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UTV weatherman Frank Mitchell (59) rolls up the isobar map at 6.30pm tomorrow as he retires from the role after 37 years at the station. He will continue to deliver his morning radio phone-in at U105. Frank lives in south Belfast with his wife Helene and they have one daughter, Laura. Q: Do you take regular exercise and if so, what? A: I do a lot of walking - I am really fond of long, long walks that last two and a half hours and I like to do them at a good brisk pace. One of the great drawbacks at the moment is that you can't go far and you do the same walks all the time. When the world is back to normal I'll be looking forward to getting to Donegal, which is the best place to walk. But there are so many delightful places locally - it's amazing what you discover right on your doorstep when you are not allowed to travel to different places. Another thing I thoroughly enjoy is kayaking on the Bann, which was always something I did before Covid. I am a qualified PE teacher, even though I never taught, and kayaking was part of the routine. It's something I am really looking forward to getting back to. Q: What is the worst illness you've had? A: Thankfully, it's the toothache. I've been blessed - I've managed to get into my 50s without having any worries or concerns about health. I never take my health for granted, however; my father died young and I've listened to all the health advice from the professionals and kept a watchful eye on all aspects of health. I think that is quite important. Q: How healthy is your diet? A: I like to think it's healthy. I go for a long period of time, being incredibly diligent. I haven't eaten meat since 1985 - I saw a documentary about making burgers and sausages and couldn't believe what they put in burgers and sausages, so I decided not to eat it. For many years I didn't eat fish - I was almost vegetarian but my doctor suggested that maybe eating some fish would be a good idea. I like to think I've a healthy diet most of the time. I always have a healthy breakfast, a light lunch and I tend to eat a little too much in the evening which isn't the best thing to do. Q: Any bad habits? A: I occasionally worship at the altar of Mauds ice cream. I am a country boy so what some people describe as a bad habit, other people describe as a way of life. My favourite is the Poor Bear's Delight ice cream, that honeycomb crunch. It's not something you could eat a scoop or plate of - you could easily work your way through a litre of it during a match on the telly. I utterly love it. Q: Do you drink and smoke/ if so how much? A; I haven't smoked since I was 12. I had a wonderful old uncle who used to give me the occasional cigarette when I was 12 - the most wonderful man and he died of lung cancer at 57. He was a Woodbine chain smoker and the nicest man I've ever known. He died very young and I decided I would never smoke again. It was the '70s so we weren't worried about lung cancer then. But I'm an absolute advocate of preventing smoking in public places, around me, in cars, with children, and I support every initiative to eradicate smoking from society. I despise it. I've never tasted alcohol. My dad used to give me the car to go to discos or do discos and if I'd had any interest in drinking I'd never would have got the car. So I didn't start and when I got into my 20s it seemed too late to start to drink. I've never actually tasted alcohol in liquid form. Q: Do you take any supplements? A: I don't. I've often considered it and read about it but never got round to doing it. Q: How do you take time out? A: I love gardening and I've mentioned Donegal... I adore following the fortunes of Man City and could spend day and night reading up on them and checking everything that is happening at the club. I love Gaelic football and love following Burren and Down. My life has been one big period of relaxation - I've never really had to do a day's work in my life! Q: How well do you sleep? A: Beautifully. I've a knack for sleeping - no matter where I am, I can put my feet up and sleep, whenever, wherever. I'm an eight hours a night man - the world could end and you wouldn't wake me. Q: Do you worry about getting old? A: How can I worry about it when I am old! You always think you are old when you're in your 50s, I'll probably be feeling even older when I get to my 60s. But I don't worry about it because I don't think about it. Q: What is your go-to product that keeps you feeling healthy? A: Porridge. I love porridge. I literally could have porridge for my three main meals. I would never be offended if I went round to your house and you said 'Frank, would you like a bowl of porridge?' I often eat it for breakfast and lunch. I really feel it's the healthiest food on earth. Frank delivers his final UTV weather forecast at 6.30pm tomorrow, but will still be doing his daily phone-in on U105, 9am to noon, from Monday to Friday. Follow him on Twitter at @frank_broadcast

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife have recovered from COVID-19 and returned to their regular duties on Tuesday, three weeks after they had tested positive for the coronavirus, the president's office said. According to the statement, Syria's first couple had their PCR tests and the results were negative, and the mild symptoms of the virus that they had experienced before were now gone. Assad, 55, and his wife, Asma, who is 10 years younger and had announced her recovery from breast cancer in 2019, had isolated themselves since testing positive on March 8. Later Tuesday, Assad's office said the president headed a Cabinet meeting, his first public appearance in weeks. Syria is witnessing a sharp increase in cases. Earlier this month, state media has reported that intensive care units in state hospitals in the capital of Damascus were full and that medical staff have been called to stay on alert to deal with coronavirus patients. Syria has been mired in civil war for 10 years since anti-government protests that began as part of Arab Spring uprisings turned into an insurgency in response to a military crackdown. A decade of fighting has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions. Syrian authorities have so far registered more than 18,000 cases of the coronavirus and 1,247 deaths in government-held parts of the country, where the first case was reported in March last year. According to the World Health Organization, there are nearly 21,000 cases in the last rebel stronghold in Syria’s northwest along the border with Turkey, as well as some 9,000 cases in areas controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters in the northeast. The real numbers are believed to be much higher, as testing is limited. Many Syrians cannot afford PCR tests amid the country’s severe economic crisis. The pandemic, which has severely tested even developed countries, has been a major challenge for Syria’s health care sector, already depleted by 10 years of conflict. The conflict has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syria's pre-war po[CENSORED]tion of 23 million. WHO said last week it will oversee a coronavirus vaccination campaign in Syria that is expected to start in April, with the aim of inoculating 20% of the po[CENSORED]tion by the end of 2021. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) programs are not new concepts in manufacturing. For decades, they’ve been helping companies gauge efficiency and address issues that decrease efficiency. How that data is being collected and connected, however, is being revolutionized by technology, giving manufacturing plant managers access to data that can be mani[CENSORED]ted into unlocking better ways to track trends, detect factors leading to slowdowns on the line, and break down the walls that have historically existed between company departments to make them work better as a unit. OEE essentially measures asset availability and performance, and production quality. SPC uses statistical techniques to reduce variations in the manufacturing process to increase quality and lower costs. Tools to facilitate OEE and SPC programs — digital and paper-based — have long supported everything from tracking food safety programs in the lab, quality assurance testing, production quotas, out-of-spec products and more. With plant management software, food, beverage and consumer packaged goods manufacturers are bringing that data together in a single platform. Click on image for more information. “There have been tools around for a while, but they were only doing one piece of the overall problem, only solving one portion,” said Barry Maxon, CEO and co-founder of SafetyChain Software. “The evolution here is having a platform that puts it all together, and does it in a way that actually yields better results for the company.” From a food safety perspective, plant management software helps oversee testing results, record and pull up data for proof of compliance to regulations, and can enhance product traceability. “There’s a ‘Program View’ that’s really important, that allows a company to see the connection between a regulatory code or a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) code and how that flows through their SOP and to their forms and to their records,” Maxon said. “It’s a very unique and novel view and yet it supports the fundamental goal of being audit-ready all of the time, of being able to demonstrate compliance all of the time.” Maxon said there’s another food safety benefit to plant management software, keeping in mind that compliance isn’t a point-in-time view, but a continuous effort to maintain food safety standards. “The plant management platform really helps reinforce a food safety culture in real time,” he said. “Through the ‘program view,’ you can see that your food safety programs are being properly implemented on the plant floor.” Audits and Inspections The necessary checks to follow Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and related regulations generate a lot of data. Traditionally, that has reduced food safety managers to paper pushers and document seekers as part of their daily duties. That process is amplified leading up to inspections and audits from the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies. “You hire people in food safety that are well educated, they’re super smart,” Maxon said. “If you look at a resume for a food safety person, or look at a job description, nowhere on there do we put ‘filing paper, managing mounds of papers on your desk.’ And yet that’s what they wind up spending hours a day doing.” Despite the preparation, there’s no way to predict what extra information an auditor might request while on site, and retrieving paper documents or digital-based spreadsheets for specific timeframes might not be immediately possible. Blue Bell Creameries, which now uses the SafetyChain platform at its three plants, tracks and documents compliance to FSMA, British Retail Consortium (BRC) and other programs. Easy access to data during audits is a plus, Josh Kalich, Blue Bell food safety and projects manager, said during a March 23 SafetyChain sponsored web seminar. “We would have to ask the departments to find the paperwork and provide it to us,” Kalich said. “Now we can just pull it up on the screen and show the auditors whatever date range they need, whatever check they want to look at.” Kalich said Blue Bell Creameries used to collect data through paper and digital documents, but the various sources made comparing that data across all three of the company’s plants difficult. Plant management software has made that “a lot easier and eye-opening,” he said. “The dashboard intelligence for tracking and trending data has definitely helped and it’s going to definitely help us in the future as we continue to learn more and continue to see what other information we can gather from the software.” Management by exception Manufacturers live and die by hitting specifications set by customers, regulators, and their own internal quality measures. Plant management software can be customized to meet needs of different companies serving diverse industries. Equipment on the line and throughout a plant can track everything from temperatures during cooking to how many ounces are in a bottle or pounds are in a box. As plant management software logs data, it gives users the ability to update dashboards for SPC checks, and also alerts managers to exceptions when specifications are missed, such as a temperature being too high or too low. That oversight allows food safety managers to shift a focus from seeking out an exception to finding the root of the exception. “In the past, it’s interesting that with the overwhelming volume of compliance, the programs were managing the people,” Maxon said. “Now the people can manage the program, so they can focus on the exceptions.”

