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The State of Play
25 reasons engaging your customers will never be the same
We play in public. We play in private. We play online, offline and waiting in line. We play in stadiums. We play at home. We play on alien worlds. We work to play. You play at work and that's OK. We play to win. We pay for skins. We play to learn. We pay to watch. We play with your competition. We play on dates. We date to find playmates. We play on good teams. We play with bad sports. We play to keep fit. We cosplay. We play new games and ancient sports. We play till the end. And maybe after!
Play is a serious matter.
Play is a deeply held human desire. Changing behaviors, new tools, and emerging expectations related to having a good time impact all of you. Whether you work for Asia's busiest airport, design apparel for Adidas, or run your own small business: play should be on your radar.
Here we will look at 25 global innovations that are delighting consumers today. Your mission: use them to inspire your own efforts to delight the customer of tomorrow!
🚨 Heads up: We built this report as a FREE slide deck (complete with charts, additional insights and a lot of adorable animations) to use with your team. So, before you scroll any further, if you are on desktop we highly recommend viewing that version. You deserve it. For you early adopters reading on mobile (!), this simplified text version is for you. 🚨
Free slide deck! Ungated, animated & beautiful to share with your team.
6 reasons play is a major business opportunity.
This isn't a spectator sport. Serious fortunes will be made by those who focus on play. Here are some CFO-pleasing stats for you:
1. Spending on play is growing.
Pick your market. Global consumer spend on gaming will grow to $180 billion by 2021, an annual growth rate of 10% from 2017 and 2021. (Newzoo, April 2018). Global revenue in the Sports & Outdoor segment is expected to show an annual growth rate of 10% from 2018 to 2022. (Statista, June 2018). Toy sales in Asia have grown by 21% in the last five years. The global toy market is forecasted to reach $99 billion in 2022 (NPD, August 2018).
2. Play can break through to saturated audiences.
You don't need to be Reed Hastings to know competition for consumer attention is higher than ever before. American adults spend over 11 hours per day listening to, watching, reading or generally interacting with media (Nielsen, July 2018). Brands that offer rich, playful experiences are more likely to engage with users than those hammering one-way comms.
3. In an aging world, play isn't just for kids.
Society's widespread agreement on the importance of play in childhood development is recent history. But far more recently, another play-related consensus is emerging. With a global aging population, play (from Super Mario to Mahjong) and social connections will play an urgent role in reducing loneliness, depression and potentially dementia for millions of older consumers.
4. In anxious markets, consumers crave escapism.
Play is a powerful form of escapism. A recent survey found an average of 56% of people in 28 nations feel their country is on the wrong track (Ipsos, July 2018). When a majority of your market is worried about polarized politics, the environment, trade wars, cyber crime, technological displacement and more, they are crying out for a happy distraction. And 44% of gamers say the biggest benefit is improved emotional well-being (Qutee, June 2018).
5. In booming economies, stressed-out citizens also need escapism!
Even in optimistic markets like China, where 91% are happy with the direction the country is headed in, citizens aren't taking it easy. Societies that experience miraculous economic transformation often place soaring expectations on the next generation to continue the trajectory. The average length of sleep for Chinese people has dropped from 8.8 hours in 2013, to 6.5 in 2018 (Caijing, July 2018).
6. Play leads to happier employees. Happier employees lead to happier consumers.
As we outlined in GLASS BOX BRANDS: in an era of radical transparency, your internal culture is your brand. The wellbeing and engagement of your staff is more visible to consumers than ever before. There are fundamentals to get right (pay, purpose and parental leave) before you try to boost morale with play, but it's a powerful tool. See how Amazon was able to harness its playful (dog-friendly) culture in a way that softened the blow of Prime Day chaos!
Time to level up your play!
But enough data and theory, let's get on with bringing you 25 innovations that perfectly capture today's State of Play.
2019 Trend Event
Our first series of 2019 trend events will take place in Amsterdam, London, New York, and Singapore.
This time we'll be exploring The Future of Experiences, specifically in-person experiences and the consumer trends placing them at the center of B2C brand and marketing strategies worldwide.
The Esports Economy
We feel your pain. It's 2018 and there are many professionals who still haven't absorbed the global dominance of esports in popular culture. With or without them, a thriving new economy continues to evolve.
Canada & China - Myesports Ventures — Purpose-built esports stadiums under development
August 2018 saw Myesports Ventures unveil plans for a stadium dedicated to esports in Canada. Similar to traditional sports arenas, the Gaming Stadium will seat 250 spectators and feature 40 gaming stations, broadcasting facilities and food and beverage outlets. The stadium is set to open in 2019. The world's first purpose-built esports stadium (still under development) is based in Chongqing, China.
US - Ward — App allows fantasy predictions on esports games
A US-created app launched in June 2018 allowing fantasy esports fans to make predictions about games in real time. Ward users predict their version of in-game events to win prizes such as headphones, tickets for championships and signed merchandise such as team jerseys. The initiative launched following USD 600,000 seed investment from backers Impulse VC, SmartHub and a number of European angel investors.
US - H4X — Brand offers performance apparel for esports athletes
Launched by San Francisco-based design company Moniker in February 2018, H4X is an esports apparel brand. The label's performance wear (which has technical features to aid player comfort) and casual streetwear is aimed at both esports athletes and fans. H4X signed its first sponsorship with Complexity Gaming in June 2018.
Russia - Pochta Bank and RESF — Bank creates card with perks for esports fans
August 2018 saw Russia-based Pochta Bank announce a partnership with the Russian Esports Federation. The partnership will create a new bank card for gamers that gives holders access to the website 'Cyberlab'. The members-only section of the website allows users to interact with esports stars, access online practice sessions, enter giveaways and receive coaching from professional players. The card will be available to those who are at least 14 years old.
Europe - Porsche — Esports competition winner learns how to race cars in real life
In August 2018, Porsche partnered with Microsoft and esports platform ESL to launch the 911 GT3 RS Challenge. The global competition will see esports players compete in several online rounds, including one at the Gamescom event in Cologne. The final winner earns the opportunity to enter the Porsche Mastercup Training in Barcelona, a two-day course that teaches a select group of drivers how to race the Porsche 911 GT3 RS in real life.
Never miss a TrendWatching Quarterly Briefing!
PLAYFUL PUBLIC SPACES
There's no reason to limit fantastical play to online spaces. Especially when even teens are working to cut down screentime (Pew). Trigger delight by bringing playful moments into surprising locations IRL.
Singapore - Changi Airport — Airport introduces animatronic butterflies and five-story playground
Singapore's Changi Airport debuted its Luck is Everywhere campaign in July 2018, promoting its 'Be a Changi Millionaire' shopping giveaway. The campaign saw animatronic, remote-controlled butterflies released into the airport. The butterflies were made to replicate the Diaethria Anna species, which naturally has an '88' design on its wing; the number eight is a symbol of luck and prosperity in Asia. Then in August, Changi Airport made Chandelier, a five-story-high playground, open to the public. The woven playground features climbing nets and a pole to slide down. It can be used by up to 50 people at a time, for free, at any time of day.
Denmark - Fokstrot — Artificial urban islands function as public spaces
Denmark-based design studio Fokstrot released a prototype for artificial 'islands', to be placed in the Copenhagen harbor as a public space, in Q1 2018. The Copenhagen Islands project will see the wooden platforms function as a resting spot and park for swimmers and kayakers; the islands will be connected to one another, forming a 'parkipelago', for special events. The project's islands are set to include a stage, mussel farm, sauna and diving board.
Canada - Creactive — Circus-themed family experience designed for malls
Creactive is a family entertainment concept for retail spaces, devised by Canada's Cirque du Soleil. Unveiled in June 2018, the interactive, immersive experiences have been designed for locations such as malls. The touring circus has created an experience including activities such as aerial parkour, mask design, juggling and bungee jumping. The first Creactive space will open in Toronto in September 2019.
LooxidLabs — VR headset measures and tracks shoppers' emotions.
LooxidVR is a VR headset that measures and tracks shoppers' emotions. Developed by California-based Looxid Labs, the headset is equipped with six EEG sensors and two eye-tracking cameras, and can measure the wearer's brain activity, eye movement, and pupil dilation when watching VR content (virtual store fronts, for example). The device then uses AI to turn the data into useful insights for retailers. Available to pre-order from February 2018, LooxidVR won a CES Best of Innovation Award in January 2018.
Consumer-focused professionals from adidas, Netflix, Nissan, Virgin, Samsung, Sephora, ING, Orange, Fujitsu, Spotify and many, many more have gained 2019 access to our Premium Service.
In the coming weeks and months, they'll be using the platform to ensure their plans remain deeply aligned with what their customers want next.
INSTA-MONUMENTS
The following examples capture the desire for escapism with towering clarity. They have an immediate local impact, jolting urban passersby from their newsfeeds. Of course, these playful installations were born for Instagram stories.
Korea - KAWS — Artist creates 28-meter floating sculpture
July 2018 saw American artist KAWS unveil KAWS:HOLIDAY in Seoul's Seokchon Lake. The exhibit, which was produced collaboration with Hong Kong-based creative studio AllRightsReserved, includes a 28-meter inflatable floating sculpture. Accompanying KAWS:HOLIDAY was a range of limited edition merchandise, such as a scaled-down rubber bath toy based on the floating sculpture.
UK - Now TV — Giant statue of Jeff Goldblum appears in London
Marking the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park, a 25ft (7.6m) statue of Hollywood actor Jeff Goldblum made a brief appearance next to London's Tower Bridge in July 2018. Mimicking a pose Goldblum made famous in his role as Dr Ian Malcolm in the 1993 movie, the effigy was created by Sky's on-demand entertainment provider, Now TV. The statue weighed 331 pounds (150 kilograms) and took more than six weeks to build.
China - Liebian International Plaza — China constructs tallest artificial waterfall off tower's facade
July 2018 saw China complete the world's largest man-made waterfall – off a skyscraper. Located in the southwest province of Guizhou, Liebian International Plaza stands 397 feet tall and features a 354-foot waterfall off the tower's exterior. The waterfall uses recycled runoff water, and arranging for a waterfall show takes two hours of prep work and costs RMB 800 or USD 118 per hour in electricity. Officials say the cascades will only be turned on for special occasions.
PURPOSEFUL PLAY
To set themselves apart from doom and gloom pessimism, purpose-driven brands are combining three of the biggest mega-trends of the last 30 years: the Experience Economy, Gamification and Purposeful Consumerism.
Sweden - Björn Borg — Brand uses AR to raise awareness of LGBT rights
June 2018 saw Swedish underwear brand Björn Borg launch a campaign during the FIFA Wold Cup to raise awareness of LGBTQ rights. During the tournament's opening match (Russia versus Saudi Arabia), fans were encouraged to visit an online platform and place an augmented reality image of a gay couple kissing above the crowd with the tagline 'Love will Win Tonight'. Images could be viewed via mobile or laptop and could be shared across social media. In Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is an offence punishable by death, while Russia's LGBT policies have been widely criticized.
Mexico - Minecraft — Gamers help rebuild reefs with in-game creations
Minecraft launched the Coral Crafters coral-rebuilding campaign in Mexico in time for June 2018's World Ocean Day. The campaign saw Minecraft ask players – including YouTube influencer StacyPlays – to design sculptures for new coral that would be built in real life using Biorock (which accelerates natural coral growth). In addition to building the structures, the game released a special in-game expansion, with proceeds from purchases going to The Nature Conservancy. Minecraft pledged to donate USD 100,000 to the same nonprofit once players had placed 10 million coral blocks underwater in Minecraft.
Brazil - Calvin Klein — Customers invited to play in luxury brand's display windows
June 2018 saw Calvin Klein install a ball pit in the window of its São Paulo store. Customers were invited to play in the pit and share photos on social media. The campaign coincided with the city's Gay Pride parade, and Calvin Klein underwear multipacks were sold in the colors of the rainbow with 10% of the proceeds being donated to an LGBT charity.
Bulgaria, Japan and beyond - Pokémon Go — Gamers win rewards for collecting trash
In April 2018, Pokémon Go partnered with ocean conservation organization Mission Blue and local NGOs to offer game players a chance to win rewards for collecting garbage. Timed to coincide with Earth Day, each event lasted 48 hours, with available rewards depending on the total number of people who participated, and each entrant receiving a special avatar item. Cleanups took place across the globe in countries such as Bulgaria, China and Japan.
Emotional Experiences
Online lifestyles embedded a participatory mindset (connect, interact, and co-create) in billions of consumers. Ten years ago we warned you: consumers will take their online expectations offline. Yet, new experiences take this a step further and interact, adapt and respond based off of participants' emotions.
Canada - Montreal Jazz festival — Festival's brand identity captures concertgoers' data
In April 2018, the Montreal Jazz Festival debuted a new brand identity – a visual representation of data captured from concertgoers. The organizer hosted an event in 2017 where sensors around the venue collected information related to attendees' five senses. The collective body temperature, foot stomping, cheers, and beer purchases of the crowd were captured, and the festival's new designs and marketing materials were generated from the resulting data.
UK - Keaton Henson — Audience's emotional responses control concert lighting
In July 2018, English musician Keaton Henson performed Six Lethargies, an interactive composition at the Barbican in London. During the live performance, several audience members were monitored with biometric sensors, which monitored their nervous – and emotional – reaction to the music. The data produced controlled the lighting system at the concert. The artist hoped to capture how, through his music, his own feelings of anxiety and depression could be felt by the audience.
NBA — New flagship is the world's first sensory-inclusive retail store.
Celebrating World Autism Awareness Day, April 2018 saw the NBA's flagship store reopen as the first sensory-inclusive retail location in the world. The NBA worked with nonprofit KultureCity to make the store accessible for shoppers sensitive to regular retail environments. Bags with noise-canceling headphones are available, as well as weighted lap bands and fidget spinners, and staff received training on how to interact with and help shoppers with conditions such as autism, PTSD or dementia.
Emirates NBD — Initiatives make banking easier for individuals with disabilities.
March 2018 saw Emirates NBD unveil a series of initiatives to help individuals with special needs use self-service banking facilities in branches across Dubai. Part of the bank's #TogetherLimitless campaign, the initiatives included a Braille-enabled account opening service, which converts application information into English or Arabic Braille. Branch managers also received American Sign Language training. Emirates NBD also trialled a hearing loop service in the Jumeirah branch.
ACCESSIBLE PLAY
Many categories of play remain exclusive or inaccessible in a way that is out of whack with modern expectations. Play should NOT be a luxury. Can you create inclusive moments of play for excluded or underserved audiences?
US - Microsoft — Packaging for disability-friendly games controller gets easy-to-open design
July 2018 saw the unveiling of the Xbox Adaptive Controller's easy-to-open packaging. The accessible design allows the packaging to be pulled apart with the user's teeth, making it easier for gamers with limited mobility to open. First announced by Microsoft in May 2018, the controller is specially designed for gamers with disabilities, and retails at USD 99.99.
France - Ubisoft — Video game players instantly banished for racist chat
July 2018 saw French video game publisher Ubisoft taking decisive action against racist trolls in its video game, Rainbow Six: Siege. Players using specific words in public chat channels are banned instantly, with the bans also broadcast to everyone who is online. The automatic bans remove players from the game for roughly half an hour on the first offense, and two hours on the second or third offense.
UK - Pedigree — Online platform pairs elderly residents with local dogs in need of walking
Petcare brand Pedigree has unveiled End Loneliness: a campaign matching lonely elderly people with dogs in their local areas. Individuals aged over 65 can register online to be paired with nearby dog owners and arrange a time to walk the pet. A pilot ran in the UK in April 2018, with positive outcomes. According to Pedigree, 1.2 million elderly people in the UK are chronically lonely.
PLAY TO ADULT
One of our five trends for 2018, ASSISTED DEVELOPMENT, is where brands help young consumers to overcome hurdles, learn life skills and become 'adults'. While making a game out of paying off debt isn't right for every brand, who says play can't have a life-changing impact?
US - TruTV — Game show's contestants compete to have student debt eliminated
July 2018 saw TruTV's comedy game show, Paid Off, premiere in the US. Each episode of Paid Off features three contestants with student loans, who discuss the impact their debt has had on them. Designed to highlight the gravity and absurdity of America's student debt issue, the show's contestants must answer trivia questions to earn cash. Although there is only one winner per episode, every contestant earns some money to help with their debt.
US - WinWin — App helps players save while having the thrill of a lottery
Available to download from February 2018, WinWin is an app that encourages regular saving habits by offering users the chance to win cash prizes. Every dollar users save counts as a 'lottery ticket' towards winning up to USD 1,000 each week. Furthermore, users can play a short one-minute daily game (like whack-a-mole or word finder), for a chance to win instant cash prizes, with the prizes available increasing as users build their savings balances. Users' funds are held in a FDIC-insured Wells Fargo account and WinWin costs USD 2 per month.
Nigeria - Diamond Bank — Online games platform aims to boost financial skills of young
In March 2018, Nigerian financial service provider Diamond Bank introduced a digital platform allowing people to plan their financial future, save, chat, and update their financial knowledge while playing games. Created in partnership with Women's World Banking, Dreamville aims to engage specifically with young people to promote financial literacy. The service is supported by Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) and funded with aid from the UK government.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it!
We created a slideshow and worksheet for you because we REALLY want you and your team to get together (if your CFO is sold on the serious business of play, head to Changi Airport!) and start brainstorming new ways to play and delight your customers. Print off the worksheet, fire up the Google slides version of this and Go! Go! Go!
Advanced rules.
(aka, a note to our hardcore readers)
Yes, we know there aren't any new trends with a capital 'T' in this issue. Rules are made to be broken! And eagle-eyed readers will notice many of these innovations are the playful take on trends we've written about previously. Don't worry, we still love trends.
IT TAKES A TEAM
This Trend Briefing has many hands on it. A huge thanks to the team that pulled this together with such positivity and enthusiasm, especially: Vicky Kim and Nikki Ritmeijer (for design!), and also Maxwell Luthy, Vicki Loomes, Henry Mason, Alida Urban, Harry Metzger, Harvey Gomez, Jareth Ashbrook, Jonathan Herbst, Lisa Feierstein, and Tash Cohen. THANK YOU!
© 2002 -2022 TrendWatching BV.


