. 4. Limited Time Sessions © Amazon Prime Video Most depictions show therapy sessions as an hour long affair. While that is mostly the case, the timings are flexible. If you want a session that’s longer than an hour, you can consult your therapist or counsellor. __ECOMPRODUCT__2422__ Some may be open to sessions that are 2 hrs long, while some others stop at 1.5 hrs. The truth is that it completely depends on the psychologist and your own preference. 5. Being Pressured Into Talking About Things © Red Chillies Entertainment In reference to The Family Man 2, it was obvious that Manoj Bajpayee’s character wasn’t open to therapy and clearly was uncomfortable diving into some private topics. This may have been a funny scene, but was far from being accurate. __ECOMPRODUCT__2419__ The first session is mostly about trust building and most therapists will not pressure you into opening up right away. If you are uncomfortable, they will probably help you be more comfortable, and not keep drilling you with the same questions. The Bottomline Even though we are grateful that mental health is being depicted in mainstream media, we still have a long way to go. We barely have a few movies and shows that are showing mental health in a realistic light. However, these depictions aren’t always accurate. Let’s not forget how important a storyline is and sometimes, the accuracy is compromised to make the scene funny or more entertaining. In conclusion, ask around and talk to real professionals to get an idea of what mental health truly is, especially if you’re considering seeking professional help. Explore More View the full article
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For long, the representation of LGBTQ+ in Bollywood was limited to transgenders who would either be a comic character in the movie where his mannerism would crack people up or he would be a psychopath killer on the loose. With time, we have had some amazing movies who have portrayed the queer people very smartly and subtly, without mocking them (think Aligarh, Kapoor & Sons). © Eros International However, some mainstream mannerisms are still shown that basically ridicule gay men and it needs to stop. Homophobia runs deep in the Indian society and it’s very important to represent all genders and people of different sexual orientation and preference in a serious light. Cinema has that power, considering the huge following the industry enjoys in the country. However, barring a few, most films show queer people, especially gay men as a funny character. © Fox Star Studios In some movies, queer characters are even given a separate comedic background score, in case the audience forgets that he is gay. It’s basically their cue to laugh which is highly demeaning and disgusting. Not only they stereotype gay characters but also exaggerate the mannerisms and appearance of queer men which sometimes make us wonder if these writers and filmmakers have even met any gay person in their life. © PNC Productions Here are some stereotypes and mainstream mannerism that we are done with and would like the filmmakers to stop showing in their movies. The Walk And GesturesUgh! Aren’t we all done with the typical ‘swing in the hips’ walk that almost every gay character ever has in a Bollywood movie? Plus, the hanging hand, lip biting and heavy eyes are a must, especially when they encounter a hot man. Who does that? Only gay men in movies. © Fox Star Studios The Gay Best Friend Syndrome According to Bollywood logic, gay men don’t hang out with other men but have to find a hot girl they can guide about love, relationships and fashion. Also, chances are they will both crush on and fantasize the same hunky straight man, which the girl would end up with. What even? © Eros International The Peppy Wardrobe How do you make a gay character visibly and obviously gay? Dress him up in florals, pinks and anything vibrant and colourful. Also, add some accessories like cravat in the peppiest print, necklace and a rainbow coloured glove to make him unforgettably gay. © Dharma Productions The AccentIf all fails, wait till you hear the guy speaking. Not only he will have a very obvious gay accent but a distinct way of speaking. Also, they would often use words like “Darling, Sweety, Babe” while referring to a woman friend or frenemy so you definitely know he’s not hitting on her but is either going to be her best friend (refer to point 2) or is an incredibly rude boss. © UTV Motion Pictures The Sappy ChapWhile a macho straight man isn’t allowed to be emotional and sensitive in Hindi movies, gay men are shown as people who are born with a tap in their eyes. They would cry at littlest things, especially a proposal scene (here come the waterworks!). © Dharma Productions These so-called mannerism and typical potrayal only perpetuate these stereotypes against queer men and it needs to stop now. Bollywood, are you listening? View the full article