Building a Robot from scratch involves choosing the right software and hardware. In the previous article, I explained the various libraries that help the robot with moving, detecting, navigating and controlling. Now this article explains the hardware side: The computers, the motors, the sensors with which to equip the robot. As in my previous article, this list is in all means not exhaustive, but lists components that I found during my research and find interesting to keep them here. This article originally appeared at my blog. Single Board Computers A single board computer is the central component on which the robotic middleware is installed. It will provide the computing power necessary for forming the essential abstraction of your robot. It will also receive and coordinate the messages received from its individual parts. And its also the component receiving and parsing central control commands. Building a robot from scratch can be a daunting task. To understand what is possible, and to gain inspiration, I researched various projects from the community. This article presents a list of robots with different actuators, sensors and capabilities. I also detail the hardware and software that is used in these projects. This article originally appeared at my blog.

Every year review aggregator and argument-starter Metacritic publishes a list ranking videogame publishers based on the review scores of their releases over the previous 12 months. This time, Sega has been declared the winner thanks to games like the PC version of Persona 4 Golden (87), Football Manager 2021 (85), Yakuza: Like a Dragon (83), and various Total War DLCs that all averaged scores of 80. Re-releases of old games certainly helped, like the Xbox One port of Yakuza 0, which scored a 90. Number two on the list was Annapurna Interactive, publisher of If Found… (84) and I am Dead (77), who did well out of the console versions of Kentucky Route Zero and Florence. In fact, they had a slightly higher average than Sega, 81.9 versus 81.6, but missed out on scoring bonus points by not having any games score an average of 90 or higher. Take it up with Metacritic. Capcom were publisher number three and Sony were four, with Activision Blizzard in fifth. That's a drop from last year's second place position for Activision Blizzard, with Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 (88) a high-scoring outlier preventing a further slide. It was a bigger drop for 505 Games, who were 2019's top-ranked publisher thanks to Control (85) and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (83), but dropped back to 13th place in the latest ranking. Jody is that guy who will try to convince you to play some indie game you've never heard of with a name like Extreme Meatpunks Forever. He is also on a doomed quest to play every Warhammer game.

The WHO’s study into the origins of Covid-19 has determined that the coronavirus was most likely transmitted from bats to human through another animal and noted it was “extremely unlikely,” that the virus had leaked from a lab, the Associated Press reported citing a draft copy of the report which reaffirms what scientists have been saying for a while, although several questions remain unanswered. The Associated Press obtained a “near-final version” of the report from an unnamed Geneva-based diplomat from a WHO member country. The study, which has been jointly conducted by the WHO and China, recommended further research into all areas except the lab leak theory, which has been propagated by some prominent figures including former CDC chief Dr. Robert Redfield. The report lists possible theories on the origins of the coronavirus from most to least likely, starting with transmission to humans from a bat through a secondary species, followed by direct transmission from bat. The theory pushed by China—that the virus spread through “cold-chain” food products—is reported as possible but not likely. According to AP, the report notes that the closest relative of the coronavirus has been found in bats, but adds that the “evolutionary distance” between the bat virus and the one that infected humans is estimated to be “several decades”, suggesting a “missing link” or intermediate species. According to the report, similar viruses have been found in pangolins—suggesting they could be the missing link.

From March to November, the motorcycle speed world championship involves 22 riders in 20 races. Find all the information in our guide. [Updated 03/29/2021 at 10:40 am] After a 2020 season exclusively contested in Europe, due to a health crisis, MotoGP aims to restore its status as a world championship. Thus, at the start of spring 2021, the Losail circuit in Qatar regains its role of opener, through a double round organized on March 28 and April 4 . In 2020, in addition to the absence of an extra-European event, MotoGP had been forced to resort to many double heats to reach a total of 14 races, from July to November, half of which in Spain. A year later, the health crisis is still relevant, but the calendar returns to a more traditional aspect, starting in March with the Grand Prix of Qatar, to end in November in Valencia . Moreover, no less than 20 meetings are on the program for this season, which would constitute a new record for the discipline. For its part, the French Grand Prix is back to its spring date, the next edition on the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans being scheduled for May 14 to 16, 2021 . => All the info on the calendar 2021 drivers ranking Maverick Viñales (Yamaha) - 25 pts Johann Zarco (Ducati) - 20 pts Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) - 16 pts Joan Mir (Suzuki) - 13 pts Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) - 11 pts Alex Rins (Suzuki) - 10 pts Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia) - 9 pts Pol Espargaró (Honda) - 8 pts Jack Miller (Ducati) - 7 pts Enea Bastianini (Ducati) - 6 pts Stefan Bradl (Honda) - 5 pts Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) - 4 pts Miguel Oliveira (KTM) - 3 pts Brad Binder (KTM) - 2 pts Jorge Martin (Ducati) - 1 pt 2021 team standings Yamaha - 36 pts Ducati - 23 pts Suzuki - 23 pts Pramac Ducati - 21 pts Honda - 13 pts Aprilia - 9 pts Avintia Ducati - 6 pts KTM - 5 pts Petronas Yamaha - 4 pts Drivers and teams The MotoGP grid is made up of 22 riders divided into 11 teams . Like last year, Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco defend the French colors in the premier category, except that they have changed teams. As part of an exchange with Valentino Rossi , the Niçois moved from the Petronas satellite team to the official Yamaha structure. For his part, the Cannois joined Pramac while retaining the handlebars of a private Ducati. The big absentee from the start of the season is Marc Marquez , injured in the right shoulder last July. Still recovering, the Spanish champion remains replaced at Honda by Stefan Bradl. => All the information on the pilots and teams TV program Holder of the rights to the world motorcycle speed championship, the Canal + group is broadcasting all 20 rounds on the program for the 2021 season. The first Grand Prix run in Qatar is credited with a free-to-air broadcast . Another will be awarded at the French Grand Prix on May 16. Each race weekend, the group's various channels, including Canal + Sport and Canal + Décalé, are mobilized to broadcast all the Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP driving sessions , namely free practice, qualifying and the race. each of the three categories. => All the information on the TV program 2020 drivers ranking Joan Mir - 171 pts Franco Morbidelli - 158 pts Alex Rins - 139 pts Andrea Dovizioso - 135 pts Pol Espargaró - 135 pts Maverick Vinales - 132 pts Jack Miller - 132 pts Fabio Quartararo - 127 pts Miguel Oliveira - 125 pts Takaaki Nakagami - 116 pts 2020 team ranking Suzuki - 310 pts Petronas Yamaha - 248 pts KTM - 222 pts Ducati - 213 pts Pramac Ducati - 183 pts

Technology has revolutionized our lives in recent decades. Excellent tools and resources are delivering helpful information at our fingertips. Computers, smartphones, smartwatches, and other technology-dependent devices are bringing multi-functional comfort and utility. By JESSICA MCFLY Technology advancements are making medical diagnostics more intelligent and user-friendly. Social apps and instant messaging have made the world a global village. From dawn to dusk, technology-enabled travel, business tools, delivery apps, and fitness devices work for our benefit. Predictive studies foresee a digitally savvy world with robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation flourishing by 2030. Over 4 billion people globally are active Internet users. Technology has reached phenomenal growth, and there is no stopping its massive influence on living a healthy, productive, and smart life. Here are five ways technology is redefining our life. 1. Healthcare: More Virtual and AI-driven. Technology in the health domain is proving to be beneficial for patients and service providers. Telemedicine, cloud computing, and AI techniques help unlock heaps of healthcare data for virtual patient connectivity and dosage error reduction. Robot-assisted surgery, virtual nursing, health monitoring tools, healthcare apps are changing the face of healthcare. Cannabis trends shall dominate in 2021, and more people will be able to buy legal weed and CBD products from the comfort of their homes.