Topics: The Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program, Syria.
Tell me about what you've seen today and what you thought.
Well this Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program, which has been going for more that 20 years now is bringing great benefits to Titjikala. Building houses, work with the health centre, providing some dental services, and most significantly putting in a whole new waste disposal system for the water in the town, so this is going to have lasting benefits for the people who live here.
And what are those lasting benefits?
Well, the water disposal plant itself has a life of decades into the future. They're providing additional health services while they're here, building two new duplex houses and also providing and expanded men's shed and the training as well. So not only do we train good welders and people in cooking classes, but in skills which will hopefully be of on going benefit for the local community.
And how does this empower Aboriginal people to help themselves in the community?
Well, giving them those skills is very important. I was back there with Kenneth, one of the local Aboriginal men here who is in the process of getting his welding skills and building a barbecue in the process. Other people are build things for the local sporting facilities and things like that so they get a sense of pride in their local community. I think Tijikala has won the Tidy Town award in the Northern Territory on a number of occasions. So it's building that community spirit, but building skills as well. Some of those people are gaining employment because of that training, and that therefore contributes to their families and the community.
I just have a few questions on Syria from our Canberra reporters. What has the US asked in terms of Australia expanding its role in the battle IS in Syria?
Well, I've received a letter from the US Defence Secretary, Ash Carter. They've requested that we play a significant role in terms of our Air Force operations. Currently we have a considerable Air Force contribution in Iraq. We have six Hornets there, we have a Wedgetail command and control aircraft there, and we have a refueller as well. So they operate over Iraq at the present time, and the US request is that they could also operate over Syria, in those regions where we are actually fighting against Daesh or ISIL.
And will we be doing that?
Well we'll consider that. I'll get advice over the next week or so from the Defence Department and then I will take a recommendation to the National Security Committee of Cabinet.
And how many extra planes or troops will be needed to expand Australia's operation against IS in Syria?
It doesn't involve any additional planes or troops. The request is really in relation to our Air Force operations at the moment. We can fight against Daesh, dropping bombs within Iraq, but if Daesh go overtone order into Syria and the moment we are not doing that, and that's what this request is to allow us to do.
Is bombing IS in Syria a good idea?
Well, this is a death cult. We've seen the executions, the beheadings the medieval barbarity from Daesh. We' part of a large coalition of nations from around the world who want to degrade and ultimately destroy Daesh because the terror which is occurring, both in Iraq and Syria, but also exported around the world is something we want to bring to and end.
Is it the only way to defeat IS and are you happy with Australia's achievements so far in Iraq?
We've made a very considerable commitment to Iraq, not only Air Force but we're also involved in a Building Partner Capacity mission to train Iraqi regular forces, we have Special Forces in there which we are looking to train the Iraqi Special Forces themselves. That's making a considerable contribution to the defeat of Daesh, but this is a long battle and we have to win it otherwise this exported terror which we've seen in Australia will continue to happen.