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Explainer: Bitcoin's mainstream charge raises stakes for central bank digital cash
ADMIN posted a blog entry in Geo News Blog
Bitcoin has shifted from the fringes of finance towards embrace by major investors, companies and even cities -
Have you ever noticed the "Games" button inside some applications like your mobile web browser or, say, a wallet app? Weird, right? Like why would there be an option to play games on a casual app that has nothing to do with gaming? Turns out, it's a strategy used by app makers to boost user engagement. In simple terms, it makes users spend more time within their app and even makes one come back for more. It's called gamification, and a lot of apps that you use on a day-to-day basis use it. Just go back to your phone right now and see how many of the apps you use on a daily basis have games inside them. You'll be surprised. © Gamezop An Indian company called "Gamezop" is one of the major players in this industry. It's essentially a gaming platform that powers gaming experience in thousands of app in India. We're talking about HTML5 games here, so they're nothing intense. But they can be super addictive at times, making you come back for more. And that addiction is what these platforms like Gamezop are banking on. To get a better understanding of how these games work and how platforms like Gamezop are thriving on them, I spoke to Yashash Agrawal, one of the founding members of Gamezop. © YouTube "At Gamezop, our goal is to acquire more users and cater to them rather than pushing app installs. It has allowed us to reach millions of users without any marketing spend whatsoever," said Yash when I asked him about his company. In case you're still scratching your head, let me tell you that Gamezop is merely acting as a distribution network for these games. No, they're not making games of their own. Instead, they license these games from over 250 partners and put them in the right place. And when I say right place, I really mean it. These games are positioned in a way to grab maximum attention. They even show up as pop-ups on certain apps, so the chances of you missing it are quite less. But How Are They Making Money Out Of This? Ads! As an aggregator, Gamezop has managed to place its games on some of the most popular apps like Mozilla Firefox, Ixigo, NewsPoint, among others. So whenever a user decides to play a game, he/ she will have to sit through an ad. It's similar to how you watch videos on YouTube. Obviously, I wasn't given an accurate number when it comes to the revenue, but given the number of monthly active users, I am inclined to believe that I'd be aplenty. And it must've gotten only better with the introduction of real-money gaming format. When it comes to such games, users will be asked to pay money to enter a game that promises real-money prizes. That's directly going to the aggregator, which in this case is Gamezop, without having to rely on an ad impression. The Way Forward According to Yash, there's a huge scope to expand their operations. I've been told that Gamezop has 800 partners in India. But considering the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of apps from Indian developers alone, with millions more worldwide, I can only imagine the growth opportunity here. Yash and the team seem to be quite optimistic about their business model and they think the affordable mobile data and the need for entertainment on-the-go are going to make things better. These games are obviously not for everyone. Some of you may even hate these, but it's worth making a note that millions of users still enjoy playing them over other mainstream titles. They're easy to access and free-to-play. What else do you need? View the full article
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When it comes to entertainment, the year gone by has, by far, been one of the most memorable years of recent times. 2018 saw the rise of the underdogs, getting their due recognition and appreciation, besides witnessing a fresh outpouring of newer themes and scripts that had us queueing up outside movie halls, with just as much gusto as with exclusive web releases. That said, we must guide your attention to the alternate universe of indie films that saw a significant rise in popularity in 2018 with numerous titles successfully making their way to the screens and our hearts. From Nandita Das' critically acclaimed 'Manto' to Vasan Bala's 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota' and Netflix's most memorable 'Lust Stories', there is an endless number of other films that have graced the screens in 2018 and literally blew our minds with their content and talent. This year holds a lot more promise in the indie film genre with themes ranging from action dramas to biopics and much more. Here below we list down 11 indie films that should be on your must-watch list this year: 1. Bombairiya © TriStar Pictures Directed by Pia Sukanya, and starring noted actors like Radhika Apte, Siddhanth Kapoor, Akshay Oberoi, Adil Hussain, Ravi Kishan, Amit Sial, Ajinkya Deo and Shilpa Shukla, 'Bombairiya' is a black comedy-drama. The story follows the life of a woman who finds herself in a series of events after her phone gets stolen. 