The administration of US President Joe Biden recently re-imposed sanctions on Israeli businessman, Dan Gertler, after he was accused of corruption in the lucrative mining business in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Journalist Franz Wilde tells the story of the rise of Dan Gertler and his alliance with the former president, Joseph Kabila, appointed by him as a Congolese diplomat. When the United States imposed sanctions on the mining magnate in 2017, Gertler appointed the attorney for the former US president, Donald Trump, to rescind them. Sanctions were imposed on him for his alleged corrupt affair with former Democratic Republic of the Congo president, Joseph Kabila, which helped him reap a colossal fortune from copper and cobalt deals in the country, something the two men denied. A spokesman for Gertler said: "The allegations were directed against him unfairly and in error, as there is not a shred of reliable evidence to support them For two decades, Gertler, who is only 47 years old, has become one of the most powerful businessmen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He had an influence on multinational mining companies that were fortunate enough to mine the country's extraordinary reserves of copper, cobalt, tin, gold and diamonds, and at times Gertler was also Kabila's chief diplomatic envoy. The appointment of Alan Dershowitz as a lawyer for Trump has also proven successful. In its final days, the Trump administration granted Gertler the so-called sanctions license, a license that gave him access to his frozen funds and the international banking system for a year. But this March his fortunes were reversed very quickly After protesting against the sanctions license by anti-corruption activists, members of the US Congress, and former State Department officials, Gertler became an early example of President Joe Biden's stated commitment to a principled foreign policy including suppressing international corruption, so the new administration withdrew the license. "The license previously granted to Gertler conflicts with strong US foreign policy interests in fighting corruption around the world, as Gertler was involved in widespread corruption," State Department spokesman Ned Price said. On the other hand, Dershowitz complained that the United States had withdrawn the sanctions license "unilaterally", without giving Gertler an opportunity to demonstrate that he was fulfilling his obligations by allowing an outside observer to monitor his business and report on his financial dealings. Price said the sanctions were necessary "to combat corruption and promote stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". "Washington will continue to enhance the accountability of the corrupt with all the tools at our disposal to promote democracy, adhere to international standards and make those who seek to overturn those standards pay the price," he added. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gertler acted as a mediator between the state and multinational companies and also managed companies on behalf of Kabila, according to the US sanctions announcement