Have you ever heard the phrase "Practice Makes Perfect"? Well, beyond popular belief, this is actually FALSE! Practice DOES NOT make perfect. Let me give you an example: If I played baseball and always practiced swinging too early when up to bat, after a while it would become second nature and I would NEVER hit the ball! The same is true for anything in life and especially when practicing the piano.
Now let me give you a new phrase... "Practice Makes Permanent". That's right. Whatever you do in practice, you will do in performance. That's why is so important to practice correctly! Take your time. Make sure you a comfortable with what you are learning before moving on.
You and/or your child may be tempted to move on early. They might get bored with practicing the same thing for two weeks, but trust me, this is a very important step. It takes a beginner about 2 weeks to fully grasp each chapter's concepts and become comfortable with what they are playing. It's very important to practice daily or as close to daily as possible. It's just like working out. You don't build a six-pack overnight. Much of playing the piano is about muscle memory, and that simply takes time.
So encourage your kids to practice... practice daily... and don't get in a rush. And in the end it will be worth it!


BEIJING - China will step up efforts to improve people's livelihoods through holding down inflation, increasing affordable housing and raising farmers' incomes, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday.
Inflation will top the government's agenda this year, Wen said.
"Inflation is like a tiger; once it gets free, it is difficult to put it back in the cage," he said at the news conference at the closing of the annual National People's Congress session.
The country faces both domestic and external challenges in fighting inflation, which reached 4.9 percent in February year-on-year. China has set a target of keeping inflation at or below 4 percent for the whole year.
"International factors are behind China's inflation," Wen said, citing a "certain country's quantitative easing policy" that has led to drastic currency and commodity price fluctuations.
The US Federal Reserve announced in November it would pump $600 billion into the US economy to bolster growth, which analysts said would in turn raise the risk of rising prices across the world as it leads to a weakening dollar and increasing liquidity. Oil prices, for example, have recently hovered at around $100 a barrel.
"A severe difficulty is international food price inflation, which China cannot control," said John Ross, visiting professor at Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. "This will continue even if excess liquidity is removed inside China," he said.
Worse, some even forecast the US Fed may continue to inject capital into the market after June in a so-called third round of quantitative easing.
Although he holds that the possibility is slim, Ross said if there is a third round of easing, it will make the situation more difficult for China, as it will increase international inflation.
China will strengthen grain production and circulation to ensure food prices are stable, Wen said. Increasing food prices account for about 30 percent of the country's inflation.
Experts, however, are divided over how the price trend will evolve this year.
HIS Global Insight, a consulting firm, said inflation is yet to peak in China. "The full impact of the oil price shock is yet to reveal itself as the government has been behind the curve in raising the retail gasoline prices," it said in a research note. Besides, bank lending remains rampant and liquidity is strong, it said.
However, Ba Shusong, senior economist of the State Council's Development Research Center, said the peak may have passed, though inflation could remain high in the coming months since it is coming off a low base from last year.
Whether or not the worst has passed, Wen said, "we are confident that we can keep inflation at bay."
Wen also said the government will control liquidity to curb rises in housing prices. "We will eliminate the monetary basis for rises in housing and food prices."
It will also provide more affordable housing for low-income earners, with 36 million units to be built by 2015, Wen said.
Other measures to improve people's living standards include increases in the minimum purchase prices of grain from farmers, Wen said.
"The minimum prices will continue to be raised significantly," he said.
Farmers will also benefit from expanded access to job opportunities in cities. He said there are 242 million migrants from rural areas working in the cities.
Those measures to improve people's living standards are important for the country's sustained growth, said Ross.
"China's population must benefit from its economic development. Over the long run, popular support for such a policy, which improves China's quality of life, will allow China to maintain a high level of growth that will benefit the world economy," he told China Daily.
Wen said China will continue to stick to the reform of the formation mechanism of the yuan exchange rate. "The appreciation of yuan must be gradual, because it affects jobs and raises pressure on enterprises and employment, and we must maintain the overall social stability," he said.
Wen also recalled the difficult situation between the end of 2008 and the first half of 2009 when international trade plummeted and China's economic growth fell sharply.
"It's with very hard efforts we managed to make the Chinese economy one of the first in the world to achieve a recovery and rebound, and avoid setbacks in China's economic development," he said.


