Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond


Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

| Source: Novartis International AG

Basel, September 16, 2020 — Novartis today announced the pricing of a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond (SLB), reinforcing its commitment to ESG principles and the 2025 Patient Access Targets announced earlier this month.

The new bond is the first of its kind in the healthcare industry and the first SLB incorporating social targets, with bondholders entitled to receive a higher amount of interest if Novartis fails to meet its targets for expanding access to its innovative medicines and addressing key global health challenges, two areas where Novartis can drive the greatest value for society. 

“For decades, Novartis has worked to improve access to medicines and tackle global health challenges. We’re currently working to support global health efforts to address diseases like malaria and leprosy, to continue novel research into tropical diseases, and to ensure access to our new medicines in low- and middle-income countries,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. “Today’s announcement is another important step on our journey to integrate ESG into the core of our business, measure our progress, hold ourselves accountable, and demonstrate our dedication to making good on our promise to broaden global access to our medicines.”

Globally, approximately two billion people have no access to basic medicines and healthcare1, while 100 million people are impoverished by medical expenses each year2. Weak healthcare systems in LMICs also hinder timely diagnosis and treatment. Novartis is taking bold steps to increase patient reach in LMICs with its strategic innovative therapies by at least 200% by 2025. In addition, Novartis is taking steps to increase patient reach of its global health flagship programs in leprosy, malaria, Chagas disease and sickle cell disease by at least 50% over the same time period. Novartis estimates achievement of these targets to result in a potential reach of over 24 million patients across therapy areas.

ESG is a key strategic priority for Novartis that rests on four pillars based on topics defined by stakeholders in our materiality analysis: Ethical Standards, Pricing and Access, Global Health Challenges and Responsible Citizenship3. The company has developed ambitious and challenging targets against key elements in each of these areas and has made significant progress over the past year. The SLB represents another bold step in the company’s journey to further embed ESG into the core of its business operations and to communicate progress in a consistent and transparent way. This move follows the recent launch of the new Novartis Code of Ethics, and the announcement of a new 2030 target for full carbon neutrality across the company’s entire supply chain.

Novartis has obtained two separate second-party opinions that validate the robustness and relevance of the KPIs and targets. The first one is from the Access to Medicine Foundation, an independent non-profit organization focused on access to medicine in LMICs, on the social benefits of the 2025 Patient Access Targets. The second opinion is from Sustainalytics, a consultancy organization with recognized environmental, social and governance expertise, on the social benefits of the 2025 Patient Access Targets and on the alignment of this bond to the Sustainability-linked Bond Principles, published by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA).

Novartis will provide annual reports on its performance against the KPIs underlying its 2025 Patient Access Targets, including limited assurance reports by an external verifier.

Disclaimer
This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the US or any other jurisdiction. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or other offering document. No securities have been or will be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the US or any other jurisdiction. No securities may be offered, sold or delivered in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state or other securities laws of the US or any other jurisdiction. No public offering is being made in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The distribution of this press release may be restricted by applicable laws and regulations. Persons who are physically located in those jurisdictions in which this press release is circulated, published or distributed must inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions.

This press release is neither a prospectus within the meaning of articles 652a and 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (as such articles were in effect immediately prior to the entry into force of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"), nor a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd or of any other stock exchange or regulated trading venue in Switzerland, nor a prospectus within the meaning of the FinSA or under any other applicable laws. A decision to invest in securities of Novartis should be based exclusively on the issue and listing prospectus published by Novartis for such purpose.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plans,” “may,”  “commitment,” “launch,” “target,” “to increase,” “to receive,” “to address,” “to integrate,” “estimates,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding the proposed issuance of the sustainability-linked bond, the ability of the Group to achieve its 2025 Patient Access Targets and the Group’s general commitment to ESG principles. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the activities and efforts described in this release will be successful, that the proposed issuance of the sustainability linked bond will be completed or that Novartis will meet its 2025 Patient Access Targets. In particular, the proposed issuance of the sustainability-linked bond is subject to certain closing conditions and could be affected by, among other things, disruptions in the EUR bond market or financial markets generally that prevent or delay the issuance.In addition our ability to achieve the 2025 Patient Access Targets depends on a number of factors outside the Group's control, including local pricing and reimbursement policies, local health systems, the general regulatory and commercial success of key therapies, supply continuity, political and economic stability, the performance of certain outsourced functions by third parties as well as other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 109,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews
For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library
For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

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Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - The Navhind Times
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Covering Goa since 1963

Wednesday, September 16, 2020
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Rising Crimes Imperil Paradise

CONSIDERING the sudden spate of high-profile crimes involving drugs, gambling and fake currency notes in the state, one is led to believe that crime is a perennial affair and not the consequence of the vagaries of the economic scene prevalent at any time of the year. Although reveling in its fame as a highly sought after tourist destination, it would not be wrong to state here that Goa has also been maligned by insinuations of criminal gangs and their ‘nexuses’ marring the serenity of the region through their nefarious operations. Goa has frequently been in news for gambling, sex and drugs. Crimes like rape, murder and gang wars are the inevitable consequences. Nor has the government done anything exceptional to dispel notions of the state being a vice capital of the nation. With the sort of impetus given to tourism in the state, it is a wonder that the tourism illegalities, which have been receiving wide media coverage, have not been dealt with in an appropriate manner. These ‘rare reviews’ have only tarnished the fair name of this coastal paradise. While it is contended that Goa witnessed virtually zero crime between March and May when the lockdown was in force, it would imply that the policing during this period was at its best where the stern measures adopted deterred any criminal activity. Or was it the fear of the virus that kept those with a criminal bent of mind indoors! In any case, the relaxation of restrictions by the government has been pounced upon by criminal elements to renew their trades. It would however be unfair to criticise Goa police for failing to take advantage of the lull period to subsequently improve the law and order situation in the state. When it is more than obvious that criminal gangs have the tendency of taking advantage of crowds and movements in order to carry out their activities, would not it be practical to have the department shoring up its weaknesses. Shortage of personnel has been a problem that has always haunted the state police. But having said that, what sort of a reputation has Goa created for itself that visitors from the outside the state continue to blatantly violate the peaceful norms prevalent in this land of sun and sand! 

PACHU MENON, MARGAO

Indian Judiciary At Crossroads

THE Supreme Court has been told that there are 4,442 pending criminal cases, where MPs and MLAs face trial in different courts. The data sent by High Courts shows that many cases pending for a very long time, and in several cases non-bailable arrest warrants issued by trial courts are yet to be executed. The SC and the Election Commission seem to have left it to the political class and the people to clean the system, both having been corrupted and manipulated. Being the final authority, the apex court must not use the ‘weapon of contempt’ against those who dare crticise, especially if the people are fellow judges and eminent members of the court. Former SC justice Markandey Katju alleged during a ‘deposition’ before a London court that “the Indian justice system has collapsed beyond redemption… There are very few honest judges, I would say above 50 per cent are corrupt”. Eminent activist and SC lawyer Prashant Bhushan has moved the SC appealing against his conviction in a contempt case. Democracy cannot survive without the common man having easy access to justice against the government and the rich and powerful. The SC must uphold the constitutional right to free speech, right to life and liberty equally.

JOHN ERIC GOMES, PORVORIM

Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

Timeless: We really want to race

Timeless: We really want to race

Timeless will be competing in the 60mph class at the 52nd edition of the Great Race which is scheduled to take place on September 26. - RONALD DANIEL
Timeless will be competing in the 60mph class at the 52nd edition of the Great Race which is scheduled to take place on September 26. - RONALD DANIEL

TIMELESS owner and throttleman Gilson Smith is eagerly anticipating the staging of the TT Great Race on September 26, as the event will continue its streak of being one of the longest-running powerboat events in the world.

On Sunday, the new date was announced for the event after the Government gave their approval.

The TT Great Race was scheduled to speed off on August 22, but due to the covid19 pandemic it was postponed.

Smith is excited that the event got the green light from the Government.

“We are elated because it was almost cancelled…we really want to race because the TT Great Race has the heritage of being one of the longest consecutive running races in the world right now and the association really don’t want to break that streak, so they trying to push the race on.”

This year is the 52nd consecutive year the event will be held.

Timeless are sponsored by Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Seecharan’s Auto Spares and Onboard Freights and Logistics Ltd.

Timeless will be competing alongside Matrix, Limitless, Powered by God II, Soul Rebel, Knot in Slow Motion, High Grade and Trident in the 60 miles per hour (mph) G class.

The TT Powerboat Association (TTPBA) asked that private and support vessels follow covid19 guidelines by limiting gatherings to five people.

The TT Police Service and the Coast Guard will be present to ensure people are adhering to all guidelines.

Smith urged spectators to listen to the TTPBA and refrain from gathering especially at the finish line at Store Bay, Tobago. “My message to spectators is it will be live-streamed. You could stay home in your bed and watch it, you could sit in your porch, in your joining room and look at it.”

The race will be streamed on the TTPBA Facebook page. Despite the uncertainty of the event for the past few months, Smith said Timeless were always ready for the event.

“My boat is ready, my boat was ready since then (August 22). My boat really did not need too much work. (We just had to do) small maintenance on my boat – changing the plugs, filters, make sure the wires not corroded and that kind of thing…the boat in order right now. Hopefully, with God’s grace on the 26th, everything holds together and the water isn’t too bad.”

Smith, who spent part of his childhood in Tobago, will be joined by driver Kamion George on board this year. Jose Navarro is also a driver for Timeless, but won’t be competing later this month.

Despite competing in the 60 mph class, Smith is hoping Timeless can give the 130 mph class boats competition especially if the waters are not too choppy. “If the water is favourable I could push it…hopefully if the water is good (in) our ten-minute (head start) we should be a good way up the course before Mr Solo and Cat Killer and those others catch up to us.”

It will be a staggered start with the 50 mph and 60 mph boats among the early starters, speeding off at 7.10 am and 7.20 am respectively. The 130 mph A Class boats will be the last category to start at 8 am.