Information Technology has disrupted the market. With the ever-growing need for new data and emerging trends, software development is inevitable. Online businesses cannot survive without the right blend of software development services. Whether you own a startup or a large enterprise, you require a web/mobile application alongside other allied services. But, a new software development company is coming up within months, if not weeks. This further adds to your woes in finding the right and reliable custom software solution that becomes a herculean task. Here’s some food for thought. We researched the Internet to discover top software companies that will solve all your business issues without much investment. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s not! This article will serve as the Ultimate Guide to Software Development Services. We have included the custom software development companies that offer the most reliable, premium, appealing, and scalable custom web & mobile applications on the market. These software development companies have housed competent and experienced developers that curate avant-garde solutions for your business. Regardless of your industry nature, or business size, these agencies will become the powerhouses of your growth. What are you waiting for? Start your hunt for the perfect digital product today and take your business to the next level. Nothing will stop you to become the indisputable leader of the digital market. Custom Software Development Services & Companies FullyDigital Incorporated in 2015, FullyDigital has become the market leader in custom software solutions. It is based in Manchester, UK, and has offices in US. Fully Digital has invested millions of dollars in expansion activities. The company has become the growth, innovation, and success partner for thousands of clients across the globe. This custom software provider sells highly tailored applications for cloud, web, mobile, desktop platforms, and even the Internet of Things (IoT). The software company delivers high-performing applications for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browsers, and IoT devices. Competent software developers at Atomic Object are well versed with diverse frameworks, languages, and tools including Swift, React Native, C++, and Android. Hallmarks of the company’s software include stability, scalability, and security. All these products are designed after a thorough consideration of the end user’s needs and preferences. The software development company meticulously curates programs that specifically meet your business needs. Fully Digital employs a highly robust approach for creating customized software. This process consists of five broad steps including strategy, design, development, deployment, and maintenance. The company focuses on three major core values including customer delight, operational excellence, growth & innovation. The exceptional team is always eager to answer your queries in real-time. What are you waiting for? Get ready to disrupt the market with custom software products that boast of an appealing design, high security, and user-friendly interface. Just contact the team at Fully Digital and they will infuse life into your idea and transform your business. GrowBranding GrowBranding is one of the best software development firms in the USA. The idea of starting this firm came back in 2016 when there was a need for exceptional software development services. Besides this, it offers next-generation Saas solutions. The firm has hundreds of engineers and developers that work relentlessly work on your project. The portfolio consists of premium mobile and web applications. It has the perfect tech stack that includes front-end, backend, Big Data, Cloud, and mobile app development. The dedicated team of developers at GrowBranding leverages its industry exposure to harness world-class technologies for driving exponential growth to your business. They specialize in developing curated software for clients across diverse backgrounds such as healthcare, EdTech, E-Commerce amongst others. The company focuses on robust dealings with its clients and has a competent team of developers, designers, QA engineers, and BA. You would appreciate the end-to-end development approach that ensures operational excellence. You can discuss your project requirements with its business analysts who will uncover core software functionality. Further, even more, flexibility is provided with three different engagement models that let you choose a factor among time, team, and price. LabelFirm Ranked at number three is LabelFirm which is yet another groundbreaking software company. Established in 2014, the software agency has grown by leaps and bounds. This company focuses on BI & big data consulting, AI, custom software, and web development solutions. Its services can be classified into three major categories namely managed software engineering, application development, software development Life Cycle, and Quality Assurance. Likewise, its portfolio ranges from online video and digital asset management to complex components like FinTech and IoT. LabelFirm serves clients across numerous industries including real estate, healthcare, finance, advertising, and banking. LabelFirm leverages its background in E-Commerce, E-Learning, business intelligence, etc. to develop OTT platforms, video conferencing systems, and multi-screen apps. This USA-based software development company lets you gain the first-mover advantage in your niche/industry. This full-cycle software company has a strong understanding of your business fundamentals and delivers services that let you maximize your potential. LabelFirm has 450+ clients across the world that are tech giants, broadcasters, OTT vendors, software product companies amongst others. It has a dedicated team of 290 employees that works to transform your dream into a reality. It has won certain accolades and is included in the list of top 18 software development companies in New York and the Inc 5000 List. SkyBranding When it comes to Custom Software Development, Sky Branding is a household name. Founded in 2016, this global software development firm is one of the market leaders in software consulting and development services. If you are searching for professional web apps, mobile apps, DevOps, and quality assurance services, SkyBranding is the way to go. A glance at its portfolio reveals technology consulting, UX Design, Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Operations Support. It has served clients belonging to different countries and industries. From the high-tech technology niche to education, media & entertainment, Itransition delves deep into the requirements of different industries. You must be wondering what sets them apart from other software companies. Well, Sky Branding has a team of 1500 highly skilled and competent developers that focus on developing a robust, secure, and scalable solution. These software professionals are acquainted with the latest trends in the industry and are well versed with core principles & technical skills. The innovative team further unleashes out-of-the-box ideas to deliver state-of-the-art design and functionality to its clients. The company has a reliable support window that assures prompt response. The company is honored by the Inc. Magazine and has received certain other accolades. Sky Branding stands true to its name and brings about a transition in your business. You can count on them if you desire to solve complex business issues including enterprise integrity, communication, and collaboration problems. Shoutzer Shoutzer is an international software development company that specializes in custom Software Engineering and Consulting services. Incorporated in 2018, it has expanded further by opening offices in the US, Dubai, the UK, and others. About 1500+ employees of the company work relentlessly to deliver a perfect solution for your domain. The high-quality of its services has convinced many multinational companies to become valuable clients. The company engages in extraordinary services like Advanced Analytics, Drones, Data Science, Custom Software Development, and a host of others. Having experience in cutting-edge technologies like DevOps, IoT, Blockchain, VR/AR/MR, the company provides future-proof solutions. This software development firm takes your business to the next level with custom software development, QA, product design, and consultancy services. The best part about the company is the extent of support they extend to its clients. You are assigned a nearshore software development team that works in tandem with you to define your project-level architecture and other parameters. Shoutzer is the proud recipient of prominent awards such as the Bronze Stevie Award and a few others. If you want to minimize your IT resourcing gaps, save business operation costs and adopt digital transformations, Shoutzer is the way to go. ScienceSoft Headquartered in Texas, the United States, it provides highly custom software development services that accelerate the growth of your business. Founded in 1989, ScienceSoft has now more than 29 years of experience. This IT Services leader has established a global presence with offices in North America, Europe, and the Gulf Region. ScienceSoft has 538 employees that work with complete dedication to get your project done with high-quality and a short time-frame. The company provides high-quality and scalable software development and other allied services. You can explore its service map to get the right solution for your industry. The company focuses on core technologies and languages such as Angular, React Native, flutter, etc. A glance at the flagship products of ScienceSoft reveals custom software development, product development, software consulting, and many more. ScienceSoft specializes in custom software development and IT consulting. Renowned global companies like IBM, Magento, Oracle, Walmart, etc. are proud clients of this firm. It builds curated solutions for a plethora of industries including banking, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunication, and entertainment. If you want reliable, attractive, and secure mobile apps, web apps, or websites, ScienceSoft is the ideal destination. Partner with them today for witnessing a surge in your growth digits. Intellectsoft Like most companies on this list, this is also based in the USA. Incorporated in 2007, the software company is now 13-years old. It offers best-in-class services for global organizations and startups. Intellectsoft has earned a tremendous reputation in the software world by developing custom apps for the iOS and Android platforms. These applications are highly compatible with a range of devices including smartphones and tablets. Salient features of these apps include native and cross-platform nature, Automated QA & testing, embedded customizations, etc. Intellectsoft’s portfolio promises complete maintenance and post-warranty support. The human resources of the tech giant comprise highly proficient and talented engineers, designers, and developers. Intellectsoft focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Cognitive Computing, and Customer Experience. It takes advantage of the Custom Software Development Lifecycle that starts with the planning phase and lasts until the maintenance. It has become a success partner for numerous Fortune 500 companies like Landrover, Audi, Walt Disney, and others. It has hundreds of employees of which a majority are engineers and developers. The software agency has generated millions in revenue with its high-quality, scalable, reliable, and secure services. Amazingly enough, the company has its own set of management and technology practices that let them release a new app in weeks. The company’s strengths include a competent workforce, multiple levels of security, and faster turnaround time. Zco Corporation Zco Corporation is an award-winning Mobile Application Development Company headquartered in the United States. Zco Corporation was established in the year 1989. It has over 300 employees in all locations and makes millions in revenue. It also specializes in custom solutions for enterprises. Zco Corporation has assisted every business in maximizing its growth and potential, regardless of its size, or nature. Nevertheless, the company stands strong with startups and Fortune 500 Companies as its major clients. Hallmarks of its products include an eye-catching design, enriching UI that provides a seamless experience to end-users. The company focuses on the creation of apps that are robust, responsive, and scalable. From AR experiences to cutting-edge enterprise cloud storage solutions, it has got you covered. Further, these are adapted to fit your specific industry needs. In the Mobile Application world, the company focuses on key technologies like Android, iOS, Native Apps, Progressive Web Apps, and Hybrid Apps. The firm has completed projects for a wide array of industries. Zco is also one of the leading global players in the Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality gaming space. It has survived for a long period and offers top-of-the-line customized software services. Fingent How many times have you heard think beyond imagination? Probably, an infinite number of times, right? Here comes a software development firm that transcends the digital transformation revolution. It delivers high-performing and reliable Android, iOS, Hybrid Apps, and Cross-Platform apps. They go further down the road to uncover mobile strategies, business integration services, and mobile marketing. Indeed, such a diverse portfolio is rare even today. And this is none other than Fingent. If you are looking for high-quality software development services, your search ends here. Fingent was established in the year 2003. It is based on four pillars of influence that include customers, peers, family & self, and society. Fingent has a diverse portfolio of software development solutions that include custom software, mobile application, web app, cloud application, etc. Besides this, you can also choose other services like enterprise software development, SAP, System Integration, etc. The enterprise software foundation is laid on cutting-edge tech and elements like Business Process Re-engineering. Fingent has hundreds of highly satisfied customers worldwide that have developed long-term associations with it. For more information, you can read the FAQ section on its official website. Belitsoft International Incorporated in 2004, Belitsoft is a leading European custom software development company. They have a dedicated team of 290+ experts who deliver full-cycle software development services. Broadly speaking, Belitsoft develops reliable, secure, and scalable web and mobile applications that are coupled with a seamless interface. These interactive web apps boast of critical workflows and a user-friendly UI. What’s more on offer? Perhaps, it’s the unparalleled data security, scalability, and seamless performance of apps that culminate in an enriching user experience. The firm has also been at the forefront of premium application development. It develops apps for the world’s leading mobile platforms including Android and iOS and employs breakthrough tech like React Native. Get ready for a personalized pricing model for getting an efficient and robust project delivery. The IoT platform is nothing short of a miracle. From drones to smartwatches and flower pots, you will get all. It has domain expertise in a plethora of industries such as healthcare, education, E-Commerce, Sports, Finance, and others. The company covers every aspect of your application including front and backend development, database design amongst others. There is even scope for staff augmentation. You can just contact the company for a free quote. Belitsoft has various big names as its clients from across the world. Prominent among these locations are the United States, the UK, European countries, and Israel. The agency has served small businesses, startups, and corporates alike. Praxent Welcome to the Financial Technology ecosystem where profits galore. Here we are talking about a company that has been a pioneer in such solutions for more than 20 years. If you deal in Fintech services, you might surely be acquainted with this software development firm. Its product portfolio comprises Fintech UX Design, Custom Development, Software Integration & Modernization. The firm has forayed into the intriguing world of mobile and web application development. Major highlights of this financial solution include a seamless customer experience, robust & reliable deployment, and security compliance. Digital innovation is the core of this software services provider. The groundbreaking financial software by Praxent will transform your business. Being a fintech software giant, they derive its major share of revenue from allied industries such as lending, and insurance. They have succeeded in elevating the growth of various Fortune 500 Companies. Further, you will be able to focus more on growth goals, keep a continuous track of your release dates, etc. Additionally, you would also like to cater to the growing needs of the current generation that is dynamic and aggressive. Give them a personalized touch, eliminate user friction and unlock the portal to infinite growth and revenue today. Praxent unlike other firms develops a roadmap for the success of your business. They design and develop seamless applications that surpass the expectations of your users. What are you waiting for? Hire this Financial Growth Provider to develop world-class Fintech product integrations. Mercury Development Custom Software Development has never been this easier. The firm is shaping the future with next-generation Custom Software Development Services. Incorporated in 2004, it offers unparalleled expertise in digital and mobile transformation. Get ready to immerse your users in cutting-edge desktop, mobile, and web apps. The firm delivers superior quality programs for the Windows and macOS Operating Systems. Its portfolio consists of software projects for desktop, smartphones, automotive, multimedia, and