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If you have some Esprit News and don't forget to follow us on @EspritWorld
Mr Esprit History lesson
Brian educates us all...
Check out our old interview with Mr Esprit in the link below.
Mr Esprit
LEW interviews Brian Angus at Hethel
Lotus Esprit World, 20th November 2003
Esprit on
2019 tweeted pics
For a car that's not been in production for over 10 years, it still has a present on tweeter, which didn't exist in the public relm back when you could buy a new model from Lotus. Here's some that we've retweeted if you follow us @EspritWorld.
UK Vechicles of Historic Interest info
Valid for the oldest Esprits
The Bike That Changed Everything
The Lotus 110 Superbike: So Fast They Banned It – GCN Tech
The Lotus 110, a bike so fast that the UCI banned it. Ahead of it's time the super bike became an icon after it was ridden to Olympic Gold and Tour de France stage victories by Chris Boardman in the 90's. Jon explains all...
Elon's Esprit Sub Spotted
@Model3Owners
All this talk about Elon having a design for a submarine car when he said they would try and convert the actual Lotus Esprit they used in the movie that he owns. They have it at the design studio.
The Lotus Esprit Story
sxdrv.com
The Lotus Esprit is an icon of British motoring and with a production lifetime of nearly 30 years. Now it's time for you to brush up on your history.
When someone says Lotus Esprit, those of us old enough will likely think of James Bond and his underwater car. Such was the futuristic appearance of the car, it made it into two Bond films but, besides its acting career, the Esprit has a colourful history too.
Lotus was founded by Colin Chapman in the late 1950s who introduced the Lotus 7 to the world, a car that is still sold today as the Caterham 7. Decades later, and wanting to move away from their kit-car image and into sportscar territory, Chapman met with car designer extraordinaire, Giorgetto Giugiaro, in 1971 and the Esprit concept was born.
In 1975, the Esprit was launched at the Paris Motor Show and received praise from the press and public for it's wedge-shaped 'folded paper' design. The fibreglass body sat atop a steel backbone chassis, was powered by a 1973cc four-cylinder engine that produced 160hp that sat behind the cockpit, and had a Citroën 5-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels.
Although regarded as underpowered by most, it was lauded for its handling thanks to its minimal weight. It would evolve over the years, receiving a turbocharged 2.2l in 1981 and a complete redesign in 1987 and again in 1993 and 2002. By 1996, four generations later, Lotus shoved a fat V8 into the engine bay which saw it through to the end of its 28-year production run in 2004.
In its lifetime, the Lotus Esprit dominated racing circuits around the world, winning the 24 Hours Of Le Mans and multiple supercar and GT championships. It's a car of legends and deserving of its status as one of Britain's best creations.
Guigario Racecars
For Sale this month
We've come across a couple of interesting Esprits for sale this month. Both are Racecars, but one has an interesting engine swap!
1978 Esprit S2 Racecar
May 2019 1976 Esprit Racecar
For Sale with BMW M5 Engnine
The Coolest Car a Van could beat
DtRockstar1 does an overview of a Lotus Esprit S1, telling some amazing facts about it, then goes for a ride showing several different camera angles and great sound. Who didn't love this car after seeing James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me?
Lotus Esprit vs Ferrari 308
Retro Car Review | Drive In | 1978
Richard Hudson - Evans compares the Lotus Esprit against the Ferrari 308 GTB, and also takes a look at the new SAAB Turbo. First shown: 09/03/1978)
Geometry lesson by Giugiaro – Lotus Turbo Esprit
DrPittenstein – Published on Jan 1, 2016
1981 Turbo Esprit. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. One of only 143 built to Colin Chapman's original specification which included dry sump lubrication. This example also has the full 'Essex spec' - air con, full red leather interior, Panasonic Cockpit roof stereo, light weight Compomotive 3-piece split rims. Identical to the exploding 'For Your Eyes Only' car (apart from the colour of the leather).
Why is the Lotus Esprit Turbo an iconic sports car?
Raiti's Rides
This is the forgotten British sports car the Lotus Esprit Turbo. Not only is this car light but it features a turbocharged engine. The iconic wedge shape style is so iconic of the 1980's and early 90's. Find out how this car was able to compete with the best from Europe.
Trailer #1 NEW (2019) Alec Baldwin Movie HD
Happy to announce that the DeLorean film is close to being released. We will have the festival premiere at the Tribeca FF in NYC end of April, and the film is slated for release June 7th.
Please take a look at the two announcements below that feature the film's trailer (there are a lot more articles on the internet if you search for the title of the film).
https://people.com/movies/alec-baldwin-framing-john-delorean-trailer/
www.dailymail.co.uk
Thank you again for your help and participation in this project that has spanned well over 15 years for me. I look forward to keeping you up to date over the next 3 months on the release plans.
Best, Tamir Ardon
XYZ FILMS
Lotus Esprit V8 review – in Dubai
MotoringMiddleEast
2001 Lotus Esprit V8 in Dubai - Motoring Middle East editor, Shahzad Sheikh gets so excited he can't get his words out right! These are very rare in the UAE, and this is an original example with just 3000 miles on it.
How to Pronounce 'Esprit'
Pronounce TV – Published on Sep 30, 2018
Welcome to our video on how to pronounce 'Esprit'.
1. Uses of Esprit as a Noun.
Definition: the quality of being lively, vivacious, or witty.
Lotus Esprit S3 on Air And V8 Power
CHERAL AUTO
Lotus Esprit S3 on Air And V8 Power.
The World's Fastest DeLorean
What happens when you throw a very large and power Grand National motor into a 30 year old legend like the DeLorean? Thats what Matt Farah finds out on this week's episode of TUNED.
Lotus Esprit strip down
time to bite the bullet // SOUP Classic Motoring
The first work is done on the Esprit and we meet a man and his VW camper at Ireland's North Cars & Coffee North East.
All current orders on their Way
We've just dispatched all the current orders from customers, so if you've placed an order and recieved an email confirming your order, is on it's way.
Lotus Esprit Sport 300: Wedge Of Wonder
Carfection
The Extremely rare Lotus Esprit Sport 300 might be one of the greatest cars Lotus ever made. Henry took it out for a spin to see if it lives up to its reputation.
You can still buy a brand new DeLorean
straight from the factory
The original DeLorean factory in Northern Ireland may be long gone but you can still buy a factory fresh example of the most iconic gull-winged doored car of all time. XCAR went to Houston to find out more.
We've just dispatched all the current orders from customers, so if you've placed an order and recieved an email confirming, your order is on it's way.
Doc Brown's DeLorean
Jay joins "Back to the Future" Creator Bob Gale, and Restorers Terry Matalas and Joe Walser to go in-depth with one of the most iconic movie cars of all time in this incredibly detailed recreation of the DeLorean time machine.
4th Batch of 2019 Calendars
On their Way
The third batch of 2019 Calendars have been shipped. Order yours now to get into the second batch shipping this Saturday.
3rd Batch of 2019 Calendars
The meanest Esprit is back...
Project GT1 was gone and now back
Mike S has some news regarding the monster he created. Our sister site has, hopefully, the first of many updates on News about the GT1 Replica. Click on the logo above and go to the news section for news on from February 2009 until October 2018. Hopefully more stuff is on the cards
2nd Batch of 2019 Calendars
The second batch of 2019 Calendars have been shipped. Order yours now to get into the second batch shipping this Saturday.
First Batch of 2019 Calendars
First batch of 2019 Calendars have been shipped on Saturday 27th October 2018. Order yours now to get into the second batch shipping this Saturday.
Abandoned Lotus Esprit
Hong Kong's Amazing Neglected Cars
From a Lotus Esprit to a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. You'll never believe what hidden gems Hong Kong has tucked away!
2019 Calendar 'Now Available'
Our 2019 Calendar is now available for ordering at www.esprit4sale.co.uk. We will dispatch orders every saturday, with the first batch shipping on Saturday 27th October 2018, so you should expected your calendar on a Monday or Tuesday (UK) when you order. Any problems ordering please email admin@esprit4sale.co.uk and we can help you sort anything out. Remember our paypal is orders@lotusespritworldl.com and add the correct postage to your orders. We look forward to keeping an Esprit in your life everyday next year.
The Lotus Esprit S4 – Driven!
The Esprit has always been my Kryptonite. I want one so badly, but I've only ever briefly driven one. Since then I've always wanted to drive more, but been worried about how much I would like it! Today, Charlie from the channel Charlie Drives (www.youtube.com/channel/UCyNB...) brought me his well used Esprit S4 - and I've got the right weather and roads for it!
Lotus Factory tour 1984
Journey back in time to Hethel, in 1984. A factory tour. Mainly on the Esprit. See how they made these great cars. This is the full version, from two parts I linked and edited the start. If only I could go back in time.
Forza Horizon 4 – Best of Bond Car Pack
Forza Published on Sep 18, 2018
We are thrilled to announce the Best of Bond Car Pack as the Day One Car Pack for Forza Horizon 4. The pack is included as part of the Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Edition and will be playable with early access to the game, beginning on September 28. Players will also be able to purchase the Best of Bond Car Pack separately at the global launch of the game on October 2.
Here's the full lineup of James Bond Edition cars inspired by the films in the Best of Bond Car Pack.
• 1964 Aston Martin DB5 inspired by Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), GoldenEye (1995), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015)
• 1969 Aston Martin DBS from On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
• 1974 AMC Hornet X Hatchback from The Man With the Golden Gun (1974)
• 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
• 1981 Citroën 2CV6 from For Your Eyes Only (1981)
• 1986 Aston Martin V8 from The Living Daylights (1987)
• 1999 BMW Z8 from The World is Not Enough (1999)
• 2008 Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace (2008)
• 2010 Jaguar C-X75 from Spectre (2015)
• 2015 Aston Martin DB10 from Spectre (2015)
LEW Calendar 2019
Get for pics in NOW!
If you have'nt sent in your best picture for 2019 Calendar, you're running out of time. Cool pictures of your Esprit in cool places and send them into us at admin@lotusespritworld.com and maybe you'll be a star in 2019. .
Richard Hudson - Evans compares the Lotus Esprit against the Ferrari 308 GTB, and also takes a look at the new SAAB Turbo. First shown: 09/03/1978.
Is my Lotus Esprit S4 really 10 times rarer than a Ferrari F40?
Lotus Certificate of Provenance
The Lotus Certificate of Provenance finally gives the answer on how many Esprit S4 2.0 were produced... and the figure is unbelievably low.... 10 times lower than the production number of a Ferrari F40.
Super rare 1995 Lotus Esprit S4s
OVERVIEW & REACTION (1/50 IN USA)
Thank you for taking the time to watch our video! We love the support from our viewers! About The Gated Shifter – Started in June 2017, The Gated Shifter is an all new supercar blog and YouTube channel ran by two teenage car enthusiasts from the city of Wichita, Kansas. Here at TGS, we have an unrivaled passion for automobiles. We strive to create and publish the best content possible. Please follow the social media links below. If you live in the Wichita, Kansas area and own a unique sports car or luxury sedan, we would love to review it
1977 Lotus Esprit - Jay Leno's Garage
Jay Leno's Garage Published on Sep 2, 2018
This one-owner Lotus Esprit is unlike any other you've seen on the road! Jason and Detlef Claudius have been maintaining and modifying this 300 horsepower wedge since it was bought new in '77.
1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo – Walk Around and Drive
Steve Lehto Published on Aug 17, 2018
Today we walk around and drive a pristine 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo. Courtesy of Karen and Mark at Nostalgic Motoring Ltd.
News from first half of 2018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Swift adopts safe programming patterns and adds modern features to make programming easier, more flexible and more fun.
Swift's clean slate, backed by the mature and much-loved Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, is an opportunity to imagine how software development works.
Swift is the first industrial-quality systems programming language that is as expressive and enjoyable as a scripting language.
let label = "The width is "
let appleSummary = "I have \(apples + oranges) pieces of fruit."
return "An equilateral triagle with sides of length \(sideLength)."
return "The \(rank.simpleDescription()) of \(suit.simpleDescription())"
var simpleDescription: String = "A very simple class."
simpleDescription += " Now 100% adjusted."
var simpleDescription: String = "A simple structure"


This is the Olight X7 Marauder sent to me for review by Olight. No other compensation other than the light was received in return for my review.
First let me post the links for the Olight site for the light and the Amazon Link.
Also Olight asked me to mention they are having their Black Friday sale from November 24th thru the 28th with 20% to 35% off.
I think I covered most everything in one portion of the video or the other , but I will just make a few notes here.
The light came well packaged in a padded mailing envelope and then the box the light itself comes in is also well padded. Everything was neatly in place when both were opened and the Olight box is very well made for a cardboard box and even has a magnetic closure on it. The second thing I would like to mention is the moon mode on the light. I don't know of any other companies that put the moonlight mode on their big flooders or throwers and it can be a useful mode to have instead of needing another light because the low is too bright for up close or what have you.
The overall build quality of this light is excellent with a nice feel , near perfect semi matte finish (anodizing) , nice machining , good threads and fit and just overall nice appearance.
I also mentioned it in the video but, you need to use only high drain button top cells , as the flat tops wont make connection and protected cells just don't have enough to give the power needed for this light to operate properly.
I did forget to mention also , the X7 has manual lockout by turning the tailcap slightly as well as the electronic lockout.
I really don't have anything negative to say about this light at all. This compact little triple emitter XHP70 is a total beast of a light. It is literally like having broad daylight all around when you hit the Turbo S mode and not far from it in the turbo mode.
There are ALOT of pictures of the light and quiet a few beamshots in the slide portion of the video (starting at 13:38 of the time line) and following that is the live outside footage (starting at 18:29) Note my cheap video camera is not the best quality and with the mist in the air last night it made the quality of the video even worse. The live video footage DOES NOT do justice to the output of the X7 at all.
The still shots are pretty close to what I actually see out there , although the 25 yard beamshots seem a little overexposed as I had trees and bushes all the way around as well as overhead making the light seem even brighter in turbo and turbo S modes.
Video followed by the listed specs……………..
Level 1 ◦9000 lumens – 2.5 min.
◦ 1800 lumens – 200 min.
Level 2 ◦5500 lumens – 8 min.
◦1800 lumens – 215 min.
Level 3 ◦3000 lumens – 32 min.
◦1800 lumens – 200 min.
Compatible Batteries 4 × 18650 HDC (High Discharge Current) for reaching maximum level.
Just wanted to add a couple of beamshots I took with my NEW camera.
The ones in the video show the beam pretty good , but these 2 pictures really show just how much coverage area the X7 has and they came out really clear and really close to what I actually see out there , as far as the actual colors and everything.
Thanks , I been struggling to get decent shots with a little point and shoot for a long time. This new camera does most of it for me.
You must be quite pleased with your new camera then. We've all seen plenty of low quality beamshots; it's amazing what technology can do. These two pics really show the power of the X7 well, and at the same time also the "flaw". The spill beam right in front of you can be too bright; that's why you often gotta hold the light as high as possible when shining to reduce the spill brightness. At least, that's what I do with the Meteor (don't own X7).
Yes I am happy I have a decent camera to take beamshots with now for sure.