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Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

Global Innovation Index 2020: Quick learnings from Israel and key takeaways for India

Global Innovation Index 2020: Quick learnings from Israel and key takeaways for India

September 16, 2020, 3:13 pm IST in Voices | India, World | TOI

The 13th report of the Global Innovation Index (GII) was launched on the 2nd of September, 2020. India’s consistent performance in the GII has been lauded worldwide, as it has climbed 33 positions during the last five years, by ascending from the 81st position in 2015 to the 48th position in 2020. By doing so, India broke into the league of top 50 innovative economies for the first time. India’s performance is especially commendable as it has been recognized as the top performer in the Central and South Asian region for the 10th consecutive year, and it has also been featured as one of the Top 3 innovative economies among the Lower Middle-Income Group, even amidst the global Covid-19 crisis. 

The Global Innovation Index (GII) 2020 has ranked Switzerland, Sweden, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands as the top 5 innovative economies, respectively. The GII report highlights contributing factors to the impressive performance countries such as the United States of America “hosts the largest number (25) of top science and technology clusters in the world”; on the other hand, Sweden stands out with “a solid human capital and research system, coupled with a sophisticated market with innovative firms”. In addition, South Africa ranks “first in market capitalization and ninth in domestic credit to the private sector” and Kenya stands out for “holding the record of being innovation achievers for ten consecutive years”

The Israel Example

The meteoric rise of Israel as one of the leading global superpowers, could be owed to its increasing R&D expenditure and the vibrant innovation ecosystem. Despite various challenges such as a meagre population of 10 million, an extremely small domestic market – due to the trade limitations with neighbouring countries which is attributed to the bilateral hostilities – and the scarcity of natural resources including water, Israel has been able to harness its indigenous innovation potential. Israel has been leading the world in bringing disruptive scientific interventions in several areas including defence, software development, alternative energy sources, etc. and has been recognised as a world leader in several key indicators such as number of innovators, researchers, R&D expenditures, and industry-academia collaborations. Israel also topped the regional innovation leaders for Northern Africa and Western Asia (NAWA) with 13th position in the GII, with a pole position in 8 indicators – third in the tally of most top ranked GII indicators, after Hong Kong and the USA

The Indian Opportunity

India has its share of challenges when it comes to food, energy, water and national security. Both India and Israel have diverse set of religions, and have an inimical relation with their neighbouring countries. Considering the similarities, there are many lessons that India could learn from Israel, the foremost being Israel’s appetite for failure and its ability to optimise efforts in technology development with resource constraints. Like Israel, India needs to invest heavily in education and R&D. India’s investment in the national R&D is, currently, a meagre 0.7% of the gross domestic product. A very small amount of the gross expenditure on R&D goes to the universities, considering that a bulk of public R&D goes into space, energy and defence sectors. 

How did Israel deal with these challenges?

One of the key factors to the success of innovation in Israel is its openness to the rest of the world. The Israeli companies have been able to expand and create business models that are attractive to investors outside its borders. 

Israel – by significantly investing in research and development – is undoubtedly a pioneer in creating a knowledge-based economy. In 2009, investment in civilian research and development exceeded 4% of its GDP, far ahead of the annual spending in industrialized countries like the UK, Germany, France, or the US. Israel has also believed that its intellectual prowess would solve many of the pressing challenges – water scarcity, agricultural development, national security. Israel began by investing in a strong education system. Currently, it spends 7% of its GDP on education. Over 45% of the adults in Israel, complete their tertiary education. Its investment in R&D is the highest in the world (4.9% of its GDP) with a third of that going into universities.

Over 250 global companies including the likes of Facebook, Google, Apple, HP and Microsoft have set up their R&D labs in Israel. Israel also has one of the highest concentrations of Nobel laureates. Furthermore, Israel has the largest number of hi-tech startups per capita than any other country in the world. Tel Aviv houses the second largest startup eco-system after Silicon Valley. Hi-tech exports accounts for 45% of the country’s overall exports. The startups have indeed solved the country’s pressing problems.

Moreover, team-work and problem-solving capabilities are instilled in a structured manner. These qualities help them come out and build successful enterprises. Check Point, the world’s largest cyber security company, is one such organisation. In fact, Israel controls as much as 10% of the global cyber security market.

Key takeaways from GII 2020 for India

India needs to ensure that its statistics on R&D expenditure are recent and reflect a real snapshot of innovation in India. A recent study conducted at the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID) shows that many companies do not report their R&D expenditure. However, earlier reports of GII pointed out that, in the case of India, there is a lack of data on the R&D financed abroad. A proper understanding of India’s thriving R&D services industry and its impact on national innovation capability needs to be developed in order for appropriate policies can be framed and leveraged. 

There are various other reports which indicate that India has potential to become the leading global destination for offshore corporate investments in R&D. However, the underlying potential of India could only harnessed, if the data collection, curation and analysis is accurately done on a national scale. Moreover, the reasons for India not being able to raise the R&D expenditure as a percentage of the GDP needs to be explored. India’s aim to raise the R&D spending above 2% of GDP with the support of the private sector have not yet materialised. The private sector’s spending on gross R&D expenditure is less than half, which is low when compared to other countries that perform reasonably well in GII. In order to address this problem, there is an immediate need to develop institutional incentive mechanisms, which encourage private R&D investment. In addition, improving the project appraisal and peer review mechanisms is crucial for optimising the funding of R&D funding in the short and medium term.  

India’s innovation should be focused not just on getting products and services to people at an affordable cost. Rather, it should be aimed for global leadership. Solving India’s challenges will eventually open opportunities for Indian enterprises globally, as had happened with Israel. In order to do so, decentralization R&D efforts across the states, could play a pivotal role.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Author

Naman Agrawal and S Mohit Rao
Naman Agarwal is Senior Associate, and S. Mohit Rao is young professional at NITI Aayog.

Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

Soya Do-Pyaaza Recipe - An Easy And Flavourful Way To Spruce Up Your Lunch Spread - NDTV Food

Soya Do-Pyaaza Recipe - An Easy And Flavourful Way To Spruce Up Your Lunch Spread

Soya Do Pyaaza recipe: This high-protein Soya Do Pyaaza makes for a delicious and healthy addition to your regular meal spread.

Aditi Ahuja  |  Updated: September 16, 2020 14:24 IST

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Soya Do-Pyaaza Recipe - An Easy And Flavourful Way To Spruce Up Your Lunch Spread

Soya Do Pyaaza recipe: This is an easy and delicious dish to make at home!

Highlights
  • Soya Do Pyaaza is a flavourful dish made with a whole lot of onions
  • This interesting and unique recipe also uses a little bit of tomato puree
  • Take a look at this wonderful recipe which is high-protein too

The 'Do-Pyaaza' dishes are a must-try when it comes to ordering from our favourite restaurants. Whether it is a succulent Chicken Do-Pyaaza or a sumptuous Mutton Do-Pyaaza, there are a number of delicious versions of the Mughlai delight. But how about some 'Do-Pyaaza' style preparation for vegetarians? We bring to you our very own interesting and unique recipe for Soya Do-Pyaaza which is a heavenly and flavourful delight to savour.

The Soya Do-Pyaaza, true to its name, uses two whole onions in the recipe. Apart from this, baby onions or green onions can also be used as an interesting addition to the recipe. Soya granules or soya nuggets both can be used for this delicious and healthy recipe, but the texture imparted can be vastly different. The Soya Do-Pyaaza recipe also uses a small quantity of tomato puree to bring out the tangy flavours of the preparation.

(Also Read: )

pedb3bioSoya Do Pyaaza makes for a healthy addition to your meal.  

So, what are you waiting for? Get hold of these simple ingredients and cook up a sumptuous dish which will leave you asking for more.

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Here Is The Step-By-Step Recipe Of Soya Do-Pyaaza:

Ingredients:

Method:

Comments

  1. Heat oil in a pan. Sautee fennel seeds in it till it starts to sputter.
  2. Now, add chopped onions to the pan and let them cook for 1-2 minutes or till they become translucent.
  3. Mix in the tomato puree and ginger garlic paste. Let the mixture cook for a few minutes.
  4. Now, add the spices, and soya nuggets or granules. Cover the pan with a lid and lower the heat to let everything blend together.
  5. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot and fresh!


About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.

For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube.

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Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review
Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review

Swapnil Mathur   |  03 Jun 2020
DIGIT RATING
84 /100
  • design

    73

  • performance

    90

  • value for money

    85

  • features

    80

  • PROS
  • Major performance upgrade over previous generation machines
  • Well controlled thermals
  • Smart placing most ports on the left
  • CONS
  • Display colour accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.
  • Lid has too much flex
  • Display hinge has a little bit of play

Verdict

There's been a lot of excitement around AMD's 4000-series processors and the Asus TUF Gaming A15 is the first gaming laptop to land in India with it. Our review finds the processor to be a beast of a performer, improving performance across a host of metrics but as much as 100 per cent. Our gameplay testing found the laptop to deliver very good frame rates and our Lightroom render times were reduced by half in comparison to everything we've tested in the mid-range gaming segment. The keyboard and trackpad on this machine are nice and the port selection is fairly generous, as is their left-side-heavy placement. Asus has used a generous amount of copper all throughout the insides to keep the temperatures well under control. Lastly, the Gaming A15 is also user upgradeable as far as storage and RAM are concerned, future-proofing the laptop to some extent, especially if you're getting yourself a lower-end model.

BUY Asus TUF Gaming A15
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Asus TUF Gaming A15 detailed review

There has been a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding the new 4000-series AMD Ryzen processors, and the Asus TUG Gaming A15 happens to be the first gaming laptop to launch in the country with one of them on board. The TUF Gaming A15 we have received for review is powered by the Ryzen 7 4800H, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti, 16GB of DDR memory and ample amount of storage. Let’s see if this new machine is worthy of all the hype surrounding it.

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review Gaming Performance

Let’s get straight to the point. How does the Asus TUF Gaming A15 fair at its main purpose? Bloody damn good! The Ryzen 7 4800H and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti are a formidable combination, pushing most modern titles well higher than the bare minimum of 60fps. We tested a number of popular games running at 1080p, at their High and Medium preset graphics settings. The average frame rates are in the chart below.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H powered Asus TUF Gaming A15 is quite the gaming beast

While testing out the gaming performance, we noted that the Nvidia GTX 1660Ti was mostly maxed out in its usage, while the CPU usage stayed around 60 per cent. This leads us to believe that if the Ryzen 7 4800H has enough headroom left that if it were to be paired with a higher-end GPU, say like the RTX 2060, users could get even higher frame rates out of this machine.