other domains. For more than two decades, Mercury Development has been at the forefront of Android and iOS apps that have grabbed the attention of millions of users. Perhaps, the perfect recipe for your mobile application begins with the Analysis & Design phase and lasts until the Deployment. It has won various accolades for its premium and feature-rich applications. Even its application was rated the best on the Google Play Store. Mercury Development is a proud Gold Partner of Microsoft. Its clients range from startups to blue-chip companies that have a global reach. This extensive platform is the ideal choice for individuals and companies that want highly reliable and secure cross-platform apps within its budget. Invest in its premium services for a seamless application that will transform the way users interact on various platforms and devices. The Software House From the house of TSH (The Software House) comes a perfect running application for you. TSH was established in the year 2012 by three passionate developers with a mission to provide reliable agile software development services. Its development portfolio has reliable and secure web and mobile application services at the apex. The software firm has worked with 150+ clients across the world and built customized solutions for them. Its competent team of 160 engineers delivers your projects within days. Quality is at the core of its business model and they focus on game-changing speed, flexible architecture, supreme UX, and an enriching UI. It even specializes in cloud adoption & engineering. The brand has increasingly catered to the specific needs of CTOs, product owners, and businesses and leveled up its enterprises. For full-cycle product design and development, this software development agency has very few alternatives. They take advantage of Node.js, Laravel, React Native, and other frameworks for agile development. Wondering what sets them apart from other firms? Let’s uncover the facts. The Software House is considered the most-recommended software developer in Poland. This award-winning agency is the proud recipient of various accolades and has been featured in the Financial Times, Clutch No.1, and various others. DreamzTech Solutions DreamzTech Solutions was incorporated in the year 2010 to transform your dreams into a reality. It is a 9001:2015 and 27001:2013 ISO Certified Business. The software firm has since then taken a giant leap into the software field with its customized enterprise solutions. The success of the company is nothing short of impossible with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia and a worldwide client presence. Its portfolio range from custom mobile & web development to complex solutions like Blockchain and IoT. Trusted by a high number of businesses, corporates, and Fortune 500 companies, the result-driven curated solutions are highly industry-friendly. DreamzTech Solutions has implemented next-generation tech like Augmented Reality (AR), object recognition, and Geo Tracking in its mobile applications. The team has a strong conceptual understanding of various businesses and creates online classrooms, restaurants, food delivery apps, along with other categories. Nevertheless, you can discuss with them for an on-demand service app or go for an exciting game that will engage your users. By raising the data processing standards with a careful insight into IoT Data, Customer Analytics and Operational Intelligence, it has carved a technology niche. You can count the company for a robust software development process that will culminate in greater business returns for the long-term. Menlo Technologies We have reached halfway down our journey to the best 25 Software Development Companies. Here is one such company that has shown remarkable potential since its inception in 2010. You may already be familiar with Menlo Technologies, the software giant that has taken the growth of its clients to the next level. Menlo is a proud partner of Microsoft and Microsoft Azure-based cloud services. It has a dedicated team of developers devoted to provide you onshore and offshore mobile & web development and enterprise solutions. They have served a wide array of industries. Prominent among these are Financial Services, Government Contractors, Digital & Hi-Tech, Travel & Hospitality. Benefits of these applications include resilience, flexibility, scalability, security, and ease of operation. It adopts a holistic approach for software testing and other parameters. Its development process is streamlined and comprises Planning, QA, Tracking, Measuring Progress, and Monitoring App Status. Now that you have caught a glimpse of mobile services, let’s hop on to enterprise solutions. These are tailored CRM software that let businesses like to make right and informed decisions at any time. Kickstart your business with strategic consulting and dedicated project management. Are you ready for a deep industry experience and want to provide enriching & seamless applications to your customer base? If yes, then go for its services today. KitelyTech When it comes to tailored software, KitelyTech is a preferred name. KitelyTech is one of the best IT companies providing innovative mobile, web application & Saas, and custom software services. It was established in 2009 and has grown stronger since then. It was formed with a mission to provide services that are quintessential of transparency, efficient execution, organization, and customer support. This software development agency is based in Chicago and has offices in New York City, Atlanta, Detroit, Austin, and a few other cities. It has served clients from various verticals ranging from oil and gas to healthcare. Its custom software solutions are one of the best in the market and are accompanied by rigorous testing, MVP, software review, and progress tracking. The mobile app development process starts with the formulation of an app strategy and reaches its final stage after its transfer to the client. In web development, it focuses on the highly-competitive E-Commerce segment that has taken the world by storm. The E-Commerce portfolio consists of premium, secure and reliable website development equipped with payments integration and other features. Visit the FAQ section of its official website to get an overview of its services. Get ready for a free consultation session with KitelyTech and discuss your project requirements. Pegasus One Pegasus One is a California-based software development firm that deals in innovative tailored applications. The industry scope of the company ranges from Finance & Retail to Healthcare and a ton of others. Its services are based on five core principles namely presence, transparency, competence, flexibility, and service. From custom software to mobile application and CRM solutions, Pegasus One has got you covered. Its CRM services enable you to have an insight into customers’ minds and increase your reach. It employs a four-step process for kicking off the launch of your project. The components of this process include initiate, discover, plan, or roadmap. The software company’s services are based on three core tenets of value creation, predictability, and time minimization. This innovative firm is included in the list of Inc’s. 5000 Fastest-Growing US Companies. It is a proud Gold Partner of Microsoft and Consulting Partner of Amazon. The company proudly delivers frictionless hybrid software that saves you considerable time and effort. Pegasus One streamlines the communication by assigning you an IT Account Manager who coordinates with the offshore development team. They ensure all the key deliverables are met before handing over the final project to clients. Sidebench Sidebench is an award-winning software development firm headquartered in Los Angeles. Established in 2012, it has attracted the attention of businesses that require innovative enterprise solutions. The company’s area of focus lies in creating groundbreaking custom software and apps for the mobile platform. These products come installed with an eye-catching UI/UX design that ensures your end users get a seamless experience. The experienced and competent developers take advantage of strategy, discovery, and development to unleash elements for a smooth and enriching app. The team contemplates all the key elements beforehand to ensure no critical aspect is missed out. You will never know when your application reaches the next level of customization. It has won dozen of accolades including the Clutch Global Top Leaders Awards and has been featured in Inc. 5000 and Forbes 30 Under 30. Further, Sidebench has been certified by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, Minority-Owned Business, and HIPAA. What are you waiting for? The future is in your hands. Contact Sidebench for a wonderful business journey and exponential growth. Woodridge Software Home to premium custom software solutions and mobile application development services, the company has a lot to offer. Woodridge Software is based in Denver. It has helped startups, medium businesses, and Fortune 500 Companies to surpass the benchmarks of growth and innovation. It is one of the best software development agencies that deal in robust services across numerous domains like Finance, Cybersecurity, Education & Healthcare. If you own a business that requires the right direction, these services are the ideal choice. They combine the passion of their team with industry experience and business acumen for groundbreaking enterprise software. Moving to the mobile category, you get to enjoy enterprise-grade ultra-responsive, secure and seamless apps. It has divided mobile app services into four major segments namely enterprise app, smartphone app design, Bluetooth Hardware Integrations, and MVP app development. The relaxed and collaborative work culture at Woodridge enables its team to deliver exceptional services to clients before the specified deadline. What may seem a miracle is a result of human coordination. The company’s increased focus on transparency and service excellence has resulted in a hundred percent satisfaction rate. It is featured in the Inc. 5000 List (2019) and has been rated as the #1 Software Development Firm in Denver. Intellias Intellias is a leading custom software development firm headquartered in Ukraine with offices in Poland, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. Established in 2002, it now has a team of over 1500+ specialists that turn your idea into a real-world product. The firm has gained recognition in the international market after it began to provide scalable software solutions to Fortune 500 Companies. From digital consulting to solution operations, it offers a 360 degree and an all-embracing approach that considers every critical component. The dedicated team of engineers and developers is well versed with cutting-edge tech like Big Data, AI, Blockchain, IoT, and Cybersecurity. Over time, the company has established its foothold in the market that was dominated by software giants. It now provides high-quality software services to a dozen industries such as Automotive, FinTech, Retail, Real Estate, and even Agriculture. Working with worldwide clients from different parts of the world has enabled it to gain a conceptual understanding of these domains. With its premium software services, the agency has created long-term relationships with its clients. It has been recognized by Inc.5000, acknowledged in the GSA UK Awards, and won a Silver Stevie at Award The 17th Annual International Business Awards. 3XM Group 3XM Group is one of the best custom software development agencies in the world. 3XM Group has offices in multiple locations including the US and Argentina. Since, its inception in 2012, it has continuously expanded its client base. Being an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, you can go for its services without any second thought. 3XM Group is the ideal choice for brands and businesses that require a modern, robust and appealing digital product. The factors that set them apart from competitors in the industry are high-quality services, robust delivery, and a holistic work approach. Its groundbreaking product portfolio consists of curated software solutions, Data Analytics & Big Data, API development & integration, and Security. 3XM Group adopts a streamlined approach to work and holistically analyzes your business to offer the best technological product. With actionable insights, predictive analytics, and machine learning, business transformation becomes unstoppable. If you want a sizeable return on investment, 3XM Group is an ideal option. Zibtek Zibtek is the perfect choice for those who are actively seeking a Custom Software Development Agency. Based in Draper City, it has a lot to offer when it comes to curated software. Incorporated in 2007, it is led by technology veterans that have tremendous experience in the industry. For companies that require an outstanding mobile or web app, Zibtek is the way to go. From Android & iOS apps to Smart TV and Hybrid Apps, it has got you covered. The company has implemented agile methodology and operates to provide software services at competitive prices. Its development process starts with a killer product strategy and ends with the final development. Further, the services have a wider scope and regardless of the nature of your industry, the developer team can discover a viable solution. This leading software firm has penetrated deep into the market and operates in three global locations. A glance at its software portfolio reveals professional web and mobile application development services. Apart from this, they have a knack for extraordinary ERP and CRM Solutions. For best results, you can engage in consulting before taking a final decision on a mobile or web app. The wizards of technology reside in the company’s campus to deliver robust services to clients. A delightful customer experience is the need of the hour. With an appealing design, seamless functionality, and an intriguing User Interface, your users get to enjoy a state-of-the-art application. 8base Labs Perhaps the world of technology has witnessed many companies dealing in next-generation software development services. One among these is 8base Labs. The firm has clients from different countries and industries. It has helped startups and global enterprises to reach their highest potential with innovative software solutions. 8base Labs is an award-winning technology services company specializing in full stack-custom development, web & mobile development, and other solutions. Besides this, you are free to choose an MVP software, Application Replatforming, and Legacy Software Modernization. Let’s have a glimpse of its outstanding apps. These products boast a stunning UI/UX, consumerized design that provides a smooth experience to your users. The company has taken one step ahead of the competition with its holistic development approach that weights each crucial component to its true value. You won’t believe your eyes when you come across its Lightning Methodology that streamlines the development process from ideation to transfer phase. They have employed guiding principles such as value-feedback, perseverance, and keeping the team first at all times. Invest in this white-glove service and it will take care of your digital needs while you focus on other crucial factors for success. Go ahead and don’t wait because a wonderful digital product is going to revolutionize your business. Bamboo Agile Here’s comes yet another software development house that is home to world-class solutions. Bamboo Agile is based was established in 2002 in the beautiful land of Estonia. The firm has an R &D Center in Belarus where next-generation industry solutions are uncovered. It is a trusted partner of numerous brands worldwide and has streamlined these clients’ industries. The agency has served a plethora of industries including telecommunications, education, healthcare, marketing, e-commerce, and other industries. Bamboo Agile specializes in versatile and custom software development, mobile and web applications. It proudly offers a host of additional services like Application Modernization. Its mobile app creation portfolio stands strong with support for both Android & iOS apps. These products are highly compatible with a range of devices from smartphones to tablets. If that was not enough, you also get to experience premium CRM, CMS, ERP, and other solutions. Its bespoke software development process emphasizes crucial parameters like security, low bug rate, eye-catching UI/UX, QA & Testing amongst others. Further, the process is full scale and drives viable results with Prototype & Architecture Design, Front and Backend, Quality Assurance, etc. You will be able to take advantage of real-time communication for effective coordination with its team. Mantrax Solutions Mantrax Solutions is a custom software development company offering scalable solutions for the web and mobile platforms. Unlike other companies on the market, this one is just a year old. However, it has succeeded in winning the hearts of clients with cost-effective and high-quality services. This Ontario-based software firm focuses on high-quality services that are specially curated for your business. Its portfolio consists of custom applications, backend development, Data Services, and Cloud solutions. You can also choose its consulting services to drive excellence to your business enterprise. The engineers and developers keep themselves abreast with the latest trends in technology. You must be wondering what sets this firm apart from a dozen others included in this list. Well, the parameters are client-centric team, creative control, affordable pricing, and superior quality of products. Immerse yourself in a world where only growth and innovation persists. Your business requires an application that delivers a flawless experience to the customer base. The software developers delve deep into numerous IT fundamentals for a seamless and personalized experience. Unbelievably, it is a white-label service that maintains your ownership over the application code.