Max, Maya, Rani, Sarpanch and Browny are back from Animal Farm after being sterilized.
They were thrilled to be reunited with their packs.
A huge huge thank you to Mr .Zulfiqar Abid Ali for always standing by us and the cause and helping us financially. We are humbled to know people like you exist . Stay blessed indeed..
A Big Thank you to Warda for paying for the Transport as well. Stay blessed as well.


text:
IT officials 'survey' The Quint, Editors Guild upset
New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS): Income Tax officials on Thursday carried out "surveys" at the residence and office premises of Raghav Bahl, head of news portal The Quint, over alleged tax evasion, provoking angry reactions.
According to the officials, a team reached the residence of Bahl -- the former head of Network18 TV -- in Noida in Uttar Pradesh and looked for documents and evidences related to the case being probed.
A senior tax official told IANS that surveys were also carried out at the premises of three other persons over the issue of "bogus long-term capital gains obtained from the sale of some particular companies.
"This issue is about Rs 100 crore worth. We are particularly looking at the tax evasion angle," the official said.
The Editors Guild expressed concern over the government action, saying "motivated income tax searches and surveys" will undermine media freedom.
The Guild noted that Bahl had to warn the officials that if they tried to touch anything not relevant to tax issues, he "shall seek extremely strong recourse".
The tax official said the three others covered under the tax surveys were Kamal Lalwani, Anup Jain and Abhimanyu Chaturvedi.
In a note to the Editors Guild, Bahl said The Quint was a "fully tax compliant entity" and would provide all access to all appropriate financial documents.
The Editors Guild said in a statement that while the Tax Department was "within its right to make inquiries", it should not exercise its powers in a way that could be seen as an "intimidation of the government's critics".
"The Guild believes that motivated income tax searches and surveys will seriously undermine the media's freedom and the government should desist from such attempts," it said.
It said it was "perturbed" over Bahl's statement that he had to strongly advise the tax officials that they should not try and pick up or see any other mail or document which was likely to contain sensitive journalistic material.
Title : IT officials 'survey' The Quint, Editors Guild upset


text:
When Moammar Gadhafi Tried to Pitch a Tent in New Jersey
A mansion on a 4.5-acre property owned by the Libyan embassy in Englewood, New Jersey.
SourceShannon Stapleton/Reuters
By Austin Bodetti
Gadhafi's legacy includes a three-story house in a leafy mid-Atlantic suburb.
Many people despise their neighbors. Few, however, have feelings as strong as New Jersey Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. Until 2011, the mansion next to his own belonged to a Libyan government headed by Moammar Gadhafi, an autocrat long associated with terrorism. In 2003, Gadhafi accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing, the 1988 downing of a flight over Scotland that killed 270 people.
"I was extremely uncomfortable with the prospect of living next to an international terrorist," Boteach says. "Plenty of people from New Jersey had died in the Lockerbie bombing."
In 1982, the Libyan Mission to the United Nations spent $1 million on the three-story house in the city of Englewood, New Jersey, claiming that the Libyan ambassador to the U.N. could use it as a vacation property. While residents lamented the Gadhafi-linked purchase as soon as they learned of it, the mansion that Libyan diplomats named "Thunder Rock" caused its greatest controversy almost three decades later when Gadhafi announced plans to address the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September 2009.
"With all the activity going on next door, I suspected that Gadhafi would try to stay in Englewood when he came to the United States," said Boteach. "Unfortunately, my hunch turned out to be correct."
After I got death threats, my police department was forced to assign an officer to protect me 24/7.
Michael Wildes, former mayor of Englewood, N.J.
Wherever Gadhafi traveled, he insisted on sleeping in a tent so large that it required its own plane. After New York denied his request to pitch the tent in Central Park, Gadhafi turned to Thunder Rock, hoping to pitch his tent there. But he needed the permission of the neighbors, and for its part, Englewood had no desire to host one of Africa's most notorious dictators. Gadhafi did himself no favors by heralding Scottish authorities' release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, a convicted perpetrator of the Lockerbie bombing, just a month before the U.N. General Assembly. The critics of Gadhafi's visit included Michael Wildes, an accomplished lawyer and Englewood's mayor at the time.
"It offended me as an American and a Jew that Gadhafi and his co-conspirators thought they could erect a tent in Englewood after perpetrating Lockerbie," Wildes says.
A motley coalition of public figures soon mobilized against Gadhafi. Boteach led a protest on his lawn, telling Gadhafi to "kiss a part of our bold New Jersey anatomy," while Wildes launched a successful lawsuit to halt renovations to Thunder Rock's pool, which had begun in preparation for Gadhafi's arrival. Englewood residents lobbied the U.S. State Department to keep Gadhafi from coming to their city, and Wildes, drawing on his background in immigration law, noted that American officials could restrict the dictator's visa. Even a congressman and a senator from New Jersey voiced their displeasure with the visit.
"The dispute got so out of hand that it became a threat to my physical safety," said Wildes. "After I got death threats, my police department was forced to assign an officer to protect me 24/7."
Libya broke under the pressure and canceled plans for Gadhafi's sojourn in Englewood by the end of August. Instead, the strongman opted to stay at the Libyan Mission to the U.N. in Manhattan following a bizarre, ill-fated attempt to erect his tent on a New York property owned by Donald Trump.
Two years after the 2009 Englewood fiasco, Libyan rebels killed Gadhafi and ousted his regime. Because Thunder Rock had belonged to the Libyan Foreign Ministry, not the dictator himself, ownership of the mansion transferred from Gadhafi's government to the one that followed.
"Gadhafi and his inner circle used a variety of intermediaries and investment vehicles to acquire foreign properties for personal use, but outright purchases by the Gadhafi family were mostly done in Africa," said Jason Pack, founder of the consultancy Libya-Analysis and himself a longtime New Jersey resident. "They wouldn't have been stupid enough to try to acquire property in the United States directly, especially as U.N. sanctions had been in place against Gadhafi and his children after the Lockerbie bombing."
A spokesman for the Libyan Mission to the U.N. told OZY that Thunder Rock, worth nearly $6 million today, according to New Jersey public records, now acts as a home for Libya's ambassador to the U.N. Wildes, who returned to office last year, confirmed this account. A spokesman for the State Department said that the property had managed to avoid further controversies since 2011, and Wildes agreed.
"We haven't run into any issues with the new owners of the mansion, nor should we punish the children for the sins of the father, so to speak," concluded Wildes.
While Libya's current leadership has aligned itself with the U.S. and dedicated many resources to counterterrorism, some New Jerseyans remain wary of the continued Libyan presence in Englewood. A decade after his showdown with Gadhafi, Boteach is still keeping an eye on Thunder Rock.
"The story didn't just end with Gadhafi," said Boteach. "I still have a lot of questions, and there's no reason to have a diplomatic mission in Englewood. Why is it tax-exempt? Is it really a diplomatic mission? Who uses it? Who owns it? Why isn't it sold for the benefit of the Libyan people?"
Austin Bodetti, OZY Author Contact Austin Bodetti
The Man Bringing Jews Back to Libya
Jews were a prominent part of Libya before their exodus in 1967.
Hell on Earth: Former Gadhafi Stronghold Becomes a Migrant Torture Chamber
The toughest journey for migrants trying to reach Europe isn't the Mediterranean.
Visit Three Castles in One Day ... in Arizona
These three curious and magnificent structures are all located near Phoenix.
A Renegade General Marches on Tripoli — With Dreams of Being the Next Gadhafi
Gen Khalifa Haftar is ending his yearslong crusade against terrorists … by taking over his homeland.
An Atheist Metal Musician Gives Libya a New Song
Meet the Berber father of metal music, Bendeq Bendeq, who's betting on his countrymen learning a new tune.
Special Briefing: Celebrating 100 Years of Nelson Mandela
The world celebrates the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Special Briefing: Welcome to Life After ISIS
The power vacuum left behind by ISIS is being filled … and already there are signs of new extremist movements across North Africa and Central Asia.
Why Libya's Future Is a Haze of Cigarette Smoke
Libya imports more rolled tobacco than any other African nation and uses it to churn out contraband cigarettes that help fund its civil war.
Is the Show Over, or Just at Intermission for Trump-Kim Summit?
Diplomacy and impulsivity do not go hand in hand.
The Biggest Health Risk After Fukushima: Diabetes
Studies show that lifestyle diseases impact human health far more than radiation and cancer after the nuclear disaster.
Special Briefing: Is a New Era Dawning in the Middle East?
The Saudi Crown Prince's recent comments about Israel's right to its "own land" are the most public statement yet of Saudi Arabia's shifting policy in the region.
The Incubator Churning Out Entrepreneurs on Chicago's South Side
There's more to creating jobs than tech companies and e-commerce.
When Joe Kennedy Tried to Buy Off Hitler
The prewar moves by the freelancing ambassador and presidential patriarch are instructive today.
When Pakistani Bling Is Family Business
Few traditions have a longer legacy than South Asian jewelry craftmanship.
Libya: Hope Amidst Chaos
Libya's slide into anarchy has accelerated in recent months.