2. Hamid © Yoodlee Films Set against the backdrop of unrest in the valleys of Kashmir, 'Hamid' narrates the story of a widowed mother and her son who has lost his father to the many battles in the Valley. 8-year-old Hamid finds out that 786 is God's number and tries to reach out to him through this number. The film stars Rasika Dugal, Vikas Kumar and Talha Arshad Reshi, and has been directed by Aijaz Khan. 3. No Fathers In Kashmir © Alipur Films 'No Fathers In Kashmir' has been directed by Oscar-nominee and National Award winner, Ashvin Kumar. This film revolves around the love story of two innocent 16-year-olds, whose fathers seem to have disappeared in Kashmir. In their search, the teenagers uncover the hidden secrets of the lost fathers. The film stars Zara Webb, Shivam Rana with prominent names such as Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Soni Razdan and Anshuman Jha. 4. Kaamyaab © Eros International A film starring Sanjay Mishra who plays the role of a retired character actor, and decides to come out of retirement in order to play the one role that he missed out on during his career. 'Kaamyaab' also stars Deepak Dobriyal and Isha Talwar in pivotal roles and has been directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Hardik Mehta. 5. Pind Daan © Poetic License Production This film is set to be the directorial debut of Seema Pahwa who has been seen in films like 'Shubh Mangal Savdhan' and 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'. The cast of this family-drama includes popular faces such as Vikrant Massey, Naseeruddin Shah, Vinay Pathak, Manoj Pahwa, Konkana Sen, Deepika Amin and Ninad Kamat. 6. Tryst With Destiny © Youtube, Twitter, BCCL A compilation of four-part stories, the title is a reference to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru's speech on August 14, 1947. The stories in this flick revolve around social issues that have existed in India since our Independence. The cast comprises of Vineet Kumar Singh, Geetanjali Thapa, Amit Sial, Prakash Raj and Suhasini Maniratnam, while the film is being directed by Prashant Nair. 7. Pashmina © Renzu Films Narrated through the point of view of a young Kashmiri girl, 'Pashmina' is a tale of four different individuals whose lives get intertwined with one another's. Starring Aditi Rao Hydari, Shweta Tripathi, Dulquer Salmaan, Zaira Wasim, Ronit Roy, Soni Razdan, and Farida Jalal, the film has been directed by Danish Renzu. 8. The Storyteller © Youtube, Twitter, BCCL Satyajit Ray's 'The Storyteller' will be retold in Hindi under the direction of Ananth Mahadevan. The cast features Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Revathi and Tannishtha Chatterjee as its main actors. It is a story of an uncle who turns into a storyteller after he retires from his full-time job. 9. Yours Truly © Platoon One Films 'Yours Truly' is a romantic drama which has been directed by National Award winner Sanjoy Nag. With a noted star cast that includes Soni Razdan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aahana Kumra and Mahesh Bhatt in a special appearance, it is being called the official film adaptation of one of the stories from the book 'Love Stories #1 To 14' by Annie Zaidi. 10. Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai © No Guts No Glory Films 'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai' is a modern take on Saeed Akhtar Mirza's 1980 classic starring Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil by the same name. Soumitra Ranade's retelling of the story with Manav Kaul in the lead, who attempts to avenge his father's death. The film also stars Nandita Das, Saurabh Shukla and Kishor Kadam. It is being reported that Nandita Das will be seen playing seven characters in the film. 11. Photograph © Poetic License Production After his successful debut with 'The Lunchbox' producer and director Ritesh Batra is all set to bring another masterpiece with this one. The film traces the life of struggling street photographer played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who persuades, a reclusive stranger played by Sanya Malhotra, to pose as his fiancée to escape the pressures of marriage from family.