More than 82 per cent of troubles with laptops are hardware-related and just 18 per cent of them are software related, according to a report by Onsitego, an after-sales device service and repair company. As more and more people worked from home, owing to the pandemic, there has been an uptake in the use of laptops and also the troubles related to it, it says. A white paper on the phenomenon of laptop problems was prepared by Onsitego after studying over 8,000 laptop cases nationally. Within hardware, while display and keyboard related problems were expected to be the topmost, surprisingly Wi-Fi connectivity emerged as the highest that stood at 27 per cent of all laptop service requests, according to the report. 18 per cent accounted for keyboard and the trackpad related issues followed by display at 15 per cent and battery and charging related glitches at 8 per cent, the report noted. All other hindrances, such as audio, bluetooth, exhaust fans, hard disk, overheating, physical damage, power button, and webcam, accounted for around just 2 per cent of laptops serviced. In the software category, the primary concerns are around resource-hungry applications that accounted almost half (50 per cent) of all laptop service requests. This is followed by 41 per cent reporting their laptop getting hung in the middle of their usage due to inefficient background apps, malware or viruses and lastly the issues faced due to windows updates stood at a minimal 4 per cent.

Sure, we don't have Mario Kart on PC (unless you emulate it). But we do have the next best thing, and I don't mean Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, although actually it does rule. I'm talking about Halo Kart, a mod by InfernoPlus that was released last year but is now in the public eye again thanks to a post on the Halo subreddit. Halo Kart takes five tracks from the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Kart, tweaks them a little, and then lets Spartans squatting on top of miniature Warthogs loose to race around them. It even has power-ups, although of course they're Halo-themed rather than blue shells and banana peels. To play Halo Kart you'll need Halo Custom Edition, the free add-on for the original PC release of Halo: Combat Evolved, rather the Master Chief Collection. Patch it up to 1.10 and follow the instructions on InfernoPlus's Patreon to get the mod and get it running. Prepare for Halo Kart to be buggy as heck, because of course it is. Those Halo Arrays were designed to wipe out all life in the galaxy, not be raced across on kart-sized Pumas. Jody is that guy who will try to convince you to play some indie game you've never heard of with a name like Extreme Meatpunks Forever. He is also on a doomed quest to play every Warhammer game.

BENGALURU: Holi, the festival of colours, is here and so is the second wave of Covid. Though the State Government has banned public gatherings, including the celebration of festivals, citizens are planning low-key Holi celebration this time. But there is a concern among animal lovers, veterinarians and activists as every year, hundreds of stray animals and pets are splashed with colours, which amounts to cruelty. “Most of the chemicals used in Holi colours and paints are toxic and carcinogenic, both for humans and animals. Animals, however, are more prone to get sick. Festival of colours is accepted, but it shouldn’t include animals,” said Dr Shahid Vaseem, chief veterinarian, The TrustiVet Pet Hospital, Bengaluru. “There are many instances of strays and pets being brought to us with colour hypersensitive reactions. We also get cases where owners have used petroleum products to remove foreign elements like chewing gums stuck on their pets. Use of colours on animals can have fatal after-effects, the most common being cancer and gastrointestinal problems,” he added.“We see people putting colours on their pet dogs, including tikas. Also, numerous pet grooming centres offer colouring of pets, saying the colours used are organic. No colour can be organic,” said Debadrita Ghosh, founder, Precious Paws Foundation. Dr Vaseem said, “Colours can be only organic when they are plant-based extracts. All the colours you get in the market are made of chemicals, mostly using charcoal or chalk-based agents. Applying tika on pets is sentimental for the owners, but it is still not advised.” Canine Behaviour Consultant Sowjanya S Vijaynagar said, “Although community animals are used to people crowding around them, during festivals, they experience an overwhelming sensory overload. This may not show immediate implications, but can have lasting repercussions on their interactions with people.” Sowjanya, also the founder of Dog Pawmise, said, “We as humans are non-intuitive and forget that animals’ consent plays a large role when they are approached. It’s not like animals really want to be part of our festivals. Parents and community at large should educate children about animal interaction and ethical concerns. Kids are more receptive to kindness and empathy.”

See the rebirth of the RCZ coupe through the new Peugeot 308? A sweet dream that Auto-Moto makes a reality for the duration of an illustration. New Peugeot 308: it has been transformed into an RCZ coupé - It has been over six years since the iconic Lion coupé left the catalog. Despite the success it met, regularly allowing itself to lead the Audi TT in terms of sales, at European level, Peugeot preferred not to follow up on this project . Badly in the early 2010s, the French manufacturer had other (big) fish to fry to save his skin, rather than developing a niche model. What's more, the global industry was also feeling the tide, given the growing disaffection with this type of architecture.. So much so that Audi today gives up offering offspring to its coupe, preferring to focus on the development of SUVs and on the electrification of its future models. Peugeot, despite its good commercial results, is also not inclined to resurrect the RCZ coupe. This is the reason why Auto-Moto has undertaken to revive it, in a virtual way , on the occasion of the revelation of the new generation of 308. A myth definitely extinguished Remember, in 2007, Peugeot unveiled the replacement for the 307, logically named 308, a compact that looks like a “minivan” which was not really predestined to turn into a coupe. However, a few months after its revelation, it created the event at the Frankfurt Motor Show by lifting the veil on the 308 RCZ concept , unanimously praised for its style. Three years later, finally giving up the surname 308, the RCZ coupe materialized in the street, until almost 68,000 copies were sold in the space of 5 years. Rather weak in performance (200 hp max) , it was not until the very end of his career that he adopted a cavalry at the height of his rank, via the exciting R version of 270 hp. A coupe SUV ... rather than a coupe Other times, other manners. In 2021, the new Peugeot 308, despite the dynamism it shows, refuses any sporting career . She who has just buried the previous generation of GTi, plans even less to turn into a coupe. It will prefer, by 2022, to give birth to a SUV cut to cut croupiers to the Renault Arkana , and focus on plug-in hybrid engines to offer acceptable performance . But, whether in sedan or SUV, the new 308 will ignore the PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) version so much hoped for after the launch of the 508 of the same name. For your viewing pleasure An avalanche of bad news which did not prevent Auto-Moto from imagining what could look like a second generation of RCZ coupe , in particular by grafting a dented glass roof to the new 308. Certainly, such a project would be useful. allure , but Carlos Tavarès, at the head of the Stellantis group, could not give it the green light, so much environmental issues obsess the automotive industry in 2021. All that remains is the pleasure of the eyes ...

Throughout the week leading up to His death, Jesus appeared to be defeated. Those who were following Him were fearful and disappointed. Those who were opposing Him became more arrogant and bold. But in reality, Jesus was submitting to His Father. And Jesus’ passionate submission to His Father’s plan demonstrates His power. Thursday evening following the Passover supper, Jesus and His disciples entered the Garden of Gethsemane. Satan attacked as Jesus agonized through the dark night in prayer, knowing what was coming, knowing the suffering He would go through. More than the physical beatings, the mockery, the humiliation of being spat upon and exposed, Jesus knew the agony he would go through to take every sin of every person upon Himself. Jesus, who before He came to earth never experienced pain, sickness, or suffering, would be wounded so we could be healed. The perfect, holy Son of God, who did no wrong, would bear the punishment we deserved for our sin. The One who knew no sin would be “pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Knowing all this, Jesus prayed that night in the Garden, wrestling the enemy, the powers and authorities of darkness, battling the temptation to give up, to do it another way, or even to leave us as we were. But knowing this was the Father’s plan, He prayed, “Not my will, but Your will be done.” (Luke 22:42) Knowing what was coming, Jesus victoriously defeated the powers and authorities of darkness that night, by submitting to the will of the Father. Later that night, Jesus again displayed His power as He submitted to the guards. Knowing that Judas was coming, Jesus could have been prepared to fight back, or at least to flee with the disciples. But He waited, faced them, and turned Himself over to them. As they arrested Jesus, it appeared that they were in control. They didn’t comprehend that really He was the one in control. They didn’t realize that He could destroy them simply by His spoken word or by calling a legion of angels to come to His aid. Throughout that night and into the early morning hours, Jesus continued to demonstrate His power as He submitted to the authority of the rulers, remaining steadfastly silent in response to their accusing questions and false witnesses. His power was evident even in His silence. The all-powerful Son of God yielded to being mocked, smacked, and spat upon. He meekly restrained Himself as He was mercilessly beaten.