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as cool as Tippy and Alfred are..... just think about that for a lifetime.


Why do we choose to study Business Administration (International Program) at KMITL?
To study Business Administration (International Program), Faculty of Administration and Management, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, the major goal of the course is to produce graduates to be prepared to enter the business and industrial world as a professional, whether as an entrepreneur, or a professional in an organization, especially Multinational Organization (MNC's), as well as to be prepared to become a world citizen executive with the skills of Business Acumen, Management Concepts, Analytical Thinking, and Systematic Thinking Process, including to understand the use of technology in administration and management to match the changing global context of digital dynamics.
The curriculum provides instructional materials that incorporate with digital technology courses, and all the courses will be linked on the importance or the changing digital technology relations of today's business with Functions and Business Activities, such as Digital Online Marketing, Innovation Entrepreneurships, Technology Start Up, and Digital Disruptive, and also other changing concepts of human resource management together with reinforcing the vision and mission of the institution in science and technology. This also includes the identity of the institution, "honesty, intuitiveness, and perseverance".
No matter how the business world changes, one significant thing that never changes is the ability to work with others. Therefore, students who graduate from this course need to have important Competencies and Soft Skills to work, for instance Leadership, Interpersonal Skills, Global Mindset which is important to understand the differences in Cross Cultural, and Diversity in the international context. However, they must not forget the root of Thai. If they are international students who study in the international program, they will certainly absorb charming Thai culture and traditions. The program will provide international enhancement activities for Thai students, and also Thai enrichment activities for international students from other countries around the world, for example, various plans of International student exchange programs, students as participants to join international academic conferences, and visiting foreign and domestic enterprises.
To produce such qualified graduates is surely not easy, but with the intention of every lecturer in the curriculum, we came to a conclusion. It is necessary that the teaching system must be clearly connected. We believe in the principle of System Theory, which the elements are connected in a consistent way through input, process and output.
Our program recognizes that student classmates are the most important as this element is a measurement of the quality and success of a course. Although we are a new curriculum, we have a strict selection in recruiting students into the system. The first focus is on fundamental knowledge and English skill which are the essential skills of the learning process in the program. The next focus is on the individuality of the international business administration program that requires students who are committed to entering the business industry. The mentioned individuality includes Leadership, Assertiveness, Alert and Agility, Open Minded, Interpersonal Skills, and Communication and Conceptual Skill.
All of the lecturers in the program as well as the guest lecturers who are invited to teach must organize their teaching process and methods to emphasize and to enhance students to fully use their skills, such as research skills to acquire knowledge from various media online, brainstorming to find solutions on business case studies, sharing experience, giving feedback, and participating in class. Hence the teaching process and methods of the lecturers could be in any forms such as Active Learning, Problem Base learning, Best Practices, Case Study, Phenomenon-Based Learning (PBL), and other methods that focus on focus on student centered learning process.
Students will have a chance to study with faculty lecturers, guest lecturers, and Professor, both foreigners and Thais who graduated in the field of the study subjects with a consistent academic position and specialized in their teaching subjects. All of them graduated from overseas institutions and/or completed their studies from international programs in the country. Moreover, most of the faculty lecturers have direct experience in private sectors, especially in the large multinational corporations such as General Electric (GE), Ford Motor, Electronic Industry, Oil & Gas industry, and some of them are also the consultancies and do the research work with various companies and industries.
The faculty lecturers responsible for the curriculum courses have the high spirit of being teacher. Every lecturer has a clear explicit path in common to carry students forward to success. Therefore, the faculty lecturers in this international curriculum are very attentive to student care, take care of their students as their own children from learning and teaching process, guidance to real life, and creating an inspirational spirit. We would like to call this process as "Student Engagement".
The curriculum is designed for students to learn from the real business world, for example, a lecture from an experienced businessman and learning with successful and famous people in the real business world. We aim for our faculty lecturers to invite external experienced businessmen to share their experiences with our students and/or organize field trips to see the industries. This includes Internship Program, Co-Operative Program, and Student Exchanges Programs.


Who doesn't like the month of December? With the year ending and the many parties to attend, and with this comes the question 'What should I wear?' Putting together a perfect outfit for each party can be a little taxing as everyone wants to look their best. To make sure that you look your finest this festive season, we have put together a guide that will help you decide your attire according to each occasion.
A classic well-tailored tux is the best attire you can wear to such events. When dressing for a Black Tie event, make sure that your black three-piece tux is well fitted. A bulky suit or a very loose one will spoil the entire ensemble. Your white shirt can either be a single pleat or a double pleat. You can always experiment with your bow tie, but the most worn colour is black. Wearing a cummerband is optional if you are not wearing a waistcoat. Do keep in mind that your cummerband should match the colour of your bowtie. Complete your look with an elegant white pocket square and cufflinks. Lastly, no look is complete without well-polished shoes. A black leather pair will do the trick in this case. Make sure you are well-groomed when wearing this attire. If you are not comfortable going clean shaven, then make sure that your beard is trimmed well.
Your office party attire will depend on the dress code of the party. For a less formal look try pairing your light t-shirts or sweaters with your formal trousers and a smart jacket. Make sure your t-shirts complement the jacket. You can always accessorize your jacket with a simple pocket square. To add more elegance to this look, make sure your formal shoes are well polished.
You can loosen the reins for this outfit. A plain shirt paired with casual trousers will do the trick. You can add a quirky bow tie or even suspenders to enhance your look. Since winter is here, layered clothing is back in trend. Try pairing a navy blue sweater with your white oxford shirt and a smart charcoal grey blazer over it. So even if it gets a little warm you can always remove the above layers and still have a complete independent outfit.
The most important thing to remember is that you should be comfortable in whatever you wear. Do make sure that you are well groomed and that your hair is styled and beard trimmed accordingly, to match the look. You can always accessorize your looks with a well-matched belt and proper shoes. Let us know which look you like in by commenting below. You can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Very rarely will you come across men who work in offices that do not require them to follow a dress code. For the rest of us, looking fresh and at your stylish best is another challenge altogether. Expanding your style can be tough, and with various options to choose from, picking the right formal wear that is also suitable for the Indian weather can be even harder to master. Let our guide show you the way.
Starting the week off on a good note is very important as it sets the tone for the rest of the week. So let your clothes do the talking for you as you begin the week. Start the week off by opting for bright colours to reflect your mood. Brighter shades of blue or turquoise are good options to start off on a good note. Blue is a cool and calming colour that shows creativity and intelligence. It symbolizes loyalty, strength, wisdom and trust. It is also known to have a calming effect on the psyche.
Gingham prints are back in style and are widely preferred as a choice for formal wear. They are universally recognised and if paired correctly, can give your outfit a sophisticated look.
A classic red and white Gingham style shirt will accentuate your style. The colour Red is said to represent physical energy, passion, and desire. It symbolizes action, confidence, and courage.
One of the biggest advantages of being alive in the 21st century is the plethora of pattern options men have to choose from. So why let our formal wear take a backseat with the same old prints and patterns? Striped shirts with different colours can help add to your mood and life. Opting for a blue striped shirt that will ensure that you tackle the midweek blues coolly. Blue is often associated with intelligence, stability, unity, and conservatism. Let your clothes do the talking for your personality.
If you think the weekly stress is getting to you and want to feel calm and at peace, opt for a white striped shirt with blue trousers. When paired with brown brogues, this timeless combination will help keep the heat and humidity at bay. White is said to be a colour of protection and encouragement, offering a sense of peace and calm, comfort and hope, helping alleviate emotional upsets.
Long gone are the days when formal wear meant sticking to dull and boring colours. Opt for a shirt made of a light shade of pink. A little known fact is that pink was originally a colour for men, women gravitated towards it later. As a 21st century man feel free to wear whatever colour you think suits your mood. So don't be afraid to break the myth and pull of the look with confidence by pairing your shirt with Khaki Trousers. Pink is said to have a calming effect on our emotional energies and can relieve feelings of anger, aggression and neglect.
If you're looking to make a statement and stand outside the crowd then, this is your moment to shine. Opt for a light grey printed shirt with a maroon bowtie to give you a classy vintage look. This outfit can easily be worn to social events that might take place at the end of the day. The colour gray is said to signify conventionalism, dependability and practicality. It is a colour of maturity and responsibility.
As the weekend comes to a close, attending social events and outings with the loved ones is important, so looking your best after a tiring week can be daunting to say the least. A black shirt paired with a grey trousers will give you a crisp and classy look. The colour black is said to represent strength, seriousness, power, and authority. Black is a formal, elegant, and prestigious colour. It exudes authority and power. Dressing up in black will ensure you end the week on a powerful note.
So the next time you pick a formal shirt, make sure that you put a little more thought you are since your clothes speak a lot about you. A good shirt will not only make you look stylish it will also add elegance to your final look. Pairing your formal shirts with the right trousers and shoes is equally important. For an in depth guide to the various types of shoes, check out our last blog.
Let us know on our facebook page how what do you think and how would you style your outfits.
There's something about a guy rolling up his sleeves that raises questions. Is he going for a fight? Is he getting to work? More often than not this is because of the weather conditions we have here in India and he is looking to go for a smart, yet casual look.
With the temperatures hitting the roof, a sleeve roll can come to your rescue. The sleeve roll has almost become a style statement. So here are a few ways that will help you keep cool in this blazing heat, without compromising on style.
While many people may not have heard of this style of roll, it is one of the most casual roll up styles there is. It is simple and appealing to the eyes.
1) The first fold about the width of the cuff.
2) The second fold of similar width.
Avoid straightening the fold as this roll gives you a casual look.
If you have a tattoo or big biceps, this is the sleeve roll up style for you.
This style involves rolling up your sleeves above your elbow. The first fold should be about the width of the cuff and the following rolls of similar width.
Flatten out the sleeve for that smart look. The high roll sleeve is best suited for semi-casual or casual shirts.
As the name suggests, this is a basic roll. Although it is can be a little time consuming to roll and unroll the sleeves, it is one of the most commonly preferred style when it comes to rolling the sleeves.
Use the cuff width as a reference point and roll the sleeves up. Repeat the steps and roll until you reach the elbow.
The basic sleeve roll is usually preferred when the sleeves are wider than the arms.
Some shirts also have a thin fabric on the inside of the sleeve to secure a basic roll.
The master roll is one of the more modern methods to roll up your sleeves. Shirts nowadays come with a contrasting color or design under the cuff. These are visible only if you use the master roll.
Although the master roll may seem complicated, be rest assured it isn't.
The master roll involves rolling up the sleeve about two times the width of the cuff. Straighten out and smoothen the fold and then roll the sleeve from the bottom once again, leaving only a small part of the cuff exposed.
The master roll is preferred as it is easy to undo and stays in place even after a long day filled with activities.
The band roll or also known as the garter roll is a roll that uses a sleeve band to keep the sleeve in place. A sleeve garter will make sleeve rolling easier while giving you the retro look. Secure the top of the sleeve with a sleeve garter, then pull up the sleeve a few inches and hide the sleeve band under the shirt's folds.
So here were a few ways to roll up your sleeves and give your outfit a different dimension. Feel free to experiment with the aforementioned techniques and mix it up to up your fashion game!