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Traffic Woes? You Can Now Take A Heli-Taxi Because A Car Taxi Is Too Mainstream
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
The most classic excuse that most of us make when we are late for work or a party or basically anything, is that we are 'stuck in traffic'. It's one of those excuses that always works because let's face it, the traffic in India's metro cities is the worst and there is nothing you can do about it. But now, Bengalureans will not be able to make this excuse. Why? Because they will be able to cover a 2-hour-long distance within 15 minutes thanks to a new kind of taxi service. Brace yourself for this one because it's one of a kind and India's first. Bengaluru is now the first city in the country to have helicopter taxis. Travel in Luxury and Style with Heli Taxii. Check out our services: https://t.co/7SYVxXFJ4Y#HeliTaxii #skytaxi pic.twitter.com/eS6Gsmc6gM — Heli Taxii (@HeliTaxii) February 15, 2018 No, it isn't 1st April today. It's as real as it can get. Launching #HeliTaxii – Asia's first sky taxi in Bengaluru. #HeliTaxii is a service provided by Thumby Aviation Pvt. Ltd. with the intent of making helicopters accessible and affordable to the general public. pic.twitter.com/M8sW477we7 — Heli Taxii (@HeliTaxii) February 8, 2018 The initiative made headlines quite a while back but honestly, we wouldn't have believed it till we saw it in action. And today, the first heli-taxi took off in the city leaving all of us surprised. Always used to joke that we should have an air taxi to fly from #Bangalore Airport to Electronic city as car takes 2.5hrs The dream has come true now thanks to @HeliTaxii which just took me 12 minutes :) #DhempeNivyTravels #MacroTraveller #HeliTaxii #skytaxii #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/z2nuyPuRF7 — Hrish Thota (@dhempe) March 4, 2018 This service has been launched to allow people to save a hell lot of time while travelling from the Electronic City to the BLR Airport. The passengers would otherwise spend more than 2 hours to cover this distance but with heli-taxi it would only be a matter of 15 minutes. 15 minutes from Electronic City to the BLR Airport #NowLive. Heli Taxi operational from today. Pre-book on the app here: https://t.co/XyQlMO7kUN pic.twitter.com/ZtGCNBuln0 — BLR Airport (@BLRAirport) March 5, 2018 The first ride that took off today was at 6:30am with five customers. And if we may add, VERY rich customers because as expected, this one of a kind taxi service does not come off cheap. Attention flyers - say goodbye to Bengaluru traffic and hello to the sky view with Heli Taxii Joy Rides. We have a special price just for you! Hurry book your Heli Taxii joy ride and experience a new way of flying#HeliTaxii #skytaxi #bengaluru pic.twitter.com/t7GbzPX8d5 — Heli Taxii (@HeliTaxii) March 1, 2018 While there is an offer going on right now, one ride will otherwise set you back by Rs. 3500. Now if you value your time more than money, then you won't care about the exorbitant amount. However for most of us, this doesn't exactly seem feasible. Nevertheless, we can only hope that this service proves to be a boon for the city and maybe eventually, the prices can be reduced down a bit for us mere mortals. But in case you have a lot of extra money lying around and want to try this service, you can visit their website: Heli Taxi (helitaxii.com ) -
NEW YORK: It is 5 pm, otherwise known as rush hour in Manhattan. Julia Lyons, 31, finishes work and heads straight for her daily dose of peace and quiet -- half an hour at meditation studio "Mndfl." Since April 2016, when she discovered the then-brand-new studio, the investment bank employee has abandoned yoga and embraced meditation. "I have been meditating pretty regularly -- probably five times a week, 30-minute sessions," says Lyons, sipping a cup of tea on the studio´s sofa. "I just need a moment to chill out. This city -- you are always running place to place and there are not a lot of quiet spaces," she explains. "I think it´s made me a lot happier and also just helped me make better decisions, more thoughtful decisions." Practiced by millions around the world, meditation promotes mental wellbeing through concentration, breathing techniques and self-awareness. For a long time, those singing its praises were intellectuals, celebrities or people dedicated to spirituality. Its popularity in the West is owed in part to the Beatles, who promoted the practice on their return from India in the late 1960s. But these days, meditation can be found in all areas of life -- from hospitals exploring its benefits for patients with serious illnesses to schools who recommend it for children and television shows. The craze is a result of many factors -- waning attendance at places of worship, lives spent submerged in smartphones, not to mention neuroscientists´ confirmation of the benefits. As a result, demand is spreading across American cities -- perhaps a natural continuation of the yoga craze, which firmly embedded the search for nirvana in the health and wellbeing industry. $10 for half an hour Lodro Rinzler, Mndfl´s 34-year-old "chief spiritual officer," opened his first studio in Greenwich Village at the end of 2015, and now owns two others in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Elsewhere in the US, studios can be found in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington and Boston. Introduced to meditation as a child by his