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review Creative Workload Performance

Creative professionals who could not afford the MacBook Pro would usually turn to gaming machines in order to meet the demands of their creative professions. It is only now that the OEMs are starting to realize the potential, and as such, are specifically tuning their gaming laptops to also double up as editing machines. Nvidia, to this end, has even created the Studio drivers for their GeForce GPUs so as to improve the performance of photo, video and 3D creation tools. We tested how long it would take for Adobe Lightroom Classic to export a batch of 50, 100, 250 and 500 RAW files that have been shot on a Nikon D800. We compared the export times with that of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G (GA502) powered by last year’s Ryzen 7 3750H. The numbers are shocking, to say the least. The Asus TUF Gaming A15 accomplishes all export tasks in practically HALF the time.

Asus TUF Gaming A15 powered by the Ryzen 7 4800HS is great for content creators

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review Benchmark Performance

We ran a multitude of benchmarks on the Asus TUF Gaming A15 and once again, the new AMD Ryzen 7 4800H showed some significant performance jumps in comparison to not only the previous generation of AMD processors but also Intel’s chips on offer in this segment. Below are some of the benchmark results from our testing. We’ve already been left very impressed by the TUF Gaming A15’s gaming and editing prowess, so at this point, the benchmark numbers are just to hammer the point home.

Asus TUF Gaming A15 outshines the competition by a long margin

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Review Display

The display is a critical component of gaming machines and towards that end, Asus tries to deliver on as many parameters as possible. We get an IPS-level full HD monitor with a refresh rate of 144Hz and Adaptive Sync. On paper, this looks great, but in practice, things are a little different. While the monitor does manage to hit its advertised 144Hz refresh rate on the Blur Busters UFO test, however, we noticed that the response time wasn’t the fastest for the panel. While it wasn’t an issue for campaign modes across the games that we played, some gamers might find it to be problematic during competitive online gaming sessions. Content creators won’t be very happy either as the display is neither very bright nor capable of full sRGB colour reproduction. We noted a peak brightness of 294 lux using our lux meter, with good uniformity across the edges. The colour reproduction is also not the best, however, the viewing angles are signature of IPS displays. If your edit work does not involve colour sensitive work, then the display shouldn't be a problem, but if you’re doing colour grading, then the display is going to be an absolute deal-breaker.

The Asus UF Gamin A15 packs a fullHD display with 144Hz refresh rate

Battery Life

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 manages to pack a 48Whr battery into its chassis, and the new Ryzen 4000 series processors promise to be more forgiving on the battery life as well. We tested this using PCMark 10’s multiple battery benchmarks. In the gaming benchmark, the laptop lasted all of 45 minutes. The Modern Office test, which simulates battery life for everyday work showed an increased battery endurance of 2 hours and 48 minutes. We supplemented PCMark’s tests with one of our own. Using the laptop unplugged for a regular workday, the TUF Gaming A15 lasted two and a half hours, which is not bad by any metric.

Keyboard, Trackpad and IO

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 packs a very tried and trusted keyboard and improves one of the biggest problems with the trackpad found on TUF series laptops of the past. The keyboard is practically the same as the one found on the Scar and Hero series of laptops. That means you get 1.8mm of travel and of course, RGB. The keyboard has a single-zone RGB configuration, although we would have preferred at least 4-zone RGB lighting. The arrow keys are a little on the smaller side and given how close they are placed to each other, they can be problematic to use while gaming. The WASD keys, on the other hand, are great. Asus has made the WASD keys semi-translucent which adds a nice visual touch, but a fan underneath the keys sucks in cold air, keeping the keys cool. This is a huge boon for gamers as most keyboards on gaming laptops tend to get blisteringly hot.

The Asus TUF Gaming A15's k eyboard offers 1.8mm of travel and single-zone RGB lighting.

Moving onto the trackpad, you get a smooth surface to glide your fingers on, but the best part is that Asus has finally put individual buttons on the trackpad, which makes them both a lot more usable. While you may not be able to get headshots using a sniper rifle while playing on the trackpad, it is still usable for most gaming scenarios that don’t require pinpoint precision or high-speed movement.

Lastly, we’ve got a great selection of ports. On the right side is a singular USB 3.0 port while the left side houses the ethernet port, a full-sized HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports and a Type-C port as well. Lastly, gamers also get a combined headphone/microphone 3.5mm jack. It's nice that Asus has bundled all the ports on the left side, keeping the right clear so that your hand can move freely while using an external mouse.

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 features all the essential ports, neatly arranged on the left.

Build and Design

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 weighs 2.3 kilograms and measures less than an inch thick at its thinnest. It's not a super thin or super light machine, but that’s because Asus has packed a LOT of copper into this thing. There’s plenty of copper pipes running over the CPU-GPU, but even the vents on the side and back have copper blocks for better heat exchange. The rear of the laptop almost looks like a sports car, with the bright copper peeking through the black grills.

The Asus TUF Gaming A15 features plenty of copper for impressive thermal management.

While the base of the laptop is extremely sturdy, the lid is where we found ourselves a little disappointed. There is way too much flex for anyone’s liking, and the hinge also has some play. We don’t expect the hinge to get any looser over time, but not having a wobbling display would have been nice.

Verdict

I think this is the first of many moments of being impressed. The Asus TUF Gaming A15 is uplifted heavily by the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H and the Nvidia GeForce 1660Ti. The combination is perfect for anyone who is looking to elevate their gaming experience beyond the 60fps mark. The TUF Gaming A15 also makes for a great render station, capable of exporting massive amounts of RAW files in times faster than we’ve ever seen before in this price bracket and then some. We would not recommend using the machine for any kind of colour-sensitive editing due to its less than stellar colour accuracy. However, as a pure gaming machine, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 checks all the right boxes.

Asus TUF Gaming A15 Key Specs, Price and Launch Date

Price:
Release Date: 02 Jun 2020
Variant: None
Market Status: Launched

Key Specs

  • OS OS
    Windows 10 Pro
  • Display Display
    15.6" (2160 x 1080)
  • Processor Processor
    NA
  • Memory Memory
    256 GB + + 1TB SSD SSD/NA DDR4

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Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

CRICKETER SURESH RAINA’S KIN ATTACK-MURDER CASE SOLVED, says PUNJAB CM - सुरेश रैना के रिश्तेदार की हत्या : पंजाब CM ने कहा - केस सुलझा, तीन गिरफ्तार | India News in Hindi

सुरेश रैना के रिश्तेदार की हत्या : पंजाब CM ने कहा - केस सुलझा, तीन गिरफ्तार

पंजाब पुलिस ने बुधवार को बताया कि भारतीय क्रिकेट सुरेश रैना के रिश्तेदारों पर हमले और मर्डर की गुत्थी सुलझा ली गई है. पुलिस ने इस मामले में तीन आरोपियों को गिरफ्तार किया है.

सुरेश रैना के रिश्तेदार की हत्या : पंजाब CM ने कहा - केस सुलझा, तीन गिरफ्तार

सुरेश रैना के फूफा के परिवार पर हमला किया गया था, जिसमें उनके फूफा की मौत हो गई थी.

चंडीगढ़:

पंजाब पुलिस ने बुधवार को बताया कि भारतीय क्रिकेट सुरेश रैना (Suresh Raina) के रिश्तेदारों पर हमले और मर्डर की गुत्थी सुलझा ली गई है. पुलिस ने इस मामले में तीन आरोपियों को गिरफ्तार किया है. ये तीनों एक अंतरराज्यीय लुटेरों-अपराधियों के गैंग के सदस्य हैं. पंजाब पुलिस के डीजी दिनकर गुप्ता ने बताया कि इस मामले में 11 आरोपी फरार हैं. उनकी तलाश हो रही है. डीजी गुप्ता पठानकोट जिले के पीएस शाहपुरकांडी के गांव थरयाल में 19 अगस्त को हुए इस मामले में हुई गिरफ्तारियों की जानकारी दे रहे थे.

यह भी पढ़ें

उस दिन कुछ लोगों ने रैना के बुआ-फूफा के सोते हुए परिवार पर हमला किया था, इसमें उनके फूफा अशोक कुमार, जो कॉन्ट्रैक्टर थे, उनकी मौके पर ही मौत हो गई थी, उनके बेटे कौशल कुमार की 31 अगस्त को अस्पताल में मौत हो गई थी, वहीं उनकी पत्नी आशा रानी अभी भी बहुत गंभीर हालत में अस्पताल में भर्ती हैं. घटना में दो और लोग घायल हुए थे, जिन्हें अस्पताल से डिस्चार्ज कर दिया गया है.

घटना के बाद मुख्यमंत्री कैप्टन अमरिंदर सिंह ने जांच के लिए एक एसआईटी का गठन का आदेश दिया था. डीजी गुप्ता ने बताया कि टीम को इसी हफ्ते एक टिप मिली थी कि पठानकोट रेलवे स्टेशन के पास झुग्गियों में तीन आरोपी छुपे हुए हैं, जिसके बाद पुलिस ने यहां छापा मारा गया. पुलिस को उनके पास लाठियां मिली हैं (शक है कि इन्हें ही हथियार के तौर पर इस्तेमाल किया गया था), दो सोने की अंगूठी और 1,530 रुपए कैश में मिले हैं.

सावन, मुहब्बत और शाहरुख खान नाम के आरोपी गिरफ्तार किए गए हैं. टीम 11 फरार आरोपियों की तलाश कर रही है. इनमें से एक चिन्हित अपराधी है. पुलिस इसके साथ ही दूसरी घटनाओं में लिप्त इस गैंग के अपराधियों को दबोचने की कोशिश भी कर रही है.

गिरफ्तार आरोपियों ने बताया है कि उनका गैंग पंजाब, उत्तर प्रदेश और जम्मू-कश्मीर में ऐसे ही अपराधों को अंजाम दे चुका है. उन्होंने पूछताछ में बताया है कि वो एक जगह से दूसरी जगह बदलते रहते हैं और इसके लिए सुरंगों और रेल की पटरियों का इस्तेमाल करते हैं. 

Video: क्रिकेटर सुरेश रैना पठानकोट स्थित अपने फूफा के घर पहुंचे

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अन्य खबरें
 

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Report: Market Valuation of 14 Banking Giants Shed $635 Billion This Year | Finance Bitcoin News

News

    Report: Market Valuation of 14 Banking Giants Shed $635 Billion This Year

    The world’s largest banks lost a considerable amount of market valuation amid the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report that estimates financial incumbents lost $635 billion. Between December 2019 and August 2020, the market caps of 14 major banking institutions lost upwards of 30-50% during the time period.