Rio Hondo College is certified to accept non-immigrant F-1 visa students. Acceptance into the International Student Program is necessary before Immigration and Naturalization Service Form 1-20 (certificate of eligibility) is issued by the college. The decision to grant an acceptance will be based on all required documents received prior to the deadlines.
Rio Hondo College, a two year college accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, is authorized by the California Community College Board of Governors to offer semester course which parallel the lower division of most four year institutions and qualify the student for junior classification at the university level. College transfer courses are accepted at full value at most colleges and universities throughout the United States.
As a comprehensive community college, Rio Hondo offers many strong career-technical programs, such as nursing; fire and police academies; automotive and alternative fuels; a full transfer curriculum; and basic skills courses and services. The college also offers a rich complement of community service programs on campus and at satellite locations.
__ 3. A non-refundable processing fee of $40.00 U.S. dollars – Due with the application. Please make the money order/bank check payable to Rio Hondo College.
Approved test: Minimum TOEFL 45 iBT, or IELTS 5.0, or Pearson 39, or GTEC CBT 901, or ITEP 3.0. Official test scores must be less than 2 years old.
If you come from an English speaking country this requirement may be waived.
__ 6. Age – International students must be at least 18 years of age by the first day of the semester.
__ 7. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities – Must be mailed directly form the institution to Rio Hondo College.
International students are expected to be financially independent. An Affidavit of Support must be signed by the student AND his/her sponsor and evidence (bank letter/bank verification) that the student has sufficient financial resources to meet all expenses during his/her attendance at Rio Hondo College. Financial Aid is NOT available to International Students.
In the United States medical care is extremely expensive and there are no free medical facilities. Students must be prepared for the possibility of sickness or injury. Health and accident insurance is mandatory. You must provide proof of health insurance to the International Student Specialist once you are accepted into Rio Hondo College.
Rio Hondo College does not provide living accommodations. The Student Life & Leadership Office will assist students with housing information but students must arrange for their own housing. The college is not responsible for arranging housing. For more information call (562) 908-3427.
You can access the current catalog online here.


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This Alibaba-backed food startup wants to sell boxed meals from vending machines
Published Fri, Jan 27 201712:02 AM EST Updated Fri, Jan 27 201712:44 AM EST
Saheli Roy Choudhury
Get a healthy meal from a vending machine
Squawk Box Asia
Hong Kong-based entrepreneur Maximilian von Poelnitz thinks vending machine distributions could be a way to stand out in the perennially crowded food services industry.
His pitch? Vending machines that can vend a variety of healthy, ready-to-eat boxed meals that are under 550 calories each.
Von Poelnitz is CEO and founder of NOSH, a Hong Kong-based startup that is backed by tech giant Alibaba's entrepreneurs fund. His startup prepares boxed meals from central kitchens in Hong Kong and currently uses popular delivery services such as Foodpanda and Deliveroo to deliver to customers; NOSH also receives a sizable portion of its business from corporate clients.
"Vending machines have become crazy with new technologies," Von Poelnitz told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Friday.
He was referring to the gamut of internet-connected applications, offering personalized options and interactive services, that are becoming available on new-generation vending machines.
Source: NOSH
For example, connected vending machines are able to send data back to vendors in real time, alerting them of low stocks or technical problems, or can accept cashless payments through cards or smartphones. The concept of vending hot foods is not entirely new, but the food options available are often limited.
"People are just looking for just convenient healthy food on demand (and) vending machines are a great place to do that," Von Poelnitz added.
To be sure, most of the vending machines that exist today are not connected to the internet. A December report by Berg Insight showed there are almost 17 million vending machines around the world, but in 2015, only 1.5 million units were connected. The report projects that number to grow to 3.6 million connected vending machines by 2020.
The meal choices on NOSH's website are updated frequently and in 2016, the start-up sold more than 52,000 meals to over 5,000 customers and over 120 corporate clients.
Last year, NOSH raised $500,000 in seed funding, with Alibaba becoming a minority shareholder in the company. Currently, the start-up is meeting investors for Series A funding and is hoping to raise about $2 million.
"Our goal in 2017 is to just focus on Hong Kong, really cement out position here. Then (we will) launch with other central kitchens in China and Singapore," he said about his international expansion plans for 2018.
— Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.


The spiritual home of blues and jazz, Chicago is in the centre of America's Area and noted for its attractive skyline, which trails along Lake Michigan. An exciting urban travel destination, Chicago is definitely an immediate favorite for budget vacationers.
There are not many youth hostels in Chicago, however the ones you will find, fortunately, are fantastic. Of those, the HI Chicago sticks out because of its prices and great convenient location, while Day Motel Lincoln subsequently Park North and Arlington Worldwide House are generally nicely situated near Lincoln subsequently Park.
Chicago includes a veritable smorgasbord of legendary sights and points of interest for site visitors to savor. Huge parks and public art develops here, just like noted museums of art and science, modern architecture as well as sandy beaches.
Vacationers are often attracted towards the points of interest that are mainly situated downtown, but local people will all agree that vacationers haven't truly experienced the essence of "Chicago, ilInch before you head to the city's many communities.
Local citizens understand the town by breaking it lower it "sides" towards the north, west and south from the central business district referred to as Loop. Downtown may be the center for play and work while offering possibilities for shopping.
Lots of occasions are available for vacationers to Chicago. Many communities offer many festivals throughout spring, summer time and fall. Within the summer time, the Grand Park informed hosts four major music festivals – Blues Fest and Gospel Fest in June, Lollapalooza (also known as "Indie Rock Fest") in August, and Jazz Fest over Labor Day Weekend.
A well known attraction may be the tour from the Chicago Theatre, which includes an architectural and historic tour from the building such as the grand lobby areas, regal auditorium and backstage space (whenever possible) where entertainers take to the level all year round.
Because of Chicago's good reputation for German and Polish immigration, it's the king of hotdogs. A Chicago waitress or is definitely beef, typically offered on the poppy-seed bun, and capped with mustard, diced tomato plants, pickle and chili.


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Prentending I'm A Superman - Tony Hawk Video Game Story.
In 1999, the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater shook the world when it sold 9 million copies upon release and forever changed the skateboarding scene.
And this year the game features female skateboarders and non-binary skateboarders: Leo Baker, Leticia Bufoni, Aori Nishimura, Lizzie Armanto and Elissa Steamer.
PRETENDING I'M A SUPERMAN tells the story behind the game that changed lives and shaped a generation.
Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with legendary skater Tony Hawk, as well as industry stars Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Chad Muska, and Eric Koston, award-winning director Ludvig Gür takes audiences through an intimate yet extraordinary journey, chronicling the meteoric rise of skateboarding's most famous name.
AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL AUGUST 18TH ------ https://thpsfilm.com/
♥ Cindy Whitehead ♥ media , skate