parents, who converted to Buddhism in the 1970s, he says business "is going well." "The people who come here are really a cross-section of all New Yorkers," he explains. "If the common denominator is, ´I am really stressed out, I need to know how to deal with my mind´ -- that´s basically everyone." Rinzler refuses to talk money, revealing only that classes are often full -- and the 75 numbered pads in his studios have been reserved online 70,000 times in just 18 months. The reason for success? A model offering a well-rounded introduction to this ancient practice for a reasonable price. For years, Rinzler explains, Buddhist centres only offered long introductions -- sessions of several hours, or even seminars lasting a number of days and costing up to several thousand dollars. With classes priced at just $10 for half an hour and options for unlimited subscriptions, new studios in New York or Los Angeles hope to capture a wider audience. Their model is similar to gyms, but with "zen" in abundance -- including dimmed lights, plant walls, and unlimited organic tea. CEOs join, employees follow Companies are also reaping meditation´s benefits. More and more organizations in Silicon Valley and other sectors are introducing employees to the practice, convinced of the long-term benefits for the workforce. Emily Fletcher, an ex-actress who has taught meditation since 2012, launched a special program for companies 18 months ago. Starting from 150 students in the first year, she now has over 7,000 -- and hopes to reach tens of thousands more with online courses, including in medium-sized cities such as Cleveland, Ohio or Tallahassee, Florida. "The most common way that I find myself teaching at companies is I teach the CEOs to meditate, and they start to benefit and they bring me on to do a talk with the company," Fletcher, CEO of Ziva Meditation, says. Employees take part on a voluntary basis, mostly "for some selfish reasons," the 38-year-old explains. "Either they want to speak better, please their boss, want to make more money or have better ***..." But Fletcher insists she has no issue with people starting out of self-interest. "If you actually practice you will start enjoying your life more, your brain will function better, your body will feel better, you get sick less often," she says. "Those altruistic things will happen as a result of the practice anyway." Mobile meditation Another aspect of the industry gaining traction is meditation apps. One of the most popular, Headspace, had already been downloaded more than 11 million times in the spring -- and boasts over 400,000 paying users. But meditation´s newfound popularity is of such high intensity, neither Rinzler nor Fletcher is concerned about competing studios popping up over time. "I am sure they are going to be exactly like yoga studios, you are going to find them on every block..." Rinzler predicts. "If you look at it as a business, there is competition," Fletcher reflects, adding, "if you see it as a mission, there are colleagues." "There are not too many teachers when it comes to teaching four billion people in my lifetime!"
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5G phones to go mainstream in key markets in 2019: Qualcomm CEO
ADMIN posted a blog entry in Geo News Blog
FRANKFURT: The first 5G phones ready to meet next-generation mobile standards will be available for the mass market in 2019 - a year ahead of most predictions - in several Asian countries and the United States, Qualcomm?s CEO said on Thursday. Steven Mollenkopf, chief executive of the world?s top maker of smartphone chips, said in an interview that rising consumer and business demands were forcing the industry to accelerate its previous 2020 timeline to upgrade to new networks and devices. ?You will see it (5G) in real devices, on the shelf, in 2019. And if I were to answer that same question a year ago, I would have said 2020?, Mollenkopf said in an interview on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Commercialisation of 5G is vital to the fortunes of makers of network equipment gear such as Huawei [HWT.UL], Nokia and Ericsson, as well as device makers like Samsung Electronics and Apple by enabling demand for new features and equipment upgrades. Moving to new networks promises to enable new mobile services and even whole new business models, but could pose challenges for industries unable to invest in upgrades. Unlike the prior upgrades of cellular standards 2G in the early 1990s, 3G just around the millennium and 4G in 2010, 5G standards will deliver not just faster phone or computer data but link up cars, machines, cargo and crop equipment to the Internet. The Qualcomm executive said South Korea, Japan and the United States all now had several network operators in each market preparing mainstream network launches in 2019, with China likely to join this early wave rather than hanging behind. ?I think you will see the typical first movers - Korea, Japan and the United States,? he said referring to the history of 3G and 4G cellular network upgrades, when South Korea and Japan moved first and the United States quickly followed. ?You will see robust demand in all of those locations, meaning that there are multiple operators wanting to be first and not be left behind. (Most) will have a different deployment strategy or goal,? he said, fuelling competition for new users. China, far and away the world?s largest market for phones, has traditionally lagged behind these early adopters, but Mollenkopf said they are likely to join the first movers to 5G. ?What we are seeing in China is a real desire not to be a follower and to launch with everyone else. That?s new this time.? ?From a geopolitical perspective, certain regions of the world just don?t want to be late to that game,? he said. The Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February 2018 are expected to be the first widespread public showcase for 5G services. -