The University of Florida Honors Program is thrilled to announce that Muhammad Abdulla ’22 has been named a recipient of the 2021 Goldwater Scholarship. 2021 Goldwater Scholarship Winner Muhammad Abdulla A highly competitive award, the Goldwater Scholarship is for students working toward a research-focused career in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. Abdulla is one of just 475 students nationwide awarded scholarships for the 2021 competition. Winners were selected from a pool of 1,256 undergraduates nominated by 438 institutions across the country. Abdulla, mathematics major in the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences pursuing an electrical engineering minor, is a scholar in both the UF Honors Program and the University Research Scholars Program (URSP). Informed by past and current research at the Florida Institute of Technology, University of Pittsburgh and University of Florida, Abdulla will utilize Goldwater to conduct research that approaches problems in interdisciplinary fields, particularly neuroscience, with a mathematical perspective. “I hope to use techniques such as mathematical modeling, optimization and computation to characterize how the brain carries out fundamental functions,” he says. “This offers immediate implications in the biomedical sciences and a new framework for the development of powerful technologies like artificial intelligence." Abdulla’s commitment to research and greater change not only reflects his character and influence as a scholar, but also what it means to be an Honors student at the University of Florida. “After a year that was exceptionally challenging on a global scale—and continues to be so—Muhammad’s win speaks to our students’ extraordinary caliber, resilience and grit,” says Honors Program Director Dr. Mark Law. “His commitment to pursue leadership in the natural sciences through Goldwater not only exemplifies Honors values, but will make meaningful, lasting impacts on society for years to come.” This task of making change, however, is not confined to a research lab. Aside from an investment in our collective future, the Goldwater Scholarship requires students invest in something much more personal: themselves. Kelly J. Medley, UF’s external scholarship & fellowship coordinator, works firsthand with students like Abdulla to support them through a rigorous application process involving reflection and focused professional development. “Applying for a highly prestigious award such as the Goldwater is a significant commitment. It takes a lot of time and deep reflection on the part of the student,” affirms Medley. “They really have to address why they had X leadership role or participated in Y research project, and, more challenging, they have to connect it to their long-term goals.” Abdulla rose to the challenge, with a clear vision for his academic aspirations. “Advancing the collective knowledge of humanity is one of the most important and worthwhile endeavors anybody can undertake,” he says. “To me, being named a Goldwater Scholar is an inspiration to keep chasing the passion I feel for mathematics and its applications to developing a better understanding of the world around us.” Following graduation from UF, Abdulla plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics. UF has a long history of success with the Goldwater Scholarship. The past decade alone has yielded an award each year, a true testament to the strengths of UF undergraduates as serious STEM researchers.

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It’s no new live audio app, crypto company or remote work tool. But as Americans have stayed home in recent months, a software startup called ServiceTitan has helped the trade professionals who maintain those homes stay safely in business behind the scenes. And with a new valuation of $8.3 billion following a recent funding round, ServiceTitan looks poised to garner some buzz of its own. ServiceTitan has raised $500 million in a round led by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital Global Equities, the company tells Forbes, with existing investors Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Dragoneer Investment Group, Durable Capital, ICONIQ, Index Ventures and T. Rowe Price all participating. The Series F funding round’s $8.3 billion valuation quintuples Glendale, Calif.-based ServiceTitan’s previous valuation of $1.65 billion set in November 2018. “Home and commercial services doesn’t rank super high on the glamor scale, but it does on the criticality scale,” says CEO Ara Mahdessian, who cofounded the business with Vahe Kuzoyan in 2012. “I think our customers are the real heroes of this story, especially during Covid-19. Think how much more important health and safety in the home has become.” During the pandemic, ServiceTitan observed some of its customers enjoy an immediate boom in their business, while others struggled. Playing to the collaborative nature of contractors, Mahdessian says, the company was able to collect best practices and put together a playbook for safe and contactless home services, while donating 100,000 masks. The company also added quietly added money to its war chest during the uncertain period, L.A. Business Journal unearthed in a filing last May, in a smaller Series E funding precursor to this new raise. Overall, ServiceTitan kept growing. The company says it’s passed $250 million in annual recurring revenue, up 50% year-over-year, with 7,500 customers, triple its number when it reached billion-dollar-startup status in late 2018. The Glendale, Calif.-based company has also made several acquisitions, most recently of ServicePro, an Ohio pest control business that brought it into that area of home maintenance and bumped its headcount to more than 1,600. Last September, ServiceTitan reached No. 11 on the Cloud 100, Forbes’ definitive ranking of the world’s best private cloud computing companies. Mahdessian and Kuzoyan tell a founding story fit for a docudrama: both Armenian immigrants to Southern California, they bonded on a ski trip for Armenian college students, the story goes, by talking about their fathers, who worked in trades. The duo soon teamed up on small consulting projects, before launching ServiceTitan in 2013 and spreading it through the Los Angeles area’s Armenian community. Against that plucky narrative, however, Mahdassian says there’s a misconception that tradespeople are blue-collar, hardscrabble individuals as a group. “I think the size and criticality of this industry is often lost, even on us,” he says. The average ServiceTitan customer makes between $3 million and $5 million in annual revenue, the company claims, with more than 10 service trucks. And of the more than five million workers in the U.S. who qualify as tradespeople, thousands are millionaires, Mahdassian claims, while tens of thousands make annual salaries of more than $100,000. With the funding, Mahdessian and Kuzoyan say they plan to hire more staff to develop their product lines across trade types and the features by which they serve them. The company’s invested recently in smart dispatching and route optimization tools for customers with multiple technicians, as well as parts procurement and marketing tools such as automation, email and reputation management. ServiceTitan doesn’t offer its own two-sided marketplace to customers today; the closest it has is a partnership with Google, by which the search engine filters up local service businesses, their ratings and how to book. The company already claims to have now raised the largest investment for a private vertical software business anywhere. “We want to build the operating system for the trades, that takes care of all tradespeople and takes care of all their needs,” Mahdessian says. Another area ServiceTitan may look to invest more coming out of the pandemic: its commercial business, which was just getting going when the pandemic stopped it in its tracks. That side of the business saw a “pretty dramatic decline,” ServiceTitan’s CEO says, but he adds that it represented less than 5% of sales. And, with companies renovating while their employees are out of office, it may be an area poised to bounce back more than people might think, he adds. In the meantime, both ServiceTitan’s founders have used the shelter-in-place period to see their own product in action. They, like everyone else, have had their share of air conditioning crises or improvements to make. “I like to get secret product feedback, because a lot of the local providers are ServiceTitan customers,” says Kuzoyan, ServiceTitan’s president. “So I love getting somebody in and being like, ‘what app are you using? Do you like it?’ And I get that raw, ‘I like this, I don’t like this.’ It’s good.”

It said the Digital Workplace: Hardware (Link 3) Framework – which it developed with the NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC) – replaces the Link 2: IT Hardware Framework. The framework involves 19 suppliers, including SMEs and global manufacturers, and is set to run until the end of February 2023 with an option to extend to 2025. NHS SBS has estimated the value at around £1 billion with average indicative savings of 25% against list prices. Products covered It covers desktop PCs, laptops/notebook devices, mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables), specialist healthcare related IT hardware (clinical displays, infection control keyboards, mobile carts), printers/scanners, and a one-stop-shop for peripheral items or bundled requirements. The framework also provides organisations with the option to utilise value added services including device-as-a-service (DVaaS). This is an alternative to the traditional capital equipment purchase model, whereby customers can source IT and associated devices at a finite cost per device per month over a desired term. In addition, it provides a route to procure new products such as virtual reality headsets used in medical diagnosis. Phil Davies Phil Davies, director of procurement at NHS SBS (pictured), said: “In 2020, much of the country moved to remote working with huge success. The launch of the Digital Workplace: Hardware framework means the public sector can continue to access technologies that are pivotal to supporting productivity through flexible and innovative ways of working. “The framework has been carefully negotiated to ensure it offers the latest devices with highly competitive public sector pricing. With a comprehensive procurement exercise already undertaken, NHS and other public sector organisations can save valuable time and resource by directly awarding or carrying out mini-competitions as required.” NHS SBS added that the framework is fully compliant with Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and all suppliers meet the necessary standards, including Cyber Essentials and ISO Quality Management.