The Catholic Church cannot survive having more than one person who claims to be and is recognised as the pope.
It is said that horses that can no longer manage their workload are sent out to pasture. Relocation to a grassy field (as opposed to the glue factory) occurs in acknowledgment of a lifetime of dutiful labour. It rewards diligence with comfort and ease: sunshine and plentiful food.
Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has decided to put himself out to pasture with the papal equivalent of sun and grass being the light and nourishment provided by prayer in a monastery.
It should not be surprising that an incredibly hard-working 85-year-old man has decided to retire. What makes it newsworthy is that the pope has decided to retire. Popes do not resign (unless to prevent a once in a millennium schism).
Tradition looms large in most faiths, certainly within the Catholic Church. Centuries of precedent have framed our expectations. A pope dies. A cardinal becomes pope. The (new) pope dies. The cycle repeats. Retirement, resignation, vacation (as in voluntarily "vacating" the papal throne) were never really options... until now.
What are the effects of a pope putting himself out to pasture?
History tells us that the Catholic Church cannot survive having more than one person who claims to be and is recognised as the pope. Certainly, Pope Benedict's resignation is an unambiguous sign that he is prepared to give up all claims to the title given to him. Nevertheless, people will continue to view him as the pope even after a successor has been named.
To avoid the problem of having one pope too many, the Vatican will make great efforts to distinguish the soon-to-be-former pope from his successor. It has been suggested that the pope might revert back to a cardinal - from Ratzinger to Benedict to Ratzinger again - or, perhaps, he could be called the Bishop of Rome emeritus.
Whatever official name Pope Benedict is given by the Vatican (and which almost certainly will not include the word "pope"), most people will ignore it in favour of something more endearing and of their own creation. I personally vote for "the Pope Emeritus".
The confusion of the new name coupled with the reluctance to see a person who currently is the pope as no longer the pope will likely result in Benedict's disappearance from the public eye (unless paparazzi suddenly take an interest in the antics of an octogenarian former pontiff).
In the future, we will only hear about Benedict when news outlets report that he has been rushed to the hospital or, more likely, when he has died.
Presidents and prime ministers can maintain a public profile after their formal service has ended, a pope can't. The spiritual authority of the pope exists not through his selection by a group of cardinals but rather from the sense that he has become the heir of the recently departed and deceased pope.
He stands in and speaks for his predecessors, going all the way back to St Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. He becomes their embodiment.
To have an audience with the pope is to come into contact with all those who preceded him and, by extension, to be only one degree removed from Jesus Christ. This is why being in the presence of the pope is such a thrill, honour and event for the faithful.
More than one pope living at the same time complicates the narrative. The Pope Emeritus has to disappear.
The resignation also conveniently creates a new image for the papacy, one recently defined by the diminishing capacities of Pope John Paul II.
Although the visible ailments of Pope Benedict's predecessor aligns with a core image of the Catholic Church - suffering while maintaining an unwavering devotion to God - and motivated a spirited campaign for early canonisation and sainthood, they also posed problems for the pontiff in the execution of his duties.
Pope Benedict's resignation seeks to avoid association of the papacy with frailty. At a time when religious belief is slackening - out of disappointment with sexual abuse scandals or, perhaps, from the belief that the church may be an anachronism, the body that represents the church must have control of all its faculties.
The pope's early retirement establishes a precedent. With people living longer and longer, it is likely that pontiff resignation may become increasingly common.
The advanced age of those who become pope makes it unlikely that there will ever be a large number of living former popes. Nevertheless, the future existence of Pope Emeriti is possible.
The presence of more than one pope (even if all but one is rarely seen) challenges the expectations and long held traditions of the Catholic Church. It also inspires a simple question with a complicated answer: How does a person stop being (and stop being seen) as the pope without dying?
Harvey Young is an associate professor at Northwestern University and a Fellow at the Charles Warren Centre for Studies in American History at Harvard University. A cultural historian, he is the author of Embodying Black Experience: Stillness, Critical Memory and the Black Body.
Harvey Young is an Associate Professor at Northwestern University and a Fellow at the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History at Harvard University. A cultural historian, he is the author of Embodying Black Experience: Stillness, Critical Memory and the Black Body.


Congratulations. This is the best one yet!
Awesome. Any chance of you wanting to post detailed instructions. I can likely do this, but detailed instructions are always easier to work from than a picture.
I had been tinkering with just hooking up to turning it on and off. But this i amazing.
Is there any chance you would share schematics and other findings?
I'll be working on my own mod and will post updated information, including Digikey parts list for folks that venture to build the mod.
If you are familiar with Arduino, that is the way to go. I downloaded the ExpressWemos files, but I needed to add some additional files in Arduino to be able to have the program compile.
Last edited by raddude on Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
I'm undertaking this same project now. I looked at tofergregg's stuff, but I decided to go with a pi zero. They're small, cheap, have built-in wifi, and support for a full web stack.
I tried building the board but I could not get it to work, loading from the SD card was really slow. I changed my approach and used the ESP8266 with the shield relay and used the Blynk app to turn the espresso on. The only problem is that the Blynk app for IOS does not have the eventor widget, only android phones. The Arduino programming is minimal. I can turn the espresso on in the morning and can turn it on and off from anywhere outside my house. I still need to figure out a shield to read the on/off led to determine the espresso status.
I currently have it set up so that I can access and control the current machine state over an http api. It alsostores a summary of each power on cycle in firebase.
which optoisolators did you use?
Would you mind sharing your raspberry pi zero code?
The oshpark ones needed a few mods to work correctly. The schematic should be updated with the latest version.
Are the mods needed to the layout or the resistor values?
They're to the layout. I had some extra parts on there to monitor the shot buttons, but I decided not to use them. There were also some routing errors and I found out that I needed a cap on the one side of the isolator, before that I was getting some erratic readings. I do have a new board done that should have all the fixes, but I haven't ordered any yet.
Thank you for the clarification. I'll wait for the updated layout and order a couple of boards.
Here is the updated board.
I doubt I'll order one for a while as this one is already working. But I can help debug if you get one.


For the launch of Valentino's Untitled Rockstud pre-fall collection, creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli enlisted the help of performance artist Vanessa Beecroft. Beecroft, who also worked on Tod's latest installation as well as all three seasons of Yeezy, filmed and photographed 25 different men and women at the New York Academy of Art. In the mix is actress Emily Mortimer as well as her husband, Alessandro Nivola, plus, in true Yeezy-style, street-cast models mixed in with your standard models.
Standing or sitting stoically in a set filled with wooden beams, the clothes are the pared-back neutrals you've come to associate with Beecroft's work. The collection consists of sleek trench coats and turtlenecks, as well as trousers just for the men. Inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (the idea that nothing is perfect), the wardrobe basics feature only the slightest stud detailing. Should you be interested, they'll be available in limited amounts with each piece coming in a numbered canvas satchel that ranges from 1 to 12. But if you would rather just see the entire concoction in real life, Bergdorf Goodman will have a window display plus an installation on the second floor until May 19. And if you're too lazy to move, you can just watch the video below.


Time it can be a project manager's worst enemy or best friend. I've found that how I prioritize my time has a huge impact on what I can accomplish in a day.
Before learning to set priorities, I was always be one step or email behind or busy with tasks that weren't important. I would start my day working on numerous tasks with no set agenda, just trying to get everything done in the the hours available. This method did not work well at all.
My turning point was having a child and seeing the instant impact when her needs were not met, when she wasn't understood, or deadlines weren't met. Trying to juggle all that, while completing tasks became very daunting, especially as a single mom at the time.
My advice is to take care of priorities first, prepare for what needs to be done next, and accept everything that comes your way. Then your life and projects will flow more easily.


Crisis and reputation: what can Facebook and Oxfam teach your business?
With Facebook dealing with its biggest crisis to date and with the recent Oxfam crisis, the events of the past few weeks are a timely reminder of how quickly any organisation's reputation can go downhill, perhaps forever, with massive financial and people consequences. A lot of issues turn into full-blown crises through mismanagement. Strong businesses will still have issues – no one can anticipate everything – but the ones that suffer the least have a plan, and actively manage what we call the 'red dots'.
Very few crises will be as huge or public as Facebook's or Oxfam's, but smaller and less visible issues can still be very serious and damage your business, perhaps fatally. Facebook's biggest slip up has been their resolute silence and a seemingly endless five days before finally admitting 'we made mistakes'. Oxfam suffered what I call the 'hazard times outrage' problem: what happened is probably a sackable offence in any business. But when the staff allegedly involved are senior and employed by a charity… in an earthquake zone… and this appears to be part of a pattern, which wasn't made clear…therein lies the outrage factor, and some prime headline material!
So what can you do to be prepared? It's simple – have a plan.
A crisis plan is a simple form of insurance, and it will pay off in more ways than you think. At KISS we have people are experienced in devising crisis plans and handling actual crises. Working with us on a crisis plan would begin with an audit – mapping out where you are, teasing out your key reputation risks and issues across the supply chain, regulators, markets, customers and the media. We'd also take a look at internal and customer complaints and any more serious matters like IP protection, legal threats or actions and identifying any loose ends.
We would then use proven models to rank these, and look for patterns. You can assign people to look after the most serious 'red dots' immediately and own them ongoing.
Clearly big issues drain a lot of time and resource, so along the way we would briefly sketch out the key people, kit and contacts you may need for a major incident. While you may never use these in a crisis, things like a quick roster to give Board cover 24/7 for incidents and pulling together quick contact lists of key customers, suppliers and media often turn out to be useful for a number of other things.
The plan will pay off.
Your business may not be a large, global concern but you could still face a fire or strike at a key site, a contamination, or perhaps a significant issue with a regulator. Your investors, regulators, governments, suppliers, contractors, direct staff and their families may all feel impacted. They will want the facts, want to do something or be reassured you are handling things well. And of course, you should expect traditional and social media action.
Mapping out your key stakeholders and planning how and who you'd have to talk to them, while managing possible media interest and the issue itself, will mean you'll reduce the 'spread of contagion' as an incident in one area affects your reputation with more and more stakeholders.
Brands and businesses today are expected to demonstrate ever greater transparency, authenticity and humility. It's hard to put a price on a 'serious concern' call from a key customer or investor, or on that key staff member leaving due to a badly handled situation. Those without a simple crisis plan can fall behind competitors, particularly if an issue affects an entire sector, which can happen.
We have found that this work may bring up concerns, but it also helps board members and stakeholders sleep soundly knowing that you've named your key ongoing risks and have a plan to address them. Often apparently high-risk items turn out to be less of an issue and simple quick fixes emerge during the work which can lower risk right away. It will certainly save you significant time, stress and bottom-line impact, should you have an incident.


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Liam - Music Production
Liam wrote and recorded two original songs using GarageBand and posted them on SoundCloud and YouTube. To challenge his songwriting skills, he chose two different genres of songs to record: funk and indie. He created and sang the lyrics on these songs as well as played guitar, bass, and piano. He drew inspiration from indie bands like Grouplove and Young the Giant to craft his upbeat, feel-good style.
Liam also collaborated with classmates to further his songwriting skills. He worked with Janine Borwn, a poet, who helped him craft more meaningful lyrics, and Matt Nicol, a guitar player, who was a critical friend during the writing process and added lead and rhythm guitar riffs to his songs.