Sushant Singh Rajput Just Made Really Tight Sweatpants Very Mainstream
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Bollywood is experiencing a below-the-belt revolution lately. SRK-approved cargo pants have been popping up. Paint splatters are appearing on every Tom, Dick, and Harry's jeans. And, well...sweatpants—the ultimate accessory to showcase a good package, are becoming really tight. But hey, we have no complaints. Case in point: Sushant Singh Rajput's recent outfit! While the rest of the world is turning to anti-fits, wide-legged trousers, slouchy fits—SSR's been running in the opposite direction. Last evening, the man was spotted in a pair of sweatpants, that was a tad bit tighter than the one on the racks. They were grey, almost featuring a hint of a bulge (lol) and were styled in the most appealing manner. © Viral Bhayani For once, let's forget how suffocating the sweatpants appear. They don't look that bad. However, what we're really noticing here is their perfect length. They're very precisely grazing his ankles! Plus, they look so comfy, off-duty and as seen here—shockingly good with bomber jackets. Basically, terrific! © Viral Bhayani While on another day we would have questioned SSR about this move, but today, we're seeing nothing wrong. Sweatpants, as you know them are essentially lounge pants that are taking over the world. Thanks to street style trends, they turned to top slots of the fashion game. And thank god for that! But how tight or loose they can possibly be, is a question one has to answer for themselves. Sweatpants stand for absolute comfort and if really tight sweatpants are SSR's comfort-preference, we have no complaints here! © Viral Bhayani BRB, shopping for some really tight-but-comfortable sweatpants right now! -
A woman poses in a Nike hijab being developed for Muslim women athletes, in an undated photo released by the company March 8, 2017. Vivienne Balla/Nike/Handout via REUTERS BEIRUT: The hijab ? one of the most visible signs of Islamic culture ? is going mainstream with advertisers, media giants, and fashion firms promoting images of the traditional headscarf in ever more ways. Last week, Apple previewed 12 new emoji characters to be launched later this year, one of a woman wearing a hijab. Hijab emoji ? one of the several new ones that Apple debuted last week. Image courtesy: Huffington Post via Apple Major fashion brands from American Eagle to Nike are creating hijabs, while hijab-wearing models have started gracing Western catwalks and the covers of top fashion magazines. Many Muslim women cover their heads in public with the hijab as a sign of modesty, although some critics see it as a sign of female oppression. But there is one thing most can agree on: when it comes to the hijab, there is money to be made. Muslim girls in hijabs walk past a man, as he shouts and gives a 'thumbs down' at activists (not pictured) protesting outside Trump Tower against the US Supreme Court decision to revive parts of a travel ban on people from six Muslim-majority countries in Manhattan, New York, US, June 26, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky "In terms of the bottom line ? absolutely they're (young Muslims) good for business? it's a huge market and they are incredibly brand savvy, so they want to spend their money," said Shelina Janmohamed, vice-president of Ogilvy Noor, a consultancy offering advice on how to build brands that appeal to Muslim audiences. Nike announced it is using its prowess in the sports and leisure market to launch a breathable mesh hijab in spring 2018, becoming the first major sports apparel maker to offer a traditional Islamic head scarf designed for competition. Widi Rahmawati (L) and Firdda Kurnia, members of the metal Hijab band Voice of Baceprot, perform during a school's farewell event in Garut, Indonesia, May 15, 2017. Picture taken May 15, 2017. REUTERS/Yuddy Cahyataken May 15, 2017. REUTERS/Yuddy Cahya2 In June, Vogue Arabia featured on its cover the first hijabi model to walk the international runway, Somali-American Halima Aden, who gained international attention last year when she wore a hijab and burkini during the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. "Every little girl deserves to see a role model that's dressed like her, resembles her, or even has the same characteristics as her," Aden said in a video on her Instagram account. A woman wears a union jack hijab in St Ann's Square in Manchester, Britain, May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls1 Western advertising Hijabs have also become more visible in Western advertising campaigns for popular retailers like H&M and Gap. "Brands especially are in a very strategic and potent position to propel that social good, to change the attitudes of society, and really push us forward and take us to that next step," Amani al-Khatahtbeh, founder of online publication MuslimGirl.com, said by phone from New York. People look at a market stall selling the hijab in east London, Britain January 20, 2011. