Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Arts & Culture

Welsh animators get a financial boost

Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – This week, Cardiff is abuzz as the Welsh animation scene receives a financial boost, propelling promising projects forward. Thirty-one digital media and TV ventures based in Wales have secured funding from Creative Wales. This initiative aims to bolster indigenous production teams, nurturing their projects for greater chances of commissioning, green-lighting, and eventual production. With up to £35,000 per project, a total of approximately £840,000 has been allocated across various endeavors spanning animation, television, gaming, and immersive technology. Notable beneficiaries include Riot Times Pictures and Pokedstudio, unveiling new animations, alongside Sugar Creative Studio's venture into game...

Sri Lanka’s economy to grow by 3%

Sri Lanka (Commonwealth) _The benefits of the loosened monetary policy approach and the low inflation environment are still trickling down to the economy, and the Central Bank projects 3% growth this year. The prediction is based on the economy's strong showing in the second half of 2023, which followed six quarters of year-over-year declines. In its Annual Economic Review 2023, which was published last week, CBSL stated that "a...

Getir quits US, UK, and Europe

UK (Commonwealth) _ Getir, a grocery delivery company, has announced that it is quitting the US, the UK, and Europe to concentrate on its primary market of Turkey, where the majority of its income is generated.It follows several months of conjecture that its businesses in the UK were having financial difficulties. According to the company, just 7% of its total income came from the markets it is currently exiting....

Compact SUV with new features launched

India (Commonwealth)_  Mahindra has replaced the XUV300 with its newest small SUV, which is equipped with several feature enhancements. Along with having a different design language from the XUV300, it also comes in a new petrol automatic option this time.The entry-level and mid-level models use a 1.2-liter turbo-petrol engine that generates 109 horsepower and is available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter transmission. Alternatively, a 1.5-liter diesel...

Hotel star criteria updated for 2025-2030

Hotels (Commonwealth Union) _ The Hotelstars Union (HSU), the esteemed European association responsible for harmonized hotel classification, has announced the approval of new criteria for awarding hotel stars from 2025 to 2030. This significant update underscores the commitment of the 21 member countries to modernize industry standards in response to evolving guest preferences and market dynamics. The rigorous review process, conducted every five to six years, ensures that the...

Innovative medication for liver fibrosis

Healthcare, UK (Commonwealth Union) – A properly functioning liver serves as the body's filtration system, cleansing blood, neutralizing toxins, and aiding in fat digestion. It also plays a crucial role in cell repair through collagen production, particularly when the liver is damaged. However, excessive fat accumulation leading to more collagen production can trigger chronic inflammation, leading to a condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). In its advanced stages,...

Curbing cyber attacks

Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – New regulations aimed at safeguarding consumers against hacking and cyber-attacks are set to go into effect today. These regulations mandate that all internet-connected smart devices must adhere to minimum-security standards by law. The UK will lead the charge as the first country to implement such laws. Manufacturers will now be legally obligated to shield consumers from potential hackers and cybercriminals attempting to exploit devices with...