    A newly published report written by Buyshares and the researcher Justinas Baltrusaitis, shows that during the first half of 2020, the world’s banks lost a considerable amount of market capitalization. Buyshares data shows that 14 select “major global banks” lost a combined total of $635.33 billion in market capitalization this year.

    The biggest loser was Wells Fargo, which lost roughly -56.26% during the time period. Spain’s Banco Santander came in second place, losing -46.16% of its aggregate valuation.

    Stats show that while Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group only lost 11%, the American bank, JP Morgan Chase saw a -30.16% drop in value in H1. The major losses from all 14 banks worldwide were significant drops, the Buyshares report highlights.

    Report: Market Valuation of 14 Banking Giants Shed $635 Billion This Year

    But researchers also stress that it “could have been much worse if there was no intervention from central banks.” Financial incumbents curbed disaster by receiving massive stimulus from the Federal Reserve. Additionally, the research says that regulators easing restrictions on liquidity, reserves, and capital “proved beneficial.”

    Data shows that American banks took the largest hits, but JP Morgan Chase still has a decent market cap ($305.44 billion) today. Chinese banks followed American banks and both groups saw the biggest losses in February, as the start of the pandemic began to shake markets.

    Report: Market Valuation of 14 Banking Giants Shed $635 Billion This Year

    Meanwhile, the American banking cartel and the nation’s wealthiest 1% have been accused of fleecing $50 trillion from the bottom 99% during the last few decades. The accusation stems from a working paper written by Kathryn Edwards and Carter C. Price from the RAND Corporation called “Trends in Income.”

    According to Price and Edwards calculations, during the course of four decades between 1975 through 2018, the estimate was around $47 trillion at the end of the year. The estimate crossed the $50 trillion zone in early 2020 and the disparity grew by $2.5 trillion per year.

    The wealth disparity has stemmed from America’s political class (bureaucrats), a few generational demographics (statists), and the modern-day money changers (U.S. banks and the Fed).

    Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the best-selling book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” recently tweeted about the wealth inequality and said crypto-assets like bitcoin will help younger generations improve the situation.

    “Boomers had it easy,” Kiyosaki said. “Plenty of jobs-low cost real estate-rising stock market. Millennials have it hard. 9/11, 2008 real estate crash, [and] now Covid-19. Good news. Millennials [are] tech-savvy. Boomers [are] not. Bitcoin-block chain-digital currencies give millennials head start into the future.”

    At press time, the market capitalization of all 7,600+ digital currencies is around $336 billion. The 14 banks that lost market cap saw losses close to 2x the size of the crypto economy. Still, JP Morgan Chase’s valuation is just a touch less than the crypto economy’s entire market capitalization.

    Despite the banker’s losses, not many people on social media and forums (if any at all) are too concerned with the world’s megabanks after they have been given a lifeline of dollars from the Fed.

    What do you think about the 14 banks losing $635 billion in market cap in 2020? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below.

    Tags in this story
    Banco Santander, Bank Market Caps, Bank Market Valuations, Bitcoin, Boomers, BTC, Buyshares Report, chinese banks, Digital Currencies, Fed, Federal Reserve, Generations, JP Morgan Chase, Losses, Market Caps, Millennials, Mizuho Financial Group, report, robert kiyosaki, study, US banks, Wells Fargo

    Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, Buyshares data

    Use Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash to play online casino games here.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

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    YOR vs DUR Dream11 Predictions, English T20 Blast, Yorkshire vs Durham: Playing XI, Cricket Fantasy Tips

    YOR vs DUR Dream11 Predictions, English T20 Blast, Yorkshire vs Durham: Playing XI, Cricket Fantasy Tips

    YOR vs DUR Dream11 Team: Check Dream11 Prediction / YOR vs DUR Dream11 Best Picks / YOR vs DUR Dream11 Captain / YOR vs DUR Dream11 Vice Captain/ Dream11 Tips /Online Cricket Tips and more

    YOR vs DUR Dream11 Predictions, English T20 Blast, Yorkshire vs Durham: Playing XI, Cricket Fantasy Tips

    Durham will be looking to avenge their previous loss when they meet Yorkshire, who won by 29 runs in their last encounter. Both teams lying in the bottom section of the draw, with just two wins in their group, have tough times ahead qualifying the league round. But with six points, YOR have a slight advantage over DUR which have 5 points. The winner may rise up in the ranking up to the third position, based on their performances today; hence, we are likely to have a nail-biting contest. The match will be played at 11 pm IST at Headingley, Leeds.

    YOR vs DUR English T20 Blast, Yorkshire vs Durham Live Streaming

    All matches of English T20 Blast can be watched online on the European Cricket Network and on FanCode.

    YOR vs DUR English T20 Blast , Yorkshire vs Durham: Live Score / Scorecard

    FOLLOW HERE FOR LIVE SCORE (https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/cricket-live-scorecard/)

    YOR vs DUR English T20 Blast , Yorkshire vs Durham: Match Details

    September 16 - 11:00 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) at Headingley, Leeds

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham captain: Adam Lyth

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham vice-captain: Ben Raine

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham wicketkeeper: Jonathan Tattersall

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham batsmen: Dawid Malan, James Wharton, Alex Lees

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham all-rounders: Adam Lyth, Harry Brook, Ben Raine, Brydon Carse

    English T20 Blast YOR vs DUR Dream11 team for Yorkshire vs Durham bowlers: Ben Coad, Jack Shutt, Matty Potts, Nathan Rimmington

    YOR vs DUR English T20 Blast, Yorkshire playing 11 against Durham: Dawid Malan, James Wharton, William Fraine, Adam Lyth, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Harry Brook, Jonathan Tattersall (WK), Ben Coad, George Hill, Jack Shutt, Mathew Pillans

    YOR vs DUR English T20 Blast, Durham playing 11 against Yorkshire:  Alex Lees, David Bedingham, Graham Clark, Ben Raine, Scott Steel, David Bedingham (WK), Farhaan Behardien, Brydon Carse, Matty Potts, Nathan Rimmington, Liam Trevaskis 



    Team Rankings

    RankTeamPointsRating
    1 Australia 3028 116
    2 New Zealand 2406 115
    3 India 3085 114
    4 England 3882 105
    5 Sri Lanka 2454 91
    FULL Ranking
    RankTeamPointsRating
    1 England 5347 124
    2 India 5819 119
    3 New Zealand 3716 116
    4 South Africa 3345 108
    5 Australia 3767 108
    FULL Ranking
    RankTeamPointsRating
    1 Australia 6047 275
    2 England 5959 271
    3 India 9319 266
    4 Pakistan 6009 261
    5 South Africa 4380 258
    FULL Ranking

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    Victoria records 42 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths | Daily Mail Online
     
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    Victoria records 42 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths as a Melbourne is set to be ring fenced to stop people travelling to regional areas where restrictions are eased

    • Victoria recorded 42 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths on Wednesday
    • New cases come as police prepare to crack down on regional travel in the state
    • Regional Victoria will return to Stage Two restrictions on Thursday morning
    • Regional Victorian homes can also welcome five visitors from another household

    Victoria has recorded 42 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths as police prepare to crack down on regional travel. 

    Regional Victoria will return to Stage Two restrictions at 11.59pm on Wednesday, but Melbourne will stay in its Stage Four lockdown. 

    Authorities are ramping up roadblocks, creating the so-called 'ring of steel' around Melbourne to ensure city residents do not try to take advantage of the eased regional measures. 

    Premier Daniel Andrews has warned motorists travelling out of the city to expect longer wait times as police tighten checkpoints. 

    A man wearing a mask walks past street art in Prahran in Melbourne on September 14

    A man wearing a mask walks past street art in Prahran in Melbourne on September 14

    Locals wearing face masks walk along the South Melbourne Beach on Monday. Lockdown restrictions in regional Victoria will be lifted from tomorrow

    Locals wearing face masks walk along the South Melbourne Beach on Monday. Lockdown restrictions in regional Victoria will be lifted from tomorrow

    Cyclists are seen riding at Albert Park on September 9, in Melbourne, Australia

    Cyclists are seen riding at Albert Park on September 9, in Melbourne, Australia

    'I'm sorry to say it will mean that there will be significant queues, there will be travel issues,' he told reporters on Tuesday.

    Outdoor gathering limits in regional parts of the state will increase to 10 people from midnight on Thursday morning - as will weddings and outdoor religious gatherings.

    Funerals will be allowed 20 mourners and regional Victorians can welcome five visitors from another nominated household.  

    Melbourne's lockdown rules remain unchanged and people cannot travel out of the city without specific reasons.

    The next step for regional Victoria means pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to serve people outside with strict density quotas, while outdoor gathering limits will be upped to 10.

    Regional Victorians will also be able to leave their homes without restriction and all shops can reopen.

    The premier said Melburnians should be inspired by the rolling back of restrictions, rather than disheartened.

    'I'd encourage people not to see it that way and instead see this as proof positive,' he said. 

    Masked walkers on South Melbourne Beach on Monday as the world's heaviest coronavirus restrictions in the city were eased overnight to allow residents two hours exercise time

    Masked walkers on South Melbourne Beach on Monday as the world's heaviest coronavirus restrictions in the city were eased overnight to allow residents two hours exercise time

    A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a closed pub in Melbourne on Thursday. Mr Premier Daniel Andrews announced $100million will go towards a Melbourne City Recovery fund to inject life back into the city

    A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past a closed pub in Melbourne on Thursday. Mr Premier Daniel Andrews announced $100million will go towards a Melbourne City Recovery fund to inject life back into the city

    The move comes after Mr Andrews was heavily criticised for a $290million plan to revive the state's crippled entertainment sector. 

    The under-fire premier unveiled a funding package on Monday to help the state's sole traders and entertainment industry survive when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.  

    Mr Andrews said the plan would turn the city into an al fresco dining hub - but the head of Melbourne's largest restaurant group has already labelled the proposal unworkable. 