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth/File Photo In Nigeria, a medical student has become an Instagram sensation for posting images of a hijab-wearing Barbie, describing hers as a "modest doll" ? unlike the traditional version. And mothers in Pittsburgh have started making and selling hijabs for Barbies in a bid to make play more inclusive. However, al-Khatahtbeh warned of the potential for the young Muslim market to be exploited just for profit without any effort to promote acceptance and integration. Women wearing US flag hijabs are pictured during an 'I am Muslim Too' rally in Times Square, Manhattan, New York, US, February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri "It can easily become exploitative by profiting off of communities that are being targeted right now, or it could be a moment that we turn into a very, very empowering one," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Emojis and fashion Frustrated she could not find an image to represent her and her friends on her iPhone keypad, Saudi teenager, Rayouf Alhumedhi, started an online campaign, the Hijab Emoji Project. An audience member wears an American flag hijab during US President Donald Trump's address to the Joint Session of Congress in Washington, US, February 28, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst She proposed the idea of the emoji last year to coding consortium Unicode that manages the development of new emojis, Alhumedhi said on her campaign's website, helping to prompt Apple to create its hijab-wearing emoji. "It's only really in the last 18 to 24 months ? perhaps three years ? that bigger mainstream brands have started to realise that young Muslim consumers are really an exciting opportunity," said Janmohamed of Ogilvy Noor. Halima Eden. Image courtesy: Cosmopolitan A global Islamic economy report conducted by Thomson Reuters showed that in 2015, revenues from "modest fashion" bought by Muslim women was were estimated at $44 billion, with designers Dolce & Gabbana, Uniqlo and Burberry entering the industry. Janmohamed, author of the memoir Love in a Headscarf, sees young hijabi representation in the digital communications and fashion space a step forward for tolerance. A Muslim woman in hijab is seen amid activists as they make their way to the Women's March in opposition to the agenda and rhetoric of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, US, on January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Adrees Latif "It feels particularly empowering for young people to see themselves represented. So today, I think it is the least that consumers expect and anyone that doesn't do it is actually falling behind." ?via Thomson Reuters Foundation
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Microsoft aims to make artificial intelligence mainstream
waqas dar posted a blog entry in Geo News Blog
SEATTLE: Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled new tools intended to democratise artificial intelligence by enabling machine smarts to be built into software from smartphone games to factory floors. Improving programs with artificial intelligence that could tap into services in the internet "cloud" and even take advantage of computing power in nearby machines, was part of a vision unveiled as the US technology titan´s annual Build Conference opened. "We are infusing AI into every product and service we offer," said Microsoft executive vice president of artificial intelligence and research Harry Shum. "We´ve been creating the building blocks for the current wave of AI breakthroughs for more than two decades." Microsoft research has gone deep into areas such as machine learning, speech recognition, and enabling machines to recognise what they "see." "Now, we´re in the unique position of being able to use those decades of research breakthroughs," Shum said. Microsoft rivals including Amazon, Apple, Google and IBM have all been aggressively pursing the promise and potential of artificial intelligence. Amazon on Tuesday unveiled the latest member of its family of devices powered by its Alexa digital assistant, with a touchscreen. Also this week, Samsung-owned Harman Kardon announced the release of its new Invoke speaker powered by Microsoft´s digital assistant Cortana and integrating Skype for making calls using the device. Meanwhile, Google has been ramping up capabilities of its Home digital assistant. Artificial intelligence is getting a foothold in people´s homes, with personal assistants answering questions and controlling connected devices such as appliances or light bulbs. Digital assistants already boast features such as reminding people of appointments entered into calendars and chiming in with advice to set out early if traffic is challenging. Microsoft´s aim on Wednesday was on businesses and software developers, whether they been students building a fun app or professional technology teams. "Microsoft is trying to use AI for businesses to solve business problems and app developers to make applications better," said Moor Insights and Strategy principal analyst Patrick Moorhead. "Which is different from Amazon, Facebook, and Google whose primary business model is to mine personal information using AI to sell you things or put ads in front of you." Microsoft is taking a unique approach by letting developers customise gesture commands, voice recognition and more instead of making them conform to settings in "off-the-shelf" AI, according to the analyst.