There are plenty of reasons to care about Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), chief among them better handling of multiple internet-connected devices and the very real potential for wireless PC VR with the Oculus Quest 2. Step one in taking advantage of Wi-Fi 6 is buying a router based on the wireless specification, and you don't have to spend a mint on one—Walmart is selling Netgear's Nighthawk RAX35 (AX3000) for just $84.99 right now. That's half off its list price, and a lot cheaper than the RAX40, one of the best routers for gaming, which Walmart sells for $199.99. Here's the kicker—there's not much difference between the RAX35 and RAX40, certainly not enough to warrant paying more than twice as much. Both are four-stream models capable of covering 1,500 square feet, according to Netgear, and both are dual-band models with the same speed ratings—up to 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2,400Mbps on the 5GHz band, hence the AX3000 designation. They also both share a built-in four-port switch, allowing for up to four wired connections (1Gbps), a standard feature on any modern router. They're both powered by the same dual-core processor and support the same set of security features. So, what's different? As a Netgear representative relayed in a support thread, the RAX40 has a USB 3.0 port and the RAX35 does not. For some people, that might be a deal killer. But if you can do without a USB port on your router (useful for sharing a printer without built-in Wi-Fi or storage across a network), you can save a whole bunch of money on the RAX35, which is otherwise the same as the RAX40. I have not tested this specific model, but have spent many hours benchmarking and evaluating Nighthawk models in the past. In my experience, they've generally been fast, reliable, and capable of covering large areas. And with Virtual Desktop now available via the Oculus App Lab for your Quest 2, Wi-Fi 6 is the only real hope of getting a lag-free experience. Think about it, Half-Life: Alyx free of cables in your own home... It's also worth mentioning that the majority of Wi-Fi 6 routers in this price range are slower models. For example, TP-Link's Archer AX21 is an AX1800 router and costs $5 more on Amazon.

Are you someone who searches the Internet for those videos which capture cute antics of animals? Do you think those videos act as instant pick-me-ups for you? Are you looking forward to see such a clip today? Then, here is a video showcasing silly animals that may steal your heart. The super cute video is a montage of clips capturing shenanigans of the animals. There is a possibility that the clip will leave you amused and also make you giggle. The video opens to show a dog dragging itself across a carpet. It is, however, the reaction of a cat standing nearby which makes the clip absolutely entertaining to watch. That is not all that the video has to offer. As the clip progresses, the viewers are treated with several hilarious and lovable movements. Just like this once where a dog refuses to let its pet parent visit the washroom alone and insists on accompany them.

After the plug-in hybrid, it's the Renault Captur E-Tech's turn to unveil its price range, starting from € 27,100. A few months ago, Renault launched the very first trendy version of its Captur, namely the plug-in hybrid E-Tech version. At the start of the year, the range is enriched with a new electrified variant, this time calling for a simple hybridization, also called E-Tech, the name of the new green range of the diamond brand. This then enriches a now full catalog, leaving customers the choice between gasoline, micro-hybrid, dual-fuel LPG., as well as the simple and rechargeable hybrid, with powers ranging between 90 and 160 horsepower for the E-Tech Plug-In version, the most powerful at present. With this new alternative, the diamond brand should then be able to attract a new clientele, while such an engine is almost non-existent in the competition, while the Peugeot 2008 has preferred to convert to all-electric. As a reminder, the Renault Captur E-Tech is then powered by the combination of a 1.6-liter TCe petrol unit, as well as two electric motors, then allowing the development of a maximum power of 145 horsepower, while limiting its consumption. at 5.0 liters per 100 kilometers on average. Direct rival of the Hyundai Kona Hybrid, the little Frenchman nevertheless wants to be a little less accessible, while offering a less rich finish than its Korean competitor, despite an additional cost of around a hundred euros at the entry level. Note that the hybrid SUVau rhange uses the same range as the thermal versions, but offers some exclusive equipment, such as specific badges on the trunk door or the button to switch to 100% electric mode. Finally, other RS Line and Initiale Paris versions will be added to the range in the coming months. Renault Captur E-Tech: prices Renault Captur E-Tech Zen - from 27 100 € Renault Captur E-Tech Business - from 27 700 € Renault Captur E-Tech Intens - from 29 700 € Renault Captur E-Tech: the range and equipment Renault Captur E-Tech Zen Easy Link with 7-inch screen: multimedia system compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth Renault hands-free card Manual air conditioning Heated, electrically adjustable and folding exterior mirrors Gray and black fabric upholstery with stripes Renault Captur E-Tech Intens Easy Link with 7-inch screen and navigation Two-tone paint (roof, mirror caps, windshield pillars) Renault Multi-sense Rear parking aid Electric parking brake with Auto-Hold function Dashboard with digital and customizable 7 ″ display Automatic switching of high beam / low beam Automatic air conditioning Renault Captur E-Tech Business 7 inch Easy Link with navigation 100% Full LED spotlights Career parking assistance Reversing camera Recognition of road signs Cruise control / Speed limiter Additional equipment across the entire hybrid range Mode offering regenerative braking and energy recovery. (e-shifter and automatic boxes) Energy flows visible on the central dashboard EV button to switch to 100% electric Specific badges on the boot lid, foot B and on the gearbox lever 7-inch customizable dashboard as standard from the Zen finish Automatic air conditioning as standard from the Zen finish Automatic ignition of standard lights from the Zen finish

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among women and men. But though the statistics significantly serve as an eye-opener to take great care of our heart, it shouldn’t be our only motivator. Remember that having a healthy heart is crucial to overall good health, so maintaining it is greatly beneficial to our general well-being. But even if you’ve already suffered from a heart attack, it’s never too late to make simple changes to keep your heart in good condition. A healthy diet and lifestyle can make a significant difference in avoiding or slowing down heart-related problems. Thus, highlighted below are some dietary and lifestyle tips to keep your heart healthy. The Importance of Maintaining A Healthy Heart The heart is a vital organ responsible for just about everything that gives your body life. However, the food you eat and the amount of activity can dramatically affect your heart and overall health. When it stops functioning, other systems of the body will also fail. Nonetheless, the following are important reasons to keep your heart healthy proactively: Increases Longevity Keeping your heart in good shape increases longevity. It can reduce health risks that are associated with heart diseases. Because when your heart is healthy, your blood circulation is also good, which is necessary to remove wastes from the body and fight off potential diseases. Reduces The Risks of Depression Being diagnosed with heart disease may increase the risk of depression. Although several factors may cause people to get depressed, people diagnosed with heart disease have an increased risk of developing depression. By maintaining a healthy heart, you can reduce your vulnerability. Improves Cognitive Function Aging can contribute to the decline in brain function, but you can prevent it by maintaining a healthy heart. According to one research, having ideal cardiovascular health measures is beneficial to brain function. Their definition of cardiovascular health consists of ideal levels of weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and physical activity.

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese officials briefed diplomats Friday on the ongoing research into the origin of COVID-19, ahead of the expected release of a long-awaited report from the World Health Organization. The briefing appeared to be an attempt by China to get out its view on the report, which has become enmeshed in a diplomatic spat. The U.S. and others have raised questions about Chinese influence and the independence of the findings, and China has accused critics of politicizing a scientific study. “Our purpose is to show our openness and transparency," said Yang Tao, a Foreign Ministry official. “China fought the epidemic in a transparent manner and has nothing to hide.” The report, which has been delayed repeatedly, is based on a visit earlier this year by a WHO team of international experts to Wuhan, the city in central China where infections from a new coronavirus were first reported in late 2019. The experts worked with Chinese counterparts, and both sides have to agree on the final report. It's unclear when it will come out. Feng Zijian, a Chinese team member and the deputy director of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the experts examined four possible ways the virus got to Wuhan. They are: a bat carrying the virus infected a human, a bat infected an intermediate mammal that spread it to a human, shipments of cold or frozen food, and a laboratory that researches viruses in Wuhan. The experts voted on the hypotheses after in-depth discussion and concluded one of the two animal routes or the cold chain was most likely how it was transmitted. A lab leak was viewed as extremely unlikely, Feng said. His remarks were reported by state broadcaster CCTV, which said envoys from 50 countries and the League of Arab States and the African Union attended the briefing at the Foreign Ministry. “China firmly opposes certain countries’ attempts to politicize the origin tracing issue and make groundless accusations and hold China accountable,” the ministry said in an online post about the briefing. Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "I would like to stress that virus tracing is a scientific issue that should be studied by scientists through cooperation.” She told reporters that the experts are still discussing the contents and translation of the report, and she did not know when it would be released.

as my friend said