    'The government thinks this is going to be some sort of outdoor Disneyland for dining, but it's not going to work,' Luca Restaurants chief executive Chris Lucas told the Herald Sun

    People are seen at Brighton Beach in Melbourne on September 14 as the number of coronavirus cases continues to fall in the state

    People are seen at Brighton Beach in Melbourne on September 14 as the number of coronavirus cases continues to fall in the state

    Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Tuesday was 'a great day for regional Victoria' as he eased gathering limits outside of metropolitan Melbourne

    Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Tuesday was 'a great day for regional Victoria' as he eased gathering limits outside of metropolitan Melbourne

    'The majority of the city's restaurants cannot work outdoors. Outdoor dining really only suits cafes, not to mention Melbourne's problematic weather.'

    Restaurant and Catering Industry Association chief Wes Lambert said though the package would help lift the city's restaurants out of lockdown.

    'This is a generous and comprehensive package that matches calls from industry organisations like R&CA to help businesses operate outdoors,' he said. 

    Mr Andrews compared the revival plan - which will see $100million go towards a Melbourne City Recovery fund to inject life back into the city - to New York's Open Restaurants initiative. 

    The program in the US' largest city involved footpaths, laneways and streets being temporarily transformed into dining areas. 

    Computer-generated imagery showed the vision for Victoria's plan to rejuvenate its hospitality sector after the city's Stage Four lockdown - but the plan has come under fire from business owners

    Computer-generated imagery showed the vision for Victoria's plan to rejuvenate its hospitality sector after the city's Stage Four lockdown - but the plan has come under fire from business owners

    But Mr Lucas said as many as 60 per cent of New York's businesses could still not be saved by the program.  

    Premier Daniel Andrews has meanwhile flagged regional Victoria may move to the 'third step' of its roadmap plan as early as this week.

    That step, allowing people to leave their homes without restrictions and hospitality businesses to reopen, is triggered if its 14-day average remains below five and no 'mystery' cases are recorded.

    'There won't be a lot of notice,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Monday.

    'That is preferable in making people wait for another week or so.

    'Hopefully we can have very good news for regional Victoria tomorrow.'  

    Under the state government's plan, Melbourne's bars, cafes and restaurants can open for outdoor dining from October 26. 

    Melbourne will move to its next step of reopening on September 28 if the 14-day average falls to 30-50. 

    The city took its first tentative steps out of lockdown on Monday, with those living alone or single parents allowed to have one visitor, outdoor exercise extended to two hours and the curfew's start time extended an hour to 9pm.  

    WHAT REGIONAL VICTORIANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO DO UNDER EASED LOCKDOWN RULES

    Outdoor gathering limits will increase to 10 people. That number does not include infants under the age of 12 months.

    People in regional Victoria will also be able to leave their homes without restriction. 

    Limits for outdoor religious gatherings and weddings will increase to 10 people, while funeral limits will rise to 20 mourners.

    Five visitors are allowed in a home from a nominated household.

    Schools will return to normal operation over the first two weeks of Term 4.  

    Outdoor auctions will be allowed to have a maximum of 10 people in attendance.

    Children can return to community sport and adults can take part in non-contact sport.  

    Regional Victorians can travel and holiday within regional parts of the state - with tourist accommodation in those areas also opening up 

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    Victoria records 42 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths

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    The Queen's £400 million fortune: Book claims Her Majesty's personal wealth is £50 million higher | Daily Mail Online
     
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    The Queen's £400 million fortune: New book claims Her Majesty's personal wealth is £50 million higher than previously thought

    • A new book claims the Queen's private fortune is approximately £400 million
    • David McClure writes that she got 55% rise in EU farm subsidies at Sandringham
    • His book estimates Queen's fortune at £50 million more than previously thought

    The Queen's private fortune is approximately £400 million, a new book claims. 

    Royal finance expert David McClure has also written that the monarch received a 55 per cent rise in EU farm subsidies at Sandringham, as Prince Charles turned the estate organic. 

    Mr McClure's new book, The Queen's True Worth, estimates Her Majesty's fortune at £50 million more than previously believed, The Express reports. 

    Her sprawling Norfolk residence has been the beneficiary of Brussels subsidy money since Britain joined the European Union, becoming eligible to withdraw from the multi-billion-pound Common Agricultural Policy fund. 

    Over the last five years, Sandringham has received more than £3 million, including £935,908 in 2019 - 55 per cent more than the £604,844 awarded the previous year.

    The Prince of Wales's sustainability drive won the estate an extra £313,517 from the EU's budget to support rural development projects.  

    Royal author David McClure has claimed these often overlooked EU cash injections has long depressed estimates of the Queen's overall wealth - which he puts at around £400million

    Royal author David McClure has claimed these often overlooked EU cash injections has long depressed estimates of the Queen's overall wealth - which he puts at around £400million

    Her Majesty's sprawling Norfolk residence has been showered with Brussels subsidy money since the UK joined the bloc in the 1970s and became eligible for a portion of the Common Agricultural Policy's multi-billion-pound pot

    Her Majesty's sprawling Norfolk residence has been showered with Brussels subsidy money since the UK joined the bloc in the 1970s and became eligible for a portion of the Common Agricultural Policy's multi-billion-pound pot

    Royal author Mr McClure has claimed these often overlooked EU cash injections has long depressed estimates of the Queen's overall wealth - which he puts at around £400million. 

    But the Royal Family's finances could be hit when Brussels ends the subsidies as the Brexit transition period ends in December. 

    What is the Common Agricultural Policy?

    The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a system whereby Brussels makes direct payments to EU farmers.

    Subsidies are paid to ensure continued food production on the continent, and to safeguard farmers from volatile business environments.

    Since its inception in 1962, the CAP has been a thorny issue, not least because of its enormous cost.

    The CAP budget is 58billion euros, around a third of the entire EU budget.

    Critics also say the majority of payments are made to big farms, rather than smaller more vulnerable ones.

    And some argue that millionaire farmers do not need generous subsidy payments.

    British farmers will no longer receive payments when the Brexit transition period ends in December.

    The government has previously said it will continue financial support for farmers. 

    Advertisement

    In his book, Mr McClure stresses that the Queen's true wealth remains murky and is hotly contested by royal watchers - partly due to the Royal Family not being bound by Freedom of Information laws to disclose their wealth.

    The author rubbishes some 'crude' estimates which arrive at 'astronomical' amounts by factoring in residences such as Buckingham Palace, which the Queen does not own, into their calculations.

    Yet unlike her other royal residences, Sandringham is privately owned and was passed to her from her father King George VI upon his death in 1952.

    Mr McClure writes in his book that Prince Philip grappled with the 20,000-acre estate, which was burning money.

    'What had reduced profitability was fragmentation: there were simply too many small farms with too many workers producing too few profits,' he writes, according to an extract published in the Daily Express.

    A radical shake-up by Philip, who melded the smaller plots of land into around a dozen 'mega-farms', shrank the workforce and generated profits. 

    But McClure pins Sandringham's revived fortunes on the UK's accession to the European Community which allowed it to benefit from lucrative handouts.

    McClure writes: 'After the United Kingdom entered the EEC in 1973, Sandringham as one of the largest farms in Norfolk, became eligible for a large slice of the Common Agricultural Policy's farming subsidy budget.'

    Brussels' CAP is a system of subsidies paid to EU farmers to shore up production and safeguarding farmers from an often uncertain business environment. 

    It also doles out money for farms engaging in environmental action as part of its war on climate change.

    McClure dredges up public data from the last five years which reveals the amount the Sandringham farms, which among other produce grow blackcurrents for Ribena, were awarded from the EU.

    Sandringham raked in '£553,051 in 2015, £524,466 in 2016, £695,001 in 2017, £604,844 in 2018 and a massive £935,908'. 

    David McClure
    His forthcoming book, The Queen's True Worth: Unravelling the Public & Private Finances of Queen Elizabeth II

    In his forthcoming book, The Queen's True Worth: Unravelling the Public & Private Finances of Queen Elizabeth II, David McClure (left) stresses that Her Majesty's wealth remains murky and is hotly contested by royal watchers

    In The Queen's True Worth, McClure chronicles how Prince Philip grappled with the 20,000-acre estate, which was burning money

    In The Queen's True Worth, McClure chronicles how Prince Philip grappled with the 20,000-acre estate, which was burning money

    The most recent handout is topped up by over £300,000 in rural development money because of Charles's transformation of the farms to become organic, he writes.

    It is understood the heir to the throne hopes to make the estate fully organic by July and is introducing 500 beef cattle so their manure can be spread over the fields. 

    Underscoring the importance of the EU subsidies to Sandringham, and in turn the Queen's private wealth, McClure vastly elevates standard estimates for the estate's value.

    He writes: 'Previous estimates have put the value of Sandringham at between £30million and £45million but, significantly, do not take into full account the extra value attached to the royal name.

    'If that is factored in, then – as we have seen from inflated prices paid at auction for other royal property – Sandringham might easily be worth £60million to £80million on the open market.'

    But he reckons the 'true test' of Brussels handouts will be exposed when Sandringham is starved of CAP subsidies when the UK officially cuts ties with the bloc at the end of the year.

    The Queen's £400 million fortune: Book claims Her Majesty's personal wealth is £50 million higher

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    Gold Steady As Markets Eye Outcome Of U.S. Fed Meet
    1-MIN READ

    Gold Steady As Markets Eye Outcome Of U.S. Fed Meet

    Gold Steady As Markets Eye Outcome Of U.S. Fed Meet

    Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting, hoping for details of the central bank's plans to balance interest rates against its inflation target.

    • Last Updated: September 16, 2020, 9:33 AM IST

    Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, hoping for details of the central bank’s plans to balance interest rates against its inflation target.

    Spot gold was up 0.1% to $1,957.45 per ounce by 0255 GMT. U.S. gold futures were steady at $1,966.20.

    “People are keeping on the sidelines because of the Fed announcement coming up later today,” said Brian Lan, managing director at dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore.

    “People are awaiting for more clarity on what monetary tools the Fed is expected to use to support inflation above 2%.”

    The Fed decision is due at 1800 GMT, followed by a news conference by Chairman Jerome Powell half an hour later.

    The U.S. central bank last month adopted a more accommodative approach to inflation and pledged to keep interest rates low for longer.

    “Markets will want to see if the Fed will modify its language as some expect, perhaps something to the effect that it will keep rates low for a period of time (say three years) or maybe do the same thing with its inflation language,” said Edward Meir, an analyst at ED&F Man Capital Markets, in a note.

    “But, we doubt the Fed will lock itself into such a fixed language ahead of a potential turn in the U.S. economy.”

    Lower U.S. interest rates put pressure on the dollar and bond yields, increasing the appeal of non-yielding bullion. Gold also is used as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement.

    Offering support to gold, the dollar index eased 0.1% against a basket of major currencies.

    U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Democrats were open to delaying an October recess to get a deal with Republicans on a new coronavirus aid bill.

    Elsewhere, silver fell 0.1% to $27.20 per ounce, platinum dropped 0.7% to $971.11 and palladium slipped 1.4% to $2,375.83.

    Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

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    GMC Hummer EV To Debut With A Crab Walk On October 20 - carandbike
    • location Location
    • language English

    GMC Hummer EV To Debut With A Crab Walk On October 20

    The new GMC Hummer EV will get something called a crab mode which enhances its off-roading credentials

    expand View Photos
    GMC will start with the production of the Hummer EV in 2021.

    Highlights

    • GMC will start with the production of the Hummer EV in 2021.
    • It will get a 'crab mode' which will enhance its off-roading credentials.
    • The electric motor belts out over 1000 bhp and 15,592 Nm of peak torque.

    We all went gaga over the Hummer EV when GMC confirmed the model in 2019. For startets it's the revival of the iconic Hummer brand and then the electric iteration will churn out over 1000 bhp and a mighty 15,592 Nm of peak torque. Yes! You got that right and we do understand that those numbers sound baffling. The latest news is that after much delay owing to the current pandemic, GMC is finally set to unveil the Hummer EV on October 20.

    Also Read: GMC Hummer EV Teased; Production To Begin In 2021

    vbdqqeg

    The Hummer EV will be the first ever electric truck from GM.

    Now GMC still has some tricks up its sleeve to build up on the excitement, if those power figures don't impress you. The new Hummer EV will get something called a crab mode. GMC says it enhances its off-roading credentials and dynamics. It lets this mammoth electric pick-up truck move diagonally across the terrain and comes in addition to the four-wheel steering. GMC says that it is "tailor-made for off-roading customers." 

    Also Read: GMC Branded Hummer EV Unveil Postponed Due To COVID-19 Crisis

    0m22pgq

    The GMC Hummer will be offered in two body types.

    Most likely, the Hummer EV will be offered in two body types- Pick-Up and three-row SUV. It has always been admired for its enormous size and robust demeanour and the EV will too emulate the design language, with many elements being carried over, for instance the bold six-slat grille that adds to the imposing front end. That said, the cabin will be a huge step-up from what we have seen in the Hummer before with high-end materials and big digital displays for instruments and infotainment. Surprisingly, there will be removable roof panels as well adding to its lifestyle vehicle status.

    Also Read: GMC Confirms Electric Hummer SUV; Reveals Teaser Image

    n61ogg98

    The new GMC Hummer EV will get a crab mode that will enhance its off-roading credentials.

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    As already said, the GMC Hummer EV will have an output of over 1,000 bhp and a peak torque of 15,592 Nm while the 0-96 kmph sprint will come in 3 seconds and that's supercar territory. It will be the first ever electric truck from GM and also marks the resurrection of the iconic Hummer brand. GMC says that the Hummer EV will retain its incredible off-road capability while having zero emissions and reduced noise.

    For the latest auto news and reviews, follow carandbike.com on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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    Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

    Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

    All Work (Internet Browsing) and No Proper Night-time Sleep Makes Jack a Dull Boy, Reveals Study
    1-MIN READ

    All Work (Internet Browsing) and No Proper Night-time Sleep Makes Jack a Dull Boy, Reveals Study

    Representative image.

    Representative image.

    Using daily diary data from a national US sample of almost 2,000 people, the research team analysed sleep duration and how people responded to negative and positive situations the next day.

    • Last Updated: September 16, 2020, 3:40 PM IST

    People who sleep late at night, kindly take note. Researchers have found that after a night of shorter sleep, people react more emotionally to stressful events the next day -- and they don't find as much joy in the good things.

    For the study, published in the journal Health Psychology, the research team looked at how sleep affects our reaction to both stressful and positive events in daily life.

    "When people experience something positive, such as getting a hug or spending time in nature, they typically feel happier that day," said study researcher Nancy Sin from the University of British Columbia in Canada.

    "But we found that when a person sleeps less than their usual amount, they don't have as much of a boost in positive emotions from their positive events," Sin added.

    Using daily diary data from a national US sample of almost 2,000 people, the research team analysed sleep duration and how people responded to negative and positive situations the next day.

    The participants reported on their experiences and the amount of sleep they had the previous night in daily telephone interviews over eight days.

    People also reported a number of stressful events in their daily lives, including arguments, social tensions, work and family stress, and being discriminated against.

    When people slept less than usual, they responded to these stressful events with a greater loss of positive emotions.

    This has important health implications: previous research by Sin and others shows that being unable to maintain positive emotions in the face of stress puts people at risk of inflammation and even an earlier death.

    Chronic health conditions -- such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer -- are prevalent among adults, especially as we grow older.

    Past research suggests that people with health conditions are more reactive when faced with stressful situations, possibly due to the wear-and-tear of the physiological stress systems.

    "We were also interested in whether adults with chronic health conditions might gain an even larger benefit from sleep than healthy adults," said Sin.

    "For those with chronic health conditions, we found that longer sleep -- compared to one's usual sleep duration -- led to better responses to positive experiences on the following day," Sin revealed.

    The research team hoped that by making sleep a priority, people can have a better quality of life and protect their long-term health.

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    Apple iPhone 6 Review

    Apple iPhone 6 Review

    By Prasid Banerjee | Updated May 22 2019
    Apple iPhone 6 Review
    DIGIT RATING
    84 /100
    • design

      79

    • performance

      84

    • value for money

      84

    • features

      71

    User Rating : 4/5 Out of 1 Reviews
    • PROS
    • Best smartphone camera ever
    • Very good performance
    • Display is sharp and auto brightness is very good
    • CONS
    • Battery life needs a lot of work
    • Design may not please everybody
    • Very slippery body

    Verdict

    Apple's devices have always been about premium design combined with good performance. Not the iPhone 6 though. Apple seems to have stumbled in the effort to make its iPhone bigger. The new device is all performance and though it sports a good design, it's not the amazing design that we've seen before. It's still one of the best iPhones till date though and if you thought that the iPhone needed a bigger screen, then go ahead and buy this.

    BUY Apple iPhone 6
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    Apple iPhone 6 detailed review

    So you’ve sold the necessary organs and you’re ready to join the queues to buy the iPhone 6, but you now realise that it is of stock. Nevermind, you can use the time to read this review and finally decide if you want to spend your money on Apple's latest and greatest. The new iPhone represents, arguably, the biggest ever makeover in the series, but does it really clear the high standards that the company has set for itself? Let’s find out.


    This is going to be a long one, so we've got some handy quick verdicts peppered throughout the review, if you don't have enough time to read it in its entirety.

    Build & Design

    At 6.9 mm, this is the slimmest iPhone till date and Apple has gone back to the rounded edges that the very first iPhone came with. The iPhone 6 though doesn’t feel as premium as the 5S before it. In fact, it doesn’t feel like an iPhone. The bigger screen seems to have taken Apple out of its comfort zone. While the device has very good build quality, it isn’t the efficient design philosophy that we’ve seen in iPhones till date.

    For one, the iPhone 6 is possibly the most slippery iPhone that Apple has ever built. You’re definitely going to need a cover for this smartphone, because it tends to slip out of your hand very easily. If you’ve been a long time Apple user, then you will be even more prone to drop it since you’re not used to the size. In the initial four hours of usage, I almost dropped it six times and I’m not clumsy, especially with review devices.

    Next, the camera protrusion on the back. This frankly doesn’t bother me much. What I hate more are the hideous plastic bands for the antenna. These stick out even more in the Gold version of the smartphone. In addition, the glossy front portion of the iPhone and the rounded bulges on the front edges don’t feel very premium. The device’s overall look and feel, though good, pales in comparison to the iPhone 5S. The front panel seems out of place in the entire design. But that is more a matter of personal tastes.

    The iPhone 6 is also very light, but when was the last time you heard Samsung beat Apple in the design department? The recently launched Samsung Galaxy Alpha has the same display size as the iPhone 6, but is only 3 grams heavier than the iPhone 5S and 14 grams lighter than the iPhone 6. Of course, the plastic body on the Alpha helps it keep its weight down. Don’t get me wrong, the iPhone 6 is still light at 129 grams, but it feels bulkier and heavier than it actually is.

    "It’s not the out and out marvelous design language we’ve seen from Apple earlier."

    Display

    The flagship feature of the new iPhone 6 is its 4.7 inch display and Apple went with 1334x750 pixels in order to ensure that the 326ppi pixel density introduced in the iPhone 4 remains the same. What does this mean? It means that while the screen is larger, the content on it will remain as sharp as in the iPhone 5S. As a result, I had no complaints about the iPhone 6’s display in general. It is also quite bright, if only slightly lower than the 5S. This still doesn’t affect its sunlight visibility and the iPhone 6 retains Apple’s history of good displays with excellent viewing angles. Apple’s auto brightness control helps with the sunlight visibility too.

    "750p may not sound like much, but it most definitely works!"

    Performance

    Till now, the iPhone has been about premium feel and top of the line performance. The iPhone 6, though, is all performance. The new A8 processor inside is faster than the earlier A7 processor and gives very good performance. Does it heat up? Which iPhone doesn’t? Does that affect the performance? Not really. Games like Real Racing 3, Asphalt 8, Injustice: Gods Among Us and some others, run like a charm on the new iPhone. In addition, the extra screen real estate helps improve the gameplay experience.

    Here’s my beef with Apple though. Where’s the battery life for me to use that performance? The device is a big battery hog. I couldn’t get past 6 hours, with or without intensive games. In fact, I never put the device through as much gaming as I usually do. The iPhone 6 loses battery fast when you start watching high definition videos or play games on it. The overall battery life is better than the iPhone 5S, but it's not even close to being enough. If you’re moving from Android to iPhone then this will be a shock for you, depending on what phone you were using. Most Android flagships have much better battery life than the iPhone 6.

    "Performance is at par with any Android flagship, but battery life doesn’t allow you to use it enough."

    UI

    The UI on iOS 8 is not any different from what we saw with the earlier version, but Apple had to do something to compensate for the bigger screen. The phone’s size, combined with its slippery body makes it a nightmare for those who use their phones while lying down. You will often find yourself struggle to reach the top of the screen or see the phone topple out of your hand while you try to do it. For this, Apple gave the option to double tap the home button, which shifts the entire UI down.

    This feature, though useful, doesn’t work in some important areas like Spotlight search. The search bar on Spotlight search remains on the top of the screen and doesn’t move down. Neither do the search results. Also, while the double tap helps, it still makes you move around a lot. Back buttons in Apple’s UI are almost always on the top, which means you will have to reach a long way even after bringing the UI down. This further adds to the unwieldiness of the device and is a major glitch.

    "Single handed usage isn't refined enough. UI needs to make you move around less."

    Camera

    If there is one area where the iPhone 6 smashes it out of the park, it's the camera. While the device still has the same 8 MP camera as on the 5S, detailing and white balance on the iPhone 6 is definitely better. Apple’s camera is in fact the greatest testament to the fact that megapixel count doesn’t determine camera quality. The iPhone 6 takes amazing pictures in normal outdoor lighting and is good even under low light.

    Not just that, the new phase detection autofocus is so fast that I missed the point when the camera focused on an object a few times. The only other phone camera that is this fast with its autofocus is the LG G3. The 8 MP images from the iPhone 6 can give any other smartphone and even some cameras a run for their money and it is easily one of the best phone cameras that you will find in the market.

    That said, the iPhone 5S also had the best camera when it came out (Editor's Note: yes, we've considered the Lumia 1020 when we say that). While the iPhone 6 is better, the difference won’t be that apparent to the untrained eye. In addition, with iOS 8 allowing manual controls, the 5S has room for improvement through third party apps.

    "Best smartphone camera. Period."

    Bottomline

    For Apple users

    This is the tricky part. While the iPhone 6 does provide better performance than the 5S, you will know this only by benchmark scores. For regular usage, both the devices are just as smooth. The iPhone 5S is no slouch and shows no lags whatsoever. In addition, the 32GB variant of the 5S is available for almost as much as the 16GB version of the iPhone 6. On top of that, iOS 8 really doesn’t leave much to separate the two devices. So what’s to stop you from buying the 5S instead or refrain from an upgrade if you already own it?

    Well, the iPhone 6 will obviously have a longer lifetime than the 5S and will get updates for a longer duration. Secondly, the new iPhone will be the choice for Apple users looking for a bigger screen (but not as big as the 5.5-in one on the 6 Plus). If not, the 5S is still a very good buy.

    Simply put, if you thought iPhones should be bigger, then Apple heard you and has delivered. If you have anything lower than the iPhone 5, then now is the time to upgrade. If not, stick to your phone and buy the next Apple smartphone that comes out.

    "Want a bigger iPhone? Buy it."

    Android to iPhone

    The bigger screen on the iPhone was supposedly going to pull users from Android to the iOS ecosystem. But making the shift isn’t as easy as it sounds. Apple still hasn’t provided a really battery efficient phone with this one and iOS is still limited when it comes to sharing options. Yes iOS 8 is opening APIs for the same, but that’s a thing of the future. For now, you’re entering the Apple family and there’s a lot you may not like.

    Moreover, Android has the benefits of being an open system and still offers many more features than the iPhone. Siri is no match for Google Now, especially in India, and customisation options are simply much greater on Android. Also, with Apple Pay not likely to be here anytime soon, you essentially don't have NFC on the iPhone 6 either. So, if you like to play around with your phone and want the above mentioned aspects then you shouldn’t be making the switch. On the other hand, if you want a phone that you can immediately start using and you aren't impressed by the way you can tweak Android, then the iPhone 6 is your best bet.

    "If you don't want to fiddle with your phone to make it better, then buy it."

    Price tag

    Yes, Rs. 53,500 for a 16GB smartphone is a farce, so if you’re going to buy an iPhone then make sure you have upwards of Rs. 60,000. If not, save and then go for it, maybe the prices will drop too. You get 10.6GB free, which really isn’t enough unless you’re planning and have the money to upgrade to the iPhone 7 next year.

    "Got the budget for the 64GB iPhone 6? Pick that one."

    Apple iPhone 6 Key Specs, Price and Launch Date

    Price:
    Release Date: 05 Mar 2017
    Variant: 64GB
    Market Status: Launched

    Key Specs

    • Screen Size Screen Size
      4.7" (1080 x 1920)
    • Camera Camera
      8 | 1.2 MP
    • Memory Memory
      64 GB/1 GB
    • Battery Battery
      1810 mAh
    logo
    Prasid Banerjee

    Trying to explain technology to my parents. Failing miserably.

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    Novartis reinforces commitment to patient access\, pricing a EUR 1.85 billion sustainability-linked bond

    Xolo Q1000S Review

    Xolo Q1000S Review

    By Sameer Mitha | Updated May 22 2019
    Xolo Q1000S Review
    DIGIT RATING
    60 /100
    • design

      60

    • performance

      80

    • value for money

      60

    • features

      60

    • PROS
    • Metallic build
    • Slimmest phone in its price range
    • No preloaded bloatware
    • Smooth interface
    • CONS
    • The power button broke and it�s a pain to remove the SIM card tray
    • Display lacks vibrancy
    • Earpiece output could have been better

    Verdict

    The overall build of the Xolo Q1000S is above average even though I managed to break the power button and it impressed with its benchmark performance and real world usage. Majority of the smartphones in this category have a removable battery and expandable storage along with dual SIM capabilities. If these qualities are a priority for you, then you are better off looking at competing devices such as the Canvas 4, Wammy Passion Z Plus and more. You can consider this device if you want a well-built single SIM smartphone and don�t mind being limited to 16GB built-in storage.

    BUY Xolo Q1000S
    Buy now on flipkart Out of Stock 19999

    Xolo Q1000S detailed review

    Xolo has impressed us with its diverse device portfolio that has included the likes of the Xolo Q700, Xolo Play, and the Q1000 to name a few. Now, the smartphone maker has launched the Q1000S that runs on the MediaTek MT6589T chipset, boasts of a unibody design and has taken the route of no expandable storage. Is this device worth a glance?

    At a glance
    A slim and attractive black matte finish with what feels like a metal body is the first thing that will wow you when you look at the smartphone. Coming to the specifications of the device, it has a 5-inch display with a 1280x720 pixel resolution. Under the hood it has the MediaTek MT6589T chipset clocked at 1.5GHz coupled with 1GB of RAM. The rear houses a 13MP camera and the front has a 5MP video-calling camera. A 2500mAh battery powers the package.

    Here is a quick look at how the smartphone performs when compared to the competition (including the Canvas 4, WickedLeak Wammy Passion Z Plus, Lemon A4 and the iberry Auxus Nuclea N1).  




    Design
    Like I said earlier, you will be wowed by the design of the smartphone. It has a black matte finish with a unibody design and has the potential of being Batman’s phone. The device is very slim measuring a mere 6.9mm in thickness and is light at 158 grams. Despite being light, the smartphone feels extremely sturdy.




    Below the display you have the standard capacitive buttons – menu, home and back. The rear houses the 13MP camera along with a flash. Since the Q1000S has a unibody design, you don’t have access to the battery and just like the Nexus 4, iPhone 5 or the Huawei Ascend P6, you have a SIM tray that pops out with the use of a pin. Smartphones such as the Ascend P6 have a microSD card tray along with the SIM card tray.

    This is where the awesome design of the smartphone ends. In other smartphones that I have tested, a single pop is all it takes to remove the SIM card tray. Here I had to struggle to get the SIM tray out. I even managed to bend the SIM tray pin in the process.



    The left of the Q1000S houses the volume rocker along with the power button. This seems a bit strange as we are used to seeing the power button on the right and getting used to it being on the left sort of feels like driving an American car in India.

    Another manner in which I managed to “break” the phone is with the power button. It just slipped into its socket forcing me to use my nails for the rest of the review process to unlock the Q1000S. Quite frustrating, especially when I wanted to take screen shots. Thankfully, the volume rocker stayed intact.

    Although the phone left a good impression in the beginning with respect to build quality, the issues with the power button and the SIM tray spoiled it all.



    UI and preloaded apps
    The Xolo Q1000S runs on Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean. The smartphone also has the ability to update OTA (Over The Air), a feature we miss in most budget smartphones but found on the WickedLeak Wammy Passion Z Plus. The rest of the user interface is stock Android, one that we love. Navigating the device feels smooth. I had quite a few apps running in the background including games such as Dead Trigger and the interface of the smartphone was still butter smooth.



    The Q1000S come preloaded with a few apps, such as Xolo Secure and Xolo Power, that we have seen on other Xolo devices. As the name suggests, Xolo Secure is a security app that helps you keep your data safe. The Xolo Power app on the other hand gives you information about the battery consumption and gives you access to a bunch of settings such as Sync frequency, Night mode (which switches off the Internet when the display is off), Low battery Mode which disables power guzzling features such as Wi-Fi, data, GPS and more after the battery percentage drops below your preset level.

    Overall, the UI is stock Android, which I liked, and the preloaded apps add good value to the smartphone.

    Performance
    Coming to the performance of the Xolo Q1000S, here is a quick look to see how it performs when compared to other smartphones in its price range.

     



    From the above benchmarks it is clear that the Q1000S is a good performer when it comes to the hardware it is running on. We have seen devices such as the Lemon A4 that runs on the old MT6589 chipset and has a 1080p display along with 1GB of RAM. With its hardware, the Lemon required more power to render on a Full HD display, hence the lower scores. On the other hand we have the WickedLeak Wammy Passion Z Plus that shows off not only a 1080p display but the MT6589T chipset as well. The Wammy Passion Z Plus was plagued with lag when multitasking and in the benchmarks, as you can see, it scores less than the Q1000S.

    Moving on, the display of the Q1000S smartphone isn’t as vibrant as the Lemon A4 or the Wammy Passion Z Plus but it is great for consuming content nonetheless. The display has wide viewing angles and the reproduction of colours is crisp. Reading text, watching movies, playing games or just navigating the device is fun since the display is gorgeous. The 5-inch display has a 1280x720 pixel resolution giving it 293ppi pixel density.

    There is no lag at all while navigating the smartphone or using it for multitasking. The experience of interacting with the display feels really good. The keyboard is stock Android and is well laid out and the device is comfortable to type on.



    When it came to testing video files, we found that AVI and MP4 files ran smoothly on the Xolo Q1000S but in the case of MKV, the video played but the audio didn’t. Navigating the timeline of the videos, changing orientation, everything was smooth on the native player without any hiccups.

    The camera on the rear of the Xolo Q1000S is 13MP and we were skeptical of its performance. In well-lit conditions, especially outdoors, the camera performed well. In low-lit situations too the camera performance was acceptable, better than what we have seen on competing smartphones, but not by a great margin. In low-lit situations, when you blow the image to its full size, you will notice loss of detail. It gets the job done however, if all you want to do is click pictures for social networking websites.



    Gaming on the Xolo Q1000S is plagued by the same problems that we saw on the other MediaTek MT6589 powered smartphones. Real Racing 3 still refused to run but other games we played on the smartphone, such as Angry Birds, Temple Run and Dead Trigger, seemed to run just fine.  

    In terms of its battery life, the Xolo Q1000S is average. In our continuous video playback test, the device lasted for five hours. With average use you will be able to get through one day of use.  



    Bottom Line
    The overall build of the Xolo Q1000S is above average even though I managed to break the power button and it impressed with its benchmark performance and real world usage. Majority of the smartphones in this category have a removable battery and expandable storage along with dual SIM capabilities. If these qualities are a priority for you, then you are better off looking at competing devices such as the Canvas 4, Wammy Passion Z Plus and more. You can consider this device if you want a well-built single SIM smartphone and don’t mind being limited to 16GB built-in storage.

    Xolo Q1000S Key Specs, Price and Launch Date

    Price: ₹18999
    Release Date: 24 Aug 2013
    Variant: 16GB
    Market Status: Launched

    Key Specs

    • Screen Size Screen Size
      5" (720 x 1280)
    • Camera Camera
      13 | 5 MP
    • Memory Memory
      16 GB/1 GB
    • Battery Battery
      2500 mAh
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    Sameer Mitha

    Sameer Mitha lives for gaming and technology is his muse. When he isn’t busy playing with gadgets or video games he delves into the world of fantasy novels.

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    Xolo Q1000S

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    Kolkata lawyer sentenced to jail for strangling husband with wire of mobile phone charger - कोलकाता की वकील को मोबाइल फोन चार्जर की तार से पति का गला घोंटने के आरोप में जेल की सजा | India News in Hindi

    कोलकाता की वकील को मोबाइल फोन चार्जर की तार से पति का गला घोंटने के आरोप में जेल की सजा

    बंगाल के उत्तर 24 परगना जिले की एक फास्ट-ट्रैक अदालत ने एक वकील को मोबाइल फोन चार्जर की तार से पति की हत्या करने के जुर्म में उम्रकैद की सजा सुनाई है.

    कोलकाता की वकील को मोबाइल फोन चार्जर की तार से पति का गला घोंटने के आरोप में जेल की सजा

    प्रतीकात्मक तस्वीर

    कोलकाता :

    बंगाल के उत्तर 24 परगना जिले की एक फास्ट-ट्रैक अदालत ने एक वकील को मोबाइल फोन चार्जर की तार से पति की हत्या करने के जुर्म में उम्रकैद की सजा सुनाई है. अतिरिक्त जिला और सत्र न्यायाधीश सुजीत कुमार झा ने हत्या के मामले में सोमवार को वकील अनिंदिता पाल को दोषी ठहराया. कोर्ट ने उन्हें आजीवन कारावास और 10 हजार रुपये का जुर्माना देने की सजा सुनाई.

    अदालत ने आरोपी को "सबूतों को गायब करने" का दोषी पाया और ऐसा करने के लिए एक साल की जेल की सजा सुनाई. दोनों मामलों में एक साथ सजा सुनाई गई. विशेष सरकारी वकील बिभास चटर्जी ने आरोपी के लिए मौत की सजा की मांग की और दावा किया कि यह एक पूर्व-निर्धारित साजिश थी.

    यह भी पढ़ें:दिल्ली दंगों की साज़िश से जुड़ी 17,500 हज़ार से ज्यादा पेज की चार्जशीट पुलिस ने कोर्ट में दाखिल की

    अदालत ने, हालांकि, आरोपी को आजीवन कारावास की सजा सुनाई है. मामले में कोई भी प्रत्यक्षदर्शी नहीं है और सजा परिस्थितिजन्य साक्ष्य के आधार पर दी गई है. अनिंदिता पाल ने कहा कि उन्हें फंसाया जा रहा है और वह "खून की आखिरी बूंद" तक अपनी लड़ाई जारी रखेंगी.

    मुकदमे के दौरान, अभियोजन पक्ष ने दावा किया था कि 24 और 25 नवंबर, 2018 की रात को, अनिंदिता पाल ने कोलकाता में अपने न्यू टाउन फ्लैट में एक मोबाइल फोन चार्जर के तार से अपने पति रजत डे की गला घोंट कर हत्या कर दी थी. अभियोजन पक्ष ने दावा किया कि पति-पत्नी के बीच तनावपूर्ण संबंध थे जिसके कारण रजत डे की हत्या हुई.

    Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

    हालांकि अनिंदिता के पक्ष का दावा है कि आरोपी के पति दूसरे कमरे में सो रहे थे, उनके कमरे से आवाज आने के बाद अनिंदिता वहां पहुंची थीं. मामले में रजत डे के पिता ने एक FIR दर्ज कराई थी जिसमें आरोप लगाया गया था कि अनिंदिता पाल ने उनके बेटे की हत्या कर दी थी. आरोपी को 29 नवंबर को पुलिस ने गिरफ्तार कर लिया था.

    मामले में मुकदमे और दलीलें इस साल मार्च में पूरी हुईं. अनिंदिता पाल और उनके पति दोनों कोलकाता हाइकोर्ट में वकील थे. 
     



    (इस खबर को एनडीटीवी टीम ने संपादित नहीं किया है. यह सिंडीकेट फीड से सीधे प्रकाशित की गई है।)
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    New loan option for SMEs

    New loan option for SMEs

    Oliver Sabga, CEO of Term Finance Holdings Ltd. -
    Oliver Sabga, CEO of Term Finance Holdings Ltd. -

    AS MANY small businesses face an economic dilemma because of the pandemic, two companies have joined forces in the belief that their financial innovation can assist struggling entrepreneurs.

    Term Finance Holdings Limited (TFHL) and 3Stone Limited have developed Term Finance (SME TT) to provide improved and innovative access to finance and loans for small, micro, and medium (SME) sized enterprises.

    A strictly digital platform, SME TT which has been in beta testing for the past six months will be launched to the public on September 21. It is hoped that this new platform will provide economic diversification that focuses on innovation in the financial services infrastructure, to help small businesses with a competitive edge in the regional and international markets.

    In a media release, TFHL CEO Oliver Sabga said the technology driven process allowed for the application, submission of documents and communication to be done entirely online, negating the need to have long lines, or wait a lengthy period for a decision.

    He noted that time is money, and unnecessarily long wait times can result in dire consequences for smaller businesses.

    He said, “Our credit assessment methodology is now more fit-for-purpose, innovative and flexible than legacy financial institutions, giving us insight into areas that the big banks do not know how to evaluate.

    “A study a few years back indicated that SMEs generate approximately 30 percent of our country’s GDP. If we can support SMEs in their growth missions, we can grow the economy. This is very exciting.”

    3Stone director Dr Christian Stone also noted that the need to create accessible avenues to finance and explore the possibilities of supporting entrepreneurial development through lending to SMEs.

    “SMEs have had to rely on internal funding to a greater extent than larger organizations, as traditional loan funding for SMEs has been difficult to obtain.

    “This partnership between 3Stone and Term Finance is not only timely, but also a much-needed boost for the national ecosystem, and by extension the entrepreneurial community in TT, as access to funding remains a major sticking point in realising successful entrepreneurship,” Stone said.

    This move has the support of president of the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce Gabriel Faria, who said, “This partnership shows the ability of the companies to leverage their collective competencies to go beyond simply granting loans, to offering much needed value-add services like mentorship and guidance to SMEs.

    “I am also confident that Term Finance will utilize its existing technology to add an element of innovation to the corporate lending industry.”

    TFHL is a web-based credit institution operating in the Caribbean region and 3Stone Limited has been responsible for the execution of the annual National Secondary School Entrepreneurship competition.

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    Bernal Withdraws From Tour De France Ahead Of Stage 17
    1-MIN READ

    Bernal Withdraws From Tour De France Ahead Of Stage 17

    Bernal Withdraws From Tour De France Ahead Of Stage 17

    Defending champion Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of stage 17, his Ineos Grenadiers team said on Wednesday.

    • Last Updated: September 16, 2020, 12:33 PM IST

    Defending champion Egan Bernal has withdrawn from the Tour de France ahead of stage 17, his Ineos Grenadiers team said on Wednesday.

    Bernal, whose hopes of winning the race fell away when he cracked in Sunday’s 15th stage, was dropped from the main bunch in the ascent to Saint-Nizier, suffering from back pains in Tuesday’s 16th stage won by Lennard Kaemna. [nL8N2GC5AJ]

    Bernal had said that compensating for his back led to some discomfort in his knee.

    “This is obviously not how I wanted my Tour de France to end, but I agree that it is the right decision for me in the circumstances,” Bernal said in a statement https://www.ineosgrenadiers.com/article/egan-bernal-withdraws-from-the-tour-de-france.

    “I have the greatest respect for this race and I am already looking forward to coming back in the years ahead.”

    The 23-year-old will focus on his recovery from the Tour, and reset his goals for the rest of the season, his team said.

    They did not specify the reason for his withdrawl.

    “We’ve taken this decision with Egan’s best interests at heart,” Ineos team principal Dave Brailsford said.

    “Egan is a true champion who loves to race, but he is also a young rider, with many Tours ahead of him and at this point, on balance, we feel it is wiser for him to stop racing.”

    The Colombian had pulled out of the Criterium du Dauphine with back pains last month.

    Last year, Bernal became the youngest rider to win the Tour de France in 110 years.

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